Console launches have always had their glitches. When Microsoft first launched the Xbox 360 they had all kinds of complaints about their boxes crashing after gamers desperately played them nearly non-stop in the first few weeks of the release. At the time, Microsoft said that this was a problem that would really only affect the most hardcore gamers, but with the recent release of their HDTV downloads, I can’t help but wonder if we’ll see more reports of Xbox failures as users are required to keep their Xbox 360′s on during the entire download process. My own Xbox 360 has already started having power issues and I know that Thomas Hawk has been forced to send his back under the warranty after it had a heart attack and died on him for good.
Sony’s of course has had their own problems with the PS3. Never mind the miniscule number of boxes that they ended up shipping or even the complaints over the PS3 being the highest priced video game system ever, after a very limited launch, Sony has still seen reports of their own console failures in the wild.
With so many problems surrounding the launch of consoles I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise that Nintendo is having problems of their own. The only difference though, is that Nintendo’s problem isn’t because of a faulty game system or limited supply, it’s because their game system is so freaking engaging that Wii owners are having a problem keeping the controllers in their hands. Because of this, Wii owners are finding that when they go to slash a monster in Zelda or smash an ace while playing Tennis, that they can end up throwing their controllers across the room and are breaking their TVs as a result.
Now to be fair, part of this problem is caused by Nintendo because their wristband for the controllers have had reports of breaking pretty easily, but to a certain extent gamers only have themselves to blame when they can’t keep a grip because they get so excited. Wii Have A Problem has set up a website where they are documenting photos of people who have already destroyed their TV sets. While I do find the photos a tad bit funny, at the same time, it’s pretty sad because if you Xbox 360 or PS3 broke down, then you could always get it replaced, but if you break your TV it can cost you thousands of dollars to replace it. Hmmm maybe that Wii isn’t looking so inexpensive after all.
#1 by Sam on December 1, 2006 - 3:04 pm
While you seem to be an informed person, mr. freeberg, I don’t understand how you can come to the conclusion that this is a issue of Nintendo’s doing. For as long as videogames have existed, players have been destroying controllers, game consoles, games themselves, or even hand held devices in frustration. Drunken frat boys who happen to lose their grip on a wiimote are just as likely to throw a wireless Xbox 360 pad at the window, or break a DS-lite in half – just as small children who act out excitedly while they play a videogame are likely to cause a ruckass.
I think the conclusion of your blog is very irresponsible. The Wii is not an inexpensive machine, only inexpensive in comparison to overly expensive competitive products. This is not a new problem, and this is not a problem that will simply be fixed by Nintendo adding a stronger wrist strap.
#2 by davis on December 1, 2006 - 3:19 pm
I’m not sure that you read my article Sam because I don’t put the blame on Nintendo. It’s clearly the players fault. I will point out however that because of the faulty wrist bands, it does put Nintendo at some exposure. I could see some creative lawyers drafting up a class action suit right now, claiming that the wrists bands were defective and their clients deserve compensation over it. Personally I don’t think Nintendo is responsible here, but the wrist band is pretty shoddy.
I’d also point out that the Wii isn’t expensive, but it certainly is expensive if you happen to break your big screen TV in the process. This certainly wouldn’t be enough to persuade me to not buy one over the issue, but as you can see it’s not just a single isolated case here, it’s a number of players that are experiencing this. I’m sorry that you feel that my opinion on the matter is irresponsible, but I have a funny feeling if you ask the people who uploaded their photos to wiihaveaproblem.com they’d agree that the Wii was very expensive for them.
Pingback: Zatz Not Funny!»Blog Archive » Nintendo, Wii Have Liftoff