Nintendo Wii Launch Roundtable
Nintendo Wii Roundtable
Friday 17th November
The Wii will be hitting America this Sunday and to celebrate all the staff have huddled together and made a lovely article all about the console. The launch is set to be one of the most important days in Nintendo's history and indeed the history of the gaming industry. Adverts are popping up all over the place and even the UK is getting in on the action with an early TV teaser swamping the airwaves. The Wii hype is certainly at fever pitch, so read on to see what our staff make of it all and when you've read what we have to say, let us know what you think by commenting below...
James Temperton
The Nintendo Wii is soon to launch, soon I can stop talking speculatively about it and soon the figures will do all the talking. I strongly believe that the Wii will have a very good launch in America, easily selling out all the initial hardware allocation and with Zelda gaining the No.1 spot in the US Charts. Red Steel (despite mixed impressions from some) will be a key title and if it does well then the Wii launch will have been an even bigger success.
Nintendo will be interested to see what demographics their new console sells to from day one, and if they can spread that over both sexes and all ages six through sixty then they will have done a very good job. The price is good, the hype is huge and the system really seems to be catching people's attention. Promotion has already begun in the UK and in the USA things are almost at fever pitch. Expect this to be one of the most important launches in gaming history and having played the Wii extensively, I have a bit of an inkling it might also be one of the most successful...
Adam Riley
Are you sold on Wii yet? Because if you are not, then it would definitely seem like you are in the minority. Nintendo has done a fantastic job, despite what many would believe, laying the foundations to get where it is today. Okay, it made some mistake with the Nintendo 64. But you have to remember that the company has been around since the late 1800s and has accrued vital business knowledge over the many years that has ultimately helped it overcome any hindrances it faces, even self-inflicting ones.
So why am I so easily convinced? And why should you be as well? Gaming has become increasingly complex over the years, removing some of the sheer fun aspect out of the equation. Sadly, the way Sony and Microsoft are heading, it looks like none of that is about to change any time soon. Smaller developers will either be squeezed out of the Industry as a whole or merely be swallowed by a larger company and have their creativity severely stunted. The result will mean less experimental games will appear on shelves, instead being replaced with identikit titles to keep and eventually it could well lead to another crash for the gaming Industry.
Nintendo is desperately trying to avoid that situation by introducing something radical and I use that word in its truest sense – gaming is being brought back to its simplest roots. Gaming is meant to be a form of entertainment for everyone, not just a select few, therefore the idea of literally being able to control games with the movement of your hands is fast bringing the art-form of computer games back into lapsed gamers’ lives, as well as those that have totally steered clear of this sector due to the very reasons mentioned previously.
Nintendo has repeatedly stated how it is not an ‘OR’ company, but more of an ‘AND’ one, meaning that their games are not there to appeal only to one group or another, but in fact encapsulate as many people as is actually possible, so that you and me, Wii can all play together...
Mike Mason
My attitude to Wii is odd. I've been looking forward to it since E3 2005, my on-going reaction to the remote is excitement, I like the looks of many of the games and the features...but still, despite my incredible anticipation for it, something feels slightly wrong, and I still hold concerns. Will the motion controls just be tacked on in some games? Will there be a batch of innovative software, only for it all to dry up? What will that speaker really add? How much support will WiiConnect24 actually receive? Are Nintendo actually going to get it all right this time?
It’s important to note that I’m yet to play Wii. Everything could change and feel right the instant I get my hands on it and play my first few rounds of tennis. Until then, though, all I can rely on are the words of others and my faith in Nintendo, the same faith that has pulled me back into gaming three times in a row now. Firstly, with the N64, secondly with the Gamecube and thirdly, most crucially, the DS, the system that has kept me enthralled since its release. Can Wii do the same? Yes, I think it can; or rather, I hope it can.
I don’t mind playing games the old way. My PS2 and Gamecube are constantly played. Simultaneously, I’m not afraid to accept something different, and in fact I encourage it. Performing the same actions over and over again will only create boredom with enough repetition, and I believe this is why I’ve left gaming behind a number of times – though on this occasion I’ve been playing the untraditional, the DS, along with more conventional platforms. ‘New ways to play’ are a sure-fire way of keeping me interested, and so I reckon Wii will be a success on this front.
Third party support looks strong, games that Nintendo have been holding back for years are waiting to make their appearances, and a whole history of video gaming is about to be unleashed again thanks to the Virtual Console. Could Wii add another phenomenon to the company’s current product line? It’s easy to imagine based on the reactions since E3 2006. I still have my doubts…but those who have touched the system seem to think that ‘Wii will move you’ for sure. For now, I’m eager to follow. Viva la…Wii?
John Boyle
It seems like just yesterday that we were frustrated at the lack of Revolution info and having to sift through all the fakes and speculation littering the gaming community. Remember Nintendo On? Well it’s slightly odd that we now know everything, and that soon I’ll have a Wii in my grasp. After all the trailers, mystery and PR bullshit I’ll finally get to sit down in front of my TV and see if all-access gaming is all it’s cracked up to be. The DS has me hopeful, it’s up there with the Dreamcast as my all time favourite console, but the Wii is undoubtedly a different beast and is a great deal more risky.
Whereas the DS was changing an industry the company already owned the Wii is innovating to invade an industry long lost to Sony and Microsoft. And it’s up against two very strong competitors and will have to hit the ground running; luckily the launch is looking good with a few real AAA titles that should mean that Wii will have a Merry Christmas. Hell Zelda alone will be nestling in stocking this yuletide, despite all the controversy surrounding the control scheme.
Even post launch things look bright from Nintendo, infact I haven’t seen such a strong first party line-up since…well the DS. I’m a great believer though that this Nintendo console CANNOT succeed without third party development and the first crop of third party titles will have to sell so publishers are willing to take the risk and release games for it. If the publishers abandon yet another Nintendo console then the gamers will as well and next generation the Kyoto company may find that they have no fans left to cater to. Again it’s fortunate that Red Steel and Madden look set to be flagship third party titles that combine style and substance that should hopefully make the Wii true competitor this generation. Yes, an EA game that has true substance…Wii could really change the industry.
Barry Lewis
If you’ve read any of my recent editorials for Industrial Gaming then you’ll know I’m just a little bit optimistic for Wii. This is a project Nintendo have been working on for years, from business direction through to design; everything about Wii seems calculated and well produced. Nintendo also have that Midas touch at the moment, which can only be a good thing. My infatuation with the system is not unconditional, however, and I have a few reservations. My first and biggest fear is that developers feel the need to implement motion sensing, and I’ll certainly not be alone on this one.
With talk of Konami testing Pro Evolution Wii and the various things they could do with the controller, I start to worry. Give me Pro Evolution Soccer and I’ll be happy, plain and simple. Hopefully developers work with the remote / nunchuk configuration and realise there’s buttons there if they need them, and Smash Bros. bundled with the retro pad should hopefully put a few bigger developers on the right path. For the most part changing the way we play is great, but we can’t leave the old ways for good. My other concern revolves around having a life when the ‘Cube was ready for release, and not knowing how the hype was then. This time around I’ve got Internet access, work as a journo and I’ve generally been sucked in by it all. Good or bad, time will tell...
Fears aside this Christmas is going to be phenomenal for Nintendo. Speaking to my local retailer and I know they’ve made a killing, making thousands of pounds 50 days before release, without Nintendo advertising, and without even lifting a finger. Various retailers around the country and indeed the world will look very favourably on a system that makes them easy money and is well stocked at launch. With that in mind I’m fully confident of this being a record-breaking launch, several key first and third party titles will hit the one million sweet spot and support for the system should inevitably increase. Release lists also look very good for 2007 with some spectacular first party titles sitting ready to launch as and when the market needs it.
To say I’m optimistic for the future of Wii is an understatement, Nintendo have the next big thing in gaming and I couldn’t be happier.
Reece Warrender
I remember when the revolution was revealed in the form of a TV remote like controller, instantly I was at the front line flaming the consoles crazed control system and that was me and Nintendo officially over. In my eyes all hope for Nintendo was lost and I was disappointed at there constant in-ability to follow the rules of consoles, the N64 lacked CD’s, the Gamecube lacked internet and third party support, and now they decided they don’t want to use control pads any more!
I went away, moaned a little, bought an Xbox 360 and realised weeks later I’m playing the same titles as the last 5 years with improved graphics. After thinking it over I realised gaming has been like this since the SNES games where creative and innovative titles were the ones that got the sales. I’m back giving Nintendo another chance at letting me experience gaming how it should be once again, hoping that they don’t let me and the rest of the world down.
The single feature that got me back onboard was the Virtual Console. Even if the console is a complete failure at least I have SNES, N64, NES titles to fall back on, and with the new news of additional consoles joining the ranks I’m satisfied win or lose. Slowly the console has won me over continually, Zelda playing a key role obviously. Whilst part of me thinks the control system is just a gimmick that will quickly get tiresome, I am highly anticipating getting my hands on the controller to see for myself before judging too harshly.
Whilst other members of the staff are highly optimistic I find myself doubtful that choices like lack of HD support, far lower graphical quality and poor sound support; will keep the console from achieving the success it deserves. If gamers don’t take to the Wii, Nintendo will no doubt move further away from the dedicated gaming market, which would be a great shame. Whilst I believe that nothing can save gaming from the fear of creative games it’s gotten itself into, the Wii is clearly trying to give developers the opportunity to take more risks than you will find on the other consoles. Belief got me the N64, denial got me the Gamecube and hope gets me the Wii.
Karn Spydar Lee Bianco
I have purposely avoided reading my fellow staff member’s additions to this article in the hope of creating at least one or two original points. My first point is discussed in a little more detail in the most anticipated Wii games article that should be published tomorrow, but for now allow me to summarize. The Wii-mote is truly the greatest thing since Shigeru Miyamoto, not only does it work fantastically with brand new ideas and possibilities (like Wii sports) but it actually rejuvenates tried and tested gameplay in titles like Zelda.
I have had my ups and downs in regards to hype for the console, when it was first revealed I was prepared to trade my own family for it, after a while I began to lose interest, especially with some of the early negative reports of Twilight Princess and Metroid Prime: Corruption in particular. Then it wavered intermittently until I played it for the first time a couple of months ago. I only got to play Wii sports and an early Wii Play but boy did it get me going again, the Wii-Mote was so small and sensitive, the games so seamlessly fun, I was back in the game.
Then, just when I thought things couldn’t get any better I attended the Wii Tour which had come to visit my very own hometown of Brighton, and it had brought Zelda with it! Orgasmic. Truly orgasmic. As far as I could tell it was the E3 (R.I.P) demo but I came across none of the issues highlighted by journalists attending that prestigious event. Instead I found a game so seamlessly presented it was hard not to just run away with it (certainly resisting stealing the wireless controller in a crowded mall was almost too much to bare).
Alas I have ‘accidentally’ spent my entire Wii fund some time ago and have nothing left to purchase my Wii with (donations are accepted, PM me!) so it seems I will have to wait until Christmas morning at the very earliest before I can get my hands on the system again. Until that day I will be trying extra hard not to read spoilers and overly in-depth reviews of the launch line-up. If there is one overriding keyword to describe the Wii experience it’s fresh and I wouldn’t sacrifice that for the world!
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