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Nielsen Group: People actually play the Wii regularly photo

Not to be a non-conformist or anything, but my Wii actually is gathering dust, despite what the Nielsen data says. But it's probably because I'm a full time blogger, and I never clean my house.

According to the Nielsen Group, Nintendo Wii consoles in homes aren't as dusty as the forum kiddies claim them to be. And if they are, it isn't from non-use. Their data shows that Wii are used during game time pretty consistiently throughout the year, and not just "at Christmas."

According to GameDaily, Nielsen's reserach shows that from September 2007 through August 2008, Wii consoles were used 5 or 6 days a month, for almost an hour at a time. They would not divulge how these numbers compare to Xbox 360 or PS3 usage, but they did say that the number of overall monthly usage minutes continues to grow for all three. 

Comparing all of the available systems, the PS2 is still used the most. But it's dusty, too. Hell, I use my PS3 often, and it has the most dust on it. I need a maid.

What are you using the least in your gaming rig? I honestly think I play my Sega Saturn more than I play my Wii. 

[Via Gamepro, GameDaily


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44 comments | showing # 1 to 44
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bloodylip's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 11:13
bloodylip
I use my PS2 the least. I got it late in the cycle and never got too many games for it. And my backlog of Wii games is actually rather large, keeping me from the 1 or 2 PS2 games I bought but haven't played yet.
CarlCastello's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 11:14
CarlCastello
Sega Saturn FTW.
casualweaponry's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 11:20
casualweaponry
Steam says I played the Left 4 Dead demo for almost 15 hours this week.

My 360, PS3, and Wii are all collecting dust. And I've bought games for the PS3 and 360 recently too.

Not going to even boot up the Wii until I import Freeloader + Tatsunoko vs Capcom. Yay for never upgrading firmware!
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 11:26
Holyetheline
I play my SNES more than I play my Wii... but I play my Xbox 360 every single day!
Rational Animal's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 11:28
Rational Animal
I almost never touch my Wii. Just about every game I've ever played on the console got old within about an hour of gameplay and they haven't released much new, compelling material to draw me back in.

I probably use my PS3 the most, with the Xbox 360 coming in at a close second. PC is third, although I don't do a whole ton of PC gaming these days either.
Yards Prower's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 11:33
Yards Prower
Well, I do use my Brawl playing rectangular prism fairly often...

But I'm on my PC and 360 a lot more...
gonzo666's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 11:35
gonzo666
i'll use my wii more when the new house of the dead comes out and also when dr gyno's speculum adventure comes out
Josh Tolentino's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 11:36
Josh Tolentino
I use my PC most since I share the TV with my housemates, of late I've been using the PS3 more and more, especially because of the holiday deluge. PS2 is my number 3, if we're counting PS2 games played via backwards compatibility, but I'd be playing it a lot more once Persona 4 hits and I decide to finally work through my jRPG backlog.
Drack48's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 11:51
Drack48
All I seem to play on the Wii is VC games
Silverback 55's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 11:59
Silverback 55
My Wii hasn't been taken out of the box since I moved in June. I'm probably gonna sell the damn thing. Or give it away here somehow.
Jetfire7's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 11:59
Jetfire7
My PSOne is still out collecting dust even though I have a big backlog I should try to get through.
bahss's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:03
bahss
I've been playing the wii pretty regularly now, actually. No VC, mostly Ikaruga for the Game Cube. Every day for at most an hour.

I WILL PREVAIL!
Duke2071's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:06
Duke2071
I think i turned on my Wii 6 months ago.It's time to sell that waste of space.
kawaiiflamingo's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:11
kawaiiflamingo
Wii, XBOX 360, and PC for me. I only ever like a few games on any console. When I get a game I like on the Wii I usually play the crap out of it. Harvest Moon is sucking my soul away right now, Castle Crashers on XBOX was, and I imagine that I will be wrapped up in Diablo III when it comes out.

I know plenty of people that own a Wii and not many other consoles, and love it. I don't think that they read gaming websites or follow game news though.
the Golden Avatar's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:13
the Golden Avatar
I don't think I've touched my Wii since I finished Galaxy about this time last year.

Actually, I take that back. I unhooked it from my TV and moved it into storage to make some space in my entertainment center a few weeks ago. So, I guess I did touch it.
psycho terror2's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:14
psycho terror2
it's pretty obvious what's going on - people who own only the wii play it regularly, people with a wii and other consoles/ gaming PC don't play it regularly.

i don't mean to be a wii hater - it's clearly the weakest current gen games console, but if you have nothing else to play then of course you'll play it.
fraunkd's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:22
fraunkd
i bought a wii specifically to play resident evil 4 and prince of persia - two thrones...and its been months since its been touched (plan on selling after both games are finished).

there's too many, quality games that just came out for the 360 and ps3 to bother with the wii.

now excuse me while i go run another GD errand for this chick in megaton (bitch has me running all over the place).
heyricochet's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:34
heyricochet
I play my wii almost as much as my 360, I just finished up wario shake it and ep 1 of strongbad, and plan on soon picking up Sam and Max, and I'm still working on Metroid Prime 3 (didn't get it release day) There are tons of good games for it. My DS collects more dust than my Wii does.
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:36
Jonathan Holmes
I use the Wii ten times more than I use the 360 or the PS3. It has the best offline, single player game library...ever? Wow, I can't believe I'm saying that, but I think it's actually true.

WiiWare has been expecially kick-ass lately. Anyone who owns a dusty Wii needs to get off their butts and DL World of Goo.
Jellybean Quisling Man-cheese  XII's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:37
Jellybean Quisling Man-cheese XII
Super Mario RPG(thanks for finally giving this to europe after 12 YEARS!) was the last game played on that... thing and frankly nintendo, It does not bring "smiles" to my face. Gonna pick up the new Tales game and then It'll continue to collect dust.
Gen Eric Gui's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:40
Gen Eric Gui
I play my Wii, 360, and PS2 pretty much equally. I recently hauled out my SNES from the basement, but haven't really touched it since I ripped through Super Mario World. I guess that's my least-used console, haha.
the Golden Avatar's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:43
the Golden Avatar
I own the all three console and a nice gaming PC. Myplay time probably breaks down like this:

PC - 45%
360 - 33%
PS3 - 17%
Wii - 5%
smack0007's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:45
smack0007
Got a Wii almost when it came out in the US. Played it for about 2 months and then only occasionally to try the "new" game. Never picked up a new one really. Sold it a year after I bought it for almost the same price I bought it for with all the accessories.
Zcdrike's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:56
Zcdrike
I've got a PS3, 360, Wii, PS2, DS Lite, and a gaming PC, no I'm not rich, I'm actually quite broke thanks to owning all those. I use my DS the most followed by my 360 and my Wii. PS2 and PC after that with my ps3 not having been used since MGS4.
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 12:56
mix
"Wii consoles were used 5 or 6 days a month" - LAWL!

My PS3/PC get an hour or 2 each day as either my GF of myself are playing one, or both.

We did turn the Wii on the other night and played blowing and golf with a few friends, I never knew you had to jump start a console that has been left off for ~5 months..lol
Then, since I wanted to play real golf with my GF we bought Hot Shots Golf on the PS3 yesterday....
Scottyman's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 13:00
Scottyman
I still use my Wii to play Genesis and SNES games. I haven't actually played a Wii game since Brawl came out.
Tubatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 13:13
Tubatic
I definitiely play my 360 more and that speaks directly to interesting gaming experiences. There are just more, and longer, unique experiences on the 360 right now.

That said, the fun I have when I play my Wii is undeniable, and justifies its existance.

Plus, in the morning, its my fastest way to the internet!
Mirax's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 13:41
Mirax
Hell, I play A LOT of Wii.
People say that there isn't anything good to play and it's always gathering dust, but hey, look at my case here:
I have, currently for my Wii, 17 games. 3 of them are not very good (Sega Superstar Tennis, Wii Play and Wii Sports), but hell, with Okami, Zelda TP, Metroid Prime 3, No More Heroes, Geometry Wars, RE4, Brawl, Mario Kart, Rayman Raving Rabbids, WarioWare, Medal Of Honor Heroes 2, Super Paper Mario, Zack & Wiki and Super Mario Galaxy, plus Gamecube games, there is A LOT to play. Plus, online may not be exactly excellent, but VC, Brawl, Mario Kart and Medal Of Honor can do a pretty good job. There's also a nice list of good Wii games coming out in 2009.
I guess I sounded like a fanboy, and don't get me wrong, I don't have a 360 and a PS3 only because I don't have the money. I just thing that people misjudge the Wii, since it has a lot of good games.
GrrrArgh's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 13:43
GrrrArgh
I think the PS3 has a built-in dust collector or something. Even after I just dust it, the dust has returned. I cannot keep that thing dust-free.

Either way, I turn on my Wii every few months, it seems. I turned it on a few weeks back and had an update to download from June! Oops.
Mentok the Mindtaker's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 13:43
Mentok the Mindtaker
I play my Wii the least
Mattchewie's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 13:47
Mattchewie
My Wii collected dust after I finished Zelda, then was played when No More Heros came out. Since then is just a device I rather sell to get another xbox or PS3 to put upstairs however I have girlfriend thats says "no don't sell it I play it". Yet I believe the last time she did play it was when cooking ma'ma came out....so yeah.....worthless
DinnertimeNinja's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 13:54
DinnertimeNinja
5-6 days a month is HARDLY "regular."

And "the best offline single player library ever?" It has less games over 80% ratings on gamerankings.com than ANY of the other systems out right now, portable or console, at only 19 titles. (360 and PS3 have well over 50 each, PSP and DS have over 40 each) It also has the least over 90% games of all three "next gen" consoles at 5 titles, and two of them are just PS2 titles with added waggle.

Even if you took off HALF of the other system's games on that list because part of their experience is multiplayer then you'd STILL have a bunch more awesome games than on the Wii.

It's fine if you prefer the system over the others, but try and be real here.

You have made a ridiculous statement, sir.


To be honest, I don't think I know a single person who's played with their Wii (ha!) even once in the last 30 days.

For a console with the highest install base BY FAR, this is frankly inexcusable. I mean, have you even SEEN those bullshit Animal Crossing ads for the Wii? THAT'S the game they were making for the hardcore gamers? It's nothing but Second Life with everyone dressed up as animals and... ohhhh. I see what they're doing...
PEICanada7's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 14:05
PEICanada7
"5-6 days a month is HARDLY "regular."

Well for most casual players that's actually pretty regular because its more than once a week!
Gen Eric Gui's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 14:45
Gen Eric Gui
ITT we judge a system's worth by it's game's ratings on a gameranking website, and don't realize how utterly stupid that is.
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 14:50
Jonathan Holmes
@ DinnertimeNinja- Metacritic can kiss by sort-of black ass. Mirax just named a few of the Wii games that make the Wii great, and most those games are way underrated by print and online reviewers.

Take No More Heroes, a game that got a 6 from Game Informer. They said it was too disturbing with sexual and violent content. Then they turn around and give GTA IV a 10.

But you do bring up an interesting point- The Wii is the most popular home console on the planet right now, yet most of the gaming press seems to hate the thing. Why is that, and who is right, the public or the press?

I'm guessing Nintendo would say the public.
Dr Kai's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 15:09
Dr Kai
I turn on the Wii each day to check the Everybody Votes channel (seriously). I admit I don't have nearly as much time as most people on Dtoid, but I try to squeeze in a few hours each week.

I've been very interested in the WiiWare and VC titles...much more than any disc-based game on the horizon. Cleaning out the fridge is a pain.

I don't have a PS3 or 360 (still waiting for the significant price drop on the PS3), so it's either the Wii or the PC for me.
Milobrin's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 15:45
Milobrin
I own a Wii with only one game

Brawl

And the Wii gets more use than any other system in my house

What can I say, Brawl never gets old

Whenever we are bored it's, "Hey wanna do a few matches?" Which always leads to 2-3 hours of 1v1's
Face's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 16:08
Face
PC gets most playtime. The Wii is a distant second in current gen consoles. Mostly because it has a good few games worth playing that are not on the PC.
DinnertimeNinja's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 16:20
DinnertimeNinja
Believe me, I'm not trying to say the Wii sucks (and despite those "varying reviews" practically ALL of those games Mirax named compose about the entirity of the Wii's games over 80%), as I know it has some great games and unique experiences. The problem is that it doesn't have nearly enough of them.

Nintendo is sitting on their throne of money and saying "We hardly have to do ANYTHING to rake in this much money so why bother?" This mentality is shared by the majority of third party developers for the Wii and reinforced by what seems to be the majority of Wii users.

And no, I don't go look at Gamerankings.com (NOT metacritic as it's designed like ass and the community is infinitely worse) as the end all source for whether a game is good or not, but seriously, go look at the top 40 games (ranked) on the system. If it's a good game, it's on the list (Just as ALL of Mirax's examples are, so the "they're good but underated" argument is moot). It may not have the aggregate review you believe it deserves, but those rankings can definitely serve as a good guide to what are worthwhile games.
GohanGVO's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 17:23
GohanGVO
I play my DS the most.
Dexter345's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 18:41
Dexter345
5 to 6 days a month? Sure, I play my Wii about that often. If you count Everybody Votes as playing my Wii.
ToxinBlackheart's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 18:51
ToxinBlackheart
I really haven't even played much Wii since beating "No More Heroes."

But I'd definitely say that my PSP and DS get the least amount of use. Poor little guys. :[
Poopface Morty's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/13/2008 19:13
Poopface Morty
Actually, my Wii HAS been collecting dust despite having the most games that I enjoy regularly (because I'm weird like that). Frankly, I haven't played anything besides Rock Band 2 for the past however long it came out, and that's because I'm afraid that too much layover will cause me to suck horribly. I have a modest library of awesome Gamecube games, great VC downloads, and about 6 Wii games that can give me enough play time each in their own right. And frankly, there's more Wii games I'd like to get if I had the money to buy them and the time to play them. Thing is, I'm not buying any more games for any system for a while; I've got enough games to keep me happy for a while. Yes, I said I have "enough games".

@ Jonathan Holmes
Would you say that the press' perceived hatred (which I'm not implying isn't there, because I believe it exists too), is more indicative of their more conservative tastes in games rather than an openness of something new? I mean, let's face it, very few gaming journalists strike me as progressive as far as the medium is concerned; most of them go with the flow without offering much critical discussion and insight. And of them, many truly believe that developers should just "give gamers what they want", despite the fact that many gamers haven't much of any creativity to speak of and wouldn't know an avant garde title if it smacked them in the nuts. Following public opinion only, instead of treading new ground, is a great way to stagnate creativity.

This is not to say that the Wii is the most innovative thing ever, I'll even agree that it is a relative disappointment compared to what we were expecting, but frankly the games the gaming press seems to get their panties moist over, are the same-old style games that we've been accustomed to forever. Post apocalyptic environment? Check. First Person Shooter? Check. RPG elements? Check. Sandbox? Check. Over-done anime art direction? Check. Madden in the title? Check. (obviously not all of those elements combined into one game...because that would blow too many minds).

Also, what Mirax said.
Aziel13's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/14/2008 09:32
Aziel13
I only play Wii sims and No more heros also Resident Evil Umbrella chronicals thats aboot it
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