Everyone knows when a new game console comes out, all of that company’s fans will go to their local (or not so local) stores, and wait in the rain just for a chance to get their hands on the new product. I know that I’ve wanted to do something like that, but then again, I’m a patient person who doesn’t care much for crowds of smelly fans. What does that have to do with anything? It means that I’m here to help you, a possible Wii buyer, decide whether or not you should wait a while before purchasing this new system.
One of the main advantages to getting a Wii early, is also one of the more obvious: you’re getting one early. You get to enjoy the several launch games, such as Red Steel, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, and Madden NFL 07, before anyone else.
Don’t like those games? Then try out the Wii’s Virtual Console, which lets you purchase classic Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and N64 games through the Wii’s Wi-Fi internet connection for $5, $8, and $10, respectively. That’s right, Wi-Fi. Plus, Nintendo isn’t charging anything for the internet browser that’s already included, or at least not yet. Plus, you won’t really need your GameCube, since the Wii is backwards-compatible with it, meaning you can play your GameCube games on the Wii with no problems.
While these are all compelling reasons to go out to your local store and wait in the sunshine until the Wii is released, there are some, like me, who wish to wait a while after the Wii is released to get one. “Why would anybody want to wait,” you ask? Well, it’s easy: none of those features really appeal to me.
Sure, all the launch games are no doubt going to be a blasty-blast to play, but I can wait for them. If I get a Wii at launch time, how positive am I that I’m going to get one of those popular games immediately? If they’re so popular, then they’ll sell out faster, and I won’t get to play them. And the Virtual Console? I already have most of those games, anyways. I don’t need to re-buy them if I can just play them on my old system(s) for free. Sure, it might be handy to get a classic that you might’ve lost, but you can buy those games at anytime.
As for the Wi-Fi internet connection? Anybody who already has an internet connection in their house won’t need the Wii to surf the web. Plus, Nintendo won’t start charging for the internet browser until 6 months after the Wii is released. Six months! That’s plenty of time to wait before getting a Wii.
So hopefully, after reading this, you’ll stop and think about whether or not it’s a wise choice to rush out to the store, throwing various pedestrians out of your way, just to get your hands on this system. Remember, just because it sells out, doesn’t mean it’s never coming back. That’s what new shipments are for.