 It's been nearly five months since the Wii hit store shelves and the frenzy died down - more than enough time for the dust to settle. The reaction to the console has been - for the most part - glowing. But that doesn't mean there aren't a few problems here and there. As such, in no particular order, here are ten things I'd like to see Nintendo do to make the Wii the machine we think it should be.
1. Learn to resize: If you happen to be one of the lucky ducklings such as myself who happens to own a TV that displays in 16:9 and you own a Wii, then you already know my pain. The fact that all games aren't required to have a 16:9 option is bad enough -- but for some reason Nintendo seems to think it's no big deal to have to manually switch the picture size on your TV every time you play a game. Luckily, there are fewer 4:3 games than 16:9 (although, those that are 4:3 are some of the best -- Trauma Center, WarioWare, and Rayman included), so this shouldn't be too big of a hassle then, right? Well hold on a second there buckaroos - you know what else comes in 4:3? Old games -- like the kind you'll find on your Virtual console. Having to switch to 4:3 manually every time I want to play Bomberman '93 or Super Castlevania IV isn't a big deal, but it's just enough of a pain in the ass that it makes me curse Nintendo a little every time. If the 360 is smart enough to resize on its own, why isn't the Wii? 2. Scrap the friend codes system: If you want to put another player on your friends list on Xbox Live, you need a very special code that nobody else will have -- IT'S CALLED THEIR NAME. If Nintendo doesn't want you to make friends with strangers online, fine. It's a pain in the ass, but if they think it protects kids or some shit, who am I to judge? But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be able to pick our own friend code. Nor should my friend need to know mine just so I can put them on my list. They've made it such a pain in the ass that it's literally easier to drive across country and play in your friends living room. Not cool, Nintendo. Not cool at all. Get on the ball and get this service retooled, asap. You're reinventing the wheel here, and it doesn't need it. I know you don't want to be a copycat or anything, but please, just this once, look at what Microsoft is doing and learn from it. And while we're on the subject of online whatnot... 3. Give us some online games: Five months, forty plus games, and zero online playability. It's an embarrassment, plain and simple. Nintendo swore up and down that this time around was going to be different. Clearly, they lied. Will the next Pokemon be online? Absolutely. Can you name another title that will be? Probably not. Ok -- I think the next Super Mario Strikers game will be, but asides from that? In this day and age, the list of games with online play should be drastically longer than the list without. How WiiSports didn't have online play is absolutely beyond me. And again, as long as we're on the subject of online play... 4. Make Virtual Console games playable online: The original excuse for keeping VC games locally-playable only was that Nintendo wanted to preserve these games exactly as they once were. Funny how things change when the shoe is on the other foot. Adding things in is tampering too much, but taking things out? As anyone who's tried to use some of the classic passwords in Kid Icarus or tried to save some ghost data in Mario Kart 64 knows, Nintendo is willing to tamper away when it comes to stripping these games of their features. I've said it before and I'll say it again -- I'm tired of my wife kicking my ass at Bomberman '93. I won't stand for it anymore, and since the only people worse than me are 6 year olds (and I'm not allowed near a pre-school after that thing with the stuff) I need to get online dammit! 5. Give us original downloadable content: A lot of people may have forgotten this little tidbit by now, but Telltale Games announced quite some time ago that they were working on porting their episodic series over to the Wii and making it available on the Virtual Console. I was in touch with Emily Morganti over at Telltale a few months ago, and she told me that things were still on track and that we would still be seeing it as a downloadable item, although it was no longer slated for release on the VC. If anyone out there has a big fat magic marker and a piece of paper, you can probably draw your own conclusions (mine looks like a sailboat.) Nintendo is clearly planning on rolling out another channel -- this one devoted exclusively to original content. Think about what that means for a minute. Not just great series like Sam & Max, but what about some original Nintendo titles? How about a brand new 2.5D Mario, exclusive to the Wii download service? Or maybe some downloadable add-on's for games? Can anyone say "new Smash Bros. characters"? The possibilities are endless, but the question still remains -- when, if ever, will we see it? 6. Increase the scope of the Virtual Console: No, I don't mean put out more releases faster than they have been (I think I'm one of the few people who has gotten used to this 3 or 4 a week system.) I mean increase the base from which you can pull your games. They can certainly do it - after all, they've added the MSX in Japan. Just think about all of the classic consoles, even in Nintendo's own house, that aren't being represented! Who wouldn't want to download GBA classics like Advance Wars or the GBA Castlevania releases? And what about the arcade classics? Surely you'd rather pay for the original Donkey Kong instead of that stripped down NES port. There are a lot of options out there - from in house stuff like Gameboys to out house stuff like the Saturn - that people would line up to download. It would certainly be better than Urban Champion. 7. Start marketing rechargeable batteries: You don't have to include them with the system or anything, just make them available to those of us who want them. I'm getting tired of having to swap out rechargable AA's every couple of days when I could just as easily stick my Wiimotes on a base or in a USB socket and keep things charged up. Third parties are starting to come out with these (Dan had a good experience with one set, I had a bad experience with another) - so why doesn't Nintendo? Lord knows most of us would be far more trusting of a product with a big N on the both. 8. Include component cables with every system: It's a little late to do something about this now, but maybe in a year or two when the first price drops hit, Nintendo will do the right thing and start including a cable similar to the 360 pack in that will do both composite and component. It wouldn't even be backpeddling - they can argue that in the few years that had passed enough people switch to HD to make it worth their while. Having been stuck for a couple of days after launch with the composite that shipped, let me just say this - if you own an HDTV you're committed to spending the extra coin on components. The Wii looks like trash on a good TV with bad cables. With that being the case, is it really asking so much to see them packed in? 9. Improve Wiimote reception: I'm not really sure who to blame this on. As anyone who's played a handful of Wii titles knows, some games mimic your movements perfectly, while others make it look as though you have Parkinson's. Either the developers who are getting it right need to share the secrets with those who are getting it wrong, or Nintendo needs to step in and give everyone a refresher course. Either way, something needs to be done here. 10. Give us more games: Is it early in the system's cycle? Yes. Is it too early to complain about a lack of available games? Probably. But I'm going to complain anyway, and here's why: since development for the Wii is pretty much identical to the GameCube, why in the hell are there so few games out there? Granted, yes - there are more titles out now than would be for any other system this early in it's life. But that's the least we should have expected in a console using technology that developers have been working with for 5+ years. And more than half the games out there are simply Disney-style cash-ins that really have no right to call themselves games in the first place -- The Ant Bully, Open Season, Cars, Ice Age -- the list goes on and on. So if development for the Wii is so cheap and so simple, where the hell are all the games? /end rant
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Comments
Also, I think including Component Cables would bump up the price some.
You hit the nail on the head with basically everything else; especally on the VC and downloadable content.
2. I guess
3. Yes, though unlike the GC, we'll see them eventually
4. Yes, especially since EMULATORS can do it. I would pay 8 dollars for Mario All-Stars just to play the SMB3 battle game online
5. Yes, and guaranteed it'll come
6. Yes, but I don't see it happening
7. You can't take 10 seconds out of every 15 hours of gaming? That's just picky ;). Funny aside: I bought a Wavebird at launch, but hardly used it until I bought rechargeables for my Wii.
8. No thanks, just charge less for the system.
9. I think a combination of bad developers and poor "sensor" bars. Haven't people made their own that emit stronger light? I'd be interested to know if they work better.
10. Well, yeah. I've been playing a lot more little discs that big discs in my Wii as of late.
So, it looks like I agree mostly. Then again, it's a pretty agreeable list ;)
And to add one to the pile: some sort of wacky channel that's sort of like a turn-based MMO game, but turns last 3 days, and it's fun for people of all skill levels. I have no idea what kind of game it would be though.
i would also like to see the wiimote stay active in gamecube games so you could;
a)use a classic controler as opposed to the gamecube contoller (i hate the clicking L and R button)
b)be able to get to the wii menu without restarting
I stopped reading right there. It's been 5 months and I don't have a Wii. I check the store once a week, but it's not Sunday morning as I like to sleep on the weekends. If, 5 months after a launch, I can't walk into a store and buy the machine, I would hardly argue that "it's been nearly 5 months ... and the frenzy died down" (yeah, I paraphrased).
I'd sure like to play a Wii if I could get one. I figure I may get one by Thanksgiving.
if you could split them left/right that'd be great so u could position them right in the mid level of your screen. I've found on large screens, having the bar above and below makes its hard to point in the center of the screen - even with the above/below screen option in the menu
1. Media streaming capabilities - come on, you can connect to the internet, to web sites, but what i want is to be able to stream my xvids, DivX and MPGs from my home server/NAS box. Give me that capability and i will ditch my modded Xbox
2. Keyboard support. The Opera browser is good, but keyboard input is as expected dodgy. You have bluetooth, you have USB, give us a keyboard
3. Make the USB port useful, i dont know..so i can add my USB memory card or external HDD. If the PS3 can do it, why not the Wii.
4. Better games....seriously, the Wii Sports games are so superior to the rubbish that is out there for the Wii its not funny. Dont get me wrong for Wii Sports alone the console is worth it...but surely we can do better. I have tried a few of the other games and they are rubbish. I am seriously thinking of getting a Gamecube controller to get some decent games on the platform.
5. Deliver on the promise. Everything about the Wii is incredibly promising. The channels the controller, the expansion options etc. I know its early days, but there is more competition now than when the Wii was launched. Nintendo needs to make the Wii more than compelling than just a cheap toy with a cool controller.
2. The friends code is indeed a joke, especially since none of my friends actually own a Wii. ie. Even if I owned a Wii game with online capabilities, there is nobody I could play with.
3. See my response to 2.
4. I couldn't care less. None of the games on VC compelled me to buy the consoles they were for when they were new. Why would I pay money for them now when there are new games with new ideas? If they were free, I'd download a few as a novelty (but not otherwise).
5. All of the console manufacturers should be maximising this. I love what Valve have done with Steam in promoting new talent (eg. Rag Doll Kung Foo), and I'd like to see all the console manufacturers promoting smaller game companies in a similar way.
6. I suppose so, but a non-issue for me. I respect that some people like the nostalgia of some of the old games. Personally, I'd prefer effort to be spent on new games than old games.
7. I did think the battery life seemed a little short the first couple of times I changed the batteries. As my Wii hasn't seen a lot of play time lately, it hasn't been a huge annoyance. Still, it shouldn't be hard for them to implement rechargeable controllers.
8. Not a big issue. When I got my Wii, none of my TVs supported component (which is probably the case for most people). I now have a 1080p projector which does, so it'd now be a nicety. Honestly, with the low price point of the Wii, I don't think it's a huge issue.
9. I think that's possibly more game design. eg. I find that Super Monkey Ball is much, much worse than Zelda on this. What I would like to see though is a way of calibrating the controller. I recently got a 100" screen and the sensor bar is at the bottom (between knee and hip height when you're standing) and it can be a pain to use. But to calibrate it correctly, you'd probably need a laser pointer in the Wii to point at each corner of the screen. That'd increase both cost and complexity.
10. This is my number one gripe with the Wii. The novelty of Wii sports lasts about a week (Wii play lost its novelty in a couple of hours). My house mates haven't played the Wii since the first couple of days. I played Super Monkey Ball for 2 days and got bored. Don't even ask how long it took me to shelve Red Steel (I'd really like that 30 minutes back). Zelda was pretty good and lasted me a few weeks though. But I haven't even completed that and the console has been gathering dust for over a month. There are very few Wii games in the pipeline that I'm seriously considering getting.
To contrast, I also got a PS3 at launch. It's been played almost every single day since March 23rd. And all 3 of the PS3 launch titles I purchased have been played for dozens of hours each. I've also borrowed 4 PS3 games from my local video store and I'm considering buying 3 of those games for the Easter break. So, out of 7 games I've tried on the PS3, I consider 6 to be worth paying money for. And that's not counting the "pay for download" games I've purchased from the Sony store and the games I'm eagerly waiting for.
"I’d sure like to play a Wii if I could get one. I figure I may get one by Thanksgiving."
Honestly, if you don't have one already, don't bother rushing out and buying one. They've actually started giving them away with mobile phones here (Australia), so I'm guessing the hype is pretty much over here. I got one at launch and I'm regretting getting it so early. I'm almost tempted to sell it, but still have high hopes that Nintendo (and a bunch of other software houses) will get behind it and it's potential will be realised.
Now, don't take me as a Wii hater. I love the whole concept of the Wii. I'd just wait for some more software to catch up with the brilliance of the control scheme. And I don't mean tacking on half-baked changes to ports from other consoles. The Wii seriously needs some good original games (not 100s of lame mini games) to make use of it.
Even with that said, there are some titles that I'd like to see ported from other consoles asap as they'd be perfect for the Wii. Rockstar's table tennis game is an excellent example. If that was ported, I'd buy it today. Same if somebody came out with a decent cricket game.
All the rest are perfect suggestions!
Join the fuckin club.
I don't really see any point in making these posts or articles unless you have at least some influence with Nintendo or anybody in the video games industry, which I don't believe you do.
So suck it up and deal with it, or find someone more reconizable to the industry to voice your opinions for you.
2) I agree but not for the same reason, nor for solid reasons. I agree more on the fact that they are doing codes for each individual game. I don't mind the friends code really, you enter it once, it's done, who cares? It's like a friend's phone number you don't have to dial every time you want to call, or even memorize. Who cares if it is a number instead of a name, either way you aren't using it if it works right! However, for each game? That's rediculous and is so annoying that I can't even imagine putting in the effort for.
3) No, they are never giving us online games. How is this even on here, they've already announced 2 that will likely be out in the summer (the pokemon one is supposed to be out in a month isn't it?)
4) I am sure they will have VC online as soon as they get the online figured out.
5) already announced.
6) Likely going to be an announcement by end of year (I am guessing NeoGeo). I think they will launch Game Boy & Color when they start running out of decent NES titles.
7) Likely going to be an announcement by end of year with new Wiimote features including rechargables.
8) No, why? no
9) Prolly due to earliness of system
10) see 9 in your own list. The reason games suck is cause the devs haven't learned it yet so they obviously feel like you that the gamecube is exactly like the wii and the controls mean nothing, except when the game is out and no one likes the controls. You are underestimating the type of change that the Wii has made with the controls... the added dev time just for controls probably replaces much of the graphical dev time in other games (you just need a couple extra programmers instead of artists).
Listen people, we like the Wii. We really do. But if you think some of these problems listed above (16:9, online, friend codes especially) aren't real concerns then you're diluting yourselves.
2. Scrap the friend codes system - Actually, online capabilities on Wii are not available yet so we'll have to wait and see.
3. Give us some online games - summer 2007 dude ... have you been under a rock... this is no mystery.
4. Make Virtual Console games playable online: I don’t recall SNES, NES, GENESIS (you get my drill) having online capabilities??? So you should ask for remakes of classic games since the VC is for releasing classic games (not remakes).
5. Give us original downloadable content: They already announced is coming (this also may answer your complaint about remakes with online capabilities)...
6. Increase the scope of the Virtual Console: GBA games were not intended to be played in a big screen; however, it wouldn't hurt to have it but I see Nintendo's point here. As for other consoles is not up to Nintendo.
7. Start marketing rechargeable batteries: I am no Einstein but I found out that rechargeable batteries have been around for decades in your local retailers (I really don’t get people that ignore the existence of these products).
8. Include component cables with every system: You have a point here.
9. Improve Wiimote reception: I don't get this one... from my experience reception is great.
10. Give us more games: I see the release list getting bigger every month (pretty good considering the console has been out just a few months); granted there are a lot of crappy games but you are not forced to buy them.
This could really add some legs to the system, but Nintendo seems to be really lazy in this department. I bought the system with the promise of future enhancements and content.
If it doesn't come soon, I'll either switch to another system or find other ways to get my money out of the system.
Either way, this gen is make or break for Nintendo. If they don't produce big-time, they should not even bother making another console.
The fact SD cards are aonly for archiving and the sstem cannot read data off the card when looking for channels or saved games really is one of the dumbest ideas ever.
However, it's not really a problem : it's possible to use our wiimotes with our PCs, so let's use it.
Clearly, the biggest problem Nintendo has is manufacturing capacity. They need to find a reliable company to which they can outsource some of their manufacturing. In terms of complexity, it should much easier to ramp up Wii production than, say, PS3 production.
Oh, and I have a widescreen 1080p TV and I have never had any aspect ratio problems (maybe my TV adjusts itself).
Their online plans are slap in the face so you're right on target with that one. There's so much potential with online gaming, even with VC games. I may have purchased some VC games had they online play. As of now, I just use my modded Xbox or PC to play the classics. Nintendo still has an opportunity to do something here.
I like my Wii but I also realize this is Nintendo and am old enough to know about Nintendo's arrogance.
Btw, we also need a harddrive! The virtual console fills up the internal memory pretty fast with a few N64 games, and with rumours of Saturn support too, we'll run out fast (btw to the guy who said Saturn would be difficult, emulators are made by people who try to reproduce the Saturn "from the outside looking in," if Sega wants to make VC games for the Saturn, they know how the Saturn works, they will make it work flawlessly on the Wii, I can guarantee that). A nice external harddrive would be perfect, after all, what are those USB ports for? Just the ugly ethernet adapter (which should have been built in btw)?
This has been done for the last several years on all consoles and somehow got left out on the Wii. Nintendo, save my Mii data and 3rd party publishers, at least allow me to save my character separately so I can boot it up on someone elses machine. Its quite simple, really!
We've been spoiled by how well they're doing the Live service :)
11. Revamp the on-line interface. I purchased Wii points last week. I had to type my credit card #, and credit card billing address using the Wiimote. I had a digit wrong and had to re-enter EVERYTHING. I entered it in again correctly and had to click through several screens to confirm. The first two have the button to continue on the lower right and cancel on the lower left. The final screen has them reversed! So of course I clicked the wrong one and had to enter everything a third time. Ugh!!!!
Sorry, I don't consider Live to be doing well. They give you a bunch of extra crap, but make you pay to be able to actually play online? Ugh.
Say what you will about Friend Codes, but at least it's free. :P
The extra crap is just that, extra. But it's nice having everything integrated online. If Mario Kart came out for XBLA you can bet it'd be online multiplayer.
I love my Wii but that online is in serious need of an upgrade.
I don't care about achievments, gamercards, leaderboards, rankings, or any of that. I just want to be able to play online, that's it. Having to pay for something so simple just doesn't sit well with me, especially when both of MS's competitors are doing it for free.
So, until MS decides to drop the cost, I'll still be fully backing Nintendo's online plan, friend codes or not.
there's nothin wrong with da wii
it rox
so shut ur freakin' FACES!