Hardcore gamers are hard to satisfy

Fast forward to the “current gen.”  The “hardcores” don’t know what to do.  The Wii is an enegma.  It’s not a graphical powerhouse.  It’s not built to download movies and tv shows.  And yet it’s been sold out since launch.  The PS3 costs too much and pushes Sony’s proprietary disc format.  Nothing in its launch lineup screams “Buy me!”  The hardcore already has an Xbox 360, and there is no big reason to buy a PS3.

And yet, the fanboy-isms continue.  The Wii is “two Gamecubes duct taped together.”  The Wii is “like a lollipop, and I’m too old for lollipops” (ie it’s a kiddy system).  There is a “Wii game drought,” even though last time I was at Best Buy, there were 41 different Wii games displayed, compared to 29 PS3 games.  

Just last month, the hardcores at E3 were complaining that they didn’t think that Nintendo was focusing enough on the hardcore gamer, because they continue to try to expand the market with things like Wii Fit.  Never mind the possibilities of the Wii Balance Board for other games like snowboarding or skateboarding or whatnot.  Nevermind the fact that they announced release dates for this year for Metroid Prime 3, Super Smash Bros Brawl, and Super Mario Galaxy.   Here’s a link to a Joystiq article on the hardcore gamer’s reaction to Wii Fit:

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/feedback-fallout-nintendos-wiifit/

If Microsoft’s Games for Windows Live initiative ultimately succeeds, will Xbox owners deride Microsoft for not focusing solely on the console gamer?  Or will they praise Microsoft for adding a complimentary product that isn’t for everyone, but strengthens their position as a whole, and brings more people into the fold?