A lot of us, as we have been so creatively dubbed, “hardcore” gamers, would like to forget the Nintendo Wii. Despite the sales numbers and how much money the console made for Nintendo, some people will always chide it, as they wonder, “what about the games for ‘hardcore’ players?”

Nintendo’s plan for the Wii was simple: Make a video game console that everyone could enjoy – if only for a few times during the year or during holiday family gatherings.

People have told me that they are done with Nintendo.

Are you really done with a video game company because of one console? No. If so, Nintendo would have never been able to recover from the GameCube. If so, no one would be harping for a new Sega console after the botched launch of the Dreamcast or the bulky Genesis add-ons. If so, Microsoft would not have the bestselling home console for 20 straight months in the U.S. following Sony Computer Entertainment’s domination of the last console generation.

Do I believe them? Hell no.

The truth: If a video game system is awesome, and it has great features and promising games, then people will buy it – regardless of the past. Nintendo makes fantastic games, and everyone knows those people who need the new The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario or Super Smash Bros. game. Despite all of the huffing and puffing, disgruntled Wii owners won’t shun Nintendo consoles forever – or if they do, it won’t be solely because of the Wii.

And I’m not saying this with only Nintendo in mind. SCE could come in and wipe the floor with Microsoft’s next big console. The past doesn’t matter. The most important thing to consumers is what companies can offer them here and now, and which company has the most enticing product.

Trends in the industry can change drastically during generational shifts. SCE owned the last generation, but dropped like an anchor when they put Blu-ray players and expensive Cell-powered systems in the PlayStation 3, as people weren’t willing to get two jobs just to afford one (even though the Blu-ray move was smart).

As much as consumers complain, we sure do forget quickly – or at least sweep things under the rug because a certain company has a new shiny device that we really, really want.

The concept of a fanboy/fangirl came about because some people seemed attached or overly loyal to certain technology companies. You know them; people who would fly to message boards and write angry, rancorous comments defending a company that saw them as nothing more than money in the coffers. But did we have it wrong?

To me it seems that people are more attached to specific consoles; however, can we use the terms “fanboy” and “fangirl” so broadly and so often if so many people will buy two or three consoles per generation or will gladly purchase an Xbox 360 after they enjoyed playing the PlayStation 2 so much?

We’re fickle. We’re very flavor of the moment. If a company, with a decent track record, releases a cool, durable device that works well, then I will probably be interested – even if their last hip thing had a corrosive battery that left a nasty mark on my computer desk.

People have laughed at the Wii U because it isn’t a big leap above the 360 and PS3, and, yeah, I’ve played Mass Effect 3, Batman: Arkham City and Darksiders II on my PS3, but to damn Nintendo and their future consoles because of the Wii … well, come on. That’s stupid. And, of course, you can argue that we are at a time when bleeding-edge graphics have become less important, and consumers are more focused on functionality and the services that consoles offer.

So, how many people do you think warmed to the Wii U after hearing about PlatinumGames’ Bayonetta 2 and The Wonderful 101, as well as Nintendo TVii and the game lineup through March 2013?

OK, so maybe you won’t have naysayers waving the Wii U flag after one day, but I guarantee that Nintendo turned some heads with their announcements. If nothing else, revealing Bayonetta 2 as a Wii U exclusive, and showing a bit from The Wonderful 101 said, essentially, “Hey, gamers, we still have stuff that you want to play.”

The Wii U might do well, it might bomb, or it might drop with a “meh,” but I have heard way too much naysaying of Nintendo from gamers – and, yeah, I have been one of those people. I wasn’t impressed by Nintendo’s E3 press conference – at all. But it’s time that we all stop sticking our feet in our mouths so often. OK, so maybe the Wii wasn’t for you. I understand; however, to write off all of Nintendo because of one console? Let’s not go nuts, people. Even if I don’t buy a Wii U, I will still leave the door open for Nintendo to recapture my heart and imagination with another console.







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