I think such a comment is ill-advised, however after this Zelda game, the Wii is dead. As in, there are no other major game releases forthcoming, to the best of my knowledge.

And to say the reaction to the Wii U was less than enthused, I think there are some concerns regarding Nintendo's future.

That being said, it's nice to see Zelda doing well. I look forward to playing it soon.

"after this Zelda game, the Wii is dead"

Funny, how some people constantly claim the glass is half empty, even if it is still full.

"And to say the reaction to the Wii U was less than enthused"

So was the reaction to the Wii and so was the reaction to the Nintendo DS. Some people were seriously wrong 2 times (and now, as it took the 3DS 8 months to outsell 12 months of the DS quite possible 3 times).

"after this Zelda game, the Wii is dead"

yeah, just like the ps2 after the ps3 release.

@Anthony Taylor

What about upcoming The Last Story and Pandora's Tower? They have to be considered major releases, even though they're more niche.

@Christian:

"Funny, how some people constantly claim the glass is half empty, even if it is still full."

It's called a nuanced viewpoint. Life isn't always black and white. I am not cheering for or against Nintendo, merely giving my opinion regarding them.

You should all really learn reading comprehension. Yes, the Wii and (after the mega price drop) the 3DS were (eventually for the 3DS) successful, but the Wii U's reception was decidely negative, so for me to say there are CONCERNS (not Nintendo is dead, just concerns) is perfectly reasonable and valid. To say there aren't concerns is mere fanboy delusion.

Also, Christian, remember how I said I was waiting for a 3DS Lite and you said just b/c it happened in the past is no indication it will happen again? Same thing applies with the Wii U.

@James,

"yeah, just like the ps2 after the ps3 release."

Sony actively supported the PS2 after the PS3's release. Nintendo is barely supporting the Wii right now. Time will tell if they do the same as Sony. It would be smart, but the two aren't apples to apples right now.

@David,

Those games aren't coming out in North America, even though I would die if they did. As of now, still no. So...they are actually an example of Nintendo NOT supporting the Wii, which further proves my perfectly reasonable point that there are concerns.

Not dead...not DOOMED...concerns.

Geez.

@ Anthony

"Sony actively supported the PS2 after the PS3's release."

They did? With which titles? I am not aware of any big PS2 title after God of War 2, which was launched in early 2007.

They still promoted it and they didn't shutter like the Xbox was. There weren't major releases from Sony, but they kept it going well after the PS3's launch b/c it was still making them money. Maybe the Wii won't be worth it for Nintendo to do the same.

Madden, WWE, Grand Theft Auto PSP ports, Call of Duty games, Dynasty Warriors, Ghostbusters, Guitar Hero...there are plenty of examples. Those are just a few.

"Madden, WWE, Grand Theft Auto PSP ports, Call of Duty games, Dynasty Warriors, Ghostbusters, Guitar Hero...there are plenty of examples. Those are just a few. "

And none of these games was published by Sony, if you meant, 3rd party publishers actively supported the PS2 after the release of the PS3, you shouldn't write "Sony actively supported the PS2 after the PS3's release", because this is something completely different.

Sony manufactured the PS2, this is true, but they didn't promoted the console any more and to say the Wii won't be manufactured after the Wii-U release, or that Activision or EA won't do any ports for it is simply looking in the crystal ball and nothing else.

Read what I wrote again. I said they weren't major releases from Sony, but if you don't think Sony was still promoting the PS2, then you are wrong. And They did support it, THROUGH PROMOTION. Supporting doesn't just mean releasing games. At E3 after E3, they always bring up PS2 sales and mention the 10 year cycle over and over, telling people they were still supporting it.

And I NEVER said the Wii won't be manufactured after the Wii U releases. Stop making things up, please. I said the Wii is dead after Zelda, meaning, AS OF NOW, there are no major releases planned for the system. That could change, but right now....there's nothing.

It's amazing how quick you will jump to defend Nintendo even when no one is attacking them.

"And They did support it, THROUGH PROMOTION."

Capital letters didn't help, there was no promotion for the PS2 after the release of the PS3.
Look, I don't say, it's impossible to criticize Nintendo's policy, as I am not sure, if it will work in the end either, but to comment an article, that reveals, this Zelda is the fastest selling Zelda of all time and to say, that the Wii will be dead afterwards this game sounds like fanboyish criticism.
The game itself is proof, that software on this system still sells and even if Nintendo isn't releasing major releases any more, Activision or Ubisoft surely will.

You are constantly refering to the price drop, as it would proof, the 3DS is unsuccesful. But this is not how the console business works, nobody cares, at which price a console is sold, everything, that counts in the end is how big is the installed user base and how many games can be sold for this console. If Nintendo drops the price, when they think it will boost sales isn't of a particular interest, when it comes to measuring the success of the console.

@Christian,

NO promotion of the PS2 after the PS3 was released?

Yeah, ok. Be sure to back that one up sometime.

And my initial comment was in RESPONSE to Kenneth's "Insert snarky 'Nintendo is doomed' comment... " and at the end of my comment, I commented on the actual story.

And yes, I mention the price drop b/c before that, the 3DS was doing poorly, so there was a REASON that people were saying Nintendo is doomed. (I think that was silly. I was saying the 3DS is doomed unless NIntendo does something, which they did).

And how they get there does matter, just like Sony's innane high price of the PS3 hurt them at launch. That matters.

To say my comment was fanboyish trolling is high comedy, considering I was merely saying there are some concerns regarding NIntendo's future.

"NO promotion of the PS2 after the PS3 was released?

Yeah, ok. Be sure to back that one up sometime."

Vice versa, you should back up your comment with showing the PROMOTION they did, the usual way, if someone says, that something exists and the other person doubts it is to show, that the thing exists, not that it's not existing.

I did, by mentioning the games that came out (Remember, Microsoft shut down the Xbox after a time and no games came out for it) and them showcasing it at E3 year after year in their keynote speech.

But the games were not donr or published by Sony and do you really want to say mentioning a product in a keynote speech is "actively supporting" and/or promoting thr product? It takes a little bit more than that.
Sony had no interest in promoting the PS2 after the launch of the PS3, because sales for the PS3 were below expactations, in such a situation most companies would not promote the earlier generation, a mistake in my view, but a common strategy.
MS killed of the Xbox, because this console was a financial desaster, nobody wanted to produce this, oney grave longer then necessary.

Yes, and we may disagree on this, but I do think showcasing the PS2 in the middle of a keynote speech, when ALL the eyes of the media, including the mainstream media, are on you does count as promoting the PS2.

Sony had no interest in promoting the PS2? Which is why they bragged about the PS2 sales at E3 even after the PS3 was out.

I'm done with this. Enjoy.

Sony did two hardware and one software revs of the PS2 after the PS3 was released (and one just one month prior); and a TV model with a PS2 built-in debuted in 2010. By any measure, that's active support.

SingStar games also came out for PS2 as late as 2009.

To this day I still see PS2 systems and games taking up a shelf at any electronics or toy store - you don't see that at all for the GameCube or the Xbox. This retailer support comes primarily from Sony. Even GBA games, part of a similar three-prong strategy by Nintendo, aren't anywhere but games retailers. And then usually only a small display case of used games at best.

Thanks, Joe. I knew there was more but was too busy to look the stuff up right this second.

Considering the frequency of the bickering Anthony and Christian do, you guys might as well stop posting on these forums and setup your own IRC channel to debate who is right about every Gamasutra article.

@Josh,

I am as tired of it as you are. I thought my initial post was reasonable as hell, but others disagreed.

Oh well.

@ Anthony Taylor

I'm looking forward to Rhythm Heaven Wii! Sure the RH series isn't as big as Mario or Zelda, but RH Gold on the DS was pretty awesome, and the youtube videos of RH Wii look great too :)

About the whole thing in regard to The Last Story (which I want to see in the US) and Pandora's Tower, I fault more Nintendo America than Nintendo itself for not releasing those games. Nintendo Europe released Xenoblade at the very least, while Nintendo America didn't even try to release The Last Story after showing off the game in the past.

@Jefferson, I agree, with 2 caveats:

If Nintendo of Japan wanted it here, they could certainly make it happen.

And regardless, it's not coming, which is the main thing. We want these games!

Sadly, our cries fall on indifferent ears.

@ Anthony Taylor - I'll admit that Iwata could put his foot down and tell Reggie and others that Xenoblade, The Last Story, and Pandora's Box will be made available to the fans in the US, but the only way for that to happen is by the fans sending messages directly to Iwata himself. At this point, it seems like that Nintendo of America is calling the shots and it doesn't look like that NOA wants to take a gamble on helping Nintendo expand its game repertoire. Not to mention, I wonder if that group is even confident with its own marketing ability. After all, in case of The Last Story, they could point out in a commercial that Final Fantasy's Sakaguchi is behind the game and that could help sell the game as the Final Fantasy series is very popular in the US. Heck, even the Nintendo brand name should be enough to convince people to give any of the three aforementioned games a chance.

YOu're right about that. Nintendo seems to have the ability to WILL games into success. I wish they would.

It seems indeed very easy to get through the game (world 5 as well), I am looking forward to the special stages.

It's a fun game nonetheless and the 3D is the best, I have seen in any 3DS game so far.

I have heard that Mario moves a bit like a combination between 2d and 3d mario, which is to say, not as quick & responsive as the 2D games. This concerns me, & unfortunately i'll have to wait a few weeks to find out for myself when 3D Land launches in my country. Not having the tight controls of 2D Mario will be a deal breaker though.

I tend to think the 3D Marios have better controls myself (love analog sticks), but agree with you overall. Lack of tight of controls would ruin Mario.

...which is why whenever an analyst suggests Mario should be on the iPhone or Android phones I roll my eyes.

You know, to each his own, and I truly believe that. But as time passes people think I am less and less crazy for saying this: Sonic Colors on the Wii is the last great game on that system (not to mention a great sleeper title) that was consistently fun til the end and visually one of the most pleasing mascot games to date (best looking wii game hands down!) Yeah graphics enhance experience by a shit ton regardless of what anyone says, not that is all they should be judged by, but definitely makes for a great and atmospheric experience. Played Skyward sword, good game but definitely not consistently better then previous installments.

Mario on 3DS looks really good and will snag it up when system drops in price and has two thumb sticks, even though I am sure two sticks are not necessary for Mario 3DS.

@ray G....Sonic Colors...Really?

Yeah I know many have warmed up to it and many still fear of fully praising the game in fear of backlash( a recent good Sonic game? you are crazy!). Its not just good, but great. This game is incredibly rhythmically pleasing (which believe it or not is concept very foreign to many including AAA game designers) . It brought back that surreal feel from the late eighties and nineties, where you could immerse yourself with the world due to its surreal design, in this case its a masterpiece. The mechanics is classic Sonic with seamless switch to a race-car and it is really well done. The music is incredibly cohesive and totally screams classic Sonic Teams ability to create modern video game music and not something that sounds like it belongs in a Hollywood movie. The game can be obtained for CHEAP because still only a very few had faith in it, get it at GameStop and if you don't like it, return it for a full refund! if you like it, let me know and spread the love.

Just bare in mind this game looks way way crisper and more colorful on TV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ias1yKLSHxI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhqPY6cmReE&feature=related

I've read that it gets much harder after World 8.

@ray G--thanks for the insight---I might just have to check it out then.

Thanks!

I can vouch for Ray G! I have Sonic Colors, too, and in my opinion, the game does the Sonic franchise justice and gives the series a much needed shot in the arm. Speaking of the Sonic franchise, I'm aware of Sonic Generations, but I must have a hands on experience with it (or at least, see YouTube files of it) before I can say anything positive of negative about it, but Generations would be more in the 3DS category as it is only available for PS3, XBox 360, PC Download, and 3DS.

@Kenneth,

Ok, I am trying to be polite, but did you even read what I wrote>? Seriously?

Read my last line again:

"That being said, it's nice to see Zelda doing well. I look forward to playing it soon."

So, no it's not bad. No one said it is bad they are doing well with these games. You made that up in your own head.

@Christian-I read everything you wrote. Especially the first two paragraphs where you talked about Nintendo's future. Everyone had something critical about their future but the results just aren't matching up with the rhetoric. Nintendo's future isn't part of this particular story.

@Kenneth,

Clearly you didn't read it because my name is Anthony, not Christian.

@Anthony-Better? I read everything you wrote. Especially the first two paragraphs where you talked about Nintendo's future. Everyone had something critical about their future but the results just aren't matching up with the rhetoric. Nintendo's future isn't part of this particular story.

My apologies to Christian

Then you would have read where I said that if someone is saying Nintendo is doomed, that would be unwarranted. (Ill-advised is what I actually said)

However, in response to him saying that, I mentioned that this is the last major release for the Wii and that other factors are contributing to uncertainty regarding Nintendo's future. Which was a response to the first post.

Not entirely true about Pokemon---3DS did get Pokemon Rumble Blast.