Nintendo Wii has better graphics than the N-Gage and Sega Saturn
By Jonathan Schlaffer
A certain forum is trying to debunk the “rumors” that the Wii has worse graphics than other systems and that it is, in fact, more powerful than the GameCube. Sure, it’s more powerful than the GameCube but only just. It’s almost a joke to what the Wii is compared to in the post, I like to call it “Wii Graphics Myths (Not) Debunked.”
He starts with saying the N-Gage didn’t have a 3D accelerator chip or support for hardware bump mapping which the Wii can do. Okay, so maybe the Wii can do it, so what, that’s like saying my PSP can’t run Folding@Home and the PS3 can. This point does not impress me but it sure did the fanboys.
Perhaps the second point has more support in that the ATi Hollywood graphics chip has been underestimated, I’ll paint that with a maybe but if it can do what the post claims then the graphics should at least be marginally better. Let’s not forget that it still lacks support for HD output (of any kind).
I have to quote directly here, “Don’t make assumptions by what early Wii games display.” But the early games on the Xbox 360 looked pretty good, not as good as they do now but still, it was impressive. The Wii, not so much and I’m not making the comparison to the Xbox 360 here. I’m saying that if the Wii is as “powerful” as the post claims then the games should look better than they currently do.
The last one I’ve never heard before where some say the Wii controller requires so much processing overhead that it holds back the graphics. I certainly wouldn’t want to defend the Wii but what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong and that people, is just wrong on so many levels that it’s not funny. Though I wouldn’t have gone so far as to say the Wii has “advanced effects” because it simply doesn’t. Maybe if you do like the poster and compare it to the GameCube, Xbox or PS2 then sure, it has “advanced effects.”
The Wii falters if you attempt to compare it to the current generation of consoles. When compared to the PS3 or Xbox 360 (and granted, it’s not a fair comparison) but since the Wii is apparently “better than the N-Gage,” I have the right to make such a comparison, it looks awful. I already mentioned the lack of HD outputs or support for any kind of HD resolution which is a major oversight in and of itself the Wii just cannot compete with the Xbox 360 or PS3 in graphics territory. I don’t think that’s what Nintendo was trying to do, instead aiming for price points and “fun factor.”
Nintendo made a good party console which is fun in groups but it’s not a solo gamers’ console and the $250 price should have at least included support for 720p which is basic HD resolution. But you know what, the Xbox supported 720p and in some cases still has better graphics than the Wii. If the Wii is so great, how is that possible?
Related:
Entry was posted
on Monday, July 30th, 2007 at 11:27 am
under
Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.
Stumble It!
Tips N4G
July 30th, 2007
PS1 has better Graphics than N-Gage & Sega Saturn. Keeping that in mind N64 had better graphics than PS1. This whole article seems to be in the end people pissed that Wii doesn’t have HD. It really makes this article seem quite silly.
July 30th, 2007
u fool, just look at super mario galaxy on wii and try telling me its not more powerful then the xbox
July 30th, 2007
mario galaxy is near enuff a 360/ps3 game m8, so just check that out b4 u knock the wii’s grafix capabilities
July 30th, 2007
This kind of thing still baffles me. Of course the 360 and PS3 have much graphics, but it doesn’t matter because they aren’t so much better that the average consumer can see much of a difference.
July 30th, 2007
I said “in some cases” it isn’t better than the Xbox, “in some” does not mean all. At least the Xbox did 720p and I’m sorry but 480p is totally unacceptable in this day and age.
And yes, the Wii does have inferior graphics, take a look at Call of Duty if you don’t believe me.
July 30th, 2007
Wtf!!! the xbox doesnt have better graphics then wii! look at the game coming out now prime 3! which looking great despite the wii’s power and mario galaxy which looking to be one of the best looking games on the wii plus super smash which also is being applauded for its better graphics then any so far on wii. the wii has been used to its extent so far only nintendo has been able to get the best out of it and i cant argue with that it is there system but sooner or later u will start to see better looking games from 3rd parties! the wii is 2 times as powerful as the gamecube but it still isnt has strong as 360 or ps3 but i do remember 2 developers from sega and i think atari said! “the wii is like a tredmill you cant just stand on there and expect to lose wait, you need to give it all your benefit.” in meaning to this you cant just develop a wii game and expect it to sell you need to create something unique that it gives the users something of an awe! and the other quote was “the wii is actually powerful little machine yet devlopers havent gotten to be able to produce great feats with it, yes its not as powerful as say ps3 but it is par with the 360 terms wise.”
July 30th, 2007
I, like the majority of people on this planet, do not own a HDTV. My Wii looks fine to me. The PS3 has better graphics than the Wii, and the Gamecube had better graphics than the PS2. Does who has the best graphics really relate to anything in the real world?
July 30th, 2007
For those of us that DO have an HDTV, it matters quite a bit.
July 30th, 2007
[...] Full article here [...]
July 30th, 2007
Hey guess what? NO ONE CARES about your anti-wii views. Is that the whole point of your articles? Every single one says the exact same thing.
July 30th, 2007
You know Jonathan, i’m really dissapointed by this piece. I think you actually wrote a paragraph that doesn’t bitch about the lack of HD.
You should fix that mistake.
“For those of us that DO have an HDTV, it matters quite a bit.”
Then please buy a PS3 or 360. Just because a product is not right for you does not mean it isn’t right for 10 million other people. Like many Wii owners i am happy that for the next couple of years 480p is fine.
If i buy a car advertised to do 120mph top speed, but some random anonymous bloke on the internet swears it’ll do 200mph, am i justified in being upset when i can’t go faster than the advertisied speed?
I detect the ramblings of a fanboy that once had wet dreams about a certain helmet and is now left dissapointed he can’t afford a PS3 or 360.
Get over it!
July 30th, 2007
Soooo… who cares about the oppinion of a Random guy…I a random… out of a million Blog???
And …OFCOURSE… that oppinion is coming from someone who doesn’t even like the Wii…so, How can we expect some support for the Wii??:D…
OMG:. You simply are stupid :)… Why do people keep turning arguments to their own good ;)…
The point of mentioning the N-Gage…was…ofcourse..to say that even an N-Gage…supports Normal Mapping…Soo.. The Wii Obviously does ;)…
Anyway… I came here from a link :)…Only to find a stupid article and a mediocre Blog :)…
Hope you die! :D!! Love ya’!!!
Fanboy loser
July 30th, 2007
When you are a website writer, you need to put your console / handheld preferences aside and realize that you’re writing for the whole world to read, and if you dislike a certain game system you need to focus on what people who actually like that system want to read about.
Don’t hate; illuminate.
July 30th, 2007
This is the most silly article! I believe that you should have been making these gripes during the debut of the system. Such trivial qualms seem moot at this point, being that the Nintendo has proven itself to be a good video gaming console. Maybe you are too silly to remember, but the Sega Mastersystem had better graphics than the original NES but no one seemed to really care.
July 30th, 2007
Ok, two things:
1) Higher resolution does not equate to better games, or even better graphics. Muddy textures at 720p are still muddy textures.
2) The lack of developer incentive to focus on graphics for Wii does not mean great looking games aren’t possible. After all, look at that first Gundam game on the PS3.
For many gamers, the graphics of RE4 on gamecube are fantastic, and as long as the Wii can perform better than that, then those same gamers are going to be satisfied. But when it boils down to the nitty gritty, gameplay is king and the controller lends itself to more gameplay options than the standard controllers.
July 30th, 2007
This is probably the worst thing ever written on the internet.
You have the right to your opinion, but everybody else has the right to their opinion OF your opinion. And most think you are an ill-researched blowhard who’d be better off writing porn reviews or just shutting up in general.
July 30th, 2007
hmm… just a party console that’s not for solo gamers? sorry metroid prime 3, zack & wiki, super mario galaxy, and all the others… this console isn’t made for games like you. better luck next time.
oh wait, I forgot I don’t give a damn what someone says the wii is, I’ll be enjoyin mah games whilst you bicker and complain about HD support that I, as someone who owns an HDTV, don’t care about.
July 30th, 2007
Shaun,
I do own a XBOX 360 and the PS3 is lukewarm at best. I’ll say it again, if the Wii had better graphics… yes, it’s an old hat but a very comfortable one.
If the Wii, were say $199 then maybe those of us that don’t particularly care for the level of graphics at $250 might find it acceptable at $199, at least, I would.
Arturo,
Why do people keep turning arguments to their own good, why do companies spin numbers one way to look in their favor when another company gets the exact opposite, from the same data… we all know the answer to that one, don’t we?
July 30th, 2007
The Wii could have had 720p, but then it would have cost a little more.
No thanks.
HD is so over rated it makes my brain hurt.
July 30th, 2007
[...] Link [...]
July 30th, 2007
How old is this person?
This ‘article’ is silly at best. I would say more but just thinking about the time i wasted on this is making me angry.
July 30th, 2007
You don’t know anything about video games. Better graphics require more artists, more time, and more money. This in turn edges out new innovations, and only blockbuster titles guaranteed to succeed get any sponsorship. Basically, we’ll just get new iterations of old games, like you see on the 360 or PS3.
July 30th, 2007
[...] Full article here [...]
July 30th, 2007
It’s funny, I never once said it was worse than the PS2… but it is a closer comparison.
Poor controls + great graphics = bad game
Poor graphics + great controls = bad game
great graphics + great controls = good game
So, it’s not just about the graphics, it’s about the controls as well.
And new iterations of old games sell, don’t they?
Oh, right, BioShock is coming out which is a new game… and it’s going to be a good one.
July 30th, 2007
Seriously, are you a little kid? Logic seems to be missing…
July 30th, 2007
OMFG since when graphic are all the matter? nintendo is trying to get all that casual which leaves the game market in japan, they accomplished their goal, and nintendo is trying too to make hardcore games as mario, metroid, and others, but since gamecube had a lot of titles in developing they are being ported to wii, as the ones for ps2, this is just a matter of “coinhunt”,they want easy money,thats the matter, while other of nintendo want just money, nintendo is trying to get the hard and casual,but the hard … as i said so much times to mine friend, just ds saves, that has FF,DQ,VivaPiñata XD, and lot more, i’m just waiting till wii become something like ds, for nowadays it’s something not worst than 360 and ps3, but something apart of this game market.
July 30th, 2007
the power does not mean anything without control
July 30th, 2007
Hmm… Actually its more like:
poor graphics + great gameplay = great game
great graphics + great gameplay = great game
great control + great gameplay = great game
poor control + great gameplay = ok game
poor gameplay + anything = poor game
July 30th, 2007
You know, I could take the root of calling you a blatantly ignorant idiot, however that would be too immature, and disrespectfull… well and easy.
Now before we get into matters at hands, I want it to be understood I am in no way a Nintendo Fanboy. I’m planning to purchase a 360, I own a psp, ps2, etc.
The xbox was clocked at 733 mhz, and the wii has reportedly been clocked at 729 mhz. These are the CPU speeds of each systems. The GPU on the xbox ran at 233mhz, the wii’s GPU is running at 243mhz.
These technical specifications do show it is superior to the xbox.
Now for your claims of how xbox 360 graphics looked good when the system first came out… well lets take a step back to that point in time, when the 360 graphics were something we had never seen before. Of course we were taken a back by those graphics, same can be said with the original xbox at first… but lets really take a look at those graphics… not quite that impressive anymore. I remember taken a look at perfect dark, and being very very disapointed by those graphics, so your substantial claims hold no weight.
Any, and all systems will always take a time to fully take advantage of a systems graphics, and its because developpers need to get used to the architecture the system is using.
Now for your HD claim… It’s made for everyone, not everyone has the money to blow on a HD, grow up.
I will always take gameplay over graphics… if your opinion suggests the opposite to that, then you are known as a shallow gamer.
oh and the people saying mario galaxy has ps3 like graphics… please quit dreaming.
July 30th, 2007
I’ve got both a 360 and a Wii, and I know which one gets played more. I’m running it through composite cables into my HDTV and it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Why? THE GAMES ARE FUN!!! I’ve got two kids and we’ll sit and play Mario Party, Wii Sports, Zelda, Excitetruck etc a hell of a lot more than we’ll play the 360.
Graphics mean nothing, games are about gameplay. I would rather play a fun game with N64 graphics, than something that looks like it’s come straight from a Dreamworks but plays like a dog.
My 2c : )
Matt
July 30th, 2007
“The xbox was clocked at 733 mhz, and the wii has reportedly been clocked at 729 mhz. These are the CPU speeds of each systems. The GPU on the xbox ran at 233mhz, the wii’s GPU is running at 243mhz.
These technical specifications do show it is superior to the xbox.”
False. There are two different style chips based on two different architectures. The Wii(and GC) are based on PowerPC. That means you may want to double those numbers for Wii(and GC).
The Xbox is NOT superior to Wii. It can do some things the Wii cannot(some shaders and such) but the Wii can do far more than Xbox in most other areas.
July 30th, 2007
Poor graphics = great controls + GOOD GAME
even if the game looks stupid *wind waker* as long as the controls are good and its fun to play noone will care about the graphics.
and the look of the game is really just a lure the real meat of the game is controls .. hands down..
because if snake couldnt jump over a box because of bad controls and he got shot then the gamer would be angry as hell
July 30th, 2007
wow
“Poor controls + great graphics = bad game
Poor graphics + great controls = bad game”
i can agree on the 1st statement but as for graphics making a “great game” look at all the wii’s that have already been sold and how people rave about how “FUN” the games are… i dont really think that anyone would care what the game would look like if its just plane “FUN”… its the reason the wii is a success.. not because of graphics
July 30th, 2007
dude, this article is dumb, Wii was not designed for graphical performance, but for fun. and that whole thing of n-gage is better in graphics that the wii, is just ridiculos. by the way, take a look at mario kart for the wii, and rewrite this crapy article again because oviously you have no idea what your talking about!!!
July 30th, 2007
@huh?
Thats exactly what I was trying to say.
July 30th, 2007
Seeing that you are all argueing about silly Graphics as if there the best. Try a PC it is and will always be best as its the most upto date.
All the Xbox and PS3 are trying to do is immitate a PC.
Yes i will admit the Wii Graphics are Crap Compared to the Current Generation of Hardware but there again Most of the Games out lately have absolutely awesome Graphics but the Gameplay has been absolutely Crap. Good Controls and new and unique ways to play is what Really makes the Wii fun.
July 30th, 2007
Does Jonathan just write crappy articles to just get post… i can see it now.. ” i know i’ll write about the wii’s low end graphics so that everyone can blog here.” good idea to pick on something even nintendo admit was a weak point of the wii
July 30th, 2007
Why is the Wii good?
New and unique gameplay.
Why don’t you watch a CG movie if all you care about is graphics jackass.
July 30th, 2007
Heh. Jonathan, if you want HD graphics, then either buy a different console, or play on a pc. If the Wii’s lack of HD bothers you, then it’s simple, isn’t it? Don’t play on the Wii.
I like the way you emphasise the “fun factor” bit. What, you don’t like fun, is that it? You won’t like Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart and Brawl? Man, this console isn’t for you.
July 30th, 2007
[...] Full article here [...]
July 30th, 2007
This is the worse blog article i read in a long time….. i do have a wii and i know that the graphics are not as good as a 360 or a ps3.
Everybody know that…why are you turning this fact in wii-hater stupid articles. Wii buy a wii because we like nintendo 1 first-party game…the new control scheme and because its affordable. I own an HDTV and the 480P graphics looks fine for me.
This is as bias as a fanboys opinion. its the first and the last time i read this blog.
July 30th, 2007
I have an idea, why don’t you shut the fuck up? Heh, thanks. Call me
FANBOY, cough.
July 30th, 2007
You obviously feel that graphics mean everything, and that’s fine for you. I for one don’t think a game is bad if it doesn’t have the best graphics possible for the date it was released. You do. That’s fine. We all know that the 360 and PS3 have better graphics than the Wii. It’s not a secret. You don’t need to tell everybody again and again. We know.
Based on sales data it should be clear that you are in the minority in your “Wii graphics=bad game” beliefs, and if you were to look to history you would see it has ALWAYS been this way. Deal with it.
TG-16 didn’t overtake the NES even with it’s better graphics.
Neo-Geo didn’t overtake the SNES even with it’s better graphics.
Game Gear didn’t overtake the Game Boy even with it’s better graphics.
N64 didn’t overtake the PS1 even with it’s better graphics.
PSP didn’t overtake the DS even with it’s better graphics.
Xbox didn’t overtake the PS2 even with it’s better graphics.
Xbox360/PS3 won’t overtake the Wii even with their better graphics.
Deal with it.
July 30th, 2007
Yeah, well, let’s try to make a good looking game at 480p first before we make snarky remarks about needing 720p, mkay? High def Elebits, sloppy PS2 ports (and not even the great PS2 games at that), and mini games don’t really mean squat to me all the same. Developers have barely made an effort yet to even be on par with some of the graphical best of the last generation’s three consoles, but nice spin on putting the blame on the hardware that’s suppose to be twice the specs of the GameCube as oppose to pushing developers instead to match the look, feel, and quality of games like RE4, Metal Gear Solid 3, Beyond Good & Evil, Ninja Gaiden Black, etc. Seriously, is there some kind of switch in many developers’ heads that got turned off when we moved to the current generation of video game hardware? Is that what happened to 2D when we went to 3D?
C’mon, let’s be reasonable. Xbox being able to do beyond 480p didn’t make the games look artistically better or play better. The Wii can do “epic” games, it can do “deep storylines,” and it can do compelling graphics much like any canvass in the art world. The question is, are the painters and artists of the video game world willing to actually put the effort or are they limiting themselves to using crayons because all their other tools are being pulled out in favor of having them used on some other canvasses?
July 30th, 2007
Why is it that nearly ever post on gamer.blorge that happens to deal with the Wii is written without a hint of professionalism, or for that matter, a purpose.
July 30th, 2007
I start this reply by saying that i can be a bit fanboyish sometimes with my nintendo products, but i feel since i have played all the current systems i feel i can have a fairly unbias opinion.
saying stupid things like ‘the wii graphics arnt as powerful as the ps3 hd graphics’ is like me telling you that santa doest exist (any kids reading this .. he does really shh) but no one can say nintendo havent did well with the current system
sony/360 fanboys brag about graphics and wii fanboys brag about gameplay … i personaly like gameplay.
another thing that annoys / ammuses me is the fact people will say stuff such as the wii has no hd support but will download ps1 games to play on their hdtv with a stupid firmware update that now blurs the images (to make less blocky i guess .. but it still looks crap .. and even worse on a hd tv)
im 25 now and i have played games from being a kid, from atari to wii and most in between, when i think back some games are classics, games i would still (and do) play and not one of them would meet up with the graphical standards of today. in order to make a game a classic, it needs to be a good game, not a good looker.
A Handful Of Classic Games
Track And Field - My Local Arcade (I lost a lot of pocket money on that thing)
Pacman - Atari 2600
Super Mario Bros - Nes
zelda - nes
Alex The Kidd - Master System
Earth Worm Jim - Megadrive
Street Fighter 2 - Snes
GoldenEye - N64
there are many more (and i honestly cant think of one for the ps1 .. ) but the point is the reason there classics has nothing to do with the graphics.
When im 40 what games will i remember of the last 10 years? what gc / ps2 / xbox / wii / ps3 / 360 games will i look back on and smile?
July 30th, 2007
Maybe the bluray Wii will have better graphics, lol.
“The Wii falters if you attempt to compare it to the current generation of consoles. When compared to the PS3 or Xbox 360 (and granted, it’s not a fair comparison)”
I would say the PS3 and 360 falter compared to the Wii. I get a lot of expensive stuff I don’t want or need. I don’t want twice the price for bluray, and I don’t need HD (and I do have an HD TV). The Wii has good enough graphics without any of the stuff I don’t need.
It’s not a fair comparison, though, you are right. The Wii is still sold out almost everywhere within minutes. People are after it like mad, still. The 360 can’t compare to that anymore, and the PS3 never could.
Evidently there is more to the Wii than graphics.
However, we can’t forget that Chris Hecker (Maxis/EA) said the Wii is 2 gamecubes duct taped together. Evidently he has high confidence in its graphical capabilities with statements like that
July 30th, 2007
Now I know the Wii can’t compare to the XBox 360 or PS3 in graphics but the XBox defenetly isn’t more powerful then the Wii. Some game developers were lazy with some Wii games so it means nothing that some XBox games look better then some Wii games, their are some GameCube games that look better then some XBox 360 game for instance Metroid Prime 2 looks much much better then Tenchu Z. Also, the Wii isn’t only a party system, there are plenty of good solo games, like Zelda, RE4, SPM, TC, MSC and MP3 and SMG are coming out soon.
July 30th, 2007
I don’t really understand this author’s point. We know that the Wii doesn’t have HD and that it is graphically inferior to the PS3 and XBOX 360, but I don’t see how that means its graphics are poor. It’s all relative. They’re certainly good enough to make games enjoyable and to impress the likes of me (though granted, I have a standard definition TV). I also don’t understand how “poor graphics” means “not a solo gamer’s console.” Zelda and Metroid aren’t designed for solo play? How do graphics determine the number of people who enjoy the game?
July 30th, 2007
This has got to be a joke.
If not…what a moron.
July 30th, 2007
The XBox does 720p… well, it did NOT at first, that is after a firmware patch! I’m quite optimistic that if the Wii does extremely well, developers will want to push the envelope. Wii will then get an update to support 720p games.
The hardware is there for it to do it, but what is the point if the install nor developer base is there to push that extreme out? No one but Nintendo has really pushed the Wii’s limits yet. It takes years on every single game platform for a game to REALLY shine. 3rd party developers are just now jumping onto the Wii after letting out a cough and saying “Umm, oops, uhh, we should have thought about this little thing sooner.” So development times are up to a whole year behind with some companies (EA).
So what do we get? Craptacular ports of games that exist for other systems with rediculous control schemes, like DBZ BT2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. I was sure glad I could play DBZ BT2 on my classic controller.
The XBox 360 and PS3 have rocking graphics, total given there. I enjoy the XBox 360, it’s got some fire to it. PS3… well, I’m waiting to see if that one pans out. The small amount of games at the gamestore keep me from really eyeing it closely. I do think the Wii’s power is highly underestimated. Zelda was prepped for GAMECUBE, it isn’t a true testiment to what the Wii can do in the end, only what the Gamecube can do. Well, bye bye Gamecube… mine is already boxed up.
July 30th, 2007
You suggest that it’d be better for people (like yourself) that complain about the Wii’s lack of HD if the Wii were $199.
Sure, everyone would like the Wii if it were $199…. Then again, everyone seems to like the Wii at $249.
It’s selling out faster than Nintendo can produce them. There’s no reason for Nintendo to lower the price, if they’re constantly selling out.
The 360 has sold 10.2 million consoles and the Wii has sold 9.6 mil consoles (as of July 15th, according to vgchartz.com). The 360 has had an entire YEAR over the Wii.
Seems to me that the Wii is doing well enough, even without all the gamers obsessed with high-definition. It’ll stay $249 for quite some time… I mean, the 360 is still $349… Not really in competition with the Wii as far as price goes. (The core model doesn’t really matter, as no one really wants it anyway.)
If you want it at $199, you can wait… but then you’ll be missing out on all the fun games that’ll come out for the Wii.
July 30th, 2007
Why do people make such a fuss over graphics and HDTV? Seriously, as long as the games are fun should the graphics really matter?
July 30th, 2007
The difference between resident evil 4 on the gamecube and Wii should show you it has better graphics, and also metroid prime 3 and mario galaxy. But regardless of graphics when you have as much fun as you do playing Wii sports i don’t careabout the graphics.
July 31st, 2007
hd != good graphics, remember that.
you cold output a n64-game in hd-resolution - does it look good to you then?
the reason why the games that are released by now look so mediocre, is that most of them are ports of ps2- or xbox-games.
and if not, they are using a standard-graphic-engine that can run on any system. no game that i know of uses a wii-specific-made engine. not even red steel, wich looks ok, but uses the unreal-engine.
July 31st, 2007
every console has fun games, from NES to SMS, SNES to Genesis, PSX to 3DO to N64, Dreamcast to PS2 to XBox to Gamecube, and PS3 to 360 to Wii. They all have good games. So the original poster doesnt like Wii, big deal. Does that negate any of the commenters from enjoying the console? No. So why get so worked up over it? Everyone is allowed their own opinion. As for me, Wii is one of the funnest consoles I’ve played. Just because Johnathan here doesn’t like it sure as hell isn’t going to change that. Let people have their own opinions.
July 31st, 2007
This dude only made this post so attention would be brought to this small time website.
July 31st, 2007
Which you you rather have:
A. A High-Res/1080p game that is only fun for about a week. Then you get tired of it and it collects dust.
B. A system with decent graphics, but really fun games that your friends beg to come over to play with you.
Everyone talks about graphics, but never about fun factor. Thats b/c they are hoping, eventually their system will come out with some fun, imaginative games. The Wii has them now and a lot more coming this holiday season.
July 31st, 2007
verpiss dich du H*rensohn
July 31st, 2007
# ismail:
July 30th, 2007
mario galaxy is near enuff a 360/ps3 game m8, so just check that out b4 u knock the wii’s grafix capabilities
# Mattjumbo:
July 30th, 2007
This kind of thing still baffles me. Of course the 360 and PS3 have much graphics, but it doesn’t matter because they aren’t so much better that the average consumer can see much of a difference.
Larry:
July 31st, 2007
Which you you rather have:
A. A High-Res/1080p game that is only fun for about a week. Then you get tired of it and it collects dust.
Congratulations on 3 of the most ridiculously dumb posts I’ve come across this year.
Ismail, I’m sorry, but you need to get yourself checked for cataracts if you think Mario Galaxy even comes close to anything on the 360 graphically (or the PS3 for that matter). Were you comparing the graphics to an XBLA game or something. Go look at the trailers for Resident Evil 5, Call of Duty 4, Mass Effect, Bioshock, and Assassins Creed and you might notice the significant graphical difference.
Mattjumbo, any average consumer with only marginal eyesight can see the difference between the Wii’s graphics and those of the Xbox 360 and PS3.
Larry, Are you trying to tell me that if any of the wii’s games were rendered in 1080p it would make them less fun and suddenly people would get bored of them after a week? In any case most HD games are rendered in 720p. But even still, take a game like Gears of War. Rendered in 720p, and people are still playing it religiously on XBL every day and have done since its release nearly a year ago ergo your point is completely redundant.
If you’re going to post comments, don’t make such blatantly stupid fanboy remarks without any proper evidence to back them up. You’re opinions are not facts. Sure you’re entitled to them, but that doesn’t mean that we have to be subject to your inane ramblings on every forum we go to.
If you love your wii cos it’s fun and simple and graphics don’t matter to you then that’s fine. Just accept that some people like games that have nice graphics and atmosphere and more complex gameplay mechanics. If you feel the need to diss any of the consoles, DON’T. They each have their own merits and appeal to different audiences. Stop being such sad fanboys. PLAY GAMES, NOT CONSOLES!
Personally, for what the Wii is about, I don’t think it needs to have the same graphical clout as the other 2. While nowhere near as impressive as the the PS3 and 360 games, graphically the nintendo games are far from being ugly. HD support would be nice considering that more and more people are buying HD televisions, but the lack of HD doesn’t take away from the console’s appeal.
July 31st, 2007
Jayx… Well said man.
It’s different strokes for different folks. There’s a console out there to suit everyone’s tastes. We all want different things from our gaming and there are 3 great systems there for us to choose from. I wish people would stop braggin’ like “my console can beat up your console”. It’s ridiculous. Where does all this misguided fanboy mentality come from??
July 31st, 2007
My 200 cents
Wow good article! I mean, your title really caughed my attention and of many others. Of course your arguments are meaningless, but it’s cool to join another ‘graphics comparison’ article, we haven’t had these in a while. Maybe because Wii was so succesfull… Of course I am still a Nintendo fanboy, but I now enough about game development to give a professional opinion.
First of all I like to confirm that the original Xbox is more powerfull than the Wii. If you look at the CPU and GPU, the Wii and Xbox are equally powerfull. But due to it’s build in shaders, the Xbox can more easilly output graphical effects. It’s like comparing the Playstation 1 with the Sega Saturn. They were equally powerfull, but the Playstation could do 3D more easilly because it had build in polygon support. Graphical effects are an important aspect of graphics today (bump mapping, bloom lightning, etc.) and therefore it’s more easy to make a beautifull game on the Xbox. I am not saying the Wii can’t do these effects (because I know the Wii can do them) but you have to program these into the software.
Furthermore I have to confirm that the Wii doesn’t come close to the power of the Xbox360 and Playstation 3. And this power is not only important for graphics, but also for AI and Physics, therefore you can use this power to have more immersive gameplay.
Now we have the ‘power issue’ out of the way, let’s ask ourselves the question: does it matter? And the answer is no.
In my opinion, one of the most beautifull gamecube games was Baten Kaitos. A game that was mainly 2D and could have been released on Playstation 1. Another example: one of the most popular games for Xbox 360 in it’s initial year was Geometry Wars on Xbox Live Arcade. Personally I really like the graphics, but also this game could have been released on Playstation 1. Last example, one of the most surprising games of last E3 was Echochrome for Playstation Network. Simple but stylised and more importantly: intriguing graphics. And again, this game could have been released on Playstation 1.
The next question: can you make deep and long lasting single player games on the Wii? The answer is yes.
You had long lasting single player games on NES. Like the first Zelda. You had deep single player games on SNES, like Final Fantasy III. Long lasting and deep single player games were common on Playstation 1 (Metal Gear Solid), on N64 (Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time), on Dreamcast (Shenmue 1 & 2), on Gamecube (Metroid Prime) and on Playstation 2 (God of War). And all these systems had less power than the Wii.
Now last question: Can the Wii deliver better control of video games than the Xbox360 and Playstation 3? The answer is yes.
In 2001, Peter Moulineux has held a press conference in which he looked into the future by saying: the only thing we need is full 3D control. The Wii provides exactly that with motion sensing. And something more, namely it’s pointer ability. The precision of the control in Call of Duty 3 on Wii was really a revelation to me. The Legend of Zelda: Twighlight Princess, introduced fantastic 3rd person swordfighting controls. The control of Excite Truck felt like nothing before, great stuff. And Sonic and the Secret Rings was exactly how I liked to play a 3D Sonic game.
Okay, the Wii doesn’t have Crysis like graphics, but I still think the graphics are very compelling. But Jonathan, please try Metroid Prime 3: Corruption for a few hours. It will convince you that the Wii has something that other consoles can’t provide in terms of experience. And that’s what gaming is all about, our gaming experience.
July 31st, 2007
You know what? The $250 I spent on my Wii is giving me the best times of my life when I’m at home and now I actually have something else to do besides watching movies with my girlfriend, and that’s playing Wii with my girlfriend. She couldn’t care less about my PS3’s graphics but just loves the fact that she can actually hit me with Wii’s controller and something happens on-screen
Personally, if I’m alone I’d rather play my PS3 than Wii, but yeah… I guess graphics don’t matter that much for my non-gamer girlfriend, which is exactly the audience Nintendo is trying to reach with Wii (non-gamers, not my girlfriend :P).
July 31st, 2007
You guys are idiots, and I’m right. The Wii sucks because it has bad graphics. The Wii will no longer be popular by Christmas.
July 31st, 2007
“You know what? The $250 I spent on my Wii is giving me the best times of my life when I’m at home”
-Leon July 31st, 2007
…what a life
July 31st, 2007
Jonathan you are so…uhm…how can I put this…stupid.
Developers make games that look bad. That doesn’t mean that the Wii has inferior graphics. I mean, yeah it doesn’t even come close to stacking up to the 360 and PS3, but damn, it goes well above the Cube and the original XBOX. Just the fact that you said that the Wii is underpowered because Call of Duty looks bad proves just how much of a moron you are.
Morons should not have blogs.
July 31st, 2007
crappy writer + crappy opinion = someone who is going to get flamed by the majority of the gaming community who have a love and passion for video games spanning the 8-bit to present. all i have to say is “love the games, not the hardware.” until you can actually do that, bitch all you want, but me, i’d rather be playing games than wasting my time bitching about something that really has no relevance to me.
July 31st, 2007
um…i think this has been mentioned many times before sooo um ya we get it the wii cant compare to 360 and ps3 in graphics. but hey from what ive seen thats comin to the wii, the graphics are very nice. i could right an article like this but instead say 360 and ps3 look better then the NES i’ll give it that but they dont even come close to the power of the computer. so forget 360 and ps3 get a fun wii and a power crazy computer and you have the best of both worlds. come on every one already knows this crap, so let it go
August 2nd, 2007
whoa, wii has better grafix than sega saturn? in other obvious news, the sky is blue, the day has 24 hours, and you are an idiot (@ the author)
August 3rd, 2007
Johnathan you are a fucking dumbass. You are a virgin graphics whore that lives in your mom’s basement that wants realism in games just so you can jack off to videogame vixens, cuz youll never get close so smacking some ass. Wii is decent affordable, and fun what more do you want bitch!?
August 4th, 2007
I have to agree with this post that the wii is more fun in groups and that 360 or ps3 is fun playing by yourself. However, it won’t stop me from buying a wii.
I will hold off from buying a 360 or ps3 until they are more established and will continue playing my ps2 which is the clear winner in this next gen console race.
August 6th, 2007
I remember when the N64 came out it didnt have many 3rd party support and it was more pricey than ps1 and saturn games. But when the gamecube came out I bought one. I was very dissapointed that I went with the game cube. It seemed like all the cool cames came out for PS2 and Xbox. I love playing sports games and NBA live and MVP baseball were realesed only once during the game cubes life span. Nintendo also had no exclusive sports games (No Mario baseball does not count). So having said that, when the WII came out I looked the other way. I dont want anything to do with nintendo and I’m tired of getting burned Becasue I allready know whats gonna happen. The WII will sell 20 million systems and at the end of this era those customers will feel like they got burned. I’m in no way a “mark” for certain systems, I just know the syastem to buy is the xbox 360. They’re will be cool games for all 3 but at the end of the day microsoft will be known for putting out the games we actually want to play not just a bunch of afterthought ports.
August 7th, 2007
I think Nintendo is just trying to not place all the eggs in a basket. The truth is, its really all about marketing & business strategy. I have no doubt that Nintendo is capable to produce a HD high end graphic console now but it seems like they are definitely holding that back Period! Beside the current Motion Sensing Wii is already doing quite well. In actual fact the current wii is already a next gen state of art console because the N team was able to produce such a compact unit that is also backward compatible to all the previous GC games + VC games. Of coz I agreed graphic is important in gaming but so is gameplay. Wii will ultimately feel like a last gen by next year’s E3 when PS 3 and 360 flex their guns! But by holding back on the major leap Nintendo now has an extra chip for the future when more homes owns HD TVs. Until then when the N team releases an equally compact and small console that produces HD graphic with motion sensing capabilities, lets just enjoy our wii and Xbox 360. When that day comes it will be sudden death to all sony and microsoft console…then again… sony and MS might just copied motion sensing technology into their console and pays Nintendo for their patent ownership. (in case u r unaware of it, Sony already copied part of the motion sensing and renamed it 6 axis. The revised PS3 controller happened soon after Nintendo reveal their wii-mote. If not for that PS3 owners will still be using the normal rumble pad) no matter wat happens in the next few yrs…Nintendo is already on track to be the ultimate victor becos they have did their homework.
August 11th, 2007
just go get an upscaler if you want HD so much. it will be useful and for other products that you own.
also Don may be right. maybe there is an inactive chip inside, like it was with 360. anyway, the only thing i know is that one from the inside told me “One day you will wake up, turn on your console, and you won’t be able to recognize it.”
August 11th, 2007
So, now that all the Nintendo Fanboys have come in and insulted this post, I say they are all idiots.
See that “Gameplay vs. Graphics” thing wold work if the Wii was delivering great gameplay, But it’s NOT! All these kids talk about “Same old recycled gameplay” of the other consoles, and then Push Mario, Metroid and Smash Brothers… Oh difference is NOW instead of an accurate Analogue stick, i can sit and play with a totally inaccurate pointer that guarantees I can’t stay looking forward without developing Carpal Tunnel. Or even more inaccurate wrist waggling. Cause Why masturbate to video game vixens when you can move your wrist back and forth in a repetitive motion.
But the Wii Sells alot, which PROVES it’s good. And High School Musical as shown us that massive sales means Quality.
Graphically, the Wii is lacking vs. the OG Xbox. That whole thing about lacking Pixel Shaders and such. And to those who disagree, Sit your precious Super Mario Galaxy against Ninja Gaiden…. I mean if we’re compareing the best of the Wii, why not compare it to the best of the Xbox? Now the arguement has been put up that it always takes time for devs to really tap the power of a console… That’s usually because each new console is USUALLY built upon new hardware. But it’s been shown time and again, and this argument is always used to defend the Wii, that the Wii is an upgraded gamecube. Same basic system. So…. You know what happnes when i add more RAM to my PC and over clock the CPU/GPU? Games run FASTER… So therfore they should look better even if all they do is take their GCN engines and throw in some higher quality textures, and a few more effects.
Plus, why does it seem like Nintendo Fanboys are always using unreleased games as PROOF of how great the console is? I wish you could do that with everything. “I mean, look at the graphics of SMG” Hmm, yes, let’s compare pre-release video footage to pre-release video footage, shall we? Shit dude, grab the right video footage and Shenume on Dreamcast looks as good as RE4. And Metroid Prime 3 will prove how great the Wii-Mote is? Oh, let me go out and buy it… oh, it’s not out? Ahhhhh, sooooo you’re basing this on…. Videos you saw on the internet, and cause IGNWii said it was great? Damn, well company released footage and biased reporters is all I need, I’M SOLD!
I don’t blame the Wii’s crappy graphics on the ability of the console itself.. I mean, look at God Of War 2. Looks better then Every Wii game i’ve seen so far. So under that idealolgy, the Wii HAS to be pretty nice. I honestly blame Nintendo telling devs to not sink alot of $$ into Wii developed games, and lazy developers for not sinking enough $$ into Wii developed games. Or Nintendo for releasing nothing but Gamecube ports.
August 28th, 2007
Gametrailer.com said “After playing Metroid Prime 3 on the Wii, you’ll never want to play a shooter with dual analog controls again, it’s that good.” Wow! The Gameplay is the true Key to a great game not just fancy graphics! Kool.
August 28th, 2007
Yeah Metroid Prime 3 is Awesome! Seems like console horsepower is really secondary, primary strength really lays in the gameplay. Perhaps EA should pay more attention in refining gameplay and stop producing those B grade Medal of Honor series on the Wii.
August 30th, 2007
I have an HD TV that runs at a max of 1080i. Played and beat GoW on the Xbox 360, and now I am playing Metroid Prime 3 Corruption (with the hd cables of course). I have to say that the graphics in this game surely beats the myth that Wii cannot produce “next gen” graphics. And just that people know, HD only brings clarity, has nothing to do with graphics. Just think about watching movies in HD. Is that graphics? No its reality, and it allows you to see reality with a clearer lense. Liquid Crystal Display and Plasma now makes this possible because it can make the lense clearer at higher resolution.
Nevertheless, I didn’t think that Metroid can do these type of graphics until I got a chance and played it. Very satisfied, and I love it when developers do quality work. And I have a feeling that the Wii may just be capable of more than what MP3 did. I agree it may not be on Bioshocks level though, but I will not say that future games wont be impossible. Its all about the skill of the developers.
October 23rd, 2007
So far in the history of video games, the most powerful system of any particular generation of consoles never won, sales wise. The Intellivision lost to the Atari 2600. The Atari 5200 lost to the Colecovision. The NES beat the Sega Master System. The NeoGeo lost to the Genesis and Super Nintendo, though it lasted longer. Playstation beat the Nintendo 64. The PS2 beat the Xbox, and now the Wii is ahead of both the Xbox 360 and the PS3.
November 8th, 2007
^^^
Wow, that’s really insightful. True, too.
March 24th, 2008
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well.
April 8th, 2008
i really thick that the wii has better graphics than the xbox1. what i also thick is there is a lot of people pissed off that the wii bet ps3 and 360 all i have to say is ha ha ha nintendo kicking the other one’s ass now
April 13th, 2008
You people are a bunch of morons. Forget that the wii is *just barely* Higher in graphical terms, what is really sad is that the xbox was released in 2001 and the wii in 2006. EPIC FAIL.
June 2nd, 2008
Look at NES Games Horrible grapics by todays standards, but yet they are still some of the most fun games there are out there.
Great grapics is a nice addition, but not a make or break deal.
That would be like watching something in HD you don’t like, instead of watching something you love in Standard Definition. Simply because it looks better dosen’t make it more enjoyable.
Obviously if you can get great grapics with great controls/gameplay then you have yourself a winner.
I personally find the wii system just plain fun to play.
June 17th, 2008
I’m just surprised that after so long, people are still talking about the graphical horsepower. Yes, Wii is lacking in HD from PS3 or 360 and thats already a fact. But, isn’t is funny that these days that we are hearing news of PS3 coming out with a controller that splits into 2 separated piece ‘mimicking the wii mote’ and 360 intoducing Mii-like avatars. lol, clearly many innovation in terms of gaming experience are still coming from the Nintendo team and what they lacks is just a better processing power engine. Using controller for the 7th of console on my ps3 is really feeling old and I agreed with Det_Wat that ‘wii is a system with just plain fun to play.’
August 13th, 2008
Graphics do matter you bunch of idiots ! If they didn’t then pilocks like you lot would still be playing your nes’s and atari’s. Grow up and realise that wii is a party console, and thats all it will ever be.
September 29th, 2008
I think its a given that the Wii’s graphics are not as good (but not the worst neither) as the 360 and PS3. I own a Wii and my friends who have a 360 or PS3 like playing it when they come over. I play 360 on my roommates tv which is by the way NOT HD and it looks great. You don’t need an HD tv to play a graphically high quality game. HD is gonna still take time to catch on so 480p works for me because most people (if not all) still own SD tvs. So quite being an antWii jerk always bashing the console for lack of graphical capabilities which The Conduit will prove to not be the case! Gosh if you don’t like the Wii don’t play it…and not everyone should have to agree with your opinion…sheesh! And by the way again…remember the SNES ( with inferior graphics) vs. (better graphics) Sega Genesis war…which company won that and who is the one making there game consoles today…?????????