Edit: This is SUPPOSED to be a SINGLE RESPONSE thread
If I'm gonna bottom line it, I'd say the last 2 days were more exciting than E3 for me. Simply because I like having facts and tangible information. Videos, screens, etc. Not just PR and "Ooh Ahh imagine if." My tank of Nintendo pixie dust sorta ran out about 2 years ago. They've not been consistent in their statements and actions, so it's worn on me during GCN's life. I guess it's good that they've built such a high standard for themselves over the years, but they also need to remember that that holds a lot of responsibility as well.
As others mentioned, it's not a perfect launch. There is some sticker shock. Nintendo's suggestions to "look at their past" teased us to think about a $199 or close launch price. So that wasn't a "good" surprise.
The controller pricing is also pretty touchy. I get their ideas about expanding the market, but they too are now increasing prices for the system and the controllers, which goes against the cause. I understand the controllers are more complex than the "dumb" ones of the past, but when the goal is to expand the market and bring more of the family to the living room television, that means selling us 4 of them. But I'm not forking over another $180 for controllers, guys. And even most people here, the hardcores that are most likely to do so, don't seem too thrilled about the idea either.
Those things aside, I'm pretty happy with most everything else.
The date doesn't bother me. Beating PS3 to market is not that important when we are dealing with days and/or weeks here. Nintendo has made it abundantly clear that hardcores are not their primary interest. (That's why I've adopted Wii60.) Our moms don't give a crap about that. They're not going to get a PS3 regardless.
The Wii Channels are pretty cool. I like how they are using these types of features as a bridge to gaming for the other folks in the house. The GUI itself is pretty nice too. There is a ton of room for growth here, too (adding more features, that is.)
I'm fairly content with the launch games. I don't have a very diverse taste in games as many people here do. But since Zelda alone is going to keep me occupied for a while, maybe that's influencing my feelings there. 15 launch games, on paper, sounds solid to me anyway. Though they may not all be that great.
VC games... 30 to start and 10 a month for the next year sounds pretty darn good to me. Hopefully they will offer free points based on actual game/accessory purchases as well, so we can juice up without having to pay for every last title. As content owners, I understand their desire to profit from their games, but they should also remember that the ultimate goal should be that VC games sell Wii's, not the other way around. So THROW THE POINTS AROUND GENEROUSLY.
Online gaming... Well they certainly take their time on some of these things don't they, but I agree with their basic principal. Use online gaming as a selling point for software, not as a product itself.
DVD playback... Meh, wasn't going to buy the accessory, but this is a lingering perception issue. Going the extra half mile would not have broken anybody's bank.
Overall good, but Kairon said it best. No deal-breakers here, but no slam dunk or touchdown or whatever metaphor you want.
Topic: Single Response Wii Launch Opinion Thread (Read 21270 times)
