Author Topic: IMPRESSIONS: Wii (Read 12996 times)

Pale · « **on:** September 17, 2006, 09:46:50 AM »

Is the speaker in the controller a worthy addition?

Three games made use of the Wii remote speaker at the Wii Event last week. It was the first time I was able to actually listen to the speaker without many distractions. In fact, the sound from the television wasn't even on. To understand exactly what it sounds like, imagine playing your GameCube with your DS in your lap broadcasting the sound effects.

Overall the sound quality is the pits. At times the speaker sounded as if it was being driven beyond its capabilities. Crackling and popping was prevalent. When it is used in a way that benefits the multiplayer experience it doesn't bother me. Specifically, in Wii Big Brain Academy your controller will alert you about whether or not you finish a puzzle correctly. This allows you to keep tabs on how your opponents are doing without looking at their section of the screen and adds to the fun. When it is used in a single player game, like Zelda or Mario, it is incredibly frustrating.

In Mario Galaxy, whenever Mario received something (coin, musical note, star, etc.) the chime came out of the remote. In Twilight Princess, all sword sound effects (sheathing, unsheathing, combat contact noises, etc.) came out of the speaker. The fact that the remote is directly related to Link's sword should mean this is a good idea, but why do I want to hook my Wii up to my home theater only to hear much of the sound effects coming from such a cheap speaker? The hardware may not support Dolby Digital, but Pro Logic II is good enough to position the sound effects at the focal point of the room in a way that would sound a heck of a lot better than what I experienced on Thursday.

My biggest fear when the speaker was announced appears to have been realized. If Nintendo continues to overuse this 'innovation' I will only get more frustrated. Developers, do me a favor and make using the speaker optional.

TheYoungerPlumber · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2006, 10:46:06 AM »

Ack. Yeah, I don't like where these cheesy, distorted sounds are going.... For $40 you'd think Nintendo would have a decent speaker in there.

mantidor · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2006, 10:57:21 AM »

My question would be how much of an audiophile is pale? I really don't mind quality a whole lot unless it sounds like a radio from the 50s. Still it would be nice if Nintendo offers the choice of putting all sounds of the remote into the TV. Having a choice is always a good thing.

Pale · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2006, 11:02:54 AM »

I'll admit I can be anal about sounds. I would not be surprised if the speaker is IDENTICAL to the one in the DS. If you think you would be happy having sound effects come out of the DS instead of your audio set up, then you probably won't mind. I think it sounds terrible though.

Kairon · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2006, 11:37:16 AM »

If it's good enough for the little handheld that could it's good enough for me.

Oh, but I agree Pale. I hope that when they DO put sounds on the Wiimote (ala your multiplayer example), it makes sense and enhances the gameplay (unlike the Mario Galaxy example?).

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Artimus · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2006, 11:56:30 AM »

The DS has pretty good speakers!

But I do wish only pertinent sounds came from the speakers...

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2006, 12:00:43 PM »

Time to cancel those pre-orders!

Hostile Creation · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2006, 12:10:19 PM »

Well I don't have a Dolby surround immersive sound system. I just have a TV that has speakers no better than the DS.
So, doesn't bother me.

Jonnyboy117 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2006, 12:41:18 PM »

A surround system can cost as much or more than a decent TV, so I hope Nintendo and developers can work out the flaws and make the controller speaker a worthwhile feature. DS speaker quality would be fine with me, actually.

WhoDey · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2006, 02:16:23 PM »

I doubt the controller speaker is meant to replace the sound from your TV or your surround sound system. It's supposed to just add a little, not replace anything. I doubt you are going to notice the quality of the sound when you are playing a game with the TV sound on. You said yourself you were playing without the TV sound on.

PopeReal · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2006, 02:35:59 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
I'll admit I can be anal about sounds. I would not be surprised if the speaker is IDENTICAL to the one in the DS. If you think you would be happy having sound effects come out of the DS instead of your audio set up, then you probably won't mind. I think it sounds terrible though.

I think the DS speakers are just fine. If that is what the controller sounds like then I'm happy

TheYoungerPlumber · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2006, 04:44:03 PM »

Considering you're supposedly able to adjust the volume of the Wiimote speaker, I'd hope vital sounds like sword swings would migrate over to the main audio channels.

Dax20798 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 17, 2006, 04:52:06 PM »

Wow, that is truly terrible. So the sound of Link's sword clanging against a stalfos is going to be a little tinny, garbled "ting" from a speaker in a freaking remote control? That seriously makes me ask myself if I want want of these Wiis...

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2006, 05:08:43 PM »

Dear Nintendo,

The quality of the Remote Speaker is not satisfactory for high-impact sound effects. Please remove this feature.

Hate,

The Internet

Pale · « **Reply #14 on:** September 17, 2006, 05:34:00 PM »

Oh Pro, I'm only asking that they make it optional so that I can choose to play them through my nice surround setup.

PopeReal · « **Reply #15 on:** September 17, 2006, 05:51:14 PM »

On a side note, I can't wait to play the Wii myself so I can actually agree/disagree with the posts of the staff here. All I can do is guess, as in IF the speaker on the Wiimote sounds like the DS speakers I will be fine with that. But maybe I won't. I don't know.

Ceric · « **Reply #16 on:** September 17, 2006, 06:10:02 PM »

Quote
Crackling and popping was prevalent.

Just like the original DS speakers. I've been meaning to ask if they have fixed this with the DSLite. But alas from everyone response I see they have not.
I'm one of those people who like my sound to be just loud enough that I can hear it. So the DS speakers where a great let down for me. If its not loud their crackling. As it seems the problem wasn't addressed with the DSLite. I have no reason to buy one (I'm fine with the size and the screen of my DS.)

If thats the sound the comes for the WiiPointer then yes it's a let down. A great let down. Heres hoping that I can pump those effects through my surround system or it's only used for indicating stuff in multiplayer.

Pale · « **Reply #17 on:** September 17, 2006, 06:32:22 PM »

It's kind of a different crackling... imagine trying to put too much volume through a speaker that can't handle it...

Blue Plant · « **Reply #18 on:** September 17, 2006, 06:37:09 PM »

If volume is the problem, would using the - and + buttons help any? Or do those actually adjust the volume of the speaker?

IceCold · « **Reply #19 on:** September 17, 2006, 07:38:40 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Dax20798
Wow, that is truly terrible. So the sound of Link's sword clanging against a stalfos is going to be a little tinny, garbled "ting" from a speaker in a freaking remote control? That seriously makes me ask myself if I want want of these Wiis...

I would normally accept that as sarcasm, but I've never seen a post by you before, so who knows..

SilverBack1138 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 17, 2006, 08:20:21 PM »

Ok, here's my own view. The speaker in the controller is not the best quality but I don't think it's as bad as you say. I think it adds to the immersion. Are you sure that what you heard weren't sound bugs or the like? I wasn't where you were so I can't vouche for what you heard, but I can tell you that from what I've used of it, it sounds fine. Not great, but good for what it is.

Nephilim · « **Reply #21 on:** September 18, 2006, 05:52:36 AM »

funny this, i see people argue the opposite for HD

not every kid has surround sound or even stereo in there room, this is were wii will be played the most
Infact most small tv's are still sold with mono, so this is a blessing even if quality is low

Pale · « **Reply #22 on:** September 18, 2006, 06:26:35 AM »

As I tried to get across, this definitely won't bother everyone. In my particular situation (a situation in which I have invested in a very nice surround sound set) I am not willing to deal with a speaker of DS quality. If you think you are in a similar situation to me, you will probably feel the same.

Dax20798 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 18, 2006, 06:36:12 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: IceCold
Quote
Originally posted by: Dax20798
Wow, that is truly terrible. So the sound of Link's sword clanging against a stalfos is going to be a little tinny, garbled "ting" from a speaker in a freaking remote control? That seriously makes me ask myself if I want want of these Wiis...
I would normally accept that as sarcasm, but I've never seen a post by you before, so who knows..

You've never seen a post from me because I've never posted on this forum before. And no, I wasn't being sarcastic. Unless I interpreted the article incorrectly, it sounds like the sword slashing sound effects on the Wii version of TP won't be heard from a surround sound speaker system or from the TV speakers, but from a little speaker in the Wiimote. The author of the article said that the sound effects don't sound so hot. Unless the option is given to have all sound effects come from the main speakers and not the little Wiimote speaker, why would I want a Wii? Plus the sword controls with the Wii sound, dare I say..."sparkling innovationy".

Dax20798 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 18, 2006, 06:37:54 AM »

Well, as you can see, this website won't even let me use the "g" word, instead it censors it out. Cute, Nintendo fanboys, cute.

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Author Topic: IMPRESSIONS: Wii (Read 12996 times)