While the 360 and the PS3 offer up a better movie watching experience thanks to the fact that they are HD, the Wii's Netflix playback is still intriguing to many. For some of those intrigued the wait is over and we now have our first look at the Wii's version of streaming Netflix video. As you can see it functions a lot like the PS3's disc-based program, and sadly nothing like the 360's superior downloadable one.
Instead of focusing on the acceptably long load times that could be caused by any number of random factors, I'll point out that if you don't own another system, this is a great opportunity, and it looks like they put it together well enough.
Despite having all three systems, I am patiently awaiting the arrival of my Wii Netflix disc, which I will use once and then tuck away on my shelf forever.
Matthew Razak is Destructoid's Associate editor and co-founder of film site Flixist. He began as community member "cowzilla" and was since sequestered to write brainy features material. He lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife.
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I kinda agree with DV8th wonder. While they probably speak the truth, kotaku and Dtoid alike seem to take plenty of stabs at Nintendo. Some are credible, but the lack of criticism for Msoft and Sony makes it seem like it's just a Nintendo grill fest.
Well considering Nintendo kinda grilled all of us this generation for the casual money... It really doesn't bother me how much criticism Nintendo gets.
@KalosBlue
I appreciate what you're trying to say, but Microsoft and Sony get criticized a lot around D-toid, too. Some of the editors here just write snarky posts, regardless of the topic. Some people it annoys, some people it doesn't. Try to be in the latter category; you'll be happier for it.
I agree that we shouldn't be taking stabs at companies when they aren't warrented, but everything Matt said here is true: the Wii's Netflix IS inferior to the other two due to the fact that it won't be in HD.
Greatest show! I have had no problem with the download times on my Wii and now it is used for my kids to enjoy and not having to start up the xbox just to watch a movie for them is a plus.
I noticed it looked a little blurry on the title selection screen. And while the playback isn't as great as Netflix on the 360, it was acceptable. Definitely stick to the 360 version, but for those with just a Wii, it'll be fine.
Those with a Wii who don't wanna drop extra cash for something they can do for free on over 9000 other machines, you mean.
Well, for me, anyway. I'm not a multiplayer kind of guy, so Gold Membership is worthless for me...I can use Facebook, Twitter, and Netflix on my Laptop. :P
Nice option for Wii owners to get their Netflix on. A lot of the content isn't in HD anyhow, although there is more stuff in HD than when it launched for 360.
Wii is my favorite console this generation Dv8thwonder. I've got more Wii games than any other console and play it more. Doesn't change the fact that it isn't in HD and thus I'll be watching all my Netflix on my 360.
It's not a bad idea, it's just the execution isn't as stellar as the 360 or PS3 versions (granted neither of those is very stellar, as well). It's free with the membership, though, so why not get it?
"Instead of focusing on the acceptably long load times that could be caused by any number of random factors"
I not only called the longer load times acceptable because they aren't that long just longer than on the 360, but also explained that they could be occurring thanks to any of number of numerous factors. How was I being snarky by pointing out that it wasn't actually that slow and that it can be a good service for those who aren't using one of the others?
@Matthew Razak
I think is commentary is more around the entire site. Destructoid is turning more and more into a Yatzee themed blog every day and the objectivity towards everything on any system is just wear on many of us. It's the nature of blog type news sites instead of strait out news sites.
Also, I'm a 360 fanboy but I own all of the systems. The other systems are not all THAT bad. A lot of the game site drama now days reminds me that maybe some of these folks are in it for the "cool".
@Squawk
If you want news without personal commentary and absolutely no soul, you can go to a billion other sites.
When something comes out on Kotaku, it's always "the best thing evar". Nothing is ever wrong with anything in the industry apparently, unless you find one rare opinion article drowned in millions of two sentence news posts by people who barely play games.
I go to Destructoid BECAUSE of the commentary. I like knowing what Matt does/doesn't like. I like knowing Jim's biases, and that he's not opposed to actually muckraking every once in a while. I love knowing that Holmes and MegaStryke think the Wii is practically infallible. It helps me gauge their opinions in contrast to mine, when making purchasing decisions. It also adds personality to the site that you can barely find anywhere else on the internet.
If Jim prefers the 360 over the PS3, who the fuck cares? When it comes down to it, it's all opinionated, and as long as they're not getting personal I don't see the problem(which Razak did not).
Now, I don't mean don't argue (I love arguing), but there's no need to silence people from sharing their opinion just because they're on the front page, and you aren't. If you can say "the Wii doesn't deserve all the jabs it gets", people should be allowed to, in turn, jab the Wii on occasion - especially when it's offering a service two other machines can do better.
To be honest, it doesn't look like it takes any longer than the 360 version of the service, and the interface is actually much better. No awful motion-sickness feeling when I just want to browse my movies? Yes please.
you're totally and completly right. not only has this trend for naysaying effected our gaming journo outlets, but all facets of our society. have you watched the political news lately? in reality, the netflix service on wii is the SAME effing service as 360. newsflash, just because you watch the movie through your 360, doesn't mean the resolution is high def. the real problem here is that the people writing the blog don't have the technical knowledge to do a real review. understandable, because that knowledge isn't easy to get, you have to seek it out. which is also why the average dtoid comment rarely has any real depth, or thought behind it. hardcore gamers are idiots.
@Bobyoko
I'm a hardcore gamer, and would like to think I know a ton about games. Not to toot my own horn, but I've beaten just about every major action game since the PS1 on the highest difficulty, and I play every single genre under the sun; from hexagonal strategy games, to casual party games like BoomBlox, to text based adventure games (Phoenix Wright), to raiding four nights a week in MMOs, to hardcore eastern JRPGs that are grind heavy.
It's still possible for me to form a valid criticism such as "the Wii version still needs a disc to play", or, "if Netflix offers full HD in the future, the Wii will not support it over the other two machines or a regular ol' TV box that anyone can get". If you want to bash a certain writer, go ahead, but generalizing an entire group of gamers is just silly.
@Magnalon No one is "bashing" anyone. If anything I alone brought up the criticisms of the Wii in general among the gaming press. If anyone is to blame it is me. Not SquawkDerby or Bobyoko. They were simply agreeing with some of my points.
While everyone's comments on the negativity of game reporting are an incredibly interesting debate, and many of you seem to be making very broad generalizations on who I am and what I know (which just sort of comes with the territory) I'm not sure why this conversation has sprung up on this post.
I was in fact pointing out that Kotaku's post was needlessly negative (saying the long loading times were acceptable since they are in fact not that long). I'm sorry if I prefer the option to watch my Netflix in HD, but I gladly pointed out that this was a great option for those without the other consoles and that the interface was put together well enough, which is exactly how I think the PS3's is put together as well (thus the comparison of the two in the first paragraph). This was not a negative post about the Wii's Netflix service, but one that discussed it within the context of the other services (of which I like the 360's the best) and then explained what my actions with the service were going to be.
I can understand the interpretation of the last paragraph seeming negative as I said I wouldn't be using the Wii's Netflix service, but when taken within the context of the rest of the post I think I explained my reasoning well for most likely not using it. I understand that only a select few things on Netflix are in HD, but I can watch those things in HD on my 360 and PS3, I cannot on my Wii. If that isn't a drawback to the Wii's service then I'm not sure what is. As for simply not mentioning that fact in order to not be negative, this news doesn't come out in a vacuum. These other services exist and they do do more, but as I stated if you don't have the other services this is a really great opportunity.
Now that I have completely over-analyzed three short paragraphs of text I'm going to shut up.
@Matthew Razak
I have a Wii and I am not the least bit offended by anything you wrote.
Some are too easily offended and overly sensitive.
There's so much ass kissing game journalism out there now. So when people come across a thread from a guy just giving an honest opinion, not kissing ass, they take it wrong.
"While the 360 and the PS3 offer up a better movie watching experience thanks to the fact that they are HD, the Wii's Netflix playback is still intriguing to many."
Considering about 90% on the movies on Netflix are in SD anyway, I think its more like PS3/360 owner are just kidding themselves into thinking its all HD, when its clearly not. So to Wii owners they're basically only missing out on 10% on the HD quality movies, because everything else just runs in 480p on the 360/PS3 as well.
What's all this talk about "acceptably long load times"? The load times don't seem that long at all in this video and I have seen several other videos too. Some even comparing the load times on all three systems and the Wii's was the best, which the guy said he was using Wifi for Wii and hardwired for the PS3/360. Either way, of all the threads I've read, people who have actually used it on the Wii seem to be incrediably happy with Netflix on the Wii, so whatever!
The funny thing is that netflix plays just fine without the disc once you have loaded the "app". I don't see why netflix couldn't be made a downloadable on the wii or the ps3. Probably Microsoft?
If there's any Zombie fans around, I just watched Dead Snow on Netflix instant and it's good, it's HD so I don't know if it's available on the Wii or not.
"Despite having all three systems, I am patiently awaiting the arrival of my Wii Netflix disc, which I will use once and then tuck away on my shelf forever."
My thoughts exactly. Except I don't have a PS3. Yet.
If you're capable (and since netflix is outon all consoles, I guess you are!) I would suggest trying out netflix at some point. My wife and I were of the same general opinion before trying it: We can just go out and rent what we want/ what's the big deal.
I can't guarantee trying it out will change you opinion/world view, but you might be surprised how speedy/convenient the service is, both disc based and streaming
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Contest:
12:00 PM on 03.27.2010 | 
Also buy Cave story
I appreciate what you're trying to say, but Microsoft and Sony get criticized a lot around D-toid, too. Some of the editors here just write snarky posts, regardless of the topic. Some people it annoys, some people it doesn't. Try to be in the latter category; you'll be happier for it.
It isn't mean, it's just the truth.
Great show? Or greatest show?
**looks at his copy of Soul Silver that can't connect to the internet because it can't handle WPA2 encryption**
Well, for me, anyway. I'm not a multiplayer kind of guy, so Gold Membership is worthless for me...I can use Facebook, Twitter, and Netflix on my Laptop. :P
And everyone should buy Cave Story.
The speed of the service is only co-current with the speed of your Internet. This guy has either a slow wi-fi connection or crappy DSL.
EdIt: concurrent
The Netflix streaming on XBOX 360 is factually faster all around. It has very little to do with one's internet connection.
I said that in the post.
"Instead of focusing on the acceptably long load times that could be caused by any number of random factors"
I not only called the longer load times acceptable because they aren't that long just longer than on the 360, but also explained that they could be occurring thanks to any of number of numerous factors. How was I being snarky by pointing out that it wasn't actually that slow and that it can be a good service for those who aren't using one of the others?
I think is commentary is more around the entire site. Destructoid is turning more and more into a Yatzee themed blog every day and the objectivity towards everything on any system is just wear on many of us. It's the nature of blog type news sites instead of strait out news sites.
Also, I'm a 360 fanboy but I own all of the systems. The other systems are not all THAT bad. A lot of the game site drama now days reminds me that maybe some of these folks are in it for the "cool".
um...where exactly did he bash the Wii in that article again?
If you want news without personal commentary and absolutely no soul, you can go to a billion other sites.
When something comes out on Kotaku, it's always "the best thing evar". Nothing is ever wrong with anything in the industry apparently, unless you find one rare opinion article drowned in millions of two sentence news posts by people who barely play games.
I go to Destructoid BECAUSE of the commentary. I like knowing what Matt does/doesn't like. I like knowing Jim's biases, and that he's not opposed to actually muckraking every once in a while. I love knowing that Holmes and MegaStryke think the Wii is practically infallible. It helps me gauge their opinions in contrast to mine, when making purchasing decisions. It also adds personality to the site that you can barely find anywhere else on the internet.
If Jim prefers the 360 over the PS3, who the fuck cares? When it comes down to it, it's all opinionated, and as long as they're not getting personal I don't see the problem(which Razak did not).
Now, I don't mean don't argue (I love arguing), but there's no need to silence people from sharing their opinion just because they're on the front page, and you aren't. If you can say "the Wii doesn't deserve all the jabs it gets", people should be allowed to, in turn, jab the Wii on occasion - especially when it's offering a service two other machines can do better.
you're totally and completly right. not only has this trend for naysaying effected our gaming journo outlets, but all facets of our society. have you watched the political news lately? in reality, the netflix service on wii is the SAME effing service as 360. newsflash, just because you watch the movie through your 360, doesn't mean the resolution is high def. the real problem here is that the people writing the blog don't have the technical knowledge to do a real review. understandable, because that knowledge isn't easy to get, you have to seek it out. which is also why the average dtoid comment rarely has any real depth, or thought behind it. hardcore gamers are idiots.
Way to not actually read the words in the article. Par for the course.
I'm a hardcore gamer, and would like to think I know a ton about games. Not to toot my own horn, but I've beaten just about every major action game since the PS1 on the highest difficulty, and I play every single genre under the sun; from hexagonal strategy games, to casual party games like BoomBlox, to text based adventure games (Phoenix Wright), to raiding four nights a week in MMOs, to hardcore eastern JRPGs that are grind heavy.
It's still possible for me to form a valid criticism such as "the Wii version still needs a disc to play", or, "if Netflix offers full HD in the future, the Wii will not support it over the other two machines or a regular ol' TV box that anyone can get". If you want to bash a certain writer, go ahead, but generalizing an entire group of gamers is just silly.
I was in fact pointing out that Kotaku's post was needlessly negative (saying the long loading times were acceptable since they are in fact not that long). I'm sorry if I prefer the option to watch my Netflix in HD, but I gladly pointed out that this was a great option for those without the other consoles and that the interface was put together well enough, which is exactly how I think the PS3's is put together as well (thus the comparison of the two in the first paragraph). This was not a negative post about the Wii's Netflix service, but one that discussed it within the context of the other services (of which I like the 360's the best) and then explained what my actions with the service were going to be.
I can understand the interpretation of the last paragraph seeming negative as I said I wouldn't be using the Wii's Netflix service, but when taken within the context of the rest of the post I think I explained my reasoning well for most likely not using it. I understand that only a select few things on Netflix are in HD, but I can watch those things in HD on my 360 and PS3, I cannot on my Wii. If that isn't a drawback to the Wii's service then I'm not sure what is. As for simply not mentioning that fact in order to not be negative, this news doesn't come out in a vacuum. These other services exist and they do do more, but as I stated if you don't have the other services this is a really great opportunity.
Now that I have completely over-analyzed three short paragraphs of text I'm going to shut up.
I wish I knew how to quit you.
<3
"If you want to bash"
Key word is want.
What I was saying is that Bob, at least, was generalizing hardcore gamers unjustly.
I have a Wii and I am not the least bit offended by anything you wrote.
Some are too easily offended and overly sensitive.
There's so much ass kissing game journalism out there now. So when people come across a thread from a guy just giving an honest opinion, not kissing ass, they take it wrong.
Considering about 90% on the movies on Netflix are in SD anyway, I think its more like PS3/360 owner are just kidding themselves into thinking its all HD, when its clearly not. So to Wii owners they're basically only missing out on 10% on the HD quality movies, because everything else just runs in 480p on the 360/PS3 as well.
What's all this talk about "acceptably long load times"? The load times don't seem that long at all in this video and I have seen several other videos too. Some even comparing the load times on all three systems and the Wii's was the best, which the guy said he was using Wifi for Wii and hardwired for the PS3/360. Either way, of all the threads I've read, people who have actually used it on the Wii seem to be incrediably happy with Netflix on the Wii, so whatever!
I give it 4 severed Nazi-Zombie heads out of 5!
My thoughts exactly. Except I don't have a PS3. Yet.
If you're capable (and since netflix is outon all consoles, I guess you are!) I would suggest trying out netflix at some point. My wife and I were of the same general opinion before trying it: We can just go out and rent what we want/ what's the big deal.
I can't guarantee trying it out will change you opinion/world view, but you might be surprised how speedy/convenient the service is, both disc based and streaming
Thanks for the story Mr. Razak.