After taking a week-long break from the hustle and bustle that is writing about the video game world to … play video games, Nerd Alert makes its triumphant return. The past couple of weeks have seen a moderately successful release of Microsoft's new baby, with hungry gamers already willing to shell out thousands of dollars just to own an Xbox 360.

In the last edition of Nerd Alert, we outlined our concerns with the 360 and discussed a few points that we felt Microsoft needed to heed in order to find success this generation. It was the first part of what was to be a three-part look at the upcoming console wars, with our second installment finally coming forth this week.

After what was some of the most feedback we've ever gotten on one of our columns (read: one person mentioned something in passing), we're going to meet readers' demands and discuss the "big N" and the upcoming Revolution. Rather then going with a regular column, we're formatting this column as an open letter to Nintendo. Game On.

Dear Nintendo,

Ryan:

I'd like to start out by saying that I've always enjoyed your guys' games. Like many others, I'm a bit of a fan-boy when it comes to "Zelda." Then there's your incredible stable of characters: Mario, Link, Donkey Kong … I could easily keep going. And I've always admired your creativity when it comes to revolutionary new titles. But seriously, you guys really dropped the ball with the GameCube.

I mean, I bought one and everything. And, honestly, I enjoyed it for a while. I busied myself with "Wind Waker" and smiled all the way through "Metroid Prime." Need I even mention the gaming drug that is "Animal Crossing"? But lately the thing has been getting less playtime than my SNES — literally. On a whole, I just haven't been satisfied with my Cube. It just isn't up to your company's typically high standards and leaves a lot to be desired.

So what have you guys been up to lately? I know you're all excited about your Revolution. Frankly, you can't stop talking about it. But why is it always all about the mystery with you guys? Shigeru Miyamoto recently announced that there are more "mysteries" yet to be unveiled regarding your machine, once again giving Nintendo faithful some scrap of hope to hold onto until the truth hits yet again. Yeah, it's great how you always make people speculate about the supposed ace up your sleeve. But when you continually fail to deliver said ace and then further insist on shrouding everything gamers want in secrecy, it gets a little annoying. And no, I'm not alone on this one.

Sundeep:

Since 1988, I have been your most loyal fan … but if you don't pull it, I'm leaving you in the dust where you belong. Yes, you have delighted us all with Zelda, Mario (various Mario sports games), Metroid, Paperboy, Donkey Kong, Resident Evil and Super Smash Bros, but no video game-maker ever really survives on the classics.

Do you see what you're up against?!?! Look at the competition; they've got everything the Revolution has and then some. Wireless controllers, wireless Internet connections, phenomenal graphics, backwards compatibility and, most importantly, very deep games. It seems like people will elect Sony and Microsoft the new kings of the video game business if you guys don't change practices. Even SEGA, a former heavyweight in the console ring, has begun to make the next "Sonic the Hedgehog" title for the PS3.

Now, I appreciate Nintendo's commitment to making its consoles for family fun and kid-friendly, but c'mon, your main audience is in their mid-20s to early 30s. It's clear that the Revolution's new design is far more contemporary and space-age looking, but that doesn't mean your video games will be quite that sharp. So far, Nintendo hasn't given us much of a clue as to what kinds of games will be "Revolutionized," except that there may be a fishing game, sword fighting game, etc. I don't honestly care whether I can make things move on the screen just by moving the controller. What I do care about is the quality of your games.

Ryan:

What I really need to see to restore any amount of faith in your console is a decent amount of third-party titles. Yeah, your new little controller is cool. But if the only people creating games that make use of the technology are those who work within your own company, we have a problem.

I felt a little better when it seemed like you had Capcom in your corner. I mean, who wouldn't want the same crew that brought "Mega Man" into this world on their bench? But then for some reason they were, like so many others before them, seduced by Sony and were no longer your best buddy. What I need you to do is stop being stupid and start looking out for customers' best interests. Don't rely on flashy gimmicks to sell your console; center your next generation strategy on quality titles.

This doesn't mean plastering your mustachioed mascot on more mediocre sports titles. What gamers need to see from you is a long list of either Nintendo exclusives from third-party developers or at least on-par ports of titles found on the 360 and PS3. As you've hopefully learned from this generation of consoles, including Mario and Luigi in every EA game as hidden characters might be cool once, but when you use it in place of features that gamers want, it eventually blows up in your face.

And really, would a little online gaming kill you? Like it or not, you're going to have to try it sooner or later — despite what you may think, the market no longer caters to you.

Sundeep:

So, I have some advice. You must increase the graphics capacity of your system. In the video game world, those who ride at the top do so because they've got both the best quality storylines and the best graphics — neither of which you have at this point.

Allow me to present an example. Earlier this year, Sony released their Playstation Portable in conjunction with Nintendo's DS (Dual Screen). While Nintendo implemented a special feature (two screens, woohoo … ) along the same vein as the Revolution's new controller, the PSP has easily dominated the handheld market for its far superior graphical quality. I would go as far as to suggest that even if the PSP did not play music and movies, it would have still owned the DS.

You won't be able to just get away with the gaming market by changing the controller, wi-fi, and backwards compatibility (all the way back to the NES). You need the graphics to fend off what the 360 and PS3 are providing for. How will you battle the next line of "Final Fantasy" games or the next "Halo"?

Sincerely,

Ryan and Sundeep

Ryan ([email protected]) and Sundeep ([email protected]) are hopelessly addicted to video games. Despite what they say, they both love Nintendo dearly and will probably end up buying Revolutions — only to complain about them further down the road … and they really love Zelda.