Fat Ninja

I shouldn’t really be surprised at the announcement, but there’s still a very sincere part of me that is reeling in disbelief over the fact that Nintendo would decide to name its upcoming next-generation console the Wii (Pronounced “We”). According to a Nintendo spokesperson, “We just wanted something that would be very easy to remember, that would work in every market, and certainly something that sets us apart from the competition.”

Ever on the fringe, Nintendo has certainly done what they set out to do. The name is easy to remember; kind of like a really good joke, or, in this case, a really bad one. As for their second point, I don’t really think that the name Revolution necessarily alienated any particular group, and I’m certain that there were plenty of other names to choose from. In fact, I think the name Wii poses a much greater risk of estranging certain demographics.

I read that Nintendo changed the Revolution’s name and I was like, “Weee!”

Finally, it’s no secret that Nintendo prides itself on doing things its own way. In many ways, this has been the key to its continued success amongst devoted fans. In that same token, it has also played a role in the console maker’s diminishing market share.

In my personal opinion this marks yet another obstacle for Nintendo to overcome in maintaining their own integrity and credibility, particularly amongst those gamers who started gaming on an NES and have since aged and matured. I know that in my case, despite my love for Nintendo and its many game franchises, it’s a bit disheartening that Nintendo hasn’t grown with me. I understand the need to cater to a younger market, after all, it’s really the only market left for Nintendo to dominate. But that slice of the market share pie grows smaller every year.

I likewise get that Nintendo holds to the ethos that gaming should be, for the most part, accessible, entertaining, and appropriate for all ages. I certainly respect them for their committment to their ideals, but that respect is mingled with a very genuine sort of pity. It’s like watching an over-the-hill fighter staying in the ring another round, despite the severe thrashing he’s taken up until now. Unable to tear yourself away from the savagery of it, you watch in awe, amazed at the nobility and honor in the act. But at the same time there’s a part of you that marvels at the senselessness of pride and the stupidity of ego. There’s a part of you that quietly begs the trainer to throw in the towel.

I want you to know that I have nothing but the deepest love and respect for Nintendo. They’ve played no small role in my life as a gamer. While I know I paint a bleak version; far more bleak than it really is (I have a certain love of melodramatics), I can’t help feeling apprehensive about the whole situation. In the words of author Irvine Welsh, this just seems like another blip”on an otherwise uninterrupted, downward trajectory”. I have little doubt that the Wii will be a great system; one that will offer some forward-thinking features and ground-breaking innovations. But no innovation in the world can save Nintendo if no one’s buying what they’re selling. It’s just tragic to sit back and watch as Nintendo throws themselves upon their own sword; then again, perhaps, as a Westerner, I fail to fully comprehend the art of seppuku.

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