Nintendo launching three new Wii peripherals
E3: Company says DS, Wii led to 69% of all videogame industry growth
By George T. Chronis -- Video Business, 7/11/2007
JULY 11 | SANTA MONICA, Calif.—Riding high after 33 sold-out weeks since launching its Wii system, Nintendo of America came into E3 2007 here with a chip on its shoulder after coming from last to first place in next-generation console sales.
With little expectation of tinkering with a winning formula, Nintendo concentrated on expanding on that formula with new Wii accessories and software.
Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime introduced three "Wiimote" peripherals: the Zapper for shooting games, the Wii Wheel for racing games and the Wii Balance Board for fitness titles.
The Zapper and Wheel are housings for the Wii's remote, but the Balance Board is a separate wireless input device.
Nintendo will package the gun-like Zapper with a yet-to-be-announced game this year for $19.99. The Wii Wheel will be packaged with Mario Cart during the first quarter of 2008. The Balance Board foot pad is an integral part of upcoming exercise game Wii Fit, which features 40 activity games, including aerobics, yoga and sports.
Nintendo sees these peripherals as a primary tool to expand mainstream market share. According to the strategy, the Zapper and the Wheel will make it easier for non-gamers to play in core genres. The Balance Board, however, opens new territory for fitness fans.
Future third-party titles that fully support the Zapper include Resident Evil (Capcom), Ghost Squad (Sega) and Medal of Honor (Electronic Arts).
Fils-Aime cited NPD FunWorld data to show that Nintendo's DS and Wii have led to 69% of all videogame industry growth. He also said Nintendo was responsible for growing the portable share of the videogame business from 30% to 50% between 2002 and 2006. Nintendo also has expanded the share of 25-year-olds and older buying Nintendo products from 14% in 2005 to 23% in the first half of 2007.
Major Wii titles due later in the year include Metroid Prime III: Corruption, due this fall, and Super Smash Bros.: Brawl on Dec. 3.
