Shittest thing ever. I give up, I really do.
Okay, I admit that it’s a horrible name. But it’s not the end of the world. It’s not going to make or break the console: the controller is. While most bad names (i.e. PlayStation, Dreamcast, Xbox) are at least recognizable combinations of words of phonemes, Wii is just too alien.
But, people are overreacting a bit. I have to question the process used to select this name, but if you are decide to not buy the console simply based on the name (rather than the games or whatever), you are just as guilty of falling for marketing as someone who dislikes Britney Spears on principle.
but surely nintendo has to cater for these people, and try not to lose any potential customers at all?
i mean… i doubt they will actually gain many customers from the name…
Scott has a point.That’s marketing’s purpose…
Regardless (and assuming we are not the kind of people that wouldn’t buy a console because of it’s name) I honestly dont know what all the fuss is about…
And why are any of the current/old main consoles’ names bad ones?
What’s a good console name?
[quote=“Gehpnaet”]
What’s a good console game[/quote]
Panzer Dragoon Saga.
the main reason why it’s rubbish is because it doesn’t sound like a console name. There’s a reason why Playstation is a household name, commonly used to refer to games in general.
Oh and, I thinnk Dreamcast is the best console name ever, so each to heir own. :anjou_embarassed:
Pretty much all console names are rubbish, really. Especially the more recent ones - there’s no imagination or meaning behind them - “Gamecube”, “Xbox”, “Playstation” they all just suggest square machines that run games, usually with a number tagged at the end to show you that they’re the newest one. Which is fair enough, I suppose, because that’s what they are, but i’d like to see a bit more creativity behind them. There’s a reason the people who aren’t into gaming call them things like “Gamebox” and “Playcube”.
Dreamcast was a little better, if you ask me. It suggested something hewn from imagination, which I think is a step in the right direction, although it did sound a pretty cheesy.
As for “Wii”… well, at least they tried to sound original. It’s obvious that they are trying to get away from the average generic sounding console names… but they missed the mark. Horribly. To the point that it just sounds silly. And the fact that it’s so different from all the other console names just emphasises this.
That said though, i’m sure people will get used to it with time. And, as has already been stated, the consoles success doesn’t hinge on it’s name.
At the time the PSX was launched, Fisher Price (manufacturer of children’s toys) were mass-producing a line of products whereby children could entertain themselves. These were called Play Stations.
If a console can get over that, it can get over anything.
I’ll go google for more fun threads on the topic…
I just thought of why this actually does seem like the worst console name ever to me, and it’s not so much because it’s an unfortunate pun or offbeat…
In the first place it’s a single syllable which is innately pretentious, like the equivalent of someone going by a single name. Or in this case since it’s so odd as well it’s almost up there with “The Artist Formerly Known As Prince”.
But as if that wasn’t pretentious enough it also has to be explained, ‘we’ have to be told how we’re supposed to say it and also need to understand it’s symbolism and crap. A name needs to be catchy and distinct and that’s all, this one is sure distinct but in no way catchy.
Here’s what really breaks it though, “Wii” doesn’t even work right in conversation; you can’t say you’re going to play* Wii*, but saying you’re going to play the Wii is even worse…
I think the best console name ever was the PC-Engine, personally. Simple and to the point. Plus it sounds cool.
i could just imagine a shop worker at EB Games having some kid come up and go " i would like to get a nintendo Wii" and the chances of that shop assistant cracking up in that kids face would be so high it would be a big joke.
Nintendo Change the name back to the Revolution
Long time nintendo fanboy
Wii came, Wii saw, Wii conquered.
lol
speeking of jokes
Apple i products eg.
the i brator
the i flush (killfrog.com)
I like PC Engine too, even though it is neither a PC nor an engine 
As for Wii, well, nothing is going to stop me from buying the console - even if the software library is lacking - as it’s important to experience these things for yourself.
[quote=“Kimimi”]I like PC Engine too, even though it is neither a PC nor an engine
As for Wii, well, nothing is going to stop me from buying the console - even if the software library is lacking - as it’s important to experience these things for yourself.[/quote]
Actually, the PC-Engine was based off a Japanese PC known as the NEC PC-88.
Yup, but the PC Engine itself is not a Personal Computer.
True, but it DID use the PC-88’s chipset - and also used the PC-88’s OS which was called ‘PC-Engine’. So, technically, the PC-Engine console was a stripped down PC-88 personal computer.
The NES wasn’t a computer either , didn;t stop NCL calling inthe familycomputer in Japan .
I think PC got it name , from NEC dos routes
It’s almost as if languages outside of english ceased to exist… now that I think about it. XD You don’t hear much complaints from outside of the english speaking world.
Oh well, two days later I still can’t help but smile when saying it. XD
As another aside, in a sense it’s been the biggest resounding success in the history of gaming. Nearly every gamer now knows about the Wii. Go Nintendo. =D