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Feature: The Wii won, but for how long?

gamepro.com — To fade or not to fade, that is the question.

Who dugg this? Made popular Aug 18, 2007

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  • ari25, on 10/10/2007, -13/+71I love my Wii and it has so much potential. As long as Nintendo gets its act together with games and Online, the Wii will live.
  • dunlop, on 10/10/2007, -20/+68I don't think it will hold out past next year. For me personally the Wii was a waste of $400 (Canada Wii + Zelda), I stopped playing it 2 weeks after purchase and now turn it on to make Mii's for my son. Over 10 months now and every game on it is a GC port, horrible multiconsole port or minigame. The biggest problem for it will be online, Nintendo just refuses to budge and follow the competition (PS3 owners can thank LIVE for PSN and soon to be released HOME, which is good for business).
    The casuals that buy the system will not bring a huge game/attachment rate. Look at the major sales for the Wii and outside of RE4, they are ALL First party titles...and this has always been the case with Nintendo. Third party companies notice this so I see and endless string of mini games that cost peanuts to develop in the Wii's future.
    I'll feel better about my purchase when Mario Galaxy is out, but Bioshock just stole my Metroid Prime money : (
  • badwithcomputer, on 10/10/2007, -16/+57Considering Mario Kart and Mario Galaxy, two serious killer apps if there ever were any, haven't yet been released...I'd say this thing is just getting started.
  • bpapa, on 10/10/2007, -3/+33What an awful article. The jist is - "Some people are saying that the Wii won't be winning for much longer. They are probably right. But, they could be wrong." WTF?!??! No wonder Gamepro hasn't been relevant for over a decade.
  • Ashkc88, on 10/10/2007, -7/+31Whats coming out after Halo3 and MGS4? Just because the games haven't been announced doesn't mean nothing is coming out.
  • OlnyGuy, on 10/10/2007, -5/+28Why the hell do these crappy GamePro articles get dugg?
  • dime, on 10/10/2007, -6/+28So much hate for Nintendo - it's like the fanboys resent the fact that the "glorified gamecube" is continuing to outsell their "next gen" systems by as much as 5 to 1. You'd think everyone would be happy because healthy competition means all the developers have to work harder and put out better products to win our money.

    The more consoles sold = more developers willing to make games. No one thought the Wii would take off like it did. Now, everyone and their mother are scrambling trying to make games. Obviously most of these will be *****, but more games made means the greater probability for brand new AAA franchises.
  • Mewchu11, on 10/10/2007, -2/+21I have to point out the terrible nonsense that is this title. Won is the past tense, if someone has won then the game is over. You can't stop wonning, that makes no sense. The title should be "The Wii is winning, but for how long?"
  • inactive, on 10/10/2007, -1/+19It's amazing how Wii sports kept players busy for some time after launch cause that was a new experience, but then nobody has capitalized on that with a sequel or clone with online support which everyone wants. They are dropping the ball even in their own niche.
  • JDoggqx, on 10/10/2007, -1/+18Even if MS does release a Wiimote like device, it will not be included in the 10 Million+ SOLD consoles. That means it is an add on not a console feature. At that point it might do well, like the PS1 Dual Shock, but it could also turn into a niche product, like the Eye Toy.

    I think this generation will be defined by the question of Online play vs Off line multi player.
  • Rosamilia, on 10/10/2007, -0/+17Online play is definitely going to be a hurdle with the wii. Nintendo really doesn't "get it" when it comes to online play

    I've played a lot of the DS titles online and words can't describe how awful the online play is for Zelda Phantom Hourglass. You'd have a hard time figuring out that it even has online play at the moment, but figure it out you shall when it comes to the US. I really think anyone who considers themselves a Zelda fan would rather it have been omitted from the game because you will be embarrassed when you see just how lame the first online Zelda experience is.
  • inactive, on 10/10/2007, -10/+26"How long can the Wii keep winning, then? The short answer: as long as Nintendo stays on top of its current game (regardless if you like their offering or not) and Microsoft or Sony don't start selling a comparable substitute." - There can be little doubt that M$ has a better version of the Wiimote in the works. And I hope so, I am tired of Nintendo's dragging their feet and sacrificing everything else I love about gaming (next-gen graphics, digital surround sound, online play, demos, etc) for a new controller and the casual game market.

    We needed online play and a headset, they gave casual gamers a glorified scale.
  • grumbel, on 10/10/2007, -4/+18Kind of pointless to declare a winner, when its not even clear that they where in the same race.
  • dunlop, on 10/10/2007, -3/+17I have no doubt there will be a TON of games. The problem is that the Wii's focus of "Casual Frendly" works against them, there will be scores of mini games that cater to this audience. Because of the Wii's well documented lack of horsepower the major third party titles (Gears of War, Bio Shock, MGS or whatever) will always be created on the PS3 or 360 first then ported to the Wii because the game will still sell. A game that is created from the ground up on a Wii outside of minigames is not likely to have a chance of selling on a PS3 or 360. Exclusives are becoming a thing of the past, so I strongly believe it is a wave of minigames and ports in the Wii's future. Plus some kick ass Nintendo made games
  • enivid, on 10/10/2007, -0/+13Isn't the act of winning atemporal and binary? Therefore if the Wii has won, it's done it won! The title should be: "The Wii is winning, but for how long."

    Ugh, digg me down for actually spending time and critiquing some guy's mistake; I feel like a looser now ;(
  • tformed, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10Super Smash Bros. Will heat things up.
  • Doorfingers, on 10/10/2007, -3/+12and metroid
  • daridave, on 10/10/2007, -4/+13+ Online
    + More control options (or add-ons)
    + More games
    + Give us more storage options
    + Start using those damn USB plugs.
    + most importantly, push the system to its limit. We are clearly NOT witnessing the Wii's true power as we speak. Sure 480p may be relatively low, but it's just not about pixels.

    However, I am afraid this won't happen. I've been a fan of Nintendo all my life, but when you hear Miyamoto say something like "I think gamers are not interested in big quests anymore" (referring ot the low sales of Zelda on Wii), I think it's time to hit the alarm button. They are absolutely NOT understand us and it could mean big trouble for them once the real games hit the PS3.
  • pauliem, on 10/10/2007, -3/+12It always annoys me that people complain that all the best titles for Nintendo plaftorms are made by Nintendo. It is simply because Nintendo make excellent games. If Nintendo were making games for other platforms they would likely be amongst the best games on those platforms also. I'd love to see some 3rd partys making some great games, and I am sure they will, for now they are just cashing in, but I reckon there are quality titles in the works.

    I still play Smash Bros every week and it remains one of the best games I have ever played. Games like this are testemant to what Nintendo can produce when they put the effort in. I can't wait until the new one is released.
  • madoc12349, on 10/10/2007, -3/+11I don't care about tacked on last-minute motion sensing controls. I want a good Nintendo exclusive game. Super Smash Bros. Brawl will probably the top selling game for the Wii and how many people will actually be using the motion controls?
    I know I won't.
  • ElectricC0wb0y, on 10/10/2007, -1/+8I want all this stuff too, but Nintendo isn't giving into 'hardcore gamers.' Your kind abandoned the Gamecube last generation. Did you really expect Nintendo to pay attention to you this generation???? Get real. They found a better market.
  • R3Dirkulous, on 10/10/2007, -7/+14damn every comment by you is bashing the wii....is that all you do?
  • R3Dirkulous, on 10/10/2007, -12/+19STFU already
  • jjesusfreak01, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6And it ran on the Gamecube engine. It was a port. You hear that, the best game out for the Wii so far was a port. Granted, they did an awesome job with the Wii controls for the game, and I really enjoyed the 50+ hours I spent on it, but still, if a game can be that good, getting 10/10 reviews with the reviewers critiquing the sound and the graphics, just imagine the next iteration of Zelda for the Wii, not a port, but fully native, looking crisp, clean, and audio that lives up to the legend of zelda, OOT.
  • JayD16, on 10/10/2007, -6/+12Not like I'm saying the Wii will lose or anything but after the 64 and the gamecube "It has Mario and MarioKart" is not going to mean a #1 spot.
  • aurorous, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7Waiting for a killer app? What was Wii sports?

    Love it or hate it: it has drawn in a whole new generation of game players.
  • aurorous, on 10/10/2007, -3/+9"The Wii has a few of which are first party titles with the same old characters."

    And how many games on your list are sequels? Do you even hear yourself? You know how stupid it is for any video game player to bash Nintendo for having nothing but sequels?

    Estvir I'm gonna try to sound exactly like you here it goes: You know most of the players in the new Madden game are the same guys used last year I guess EA isn't very original.

    Yep I succeeded! just like you i didn't make any sense.
  • Shanobi, on 10/10/2007, -2/+8Or like saying there are only so many ways to press button combinations to have fun.

    As for why I bought a Wii, your opinion is way off. Don't tell me why I, or others, have bought one because you aren't in any position to know.

    Oh, and comparing the GB to the PC?

    Sorry, that's way ***** lame. Why not compare the PS1 to the PC? Still playing that PS1?
  • mrfreeziexp, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7That's the thing with the Wii. It seems people keep saying "oh it has potential" but when does that potential translate into actual gameplay?
  • GreyICE, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6You think that $250 is a fixed price that cannot be reduced?
    No.
  • HolyChimp, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Wii's killer app was Wii Sports, not Zelda.
  • Firehed, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Yeah, there's only so many ways to swing a controller around. But I can swing the controller the same way for months if the reason for doing so changes. What's the difference in arm motion between a sword swing and a right hook?

    I bought the Wii under the expectation that it would be innovative. It was. But I also assumed that this innovation would lead to lots of games with new gameplay mechanics that are actually worth playing, which has rarely been the case. If I spend $50 on a game, I want to get more than four hours out of it. EVERY game I've bought that I've really enjoyed has been played more than once. Some dozens of times, for any number of reasons. I got most of the way through Zelda:TP on the Wii and lost interest for some reason or another, and that was a great game most of the time.

    Yes, I want games that are fun to play with family or friends. I also want a good RPG/adventure game that you can play for more than an hour and not get bored as hell, likewise for a shooter. But no, all I get is Warioware: The Great Minigame Adventure.
  • chugger1992, on 10/10/2007, -5/+10intelligent comment if I ever saw one
  • ElectricC0wb0y, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5I doubt it. You actually have to care to tell the difference. I mean, I care, but my parents and girlfriend don't.
  • Ashkc88, on 10/10/2007, -8/+13"they are ALL First party titles...and this has always been the case with Nintendo."
    I agree with everything, except that. Don't you remember the NES and SNES? The system is still kind of in its launch title phase, we'll see more third party games soon, just be patient.
  • obe1kenobi, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6And people are still playing the Gameboy so what's your point.
  • aurorous, on 10/10/2007, -2/+7Game companies have changed their minds. At E3 several companies announced new projects for the Wii. EA admitted they put too many eggs in the PS3 basket expecting it to be the hot product this year. EA in particular took a bath in ps3 games they couldn't sell this year.
  • bpapa, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6That's like saying that there are only so many ways to make a good with good graphics fun.
  • JasonPrini, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6i agree about getting more online play. I really enjoy RE4 and WiiSports, but I'm starting to crave online play more and more
  • lava, on 10/10/2007, -6/+11The thing that people don't realize is that the Wii doesn't have the usual gaming audience. A lot of long time gamers will say, "The Wii doesn't have any games I like, so it's destined to fail", but most wii owners aren't typical gamers. Anyone over 35 who's played mine has said, "whoa, I'm in the future".

    That being said, I'm still waiting for a great wii game. Zelda was freaking amazing, but it's been a long time since then. But once Smash Brothers comes out, that's all I'm ever going to be playing.
  • WiseWeasel, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Mario Strikers has online play... Supposed to be pretty good...
  • bpapa, on 10/10/2007, -3/+8You are 100% correct in that lack of an online strategy isn't hurting the Wii - I mean, any idiot could see that since the Wii is such a huge success right now despite being ***** when it comes to online. However, even though you make a good point, you are getting dugg down because the nerds here who only play games online disagree strongly with you. c'est la vie
  • thinkdifferent, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Except, the critical question with a game system is it's attach rate. The Wii comes with one game, which in many cases is the only game used on the system. If I sell 4 million systems, but only get 4 million game sales, I'm not in good shape. Developers are attracted to a platform not just by the size of the platform, but moreso by the size of those buying games, since that reflects their actual market.

    Even for the platform vendors, most have historically lost money on the console, so selling more consoles isn't the goal. Creating an ecosystem for sales of the far more profitable games & licensing is the goal. Nintendo has done a great job of building up the install base of the Wii, but it remains to be seen if that also creates an ecosystem with market desire beyond the pack in.
  • nyx210, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6Thanks Captain Obvious.
  • HolyChimp, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4360 had Oblivion and Dead Rising within 10 months. Not sure about Gears but it can't have been that much longer.
    PS3 also had Oblivion, and they had Resistance.
  • inactive, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4I dugg you up but you're only a "looser" for not knowing how to spell "loser".
  • SonnyW, on 10/10/2007, -4/+8But that's exactly the problem isn't it? Every Nintendo console since the SNES had to rely almost exclusively on Nintendo's own games. It's not a question if Nintendo will release good games for the Wii, it's a question if third parties will.

    Maybe the initial success of the Wii conviced some of those reluctant game companies and change things this time around, but if it didn't... Let's just say I don't see Nintendo winning this console war through online gaming.
  • ahawks, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5I was/am as big a Nintendo fanboy as any. I camped out on the sidewalk for 16 hours on Nov 18/19 for my Wii.

    However, after Zelda, I just didn't think it had anything to offer me to hold my attention, and I haven't turned it on since the day I beat Zelda. So in that aspect, I would say it is fading.

    However, I am dying for Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, Mario Kart. Those will breath some new life into the console.

    The issue remains though, just like with the GameCube, after the first party titles are spent (mario, zelda, metroid, spinoffs like Kart and Smash Bros), what's left? Where are the GOOD 3rd party titles?
  • Mrstupid7, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5Because that's all Nintendo's fault and not the fault of developers. Especially EA, they ***** suck.
  • grumbel, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6Why did you buy it in the first place? What kind of knowledge did you gain in those two weeks that wasn't known before launch?
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