Topic: Spak's Editorial

[Spak-Spang]

Sunday, November 19th, 2006

Nintendo will be releasing their new video game system, the Wii.  Nintendo's philosophy was to move gaming to a simpler more natural control format instead of spending money on the latest graphics and sound technology.  It is a big gamble, as if the innovative control does not catch on then Nintendo has nothing to compete with the other systems.

Already, each game reviewed for the Wii is getting the extra critical eye.  First, points are being knocked off for graphical and sound requirements not meeting other next generation systems (the Xbox 360 and PS3) and the new control mechanics are not being judged by their own merit of do they work but by the standard do they work BETTER than traditional gaming controls.  The Wii truly has its odds stacked against it in the eye of the gaming audience.

This is why Nintendo must make a huge impact with their first 3 BIG games.  These games must prove that the controls are in fact as good or better than traditional games and Nintendo (despite lesser graphics) is truly moving gaming to the next level.  These 3 BIG games are Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime: Corruption, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Each of of these games uses traditional/standard game design elements for the most popular style games available.  Metroid=first person shooter, Mario=action platformer, Zelda= action, 3rd person adventure.   These games must hit a home run in the control department and prove Nintendo's gamble was the correct decision.

Will it work?  From all reports I have read Zelda truly does succeed in the control department.  Targeting with Arrows is intuitive and FUN.  And from my personal experience it feels more rewarding than ever.

Mario by most reports works great and adds elements that feel like pointer game play, or something you would see in a DS/touch screen game.  Hopefully Nintendo comes up with an interesting means of controlling the camera in these 3D games.

Finally, I have no doubt that Metroid will be the premier first person shooter for the Wii, and possible the entire genre when it is released.

So what is the future for the Wii, control wise?  I think for almost every type of game Wii can create a great control scheme, but it won't take long for the Wii to feel just like the other consoles.  All the Wii 3rd person games will control similarly, and use the same lessons and control tricks from previous games in the genre.  The same will be true for First Person Shooters and Platformers.  The only games that could have problems with controls could be extreme sports (read trick games) and fighting games.  Yet, Nintendo or other developers may be able to find a means around this.

The fact is, Nintendo's destiny is in their own hands.  If they can create the experiences we are dreaming are possible with the Wii, then it will succeed, and show other developers how it is done.  If Nintendo fails then this gaming revolution and motion based controls may be canceled for future consoles.

[IceCold]

Good editorial. I agree that 3rd parties will follow Nintendo's lead. Look at Super Mario 64; it's the blueprint that developers followed religiously. By showing everyone how it's done with its high-profile titles, we can expect that third parties will catch on, and release quality games in the future. I'm especially impressed with Zelda, and how they translated a GameCube games to Wii controls seamlessly, judging by reviews. I have no doubt that Super Mario Galaxy will be THE game to own for the Wii. Even though it doesn't necessarily push the control scheme, it will show that traditional games like platformers can be done well, even better, on the Wii.

However, these are all "traditional" games. It's great if Nintendo and third parties can pull these off well, but I really think that the Wii will break out with a more unorthodox game. Something like Brain Training or Nintendogs. It will be something that uses the controller to the fullest extent, is radically different and may even create its own genre.

[BlkPaladin]

Some say that will be Wii Sports and Wii Play (if they release it in the US). I'm currenly in the middle of writting my "little" rant. If anyone remembers when I do my little editorials there are far from little. But I will keep is a .doc file and host it on my site, and contain a link in my post so all you have to do is right click save target and read at your discression. The last two times I did this I had complaints about the size of it even when I broke it up so  I will keep the posting area clean with this.

[IceCold]

Hmm, I'd like to read your other ones - can you please post a link?  

[BlkPaladin]

While they were one the Gamecube board which have expired since I wrote them and unfortantly I lost both when the hard drive I had them decided to eat itself. (I lose more data that way....) I sould be able to keep this on my website, unless I run out of space.

Oh and I covered some things that will not exactly endure myself to Sony fanboys. (It about some games if you don't have 720p resolution with your TV the PS3 forces you to use 480p. Now just use your imagination with what I said about the graphics )

[Spak-Spang]

IceCold:

Thanks IceCold.

I have been focused recently on looking at genres and deciding if Nintendo would have a harder time developing that genre for Wii or easier.  I came to the conclusion that despite popular belief, that almost any genre can actually be made more engaging and easier to play on the Wii than any other system.

Grand Theft Auto is a perfect example.  The game blends driving, shooting 3rd person adventuring and many more elements into the game.

Using the Wii remote as a pointer for your gun, and as camera control, much like Red Steel uses it.  You can literally run and gun with extreme accuracy...or how about drive and gun with that equaled control.  It is possible.  

I do believe standards for how Wii should control will be established, but those standards won't keep original game design from being created.  And I am curious to see how it all comes down in the end.