Wii Generation 1

[Ja Di ksw]

So many people on these forums talk about how they avoid Apple products that are first gen. Take the MBP for example. Lots of people are saying that they will skip the first gen because it is bound to have problems (noise, heat, etc). Others say that there are problems at all generations, so you might as well get one. Look at the first generation of XBox 360's. Heat, breaking down, etc etc.

In any case, what about the Wii? We're not talking about just a big upgrade here, we're talking about something entirely new. Do people think that Wii's are going to have lots of problems at first? Are people going to wait until it has been out for awhile, until the next batch comes out to get one?

I want a Wii on launch day. I really, really do. But with how many problems there are on first gen anything, and the radically new controller, part of me is thinking I should wait.

Though I probably won't listen to that part.

[2nyRiggz]

My GC never gave me one problem(knock on wood) so i'm hoping i'm one of the lucky and get a great machine at launch. I think Nintendo will have the same problems all system have at launch.....


Bless

[Haoshiro]

Nintendo seems to have a really good track record on hardware releases. I don't recall any of there systems having problems on the level that you hear about for many systems (even N64 compared to PSX).

I do think it will improve over time, and Wii 2 could really be a great evolution of an interesting product should the first succeed. But as far as technical difficulties, Nintendo has a great track record and I really don't worry as far as hardware is concerned.

[Tommyg117]

The only product that I have made by Nintendo that does not work perfectly is my original NES. My gamecube, DS etc all work perfectly. I think there may be slight revisions a la DS lite but nothing that will change the overall layout of the system. I am definitely going to get Wii on the launch date. This is the one I have been waiting for.

[GFLPraxis]

So many people on these forums talk about how they avoid Apple products that are first gen. Take the MBP for example. Lots of people are saying that they will skip the first gen because it is bound to have problems (noise, heat, etc). Others say that there are problems at all generations, so you might as well get one. Look at the first generation of XBox 360's. Heat, breaking down, etc etc.

In any case, what about the Wii? We're not talking about just a big upgrade here, we're talking about something entirely new. Do people think that Wii's are going to have lots of problems at first? Are people going to wait until it has been out for awhile, until the next batch comes out to get one?

I want a Wii on launch day. I really, really do. But with how many problems there are on first gen anything, and the radically new controller, part of me is thinking I should wait.

Though I probably won't listen to that part.

Nintendo has an EXTREMELY good track record- that I am aware of they have never had a mass-problem launch, except possibly dead pixels on the DS that they replaced for free even if you had one.

The first gen = problems thing doesn't apply with Nintendo's products in general.

My first gen GameCube's laser is starting to die after four years (the guys at GameStop are rather shocked as virtually no one they've met has malfunctioning GameCubes)- my N64, SNES, NES, and even my original GameBoy (the face of which fell off) still work. Well, I haven't put new batteries in the GameBoy in a few years but I THINK it works. The GB Color definitely does.

My NES still works, my Grandma's is erratic sometimes unless I blow on the cartridges.

[Foxglove9]

I don't care I buy first gen stuff if it's something I want. Just make sure to keep a receipt in case of anything, but other than Colecovision and Atari 2600 none of my systems (and i've owned just about every one) has ever given me problems. Even on the computer end. Maybe i'm just lucky or something.

[Ja Di ksw]

Thanks to all for the encouragement :). As I said, I'm still wanting one at launch. The thread was started after a late night drunken conversation with a friend about launch problems. Now that others have mentioned it, my NES does still work fine. (same with my original gameboy, SNES, etc).

While the new technology is a lot different (my friend brought up a wireless joystick he uses in the air that doesn't work worth a d***), I'm hoping Nintendo gets it right.

[Dagless]

Nintendo have been working on the Wii since just after the Cubes launch, so lets say 5 years. MBP didn't take that long, computers don't take that long at all. They've had this idea of a console for years so my guess is it will be clear of bugs.

Plus Nintendo are very good with Rev A machines. I bought my Cube ages back, it's a Europe version with a digital out. One of the first stock. No problems at all. Ditto for my DS (US stock though), GBA, N64. My brother got his GameBoy Pocket on day #1, the day before he went on holiday and I'm still using that.
They're very good at quality control. they even take DS's back if there is so much as 1 dead pixel, so what does manage to get out they will replace ASAP.

[BlizzardBomb]

My SNES, N64 and GC which were all bought on the day they were released are all functioning fine. The only thing that annoys me (especially with the N64) is how the controllers analog becomes loose and starts wiggling in its socket, but that's nothing to do with the console itself anyway.

[plinkoman]

generally game consoles are extremely reliable, especially from nintendo. the 360 may be an exception, but that can mostly be contributed to them rushing it to market, and perhaps a little ps3 fanboyism here and there.

a game console isn't like a computer which has a life span before upgrades of 6 months here give or take; a game console still has to sell as new with the same hardware years later, and people wouldn't easily tolerate the concept that a 2008 version of system x will play a game better then their 2006 version of the same thing.

system x... yet another example of names i like better then wii... :p

[2nyRiggz]

Only thing wrong with my NES is the cartridge things....i have to place a folded paper in there for the console to read the cartridge but it works fine. SNES is still going strong except the neck of the controller is all messed up.

My Sega Geni is still in top shape.


Bless

[Dagless]

Interestingly though my Commodore Amiga (1991), Mega Drive (1997) and Spectrum (1989) all function fine too. I think it was only the PS2 and 360 that suffered launch problems. PS2 had the laser problem and the 360 was rushed.

[Yvan256]

In any case, what about the Wii? We're not talking about just a big upgrade here, we're talking about something entirely new. Do people think that Wii's are going to have lots of problems at first? Are people going to wait until it has been out for awhile, until the next batch comes out to get one?

I want a Wii on launch day. I really, really do. But with how many problems there are on first gen anything, and the radically new controller, part of me is thinking I should wait.

I try to get Nintendo products as soon as they come out, because the first few batches are usually made in Japan instead of China. That may not be true of the last few Nintendo products, but my Nintendo Play-Yan micro is "made in Japan".

[takao]

i didn't have any problems with first generation stuff from them either ...

i guess we will all see it at the end of the year

[HydroMan]

Interestingly though my Commodore Amiga (1991), Mega Drive (1997) and Spectrum (1989) all function fine too. I think it was only the PS2 and 360 that suffered launch problems. PS2 had the laser problem and the 360 was rushed.

I can beat your Amiga mine is an '87 model and still going strong, shame about the floppy discs though :( , but seriously my GC works like it first did (extremely well) as for my Dreamcast it's labouring now and I haven't used it as much as the GC and as for the N64 with no moving parts, well that could possibly last my lifetime. I'm seriously thinking of getting a Wii (I like the name Revolution better though btw)

[mrgreen4242]

I can beat your Amiga mine is an '87 model and still going strong, shame about the floppy discs though :( , but seriously my GC works like it first did (extremely well) as for my Dreamcast it's labouring now and I haven't used it as much as the GC and as for the N64 with no moving parts, well that could possibly last my lifetime. I'm seriously thinking of getting a Wii (I like the name Revolution better though btw)

Game systems without moving parts are certainly more reliable than those without, but they will eventually fail as the connectors to the cartridge wear a tiny bit each time you put a game it. Old NES's exhibit this now-a-days, buy as they are 20+ years old no one complains about it much.

[HydroMan]

Game systems without moving parts are certainly more reliable than those without, but they will eventually fail as the connectors to the cartridge wear a tiny bit each time you put a game it. Old NES's exhibit this now-a-days, buy as they are 20+ years old no one complains about it much.

Like I said it will probably last me a lifetime, the last time I played GoldenEye was about 2 years ago, actually after discussing this I think I will have a game on my trusty N64 later today.

[mrgreen4242]

Like I said it will probably last me a lifetime, the last time I played GoldenEye was about 2 years ago, actually after discussing this I think I will have a game on my trusty N64 later today.

Which reminds me about how pissed I am over no GoldenEye on the Wii virtual console. :( I SO wanted to play that over the internet with my college buddies, especially if they let you set up the new controller with it somehow.

God, we played that game more than we went to class, easily. 007 probably took a full gradepoint off my average one semester, and a half a point the next.

[HydroMan]

Which reminds me about how pissed I am over no GoldenEye on the Wii virtual console. :( I SO wanted to play that over the internet with my college buddies, especially if they let you set up the new controller with it somehow.

God, we played that game more than we went to class, easily. 007 probably took a full gradepoint off my average one semester, and a half a point the next.

Haha I know what you mean but maybe it's a God send, that game is singularly responsible for taking up most of my free time in the late 90's, it is the only game I completed without cheating, all games took second best even to Turok another game that took up a lot of time.. I really am going to dust down my N64 later on and play the aforementioned games.

[Dagless]

Haha I know what you mean but maybe it's a God send, that game is singularly responsible for taking up most of my free time in the late 90's, it is the only game I completed without cheating, all games took second best even to Turok another game that took up a lot of time.. I really am going to dust down my N64 later on and play the aforementioned games.

Same here! Goldeneye... I was the only guy in Springhead who managed to unlock those cheats (other than DK and Paintball). I swear to god the amount of time I spent on that is insane. I remember going for the Dam/base invincibility cheat which took about 2 weeks to get. And those secret levels and 007 mode! Just one of the best games ever and certainly Rare's hottest moment. Oh and I used to destroy my mates in multiplayer :D Proximity mines were oh-soooo fun!

[Pistol Pete]

My GC never gave me one problem(knock on wood) so i'm hoping i'm one of the lucky and get a great machine at launch. I think Nintendo will have the same problems all system have at launch.....


Bless


agreed nintendo in my opinion makes great products...I have never seen one broken knock on wood as well.

[sam10685]

my NES, SNES, N64 and 'Cube all work fine. i want a wii wii.

[Lollypop]

Im glad so many people want the wii. All my old consoles still work, the nes works, as well as my megadrive (power cord however went a while back). I think nintendo do things the right way.

Where did u guys see that goldeneye wont run on the wii? The reason im going to get the Wii is because SA is so PS nuts no other console even gets released here.

[joelypolly]

I try to get Nintendo products as soon as they come out, because the first few batches are usually made in Japan instead of China. That may not be true of the last few Nintendo products, but my Nintendo Play-Yan micro is "made in Japan".
Yeah i find it usually is that way. Like PSP was made in japan then china so usually the first ones are of better quality but sometimes not of better components e.g. LCD on the PSP improved over time.

[Chundles]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Wii has been complete for the better part of a year and Nintendo have just been using this time to test the living bejesus out of it and drip feed "new" information to the media.

I have one of the original Game Boys - brick of a thing, grey plastic, got it for my 9th brithday back in 1991. Wouldn't you know it, the damned thing still works. As does my clear plastic Game Boy Pocket. I don't use either of them but this thread inspired me to turn them on and see.

I don't game anymore - haven't for ten years or so now but I've always seen Nintendo as the pick of the heap when it comes to build quality and reliability.

[Dagless]

I thought this might be the place to mention this. but my mates, the good ol' twins Adam and Paul. Well Paul used to have a GB many, many years ago. and when they were 5-6 years old Adam tried eating his GB. There are teeth marks all over it. it's very funny. try and get a shot some day :D

[benpatient]

the original Game Boy Advance should count against Nintendo, certainly. Terrible screen, no backlight, hard to push the crappy buttons...only way it could have realistically been worse is if it had carteridge problems, which fortunately it didn't.

My PS2 has never given me the slightest problem. Much more reliable than my G5, for example!

I know lots of people have had PS2 problems. Especially drive problems.

I think everyone who had an NES had trouble with the cartridges, though. I don't know of anyone who played Nintendo in the 80s who wasn't familiar with the blowing procedure that didn't work.

[DougTheImpaler]

Nintendo does not have the problems that Sony and MS have had at various launches because they are not trying to push out the most graphically capable console, nor are they pushing the envelope on CPU speeds. Look at the cube...it basically has a 400MHz G3 at the heart of it. In 2001 that wasn't exactly top-of-the-line. The Wii is going to be what, twice that speed? Again, somethign well-established. I'm not worried about it.

[whooleytoo]

I had to go off and google to see what you were talking about - I hadn't heard about the name change.

While this is a bit more 'revolutionary' than previous console upgrades - well, at least the input devices - I wouldn't expect many teething problems. Nintendo have a good reputation for delivering rock-solid consoles. I don't think I've ever had a freeze/crash on any Nintendo console I've used, but several on PS and PS2, and many on Xbox.

[mrgreen4242]

I had to go off and google to see what you were talking about - I hadn't heard about the name change.

While this is a bit more 'revolutionary' than previous console upgrades - well, at least the input devices - I wouldn't expect many teething problems. Nintendo have a good reputation for delivering rock-solid consoles. I don't think I've ever had a freeze/crash on any Nintendo console I've used, but several on PS and PS2, and many on Xbox.

Ug, you saying that reminded me of all the times that the original gold cart Zelda would lock up on me for so apparent reason. Turned out to be a wear issue with the rental I was playing, I assume, since I don't think I had troubles with it after I had my own copy. That was frustrating, though.

Off topic, but I hope they release the Phantom Hourglass on a gold cart. :)

[Dagless]

The original GBA? I dunno, I think it was the 2nd best device to play GBA games on. It was just so much comfier for games like Mario Advance 4 where you had to hold B to run and A to jump. Maybe it was me but an Afterburner GBA was very good machine to play.

Are US and EU NES's different? I've been playing mine since the 90's a lot. swop carts about 5-10 times a month and it's still fine. could this be the first time a delayed console actually meant it was better?

[takao]

Are US and EU NES's different? I've been playing mine since the 90's a lot. swop carts about 5-10 times a month and it's still fine. could this be the first time a delayed console actually meant it was better?

i don't know.. mine is still working fine without blowing but it gets used a lot less these days and i always kept the carts in those black plastic things and always quite picky about how i handled the games/consoles

for example just the thought of leaving a disc inside the gamecube/dvd player etc. after playing/watching is driving me nuts

[DougTheImpaler]

I'm pretty sure the blowing was a placebo and re-setting the cart was what really got it to work on the old NES.

[briansolomon]

All new Nintendo products I have bought NEW have been flawless...

I purchased a second GCN used. Weirdest thing, it freezes only when you are playing a 1 Player only game. Randomly, too.

I can play Mario soccer, mario kart, ssb, etc for hours and never have a problem.

Love it though. Can't wait to get a Wii so I can play all the 1 player games I've been saving up.

[GFLPraxis]

Nintendo does not have the problems that Sony and MS have had at various launches because they are not trying to push out the most graphically capable console, nor are they pushing the envelope on CPU speeds. Look at the cube...it basically has a 400MHz G3 at the heart of it. In 2001 that wasn't exactly top-of-the-line. The Wii is going to be what, twice that speed? Again, somethign well-established. I'm not worried about it.

What are you talking about? When the GameCube came out, it at a 500 MHz G3, compared to the 333 MHz PS2 and 733 MHz quasi-Celeron in the XBox. The N64 was the most powerful console of it's generation.

[whooleytoo]

What are you talking about? When the GameCube came out, it at a 500 MHz G3, compared to the 333 MHz PS2 and 733 MHz quasi-Celeron in the XBox. The N64 was the most powerful console of it's generation.

Agree, the N64 was (IMO) a far, far better console than the PS2. 4 controllers (vs 2). Fast loading cartridges (vs slow loading discs). Built in save ability (some cartridges had this, I think? vs extra save memory card to purchase). Texture filtering (vs none on PS2).

Then again, it just shows that the technical superior console doesn't always win.