06-28-2007, 06:21 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-28-2007, 06:25 PM by [wcip]Angel.)
From the perspective of what some would label a Sony-f@nboi, I can say that I'm cautiously optimistic about Nintendo's chances this time around. (They'll probably outsell the Gamecube any day now, if not already!)
My friend bought a Wii just recently (handed in a PS2 + 5 games and got an approximately 70 per cent discounton the Wii!) and we had a great time with wii sports. Tennis and golf were the big hits, and we played upwards of 10-12 hours the minute we plugged it in. Great fun; and fun in a different way than playing other games. We tried Wii Play and were horrified by the ineptitude of the minigames. (9-ball was fun though) (I've also played Wario, which was similarly disappointing after having seen Gamespot's review of it). Wii sports was fun though!
Like Bob says, the Wii needs more solid single player titles. Multiplayer is fun, but to be a great all-rounded console, you really do need something for those lonesome long summer nights when there are no one around to play with. For hardcore gamers (or casual ones who just like to play alone), single player is imperative. Doesn't look like it'll be a problem though, with Japan's top three 3rd party developers recently having more or less 'switched' from PS3/Xbox360 to Wii-development. The console is selling like crap, and developers are jumping on board salivating over their enormous audience.
Speaking of, it seems the Wii might have succeeded in its task: breaking the barriers of traditional gaming audiences. I saw a humorous story on the news when the Wii was first out. Someone had brought a Wii to a Norwegian nursing home, and the residents had a great time playing Wii Sports. My aforementioned friend just showed the game to his family and they loved it. Similar reports of old, non-gamers being engrossed with the Wii are widespread. So far it looks like Nintendo really *did* put the 'we' in Wii.
Still, the launch hasn't been completely flawless. One of the initial flagships of the Wii, Red Steel, tanked. Similar to its criticism, I've read reviews of other games where it's been pointed out that the control scheme is severely flawed. Although waving the controller around works great in Wii sports, developers seem to have trouble integrating it flawlessly into other titles. The key is to have the control scheme not feel gimmicky, but rather integrate it seemlessly into the gaming experience. Accomplishing this is key to Wii's prolonged success.
The Nintendo Wii has been labelled a "fad" that will soon wear out its interest. I'm not convinced either way. On the other hand, I severely doubt Sony will be able to garner half the market share as they did previous years, and it will be very interesting to see how the infamous console war drags on as the Playstation3's triple-A titles come rolling out.
Me? I'm waiting for Guitar Hero: Rock the 80s and Guitar Hero 3 for the PS2 (which, amazingly, is still outselling the PS3!)
My friend bought a Wii just recently (handed in a PS2 + 5 games and got an approximately 70 per cent discounton the Wii!) and we had a great time with wii sports. Tennis and golf were the big hits, and we played upwards of 10-12 hours the minute we plugged it in. Great fun; and fun in a different way than playing other games. We tried Wii Play and were horrified by the ineptitude of the minigames. (9-ball was fun though) (I've also played Wario, which was similarly disappointing after having seen Gamespot's review of it). Wii sports was fun though!
Like Bob says, the Wii needs more solid single player titles. Multiplayer is fun, but to be a great all-rounded console, you really do need something for those lonesome long summer nights when there are no one around to play with. For hardcore gamers (or casual ones who just like to play alone), single player is imperative. Doesn't look like it'll be a problem though, with Japan's top three 3rd party developers recently having more or less 'switched' from PS3/Xbox360 to Wii-development. The console is selling like crap, and developers are jumping on board salivating over their enormous audience.
Speaking of, it seems the Wii might have succeeded in its task: breaking the barriers of traditional gaming audiences. I saw a humorous story on the news when the Wii was first out. Someone had brought a Wii to a Norwegian nursing home, and the residents had a great time playing Wii Sports. My aforementioned friend just showed the game to his family and they loved it. Similar reports of old, non-gamers being engrossed with the Wii are widespread. So far it looks like Nintendo really *did* put the 'we' in Wii.
Still, the launch hasn't been completely flawless. One of the initial flagships of the Wii, Red Steel, tanked. Similar to its criticism, I've read reviews of other games where it's been pointed out that the control scheme is severely flawed. Although waving the controller around works great in Wii sports, developers seem to have trouble integrating it flawlessly into other titles. The key is to have the control scheme not feel gimmicky, but rather integrate it seemlessly into the gaming experience. Accomplishing this is key to Wii's prolonged success.
The Nintendo Wii has been labelled a "fad" that will soon wear out its interest. I'm not convinced either way. On the other hand, I severely doubt Sony will be able to garner half the market share as they did previous years, and it will be very interesting to see how the infamous console war drags on as the Playstation3's triple-A titles come rolling out.
Me? I'm waiting for Guitar Hero: Rock the 80s and Guitar Hero 3 for the PS2 (which, amazingly, is still outselling the PS3!)
