What Happened To The Wii?

[Zetona]

In my opinion the games coming out for the nintendo wii consel are just getting stupider and stupider they're making games for 10 and lower I just think that they should come out with new games that are for older people and stop making games like Sonic At The olympic games

I can't help but notice how many posts like this you've made in the last few days. We're all glad you have an opinion, but there's no need to post it for the world to see. If you'd like to start a discussion, come up with a topic, make an argument, check your spelling, and use some "!.,`ing punctuation.

At the risk of feeding a troll, allow me to breakdown the argument you started with.

What do you mean games are getting "stupider"? They aren't as difficult to play? That was a stated goal of the Wii -- eliminating the complicated control schemes that made it difficult for young/old/inexperienced to start playing. You shouldn't have to sit through an hour long tutorial and memorize button combinations just so you can start playing a game. It also makes it easier to pick up a game and play for 10 minutes instead of having to dedicate hours to a game. A lot of people (adults with careers and families) don't have the time to dedicate to a game that a 12 year old has over summer break.

What's wrong with making games for 10 years and under? There's no reason they shouldn't have games too. Considering how many games over the last few years have been rated M, there's an entire market wide-open for E titles. As a parent, it's hard to play an M game with your 5 year old running around. It's nice to have a game you can show him and have him enjoy.

What's wrong with Sonic at the Olympics? Granted, the Sonic franchise has been milked until its tits have dried up and fallen off, but is there anything inherently wrong with a game based around the Olympics? It's a sports tournament celebrated around the world by adults of all ages. Seems like it should be a good fit for just about any gamer.

Lastly, what does Nintendo owe you? There's no reason they have to make a game that you'll like. They're obviously selling like hotcakes, so they must be doing something right. If you want a console with games aimed at "hardcore" gamers, grab an XBOX 360 or a PS3. Better yet, get a PC and you can play any game made in the last 20 years. You can always sell your Wii -- there's guaranteed to be a parent willing to buy it for their 5 year old.


As a note, I have a Wii that I don't play much because the games coming out aren't my style. So be it. It doesn't mean that the Wii is terrible or that Nintendo has their heads up their asses, it just means they aren't producing anything of interest to me. If they prefer their new market better (and I have no doubt they do), then good for them.

The main anti-Wii argument is that there are simply not enough good games for longtime Nintendo fans and hardcore gamers. There's Mario, Zelda, and Metroid, but there's little in the way of third-party titles.

Plus, it almost feels like Nintendo is slacking off. Their recent first-party games have been characterized by overly simple gameplay and minimalistic graphics, and instead of making some entirely new games, it seems that they made minor upgrades to Animal Crossing and are adding motion control to two Gamecube games. (Though I only have the word of game reviewers about the gameplay.) Mario Galaxy showed what the Wii was capable of graphically, but Nintendo has made no games at that level since (with the possible exception of Brawl).

I also think that the new control scheme has actually alienated some longtime gamers. If you're a longtime gamer who can't get the hang of the Wii controls, you're probably going to say that the Wiimote is an inferior control scheme. I certainly experienced that with Mario Kart Wii. But, if you're new to gaming, the simple, intuitive motion controls are going to be just the thing to get you going, which may be one reason why the console sells so well.

 

[BIGpanda]

In my opinion the games coming out for the nintendo wii consel are just getting stupider and stupider they're making games for 10 and lower I just think that they should come out with new games that are for older people and stop making games like Sonic At The olympic games

....?

vague much? you can still find great games in the wii. not gonna list them because GuerrillaClock did that for (thanks). fanboys need to ease up alittle and just explore outside of their beloved nintendo brand icons. finding good games anything in this world that's "good" is like seeking out the holy grail.

 

[Jaebird]

Think of it this way:

The Wii is repeating the history of the original Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom. Back then there was a plethora games upon games being released, and only a few that were actually licensed by Nintendo.

So, in that coal mine of sh*tty games, there's going to be the few Nintendo diamonds.

 

[DragunovHUN]

@OP: I think you picked the wrong console for your needs.

 

[sequio]

I bet if they had porno games for the Wii the sales would skyrocket. The whole "family oriented" games are what's killing it i think.

Killing it? its beating the 360 and PS3. for games it has Radiant dawn but that's about it right now.

I meant game sales wise, not the console itself. How can a console that sold millions more be selling less games than a console that sold millions less? That doesn't add up.

EDIT: yeah, FE: RD is pretty good.

 

[BIGpanda]

I bet if they had porno games for the Wii the sales would skyrocket. The whole "family oriented" games are what's killing it i think.

it sorta worked in japan during the age of the gamecube...

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

I'm actually holding out some hope for the platform. I figure if they can muster a stable of 5 games I want to play (they have 3 right now) It is worth investing in the system.

The big problem with the Wii has little to do with Nintendo games though. Many of the games produced on the system view the motion control as a neat gimmick and it's used to the detriment of gameplay when it ought to be furthering it.

 

[Bored Tomatoe]

Shovelware happened.

 

[peterwolfe]

Hmmm...another "I-hate-what-Nintendo's-doing-thread". All I hate about the Wii is the the peripheral bull plop.

 

[smudgey]

I can't see why people complain about the current direction Nintendo have taken. Do people remember the Gamecube? It had a line-up of some of the greatest games of the previous generation..... and it got tag-teamed by the PS2 and X-Box. Nintendo knew if they didn't do something different, and tried to compete head-on against powerful companies such as Sony and Microsoft (of whom gaming is just one small division), they'd go the way of Sega. So they thought outside the box, and gambled everything on a massive risk with the DS and Wii. It paid off, and congratulations to them.
And it's not like they're ignoring the fans; the wii has only been out for around 2 years and we've already got a bunch of their AAA titles such as Metroid, Mario Kart, Smash Bros, Mario, Zelda (with new Mario and Zelda games in development) as well as Punch-out!! returning. Seriously, what more do people expect from them? Every single Nintendo franchise to get a sequel in the first 2 1/2 years of a console's lifespan?
They haven't turned their back on their fans. They've just picked up some new ones along the way.

 

[Anton P. Nym]

Let's all watch the angry, whiny, crying "hard core" Nintendo fans kick up a fuss. It's cute when they act out.

Nintendo isn't your slave, and doesn't owe you obedience to your every whim. They're making money in truck-loads and can't keep merchandise on the shelves because it sells out faster than they can make it... from their standpoint, and from the standpoint of everyone buying their consoles and games, they're doing the right thing.

Find some more constructive way to deal with this, because Nintendo can't hear your tantrums over the ringing of their cash registers.

Sheesh.

-- Steve

 

[Sewblon]

I bet if they had porno games for the Wii the sales would skyrocket. The whole "family oriented" games are what's killing it i think.

Killing it? its beating the 360 and PS3. for games it has Radiant dawn but that's about it right now.

I meant game sales wise, not the console itself. How can a console that sold millions more be selling less games than a console that sold millions less? That doesn't add up.

EDIT: yeah, FE: RD is pretty good.

People by Nintendo consoles to play Nintendo games.

 

[Curtmiester]

I don't get the comic but ok. I respect your thoughts.

 

[jayjaydoubleyou]

What happened to the Wii?
The Wii died.
The Wii died and I laughed.

 

[Joeshie]

They can get away with having a poor library in comparison to the other consoles because a majority of Wii owners either bought the Wii for one title only (Wii Sports or Wii Fit) or they don't give a care about quality.

Few of them actually realize that Sonic and Mario Olympics is a bad game.

 

[GuerrillaClock]

No, he's right. For every rare gem that comes out for the Wii, and half those games you mentioned don't count as such, there are 99 shovelware titles.

But the software isn't the real issue with the Wii. It's the fact that the system is pandering to people who are too moronic to research a system before they buy it and will buy the Wii based on the Nintendo name and the gimmicky fad it's created. Also they buy all the stupid peripherals which are based on the same gimmicky BS as the system itslef.

Nintendo isn't interested in making quality games anymore and they've said that repeatedly. Their new mantra is "Wii make money!"

Shovelware exists on just about every format. The Wii probably has more, but that's because it's selling well and third-party companies want to jump on the bandwagon. Why wouldn't they? Of course they're going to try and maximise their profits.

Nintendo haven't forgotten their hardcore crowd (because who else cares about Devil World), they're just expanding and filling gaps in the market - that gap being casual gamers such as families who want some simple, clean entertainment they can play with their kids. What's so wrong with that? There's no risk of Nintendo abandoning the great exclusives they have because there's still massive demand for them among the "hardcore" crowd of Wii owners. Well done Nintendo for identifying a gap in the market.

As far as I can tell, Nintendo's execs have never held anyone at gunpoint and commanded them to play a minigame compilation, so if you don't agree with the shovelware, don't buy it and focus on the large amount of quality titles available that everyone seems to conveniently forget about when making poorly researched points about the Wii just because they're pissed off at Carnival Games and can't (or won't) see the fact that there ARE plenty of good games for the Wii.

Their new mantra is "Wii make money!"

Congratulations, you've successfully identified the goal of every business in existence.

Also, the Wii has given gaming good press in the mainstream media for the first time ever, just about, and has firmly established it as a great social activity in the eyes of the majority of the public. This is only a good thing. It stops the Jack Thompsons and Keith Vaz's of this world in their tracks. The recent boom in the popularity of gaming is down to Nintendo, and we should be thankful. If a console can positively affect the public's opinion on an art form, I refuse to believe it is a bad thing.

 

[beddo]

In my opinion the games coming out for the nintendo wii consel are just getting stupider and stupider they're making games for 10 and lower I just think that they should come out with new games that are for older people and stop making games like Sonic At The olympic games

Why, they make money from those titles. What's the point in a risk that won't pay as well as a sure thing?

 

[Grimm91]

The Wii is not aimed at classical gamers.

Nintendo market it for "family fun" and that's why it has been so sucessful.

Bingo! The Wii is for the family if you want a serious system pick 360, Ps3 or PC.