Yeah. good point. After all i do have to eat and keep a roof over my head. thanks Chet.

By the way long time no see. How have you been?

So be it. I'll probably get one sooner or later.

The Wii is a good idea to experiment with, but I think the system is going to seriously flop hardcore, and I wouldn't be surprised if it costs Nintendo big time, maybe a repeat of the Sega downfall. I think it's fairly obvious that Sony will be the winner, unless Microsoft attempts to devour them like everything else. Let us also not forget that PS3 will be completely backwards-compatible, as where even though 360 will be, Microsoft cut their X-Box Live support to old users and forcing the upgrade.

As for what GhoS said, I'll bet you $50 U.S. dollars that PS3 beats Wii within the first year all 3 are on the market. And my email address is mad_dick_claus@hotmail.com if you're on for that bet, and I use PayPal.

One more important thing to note, a name doesn't always count for much, but I seriously think Nintendo would've done a whole lot better if they kept the name "Nintendo Revolution."

I got my hands on a Wii on Sunday and have been playing it a fair bit since then.  Here are a few notes/observations:

1. The controllers are easy to get used to
   It took me about 20min to get the hang of the remote and nunchuck setup for Zelda
2. The system is SMALL
   It's smaller than an external CD drive was 6 years ago.  I was amazed at how tiny it was.  No problems fitting it into any entertainment system.
3. The control scheme is fun
   There's something just naturally enjoyable about swinging your controller around to swing a tennis racket, sword, or whatever.  A lot of people normally jerk the controller around when they get into a game.  Now, all that movement might acutally help you do better!
4. The price is right
   I picked up the system, a complete second set of controllers and a second game for $400.  That's as much as my base 360 cost with no game, and only one controller.  I'm not even sure how much the PS3 would cost doing the same thing.
5. Game selection is going to be slim for a while
   Zelda rocks.  A lot of good things have been said about Madden, Excite Truck and the new Monkeyball, but the titles I'm most looking forward to won't hit the market until Spring/Early summer next year. 
   
6. This is a system my PARENTS love
   I'm home visiting my folks for Thanksgiving and I brought the Wii along with me.  Neither of my parents really game at all, but they're in love with the Wii Sports game.  They've spent countless hours in the past few days playing it and having a blast.  I think my mom is thinking about getting one eventually.
   

Will Nintendo take the top slot with the Wii?  No.  Not in a market that values visuals over gameplay.  What will happen though is the Wii will cement itself in the #2 slot this time around.  Why?  Because it's cheaper than either of the other two, and it appeals to just about everyone.  It's a great system for little kids, older adults, and anyone who is looking for a more purely fun gaming experience.  You won't get the best looking graphics, or the most serious titles, but you'll get games that are physically immersive and fun to play.

Oh, and this isn't the system people will be getting instead of a 360 or PS3, it'll be the system everyone gets IN ADDITION TO the other two.  Combine that with the fact that Nintendo handled their allotments and production properly and there is going to be a steady stream of units throughout the rest of the holiday season (as opposed to the PS3 which is more or less done for the year) and you've got the makings for a huge market-grab by Nintendo.

Still going for the Wii. Called around here today and they "don't know when they'll get more" (Best Buy). Still looking. Great that it works w/GameCube discs. If the lottery comes thru...then maybe a graphics-intensive console, but for now, the Wii is it for us.

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. Zoomba, you're in line w/our thinking on this one.

Looks like only a minority of the systems are bricking and Nintendo is replacing affected hardware no questions asked.  This is sort of like the XBL update that hit about a month or so ago that bricked a few systems as well.

Neither the Wii nor the XBL update bricked my consoles though, so I'm happy 

Be careful when yo update those systems.

same thing happened to the 360...and Ps3 is exhibiting symptoms as well...

its the consequence of being stupid enough to buy a system as soon as it comes out.

first time i played Wii Boxing...i could barely move the following day (Considering i played like 14 rounds straight - "rematch rematch REMATCH")

what is funny is that my friend who has all three next gen systems (i know... ...) gives the Wii all the playtime, while the PS3 and 360 sit in the corner gathering dust