Nintendo will be getting even more console competition from rivals Sony and Microsoft this holiday season, and in a realm that so far has been almost exclusively

the Wii’s – casual gaming.
Since the Wii’s launch nearly a year ago (Nov. 19 is its birthday, click here for other Nintendo history), Nintendo’s console with innovative motion-sensitive controllers has bucked the trend of its rivals, offering fun and imaginative games that anyone can pick up and play, versus powerful digital horsepower designed to run in-depth, graphically-detailed games. And so far the underdog has proved to be the most popular new kid on the block. Nintendo’s strategy of appealing to a wider audience has more than paid off – so much so that Wii consoles are still hard to come by in stores. I get asked multiple times each week, “Where can I find a Wii?” Seems as soon as shipments arrive in stores, they’re gone within a day.

Sony and Microsoft have definitely taken notice of the Wii’s success, and are now developing games that anyone can just pick up and play. Two of the most recent look alarmingly alike.

Microsoft recently introduced “Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action” for its Xbox 360, while Sony has made its “Buzz” trivia game for its PlayStation 2 (which is still the all-time best-selling console with more than 103 million units worldwide). Both games come with and use four colorful, big-button controllers that each company touts as being “family friendly” – read: even Grandma can play these games.

“Scene It” is based on the DVD-player games that debuted in 2001 to much success, and is the first such title for a video-game system. The game features hundreds of new questions with clips from films and 21 puzzles, including the contests “Credit Roll” in which players guess the film based on a list of characters and actors, and “Child’s Play,” where players guess the film based on a child’s drawing. The game is rated T for teen and available now for $59.99. It includes the game and four wireless button controllers.

Sony, meanwhile, has introduced two versions of “Buzz!” The first, “Buzz! Mega Quiz” is a trivia-style game with more than 5,000 questions on a variety to topics, from fashion to music.

For younger players, there’s “Buzz Jr. Jungle Party,” which features 25 mini-games and works on the same principle of asking a question and having players buzz in with their controllers. Each game is rated E10 for players 10 and up, and goes for $39.99. They, too, include the game and controllers, and if these games are a success, you can bet that more versions will be made in the future.

Will these titles suddenly make the Xbox 360 and PS2 be viewed as must-haves for casual gamers? Probably not. But for owners of the systems who have been jealously eyeing the Wii’s interactivity, this is a step in the right direction.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.