Will Wii games still be produced after the Wii U is released?

[Gunstar Hero]

I don't have 650 bucks to shell out for a Wii U when it comes out, but I do have a Wii and enjoy a few games on it. Does anyone know if new Wii games will still come out after Wii U comes out? Plus am I the only one who thinks Wii U is a ridiculous idea? I'm still waiting for an Ultra Nintendo. I mean we had Nintendo and Super Nintendo which notably did fantastic in the eras they were produced, so why instead of trying new gimmicks like tablet controllers, can't Nintendo just have a good SNES style controller with good 2D and 3D games? I know I'm ranting, but come on Nintendo!

[wingzrow]

Since when is the new nintendo system $650?

[markusman64ds]

Original PlayStation games were still produced after the PS2 came out, so I would say that Wii games will be produced as long as the original Wii is popular.

The Nintendo 64 was originally called the Ultra 64. I'm also pretty sure it was once going to be called the Ultra Famicom. In a way, you got your Ultra Nintendo :)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/06/wii-u-controller-press-1307466616.jpg

The controller is like an upgraded SNES controller. It has the D-pad, ABXY buttons, and the L & R buttons in all the right places. In addition to that, it has a touch screen, joysticks, camera and motion controls. This will allow you to interact with your games even more than before.

[G-Boobie]

I don't have 650 bucks to shell out for a Wii U when it comes out, but I do have a Wii and enjoy a few games on it. Does anyone know if new Wii games will still come out after Wii U comes out? Plus am I the only one who thinks Wii U is a ridiculous idea? I'm still waiting for an Ultra Nintendo. I mean we had Nintendo and Super Nintendo which notably did fantastic in the eras they were produced, so why instead of trying new gimmicks like tablet controllers, can't Nintendo just have a good SNES style controller with good 2D and 3D games? I know I'm ranting, but come on Nintendo!

Firstly, there isn't any evidence that the Wii U will be $650 when it releases. That's PS3 launch price and then some. Calm yourself.

Secondly, if you have the Wii and a "few games", then it doesn't matter if they continue to release games for it after the release of their new console because there are plenty of older games you can check out. Sin and Punishment, Rhythm Heaven, Silent Hill Shattered Memories, Shiren the Wanderer, Xenoblade, Last Story, Baroque, Blastworks, Ultimate Shmup Collection, etc.

For what it's worth, the worthwhile releases for the Wii are already few and far between. Once the Wii U comes out, expect the Wii release list to die very quickly.

[kedawa]

Are Wii games still being made now?
Aside from those localized RPGs that fans were begging for, I don't think you're going see to anything but licensed crapware from here on out.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I haven't seen anything saying the price will be $650. Also, Nintendo is thinking about changing the name. As far as future Wii releases, yes, there will be Wii games still being made YEARS after WiiU comes out, but they will mostly be shovelware releases. As someone already mentioned, if you enjoy Wii games, it's better to look into the past 1,000 releases rather than future 100 releases.

[Ryudo]

There is two big releases this year for US gamers. April 6th Xenoblade Chronicles. June 19th The Last Story.

For UK gamers April has Pandora's Tower.

[skaar]

Yes.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jPmgJDQfKhM/RvVu0E96-jI/AAAAAAAAA3k/iUk1huY9-0c/s320/Serge.JPG

Listen to Serge.

[Emuaust]

I wasn't aware that they where still making Wii games prior to the Wii-U's launch...

[Tupin]

Other than Xenoblade and The Last Story, new releases for the Wii are basically done. Nintendo systems post-SNES have been dropped very quickly by developers, with regards to good games.

I know the GBA somehow made it to 2008, but the GCN stopped having games right after the Wii came out.

[DOAsaturn]

Even with the massive user base, I can't see the Wii chugging along like the PS2 did, which is basically saying the Wii won't have 3-4 more years of cheapie ports and cash-ins.

In actuality, the Wii's existence is what kept the PS2 viable in stores until now. Most of the games still trickling out for the PS2 were Wii ports (and a few PSP ports). The Wii doesn't have that advantage now.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Well, I have to disagree with you guys. I believe there will be Wii games for at least a year and a half after Wii-U comes out. With an established base of over 90 million consoles, it's way too easy to make money selling Wii games.

Many gamers like us are going to stop playing the Wii, but in homes with young children the parents will still be buying Wii games for their kids for quite a long time. I imagine there will still be Wii systems being manufactured and sold for quite some time as well.

[DOAsaturn]

Well, I have to disagree with you guys. I believe there will be Wii games for at least a year and a half after Wii-U comes out. With an established base of over 90 million consoles, it's way too easy to make money selling Wii games.

Many gamers like us are going to stop playing the Wii, but in homes with young children the parents will still be buying Wii games for their kids for quite a long time. I imagine there will still be Wii systems being manufactured and sold for quite some time as well.

Point taken - I can really see it going both ways I guess. I'm really more curious to see how collectible the Wii is long term. Every Nintendo console up to the Wii/DS has it's avid "gotta have 'em all" collectors. I'd be shocked if that trend continues on with the Wii or DS...

[The 1 2 P]

After the Wii U comes out? Yes. Much longer after the Wii U comes out? No.

[Gamevet]

In actuality, the Wii's existence is what kept the PS2 viable in stores until now. Most of the games still trickling out for the PS2 were Wii ports (and a few PSP ports). The Wii doesn't have that advantage now.

I believe it was the other way around in the beginning. The Wii had PS2 ports like Star Wars: The Force Unleashed that really didn't take advantage of the hardware, but had Wii-mote functions added in. The original Playstation had software support for years after the PS2 came out and even without the Wii, the PS2 would have the same.

[kedawa]

Well, I have to disagree with you guys. I believe there will be Wii games for at least a year and a half after Wii-U comes out. With an established base of over 90 million consoles, it's way too easy to make money selling Wii games.

Many gamers like us are going to stop playing the Wii, but in homes with young children the parents will still be buying Wii games for their kids for quite a long time. I imagine there will still be Wii systems being manufactured and sold for quite some time as well.

There's plenty left in the bargain bins for those folks, not to mention lower-priced re-releases of first party stuff.
As far as new content, they'd be lucky to get a few more hunting games to go along with the trickle of licensed dreck.

[j_factor]

If FIFA 2005 can be on Playstation, I see no reason FIFA 2016 can't be on Wii.

[Press_Start]

Well, I have to disagree with you guys. I believe there will be Wii games for at least a year and a half after Wii-U comes out. With an established base of over 90 million consoles, it's way too easy to make money selling Wii games.

And if Operation Rainfall blows expectations like they did at Amazon and Nintendo beginning to open up to 3rd party publishers, we may see improvement in lineup that goes beyond the original Rainfall Three in the next year or so (i.e. Fatal Frame 4, Fatal Frame 2 Remake, Reginleiv, Rodea, Earth Seeker, Captain Rainbow, etc).

[thegamezmaster]

I sure hope so. Think of all the Wii's they've sold. I would think people who have them would want some. But history seems to say otherwise. Hopefully there will still be some good games to come out.

[BetaWolf47]

There probably will be, but it'll all be shovelware titles. Nintendo and 3rd-party developers will likely put most of their effort into Wii U, while crap developers like Game Mill will still be dishing out dozens of $20 garbage. It happened with the GBA, with many of its later titles being Scrabble/Yahtzee! compilations and cheap retro arcade 4-in-1's, with other companies focusing on the DS. It's a shame how Wii was barely used to its full potential.

[kedawa]

LOL
It's a Gamecube with waggle. How much potential could it really have?

[dendawg]

LOL
It's a Gamecube with waggle. How much potential could it really have?

0.5/10 for non-original trolling.

[kedawa]

Trolling would involve some sort of disingenuous hyperbole.
I'm dead serious. The thing was a box of gimmicks from day one.
Proper sequels to Mario Golf, F-Zero, Pikmin, or Luigi's mansion would have been great, but I'd just as soon have them on GC.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

LOL
It's a Gamecube with waggle. How much potential could it really have?

Companies deciding whether or not to develop Wii games are not going to consider someone's opinion of the Wii, they are going to look at how many Wiis are out there. Gamecube sold 22 million, but Wii sold 68 million, so obviously there's money to be made by shoveling titles onto the Wii.

[kedawa]

Companies deciding whether or not to develop Wii games are not going to consider someone's opinion of the Wii, they are going to look at how many Wiis are out there. Gamecube sold 22 million, but Wii sold 68 million, so obviously there's money to be made by shoveling titles onto the Wii.

I guess that's why there are so many GBA and PS2 games coming out these days.

[Gamevet]

Trolling would involve some sort of disingenuous hyperbole.
I'm dead serious. The thing was a box of gimmicks from day one.
Proper sequels to Mario Golf, F-Zero, Pikmin, or Luigi's mansion would have been great, but I'd just as soon have them on GC.

I seriously thought that they would make a Pilot Wings for the Wii, since it was announced that the franchise was skipping the GC in favor of another platform. It turns out that after all of those years of waiting, that the other platform was the 3DS?

[Ryudo]

LOL
It's a Gamecube with waggle. How much potential could it really have?

Obvious troll is obvious.



As to the OP besides The Last Story,Xenoblade & Pandoras Tower this year a TBA is for Dragon Quest X for both Wii & Wii-U also TBA is Rhodea Sky Soldier from Prope for Wii & 3DS.

[Leo_A]

If you're including games with no signs of having a North American release like Pandoras Tower, the recently reconfirmed Fatal Frame 2 remake for Japan and Europe is worth a mention.

It very well might be the last Wii release of any interest to me.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I guess that's why there are so many GBA and PS2 games coming out these days.

A PS2 game came out a couple of weeks ago, five years after the PS3 came out. The last GBA game came out in 2008, three years after the DS came out. This further supports the notion that the Wii will have games for years to come.

[Gamevet]

A PS2 game came out a couple of weeks ago, five years after the PS3 came out. The last GBA game came out in 2008, three years after the DS came out. This further supports the notion that the Wii will have games for years to come.

Judging by the release dates on IGN, it's looking pretty abysmal.

http://wii.ign.com/index/release.html

[DOAsaturn]

I still think the biggest problem for the Wii that the PS2 didn't really have was burnout. The Wii sold like mad for at least a good 2-3 years. Then once everyone and their grandmother had one, it hit the skids, at least for console sales. This loss of momentum coupled with the fact that we were inundated with hundreds of crap games overwhelming the good (and some very great) games at store shelves I think hurt the perception of the Wii moving forward.

I don't know how this perception will directly affect the market status of the Wii in the next couple of years, but it's something the PS2 never really had to contend with. Not saying the PS2 had its fair share of crap, every successful console does - but the Wii set a new bar for pretty much allowing ANYTHING to get published. People generally LOVED their PS2s, I feel that the majority of people wouldn't miss the Wii - they just picked it up to play a couple of the popular titles.

[Rob2600]

Wii sold 68 million

Actually, 95 million as of January 2012.

[Bojay1997]

A PS2 game came out a couple of weeks ago, five years after the PS3 came out. The last GBA game came out in 2008, three years after the DS came out. This further supports the notion that the Wii will have games for years to come.

I don't know, there wasn't really much in the way of late releases for the Gamecube other than the Zelda game and frankly, the Wii was 100% backward compatible at release, so I can't see much coming out after the WiiU comes out. Frankly, other than sports games and some stuff that was converted from the PSP, I don't know why people seem to think that the PS2 has been "supported". It's not like Sony or anyone else put major development resources into it after the PS3 released.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Frankly, other than sports games and some stuff that was converted from the PSP, I don't know why people seem to think that the PS2 has been "supported". .

It goes back to the original title of this thread. The OP wanted to know if they will still be making Wii games when WiiU comes out. He didn't say "supported," so any sports game or whatever should count.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Judging by the release dates on IGN, it's looking pretty abysmal.

http://wii.ign.com/index/release.html

Yes, the number of games will definitely be declining, but I imagine that shovelware titles are not announced a year in advance.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I still think the biggest problem for the Wii that the PS2 didn't really have was burnout. The Wii sold like mad for at least a good 2-3 years. Then once everyone and their grandmother had one, it hit the skids, at least for console sales. This loss of momentum coupled with the fact that we were inundated with hundreds of crap games overwhelming the good (and some very great) games at store shelves I think hurt the perception of the Wii moving forward.

I don't know how this perception will directly affect the market status of the Wii in the next couple of years, but it's something the PS2 never really had to contend with. Not saying the PS2 had its fair share of crap, every successful console does - but the Wii set a new bar for pretty much allowing ANYTHING to get published. People generally LOVED their PS2s, I feel that the majority of people wouldn't miss the Wii - they just picked it up to play a couple of the popular titles.

From the older gamer's perspective (like us), yes there is a ton of fatigue with the Wii. It certainly won't last as long as the PS2. However, I imagine that some young kids are still playing the thing, and those late releases will be crapware targeting the unsuspecting suburban mom who isn't going to be buying a WiiU on day one.

[kupomogli]

Frankly, other than sports games and some stuff that was converted from the PSP, I don't know why people seem to think that the PS2 has been "supported". It's not like Sony or anyone else put major development resources into it after the PS3 released.

It's not supported much after the release of the next version, but much more than any other system to date. It's not just sports games either. Persona 3 was released before the PS3 in Japan, FES, that included additional content was released afterwards. I'm pointing out Persona 3 only because work on Persona 4 probably didn't start until after Persona 3 was finished or later. Persona 4 was released in 2008, almost two years after the release of the PS3 in Japan, past two years in the US.

The PS2 got a decent amount of support compared to pretty much any other console. Something we can compare right now is the DS. At the same point in time after the release of the previous console, the PS2 was still getting a somewhat decent amount of games. Most of them may have been multiconsole titles or ports, but still getting releases all the same. It did get its fair share of exclusives as well, though.

Off topic, but check out the releases coming out for the PSP. For PAL owners, unless you import Gungnir, Growlanser, and probably Persona 2 from the US you should move along as there's nothing more to see. Even sports games don't make the listing, but they do in the Japan listing. Looking at the Japan release list and O_O. The Japanese really love the PSP.

[Bojay1997]

Look, I'm not doubting the premise that the PS2 continued to be supported or that it has been better supported than any other console of its age. There were even a few good games for the PS2 after the PS3 was released. Having said that, I think it's a little silly to get too excited about the possibility of the Wii continuing to be supported or have releases for it after the WiiU comes out. Sure, there may be a few titles that were too late to switch over to the new platform just like there always are, but other than from the collectors perspective of buying the last release or something along those lines, I have yet to see an older platform get something amazing once the new hardware is released.


It's not supported much after the release of the next version, but much more than any other system to date. It's not just sports games either. Persona 3 was released before the PS3 in Japan, FES, that included additional content was released afterwards. I'm pointing out Persona 3 only because work on Persona 4 probably didn't start until after Persona 3 was finished or later. Persona 4 was released in 2008, almost two years after the release of the PS3 in Japan, past two years in the US.

The PS2 got a decent amount of support compared to pretty much any other console. Something we can compare right now is the DS. At the same point in time after the release of the previous console, the PS2 was still getting a somewhat decent amount of games. Most of them may have been multiconsole titles or ports, but still getting releases all the same. It did get its fair share of exclusives as well, though.

Off topic, but check out the releases coming out for the PSP. For PAL owners, unless you import Gungnir, Growlanser, and probably Persona 2 from the US you should move along as there's nothing more to see. Even sports games don't make the listing, but they do in the Japan listing. Looking at the Japan release list and O_O. The Japanese really love the PSP.

[Gunstar Hero]

Point taken - I can really see it going both ways I guess. I'm really more curious to see how collectible the Wii is long term. Every Nintendo console up to the Wii/DS has it's avid "gotta have 'em all" collectors. I'd be shocked if that trend continues on with the Wii or DS...

This is exacy why I asked the forum... you just put my real question in much better words. by what I asked I meant not only were they going to make more wii games, but are collectors even going to value any new software Nintendo releases? This is why I am dreading the Wii U's release. I just want the old Nintendo back who loves to make quality games for avid gamers. I really just want them to release another REAL gaming system, one that meets the standards for a system with no gimmicks and one that revives gaming that isn't FPS's and MMORPG's. How about Ultra Nintendo with controllers that don't have too many buttons, quality use of all the franchises they have controll of, and to get back into the gaming scene as not only family friendly but hardcore too. Please Nintendo, make things right.

[Bojay1997]

This is exacy why I asked the forum... you just put my real question in much better words. by what I asked I meant not only were they going to make more wii games, but are collectors even going to value any new software Nintendo releases? This is why I am dreading the Wii U's release. I just want the old Nintendo back who loves to make quality games for avid gamers. I really just want them to release another REAL gaming system, one that meets the standards for a system with no gimmicks and one that revives gaming that isn't FPS's and MMORPG's. How about Ultra Nintendo with controllers that don't have too many buttons, quality use of all the franchises they have controll of, and to get back into the gaming scene as not only family friendly but hardcore too. Please Nintendo, make things right.

I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous. There are plenty of "real" and frankly great games on the Wii that are exclusives including such recent releases as Skyward Sword, Super Mario Galaxy 2, New Super Mario Bros. and the upcoming Last Story and Xenoblade. Those games will be sought by collectors many years from now because they are great games regardless of the fact that they may have a motion control component. Nintendo has never been geared to "hardcore" gamers whatever that means. Nintendo is a company that creates enduring characters and then uses those characters in its games, some of which are amazing and some which are less so. Ultimately, Nintendo has always catered to children and families, but the gameplay on its first party games is generally compelling and addictive enough that teenagers and older gamers end up really enjoying them as well. If you don't enjoy many of the remarkable first party releases on the Wii, I can guarantee the WiiU isn't going to change your mind and complaining that you want essentially a third console similar to the next versions of the Xbox and Playstation is not only absurd, but not sustainable in this economic environment.

[Gunstar Hero]

I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous. There are plenty of "real" and frankly great games on the Wii that are exclusives including such recent releases as Skyward Sword, Super Mario Galaxy 2, New Super Mario Bros. and the upcoming Last Story and Xenoblade. Those games will be sought by collectors many years from now because they are great games regardless of the fact that they may have a motion control component. Nintendo has never been geared to "hardcore" gamers whatever that means. Nintendo is a company that creates enduring characters and then uses those characters in its games, some of which are amazing and some which are less so. Ultimately, Nintendo has always catered to children and families, but the gameplay on its first party games is generally compelling and addictive enough that teenagers and older gamers end up really enjoying them as well. If you don't enjoy many of the remarkable first party releases on the Wii, I can guarantee the WiiU isn't going to change your mind and complaining that you want essentially a third console similar to the next versions of the Xbox and Playstation is not only absurd, but not sustainable in this economic environment.

I wasn't saying I didn't enjoy the Wii, I was saying I don't think I will enjoy the Wii U. I am a fan of the Wii for it's honoring old franchises and reviving them with great remakes and sequels. This is why I am asking if wii games will keep being made. I like how it can use motion control, and on the Wii remote it almost mirrors an NES controller. Please next time read before you bash my comments.

I know Nintendo has been geared toward families in the past, but the challenge was there too. I think the new games are becoming too easy is all. I'm not saying EVERY game is way too easy, just the average amount of games.

I am not asking for a Nintendo Xbox clone, as that would imply that they would rely on FPS's, which I made abundantly clear I DO NOT WANT. But if it was like an Xbox or PS3 but with Nintendo games, would that be a bad thing? I think not.

So to conclude, re-evaluate your comment.

[Bojay1997]

I wasn't saying I didn't enjoy the Wii, I was saying I don't think I will enjoy the Wii U. I am a fan of the Wii for it's honoring old franchises and reviving them with great remakes and sequels. This is why I am asking if wii games will keep being made. I like how it can use motion control, and on the Wii remote it almost mirrors an NES controller. Please next time read before you bash my comments.

I know Nintendo has been geared toward families in the past, but the challenge was there too. I think the new games are becoming too easy is all. I'm not saying EVERY game is way too easy, just the average amount of games.

I am not asking for a Nintendo Xbox clone, as that would imply that they would rely on FPS's, which I made abundantly clear I DO NOT WANT. But if it was like an Xbox or PS3 but with Nintendo games, would that be a bad thing? I think not.

So to conclude, re-evaluate your comment.

I did read your comments. I would suggest you take the time to do the same. How is "I want the old Nintendo back who makes quality games for avid gamers" or "I really just want them to release another REAL gaming system, one that meets the standards for a system with no gimmicks and one that revives gaming that isn't FPS's and MMORPG's" consistent with what you just wrote? That implies that somehow the Wii isn't that "old Nintendo" and that the Wii has a gimmick that you don't like. It also implies that just because the WiiU has an additional interface option that it somehow won't qualify as good either. Nintendo has always employed novel control and interface options, whether that's the ROB or the light gun from the original NES or the mouse on the SNES or the unique controller on the N64. The WiiU is just the next step in that progression. Maybe the tablet controller will be great and maybe it won't, but as of now, Nintendo certainly hasn't said that anyone will be forced to control any game using it. Heck, on the Wii, you could still use Gamecube controllers or the classic controller up until recently. No reason to think the WiiU won't be the same.

The Xbox and PS3 have a huge variety of games outside of the FPS genre and continually harping on that just supports my belief that you are confused about what is out there and what Nintendo offers that the other two major companies do not. Nintendo has decided in the Wii and the WiiU that great games and unique interfaces trump bleeding edge specs. I personally can't dispute that approach as it has made Nintendo billions of dollars and put a Wii in 90+ million households. So, no, I don't want a console with the same specs as a PS4 or Xbox Whatever from Nintendo. If that's all they plan to deliver, they'd be better off going the Sega route and just becoming a software developer/publisher.

[Gunstar Hero]

I did read your comments. I would suggest you take the time to do the same. How is "I want the old Nintendo back who makes quality games for avid gamers" or "I really just want them to release another REAL gaming system, one that meets the standards for a system with no gimmicks and one that revives gaming that isn't FPS's and MMORPG's" consistent with what you just wrote? That implies that somehow the Wii isn't that "old Nintendo" and that the Wii has a gimmick that you don't like. It also implies that just because the WiiU has an additional interface option that it somehow won't qualify as good either. Nintendo has always employed novel control and interface options, whether that's the ROB or the light gun from the original NES or the mouse on the SNES or the unique controller on the N64. The WiiU is just the next step in that progression. Maybe the tablet controller will be great and maybe it won't, but as of now, Nintendo certainly hasn't said that anyone will be forced to control any game using it. Heck, on the Wii, you could still use Gamecube controllers or the classic controller up until recently. No reason to think the WiiU won't be the same.

The Xbox and PS3 have a huge variety of games outside of the FPS genre and continually harping on that just supports my belief that you are confused about what is out there and what Nintendo offers that the other two major companies do not. Nintendo has decided in the Wii and the WiiU that great games and unique interfaces trump bleeding edge specs. I personally can't dispute that approach as it has made Nintendo billions of dollars and put a Wii in 90+ million households. So, no, I don't want a console with the same specs as a PS4 or Xbox Whatever from Nintendo. If that's all they plan to deliver, they'd be better off going the Sega route and just becoming a software developer/publisher.

I apologize I did not know there would be an option to not use the tablet controller, as I just am not a fan of this way of gaming. I was talking about the Wii U when I mentioned a gimmick, referring to the tablet controllers. I will probably end up getting one to see what it's like, so until then I guess I can't judge the Wii U... this is all just based on what I have heard about the system. I guess by saying "old Nintendo" I really meant the old developers who made difficult games for Nintendo's other systems. I have really not seen many games that are being advertised by 3rd party developers AND that are geared toward older gamers (Well at least not nearly as many as previous consoles). Maybe I need to search harder, or maybe there just aren't that many. Now that you mention it, I agree a Nintendo system similar to the Xbox wouldn't be the best approach, especially if that means going the "Sega road". I am sorry for not clearing things up before and hope this clears things up now. Thank you for at least shedding some light on topics I was confused about. If you cannot already tell I am much more of a retro gamer than a modern one, and I am certainly not an expert on modern games and devices. I mean not to troll or be a bother :).

[kedawa]

The tablet looks like an improvement to me. It at least has a reasonable button layout.
Of course, I'd prefer a system 10x more powerful than a PS3 that comes with HRAPs as the default controller, but I'm not holding my breath for that one.

[Leo_A]

I imagine the Wii U will come with a set of Wii controls out of the box for backwards compatibility with the Wii and Wii U motion gaming.


I don't know, there wasn't really much in the way of late releases for the Gamecube other than the Zelda game and frankly, the Wii was 100% backward compatible at release, so I can't see much coming out after the WiiU comes out. Frankly, other than sports games and some stuff that was converted from the PSP, I don't know why people seem to think that the PS2 has been "supported". It's not like Sony or anyone else put major development resources into it after the PS3 released.

There will be something like 100 million Wii's out there this fall. I can assure you a developer isn't going to automatically dismiss the platform just because the Wii U is out on the market. If anything, beyond the traditional fair (1st party Nintendo releases and major 3rd party games), I suspect Wii U backwards compatibility will help ensure the scores of budget games aimed at the casual gamer will keep the Wii's release schedule at least semi busy for years to come. And I don't know why you think Wii U backwards compatibility apparently makes it even less likely for the Wii to see more releases. Logic dictates the situation would be exactly the opposite since Wii U gamers will still have the option to enjoy Wii releases (Along with those 100 million Wii's out there)

And to me, something like Motorstorm Arctic Edge, a PSP port back in 2008 or so, most certainly qualifies as "support". Seems like a odd distinction to consider it otherwise.

Was the Xbox barely ever supported just because the vast majority of 3rd party projects were PS2 ports? I don't think you'd find much support for such a notion.

[kedawa]

And I don't know why you think WiiU backwards compatibility apparantly makes it even less likely for the Wii to see more releases. Logic dictates the situation would be exactly the opposite since WiiU gamers will still have the option to enjoy Wii releases (Along with those 100 million Wii's out there)

Well, that didn't happen with the GC, despite the Wii's perfect backward compatibility.

[Leo_A]

Edit - I'm not sure why I thought Bojay was suggesting that Wii U BC will make it even less likely that the Wii will be supported since I don't see that in his replies just now after rereading them. So ignore that bit of my argument.

The GameCube was all but abandoned by consumers well before release of its replacement and had less than quarter of the amount of consoles out there that the Wii has. Beyond Twilight Princess after the Wii was released, there had been very little activity on the console for a long time and there was little activity shortly after Twilight Princess was released. There's little that Wii GCN support could've done to actually bring back any sort of life to that platform.

The Wii has added something upwards of 10 million consoles in the past 6 months or so. My impression of the Wii is that it's still selling halfway decently for a 5 year old underpowered console and many Wii owners are still regularly using it (Although new releases of any major interest to people like us has dwindled to a trickle and I'm sure will be drying up completely soon). Wii U backwards compatibility is just going to encourage that to last for longer than it would've otherwise.

I suspect the Wii is going to remain the system of choice for budget releases, releases aimed at young children, minigame collections, casual games, etc (And I would look for Nintendo's apparently successful Selects line of rereleases to continue). Wii U backwards compatibility is just going to help encourage that material to continue to be released on the Wii.

[Bojay1997]

And the GameCube was all but abandoned by consumers well before release and had less than quarter of the amount of consoles out there that the Wii has. Beyond Twilight Princess after the Wii was released, there had been very little activity on the console for a long time and there was little activity shortly after Twilight Princess was released. There's little that Wii GCN support could've done to actually bring back any sort of life to that platform.

The Wii has added something upwards of 10 million consoles in the past 6 months or so. My impression of the Wii is that it's still selling halfway decently for a 5 year old underpowered console and many Wii owners are still regularly using it (Although new releases of any major interest to people like us has dwindled to a trickle).

I suspect the Wii is going to remain the system of choice for budget releases, releases aimed at young children, minigame collections, casual games, etc. And WiiU backwards compatibility is just going to help encourage that material to continue to be released on the Wii.

I guess you haven't seen the attach rate data for the Wii. It's gotten to the point where even the budget publishers aren't bothering anymore. I don't think there has been a new Wii release from the usual suspects like Zoo or Storm City since early Fall of 2011. Maximum Family Games has even moved on to the Xbox 360. The reality is that the audience outside of collectors who continue to play a console after the next generation has been released is generally the same audience who buys used games and isn't too interested in cheap but very mediocre or downright poor new games. The WiiU hasn't even been released and doesn't even have a firm US release date, but the number of upcoming Wii releases is literally tiny. There's no way some publisher is going to suddenly see it as an opportunity a year or two from now when the user base is a fraction of what it is today.

[Leo_A]

You don't even typically see most Wii releases on release list months ahead of time. I'm sure the shovelware will continue for an extended period. Many shovelware publishers concentrate on the Fall with few releases before the end of summer.

And what's attach rate data prove? That's number of games sold divided by number of consoles sold. How exactly are you using that number to show that publishers aren't even bothering with the platform now?

[kedawa]

It proves that Wii owners aren't buying many games, which makes supporting the platform less attractive.

[Leo_A]

It proves that Wii owners aren't buying many games, which makes supporting the platform less attractive.

If consumers were buying too few games you'd of seen its effects much earlier. The Wii has been heavily supported by many publishers, particularly the kind that aren't going to jump ship day 1 to the latest and greatest platform (The shovelware producers). So I would think at the very least it has enjoyed a halfway decent attach rate.

But that's besides the point, attach rate simply can't reveal that software sales are in decline like he was suggesting. It's a metric that measures how many games, on average, that a console buyer has bought. It can't tell you that in 2012, Wii software sales are so low that even shovelware publishers are jumping ship. Yet that's exactly what he was suggesting. At the most, a comparison could show that Xbox 360 and/or Playstation 3 owners have started to buy more games than the competition if you were to compare the current statistics with those from the past.

But that statistic alone can't ever tell you that Wii sales are in decline. It's simply total lifetime software sales divided by total console sales. Nothing more, nothing less.

Edit- And quickly searching for console attach rates 2011 in Google brought up an informative post from another message board from last May that suggests otherwise.

"695.37 million [Wii] games life to date divided by 86 million [Wii] systems sold is an attach rate of 8.6 games per [Wii] system.

XBOX 360 - MS is a little coy in their lifetime sales - they release lifetime systems and report an attach rate of 8.9 games - for the NPD - the US market! Lets remember the US is their stongest market, and their worldwide attach rate is lower - in fact, very likely lower than Wii! But even assuming that higher number for worldwide, that equates to 477 million game sold - just 68% of what Wii sold - ouch. And it has been on the market a year longer.....

PS3 Had sold 315 million games as of June 30th, 2010. They have sold about 50 million consoles as of today, so lets take 13 million of of that to give a solid estimate of their 2010 life to date hardware sales. That an attach rate of 8.2, but remember, it is a blu ray player after all..."

At the very least, the Wii is clearly competitive in regards to this particular statistic.

Anyways, this is pretty much pointless. I think there is consensus that releases of interest to the average DP user are virtually done. That the Wii may or may not see a few more years of shovelware releases is all but meaningless.

[DOAsaturn]

I think a good point has been raised that shovelware producers are really the last to go when it comes to game development. Oh, I miss the old days when the last games were actually some pretty decent stuff (Can't argue with the NES finishing up with Jungle Book and Wario's Woods and the Saturn had about 4-5 games that some consider the best in the console's history and Dreamcast had arguably the best hockey game of the time with NHL 2K2).

I've been following the 3DS obsessively. It's really dependent on your definition of shovelware, of course, but the shovelware "glut" really hasn't seem to get going until recently...it seems the regulars (i.e. Maximum Family, Storm City, Giant Media Group and of course the "life simulators" from THQ and others) are going to hit the 3DS scene hard in the next few months. Red Wagon Games and D3 have put a couple things out there, but true shovelware hasn't really infected the 3DS library until now. It's a tad sobering - I didn't really want to see the 3DS library go the same was as the DS's did... Anyway, my point is, it does take a year or two for these publishers to transition from one console to the next. For example, I highly doubt Maximum Family is prepping stuff for Wii U's launch...

[Bojay1997]

If consumers were buying too few games you'd of seen its effects much earlier. The Wii has been heavily supported by many publishers, particularly the kind that aren't going to jump ship day 1 to the latest and greatest platform (The shovelware producers). So I would think at the very least it has enjoyed a halfway decent attach rate.

But that's besides the point, attach rate simply can't reveal that software sales are in decline like he was suggesting. It's a metric that measures how many games, on average, that a console buyer has bought. It can't tell you that in 2012, Wii software sales are so low that even shovelware publishers are jumping ship. Yet that's exactly what he was suggesting. At the most, a comparison could show that Xbox 360 and/or Playstation 3 owners have started to buy more games than the competition.

But the statistic can't ever tell you that Wii sales are in decline.

Edit- And quickly searching for console attach rates 2011 in Google brought up an informative post from another message board from last May that suggests otherwise.

"695.37 million [Wii] games life to date divided by 86 million [Wii] systems sold is an attach rate of 8.6 games per [Wii] system.

XBOX 360 - MS is a little coy in their lifetime sales - they release lifetime systems and report an attach rate of 8.9 games - for the NPD - the US market! Lets remember the US is their stongest market, and their worldwide attach rate is lower - in fact, very likely lower than Wii! But even assuming that higher number for worldwide, that equates to 477 million game sold - just 68% of what Wii sold - ouch. And it has been on the market a year longer.....

PS3 Had sold 315 million games as of June 30th, 2010. They have sold about 50 million consoles as of today, so lets take 13 million of of that to give a solid estimate of their 2010 life to date hardware sales. That an attach rate of 8.2, but remember, it is a blu ray player after all..."

At the very least, the Wii is clearly competitive in regards to this particular statistic.

Anyways, this is pretty much pointless. I think there is consensus that releases of interest to the average DP user are virtually done. That the Wii may or may not see a few more years of shovelware releases is all but meaningless.

Actually, I collect the shovel ware on the Wii and it has slowed to almost nothing over the past year. Like I said, you can argue all you want about what publishers will or won't do, but it is very clear to me as a collector that they have already decided there isn't much of a Wii software market left. Heck, just walk into Best Buy or check Amazon for the past 90 days of releases and you'll see nothing has come out including during the all important holiday season. Nintendo will still sell millions of games like Mario Party 9 which just came out and I'm sure the Xseed and Gamestop published JRPGs will do ok with their niche markets, but beyond a few more releases between now and WiiU, the era of sustained software support for the Wii is largely over. I would also argue that many of the Wii console sales in the past few years have been replacement units or second units (that's also the case for the Xbox 360 and PS3 by the way) and those buyers already have access to the games and while they may be buying the Nintendo first party budget re-release games, they sure aren't going to be buying shovel ware or even most third party stuff. Only time will tell, but just having a large install base means very little if that base isn't willing to buy your products.

[kupomogli]

In actuality, the Wii's existence is what kept the PS2 viable in stores until now. Most of the games still trickling out for the PS2 were Wii ports (and a few PSP ports). The Wii doesn't have that advantage now.

You've got that backwards. Most of the games that are on both the PS2 and the Wii were originally PS2 games. The only one that I can think of that was on the Wii first and a much better game on the Wii as well, is Silent Hill Shattered Memories. Tenkaichi 2, Tenkaichi 3, Driver Parallel Lines, Scarface, Baroque(US version has the same release date, but it was PS2 first in Japan,) Dokapon Kingdom(PS2 released first in Japan,) and many I'm sure.

[BetaWolf47]

You've got that backwards. Most of the games that are on both the PS2 and the Wii were originally PS2 games. The only one that I can think of that was on the Wii first and a much better game on the Wii as well, is Silent Hill Shattered Memories. Tenkaichi 2, Tenkaichi 3, Driver Parallel Lines, Scarface, Baroque(US version has the same release date, but it was PS2 first in Japan,) Dokapon Kingdom(PS2 released first in Japan,) and many I'm sure.

Yeah, it's a shame that game companies thought we'd be fine with dumbed-down PS2 games with waggle. Many ports actually look worse than the PS2 versions. It's like every gaming company was looking on internet forums, saw how Wii fans were talking about how "graphics don't matter", and took the smart-ass approach to that viewpoint by making games look worse than they do on much weaker consoles. It's actually insulting to Wii owners.

[DOAsaturn]

You've got that backwards. Most of the games that are on both the PS2 and the Wii were originally PS2 games. The only one that I can think of that was on the Wii first and a much better game on the Wii as well, is Silent Hill Shattered Memories. Tenkaichi 2, Tenkaichi 3, Driver Parallel Lines, Scarface, Baroque(US version has the same release date, but it was PS2 first in Japan,) Dokapon Kingdom(PS2 released first in Japan,) and many I'm sure.

If I recall there were quite a few "shovelware"-level games in the past 2-3 years that were released on both the Wii and PS2 at the same time. My guess is that these wouldn't have even been bothered with had it only been the PS2. I'm talking Dora the Explorer: Dora's Big Birthday Adventure, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest (which came out way after the Wii version), Scooby-Doo! and the Spooky Swamp, Despicable Me: The Game, Jurassic: The Hunted, Marvel Super Hero Squad, Secret Saturdays: Beasts of the 5th Sun and I can probably name a few others... Yes, some of these were released at the same time for Wii and PS2 but my argument is whether they were a PS2 port or a Wii port is that since they could release a last-gen game or last-gen version of a game on a current-gen platform (Wii) then they might as well release it on the PS2. Some of these PS2 games may not have existed if it wasn't because they had the validity of a Wii release to go along with it. If you notice, VERY few games in the PS2's catalog from 2009-2012 were not on the Wii as well.

So yes, even if these games were programmed first for PS2 and then ported over to Wii during development (yet both released on the same day), I'm arguing that the only reason these last-gen games were existing at all was because the Wii was very viable for new game releases at the time. These may have been afterthoughts if the Wii didn't exist or was as powerful as the 360/PS3. I really couldn't see all these companies going out of their way to release these to the PS2 only...

[kupomogli]

It's quite obvious that the PS2 is never going to get anything now days that isn't already going to be on another console. It's been what. Five, almost six years since the last of the next gen consoles have came out? But the PS2 still had a valued place in the marketplace back in 2008, over a year after the PS3 and Wii were released, which later the same games that were released in that time on the PS2 were then ported over to the Wii. What I'm getting at is even if these titles wouldn't release on the PS2 otherwise, they're multiconsole titles and not ports.

The Wii right now isn't like the PS2 was. It's still the current gen and there are almost no games coming out. At this same time in the consoles life, prior to the next console coming out and even after the next console came out, the PS2 was still receiving big budget titles. God of War isn't very good in my opinion, no idea why people like it so much, but God of War 2 was released in 2007. Although one thing I think is that God of War 2 should have had development pushed over to the PS3 instead. The PS3 had hardly anything worthwhile for quite awhile and God of War 2 could have been a system seller since the 360 didn't have much either.

[Ryudo]

I wasn't saying I didn't enjoy the Wii, I was saying I don't think I will enjoy the Wii U. I am a fan of the Wii for it's honoring old franchises and reviving them with great remakes and sequels. This is why I am asking if wii games will keep being made. I like how it can use motion control, and on the Wii remote it almost mirrors an NES controller. Please next time read before you bash my comments.

I know Nintendo has been geared toward families in the past, but the challenge was there too. I think the new games are becoming too easy is all. I'm not saying EVERY game is way too easy, just the average amount of games.

I am not asking for a Nintendo Xbox clone, as that would imply that they would rely on FPS's, which I made abundantly clear I DO NOT WANT. But if it was like an Xbox or PS3 but with Nintendo games, would that be a bad thing? I think not.

So to conclude, re-evaluate your comment.
Again look at Xenoblade Chronicles (Nintendo IP) The Last Story,Pandoras Tower. Dragon Quest X,Rhodea Sky Soldier,Fatal Frame 2 . So quite a few big releases left.

If you want other great ones we westerners never got check out Earth Seeker,Captain Rainbow (Nintendo IP) and Zangeki Reginleiv,Fatal Frame 4.

[Ryudo]

Aside from those I just mentioned. Epic Mickey 2 is coming to Wii. So looks like for a while big name games are coming to Wii

[kedawa]

I haven't heard anything about that game in months. Have you read something recent about it?

[wingzrow]

I hope so. I really want to play Rodea the Sky Soldier.

[parallaxscroll]

I don't think Wii U will cost more than $299.99 and yes Wii games will continue to be made/sold after the Wii U is released. No developer is going to ignore a ~100m Wii userbase.

[DOAsaturn]

If I was a Wii collector or considering getting into Wii collecting, I'd definitely focus on the good stuff (Xenoblade, Last Story, any other JRPGs or RPGS, etc) coming out this year. The Wii is one of the consoles that everyone is sleeping on now, huge user base or not. I'm willing to bet the last major releases for it will cost a pretty premium a couple years or so from now...Kinda reminds me of the Sega Saturn...not many systems die off with that many good titles in their final year(s). The Wii might actually pack a few more punches...

[Gamevet]

If I was a Wii collector or considering getting into Wii collecting, I'd definitely focus on the good stuff (Xenoblade, Last Story, any other JRPGs or RPGS, etc) coming out this year. The Wii is one of the consoles that everyone is sleeping on now, huge user base or not. I'm willing to bet the last major releases for it will cost a pretty premium a couple years or so from now...Kinda reminds me of the Sega Saturn...not many systems die off with that many good titles in their final year(s). The Wii might actually pack a few more punches...

I don't own a Wii and even I would consider buying Xenoblade before it's gone. I have a feeling it will have a short print run. I picked up Sin & Punishment for $5 at Fry's a couple of months ago; I bet that game increases in value within 5 years.

I'll eventually buy a Wii on the cheap, when what's left of the good software isn't that expensive either.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Wii is not officially dead, but it's getting there. Here's the upcoming Wii releases.

The Croods: Prehistoric Party! March 19, 2013
B-Units: Build It! 2013 Q1
Pandora's Tower Spring 2012

A while back in the thread I was being a little too optimistic about the Wii's longevity. It appears the developers have abandoned ship and are heading for the WiiU. Though, I do expect a few more Wii titles to be announced this year.


Worth noting, they are also re-releasing some old games packaged with movies:

Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters [Movie Combo Pack] January 2013
Happy Feet Two [Movie Combo Pack] January 2013
LEGO Batman: The Videogame [Movie Combo Pack] January 2013
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 [Movie Combo Pack] January 2013

[Tupin]

Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story appeared to be the last "big" games for the Wii in North America. However, Pandora's Tower is coming out this Spring, and is definitely the only thing notable coming out for it this year. Nintendo has a habit of rapidly killing off their systems, I'd be surprised if Wiis were still being made this time 2014.

[Leo_A]

I don't think it's 100% that we won't have any further releases of note. We didn't even know about Pandora's Tower until a few days ago so I certainly don't see how anyone could say that with any certainty (Even if the chances are excellent that such a guess will end up correct). But if that could happen, I don't see why something else worthwhile also couldn't come out.

I could see the New Play Control release of Chibi Robo finally making it out like Pikmin 2 did last year (Not a major release, but still a nice game that many overlooked on the GCN), maybe a release in line with last year's Kirby collection for another Nintendo franchise, and maybe even one or both of the Fatal Frame games could finally be picked up and released. The Fatal Frame 2 remake in particular came out in Europe, reviewed very well, and is already translated for something Nintendo could cheaply bring stateside.

A strong holiday season for the Wii, excellent Wii U backwards compatibility, a new console redesign for 2013, and the apparent success of Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story (And hopefully Pikmin 2 was considered a success) certainly won't be doing the chances of something else of value any harm. While they have obvious candidates for several more waves of Nintendo Selects rereleases to appease existing owner's and the many just picking up the console now, they might still want something new on the shelves.

I'm hoping the FF2 remake gets the call (Sadly I don't see Fatal Frame 4 standing much of a chance due to the need to translate it unless they let a company like XSEED license it.. but that would certainly classify as a noteworthy release if it happens).

[The 1 2 P]

I'm sure theres enough shovelware lined up to keep the Wii in business for another year or so.

[Gameguy]

I could see the New Play Control release of Chibi Robo finally making it out like Pikmin 2 did last year (Not a major release, but still a nice game that many overlooked on the GCN)
I'm not sure how overlooked it could have been on the Gamecube when it became a Player's Choice title, that doesn't happen unless a title sold well.

[Leo_A]

It couldn't of done too well or I imagine we'd of gotten the Wii rerelease several year's ago (Edit - If it saw a Player's Choice rerelease, it sure seems to have been a well kept secret).

Our only chance now is if Nintendo wants a solid release in a largely empty release schedule that they will reconsider bringing it over now when it won't have as much competition for people's attention. Or perhaps they're considering a revival of the franchise and might see it as a chance to get the franchise some attention in the prelude to that. I think both factor's are what saw Pikmin 2 finally see release last year.

And I imagine Japan was largely responsible for it reaching Player's Choice status. It seems to have been best received there with them getting the Wii rerelease and I think at least one game that never made it out over here on the DS.

Plus, the day's of a game requiring a million sale's was long past for the program at that point. It was 250,000 units early in the GameCube's life to qualify and probably even lower towards the end. And if it was anything like Sony's Greatest Hits line, the criteria was all but thrown out by late in that generation.

Anyways, here's hoping we get a few more surprises this year.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Just saw another release on the schedule. Disney Infinity is coming out in June for every system, including Wii. It's basically Skylanders with Disney characters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_Infinity

[WelcomeToTheNextLevel]

Interestingly, the Wii seems to have lasted at least as long as the Wii U in terms of production and game releases, Just Dance holding it on by a thread in its last years. Despite the fact that the Wii's third party support largely dried up in the early 2010s, a trickle of games came out long enough that the Wii got games for among the longest periods of time after a successor came out and is one of the few consoles to outlast a successor.

Apparently, the Wii's production was discontinued in 2013, but the Wii Mini came out that year and was made until 2017. It must have been trickling off of the production line, but they were making them. That means that the Wii's official life was 2006-2017,
https://www.lifewire.com/slow-painful-death-of-the-nintendo-wii-2498653
https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/10/30/3-reasons-the-nintendo-wii-failed.aspx

Wii's successor (Wii U) launch -> last Wii game = 2012/11/18 to 2019/11/05 - 6.97 years (2,543 days)

[gbpxl]

it wouldnt surprise me if they kept making those Just Dance games on the Wii. as long as people are buying them Im sure theyll keep pumping them out

[Ryudo]

Ubi said Just Dance 2020 is the last one. So that is out official last Wii game.