More Interventions

More from the console wars - today it is the turn of the Nintendo Wii to face the scrutiny of the blog. As before, the console is rated on the following characteristics:

Console Ergonomics/Aesthetics (CEA)
Console Specs (CS)
Controllers (CTs)
Games (GM)
Advancement From Previous Console (APC)

Nintendo Wii:

CEA = The best in terms of both looks and ergonomics. It is very small, so can fit almost anywhere where it is is feasible. The differing lights from both the buttons and (Yes, AND)
the disk tray itself look very futuristic and cool.
Rating = 10/10

CS = Not quite as impressive as its competitors, but still good. Nintendo has never been known for making consoles at the top end of the technical market, and it has never really been important (though the Gamecube was the middle marker in this generation). The Wii's Broadway IBM CPU runs at a *mere* 729mHz (ironically the X-Box was 733!). The GPU runs at 243mHz. This is the same at that of the Gamecube but due to the rest of the system, it can run 1.5x faster than before.
Rating = 7/10

CTs = This one surprised me. When i first heard about the Wiimotes, i thought "Hmm, not entirely convinced." However, Nintendo have in fact found what i believe to be the best controller of any console available at the minute. The imitation of actions by the user is first rate (Except when playing tennis :( .) Brilliant. Very lightweight and perfectly sized as well.
Rating = 10/10

GM = The games are very good, as has always been the case with Nintendo (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess in particular is a work of art!) Wii Sports is one of the most addictive games i have played in recent years. Nintendo seems to have a little less support than the others though. Then again, it's Nintendo. They don't need as much support. The jury are still out to lunch on this one i guess.
Rating = 9/10

APC = Well...it's not as large a step up as some would have hoped, but nonetheless the difference is noticeable. CPU going from 485->729mHz isn't too bad i guess. The graphics have improved a lot. They have decided to move away from the GC disk format,which is slightly annoying, but not disasterous. It's a case of "Could have been better but they haven't made a bad job of it at all" for the Wii.
Rating = 7/10

Total = 43/50 = 86% = Definately the choice of those who just want games to be a whole lot of FUN

Recommended Games: Wii Sports; Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess; Need for Speed: Carbon.

Next Time, it's the turn of the PS3 - Have to guess a little on this one...