Wize Blog

Wii, the Waggle Box, Popular This Year

According to Forbes.com, 13 million people have bought the Nintendo Wii, affectionately called the Waggle Box.

That's the tip of the iceberg. More people want the Waggle Box and might not be able to buy it because the company can't make them fast enough.

And, get this, the Wii is an entertainment hit at retirement homes!

Parents seem to like the Wii because Wisters (the game players) have a selection of games that last only two minutes. On consoles like the XBox 360 games are longer and it's harder to get kids to stop playing.

Wize.com likes the Wii. It rates 98/100, a rating that is compiled by opinions that come from many sources.

Julie, a wizeguy at wize.com says this of her experience buying the Wii:  "Such a revolutionary gaming system! We stood in line outside in 19 degree weather while i t snowed for an HOUR to get our hands on one. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Any generation can play...our 2 year old nephew loves it, and my boyfriend's middle-aged parents even bought their own!

XBox 360 TO Offer ESPN Programming Through Download Service

People who have Microsoft XBox 360 delivered through their cable company have enjoyed on-demand, pay-per-view movie and television service for about a year now.

This year Microsoft teamed up with Disney to offer movies with the Xbox's download service.

Today, ESPN joins the service, offering their programs through the Xbox. Viewers are offered NCAA football and basketball games and other sports related programming.

Miscrosoft offers the downloadable conent through its Xbox 360 Marketplace. It had previously teamed with six content partners for a wide choice of programming options.

Movies can be downloaded in standard-definition or in high-definition.

The service also permits viewers to much of the content from the television networks.

Last March, Microsoft introduced Xbox 360 Elite, which, according to their Web site has the following features:

Xbox 360™ Elite, a new model of the video game and entertainment system includes a 120GB hard drive, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port, a high-definition cable, and a premium black finish for the console, wireless controller and Xbox LIVE® headset. Xbox 360 Elite has enough space for a library of Xbox LIVE Arcade games and thousands of songs, as well as downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The new 120GB hard drive also will be sold as a stand-alone accessory to give current Xbox 360 owners greater choice and flexibility in their games and entertainment experience. Additional Xbox 360 Elite accessories, such as the black Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit and the Xbox 360 rechargeable battery, will be available separately.

No Price Drop for Nintendo's Wii

While Sony and Microsoft continue to plan and announce for various price cuts and bundles of their consoles this holiday season, Nintendo says, "No way, Jose."  That is at least for now.

Speaking to Reuters, Nintendo senior marketing VP George Harrison said that the Wii's price isn't budging. "We'll stay at $249 for the foreseeable future. We are still selling everything we can make," he said. 

That's some confidence, which in fact is quite well founded.  Nintendo Wii inventory has and continues to sell out immediately as it hits the shelf, and likely the demand will not meet supply this holiday season.  Well, let the console games begin!