Topic: Nintendo Retailer Conference (OP updated with stuffs, more when I feel like it)

[Adrock]

MGS: Twin Snakes: Considering his inclusion in Brawl, Snake may as well have a game on the Wii.

You actually want a port of a 4 year old remake of a 10 year old game? Ugh.... Nintendo deserves a new Metal Gear title for their generosity.....

[Hostile Creation]

Just got around to watching all those videos.

Mario and Luigi looks ACE.  I will definitely be getting that, as well as Another Code Wii, Sin and Punishment 2 (although I should probably play the original first, so I'll get that when I can), and maybe some other stuff.  Endless Ocean sequel looks good, but that's another case of maybe I should try the original first.  Space game looks interesting, too.

I need to find time to play games.  I am so busy, it's no good.

[AV]

IGN: Disaster: Day of Crisis. It's out in Japan and has a European release date. We thought you guys would make it official for Americans today, but you didn't. What's going on there?

Cammie Dunaway: Well, it's just that we roll out things at different times and so we chose to talk about some of the ones that we are committed to rolling out in 2009, but there is some other stuff that we're still taking a look at.

IGN: So does that mean that Disaster is officially not going to come out in America this year?

Cammie Dunaway: No, it doesn't mean that. As I said, we've just selected ones that we've already made commitments to. We weren't trying to show our full lineup for the first part of 2009.

Source

I'm confused. Why not have a release date for the game and show it to americans.

[Bill Aurion]

They...haven't?  If you are talking about the game having English voices, that's how the game was developed...There are no Japanese voices in the Japanese version of the game as far as I know...

[Ian Sane]

“It’s not the Pikmin that Mr. Miyamoto referred to, no. Mr. Miyamoto referred to a new Pikmin, as opposed to the classics that are being rereleased on Wii.” - Referring to a new Pikmin (the re-releases were not what Miyamoto was referring to back at E3, so yes, there is a new Pikmin on the way)

Oh thank God.

I initially thought the idea was to re-release Cube games as actual Cube games and advertise them with a campaign promoting backwards compatibility.  That's a cool idea.  But actual ports?  That's lame.  That's a waste of resources.  And it's a rip-off too.  They're relying on people to (this seems to be a trend) be ignorant of these games already being playable on the Wii.  They're relying on Nintendo nuts who just can't say "no" to repurchase games they already own for minor additions.  Its the same crap that all the third parties do where they repackage a last-gen game, add waggle and pass it off as a Wii game.  At least then it's usually for PS2 games that aren't playable on the Wii.  These games are.

If anyone else did this would their fans accept it?  If Sony was making PS3 ports of PS2 games or PS2 ports of PS1 games would that be acceptable?  What if Nintendo had done this with the DS and dedicated resources to "updating" GBA games?

And what about all this talk about innovation and new controller standards?  These games were designed with a different controller in mind.  This isn't good use of the remote.  Why does it seem like the whole purpose of the Wii is to repackage last gen games?

I feel very relieved though that this isn't the Pikmin game.  And if you don't own Pikmin 2 then by all means pick it up.  I can't vouch for how it will control but the core game is awesome.  Might as well get it in some form.

[Dasmos]

Okay, what have they done to my game? Why is there life hearts? Please don't tell me they're porting all these games over and just ruining each and every one of them.

[GoldenPhoenix]

So if you want to play a retooled Pikmin for better accuracy and rebuy it, then it is a bad thing? Come on Ian. I'm rebuying it because I never liked controlling the game with standard controls. There is NOTHING wrong with giving people a chance to either play it for the first time with this remake or for those who have played it to experience it in another way.

[Ian Sane]

So if you want to play a retooled Pikmin for better accuracy and rebuy it, then it is a bad thing? Come on Ian. I'm rebuying it because I never liked controlling the game with standard controls. There is NOTHING wrong with giving people a chance to either play it for the first time with this remake or for those who have played it to experience it in another way.

I never get this complaint about the controls with Pikmin.  Ditto with Metroid Prime.  Well I kind of do but I assume whoever complains about them plays the game for five minutes and gives up because they don't control like a PC RTS or FPS.  They don't need to.  It isn't like Pikmin is Starcraft shoehorned into a console controller.  It was designed with that controller in mind.  Same with Metroid Prime.  Sure you can say that Metroid Prime 3 controls better but that game was designed for those controls.  The balance will be all wonky if you change the controls for these games.  You notice it in Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes.  It incorporates elements introduced in Metal Gear Solid 2.  BUT the game wasn't designed for those elements so some things that were originally a challenge are now super easy.  The change affected the balance of the game.  Pikmin controls quite well but may be thrown out of whack with different controls.  Some previous routine things might become stubbornly difficult while other hard parts become easy.

But anyway my main beef is simple.  The Wii library is FULL of rehashed last gen games.  When I buy a new console I want NEW games.  That's the point.  But instead I get tons of rehashes.  Why?  Because people buy those rehashes so the publishers think "hey why bother releasing NEW stuff when the marks will just by re-released old games."  This is why third party support on the Wii sucks.  This is why we never got a 2D sprite based Mario sidescroller on the GBA.  There was no need because people who already owned the old games would justify paying full price to buy them again for a few small changes.

Nintendo's big Wii launch game was a repackaged Cube game.  When someone complains about a thin game lineup Nintendo points to remakes as if they're acceptable substitutes for real games.  Now if they didn't do that then what do I care?  I want old games to be available for those that missed them the first time.  But that's not usually how it works.

I don't have a problem with the VC and I wouldn't have a problem if Nintendo merely re-released Cube games at a Player's Choice price point and emphasized the Wii backwards compatibility.  I don't mind retro comps or when sequels are later made in a packaged set for a discount (RE Cube bundle, various PS2 collections like GTA, Devil May Cry and Metal Gear Solid).  In those cases it's like a deal for the customer.  They get a chance to pick up an out-of-print classic at a low price.  But this isn't that.

When you buy repackaged old games at new game prices you give publishers the idea that this in place of new content is acceptable.  And that screws me over so I'm going to b!tch about it.

[Adrock]

No More Heroes.

Also, if you want new games, you're getting them. I can understand your disappointment, but the Wii is finally getting some respect.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I hate we are getting rehashes like Punch Out, Sin and Punishment 2, and Conduit. Those remade games sure stifle new games!


Seriously this is an argument that has little validity, especially when it comes to porting games over. These games take little development time or money and usually fund other projects. If you haven't noticed the trend for Wii is going towards non-ports of last generation games but new titles whether they are multiplatform or exclusive. It does NOT hurt to have games like a retooled Pikmin or Jungle Beat out on the market (which, I might add are more than compilation esque games. These go a step further. Not only that but we have no idea what they will cost, chances are they will be budget titles in the 19.99-29.99 dollar range.

[Caliban]

I wonder how these re-releases will fair with gaming reviewers.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I wonder how these re-releases will fair with gaming reviewers.

My guess is that it will be similar to how RE4 for Wii was received. A bit lower than the original score but not by much (unless they are broken of course)

[Chozo Ghost]

Ian, keep in mind the Gamecube wasn't really a very popular system by any stretch, so this means there are tons and tons of people who have NEVER played games like Pikmin even once. So for them, it isn't really a matter of rebuying an old game, because to them its entirely new. If you are one of those who own the old Pikmin then I can see your point, but you are in a minority. Most gamers have not played Pikmin, and since you love the franchise so much you should see how this is a great thing Nintendo is doing here.

By introducing the games to the larger Wii audience, Nintendo is promoting and building up the franchise's popularity, and this will help ensure the franchise sees more sequels in the future. And personally, I think the franchise is very well suited for the DS platform. Hopefully Nintendo will port it over there at some point.

[Caliban]

I wonder how these re-releases will fair with gaming reviewers.

My guess is that it will be similar to how RE4 for Wii was received. A bit lower than the original score but not by much (unless they are broken of course)

Yeah I guess, but these games aren't from Capcom and it will be interesting to see Nintendo's approach to their wiimake titles and reviews thereafter.
Still I think this is a great moment for gamers of all types to get a broader selection of games that they most likely missed the first time around.

[KDR_11k]

I'd rather have a port than use backwards compatibility since that way the game works better with the system's features (e.g. not having to use the tiny GC memcards, being able to use the system's 60Hz setting, possibly pointer-navigated menus, ...)

Nintendo's big Wii launch game was a repackaged Cube game.

Actually it was Wii Sports, Zelda was just a decoy to pacify the core. Wii Sports is still popular, Zelda has almost been forgotten.

[redgiemental]

As long as they are still making a new Pikmin all is good.

I literally just bought Pikmin 2 just over a month ago. I like the GC controls though so I'm ok with it I guess.

I'll be interested to see how the controls work out for the Pikmin rerelease.

[EasyCure]

I hate we are getting rehashes like Punch Out, Sin and Punishment 2, and Conduit. Those remade games sure stifle new games!


Seriously this is an argument that has little validity, especially when it comes to porting games over. These games take little development time or money and usually fund other projects. If you haven't noticed the trend for Wii is going towards non-ports of last generation games but new titles whether they are multiplatform or exclusive. It does NOT hurt to have games like a retooled Pikmin or Jungle Beat out on the market (which, I might add are more than compilation esque games. These go a step further. Not only that but we have no idea what they will cost, chances are they will be budget titles in the 19.99-29.99 dollar range.

GP has a point Ian. You're only complaining about the re-releases nintendo put out but you're ignoring the new games we're getting, probably only for the sake of argument. Notice that the re-releases weren't a big part of the conference, its not like they showed them off and how they'll impliment wii controls. No, instead of that they showed off NEW games and sequels to old games that are new again because of what they can bring to the table with Wii's controls.

Gp's only flaw in her post was pointing out 2 sequels and a brand new title, because I'm sure you'll trying to argue that sequels don't count as new games. Well let me remind you of the new IPs like Moon Walker and Dynamic Slash (or wathever they're called) and maybe a few more i'm forgetting. But you'll probably just say these don't count and come up with some crazy reasoning behind it huh?

Anyway, if you're still reading and to summarize my point: The GC re-releases aren't Nintendos sole focus here, so why nitpick as if they are?

[Nick DiMola]

Anyway, if you're still reading and to summarize my point: The GC re-releases aren't Nintendos sole focus here, so why nitpick as if they are?

Icing baby, icing. The GC releases are tasty icing on an already delicious cake.

[NWR_Lindy]

I agree with Nick and EasyCure.  I don't think the re-releases are anything to complain about.  They're like a side project.  They don't enhance the Wii library in any meaningful way (since you can just play the GameCube versions if you want), but they don't hurt it either.  I'm glad that some of the more overlooked GameCube games are going to get exposure to a much larger audience.

[EasyCure]

Anyway, if you're still reading and to summarize my point: The GC re-releases aren't Nintendos sole focus here, so why nitpick as if they are?

Icing baby, icing. The GC releases are tasty icing on an already delicious cake.

Ecactly, and who doesnt like Icing on a cake?

[Nick DiMola]

Communists.

[King of Twitch]

Diabetics

[NWR_Lindy]

"In America, you put icing on cake.  In Russia, cake put icing on YOU"

[EasyCure]

Diabetics

Its not that they dont like icing, they just can't have any.

[Nick DiMola]

"In America, you put icing on cake.  In Russia, cake put icing on YOU"

Sounds hot.