After reading IGN’s weekly Nintendo Minute, I’ve decided to provide commentary to all subsequent Nintendo Minutes. Basically, I’ll put up the question asked by IGN, the response by either Reggie Fils-Aimes, Perrin Kaplan or George Harrison, and then I’ll have specific commentary to the Nintendo Minute.

More than anything, it just lets me be a complete ass about Nintendo in a completely biased environment.

Should be fun. So, here we go.

This week’s question:This Nintendo Minute hits just a few days before E3 2006. Tell our readers why they should be more excited about Wii than either PS3 or Xbox 360

George Harrison, senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications, Nintendo of America: It’s a great time to be a videogame fan because we have so many fun things to show off at E3 this year. The other guys have one thing and, frankly, it’s the same thing – prettier versions of the same old games.

At this E3, all eyes are on Nintendo. Innovation is all about shaking things up, taking a new direction and questioning the status quo. And that’s what Wii does to the videogame industry. The Wii remote really immerses you like never before. You’ll understand once you get your hands on it.

Another reason to be excited is that Nintendo DS continues to do extremely well. Wait until you see the huge list of AAA games we have coming for this system. It demonstrates that consumers are really hungry for something new and that developers worldwide are ready to deliver it. What does that have to do with Wii? Everything! Nintendo DS and its new way to play paved the way for the Wii console. Unique interfaces combined with great software bring something completely new to the world of videogames, and the response continues to be tremendous.

Wii will continue that momentum not only with popular franchises, but also by drawing in new consumers who have either stopped playing or who have never played at all. Imagine a videogame that your girlfriend or parents are interested in. Or one that your entire family will want to play with you. The great news is that with the Wii remote and a strong lineup of games, we’re also going to expand the gaming experience for even hard-core fans. Wii represents more than just a step to what’s next. It’s a leap to something completely new that everyone will want to try. Simply put, Wii will change everything.

Granite says: On the contrary George, all eyes are not on Nintendo. This E3 has much more going for it than the success or failure of the Nintendo Wii. We are also on the brink of a disc format war (overly dramatic) that will decide the future of your competitors. So, I think all eyes are trying to be everywhere, and exploding in bloody messes when the brain cannot handle it anymore.

More than the disc format wars, Nintendo’s competitors are showcasing a great deal of gaming innovation. Yes, games are getting more pretty. They are also getting more realistic. So, while the Wiimote immerses gamers physically, Nintendo’s competitors are intent on immersing gamers visually and audibly. Essentially, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony are approaching the same problem from different angles. Over time, we will eventually see the same photorealism and precision control in all three systems.

The Nintendo DS should not constantly be toted as having an innovative interface. First of all, touch screens are not foreign to technology. Nintendo did not stumble upon some lost treasure trove of technology containing the Wiimote and a Nintendo DS Touch Screen. Moreover, the touch screen is still ineffectively used. Such a standard for “innovation” should not be so readily advertised as if it was a success. If the Wiimote is used as ineffectively as the DS touch screen, then the Wii does not make sense.

Imagine playing a video game that your girlfriend or parents are interested in? Wow. Great way to market to a huge demographic of rebellious teens who have expendable income. “Come on kids! Sure, you think your parents are jerks at this stage in your life, but don’t you want to play Mario Kart Wii together?!” Boo!

P.S. I still think Wii is a terrible name.