Wii

Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Features, Wii | 6 Comments

On the whole, the Wii is a very approachable and entertaining console. Compared to that of the GameCube, Nintendo has made considerable strides to improve its stance in terms of online features. However, even though the online functionality of the Wii is far more superior to the GameCube and Nintendo DS, there are still some lingering online feature issues. Here are the top five issues that Nintendo desperately needs to approach for a more seamless online experience.

5) Lack of a hard drive

Although this is more of an indirect issue with Nintendo’s online functionality, the lack of a hard drive is an extremely significant flaw. Satoru Iwata recently noted that only a small number of Wii owners are discontent with the Wii’s memory situation. That is a huge understatement, as many have complained about the inconveniences the Wii’s limited flash memory create. Now that WiiWare has been released a hard drive is more necessary than ever. People are growing rather tired of cleaning out their virtual fridge, and are also growing increasingly impatient. Losing some accessibility in order to improve the frustrations gamers face with downloads is well worth the sacrifice.

4) Wii Shop Channel issues

A voting channel? And a weather channel? These Wii features are pleasant, temporary distractions, but more useful/gaming related channels would be warmly accepted. The Nintendo Channel was the biggest step in the right direction, as gamers finally were finally given access to gaming related material. At the same time, however, there still are many avenues that Nintendo could travel down for ideas. The most obvious is a Wii demo channel, a DVD channel, and perhaps even an instant messenger channel. In addition to mostly useless channels though, the Virtual Console games don’t fare much better. The numbers of games that have been put up for download on the shop channel have decreased in both quality and quantity over the weeks. People are beginning to grow tired of the one-title-per-week cycle with the quality of the games comparable to that of China Warrior.

3) Better use of WiiConnect24

Remember when Nintendo promised new content such as a new level or vehicle when you wake up in the morning? Well, players have not really been seeing anything in terms of new content. Some games have been offering light use of WiiConnect24, but not to its fullest extent. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, for instance, players can only obtain new levels, images, and videos by manually connecting to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. No games are offering true original content though, which is a shame because adding something such a feature to a game can extend the life of the title tremendously. Oh, and where are the automatic Mii updates?!

2) Voice chat

We know, we know Nintendo. You love making sure that little Johnnie is not kidnapped by some random guy on the Internet. Voice chat is an essential inclusion in online gaming these days, however, and Nintendo needs to grow up. The lack of communication functionality in online games makes arranging matches and choosing options a very arduous task. Also, not being able to trash talk your buddies online stinks. Nintendo has added voice chat on the DS, so there is no reason as to why something similar could not be arranged on the Wii.

1) Friend codes

When Nintendo finally entered the world of online console gaming in 2007, expectations for the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on Wii were rather high. After all, Nintendo was able to take a crack at an online system with the Nintendo DS. Fans, however, wanted more from Nintendo’s service than the offerings on the DS – Removing friend codes for each online compatible game was definitely on the top of many wish-lists. In spite of the vociferous cries from Nintendo fans who were clamoring for a more seamless online experience, Nintendo did not deliver, and still hasn’t. Friend codes, just as they were on the DS, are still a dominant issue with the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. It is undeniable that having to write down codes for all online games is a nuisance. On the other hand, games such as Mario Kart Wii will do all the hard work for you, as long as you have your friend registered on your Wii console. However, this should be an option with all games, and it does bring up the question as to why such a feature was not implemented sooner.

Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments

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Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 0 comments

All

01. Mario Kart w/ Wii Wheel—Nintendo (Wii)
02. Grand Theft Auto IV—Rockstar (360)
03. Grand Theft Auto IV—Rockstar (PS3)
04. Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures—Eidos (PC)
05. We Ski—Namco Bandai (Wii)
06. Wii Play w/ Remote—Nintendo (Wii)
07. Guitar Hero III Bundle—Activision (Wii)
08. Petz Catz 2—Ubisoft (Wii)
09. Super Smash Bros. Brawl—Nintendo (Wii)
10. Ninja Gaiden 2*—Tecmo (360)

Wii

01. Mario Kart w/ Wii Wheel—Nintendo
02. We Ski—Namco Bandai
03. Wii Play w/ Remote—Nintendo
04. Guitar Hero III Bundle—Activision
05. Petz Catz 2—Ubisoft
06. Super Smash Bros. Brawl—Nintendo
07. Wii Fit—Nintendo
08. Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party Bundle—Konami
09. Rock Band Special Edition—MTV
10. Boom Blox—EA

DS

01. New Super Mario Bros.—Nintendo
02. Crossword DS—Nintendo
03. Mario Kart DS— Nintendo
04. My Word Coach—Ubisoft
05. Brain Age—Nintendo
06. Professor Layton and the Curious Village—Nintendo
07. Brain Age 2—Nintendo
08. Mario Party DS—Nintendo
09. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness—Nintendo
10. Touchmaster—Midway

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Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments

Melbourne Australia, 20 May, 2008 – Now the Wii Shop Channel offers Wii™ owners more, with today’s launch of WiiWare™.

WiiWare is a new game download service, accessible via the Wii Shop Channel, where users can download a variety of new games in exchange for Wii Points. The Wii Shop Channel is free to access and is where WiiWare and Virtual Console games can be downloaded.

Whereas Virtual Console allows consumers to download classic games, WiiWare offers brand new titles, and is also an opportunity for video game developers to create new games for Wii. Developers, no matter how big or small, will be able to create new downloadable games to be sold through the Wii Shop Channel. Changing the way developers create Wii games and how players access them, WiiWare will make it possible for smaller, creative titles to take centre stage. The combination of low development barriers and unique game experiences, through use of the Wii remote, will enable developers to try new ideas with lower risk in a quicker, more creative and affordable way.

WiiWare games will come from celebrated developers such as Square Enix, creators of FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King™; as well as up and coming developers such as Frontier, creators of the unique platform adventure Lost Winds™, and other independent developers with great game ideas.

The first WiiWare games available include:

Lost Winds™
Star Soldier R
Dr. Mario & Germ Buster™
Toki Tori Take 2
TV Show King
FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King™

WiiWare also empowers consumers to determine with their Wii Points which games have the ability to become the next big thing. Consumers will assist in the creative process as their choices will directly determine the success of current projects and direct the plans for future ones.

There will be something for everyone on WiiWare with a wide range of games from varying genres, concepts and price levels.

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Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments

“Every time you go through localization you then have to put it through a test, which involves making sure that you recorded the proper voice, and that the proper voice is being activated with the proper trigger, at the proper time…So it’s not just a case of swapping over some words, it requires some proper extra development processes. And so it takes time. I realize that from time to time we have still been disappointing some people, but in general we have also been able to bring to them games which would have never been available before in a European market, and the time frame is slowly decreasing, so I’m positive for the future. We know that we are still not reaching the expectations of all the people, but we’re really doing our best to resolve this.” – Laurent Fischer, Nintendo of Europe

Knowing that Nintendo of Europe is not completely satisfied with the delay in game releases might give people some hope. Having to wait four months for such an anticipated game is definitely difficult. However, could localization really have delayed the game four months?

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Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments

WiiWare has gone live in Europe, and has launched with the following games.

Dr. Mario & Germ Buster
Final Fantasy: My Life As A King
LostWinds
Star Soldier R
Toki Tori
TV Show King

A demo version of Dr. Mario launched with WiiWare, although it can only be experienced with someone who has purchased the full version. Titles that were mentioned in the previous European press release, Pop and Pirates, are assumed to be launching in the near future.

Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments

Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments

Those who have been wishing for a more traditional controller method in Toki Tori will be pleased to know that in addition to the nunchuck + Wiimote set up, players will be able to control the action on-screen with the classic controller as well. In an interview with WiiWare World, Martijn Reuvers divulged this information and also detailed a few other notable prospects for the WiiWare remake. Not only will a second player will be able to join in and draw hints on the screen, but players will occasionally receive travel logs on their Wii message boards, too. Toki Tori is due out on the 30th in Europe.

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Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments

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Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Rumors, Wii | 0 comments

The next awaited addition to the Wii’s casual library will be none other than Wii Music. We haven’t heard a ton of information about the game, except for bits and pieces here and there. Though, one pretty big feature that may end up in Wii Music might be the inclusion of the balance board functionality. According to RevoGamer, Wii Music will use the balance board to simulate a drum pedal. Those who were interested in double Wiimote usage for the drums needn’t be worried, however, as that controller configuration will be available as well. RevoGamer also noted that a 2008 release for the game seems to be realistic.

Further information about Wii Music is likely to be discussed at this year’s E3.

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