Sure, nothing lasts forever, but a console needs only five years plus. Out of the gate, the Nintendo Wii looks off to a good start. But, is it a fad or does it have staying power? A Los Angeles Times article examines whether the the $249 Nintendo console will continue to fly off shelves or whether gamers will grow sick of its mini-games. Says Gartner Inc. consumer technologies analyst Van Baker:

Its appeal is primarily to casual gamers, and there's a serious question about how long casual gamers will stay engaged with the platform. It wouldn't be surprising to see them lose interest after a relatively short amount of time.

The casual-gamer-mini-game angle has been hugely successful with the DS. Though, that's portable, making it perfect for pick-up-and-plays. It'll be interesting to see how this strategy plays out on the home console. Very interesting. Brian Ashcraft

Can Wii Prolong Winning Streak? [LA Times via 1Up]