What do you think of the name change?

IMO, it will better tie in the Nintendo name to the system, as previous systems (aside from the NGC, which was simply, the Gamecube). Sony and Microsoft have had no luck with their corporate names binding to their consoles.

However, it will take some getting used to. Revolution was a fitting name, but I think the Nintendo Wii will be thrown around a lot in the next few months.

This post was last modified: 05-06-2006 07:19 PM by z6joker9.

It's odd, but more memorable.

This post was last modified: 05-08-2006 03:21 AM by Querry.

I think Nintendo specifically choose a name that would make people react. Think of how much additional "free" buzz the system has gotten since the name change. People are talking about the new console, which is exactly what you want people to do around launch time, raise awareness. Remeber in the world of generating awareness, "no press is bad press".

I believe that "Revolution" was just a codename. "Wii" was it's release name. See it is just like "Longhorn" was "Vista's" codename. It is just to have something there until something better was thought of.

At first i thought that Wii was about the worst name i had ever heard of. Yet as i keep reading things about it and talking about it the name is growing on me. Yet i still thought that revolution was a better name. But they did tell us it was only a code name.

Xbox 360: Game console.
Playstation 3: Game console.
Wii: Entertainment system.

I think this is the bottom line. Nintendo has always been about creating an entertainment system, not merely a gaming console. They really started pushing this with DS and GameCube titles "Nintendogs" and "Animal Crossing", which weren't games in the same way that video games are often thought of, using devices (on the DS), that people had never been exposed to, who were dubious about its merits initially yet ultimately embraced as a valid and welcome gaming innovation.

Likewise, in the name Wii, they are trying to dissociate themselves as far as possible from the game console rat race. They are trying to break the mold, and break it big time. They don't want a name with fancy alliteration, one that sounds groovy, one that sounds like it might deliver promises of stellar graphics and unprecidented realism. They want one from left field, one that is in uncharted waters. One that has no connotation in and of itself (sound notwithstanding). There's never been a name like "Wii", and there's never been a system like it. Even the console itself is considerably different in shape and style. It looks like an iNintendo. Sleek, sparse, slick, small, simple. They are obviously not trying to impress people with its grandieur, they are not trying to make it look threateningly high-tech. It's small and simply-shaped. They haven't touted, "unprecidented frame rates with every singme game having holy-crap 1080i Dolby 7.1 surround with enough pixels to choke a camel and enough shaders to block out the sun." It's a fun box that you aren't afraid to touch, with external features shaved down to essentials, a la iPod. Simplicity is approachable.

It is plain to see that they are not catering to the same demographic. They want to show you a world that you can do unprecidented things in. They want to show you an center of entertainment. They have a cooking game. You can play with dogs. Play whack a mole. Swat a fly. You can brandish a sword, actually swing it around, put it back in its scabbard. You can dodge to avoid an incoming object, or duck and twist your body as you go into a turn. And you are actually doing these things, and your movements actually make a difference. Gone are the days where you waved your controller up in an attempt to make Mario jump higher. In the new Monkey Ball game, you can actually flick the controller up to jump the monkeyball and tilt the controller to tip the map.

I think, and have thought, that the name is genius. Carefully-crafted and developed to trigger specific reactions from people, both as individuals and as demographics. I find it highly unlikely that it somehow escaped them that people just might laugh at the name; deride it, mock it, display disbelief in its seriousness as a contender. They only stated that they extensively tested the name--they didn't disclose the results.

All ready, only a week or so after the announcement, the name calling and comments have quieted in the blogosphere. People have gotten it out of their system. Onto the next thing. And yes, there will be another wave upon actual release, as hundreds of thousands of consumers venture with trepidation into purveyors of the product and ask, as quietly as they can... "I want a Wii." Or perhaps they will go in, dressed in a kilt, and shout out, "Aye, I'd like a Wii console, laddie!" Regardless of their tack, there will be laughter. Some embarassed, some light-hearted, some disbelief... but laughing. And that can only help to focus subconscious and conscious association toward fun, goofiness, and edginess.

So, after the name-calling by everyone blows over, what are people going to be saying? "Only Nintendo would make a name like that." "Oh Nintendo, what a crazy bunch of goofs." "I can't believe I am buying something called a Wii." "Hahaha, I own a Wii!"

People say, "What a dumb name!". But I wonder... what makes it dumb? What reasons do they have?
What the heck kind of name is "Playstation"? "Xbox?" Why do people proudly drink Bawls, boast they they've eaten at Dicks (burger restaurant in Seattle), yet don't want to play with a Wii?

It's just going to take time. History will repeat itself. It will be accepted. Resistance is futile. Or at least not very fun. I think that if one thinks the name is dumb, they need to lighten up a bit. "Wii" isn't supposed to be cutting-edge or cool... it's supposed to be fun and inviting.

This post was last modified: 05-11-2006 09:26 AM by Jinky Williams.

I think the name change was sly for Nintendo. When most people here the word Revolution, they'll expect something that could rival Microsoft and Sony with pure technological might. Wii on the other hand, is something a bit more stealthy, in the sense that people will say...yeah it's a crazy name, but this system is so much more fun and cheaper then the other two.

Wii is a lot cooler i think! revolution was nice but nintendo called it Wii so that they could imply that the station will be for everyone! Plus Wii is a lot more catchy than Xbox 360 or PS3

At first i didn't know they changed the name but now it's slightly better, 'cuz it's unique.

Its supposed to stand for We meaning everyone can play the system.

But i liked the name revolution more I wouldnt like to say to my friends "Im going to go play with my Wii" XD

Yeah, I heard somewhere that the G-c's codename was something weird, like dolphin (but that was months ago, and I might just be an idiot :lol. But, I kinda like it. I mean, i was incredulous at first, like most everyone was. But, omehow i like it. Maybe it's becauser of the fact that "Nintendo Revolution" was tedious to say, and even "Revolution" was a little annoying; but now, all you say is "Wii"; one syllable, so simple, yet so complicated... dude, that's deep. Like, that's probably why they named it Wii, among other reasons. Because the Wii is so simple in its design, unlike the 360 and PS3, but inside, it's got some of the most advaced and complicated hardware in a console. Wow, think on that for a while, and see how you like Wii now!

What's in a name anyway? That which we (not wii) call a rose... blah blah, you get the picture.

I dont care if they called the system betty. As long as its good =p

I feel wiitarded when I go wii-wii in my pants.

lol to the max; LMAO

Pinky will have to travel a long ways to get home

I think the wii is a fitting name for the most universal and multi-player friendly game ever. have you seen the tennis game for the wii. AWSOME!

At first, like most, I thought the name was silly. But after I have gotten used to the idea I think its quite cool, plus teh logo looks better than the mock-up Ninty did for the revOlution.

I can't see consumers putting the name of a device before its quality, price and games.

at first I didnt care for the name change, but now it has grown on me and I like it.