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July 12th, 2008, 07:31 GMT · By Calin Ciabai

Weekend Reading: We Love Wii

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Nintendo Wii
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I am not exactly a fan of Nintendo's console. Actually I tend, just like many other hardcore gamers I know, to consider the Wii a console for kids - unworthy of getting my attention, time or passion for games. However, Nintendo's system couldn't care less and sells better than ever, keeping its comfy spot of best selling console of the moment. And its success seems far away from even getting close to an end. And, at first, I could not understand why.

In my humble opinion, the Wii's main attraction, its motion sensitive controller, is not exactly that "sensitive" - I find it quite laggy, frustrating and far from being what it is supposed to: a next-gen way of controlling games. The delay recorded between your actions and the on-screen ones, as well as the not-so-responsive control make playing games on the Wii quite frustrating - and I wonder if I really am the only person in the world noticing that (it seems I am, since nobody else is complaining).

Except from that, I personally don't like the childish graphics, the repetitive gameplay and
the "same old" game repeated over and over again, in a casual-like manner. I won't insist on the matter because, as I've said, it's a personal opinion. However, I can't help but wonder how come, since it brings the worst visuals, gameplay and concepts, Nintendo's Wii is the best selling gaming system.

In order to try and find the answer, you have only one thing to do: turn the console on and start playing. I have absolutely no idea how Nintendo did it or what the developers inject in their games, but you will find yourself put under the spell of most Wii games in no time.

Even though I considered it to be the laggiest game ever released for consoles, I started playing Endless Ocean. Two hours later, I was still in front of the screen, exploring the ocean and stroking the same fish for the hundredth time. Of course that, afterwards, I told to myself, "That was a really bad game, boring, repetitive, hard to control". But I did spend two hours playing it and I am completely sure the same would happen if I started all over again.

And the examples can go on forever: Wii Sports, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Samba de Amigo or even Bomberman Land can keep me in front of the screen for many, many hours. And after a gaming session, I would always say that the game is poorly done, that I did not like the controls and that the Nintendo Wii is not a console made for me.

That's the strange thing, that's the reason why Nintendo manages to be the manufacturer of the best console on the market at the moment: it magically turns even the most hardcore gamers, who say that they would never play a casual or "kids" game, into obsessed, peaceful little maniacs ready to spend countless hours playing a strange, way too cutesy title. That's the secret, in the end, that's what gaming is about: the experience. And the experience as a surprise, innovation, novelty is best provided by the Wii - the console which makes you believe you hate it because it's child's play, but keeps you hooked on as soon as you grab the Wiimote. Probably that's Nintendo's secret and what we, gamers, need: fun, easy ways to spend our free time. Probably that's why we love the Wii console (even though it is something us, hardcore gamers, find hard to accept).

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READER COMMENTS:


Comment #1 by: Chad Mitchell on 12 Jul 2008, 15:55 UTC reply to this comment

I understand that in some way this "review" comes out supporting the Wii. However, Some of the critique I just do not understand. I am not sure which Wii your playing, but my controls do not lag with the Wii Remote. You may want to re-sync your controllers.

As far as the games go, I feel there is a fair amount of shovelware coming out, but I also think that people are not giving the Wii as much "rope" to play with as they are a lot of the other systems. I really think the said hard-core sites feel that Nintendo is infringing on their industry much in the same way true comic book lovers do not really want everyone to be reading their beloved comics.

All gamers have to realize the only way for an industry to grow is to keep people in the pipeline. If you are constantly building games for the hard-core gamer, you are not going to allow the younger audiences to discover how great games can be.


Comment #2 by: Joey Butler on 14 Jul 2008, 06:40 UTC reply to this comment

I agree there is lots of casual bull on the Wii, but there are some good titles that are great and tend toward hardcore gamers, plus there are hardcore titles coming, "The Conduit" for example, or mainly stuff that Nintendo makes, but a thing you should know is that the Wii is capable of a lot of great things, but its just that most developers are just half-doing their job, they know that since the Wii is high selling, they just make a quickie since lots of people have the Wii. There are plenty of games that you can find to be fun and that make you beg for more, but of course the sad thing is NIntendo themselves are the only ones who bring out the potential in their system...well of course they are the ones who made the system after all. The good thing is some developers are trying to fix this problem and hopefully get other developer to get their heads out of their money hungry asses.

To most developers they only care about money, its the same as the PS2's success back then, it was released earlier and most people already have one, so they had most games, including hardcore and shovelware, go to the PS2, plus it was burned in their retina that it was most powerful when it was the weakest of the 3 systems(dont believe me? look it up, you'l find it! )

Plus!!! the childish thing is just retarded, you should know that those childish games are from other developers, i dont think Zelda, Metroid, Starfox, Fire Emblem is childish they are too complex for children thats why most of are rated Teen, unless in ur mind a 13 year old is a little kid, sure the games dont have a lot of language or are they gory but that doesnt mean they are geared toward children, the point it doesnt matter, cuz there is no reason to be a picky bastard! Also, I friggin love mario games, they are clever made and fun, plus it also feels good to play his games cuz they take you back sort of

i think you fail as a hardcore gamer if you are picky about what you play, as long as you find it fun and dont give 2 shits for graphics, replay value(for some on that one...because the replay value for games like Gears of war and Assassins Creed are horrible, so those kind of games are worth a rent since you already know whats gonna happen), gore, Violence, and language....


Wii is not a casual system! It is the fault of other companies who took the "Graphics don't matter, unique controls are better" quote waaayyyy too far.

I speak as someone who has all 3 current-gen systems and some older ones, have a bunch of games for each of em, im 18 years old, i play many games that all have different age ratings, just those that are rated EC or 3 up il never play cuz i cant stand em really..cuz those are those meant for toddlers who enjoy those weird toddler shows, which brings another point to nintendo not being childish cuz the games are not like those scary toddler TV educational shows about morality and manners...surely people should figure that out!

PS. sorry for making this sooo long and, pardon my language please.

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