Conduit 2 is one of the first major Wii releases of 2011.
Five years is a very, very long time in the video game industry. Five years ago the Xbox 360 was just launching and the PS3 wasn't in stores. Five years ago we had no idea that Nintendo would steamroll the industry with a radically inventive approach to gaming. By fusing the concept of motion control with a more intuitive, remote-like controller, Nintendo unleashed a phenomenon, one that has survived and thrived, besting cutting edge consoles, working with what is more or less ten year old technology in a small, affordable package.
But in 2011 the Wii will turn five, and everyone, including many of the editors at IGN, is eager to see the system's successor. Unfortunately, coming off of an incredible 2010, one that saw the Wii unleash an array of exclusives Nintendo fans rarely see, the next year might appear to be darker. The release schedule doesn't seem as packed, the console is definitely showing signs of aging and now the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have their mighty answers to motion control in Move and Kinect respectively. Given that difficult set of circumstances, many might wonder if the Wii has what it takes to last – not just until its successor but even one more year.
Set aside your fears and doubts, Nintendo fans. Next year might not be as bad as it seems, and your system is not as obsolete. Despite having wolves at its doors, Nintendo is in a strong position in the industry. Let's look at some of the reasons why the Wii still has potential not only to the fans and consumers, but to the industry as well.
