Wii's Halo Killer: Anubis II! (And other Wii discussion)

[Wiglaf]

I tried my best, I mean they were quoted by gamespot.

[Asher]

More gems:

PlayStation 3 technology would be far superior to the 360

While we don’t by any means think the Xbox 360 will be the next Dreamcast, we also think that the early launch is overrated. For one, expensive new game systems like the 360 are not big holiday gifts.

(Yeah, cause the early launch the 360 had on the PS3 has had no impact on its success)

They've consistently underestimated MS and overestimated Sony and Nintendo in all of their articles dating back to 2000.

[Wiglaf]

I admit they seem rather unprofessional, since they have repeated grammatical/spelling mistakes in every article; eg "For consumers the games of 2004 were better then ever."

This is a good argument however unsubstantiated it might be in terms of charts and numbers:

The competition is breathing down the neck of the Xbox 360. The Nintendo Wii has almost caught up with the Xbox 360 in sales and the PlayStation 3 is looking to have a much stronger lineup in 2008. If Sony can keep its PlayStation 2 core base happy for another year or so, they will be in a good position to migrate them to a PS3. This means for Microsoft it is imperative they get consumers into the store NOW.

One concern is that Microsoft seems to be in danger of losing its position as the online game leader. Microsoft has pushed the Xbox Live online game service as the key distinguishing factor for its systems. However, the PlayStation Network does a good job and offers many of the same features as Xbox Live. Upcoming offerings like PlayStation Home and some fairly high-end downloadable games, start to push the PS3 toward the cutting edge when it comes to online offerings.

Though these two sentences seem bizarre:

In the grand scheme of things we don’t think online games will be a major determining factor in the purchase of this generation of game console systems. As always it comes down to the games.

[Asher]

I don't think it's a good argument. It's completely avoiding the issue that GAMES aren't selling well on the Wii. Yes, Nintendo did a phenomenal job of getting it out to consumers, but for whatever reason they are letting it collect dust. Decent to good games are coming out (eg, MP3) but still aren't selling well given the large install base.

The comments about the PSN are also ridiculous. Have they ever played online on the PS3? It's a nightmare. You need to enter PINs and synchronize your OWN bluetooth headset (there is no consistent or official one), then re-sync this every other week as Sony pushes out crappy updates. Then you need to deal with wildly inconsistent implementations in how friends lists work, how game invites work, what games support which features, etc.

Not to mention offerings like "Playstation Home" (which is the next Microsoft Bob, quite literally) are being delayed and recent betas have even removed features.

The PSN network is in no way comparable to XBL now, and they have a LONG way to go to make it comparable. MS doesn't have anything to worry about from that front for quite some time.

[Verto]

I have to admit my enthusiasm for the Wii is waning. I waited and waited for Metroid Prime 3, and....meh. I love the Metroid series, and MP:3 itself was a fine game. It's just that I didn't really feel any difference from the GameCube version. The control scheme was unimpressive. I've made excuses for a lot of the crappy Wii games (and valid excuses, as most are horrible ports) but with MP:3, they don't apply. The game had ample development and support (it's Metroid). If anyone knows how to work with the Wii system/control, it would have been Retro/Nintendo.

I just don't think the Wii has the power or ability to provide a sufficient level of motion sensing to make a meaningful difference. Aiming/moving was nothing special, I would have enjoyed the game just as much with a regular console controller. The Grapple Beam, door interacton, etc, was a novelty that wore off quickly. When it did, I realized how imprecise the tracking was.

The Wii control scheme had potential to provide a breath of fresh air to gaming, but I don't think the system is capable of delivering. The 'Lightsaber Game' everyone is dreaming of? I don't have high hopes for it living up to a fraction of my expectations.

In the meantime, I'll take the 360's more powerful hardware, superb online service, and game library (although I'll be sure to play some of the great titles coming out for the Wii, like Mario Galaxy)

[Asher]

I think it's obvious this "company" is a bunch of hobby "industry observers" just like you and I. Though they have bad grammar and flawed understandings of the market.

[Kataphraktoi]

Whether or not the Wii is better than the 360 is beside the point. All that matters is which one can rake in the money. I dont like playing on the Wii but long run it will simply do better than the 360, IMO. Its in a slightly different and bigger market than the 360. It appeals more to kids and women, from what ive seen firsthand. These people have lower\different expectations and want something else than competition.

Where the Wii sucks:control sensitivity. I didnt expect it to be as precise as a mouse or even the various console controls, of course, but it is pretty bad IMO.

[Asher]

Are you talking about making money in the short term (hardware sales) or long term (software sales)?

The Wii is good at only one of those.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Verto
I have to admit my enthusiasm for the Wii is waning. I waited and waited for Metroid Prime 3, and....meh. I love the Metroid series, and MP:3 itself was a fine game. It's just that I didn't really feel any difference from the GameCube version. The control scheme was unimpressive. I've made excuses for a lot of the crappy Wii games (and valid excuses, as most are horrible ports) but with MP:3, they don't apply. The game had ample development and support (it's Metroid). If anyone knows how to work with the Wii system/control, it would have been Retro/Nintendo.

I just don't think the Wii has the power or ability to provide a sufficient level of motion sensing to make a meaningful difference. Aiming/moving was nothing special, I would have enjoyed the game just as much with a regular console controller. The Grapple Beam, door interacton, etc, was a novelty that wore off quickly. When it did, I realized how imprecise the tracking was.

The Wii control scheme had potential to provide a breath of fresh air to gaming, but I don't think the system is capable of delivering. The 'Lightsaber Game' everyone is dreaming of? I don't have high hopes for it living up to a fraction of my expectations.

In the meantime, I'll take the 360's more powerful hardware, superb online service, and game library (although I'll be sure to play some of the great titles coming out for the Wii, like Mario Galaxy)

I suspect I'll pick one up too once there's a few more good games, and when some cheaper online deals emerge (right now there aren't any because the Wii is still flying off the shelf).

But right now I'm also focusing on clearing my backlog of great Xbox games and preparing for remainder of the AAA onslaught.

[lord of the mark]

Re: Wii's Halo Killer: Anubis II! (And other Wii discussion)

Originally posted by Asher

http://wii.ign.com/articles/824/824045p1.html

On a more serious note. What is with the quality game problems on the Wii? The PS3 has more "good" games than the Wii right now with a fraction of the user base.

Im not going to challenge or confirm that statement, having played none of the titles.

Assuming its true, wouldnt the fact that the PS2 dominated the last console generation have something to do with it? Werent developers working on PS3 games before it launched, in anticipation of PS3 doing very well as the PS2 had done?

[asleepathewheel]

meh

i'm not sure why its either/or, both consoles fill specific niches the other doesn't/can't.

[snoopy369]

"Good" by what definition, Asher? Games you like, no surprise the PS3 has more (you are more of that style of player). Games highly rated? Perhaps some audience bias (people who post reviews/rate games might be more - or less - likely to be in the "like PS3/XB360 games" crowd than Wii).

Sales ultimately is the only thing that you can use (and of course that is biased also, but it's the true test because it's what they are aiming for). If in a year or so Wii game sales are much lower than XBox360 and PS3 game sales then they have a problem (unless there's a significant cost difference in production that causes more profit to come from Wii games - but just factor that into the 'much' definition). If they're similar or higher, then Wii is doing okay

[Asher]

Originally posted by snoopy369
"Good" by what definition, Asher? Games you like, no surprise the PS3 has more (you are more of that style of player). Games highly rated? Perhaps some audience bias (people who post reviews/rate games might be more - or less - likely to be in the "like PS3/XB360 games" crowd than Wii).

All three can suffice:

Which games do I like? Well, the Wii sucks there.
Which games are well-rated? Well, the Wii sucks there.
Which games sell well? Well, the Wii sucks there.

[asleepathewheel]

Which console sells more kiddy party games????

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Asher

Which games sell well? Well, the Wii sucks there.

NPD, August 2007


1. Madden NFL 08 (Xbox 360) - Electronic Arts - 896,600
2. Madden NFL 08 (PlayStation 2) - Electronic Arts - 643,600
3. BioShock (Xbox 360) - Take-Two - 490,900
4. Madden NFL 08 (PlayStation 3) - Electronic Arts - 336,200
5. Wii Play (Wii) - Nintendo - 256,800 Doesnt count, its hardware
6. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii) - Nintendo - 218,100 doesnt count, dwarfed by Halo
7. Mario Strikers: Charged (Wii) - Nintendo - 147,400 doesnt count, its Mario
8. Guitar Hero 2 Bundle (PlayStation 2) - Activision - 145,400
9. Mario Party 8 (Wii) - Nintendo - 138,300 doesnt count, its Mario
10. Guitar Hero Encore (PlayStation 2) - Activision - 127,100

Guess I have to agree.