Nintendo Wii Fanboy

Ever since the Wii was released, we've heard about droughts and a lack of software. Even now, the discussion continues. So we wanted to know how things have been for you lately -- do you feel like there are enough games to keep you busy right now? How about the fall and winter line-up so far? Is there enough to keep you happy? As first years go, how would you rate this one?

The end of Wii shortages, that is. While we have no hard evidence to that effect, the anecdotal evidence is piling up -- we've heard from several people lately that their searches have finally come to an end. At last, they have joined the fold of Wii owners. New Wii owners, we welcome you. But is this the case everywhere? We'd love to hear from people who are still searching, or those who know others who are ... or, if you've recently hit the Wii lottery, we definitely want to hear about it.

The first year of a console is often rough. Most new consoles lack titles that really sell it, and instead rely on one title, fan loyalty, or other features (see also: PS2-as-DVD-player back in the day). The Wii, however, has gotten so much press and is in such heavy demand that many people are crying drought where we see the typical growing pains of a new system. Even the DS had a rocky start, and look at it now!

We wanted to pose the question to you: are we in a Wii drought, or is this trickle of games and waiting period exactly what you expected from a new console?

It's time for our irregular check-in! If you were one of the poor, tragic Wii-less masses, have you managed to get your hands on a console? We're always interesting in those tales of victory.

If you're still miserable, first, we offer our deepest sympathies. You can swing by anytime and get your waggle on; the door's open. But we understand that you might want your own, regardless of how long it might take. But we're curious about the wait has affected you. Have you stopped checking? Have you -- perish the thought -- given up hope? One reader e-mailed us and said the retailers in her hometown said she might as well give up. Let's all hope we see something soon to prove them wrong.

For those of you who do the weekly rounds, calling local stores to check for the presence of Wii, analyst Billy Pidgeon's prediction may not come as a surprise. The IDC analyst doesn't think Nintendo will manage to meet demand until 2009. Game drought? At that rate, does it even matter? You might not even be able to find a Wii!

We're pretty fond of Nintendo around here, as you might have guessed. Obviously, we assume that everyone else is, too. But sometimes, the sheer level of desire for the waggle even takes us by surprise. Pidgeon warns that Sony and Microsoft need more exciting games immediately -- what they have on the horizon isn't going to be enough. When one realizes that those currently-coming games are Halo 3 and Lair, the situation looks even more dire.

But that's how analysts roll -- for them, everything exists on an epic scale. But remember the good ol' days, when the shortage was supposed to be winding down?

[Via Joystiq]

What's the best way to make the Wii seem even cooler? Compare it to the Nintendo 64! Games Radar decided to get to the bottom of the "release drought" issue by comparing the current Wii library to the libraries of the GameCube and N64 after their first four months. The Wii has the most diverse lineup by far, which would seem to prove, for better or worse, that third parties are participating more this time around.

We're kind of surprised the GameCube "launch window" selection was this small, but the N64 numbers look right in line with our impressions. Only, like,four games were ever released for that, and two of them were basically the same 3D Castlevania.