Is the Wii Just a Fad?

The stores are empty and new ones are no where to be seen. Everyone wants one because they're fun and unique. Sound familiar? Yep; it sounds like a fad. The Wii features a new technology in gaming: the ability to detect where the controller is and how it's moving. Quite amazing, even by today's standards of video games; without the cutting-edge of graphics in the Playstation 3 nor the huge resources of Xbox 360, Nintendo seemed to have a fight in this console wars. However, it seems to be holding its own quite well right now, but how long will it last?

Don't get me wrong; I love the Wii. It is a blast to play and after just playing The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (spending literally 30% of life for a week on the game), I can assure everyone that the technology is truly amazing.

But let's think about this clearly; what advantages are there in the Wii in comparison to the other consoles. I really don't think there are any; the new technology won't last much longer I suspect. So far, all the games I've played has pretty much been the same: swing the Wii-mote around to achieve an effect. However, there aren't many games that actually detect specific movement points, only the movement of the Wii-mote. I think people will get tired of swinging it mindlessly unless Nintendo comes out with a game that can take advantage of its ability; its real ability.

A fad is something that rises in popularity extremely quickly; the Wii does this. A fad is something that usually introduces something new; the Wii does this. This new thing is usually well recieved; the Wii's is. A fad will quickly disappear and lose value; the Wii does not do this. However, if I am starting to have views that the Wii is nothing but a fad, I'm sure others are as well. A quick search on Google shows that this is true; including a Sega executive.

Scott Steinberg says "How much value can developers and creative folks get out of this wrist motion two years from now, or five years from now, or 10 years from now?" Of course, he still backs up the Wii as do I; but this raises a good point. How far can we get with simple motion from a controller? I don't see much aside from what we've already seen.

Even though I think the Wii is a fad, I hope it does well and beats the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 after the traumatic loss of the Gamecube. I love Nintendo and will still support them even if this is simply a fad as is it still raises the bar for the next generation of consoles.