I SHALL UPDATE THIS EVEN IF PEOPLE DON'T GIVE A CRAP ABOUT IT!!!!!!!
*Ahem...
Wii would like to play too!Years ago, when the Wii was still known as "the Revolution" Nintendo had made comments that the development kits would be quite cheap. So cheap, in fact, that garage game developers could afford it and make games for the new system. With this comment Wii Ware slowly came into view.
Not to be confused by a failed clothing line Wii Ware was officially announced on June 27th, 2007. Its a service that aims to sell brand new and exclusive Wii games, just like the XBOX marketplace and the Playstation store.
As you would imagine Nintendo, along with many other third parties including Konami, Square and Hudson, have
plenty of games in the works. The biggest one of all, at the moment, is Square's "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Young King and the Promised Land", an online multiplayer RPG featuring characters from the CC universe. Its also going to be a launch title in Japan.
These upcoming games are neat and all, but what about the indie games Nintendo promised? As of November 2007 three companies have stepped and confirmed development for the Wii Ware service.
The first of these companies was
"Bplus", a European company. Their first game is called "
Twist 'n' Paint". Sadly nothing else is known about the game. No screenshots of gameplay footage have been released since the first announcement.
The second company is called
"Medaverse studios", a "right out of the oven" development studio based in New Hampshire. Originally, they announced a top down shooter called "Paranoia". But as time went on the project was put on hold and the team moved onto another project, the oddly titled
Gravitronix.. Like "Twist 'n' Paint" before it not much is known about the gameplay, except that they hope to "make you scream at the TV" and use the Wii remote in unique ways.
Finally, the last indie game in the works for Wii Ware (at the time of this feature) is called
"Pop", by Australian developer
"Nnooo". They hope to deliver a game that looks absurdly shallow but offers some very deep strategy elements, complete with achievements and Wiiconnect24 support.
So now we have three studios from different parts of the world. All three have big dreams and hope for the future, but will they have the talent to bring something amazing to the Wii table? Will fans accept their humble offerings? Will Nintendo find the one new IP in these new studios? Why am I asking you these questions?
Going back to the service itself, not much is known. Nintendo has yet to announce the price of Wii Ware games and there's one issue that might plague the service; lack of a bigger storage device. Just like with the VC the tiny memory might not be enough to hold multiple games, even if Nintendo makes them as small as possible. Talks of hard drive support was mentioned years ago but Nintendo has yet to do anything about it.
But despite what happens Wii Ware promises to deliver even more games that makes all that time you spent standing in the cold to get a Wii worth it.
Nintendo Wi-Fi connection should be an Olympic event......Because of all the hurdles you have to get to in order to play a game!
But enough sarcastic wit!
The Nintendo DS was the first Nintendo system to feature online gaming, much to the delight...and pain of the gamers.
Nintendo officially dubbed its new service "Nintendo Wi-Fi connection". Their aim was to provide an easy to use online system with no wires. Both the Wii and the DS have a Wi-Fi antenna which detects when a wireless signal is around. With just that people can connect online and play their favorite games! In hopes of offering the best and safest online experience possible, though, Nintendo created the friend code system. Each online game generates a 12 number code. If they wish to play their friends online gamers would have to first get their friend's code, them give him or her their own code. Once both players put their codes in they would be able to play each other.
Even if the system provides free online play fans have loudly spoken against the system as they feel its way too cumbersome and that there are much better ways to provide a safe online experience. For the Wii, since it generates its own universal code fans hoped that would end the use of friend codes for good. Boy, life can sure be a bitch sometimes.
Pokemon Battle Revolution, the first Wii title with online play, was released in Japan and gamers learned the bitter truth: Each online game would use its own friend code system.
But no matter how big of a roar fans, the media and the world make Nintendo still believes that
"people like friend codes"..
As stated earlier,
"Pokemon Battle Revolution" was the first online Wii title. Despite being the first online game Battle Revolution was poorly received and fans clamored for a MUCH better online title.
Mario says hi!
On July 30th, 2007 the US got
"Mario Strikers Charged", a sequel to the 2005 Gamecube title "Super Mario Strikers". The game's online features were announced during the game's unveiling. Its online promise was so big that some fans deemed it as the Wii first TRUE online game.
The game's online mode was far from perfect. Fans claim that there are many cases of lag and slowdown, even if they are using really strong connections. Reviewers also felt the mode was somewhat limited as it could've offered more. On top of that, the game used friend codes.
But still "Charged" is one of the best online titles for the Wii. But that title will likely be taken away by Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a game so big, so highly anticipated that...I WILL TALK ABOUT IT ON A FUTURE INSTALLMENT!!!
The latest on Nintendo's Mario Kart series,
"Mario Kart Wii", also hopes to be one of the most anticipated titles for the Wii. Last we heard they were working on making 12 player online racing, a first for the series!
In its first year in the market many gamers agree; online is one of the Wii's, and Nintendo's, Achilles heel. Feel titles features online play, and those that do use it are simply small features like trading and leader boards.
But will Nintendo wise up and finally create a better online experience? Maybe yes, maybe no. You know how Nintendo can be!
Coming up: Wii Haters, Impact and closing
I will likely come back and edit this entry as I am feeling woozy right now...