What, no Wii U topics here yet? How about a countdown?
Today, there are 100 days until the estimated Wii U release date of Nov. 18, 2012!
We do know it's coming out in the fourth quarter of 2012. The specific date I quoted is possible based on past Nintendo console releases. The GameCube's was on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001 and the Wii's was on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006. So if it's still on a Sunday, it could very well come out on the GameCube's 11th anniversary. Mid-November works out great for Americans, as it'll be out in time for Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year (after their Thanksgiving) in anticipation of Christmas. (Despite us Canadians having our Thanksgiving in October, Black Friday has, in recent years, become recognized as well.)
I expected the Wii U to come out last year (it would have fit with the 'X6 and 'X1 release years of the last four consoles in North America), but a November 18, 2012 release date will still "fit", despite more than five calendar years having passed. Nintendo consoles have always been released between five and six years after the previous one.
The shortest was the GameCube's lifespan of five years plus one day, so if the Wii U came out on November 18, the Wii's will be the inverse - six years minus one day. Though, it's also 5 years and 365 days (which sounds funny but it's because this year was a leap year). If timing has to do with performance, the Wii's popularity and longer lifespan is in contrast to the GameCube's lack of popularity and its correspondingly shorter lifespan. The NES similarly sold well and had 5 years and 10 months, still within the five-to-six year range. (Though of course we're talking about North American release dates - the NES, or rather the Famicom, had over seven years in Japan, 1983-1990.)
Though any "pattern" is probably based on a number of more real and practical factors, than any deliberate attempt to release like clockwork just for the sake of it. Moore's law (which has to do with the increase in computer processing power) is particularly consistent. Consumer's tastes are always changing, and now Nintendo feels HD is ubiquitous enough for them to dedicate themselves to deliver Mario and Zelda experiences in 1080p. And now with a tablet-esque controller, to boot. So it's just about time.
In any case, we should be excited. Math and theories aside, the next generation Nintendo console will be here in mere months, whether or not it's exactly 100 days from today.
To fill the time, there are more than enough Wii games to play, despite what people say. I just finished two of the three "Operation Rainfall" games, which I doubt most people have even touched. Xenoblade Chronicles alone is an easy two hundred hours, so you could play that for a couple hours a day, every day, until the Wii U! Pandora's Tower I recently finished with an "S" ending, and though short, let me tell you, that's a severely underrated game. I'm looking forward to The Last Story which comes out next week. My backlog includes a number of other Wii games. And all those casual games that hardcore gamers have snubbed? They're missing out. I've had so many people over for the Just Dance games, and they include those of the female species. I'm planning another "Nintendo Night" party, themed around sending off the Wii, and I recommend that anyone else do the same.
And then when the Wii U hits, you can bet I'll be getting it first thing that morning. Will I be seeing you guys in the Miiverse?
