thedixman2000

Lest Wii Forget

Oddly enough, it seems most appropriate to begin this article with a confession. The article you are reading is not the article that I intended to write. But as I researched, the facts forced me to reevaluate my opinions, and I came to a different conclusion entirely.

When the current generation of video game consoles were released, the Nintendo Wii got a lot of attention. It was new, and it seemed far different from the competition. And it sold. And sold. No one could keep it on the shelves. And everyone seemed to think that Nintendo had risen from the ashes to once again take its place at the forefront of console gaming. But then the mood seemed to change. Nintendo wasn't getting the same attention as the Xbox 360 or the Playstation 3. In spite of the original hype, everyone treated the Wii as a second tier system.

But why?

Well, it seemed like a classic case of same story, different day. Nintendo still hadn't managed to lock up an exciting third-party line of games that would be exclusive to Wii. Veteran gamers know that this can be crucial to the success of a console, as gamers tend to identify systems by one or two games that are associated with it. But the Wii had it even worse than before. Because the Wii was so different, it wasn't even getting many of the multi-platform games. The Wii seemed to once again be on the outside looking in.

Nintendo itself hasn't helped with that perception. Their goal seems to be to market the Wii to people with little or no gaming history, namely, young children and middle age (and older) adults, women in particular. Now, make no mistake. Most of the Wii’s First-Party games are good, or at least fun. But Wii Sports and Mario Kart do not a system make. Mario just can’t do enough to carry the whole thing on his back. And what other games for Wii do you see advertised? Animal Crossing? Wii Music, where they play, what else, the Mario theme music?

And that was the article I intended to write. How Nintendo had, once again, managed to totally drop the ball, and I was going to wrap it up with speculation about how much longer Nintendo could keep operating this way. All I needed were a few research statistics, a couple of lame upcoming games to mock, and I’d be done. I’d even named it “Can Wii Stand Alone?”.

But is it true? Is Wii just a second tier system with nothing to offer hardcore gamers? Well, no. For one thing, the Wii is still far ahead of other consoles in terms of sales. Obviously, this makes it hard to call it second tier. But what do they have to offer serious gamers? Well, first and foremost, shooters. The Wii’s remote and nunchuk setup allows players the sort of precision previously reserved for a PC’s mouse, while still giving the flexibility of a control pad. And make no mistake. Playing shooters on the Wii was fun.

But shooters do not a good console make. So, what else? Well, if you’re looking for big-time companies making big-time games, well, not as much as you’d like. But, the Wii has become a haven for new up-and-coming game companies looking to make innovative games. Games such as De Blob or No More Heroes have been Wii-exclusive gems. And many more are coming. Upcoming games such as MadWorld and The Conduit are showing what small game companies can do. And the Wii has managed to attract a noteworthy series or two. Rock Band, Guitar Hero, Castlevania, Dead Rising, Fatal Frame, and the venerable Star Wars franchise are all putting games on the Wii.

Now, all Nintendo has to do is let the world know about the good content that is coming. Because most of the smaller companies can’t seem to scrape together the funding to make good games AND advertise them. In the end, Nintendo might be best served by spending its own money to advertise another company’s games.

1. Comment by x8xid, Dec 23 2008, 01:13 PM

   Somehow I doubt that Nintendo has the sense to promote thrid party companies on thier dime.

2. Comment by King_Rat, Dec 23 2008, 03:40 PM

   They're living on a name, which means they don't have to try as hard. Nintendo is still very likely the most recognizable name in the video game industry. Nintendo didn't invent home video gaming, but the certainly defined it. Sony and Microsoft are, without a doubt, following the breadcrumbs Nintendo laid out it the 80's and early 90's. Just wait and see if the PS4 or XBox 420 have bigtime motion sensitive remotes or not.
   
   The ability to coast by on a legend doesn't last forever though.

3. Comment by x8xid, Dec 23 2008, 03:58 PM

   PS3 Motion sensitive controlers are every bit as accurate and useable as the Wii-Mote - Just no infared pointer. (look at PS3's bowling game.) I freaking hate the Wii mote, but can't get enough Wii tennis. I hate you Mishato Miomoto

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