If you think this post is itself shovelware, I don't blame you.

I had to look up the term "shovelware" before writing this to prevent a serious waste of time and server space, but it turned out I knew what I was talking about. Apparently the term has existed for a while, first being used to refer to floppy-to-CD data transfers. It slowly evolved into the modern usage, though even now it has multiple definitions depending on context. Check Wikipedia for a full explanation.

Right, now for the important bit. A number of our more vocal commentators have been shouting about the quantity of shovelware that has come out for the Wii. Which is interesting because I don't remember buying any. Come to think of it, every game I purchased had won Game of the Year, Best Adventure Game, or something equally distinctive. I bring this up because of an obvious fact that some people just don't get: buy what you like and there's no such thing as shovelware. Really, just because it's selling for half price at Target doesn't mean you have no choice in owning it.

All systems have their share of filler, like the lettuce I mentioned in the title. When looking for additions to your collection, eat the whole salad. It isn't going to kill you to at least look at some of these titles, and some of them may even be worth buying for your less-than-knowledgeable friends and family.

If I was going to target systems for shovelware cleanup, I'd go after the DS or Windows. But I don't because what other people pay for isn't my problem. Besides, software, including the mass-produced titles we can't stand to play for fifteen minutes, does and always will follow the systems. The DS is one of the most affordable and common gaming systems, and everyone with a job owns a PC. I don't see people running off to buy Macs because Windows is so supportive of shovelware.

And this is where the console wars come in. The software does not determine the hardware, and in fact the reverse isn't true either. Designers will port their software to wherever they can make a quick profit, so don't blame Nintendo. Even if the accusations that the proportion of low-quality games is higher on the Wii ... well, that means your library will have some holes in it, but it doesn't make those remaining titles any worse. With consumer goods, no one cares how picky you are, so stick with your favorites. They're in there. (And I apologize if I just compared someone's favorite game to a cucumber.)

I loathe shovelware as much as the next guy, but people pay to eat at salad bars because they want the crunchy bits. Why should gaming be any different?