Points of Interest
- The Allspark has started a gallery of this weekend’s BotCon convention. Some images of the exclusives, including Waspinator and Megatron, are there now.
- If you were considering grabbing the new “DVD Edition” of 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime in lieu of the original, hoping to here Peter Cullen’s famous lines…
…you might want to reconsider.
I think I’ll wait until I can afford to hunt for the original instead.
- GameSpot has new screens from Sonic Rivals for the PSP. Hope this one is good.
- GameSpot also has several new videos of Sonic the Hedgehog.
Speaking of which, someone put a video on Google showing them going through the new XBox Live demo.
- Reggie discusses the possibility of Wii becoming market leader.
“It’s interesting, though. In order for me to win, must they fail? I don’t think so. Because they’re trying to do something very different. But our goal is to be the leader in this industry — not only from an innovation standpoint, but also from a market share as well.”
Getting a little bit ahead of ourselves, but it sounds ambitious without really detracting from the competition, which I like. Saying “our goal is” sounds a lot better than making claims, he probably knows this. To paraphrase WWE here, “if you’re not out to win the top spot, then why are you here?”
Meanwhile, Moore still digs the Wii60 idea…
It?s not the first time Microsoft’s U.S. Xbox 360 chief has praised his rival, while, of course, damning Sony with no praise at all.
- Good news! egg linked me to a neat article about “Wii fallacies,” with a nice chunk dedicated to countering Luke Smith’s infamous editorial about the DS.
Bad news is, it’s 9 pages. Better grab a sandwich before you start reading.
- Was in Wal-Mart the other day, and came across a neat little item in the Electronics Department: a Mario/Wal-Mart gift card. Had to resist the temptation to just grab an uncharged one and go. ;P
It depicts Fire Mario from New Super Mario Bros. on it.
I’d heard awhile back about some sort of plans for themed gift cards in different departments, perhaps that’s come to fruition?
- Via Go Nintendo, AOL recently had a nice little chat with Reggie…
AOL: During early concept meetings for the Wii, what sort of conversations were you guys having?
Reggie: Right from the beginning our objective was to bring gaming back to the masses. Remember those days during the NES and the Super Nintendo? When there would be a family sitting around playing games, because the controllers were simple [to use] and the games were fun?
AOL: Not really. I remember my dad drinking a lot and beating us with extension cords.
- Also via GoN, Gamebrink has the transcript of a chat with Miyamoto.
- I’d hate to see what a PS3 will cost there…
- A few bits from Nintendojo clears up some questions regarding GameCube controllers on the Wii.
- Sure, you can go on a lengthy quest, claim a bunch of fancy-named jewelery, and venture through the Lost Woods to claim the Master Sword of legend…
…or you can just do as Game|Life recommends, and just get one here.
- Nintendo DS has done just fine for itself so far. So what will Pok?mon do for the little system that could?
- Cats and XBoxes… a phenomenon of sorts.
- Mr. Rogers vs. Donkey Kong!
…in a blood-stained sweater.
Seriously, an amusing little piece. I can’t remember if I saw this one as a kid or not, though.
“There are many people who like laughing at Mr. Rogers now that he’s dead and calling him a pedophile. There is nothing wrong with you people that I can’t fix with my hands.”
…incidently, I forgot how he sounds sorta like Cleveland from Family Guy when he talks.
- Bwa-ha-ha-ha. Sure got Rare’s number…
PTB also presents both sides to the argument of whether or not there is a God.
On the one hand, this was made. On the other, it remains confined to Japan.
I’m normally into all the weird stuff like this, but this is bad, even by my standards.
- Just wanted to again draw some attention to The Gamer’s Quarter, an online magazine of sorts whose latest issue features quite a bit of Mario goodnes.
Also, past issues are still available for download as well. Blaze Hedgehog has a nice piece in #1 about the direction of the Sonic series.
- And on a final note… This is the kind of thing that just warms your heart, doesn’t it?
LBD “Nytetrayn”
September 29th, 2006 at 6:20 am
Interesting how Reggie’s comment in (5) sort of goes against what the article is saying in (6). The article says that the Wii strategy involves really tearing apart the competition by forcing them into a different kind of market, a market that the Wii will drag them into. But then again, the article also claims that Nintendo reps aren’t publically revealing how ambitious and disruptive their market strategy REALLY is. If that’s the case, then Peter Moore is walking into a trap by advocating Wii60. Man, that would be hilarious! X|
But I think it’s more believable that Wii60 would be very benefical to Microsoft. I think PS3 is a bigger threat to M$ than the Wii is to both.
Anyway, I still think Wii60 is unreasonable because Wii and Xbox 360 together cost more than either PS3 unit. And getting accessories, online service, and controllers for BOTH Wii and Xbox 360 will really drive the price up. Make no mistake, you are owning two systems and are paying the price. Just that one of them happens to be a bit cheaper than the other.
Anyway, my thoughts on (6):
Imo mainstream news can be just as out of touch as the gamer niche that the article rightfully criticizes. I just think their influence might be more beneficial compared to the narrowminded gamer niche. Mainstream journalists ought to realize the immediate disadvantages of adopting the Wii.
The article -is- interesting but seems a bit biased at times. For instance: According to it, Xbox Live is an example of being “competitive with sustaining technologies”. But WiiConnect24 is “disruptive and revolutionary”. I’m afraid I had no idea that Xbox Live and WiiConnect24 are so DRASTICALLY different.
I also think the author is blatantly underrating gamers’ intelligence. I think I speak for any respectable gamer when I say that we KNOW what Nintendo is going for with the Wii. But we remain HEALTHY SKEPTICS because otherwise we’d be whores and have no fan integrity to back up the hobby we appreciate. I can recognize all the great things Wii can do, but I am concerned about the immediate disadvantage we are taking in gameplay depth and general game quality.
The article even quotes Miyamoto:
?People?s idea that video games were American grade school kids with their face pressed up against the TV made us want to design the new controller. Boring things will become interesting. But, I can?t say any more.? – (Digital Interactive Entertainment Conference 2005)
My criticisms of Miyamoto are brought to light in that quote. Read it again. BORING THINGS. He thinks boring things will become interesting with the Wiimote. This is a lie. I can see now why he would think it’s a good idea to port more Gamecube games to the Wii. *shudder* He sort of admitted that Wii will have boring games that are glossed over by the controller. And THAT is why the Wii does not look so good. Miyamoto does not want to truly think about making exciting games. His method is make boring games and merely make them accessible, or add a gimmick. That is his problem.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:55 am
13. Yay, Pokemon! While it may have been a sustaining franchise before (wasn’t it credited with reviving the original Game Boy when it was on its last legs?), now it’s more obvious that it can simply stand on its own. It’s interesting how it’s become more of a niche game with each installment (remember that article on innovative games, and how they develop into niches over time?), by tweaking the game somewhat to meet the demands of its fanbase, and yet maintains its simple approachability for general or younger audiences.
Haha, it looks like eggs have yet to hatch. I don’t think Miyamoto’s quote, “Boring things will become interesting” is any indication he wants to do more GameCube ports, or simply “make boring games” and then add Wii functionality, but rather, I think he’s referring to current video games now being boring, and making games today in general more interesting. For example, how many FPS games do we have? And how many of them are based on World War II? It’s funny how someone who talks about “whores with no integrity” can take such an incredibly skewed interpratation that is so off-base from easier, more likely interpretations.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
Shinkuu> Agreed on both points.
Case in point is Metroid Prime. To me, it’s a neat game and all, but it never quite grabbed me, nor have most FPSes, but the Wii control scheme adds something to it for me that I look forward to trying.
Additionally, I think there are things like Cooking Mama, Phoenix Wright, or Trauma Center where the interface just adds that extra “something”(not that Phoenix Wright is boring, but I think the uses of the DS hardware in Case 5 make it work a lot better than if you tried a control pad and buttons).
Regarding Wii60, yeah, combined it would cost more, but you’re also getting more out of it with the investment in two systems than for one of nearly equal cost.
LBD “Nytetrayn”
September 30th, 2006 at 12:05 am
I know the PS3 is probably going to get some support in the way of cool exclusive games, but after I heard the statement from the guy at Square Enix saying “We want to support them, but not too much,” I started to wonder… Will we possibly see more Playstation-esque games on the other two systems?
It’s good to see Nintendo reaching out to try to get more varied content on their machine, like the rumors about a Grand Theft Auto game for Wii. I never minded that Nintendo has what many would consider “kiddie” games… But having kiddie games AND mature games can’t hurt, in my opinion. But if that’s not the case, I think the 360 is plenty mature enough to handle whatever games might’ve been on the PS3.
September 30th, 2006 at 4:33 am
Shinkuu, tell me… how many WW2 FPS games have you actually played?
Of course Miyamoto doesn’t /want/ to make boring games, but he implied that the only way to improve his games is to change the controller.
LBD, neither you or I are big on Metroid Prime. The difference between you and me in this case is that you only now anticipate playing Metroid Prime because of the Wiimote, whereas I am not swayed.
My case is that Metroid Prime is not any better than the “SLEW OF GENERIC FPS” that’s on Xbox and Xbox 360. Metroid Prime is the most boring, most uneventful, least accessible, and has the least amount of character.. of all the main Nintendo franchises.
Shinkuu, even I can’t tell apart all the FPS games. And I’m not excited about them. But I’m even LESS excited about Metroid Prime. I actually realize that the Slew of Generic FPS is much better.
Wii is trying to liven things up in the gaming world, but it’s doing so by sacrificing quality and value in games, at least in the short term. Beyond the controller, I think we only need to look at the Gamecube to see what we are likely getting.
September 30th, 2006 at 9:25 am
That’s not what you were saying earlier… “His method is make boring games and merely make them accessible, or add a gimmick.” So basically, you WERE saying he does want to make boring games, but just add something to them, right?
I still don’t agree with this interpretation of yours, that Miyamoto is implying the only way to improve his games is to change the controller. He would have had to first imply that his games are these “boring things” he mentioned. I believe it is just a broad, sweeping generalization of games in general today. Even if Miyamoto intended to say the things you’re saying, it doesn’t look to be an opinion shared by Nintendo as a whole. Why else would they offer the “classic” control scheme for the Wii in addition to the new? Even though they want you to be excited about the new controller, they realize the old controller works better in some cases.
You say this a lot, but I haven’t really seen reasons why… How is the Wii “sacrificing quality and value in games”? Are you simply referring to the fact that the Wii won’t be able to push graphics like the other systems can? I mean, I’m the first to admit I enjoy a pretty picture, and while the 360 is nice, I don’t see a huge difference in quality between its games and the things I am seeing for Wii. I’m sure upon closer inspection, I’d see the difference in power between the two systems, but so far I’m not seeing it. And if Wii games seem so similar to GameCube games to you, and they’re going to be priced the same, I would think value should stay the same in your eyes, not get sacrificed.
September 30th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
…perhaps he’s thinking of “boring” in a broader sense that some games have touched upon.
Luigi’s Mansion is using a vacuum cleaner. Mario Sunshine is running around cleaning walls(his wife must’ve had a lot of housework for him over the N64 generation…). Pikmin is gardening. Hell, Katamari Damacy(not his, I know) is rolling a ball around over stuff.
Perhaps these are the sorts of things he means, and maybe something was lost in the translation?
LBD “Nytetrayn”
October 1st, 2006 at 9:18 am
Nintendo games use more buttons, are less accessible, and are slower than ever before. Who would say Mario Sunshine is better than Super Mario World? Mario does not beat levels anymore, he explores them to death on scavenger hunts. Samus’s mobility is killed in the Prime games, combat is degenerated into constant circle strafing thanks to lock-on, which kills the gameplay. Zelda is dreafully slower, and the linear puzzles are even more demanding than they ever should be. Miyamoto smugly prides himself on making more accessible games than the norm and having easier control schemes. But he does not actually make fun games. He simply makes games that newbies are more easily able to derive fun from.
As far as it seems now, the Wii does not bring any changes to Nintendo’s game design. Nintendo seemed to have learned something, but what they learned applies to the market and the hardware, but not game design. Which is why I think calling it a Gamecube 2 is totally justified, if even. If Nintendo games aren’t any better than they were before, and third parties are humoring the console with Wii games instead of serious titles (and are unable/unwilling to port PS3/360 games because of the power difference between them and the Wii) … then you’re essentially buying the Wii for the controller alone… aside from one or two exclusive titles that actually matter.
Yes, it seems to me like Wii is sacrificing quality and value in games. Of course, the whole point of the Wii apparently is that Wii buyers literally don’t care. They just want to ‘have fun’. It’s not just graphics. But the fact in itself that Wii has weaker hardware, as well as Nintendo’s marketing direction with it, and developer reaction… or for whatever reasons — Wii just does not seem to be getting the same quality of games.
The difference between Wii and a ‘real’ game console is like…
..the difference between Wii Sports and Virtua Tennis…
..the difference between Excite Truck and Motorstorm, Need for Speed, OR Ridge Racer…
..the difference between Metroid Prime and Castlevania, or countless /good/ FPS games…
Wii is a second-rate console with a second-rate library, but with a next-gen controller. When and if the Wii is taken seriously and given worthwhile games, then I would treat it as a serious console.
That’s just my opinion.