The Wii Effect - Part I

What exactly is the Wii effect?  As a seventh generation console (wikipedia), lets see if this Wii is a 'Revolution' or reverse-Evolution.  What is it that the Wii offers new to the table?  How can the Wii evolve over time?  In this blog, I have some suggestions also for Nintendo.  By no means is this blog intended to be negative towards Nintendo but I do have to question the philosophy of Nintendo.

What is it that the Wii offers new to the table?  Unfortunately, this is something which is sort of a let down for me personally.  Now, after experiencing the Wiimote and Nanchuk attachment, I was very impressed initially.  Motion control is truly the third dimension in gaming.  The first two are visuals and feedback.  The first two have been tried, tested, and perfected but motion is something that not alot of companies ventured into.  I give alot of credit to Nintendo for taking this bold step and it has paid off.  As of Feb 07 the console has sold over 4 million units worldwide and it is still quite difficult to find it on store shelves.  So whats so bad about that?  Well, let me respond to that question with another question.  Can this added dimension replace the current method of input delivery in games.  When I say input delivery, I mean standard controllers.  I have yet to see a game released on the Wii that couldn't be done on a regular controller.  OK, OK, yes I know I can't wave a 360 controller and expect Marcus Phoenix to mele his shotgun.  Is the experience different, sure it is.  Is the experience better; I leave that for you to decide.

What I see in the future is a pattern of Wii-specific games with simplified controls.  Take Resident Evil 4 for example.  Capcom has stated that the game will be made a little simpler in its difficulty setting to compensate for the inclusion of the Wii specific controls.  I believe that this will be the pattern for most games ported or created specifically for the Wii.  Precision control is something that the Wii does not do well and it almost seems as though controls are loose or calibrated so that there is some 'give' to the motion.  I call it the blur effect of motion.  It gives you the sense of precision but in reality its all about the  'give'.

"From the fingers to the hands".  From the blistering button mashing in Smash Brothers to the frenzy of Dragon Ball Z, it is going to take a lot for the Wiimote to compete with traditional controllers.  I find it hard to believe that two hands will overcome four fingers.  Yes, I do know that you can hold the Wiimote and click on the directional pad or buttons at the same time.  The argument really is whether the hands can keep up with the fingers.  This is the change in philosophy with Nintendo this generation as they are trying to bring the 'you' in Wii and Mii.  Its very similar to the DDR craze.  Dance Dance Revolution is a great game but not everyone gets it.  I can't play this game as much as I try and this really detracts me.  Maybe its the traditionalist in me and the scary thought of putting your body into the game.

The Wii Effect - Part II --> 2 Gamecubes stuck together with duct tape?

[Neutral Gamer]

I can see what you're saying sajj mate, I've got a Wii myself and it was an outstanding bit of family fun over Christmas, especially for the non-gaming members of my family like grandparents and girl cousins. Wii Play and Wii Sports were perfectly designed for the Wiimote and really made non-gamers pick up the gameplay in a very intuitive way.

But with the exception of Zelda, I just haven't used my Wii that much lately; it's just lacking games. Everytime I read a review of a new Wii game that uses the new control method, they always talk about how "it works" or that it's "adequate". Hardly ever do they say, "Wow! What an experience, something that could only have been acheieved on the Wii using its unique controls".

Of course, like all new consoles, there an is initial quiet period before the next wave of games come out and I think that's what we're in at the moment. Hopefully though, with games like Super Mario Galaxy coming up in the future and other games that make better use of the Wii's capabilities, things should change.

At the moment though I've got no complaints using my 360 and PS3 controllers. When though are LucasArts gonna get their asses in gear and actually decide to release a Star Wars Light Sabre game for the Wii? It's what most fans have been waiting for and would be PERFECT on the Wii, that game could be awesome and attract over the hardcore fans!

[snoop_dizzle]

i personally want a Wii, but its not revolutionary, aside from it being a home console, and it havening a good controller.

I used to go to arcades and i always saw games say with guns that were wired, but nonetheless you would point and shoot. Surely this concept has been around for a while. Not only have i seen it in arcade games, i have seen a similar concept in those really cheap plug n play games for like 20 dollars. You know those bowling or baseball ones. basically you swing the controller for the desired effect.

However, the Wii implemented these concepts in a nicer way, at least for their 1st party games. What i like about the Wii, is they improved upon the idea and made it look and play fun.

So is it revolutionary? No
Does it have to be? No

As long as its improved upon similar ideas.

I always think that just because something isnt new or revolutionary, doesn't mean its not worth playing, as long as its improved upon the previous thing, its ok with me.

I guess the real question is this.
How long will the Wii last?
I'm really not sure, as long as they don't have long game droughts it should do good, however, many multiplatform games on the Wii had control issues.

That could be a fatal flaw in the Wii, while people are waiting for great 1st party Nintendo games, all they have to play are games that really are hard to play with the Wiimote.