Nintendo Wii Leads Next-Gen Console Sales

By Geoff Duncan April 6, 2007

Nintendo Wii Leads Next-Gen Console Sales

Remember a year ago—or maybe six months ago—when most industry-watchers were expecting the next-generation video game console wars to center on Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360? New sales figures from market research firm NPD covering the period from November 2006 to February 2007 show the Nintendo Wii significantly outselling both its more-powerful (and more-expensive!) competitors.

According to NPD, the Nintendo Wii sold 1.86 million units from November 2006 through February 2007; in comparison, Sony sold 1.1 million PlayStation 3 consoles and Microsoft managed to move 1 million Xbox 360s.

Analysts attribute the Wii’s success to pricing—the system sells for significantly less than either Microsoft’s or Sony’s offerings—and also to the console’s innovative, interactive controls and friendly interface, which are credited with attracting customers who might not otherwise consider purchase of a video game system.

So far, industry-watchers don’t find the Wii’s lack of online multiplayer games a significant shortfall to adoption, although Nintendo plans to bring out its first online-capable title, Pokémon Battle Revolution, at the end of June.

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Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Gaming

One of the best sci-fi games ever made is coming to Nintendo Switch next month

outer wilds nintendo switch indie world

During the November 2023 Indie World Showcase, it was revealed that many intriguing indie titles are coming to the Nintendo Switch over the next year. One of the show's biggest announcements was that Outer Wilds -- a critically acclaimed sci-fi game about exploring a solar system throughout repeating time loops -- is finally coming to the Nintendo Switch next month.

A Nintendo Switch port for Outer Wilds was first teased in 2021 and intended to be released during the summer of that year, but it did not make that release window. We did not hear much else about the port until now outside of a mention during one of publisher Annapurna Interactive's own showcases. An Indie World Showcase segment dedicated to the game showed some of its physics-based spacefaring gameplay in action on the Switch, and it seemed to look nice and run at a solid frame rate. Called Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition, this version of the game comes with the Echoes of the Eye DLC and will launch digitally on December 7. It will get a physical Switch release sometime next year.

Gaming

This new retro console will let you play Nintendo 64 games in 4K

Controller port on the Nintendo 64.

The Analogue 3D is a new piece of hardware that will be able to play Nintendo 64 games in 4K. It's scheduled to launch sometime in 2024.
The Analogue 3D is being made by the same company that made the Analogue Pocket, an aftermarket gaming handheld that could natively play cartridges from retro gaming handhelds. The Analogue 3D will do the same for Nintendo 64 cartridges, allowing people to place the Nintendo 64 games they own in it to play them at up to a 4K resolution without the need for emulation. It will also have "original display modes" that target the look specific cathode-ray tubes would have given.
The website for the Analogue 3D reveals a bit more information and confirms that it will have its own OS and wireless Bluetooth support. A controller for the Analogue 3D is also teased on the website, although the console will have "original-style controller ports" that will presumably let people plug their own Nintendo 64 controllers in. Analogue also promises compatibility with cartridges from every region, so those who manage to pick one up don't have to worry about anything being region-locked, unlike with an actual Nintendo 64.
Although the Analogue Pocket eventually got support for handhelds like the Game Gear and Atari Lynx, it seems like the Analogue 3D will only be compatible with Nintendo 64 games for the time being. Its design has not been fully unveiled yet either, with an image only showing one side of the console.
The Analogue 3D is not available for preorder yet, although it does have a 2024 release window.

Gaming

Play these 3DS and Wii U games before Nintendo shutters their online features

Captain Falcon in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

In April 2024, Nintendo will discontinue online services across its Wii U and 3DS consoles. While the eShops for both systems were shut down in March 2023, this will remove the online functionality of many apps and games, making gaming on either of these platforms an almost entirely offline experience. As a result, many games on those systems will lose important features and never be quite the same to play afterward. So, you'll need to get some gaming time in by next April if you want to refresh and preserve the memories of playing online on these two underdog Nintendo platforms.
While the aforementioned eShop closures make it impossible to buy new games digitally, plenty of games that you likely already own physical copies of or already had downloaded have online features that won't work properly come April 2024. As such, we recommend you play the following games online before the discontinuation of those services next year.
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Kid Icarus Uprising is mostly remembered for its entertaining story, charismatic characters, and odd controls, but it also features a surprisingly fun multiplayer experience in Together Mode. In multiplayer, up to six players can use powerful weapons and abilities from the main adventure in one of two modes. Free-for-all lets players loose on a map, tasking them with racking up the most kills within a set time limit. Light vs. Dark is more complex, as two teams of three face off until enough players are defeated that one respawns as an angel; when that powered-up angel is killed, the match is over.
While far from balanced, Kid Icarus Uprising's Together Mode is one of the most entertaining competitive multiplayer experiences exclusive to 3DS. It can be played locally, using bots to fill in empty spots, so thankfully it won't stop working entirely. Still, it's not easy in 2023 to come across multiple people near you who have copies of Kid Icarus Uprising and want to play. As such, check out this cult classic 3DS game's hidden gem of a mode before praying that the rumors of a remaster eventually become true.
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