Forbes: GTA IV could threaten Wii dominance

By James Walker • May 5, 2008

Forbes magazine is suggesting the impossible: That the Nintendo Wii could be in trouble of continued financial success. But what on Earth could make them think that? Simple: Grand Theft Auto IV is going to sell a bajillion copies, and it’s not on the Wii.

The article as a whole speaks of how Take-Two will make tons of cash on GTA IV, as well as the effects the game will have on both Microsoft and Sony. Thy then compare the success they see for both Sony and Microsoft with that of Nintendo, which has seen success despite the lack of quality games for the Wii.

Michael Pachter is quoted several times in the story, but rather than try and fit all his quotes into this recap piece (because, really, you should read this for yourself) I’ll simply summarize his quotes:

GTA IV continues a long series of good games.

People will buy PS3/Xbox 360 if they care about HD or online

Blu-Ray is good

GTA IV will be a system seller for Sony

Microsoft will market online content “like you wouldn’t believe”

“I want you in a steel cage, Itagaki!”*

Will this kill the Wii? No. But it’ll give Microsoft a hell of a boost, and it may have brought the PS3 right back into the picture.

*May not have actually said that.