Where did the Wii go wrong?

[Lazzi]

Whos is to say that the Wii went wrong (I <3 alliteration).

Its rather apperant that you seem to belive that the Wii has compleltly degraded simply becuase you no longer find so much enjoyment in it as you would expect. Simply becuase you dont have that intial attraction that you previously had, doesnt mean the nintendo has derailed its self.

 

[Dahemo]

The Wii hasn't gone wrong--the Wii was never designed for the hardcore gamers; it was designed for casual gamers and for people who haven't really gamed before and aren't into the kind of games on the PS3 or Xbox. So in that respect, the Wii has done exactly what Nintendo set out to do with it, and Nintendo is laughing all the way to the bank while hardcore gamers cry about how the Wii sucks.

I agree with this completely, you haven't bought a hardcore gaming platform, you've bought an 'entertainment' centric package, which I actually have a lot of time for after my pre-release scepticism. You can't ask it to be something it's not, and while there are good games out there for the console, you're essentially saying it has failed you, which is an arguable point but as a console it has succeeded on a previously unknown scale, thus making you criticism somewhat invalid...

Now YOU are a smart cookie. It's true, the Wii was advertised as a family-centric console and thus it's going to have a lot of multiplayer and E-rated games. How can it fail if it's hitting it's target dead on? "You can't ask it to be something it's not" You nailed it right on the head. You, sir, deserve a glomp *glomp*

Thankyou, although I'm a bit lost on how to respond to being "glomped". Anyhow, it's nice to see others with a similar viewpoint, but I do understand where the Wii's detractors are coming from, there is one of the largest concentrations of shovelware I've ever witnessed on any console, though I think it's unfair to bracket the DS here also, I could easily pick out 50 worthwhile titles for the DS (whether I could do the same with the Wii is another matter).

This approach to games production by Nintendo and its third parties is infuriating to those of us who have become discerning in our game tastes, but financially you have to admire the strategy, as Nintendo consoles are notorious for fielding far too few titles, especially when compared to the Sony machine of the period: N64 and PSX, GC and PS2, and the trend needed bucking. That they've approached the problem from a more profit-centric stand point should disappoint those who've valued the artistic legacy Nintendo have accumulated (myself included, Shigeru Miyamoto could well be the greatest game designer who has ever lived) but in the current economic and gaming climate (corner a market, milk it dry) we should not be surprised...

 

[Lazzi]

the wii didnt go wrong...i think its perfect =) i luv it <333333333333333

Well you have just revealed you age. Come back when you have pubes.

That was acctuly rather crule and uncalled for...

 

[j.c.]

The Wii WAS going wrong from the third party games
The Wii IS going right purely on the shoulders of MadWorld.
/thread.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

The fact that it is a gimmick using horribly dated tech is probably where it went wrong. To make the most of it all you can do is make millions of rhythem games.
Sadly, it hasn't really gone wrong. It's sold 50 million and doesn't seem to be significantly slowing down. However, Nintendo have shot themselves in the foot for their next console, as the audience they have this time around will not buy another console as they are happy with just one. Plus, no bluray and with net speeds not being up to scratch, downloading games doesn't seem realistic. They may have won the battle, but not the war.

I didn't think it would take long for you to swan in here with your trolling and implications of future proofing or lack of.

We've been through this before. The generation of children that have bought the console now, will be more likely to buy the next console if they thoroughly enjoyed it. http://gameoverthinker.blogspot.com/2009/02/episode-nineteen-third-way.html (Obviously that link isn't bible, far from it, but it has some truth to it)

You keep implying that without Blu-Ray, neither microsoft or Nintendo's consoles can succeed. At the end of the day, Nintendo could just use Dual-Layered DVDs, what stops them from doing that? The net speeds can be fixed easily, and you know this. They made a conscious choice to forego advanced engine technology for advanced motion sensing technology, and it paid off for them.

Trolling is not using facts and coming to a logical conclusion. Trolling is however not using facts and screaming troll at anyone who you disagree with.
Dual layer DVDs are too small for games at the moment (check out Rage), therefore next generation games will not fit on dual layer DVDs.
The only other options would be either cartridges, which would seem a step backward and costly, bluray or media downloading. The latter is not at the moment feasble and won't be for a long time.
Net speeds can be 'fixed' but that will take time, and is not down to the game companies but to ISPs. Getting everywhere capable of highspeed internet & then also paying for it is a lot to ask and far from being done. If a console was based on a net connection, it instantly cuts out a large part of the potential customers. And in no way is it advanced motion sensors. It's bloody IR, so it is exceptionally dated. It has paid off for them but the audience they have now will not want to buy another console, such as the bored houswives because they will be happy with the wii until it breaks. They don't care about graphics or gameplay, so would not be interested in a console that provides essentially the same games with better graphics or gameplay. It isn't getting long term customers, but one off consumers.
As for the kids that play it, as they grow up, they will grow out of the shovelware and minigames of the wii and want something with more substance, such as the games provided on the PC, PS3 and 360.

Calling the Wii a gimmick is not a fact, it is an opinion, just like much of what you have said is opinion, not fact.

You say that dual layer DVDs are too small for games at the moment, but Rage is one of few games that would be too costly to put onto multiple dual layer DVDs.

The majority of the 360 games that are on dual layer DVDs are on a single Dual layer DVD, so what stops the Wii's successor from having the processing power of the 360? Would the games that are being developed for it not have enough space on a disc? I think the majority of them would. Very few things could stop them from using dual layered DVD format.

Also couple the motion sensing technology within the remote with the motion plus peripheral and the tech is advanced further. Granted I am not saying that it is years ahead of anything else, but it is still advanced.

As for the children, I believe as they own the console, they will grow into the first party efforts, and the better quality titles of the Wii. Then out of brand loyalty, they would be more likely to buy the Wii's successor. After all, that is how people behaved with the NES,SNES, N64, and so on. Also I am talking about those children growing up. Granted the PS3 may still be around, but the 360 and Wii will have a successor.

 

[megapenguinx]

It didn't go wrong.
None of it's games suit your tastes, oh well. It does have good games you just have to look. And remember you can't always trust customer reviews because consumers are retarded. Seriously go look on the Amazon forums and you'll see what I mean.
I'm sick of everyone saying the Wii is a failure when it's not. It expanded the market and in my eyes that's a good thing.

 

[Grimm91]

Wii has not "gone wrong" it is actually gone quite right. IF you are saying that Wii made a mistake with the motion sense, then you are blaming a midget for being short.

 

[Moormur]

twilight princess? ok it was...average but i don't think anyone who considers themselves a serious gamer would own only a Wii. Sure a lot of people buy them just for the novelty and the fact that they are a lot cheaper than the other 2 consoles but i think Nintendo is really looking at the younger casual audience than the older serious alternative.

Wow. Way to be incredibly condescending. You certainly showed me your maturity by lumping all Wii users into a single, absolute group.

I am a serious gamer. I own a Wii and a 360. To date, the only games I have purchased for my 360 are Halo 3 (of which I have only played the multiplayer), Mirror's Edge (which was incredible), Switchball from the XBLA, and Lego Indy (which came with the console). That comes to a whoping 4. On the other hand, I have purchased Super Mario Galaxy, Geometry Wars, Guiter Hero III & World Tour, Call of Duty WaW, Medal of Honor Heroes 2, Metroid Prime: Corruptions, Super Metroid (download), Boom Blox, Super Monkey Ball, Sonic and the Secret Rings, de Blob, and Tiger Woods '08 for my Wii. That's more than 4. Should I add that I play them more than my 360 games (the Wii oh so kindly lets me know how long I have played). I should add that I am well out of the 'younger, casual audience' and very serious about the games I pick to play. I look for different challanges than the "point here and click shoot" that the 360 and the PS3 offer. I also don't feel the need to stuff as much blood and gore on the screen as possible. I want a game that is fun, plain and simple. If you want to call me immature or 'preadolescent' (which is a flatout factual fallacy) go ahead.

But the Wii offers experiences that none of the other consoles of this generation do. And it's only getting better now that companies are mastering programing for the Wii's controls.

 

[Therumancer]

Well I think the Wii was an experiment that paid off. It was created by a company that has basically been getting pwned for the last few generations of console wars. They basically came up with a motion sensing gimmick, and put it into some low-end hardware to see what they could accomplish. I sort of suspect the Wii was a kind of tech demo originally so they could sell the Wiimote technology to other game companies for the next generation up given the rather less tham impressive performance of systems like Siraxis.

Simply put the Wii isn't powerful enough as a system to do much in the way of serious gaming. It can't create the graphics, or track that many variables going on.

Truthfully if Nintendo knew it was going to take off like this I suspect they would have gone after BOTH the casual and hardcore market, but they decided to grab what success they have and run with it since they desperatly need the money.

I also expect that this is why the Wii has been in realtively short supply, Nintendo doesn't want to overproduce the console and wind up with a bunch of unmoved units. They
have been very gradually shipping them out to meet the need.

As far as decent games in general, the Wii *DOES* have some decent stuff. "No More Heroes" and "Zelda" are both decent. They also have their "House Of The Dead" lightgun games, Madworld, Smash Brothers, and a few failed attempts like the Soul Calibur game which was a novel idea, but implemented badly. But yeah, it's got far more casual and kiddie titles, especially seeing as the market for those games don't expect huge amounts of graphics technology or playability.

I anticipate that for the next round we'll see the Wiimote technology attached to a more powerful system and more "serious" games developed as a result.

Also keep in mind that kiddie/casual games are "safe" territory right now. Nobody has the guts to really go head to head with the FCC/ESRB/politicians right now. Rockstar backed down, Bethesda freaked out over fan made nudity patches for Oblivion and removed some of the drug content from Fallout 3, etc... Everyone pretty much wants everyone else to risk the money in the legal battle. Nintendo is itself laying low and playing "good boy" their line up generally puts them beyond criticism. "No More Heroes" and Manhunt 2" being like their sole claims so far to any mature gaming (I have no idea about Madworld as I haven't played it).

 

[theeconomy]

It didn't go wrong. Its problem is as soon as the novelty of waving your arm around wore off you realize that there are no real games for it. Mad world is a step in the right direction to attract more hardcore gamers. The balance board is how they keep a new novelty going. But, they are going to have to continue making more and more peripherials (perephials?) to keep the games fresh. By the way nintendo Call of duty 3 what was that?

 

[psyko1]

The Wii is a fine console in it's own right. Unless like me you have bad wrists already. I can only play the games for a little at a time. Shame I loved swingin round the city as spidey... or smashing buildings in rampage. I liked the party games when friends were over. I liked I could use it on some games like a gamepad. Much easier Had to sell it though, but may buy another one. Wife misses Mario Party

 

[SpiritMacardi]

I just noticed another argument present on this thread: lack of decent online multiplayer.

This part comes down to taste, since I personally dislike online play due to being a devout misanthrope. Online modes also don't usually add anything to the story, so there's pretty much nothing to grab the attention of those in search of a good narrative.

The Wii is usually good for face-to-face multiplayer, which I consider to be the better of the two. Of all the fond memories I have of playing games like Bomberman with my friends, I doubt they would have been as fun if there wasn't that personal aspect. There's really no substitute for being able to turn to your best friend in real life and tell him how much he sucks x3

 

[Nostalgia]

The Wii hasn't gone wrong--the Wii was never designed for the hardcore gamers; it was designed for casual gamers and for people who haven't really gamed before and aren't into the kind of games on the PS3 or Xbox. So in that respect, the Wii has done exactly what Nintendo set out to do with it, and Nintendo is laughing all the way to the bank while hardcore gamers cry about how the Wii sucks.

This, pretty much. Nintendo knows what they're doing--appealing to a wide range of old time fans and newcomers in the gaming scene, and getting a huge bang for their buck for doing it. The gimmick of the control scheme, the simple games, and the low price tag all makes it more accessible to those wanting to own a console for the first time.

After their last two consoles, losing their number 1 spot, they didn't want to take anymore chances. I don't like the mass amount of shovelware either, but you know what? If I owned the system, I don't have to buy it. I am not forced to buy it. There is still plenty of good games that you can purchase to make owning the actual console worth it.

It's like people want the Wii to become a 360 or PS3.

 

[Debatra]

Before I say anything else, no, I haven't read any of this topic.

The biggest screwup was naming a console after bodily fluid.

"I'm gonna go play with my 'Wii'."

 

[Xbowhyena]

The Wii hasn't gone wrong, it just never appealed to some gamers. They're not going for many hardcore shooters and other games like Sony and Microsoft had. The controllers and the name are a pretty obvious indicators that this won't be a hardcore console. The Wii has excellent multi player games and decent online, a good combo for free online. Plus the watered down graphics of the Wii (compared to Xbox 360 and PS3) aren't bad, but they allow lazier game devs to make games without fear of getting burned on graphics... normally. Plus they don't effect gameplay at all. A console can't appeal to everyone, and if you try you just start losing people. The Wii has kept with softcore games, the Xbox has continued more hardcore games, and Sony attempts to do both.

 

[Xbowhyena]

Dude I've played with my wii so much my mote is broken ):

 

[lenneth]

The Wii itself isnt the problem the third party developers releasing tons of poorly designed crap are. maybe nintendo shuld put limits on how many titles 3rd party developers can release like in the days of the NES. also nintendo have become lazy and rather than make new installments in the pikmon and mario tennis franchises have just re-released the gamecube ones

 

[Tech Team FTW!]

Everybody here, type into the search box and stop making these threads. -_-

 

[Eri]

I am dismayed that no one has mentioned Okami in this thread.

Okami is not a wii game. Port what?

 

[Jonny The Kay]

When they stopped trying