Things Nintendo Should Do Soon But Won’t Because They Don’t Need To
Everyone knows that Nintendo is winning this competition (in shear numbers) but those seem to be dropping off in the last couple of months. I’m here to propose a list of things they should do that would help build their numbers up and start appealing to the hardcore crowd again. Now before you start to bombard me with hateful comments, all this article is is a wish list of things that I (myself, me, not the other staff members) would want to see Nintendo do so I have a reason to turn it on again, but I also understand that Nintendo cannot find the computer that they once used to develop hardcore games on, because it’s blocked by the wall of money in their offices.
Wii HD
This is one of the updates that seems more likely to be something Nintendo is working on, because believe it or not, it’s becoming a standard in gaming. Analysts might claim that Nintendo doesn’t need to do this but they already have some games that I would love to see in HD including Mario Galaxy, Muramasa, and the Metroid series. Devs could do a lot more in the visuals department if they would just update their Gamecube to allow this… and no that is not a typo.
Virtual Console on DS
How awesome would it be to take those Virtual Console games that you aren’t playing on the Wii and be able to take them with you anywhere you go. They could even bring the store to the DS so you could surf and buy straight from the handheld. This just seems like an easy thing they could get working fairly quickly and would be nothing but extra money for them to do nothing with.
Re-tread Old IP’s Not Yet Exploited
How awesome would it be to turn the WiiMote sideways and control Star Fox with it; I would even let Nintendo get away with updating Star Fox 64 for like $30 and releasing it. F-Zero is another IP that surprises me that they haven’t even announced anything with. Kid Icarus is always rumored to be remade but do we really want another Kid Icarus game? I wasn’t a big fan of the NES version, and I’m not sure how they could update it with 3-D graphics, but I doubt we will be seeing it anytime soon anyway. There are other IPs they could use, but those seem to be the norms that haven’t been used yet.
Improve Online Issues
Raise your hand if you have had a successful day playing on your Wii online… nobody!!! That’s what I thought. I like to think that I have a pretty good connection because I can play 360 or PS3 all night and have minimal problems. Trying to game online on the Wii is as bad as watching video on a dial-up connection. The lags gets to a point of frustration where the only thing you can do is turn it off. If they would just put some more servers towards it, or speed up the whole system, it would make it as least playable.
Bundles With Hardware and Software
Let’s make a awesome package right now that would surely entice many gamers. Included in the box would be the Wii console along with Super Mario Galaxy (or insert any game here) along with WiiMote, Nunchuk, and WiiMotionPlus, and also include Wii Sports Resort and a $20 points card that would get gamers to surf around on their online store. Now I understand the Wii has always been included in a bundle, but make this bundle I’ve created for $250 would most definitely hold out in sales.
Lower The Freaking Price Already
I don’t think I really need to explain myself on this one but lower the price means I’m sure they will sell more. Enough said.
Get Rid Of WiiSpeak and Allow Headsets
This contraption was doomed the moment they announced it. I’m not saying it doesn’t work because I personally have never used one, but it can’t be as great as using a headset; probably even compared to the crap headset the 360 is bundled with. Only certain games even use this method and my guess is because developers know how dumb the method is, and realize that nobody will ever use it. I know Nintendo wants to protect little kids from internet rapers and racist teenagers- but they do allow the DS to use a headset… so why not the Wii.
Have a Standardized Friends List
The Wii is a very solitary platform where you never really know when your friends are using it. When I get on the 360 or PS3, you have a friends list that you know exactly what they are doing and they see that you are online. The Wii needs a system like this to help bring the community closer together. A channel would work with a list of friends with maybe a pic of their miis face or something along those lines. They could even one up Microsoft and Sony and allow for more than 100 friends, but I bet if they let you do this they would make the cap much less than that.
Achievements/Trophies/Stars/Points/Something
Before gamers get mad at me for including this on the list, just remember that there are a lot of gamers out there that do enjoy earning trophies and achievements and making their scores larger. I personally know gamers that go out of their way to play crappy games just to get achievements out of them (I’m guilty of this as well), and could help out the sales of a lot of Wii games if they made some system like this.
This again is just a wish list of mine that would help me use my Wii more. If you have any suggestions or comments about my choices, make sure you burn up our comment system and give us your thoughts.
29 Comments
Talking Rubbish m8 the wii has better online than ps3 all day just because they do HD graphics u try and favour them because your simple get a life i played CONDUIT all night no lag where as on ps3 u get lag alot plus bugs in the games themselves cant agree with anything u said maybe update the wii to 576p that would be a welcome but the games i have are graphical stunners thats that 480p with good graphics is enough for most people 50% of 360/ps3 owners dont have HD TV's so your points are stupid there are more people online with wii than ps3 its a fact m8 Mario Kart no lag,Tigerwoods 2010 no lag,Conduit no lag,what is your point tell me the games that have lag on wii oh wii speak is good u can use a headset/headphones with wiispeak most games run at 60fps 360/ps3 25-30fps rubbish last gen framerates
ever heard of a full stop mate? The wii sucks cause they've barely produced a handfull of great games and nintendo are laughing all the way to the bank. Nintendo just don't care anymore. Lag on ps3? There's no lag and I play over wireless…. I think I hav a crap connection.
But I agree with some of the stuff in the article. I'm sure nintendo are gonna release a HD wii. Provding the virtual console for the DS would be very doable and be great for DS uses. I know my little bro would b all over that. Yea I think the wii does need some like the PSN friend list so u can tell wha friends are online and what they are playing. Personally if nintendo did some improvements to the wii I still wouldn't buy it. But I bet they could sell a crap tone more wii's
Too bad that Nintendo wouldn't do anything of that
Great Article, I also agree with your opinions but doubt Nintendo will pull through with more than a few of these ideals.
@matey007, you're stupid, read the WHOLE article because the author clearly states these are merely suggestions that would draw-in the more hardcore audience IN HIS OPINION!
Adding hd to a game that did not have it before is one of the most impossibly difficult maneuvers in game design for the sole reason that the framerate drops to half of what it was.
Well a game like muramasa mas made for HD but they made it work for standard def.
I eat my words, but still, muramasa might not be that common. Games that stretch the framerate already (the conduit, etc) wouldn't work in hd.
It's 'sheer numbers'. Sorry
“This again is just a wish list of mine that would help me use my Wii more.”
You would use your Wii more if they lowered the price or bundled in some games?
Pretty good article.
Wii HD (at least up to 720p) is definately needed. As well as some kind of Hard Drive.
Virtual Console on DS is a must, to let players play old GB/C/A games on their DS's, and maybe even some old Sega Handhelds.
Along with reviving old IPs, they really need to add more great First Party IPs too. The last one
I remember was Pikmin, about 8-9 years ago.
I think the online issues, better friend system, and headset all go hand and hand. Theres no way Nintendo can compete well with their current online system.
Also, I don't think a price drop is much needed, but they could sure give you more bang for your buck. Maybe include Wii Sports Resort and WM+ with the console, as well as a classic controller, and maybe 1000 pts for the shop channel to get started. And lower the price of the controllers too. How about 25-30 dollars for a wii mote, and 10-15 dollars for a nunchuk.
Also, how about a Wii Pro or something, (with a Harddrive and HD) for some of the more Hardcore players.
And I think the idea of a Star system is a great idea to compete with Trophys and Acheivements. Maybe the could add coins to it too.
Smaller achievments get coins, bigger ones get blue coins, then comes silver stars, then gold stars.
Or even a Zelda system. Small acheivents get you 1 or 5 rupees, bigger acheivements get you a heart peice or full heart, and for every 4 heart pieces you get a full heart too.
I'm a proud Wii owner…(and 360 owner). Everything you said is right on the money. I love my games. But you know, if we had everything you just mentioned. The experience would just be a lot better.
Hell yeah I would
They could just make a Wii with a upscaling chip for HD support in existing games, like how the Wii emulators upscales titles.
Now that is an idea.
Bah, price bashing. Just give Nintendo there money already!
As for Wii, spent months trying to get one.
Sold that piece of garbage.
Agreed, although I'm still not somebody who gives Nintendo guff for not packing next gen power into there system, the limitations are there, wether you back them or not.
A game with a visual style like Muramasa may be able to work it out, but the system just couldn't handle games in HD that are already pushing the system to its limits.
Its like asking somebody to give you more juice, when clearly, the juice is gone.
Good article, but I only have one thing to say against it. Even though I have yet to buy or use a Wii Speak, I plan on it soon. I actually think Nintendo has a better idea behind using a group mic instead of a personal mic because personal mics jus don't work as advertised. Have you ever actually tried the official Sony Bluetooth mic? It picks up EVERYTHING in the room. Even games that are compatible with the dual mic/outside noise canceling tech still pick up sounds from the tv. Any gamer that has a PS3 and a large 1080p television are probably going to have surround sound to compliment them. I do. So when you have surround sound all around you, the mics pick them up. For whatever reason the crappy headset included with the 360 aren't as bad (probably because the mic isn't sensitive enough), it still does have the problem. In my opinion, why not just have a mic that can pick up the whole room anyways? I even read somewhere that it does a better job of canceling noises from certain angles and distances as well as profanity. Sounds too me like Nintendo has a better way of thinking about mics…. just like they do about motion control.
who really gives a poo about nintendo or playstation? Both are good in their own ways but compared to xbox 360 they aren't on the same plateau. Online supremacy = XBOX 360
DLC supremacy = XBOX 360. Granted the wii is fun if you are 12 or don't like real competition online, but the majority of hardcore gamers play 360. I would only own a wii if it was given to me. Fuck Wii, Fuck PS3, XBOX Fanboy 4 Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Me taking a trip to the local nursing home>playing with a wii. BTW matey007 hop off the wii sack.
I have to disagree with the headset thing.
Knowing the Wiis audience it wouldn't be smart to have people waggling all over the place with headsets on that may fall off, and I know you could say that depends on the design of the headset, but it would end up having an ugly design or be very bulky to guarantee stability.
The WiiSpeak microphone works quite well from what I've heard, plus it's works like an advanced conference phone being able to differentiate between who is currently talking and even filter out background noise.
The reasons why most devs don't support it is because the Wiis development kit is a bit raw, unlike Microsofts or Sonys, there aren't as many prebuilt libraries that help development as on competing consoles (most devs don't know the full extent of the Wiis power, instead going by Gamecube estimates).
Seriously HD wii would be a gimmick. There is not enough ram to support that in the Wii it self. If you want a great HD picture with the Wii then you should buy your self a DLP HDTV, great LED tv or some type of set up that actualy displays SD tv correctly instead of making even normal tv look like it is view thurough an NES. That is a problem with low standard HDtvs not the Wii. My wii shows up just fine on my great HD tv.
Seriously if you are going to get into high end technology stop buy things like a 12 year old and put real money and research into them.
On top of this most gamers are not playing HD games on an HD tv other wise they would not be complaining about a price hike in MW2 on the HD systems. Simply put real gamers the ones who actualy do support the industry can not afford what the HD systems are putting out there. This is very similar to all the gamers that now will not upgrade their PCs, claiming it is too expensive.
I'm betting this articlue is coming from a gamer stuck in the middle. What I mean by this is a gamer who is not longer in public or private school. During the 16 bit days older gamers did not caomplain about weaker console even when their PC games where getting crushed.
Face it you grew out of console games and you are all fighting the urge to go PC. On top of this you are being taxes for it when MW2 is going to be almost $20 cheaper on the PC and even run better with better online.
Oh yeah while we are at it the conduit , mario kart wii and even build and destory blow a few HD games out of the water online wise and I even play them on a wireless router with GASP no lag. Seriously you call your self a gamer but you can not even get the simpliest console to work correctly online that is very sad. You would rather pay MS to go online, how backwards I wonder if you use live on the PC also?
Adult gamers are a very weird bunch and the Wii exposes this even more. I find that the ones that act more like gamers have a Wii and have no problems with it. Only the gamers that are in between being a real gamer and a vet are the ones complaining.
The biggest problem is the industry as a whole has become very lame. It has become a sub PC standard generation rather than a eveolution of console gaming, which is fueled by younger generations rather than POP gamers claiming to be hardcore. By saying nintendo needs to do this or that is like ignoring the fact that the industry needs to do certain things because nintendo is doing just fine and is actualy doing their job of making new customers at all cost. Other wise gaming would die.
Ugh. why you silly hardkorez never learn right?
Wii HD – Why? who said that? you? HD is far from the norm and you know very fine that Nintendo has stated that their next console will be HD not the wii. OIr you ever listen to them?
I keep hearing about the “wii online issues” but never had one except with Smash bros but it was as worst as Gears of war. So don't pretend that the others consoles have better because is not.
Bundles with software…and take off the game that is making them rich? yeah right dude whatever you say…
The PS3 cut their price because they are screwed. Nintendo doesn't so why they should do that?
Achievements is a pathetic excuse to add replay value to games that doesn't have it because designers became lazy.
Oh and please just because the PS3 had a SLIGHT up in sales thanks to a PRICE CUT doesn't mean that the wii is doomed Part #15204687
Seriously, you game “journalists” are every day worst.
I just want to say “**** no” to achievements on the Wii. They're annoying on the PS3 and 360, and they wouldn't be any different on the Wii. I got the Metroid Prime Trilogy, and as soon as it said I got a point for defeating the first boss, the experience was nearly ruined. I don't need a gimmicky score system to tell me when I accomplished something; I just want to play the game and have fun. Thankfully the Trilogy had the option to turn those stupid messages off. Only fanboys would think that Achievements were a good idea. They don't account for anything and are completely useless. That's a FACT.
I agree with some of these points. I don't think the Wiis online is totally broken, but the use of friend codes is RIDICULOUS. It is the worst possible way to “connect” with people you know that are trying to play the same game, IMO.
If you have just three friends that own Wiis, and you have just two online games each, you must exchange FOUR friend codes to play against your friends in those games…RIDICULOUS.
I think Wii Speak works for some people, but the fact they won't/haven't done a headset is ridiculous IMO also…HVS wanted to have a headset with The Conduit, but I do believe it was Nintendo that shot that idea down and wouldn't let it happen.
As of a price drop, I wrote an article just last week about how much it's costing Nintendo to manufacture the Wii…
Oh god, that is the worst piece of writing I have ever seen. What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone on this site is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Seriously though, his point about a WiiHD is stupid. Yes the games look pretty blocky (even after running through a receiver with excellent upscaling) if you hook them up to a FullHD TV, but to get games in HD would require everyone to purchase a new console.
Also I think you're confusing resolution, frame rate and network latency.
Why are you even typing? What the hell are you even talking about? Before you go on a rant trying to flame the person who wrote the article (not articlue) you should actually (not actualy) learn to read or spell in a cognitive manner. I am an adult gamer and kids like you ruin online play for the grown folks with your inane chatter and calling me a loser because I'm a productive member of society unlike your greasy whore bag of a mother who lives off of food stamps and sells her ass for you to have internet. The real problem is the youth who think they are so smart and cannot speak (or type) in anything except text talk. Gasp, learn to spell. Gasp, learn to read. Gasp, learn to make you damn point in an eight paragraph rant. Finally, gasp, get a rope and hang yourself you stupid snot nosed little shit before you mess up royally and get your 14 year old whore girlfriend knocked up and have another down syndrome baby running around acting like he knows it all.
Achievement points are the evolution of High Scores on Arcades. It's leaves a mark that shows friends “I was here and did this good”.
Don't forget we moved from the arcade to the living room – so much could be lost in the evolution of gaming. Achievements can be a personal or community thing.
I don't play for achievements at all since it's not my main motivation to play a game. But, it feels awesome when I randomly get one for something extraordinary that I accomplished in a game. When I accomplish something frustrating and hear that beep noise, it's like hearing the boxing bell ring announcing victory.
To make things even better, now achievements come with gamer picture and avatar accessories- now for me that is a little fun thing to get an achievement.
It pushes gamers who are (digitally) incentive driven!
I just feel like many of us Nintendo fans will give a cold shoulder to innovative Options found on other consoles and justify Nintendo's gaps. Let's not insult one another in a personal level. This is not what the article is all about. Be open minded and grateful!
Gathering achievements could be a personal, social or monetary (in this case, digital items) incentives. All this, could of course be an option. What's wrong with having options? It's not like taking 5 minutes to create achievements will create money loss- it's a dedication to gamers.
Amen.
Assassin’s Creed is a hot example of what a next-generation game should appear like, with well-rendered surroundings that are nicely shadowed and filled with analyzable items. The game appears splendiferous on both systems, but we did observe that the