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Is the Wii really a next gen game console?

Category: Wii, Posted: 08/20/2007 at 08:27PM EDT by Frank Ling, Content Contributor

3nextgens We've heard a lot of grousing from some sections of the gaming community saying that the Wii isn't a true next gen gaming console. It's been referred to in demeaning terms such as GameCube 1.5 and other phrases that we can't utter in polite company.

In spite of the criticisms, the Wii continues to push on as one of the most sought after gaming consoles in recent memory. Stormfront Studios has sided with the Wii and has defended its right to hold the title, "next gen" game console. Ironically, Nintendo has said that its machine isn't really a next gen console, but with that aside, Don Daglow of Stormfront said at the GCDC in Germany today that:

"Next-gen hardware is any platform that, upon its introduction, dramatically changes players' view of the potential for interactive entertainment. If it changes the player's view of what interactive entertainment is; if you think differently about it; if you have a new perspective after playing the game that you didn't have before, to me that's next-gen."

He said the common arguments about the Wii being weak in graphics and computing power are arguable at best:

"It does not have the processing power the 360 or the PS3 do, and you can make the consistent argument that, without that processing power, it can not revolutionize the entire experience. That's debatable, and we get to decide.

"Nobody gets to tell us what we think is next-gen - we get to decide for ourselves. I can help start arguing, but we get to decide for ourselves."

The decision from Stormfront Studios is "yes," the Wii is a next gen machine.

What do you think? Is it or isn't it?

[via Eurogamer]

Posted by EnJoY on 08/20/2007 at 08:38PM

I think it is without a doubt a next-gen console. The Wii offers an experience via it's interface that, until this generation, wasn't available or nearly as accessible. Next-gen is all about evolution, in whatever form that may be.

Posted by Brendon on 08/20/2007 at 09:17PM

It doesn't make a lot of sense, but I like how one of the guys I talked with at E3 referred to it: next-gen features in a last-gen console.

Posted by jambo on 08/20/2007 at 10:03PM

I actually think the Wii is the only next-gen console. The PS3 and the 360 still follow the basic formula set down by the classic console systems (i.e. 2600 and NES). Then comes the Wii, with a wireless motion sensor control that you can use to do just about anything! Instead of just pushing some buttons and twidling some dual-shocks you actually aim with the controller, swinging and shaking it around all over the place. I love my Wii and I'm very happy that I bought one =]

Posted by Archem on 08/20/2007 at 10:05PM

"Next gen" is a misused term these days. The term once referred the next generation, or incarnation of gaming consoles. Much like with people, the next generation is the newest set of existence from the gaming world. That being said, yes, the Wii is "next gen".
Now, as for a machine which pushes for better quality software running on more powerful hardware (which isn't what next gen is or should be, but should be called by the long name I used before the parentheses), no, the Wii is not. It's been stated many times in the past by many organizations (Nintendo included) that the Wii would not push the bill of what a console can do with graphics. It was made with the idea of a new way of playing games, and Nintendo was intent on staying outside of the console wars as much as possible, since if they weren't "competing", and they had no "competition", then they would have no-one to "lose" to.
Finally, the view of a console revolutionizing the game industry, the Wii is by far the most deserving of the title "next gen". The XBox 360 is no different, gameplay-wise, than anything we've experienced since the earliest days of gaming. The PS3 is also very undeserving of the title, since it also plays most games similarly to what we've seen for years, and with only a couple of exceptions that make it different. Six-Axis is the only thing that comes to mind that saves the PS3 from the fate of the XBox 360 as being unoriginal and old.
So in the end, the Wii fits two of the three possible ways of being seen as "next gen", which is also the average of the other two major consoles. XBox 360 is both new and pushes new hardware standards, but lacks innovation. PS3 is also new and offers better hardware, and while it offers Six-Axis, it is rarely a practical or necessary addition. Technically, the PS3 is the most next gen of them all (despite its lower popularity), but that's besides the point. The Wii is most definitely, undeniably next gen.

Posted by Viewtiful on 08/21/2007 at 01:35AM

I think that it would be a next gen experience if they could prove that their features actually work. Their whole idea was to create games that were more immersive and easy to play. But to date they haven't shown a single game that works in practice. They don't have a really good game that is really improved by the use of waggle and other wii functions. Zelda and Paper Mario should have come out on Gamecube, they would have been better.

Posted by bluseychris on 08/21/2007 at 10:47AM

It's a next gen console. It's also the only console to change the way people play games, how games are played and who plays games.

Posted by Dr.Aaron on 08/21/2007 at 04:26PM

Technically, the term should be changed to ''current gen'' because it is out!

Posted by lskennedy on 08/23/2007 at 12:33AM

it is and isnt. Graphically, no (Zelda does look GREAT though, water effect ne1?) but controls, AMAZING!!! re4 was amazing, red steel (bad game) fun controls, Far cry (bad game) LOTSA FUN, COD3 (fav wii game so far???)(RLY for the wii, re4 takes the cake though).

Posted by lskennedy on 08/23/2007 at 12:51AM