Post by: NWR_pap64 on September 23, 2006, 09:07:38 AM
In this here list, I have compiled the top 5 issues regarding the release of the Wii that have caused the biggest uproar among fans. Keep in mind that this is based on what has happened since the Revolution was first announced in 2004 till Nintendo's recent press events, so other issues and complains may rise between now and the actual release of the console.
Here we go!
#5
Nothing about the Revolution at E3 2005
While both Sony and Microsoft showed off their next gen consoles, boasting everything from hardcore micro transactions to CG style graphics Nintendo showed nothing but an empty box and some promises. Even if they were playing a realistic plan rather than boast about what they don't have many fans still felt disappointed and annoyed by the "hush!" policy Nintendo loves to play at their conferences.
#4
The unveiling of the controller
Everyone was definitely expecting something special from Nintendo, but when the controller was finally unveiled at TGS 2005 many were left shocked and appalled. A controller that resembles a remote control? Even when the possibilities for immersive gaming were laid out in a neat and orderly fashion fans and even some analysts were still left annoyed by the overall design and failed to see why would this controller be "revolutionary".
#3
Final launch date revealed as well as console and controller price
Even though Nintendo has said everything fans wanted to know about the Wii at their E3 2006 press conference they still left two basic questions un-answered: the price and date. Fans were left wondering and speculating about it for nearly 5 months, but on September 14 Nintendo finally released all the launch details, including games, accessories, new features and most importantly launch date and price. The Wii will be released on November 19 2006 at the price of 250 dollars. It includes Wii sports. The controller will be priced at 40 dollars while the nun chuck attachment will be 20 dollars, raising the total controller cost to 60 dollars.
This caught many fans by surprise, as not only were they expecting the console to be around 200 dollars, the price of the controllers is too much for some. Also, some fans feel that launching right after the Playstation 3 launch might actually kill Nintendo's thunder and affect overall sales.
But time can be a cruel witch. Will fans and analyst be proven wrong as Nintendo breaks records at launch or will this be yet another mediocre move on Nintendo's behalf? Time shall tell soon...
#2
Twilight Princess on Wii/Death of Gamecube games
Ever since it was first unveiled at E3 2004 fans have been extremely anxious about playing what could be the best Zelda game ever. It boasted a dark style and storyline, something Wind waker lacked, and the fans went gaga for it like crazy. Nintendo promised it would be released Fall 2005. But suddenly, the game was delayed till March 2006 in order to add some more levels and polish the game even further. Months later, we learned that they had delayed the game once more in order to enhance it for Nintendo's new console. This spawned an anger and debate that has yet to die down across forums everywhere. Many see this as a smart move cause the Gamecube is pretty much a dead console and Twilight Princess would get ignored because of the next gen hype, and thus having it on the Wii will just create better awareness of the new console and people will eat it up. Others see this as backstabbing move towards their loyal fan base as they have been waiting forever to play the game, and yet Nintendo keeps pushing it back in favor of extras that might not make the game any better.
The release of Twilight Princess on the Wii also spawned the topic of announced GC games being cancelled and moved to the Wii, such as Super Paper Mario and DK Bongo Blast. The main reason behind the anger is because with all major GC releases being canceled, the Gamecube is pretty much dead, leaving it without a swan song of a game.
And the number one issue regarding the Wii is!!!
#1
The Wii = the final name of the Revolution
Even though Nintendo had stated more than once that the Revolution was just a code name and that it would change fans still wanted that as the final name since it stated mature gaming, it summed up Nintendo's views perfectly and it gave an overall hardcore image to Nintendo. So when Nintendo announced that the new name of the console would be the Wii, many lost control over their lower intestine.
The Wii is a play on the word "We", as in you and me. Nintendo boasts that their new console won't be just about their hardcore fans, it would be about me, you, them, your mother, your father, your sister, EVERYONE! They also stated that the Revolution might be too scary for casual gamers and thus decided to change it to something more friendly and appealing.
This was a move nearly everyone went against. It was a ridicule sounding name that would hurt Nintendo's image even further, and people went as far as to lose all hope on Nintendo. Even when E3 2006 had come and gone and fans couldn't get enough of the wee little Wii, fans were still question the power behind the new name. Even Nintendo's head developer Shigeru Miyamoto had expressed that he was not sure about the logic behind the new name.
In the end, it seemed that for now Nintendo has proved us wrong in that you can name the console "Caca Popo pee pee shire" and people would still eat it up because of its ingenious gaming design, not the game.
So there you have it! The top 5 issues that have spawned the most debate ever!
Keep in mind that this is based on what has been seen around the internet, so I may be wrong. Also, if you don't fit in any of these categories don't take offense. I know not everybody got upset the minute Nintendo said something.
Oh and feel free to add onto this list and fix/edit some of it.
Post by: Mario on September 23, 2006, 09:50:46 AM
Post by: IceCold on September 23, 2006, 11:05:35 AM
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on September 23, 2006, 11:16:58 AM
Post by: Caliban on September 23, 2006, 12:13:05 PM
Post by: WalkingTheCow on September 23, 2006, 12:36:32 PM
Post by: jasonditz on September 23, 2006, 12:37:11 PM
Post by: jasonditz on September 23, 2006, 12:38:57 PM
Post by: KnowsNothing on September 23, 2006, 12:47:47 PM
Also, WTF-ton was a huge success, athough it was only called that once on MSN
(Wednesday-Thursday-Friday-ton, all three september press conferences!)
Post by: Hocotate on September 23, 2006, 12:54:35 PM
Post by: MaryJane on September 23, 2006, 12:59:40 PM
Post by: Ceric on September 23, 2006, 02:14:07 PM
Post by: Arbok on September 23, 2006, 03:50:15 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: jasonditz
What about when Perrin made the comment of the Rev being only 2-3 times more powerful than the Gamecube, that caused a pretty big stir.
I agree. I think the biggest issues were (at the time they were announced/happened): how powerful the system was, the name, lack of HD support and the weak showing at E3 2005.
Post by: Adrock on September 23, 2006, 03:55:52 PM
4. Release date - Should be in October or at the very least before PS3.
3. No WiFi until next year - it's free................ but wait until next year. It kind of sucks that we know next to nothing about their online structure outside of the Wii channels too. Friend lists? Rankings? Come on, Nintendo.
2. Complete and utter lies - No DVD playback. Smash Bros. sequel at launch. Metroid Prime 3 at launch. I'm sure there are more.
1. Controller woes - The price = outrageous. No rumble in the analog stick attachment yet it still costs $20 even though it's pointless without the freehand controller. Almost no info on the classic controller which isn't a shell at all. Compatibility between classic controller and GCN controller. From what I've gathered, GCN controllers can be used in Wii games supposedly (no concrete info, just a passing comment from Masahiro Sakurai), but the classic controller can't be used for GCN games. Why don't we know?
Post by: Blue Plant on September 23, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Post by: wandering on September 23, 2006, 05:58:29 PM
Quote
Interesting post, except I don't really think most of those are "problems" anymore.
Kind of goes to show how it's a good thing Nintendo doesn't really listen to its fans, huh?
Quote
The price = outrageous.
I agree with you there, adrock. As for your other points....not so much.
Post by: Stimutacs Addict on September 23, 2006, 07:26:46 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: pap64
with all major GC releases being canceled, the Gamecube is pretty much dead, leaving it without a swan song of a game.
oh who cares; If those games came out on GCN people would be so adjusted to Wii that they would complain that the game wasn't released on Wii.
Seriously, you could have been playing Melee all this time to step up your smash game (there are tournaments in almost every state and the smash community is relatively accepting of new players)
or playing one of many fabulous DS titles
or finishing some GameCube games (I'm guilty of it too; I have yet to finish Killer7, haven't even started Baten Kaitos or Tales of Symphonia, and I LOST my copy of Paper Mario 2!!)
or saving money for Wii.
p's out
Post by: Viewtiful mario on September 23, 2006, 10:04:47 PM
1:
Quote
Nintendo promised it would be released Fall 2005. But suddenly, the game was delayed till March 2006 in order to add some more levels and polish the game even further. Months later, we learned that they had delayed the game once more in order to enhance it for Nintendo's new console.
GANNON-BANNED!!!! http://www.gannon-banned.com/
Quote
24. Claiming Twilight Princess was delayed until April 2006:
This stems from a mistake based on a quote from an "official" spokesperson, as well as an "official" publication which lost all credibility in a single, swift stroke. First, Perrin Kaplan stated in the original delay announcement that Twilight Princess was pushed to 2006, and that it would not come out before March 31st, 2006. She said Nintendo would announce a release date sometime after that. Additionally, Club Nintendo, a pathetic attempt at an official Mexican Nintendo Magazine, published some "exclusive"interview with Reggie Fils-Aime that claimed Twilight Princess was coming out in April. This was the same interview that said a Zelda movie was coming out, which was untrue, and made several people, including myself, look stupid for reporting it. Even some people still think this interview is legit, such as Kotaku who reported on that fan film trailer and mentioned my update in their news item. This lie then spread like wild fire, and GameFAQs morons helped spread the damage. Thus, until April 2006 passed, fans still believed the game was coming out in April. Even after Miyamoto and Reggie confirmed it wouldn’t be out until Fall 2006.
April/March are basecly so close togther you can't say "i didn't say It would come out in april"
2:
Quote
This caught many fans by surprise, as not only were they expecting the console to be around 200 dollars, the price of the controllers is too much for some.
well then it was everyones foult for beleving all the crap about it being 200, 215 or even the bull about it being 170. So you have no one to blame for that but yourselves.
Post by: Polyethylene on September 24, 2006, 01:26:19 PM
Post by: zakkiel on September 24, 2006, 03:05:27 PM
Post by: IceCold on September 24, 2006, 03:38:40 PM
Post by: Khushrenada on September 24, 2006, 08:39:56 PM
Quote
I think their BIGGEST mistake is to not launch with an Onyx Wii beside the Pearl Wii.
Finally, someone focusing on the real issue here. Man, I have not had a problem with the Wii or anything about it until this Sept. 14th conference.
That's when I learned what was shown at E3 2005 and talked about then would not happen. I was happy and ready to buy a Wii just from what little they showed at that press conference alone. That console looked amazing. Jet black is where it's at. The other colors seemed alright but black is the best.
Then they started showing these white rooms and the white console once they unveiled the remote. Then, they'd only show white. Oh, don't worry they said. We're planning on releasing the black and white consoles only at launch. Ok, I said. Sounds fine.
Meanwhile, Twilight Princess is delayed. Nothing big. They made a promise to release it on Gamecube and they are sticking to the promise. Speculation about what Wii games there could be. Then rumors start going out about Wii control for TP. It keeps growing as it is found out, slowly but surely, that, yes indeed, TP has Wii controls. It will be released same day as Wii. There will be two seperate versions.
E3 2006. Wow, look at all these Wii games. Man, Nintendo has quite the lineup in the works. Wait, where was Smash Bros.? Oh, they fooled us. Great trailer. Too bad the game is coming out in 2007. Oh well. Following the news, we knew it hadn't even started development until after the E3 05 conference. Not a surprise. Mario looks great. Probably won't make launch. But at least we'll get to play that Paper Mario game to hold us over. And Metroid looks to be shaping up real well.
Time passes. Game speculation and rumours. Price is to be lower than $250. Reports of Gamecube games being moved. Finally, it all comes to down to the press conference. Sept. 14. A day that will live in infamwii.
There will be no Metroid at launch. Smash Bros. was long delayed. What happened to the Camelot RPG or Crystal Chronicles sequel? Who knows, they won't be available at launch either. That's right. All games we mentioned at E3 05 won't be here at launch.
Hey, remember that black console that we waved around and wowed you with. The color we promised we'd launch with along with a white console. Well, we don't. White only.
By the way, the console will cost $249.99. Look at that. One cent below $250. Why didn't we just say that was the price way back then? I don't know. I guess we wanted to get some expectations that it wasn't that price and would be more than one cent below that figure.
But hey, guess what? Remember that Gamecube game? Uh, Twilight Princess. Yeah, that's our launch title. But if you were hoping for something that was built for the Wii, I guess we'll throw in Excite Truck.
What's that? You think you'll skip the launch of the Wii because you were hoping for different games to be there, plus you think you'll wait for the black console and an inevitable price drop instead? What are you going to do in the meantime? Play Gamecube games? Ha! Forget it. We moved all the Gamecube games to the Wii. That way, we can delay launching actual Wii titles until we have launched all our old Gamecube games. And you'll have nothing to play unless you buy our console now. Yeah, I know we kept promoting them as reasons to keep your Gamecube and signs that we were still going to support your perseverance with the system. Heck, we even game them release dates. That was great.
You see, in the end, it all goes back to that black console. Back then, it was everything we wanted it to be. It had a great look. People were still loving the name. TP was supposed to be released on the Gamecube. It was going to have Metroid and Smash Bros. at launch. Next chapters of Mario and Donkey Kong and Zelda were on the way. This was something.
But now, we have a white console with a name that still drives some people nuts with a game that was supposed to be released a year ago for a different system as it's launch title (shades of Kameo, though Kameo was longer wait). I guess it's so that they can attract the non-gamers. And now some wait, with not much to do this fall. There wasn't much needed to keep me on board but it was enough to cause to cause me to fall off.
Post by: Adrock on September 24, 2006, 08:58:33 PM
Like I said, complete and utter lies. For all the planning and secrecy Nintendo has been known for, why can't they settle a damn release date for any of their titles? Don't tell me Prime 3 isn't making launch, then it is, then it's suddenly not. What the hell is that?
Post by: King of Twitch on September 24, 2006, 09:23:29 PM
Anytime they annouce a release date more than 6-8 months in advance, or give blanket statements as to what they'll be annoucing in a future trade show -- know that they are probably lying.
Post by: jasonditz on September 24, 2006, 09:39:20 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: zakkiel
I like how only Nintendo fans refer to game delays as "lies." Have any of you ever followed the development of any Blizzard game? HL2? Pretty much every big PC game?
It's because Nintendo didn't used to do that for the most part. When Yamauchi-era Nintendo said something, you could take it to the bank that it was what was going to happen. In the last few years, Nintendo's PR wing has been full of empty promises. No more than Blizzard or Sony, granted. But Nintendo used to have a much higher standard in that regard... now they're as full of shit as everybody else.
Post by: IceCold on September 24, 2006, 10:21:44 PM
QuoteDon't tell me you've already forgotten how many games were delayed in the 64 era. And it's the same situation here; all the games will still be released, and they'll be much better off for it. And, even better, they're staggered so we'll have a constant stream of amazing titles. Nintendo will benefit from this in the long run.
It's because Nintendo didn't used to do that for the most part. When Yamauchi-era Nintendo said something, you could take it to the bank that it was what was going to happen
QuoteI've said this before and I can't believe anyone is still whining about this. That $250 "estimate" was from a Japanese meeting or conference. They announced the ceiling price in Yen, and someone converted it to a rough American estimate. Then, through the almighty power of the Internet, the price spread and everyone got their hopes up for it being $200. Or $100. Or free. Whatever. The point is, in Japan the actual price converts to about $210 US, which is well below the ceiling. As far as I remember, Nintendo never discussed the price in North America.
By the way, the console will cost $249.99. Look at that. One cent below $250. Why didn't we just say that was the price way back then? I don't know. I guess we wanted to get some expectations that it wasn't that price and would be more than one cent below that figure.
I agree with you that black should have been offered for launch. For everything else, just give it a rest. Especially the strength of the launch lineup, which has no right to be judged so unfairly. It's one of the best launches in recent memories. And, to top it off, all those other games you were anticipating will come later on, polished and ready.
Post by: RiskyChris on September 24, 2006, 11:08:07 PM
$60 for a controller isn't OMGOUTRAGEOUS, it's at best a bit of an inconvenience. Aren't 360 controllers $50?
Post by: jasonditz on September 25, 2006, 10:24:30 AM
My complaint isn't towards the development teams and their development cycles, those appear largely unchanged. It's the PR department that appears to have changed, and I have a big problem with it. Whenever they rattle off a list of things to come you can count on the fact that at least half of it will be flat out untrue. They announced a game as a launch title before development had even started on it, for Christsakes. That's not okay by any stretch of the imagination.
Nintendo's not "full of shit" because they delay games... they're full of shit because their PR department appears to have no grounding in reality, and feel that it's perfectly ok to promise all sorts of things that even they must realize the development teams can't possibly deliver.
Post by: Khushrenada on September 25, 2006, 11:15:59 AM
The truth is, I'm still not completely convinced that it is the best launch. I'm not a big Zelda fan so having that as a launch title isn't an instant buy for me. I liked the Gamecube's launch actually. Rogue Squadron was a must have. Bought that with the console. I got Pikman soon after. Same with Sonic Adventure 2. It is the best 3d Sonic game despite what people say and it can be quite fun. Plus, there was Smash Bros. released real soon also. They also had a black console also, if you didn't feel like purple.
With the Wii, there is nothing that really stands out as a purchase at the moment. Yes, there's a lot I'd like to try but nothing that I'd take on blind faith. The only other thing that bugs me is that since I am skipping out on the Wii launch, I have nothing to play on the Gamecube like I thought I would. I guess my DS collection will benefit instead.
Post by: Rhoq on September 25, 2006, 11:35:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Caliban
I think their BIGGEST mistake is to not launch with an Onyx Wii beside the Pearl Wii.
Thank you.
Post by: Adrock on September 25, 2006, 11:57:21 AM
My problem is when Nintendo flat-out lies about game releases when they know there's absolutely no way a game will be finished in time. Metroid Prime 3 is debatable. I think the game would have been finished by November, but Retro is adding online multiplayer. Super Smash Bros Brawl, on the other hand, didn't even have a development team until late last year. The average game takes roughly 18 months to develop. Even if you want to believe that the Smash was supposedly Melee with online multiplayer (before Masahiro Sakurai was asked to helm Brawl), it wouldn't have made launch anyway because there are no Nintendo WiFi games for Wii this year.
And I'd say Dreamcast had the best launch, even if it didn't take long for the game to fizzle out after that.
Post by: Viewtiful mario on September 25, 2006, 12:34:39 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on September 25, 2006, 12:36:51 PM
On the N64 we didn't care as much because expectations were established early on and things didn't really get much worse. After about a year everyone knew that owning an N64 meant weak third party support, large periods of time between major titles, and major titles getting delayed for more polish. That was a bummer but those that stuck around were willing to deal with it and it never really got worse until a few months before the Cube came out. Nintendo made mistakes but you could trust them.
On the Cube however things got worse as time passed and more and more promises got broken. Not all of these were Nintendo's fault. Third parties cancelled games, delayed them, ported them to other consoles when they were annouced as exclusives, etc. Nintendo didn't do to well either as games like "Mario 128" disappeared, Zelda got moved to the Wii, second party relationships were severed, and one of the first things Nintendo did was show us a quick Zelda movie one year and then revealed a completely different looking Zelda game the next. Let's not forget they literally LIED about online plans for the Cube, talking about vague plans that would appear at a future date for over a year into the Cube's life until they revealed they had no intention on going online with the Cube at all.
So can we believe anything? It seems every time we had faith in something in the Cube we got let down. I don't think we trust Nintendo as much as we used to so when something happens that wasn't planned we've started to think that maybe they're trying to dupe us. Thus when they delay a game they're now "full of sh!t". Now I don't think that's going to be the case everytime but there's no credibility anymore.
And regarding the top five I wouldn't say those aren't issues anymore. We just got tired of complaining about something Nintendo isn't going to address anyway. If the Wii sells like crap all of those will be fresh again as people try to decide why things didn't go that well. When the Cube started flopping everything that got complaints before was revisited.
Post by: Arbok on September 25, 2006, 01:56:49 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Adrock
Delays are fine. An unfinished game should never be rushed to market. Some games show more than others. Super Smash Bros Melee's magnetism ledge grab is evidence enough that the game could have used a few more weeks of tweaking.
I swear if one more person alludes to SSBM being rushed I'm going to snap...
Every game has glitches and other things. SSBM's are more wide spread because (surprise, surprise) it's pretty much the only near launch game for any of the current systems that people to this day continue to play and, as a result, continue to discover different aspects of it, such as wave dashing.
Post by: Adrock on September 25, 2006, 04:14:09 PM
Regardless, that's not even the point at all. Nintendo lied about the next Smash being available for launch, whether one sees it as Brawl or online Melee. Announcing a game's release, at the very least, suggests it's actually in development. Technically, there was no "delay" since the game was never going to make launch in the first place. The problem is that Nintendo is earning a reputation of straight up lying and Brawl is but one example of this. DVD playback? Not that I'm dying inside; it just stings a bit more that it was promised then quietly taken away.
You may snap if you want to, now.
Post by: Kairon on September 25, 2006, 05:36:52 PM
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: willie1234 on September 25, 2006, 05:59:39 PM
Post by: Stimutacs Addict on September 25, 2006, 06:33:49 PM
except Yoshi.. his tiny dinosaur arms.. yea. sucks to be yoshi.
that's the way the game is played. and don't insult it again or im going to beat you up.
Post by: SixthAngel on September 25, 2006, 08:41:03 PM
Most of these points seem like nonissues. The only real one seems to be price but I don't see this one having much of an effect due to it still being far below the competition.
Post by: jasonditz on September 26, 2006, 06:42:57 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Adrock
And I'd say Dreamcast had the best launch, even if it didn't take long for the game to fizzle out after that.
It was certainly remarkably deep. 5 first party launch titles, and 7 more within the next 3 months.
And third party support... Soul Calibur at launch? Resident Evil: Code Veronica in the launch window... nobody else touched that this generation... nobody looks like they're going to touch that in the generation that's upcoming.
Post by: Ian Sane on September 26, 2006, 07:37:39 AM
Post by: IceCold on September 26, 2006, 08:20:07 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane - September 22, 2006
"MS and Sony just insist upon choking dates out of developers because it makes it look like their consoles will have more games."
Wait, isn't that good marketing? Why isn't Nintendo doing that?
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane - September 26, 2006
One thing that does suggest Nintendo lying about release dates is Zelda's prominent position in the launch lineup. When it was annouced as being moved to the Wii alarm bells went off. Immediately there was suspicion that the Wii launch didn't cut the mustard and thus a Cube game had to be ported to the Wii to pick up the slack. At E3 it seemed that Zelda was just a little extra help and that they actually had a full enough lineup even without it. But now we find out that Zelda was moved for exactly the reason that was suspected. That does make it seem pretty likely that Nintendo was lying about the release dates at E3 to try to make things look better than they are.
Post by: couchmonkey on September 26, 2006, 09:30:02 AM
There's also the possibility that Nintendo is putting games off to fill in gaps next year. I'm 99% sure that Wario Ware could be released at launch, it's not like it's a tough game to develop. But Nintendo has been saying all along that it will not allow another post-launch drought like it did with GameCube, and with Ubisoft releasing eight games in 2006, Nintendo figured, "Let's let the third parties have a piece of the pie this year and make sure that we have a constant string of new games next year."
Seriously, the final launch lineup is anything but weak, you've got Zelda, Excite Truck, and at least 8 promising third party games. But the real kicker is that instead of twiddling our thumbs until next Christmas, Nintendo is offering us these games for the first half of '07:
Wario Ware
Super Mario Galaxy
Project HAMMER
Disaster: Day of Crisis
Batallion Wars ii
Super Mario Strikers
Metroid Prime III: Corruption
And possibly:
Donkey Kong Bongo Blast
Super Paper Mario
A few of those will probably be delayed, but that is still going to be a sweet first half. And that's without even mentioning third parties.
Post by: jasonditz on September 26, 2006, 10:04:59 AM
Post by: Hocotate on September 26, 2006, 10:31:06 AM
Post by: Kairon on September 26, 2006, 11:03:04 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Hocotate
Also, if Ninty puts out too many big games at launch, third party's sales will be horrible. If you could get Mario, Metroid, and Zelda at launch, would you even bother to buy any third party games?
QFT.
But the question is, when should we expect Metroid and Wario Ware in the US?
Isn't January a bit of a dead period? Or does the shopping fervor extend right through January and February?
Should Metroid Prime 3 be delayed until February or March to give it meaningful polish time AND give it enough breathing room to be a distinct "Hey look at me second launch of Wii!" thing? And where does that put Warioware?
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: jasonditz on September 26, 2006, 11:41:28 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Hocotate
I think spacing out the key, big titles is a smart move. If Metroid, Mario, and Zelda were all ready for launch like they were suspected to be, I think that would be too much of a good thing. Hype wise, they would cancel each other out and sales might not be as high as they could be. Spacing them out gives each big game a time to shine. Also, if Ninty puts out too many big games at launch, third party's sales will be horrible. If you could get Mario, Metroid, and Zelda at launch, would you even bother to buy any third party games?
On the other hand, if you don't find any of those third party titles particularly appealing, and you're left looking at Zelda and nothing else like I am, you might not buy a system at launch at all.
They need games to sell systems... if you're artificially weakening your software lineup by holding back completed titles, you run the risk people are going to get tired of waiting and either forget about it (like those people who were looking for Xbox 360's in December and then didn't get one in April when the supply was finally there), or worse, buy a competitor's system (and the 360 appears to be in ample supply at this point).
Nintendo is not in such a powerful position that they can afford to sandbag.
Post by: Spak-Spang on September 26, 2006, 11:58:16 AM
The first half of 2007 indeed does look strong...and as I said before I predict a Nintendo First Party Wii game a month for the entire 2007 year...with maybe one or two months skipped.
Seriously though, if you are complaining about the launch lineup, then I want to know how much money you have available at launch...because already there are more than enough amazing games available at launch. And you still have virtual console games. And Controllers to Buy. And Nintendo DS games to buy. I think Nintendo is protecting its properties with more strategic launches.
Post by: Spak-Spang on September 26, 2006, 12:03:54 PM
Madden 2007 Unique Wii version
Rayman Rabbid Rabbits
Zelda
Excite Truck
Red Steel
Tony Hawk Downhill Jam
Super Monkey Ball: Bananna Blitz
Trauma Center: Second Opinion
That is just off the top of my head. Yeah, it appears to be a very weak launch indeed.
7-8 games that I can't experience anywhere else...and you can argue the entire launch lineup is something you can only experience on the Wii.
Post by: Ian Sane on September 26, 2006, 12:08:47 PM
I'm in the same boat. I wouldn't buy a Wii at launch even if I won the lottery because to me there's no point. I wouldn't be able to find much to do with it anyway. But my lack of purchase makes no difference. There's enough interest from fanboys and hardcore gamers to sell out the initial stock. The real issue is afterwards when "real" people are buying the console. That's when the games have to come out.
The only problem I see with the current launch lineup is the potential lousy first impression it might make. Nintendo is trying to sell us on a new control scheme and their flagship title is a Cube game? That might make the remote look like a novelty, particularly when the same game with normal controls is available for a direct comparison. Zelda vs Zelda is going to be a hot topic from December 11 onwards. Every gaming site or mag is going to have an article like that.
The DS is successful but opinion on the merits of the touchscreen is still mixed and I think a big reason for that is because the first impression of it was a port that didn't control as well as the original setup. It's actually really bizarre that Nintendo is doing the "traditional game shoehorned into new control scheme" routine for BOTH of their new systems.
Post by: ShyGuy on September 26, 2006, 12:14:21 PM
Post by: couchmonkey on September 26, 2006, 12:33:14 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on September 26, 2006, 12:45:43 PM
I am sort of interested in some of those games (Excite Truck looks like a lot of fun for example) but it takes more than just some decent titles to persuade me to drop $250 not including the extra costs for extra controllers and games. There's got to be that game that pushes me over the edge that I HAVE to buy the new console for. I would consider those other titles to be supporting games. They're the games you buy once you have the console but aren't worth buying the console for. That's the difference between a killer app and just some game. Right now Zelda is the big title on the Wii being pushed as a killer app.
Post by: jasonditz on September 26, 2006, 01:33:12 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: ShyGuy
I think you're one of the few people that still has a mixed opinion of the touch screen, Ian. Oh, and I'm sure your Mom, your Dad, and your brother have mixed opinions as well.
Well, Ian agreed with me earlier, so I guess I gotta agree with him now.
The touch screen has been a mixed blessing, to me. Well, not so much the touch screen but the attempts to make it coexist with the standard controls.
There've been some great DS games that used just the standard controls, there have been some great DS games that used just the touch screen, but pretty much every time a game has attempted to mesh the two, it's been... I dunno... awkward.
I want my touchscreen games to be touchscreen games, and I want my traditional games to be traditional games. And god forbid the twain should ever meet.
Post by: ShyGuy on September 26, 2006, 01:44:10 PM
Post by: Galford on September 26, 2006, 01:59:53 PM
That game will decide if I buy the Wii.
Now that it's been pushed back, I'll wait till it comes out.
I also REFUSE to spend money on the Wii version of Zelda.
TP will be my last GC game.
PS - Baiten Kaitos Origins is in stores tomorrow.
Post by: jasonditz on September 26, 2006, 02:00:25 PM
It's not that it's impossible to do, it's just very uncomfortable, and really unneccesary.
Post by: Ian Sane on September 26, 2006, 02:55:09 PM
One of the most annoying is New Super Mario Bros. Damn near flawless game but if I want that stored power-up to fall down I have to whip out the stylus and tap it. Why? What possible reason is there for it to be designed that way when the game otherwise doesn't use the stylus at all? It's just forced usage to try to sell a concept as being useful in situations where it isn't.
Post by: ShyGuy on September 26, 2006, 02:57:05 PM
Post by: willie1234 on September 26, 2006, 03:18:29 PM
count me in as having no soul
. the rational thing with any console or electronic equipment, is to wait a bit until the hype and price dies down a bit and then get in. the question for me was, will the hype of the Wii be so irresistable that I won't do the rational thing and wait? The answer was no. Price + game availability meant the launch still looked good for Nintendo, but for me I could hold off.I've started to play Viewtiful Joe again as Captain Blue just go get a few more hours out of the cube
Post by: KnowsNothing on September 26, 2006, 03:20:11 PM
Except Tony Hawk. Especially Excite Truck.
Post by: jasonditz on September 26, 2006, 03:27:45 PM
Post by: SixthAngel on September 26, 2006, 05:22:31 PM
Post by: IceCold on September 26, 2006, 06:58:49 PM
QuoteHonestly Ian, for someone who has no problems complaining time and time again how Nintendo consoles never get mature games, it really doesn't look like you have a problem dismissing them if they come out. First, you don't even buy or play RE4, the biggest third party exclusive for the Cube this generation, and a mature title at that.. Then take Red Steel, a perfect example of a mature title, a new IP (which gamers supposedly get giddy over), a game in a genre which is greatly improved by the Wii controls AND a launch title. You act like it doesn't even exist.. What's up?
I'm in the same boat. I wouldn't buy a Wii at launch even if I won the lottery because to me there's no point. I wouldn't be able to find much to do with it anyway.
Post by: Kairon on September 26, 2006, 07:33:31 PM
Very particular. Only mature games made by Nintendo.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Edit: heard you liked the MG:TTS so took out MGS4 from list, replaced it with another Sony game: Heavenly Sword
Post by: IceCold on September 26, 2006, 07:42:39 PM
Post by: Smoke39 on September 26, 2006, 09:45:06 PM
Post by: Kairon on September 26, 2006, 09:48:15 PM
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Smoke39 on September 26, 2006, 11:05:21 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on September 27, 2006, 07:53:15 AM
Red Steel had some big control issues at E3 so I'm waiting for reviews for it.
