Last time I was on the can I flipped through the latest issue of Game Informer in which they list the top 50 games of 2008. There were only 2 Wii games on there, I’m sure you already know which 2. For a system with twice the install base of the next closest competitor I would expect it to have more than 4% of the top 50 games of the year.
Maybe later I’ll take a look around line at other “Top Games of 08” lists and see if they are similar…
Since when did classifying something as a “Party Game” constitute a negative? Also, I don’t understand your “attachment” argument at all–any Wii game could work on any other platform, given the right peripherals. That’s really not what we’re arguing, is it? The point is that the Wii grants instant access to these games, and you don’t have to buy additional (and often expensive, did you already forget how much the Dreamcast maracas cost?) controllers to play them.
So yes, “zapper” games can work on any other console, but have you actually played (or even read the reviews for) Time Crisis, which incidentally came with their own IR lightguns? The game was not good, and the lightguns added to the price significantly, and were very cumbersome. And you’re dead wrong about no one wanting to play those games anymore. Umbrella Chronicles has sold north 1 million copies already, and House of the Dead: Overkill is getting rave reviews, and should sell well as too.
As for World of Goo–what does the PC have to do with this? Regardless, I disagree with your statement–the Wii controls work just as well as the PC’s, and certainly well enough as no major review has pointed out any problems with them, from what I’ve read.
I also disagree with Mario Kart being better with the GCN controller. I find it significantly more fun to play with the wheel–the controls were obviously designed around it (seriously, up on the d-pad for stunts on GCN?) and they work damn well–my online rating is usually in the 8k range, so the wheel certainly hasn’t hampered my ability to play. I will grant they in and of themselves won’t make you better at the game, but who cares? I play games to have fun, not necessarily be the best at them (even though that often happens anyway, seeing as I play them for a living.
And are you seriously asking how Metroid Prime 3 was enhanced? It, very objectively, I might add, increases the accuracy significantly over any PS3 or Xbox shooter. Analog control sticks just can’t compare to being able to point and shoot instantly–no weird acceleration issues here. Is there a learning curve? Sure, just as there was when Halo introduced the twin-joystick controls. But it’s not the game’s fault you evidently can’t come to grips with them.
For the records, Nintendo has shipped more consoles than any other system to date–besting even the PS2. It’s not really the supply that’s the issue, it’s the insane demand.
I’m not quite sure when Game Informer became a meaningful source on anything…a any rate, do you agree with their stance 100% of the time. As one who works in the industry, I have observed that many video game editors are of the “hardcore” variety, lending more weight to FPSs, Racing games, and other titles that have historically been “triple A titles”…now known as “hardcore games” for whatever reason. They’re looking for content different from much of what the Wii delivers, hence its exclusion from the list.
Frankly, I thought 08 was overall a dismissal year for games, yet the games I found most enjoyable were on the Wii (and I play games across all 3 platforms–again, it’s my job). I will give a special shoutout to Banjo-Kazooie Nuts and Bolts–that truly is a fantastic game, it’s just too bad the Xbox fanbase can’t appreciate that.
You sound like a run-of-the-mill Nintendo fanboy. Missing the point of all comments that have come before.
Of course Zapper games on Wii will sell well. THEY’RE ON THE Wii!! There isn’t shitelse to choose from buddy! The fact that so few companies have bothered messing with zapper peripherals since the SNES should tell you something about people’s interest in playing those games at home. Besides, peripherals aren’t THAT expensive anymore. Look at the games that some with them today. They don’t cost more than you would expect to pay for a controller (of which the Wii costs $60, for EACH set of Wii mote/nunchuck controllers you need to “party”). Scene it for 360 doesn’t cost more than a regular 360 game and comes with 4 controllers and an IR receiver. Same for Buzz.
Party game is a negative when you don’t have a party. I shouldn’t require a party in order to have fun with my video game system.
Your personal opinion aside the wheel is inferior to any other control scheme for MK Wii. Any number of online reviews will confirm this.
Most of the titles I’ve played for the Wii have pretty much been disappointing. There have been enough of these things that hang on for most of the titles that eat away at me and eventually make the game unplayable. I don’t want to hate the Wii. I just want to stop being disappointed with its offerings.
I will say that Mario Galaxy is a fun game and that I think I want Boom Blox and maybe World of Goo. Also, after Play Rayman’s Raving Rabbids at someone’s house over the New Year’s holiday, I’m very “meh” about that.
Then what is a meaningful source RB? Whichever 1 in 20 game sites/mags that think the Wii is a decent game system?
Let me guess, Nintendo Power is your meaningful source?
Also, you can’t have videos like thisthat come from the 360 or PlayStation.
Right, because my opinion differs from yours, I must be a Nintendo fanboy. Let’s ignore the fact that I own an Xbox and a Wii, a PS2, Xbox 1 and GameCube (which I didn’t like at all, and much preferred the Xbox). BUT, putting those facts aside, I must be a Nintendo fanboy–how else could anyone like the Wii?! It’s not like it’s selling faster than any console ever…
That’s not what you said: “The problem is no one really WANTS to play those anymore.” Clearly the million + sales disagree and now you’re back pedaling. If no one wanted them, they’d be buying any of the other HUNDREDS of games available, and not the ones that happen to be light gun games.
That’s akin to saying the fact that “so few companies have bothered messing with motion control peripherals should tell you something about people’s interest in playing those games.” The Wii has proven that unconventional games can sell, and the SALES FIGUREs, which you seem to continually be dismissing, proves it.
You don’t need a party…just friends. Personally, I have more fun when playing games socially than by myself, with few exceptions.
The two games you cite are both quiz show games that require nothing beyond a very basic controller, which are cheap to make. Did you conveniently forget that Sama Da Amigo w/maracas cost $120 on the Dreamcast? That’s 3x the price of the Wii version since it launched. Time Crisis 4 cost $80, at least $30 more than any Wii light gun game. And those are only the games that developers have released accessories for, the price difference would be exceptional were more developers to jump on board with game-specific devices that mimicked Wii functionality.
In my experience, the majority of players online use the wheel. What what do they know? They’re Wii owners…
Why the snark, dude? Are you offended by any of this? I’m not calling you out as one who only reads “OXM.” Let’s keep this cool, shall we?
The Wii needs a first person sword fighting game. Fencing, medieval combat, lightsaber duel, whatever.
That’s coming–Wii Sports Resort 
I was thinking of getting a Wii for the family - it sounds like something the three of us (me, wife, 7yo daughter) could have a lot of fun together, especially Wii Sports. We’re not big-time gamers (we own games, but don’t spend a lot of time playing them), and even though I used to be, the idea of sitting by myself, ignoring my family, isn’t all that appealing any more.
However, playing Sophie or Laura in Wii tennis (or bowling - do they have that?)… that could be fun. And it’s this “playing together” aspect which is the appealing thing about the Wii for me. And if we stop playing it in a year or two… well, it’s just a couple hundred dollars + games.
Yup, bowling’s in there! As well as Tennis, Golf, Baseball, and Boxing. It really is a fun game, and there are quite a few other games available suited for the whole family. Check out Boom Blox, it’s cheap ($30, at most) and is one of the best games on the system–easy to use too.
While the games on Wii Sports could certainly use some fleshing out (the boxing game is just a waste of time, IMHO), the tennis and the bowling are a lot of fun. My 7 year old son and I have marathon tennis matches where both of us end up sweating because you can’t help but swing that remote around with added emphasis, even though it isn’t necessary.
If you’re worried about “sitting by yourself, ignoring your family”…don’t. The Wii encourages family play with many of it’s titles.
I don’t know why anyone would “hate” the Wii. I could understand a certain kind of gamer expecting a wealth of hardcore titles for the machine to be disappointed, but at the end of the day, it’s fun to play with the limited games they already have, and I’m sure there will be many more cool games to come once developers get the hang of the machine.
I’m up and down on the Wii. I really enjoy the interactive games, such as Wii Sports, Wii Fit, and Raving rabbids TV Party, where the Wii’s capability is taken advantage of. However, I also have Fifa 09, after being a huge Fifa 08 fan for the PS2. The controls system just does not translate well, and I have only played this game a few times because I am so put off with it’s awkwardness. I am thinking that the more traditional controller may be better suited for this.
I can understand a hardcore gamer’s disappointment in the Wii, but I am also willing to give the developers some slack because of the giant jump in interface. A new version of Punch Out would be a tremenous addition to the lineup!
Oh, you haven’t heard? Nintendo’s confirmed that’s coming later this year–youtube should have videos of it.
That is most excellent news. Now, if they can figure a way to track leg/ foot movements other than through the balance board, I will be thrilled.
I’ve owned consoles since consoles existed; and the Wii is probably the least played console I’ve ever owned.
I’ve been a gamer since long before it became popular for middle aged men to play video games. When video game news outlets started to mention a few years ago that “men in their early 30s” were a growing video game demographic I was already well into my 40s.
The Wii is the least played console I’ve ever owned because I’ve yet to find a game that has really engaged me. I dismiss any game in which you need more than one person to enjoy, video games are what I do in my alone time, they aren’t my social life.
On the other hand, the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are probably my 2nd and 3rd least played consoles of all time. I got a lot of play time in on the new GTA on my 360, as well as some play time in for Mass Effect and the new Gears of War.
I honestly feel like maybe the my time being a video gamer is at an end. I’m still playing computer games as much as ever; although more and more of my PC gaming time is going to WoW because my primary genre on the PC has mostly died (turn-based strategy–aside from a wonderful game called Dominions III that no one knows about.)
I don’t think you’re alone–while I like the Wii, it’s still part of this lackluster generation, the worst I’ve experienced since I started gaming in '89. The current gen consoles just aren’t doing it for me. The PS3, Flower excepted (and half of MGS4), is a complete waste of space, and the 360 only has maybe a game a year that I really enjoy (the original Xbox was far superior).
I find that most games these days just offer more of the same shit we’ve been playing for years, which is partly why I like the Wii-it does offer some new gameplay types through the controls. And this is also why Flower is currently my Game of the Year, and why I enjoyed Braid so much on 360. Everything else though is a complete mess. Halo, Killzone, Grand Theft Auto, Oblivion, Mass Effect, Animal Crossing–ugh.
I’m not into the badassery that is parsing-out-peoples-posts-to-extend-arguements so I guess I’m not going to be able to line by line your post to death. I’ll just say, generally, that you don’t seem to listen to what others say. You have your opinion and you just keep repeating it no matter what info is presented to you. Comparing the cost of marracas for a niche game on a niche system that is going on 10 years old to the cost of peripherals for major consoles today doesn’t even make sense. Those things were like $50 anyway. The Wii controller costs more than that. Where are you coming from with this?
Post 39 though really nails it. We definitely don’t assess games from the same viewpoint and your opinions are the exact opposite of mine as I think the last few years have been the best in console gaming since the SNES. You happen to be that “1 in 100” that really loves their Wii and will defend it to the death.
So be it.