Nintendo announced its next console at E3 this week, called the “Wii U.” Not only does it have a ridiculous name, but it also has a ridiculous input device. The thing has its own 6.2-inch screen. I’m supposed to hold this iPad-like thing up to play games on my TV? I just can’t see this working out too well if I’m going to play for hours.
But I think I’m onto Nintendo’s game. Their strategy is to make their input devices so intrusive that you have no choice but to devote your full attention to the game you’re playing. Look at the Wii. With all that motion required with the controller, you can’t just crawl around a dungeon fighting enemies while checking your email. And if you have the nunchuk, just forget about doing anything else. Both hands must be on the input devices while playing a game. You may not do anything else.
And thus, Nintendo sucks you into their games. You must give them your full concentration. You can’t be chatting online with your friend about the game you’re playing. Not without bringing Mario to a screeching halt and having that Koopa Troopa plow right into you.
I’m sort of half-kidding. I do like Nintendo. I grew up playing Marios 1 through 3, so I have fond memories of playing Nintendo games. But I haven’t bought a Nintendo console since Nintendo 64. And even that one was only because my brother wanted one. Ever since Square decided to move Final Fantasy to the PlayStation, there really hasn’t been anything on a Nintendo console that I was dying to play. My reflexes have gotten even worse as I’ve grown older, so Mario and Zelda would probably be too hard for me to play now. There’s a whole extra dimension you can move in nowadays. Not to mention the dexterity required to use these fancy controllers. Back when I was a kid, we only had A and B buttons. Nowadays, you’ve got triggers on the back, the sides, multiple sticks… you can even use your body as a controller! And next year, you can wave this big textbook-sized thing with its own 6.2-inch screen in front of your TV. How times have changed.