Gameplay evaluations of the Wii controller -- first opinions?

[lendelin]

Nintendo bet a lot not on high end technology in order to compete with the 360 and the PS3 but on a "new" kind of gameplay via the Wii-mote in order to attract new demographics of gameplayers.

I remember well the the high level of enthusiasm and skepticism on this board when N first revealed the controller. Polarization was the result; there seemed almost no middle of the road approach possible, emotions flew high.

Now that the system is out I am surprised how little I hear about this new revolutionary gameplay. The pre-sale hype and polarization stands in stark contrast to the dulled down reaction after the system is available and can be played. How well does it hold up? What are your experiences with different games? How responsive is this thing, and how well does it work with racers, with swordplay a la Zelda, etc?

Really nice would be if someone had the chance to play a multiplatform game on the Wii and the 360/PS3 and compared it. Is the traditional control scheme inferior or superior to the Wii-mote, and for which kind of games?

Does overall the different kind of gameplay make up for the obvious deficiency of a less powerful system?

[WiseSalesman]

I'll tell you that Wii sports is amazing. I can't imagine the game being nearly as much fun with controllers. The whole point is that many of the motions (particularly in golf and bowling) are 1:1, so what you're doing shows up on the screen.

Aiming a bow or slingshot in Zelda with the Wiimote is joyous. It's so incredibly intuitive as compared to using a thumbstick to move the crosshairs, and I was able to target things with pinpoint accuracy. With a little practice, I now cannot fathom what players of the GCN version will be missing out on.

I think, given some time, developers will be able to take advantage of this controller to really bring you into the game and offer easier means of controls for their releases. I have not yet played a multiplatform game, so I cannot give you what you seek. I have heard, however, that despite the dip in graphics, Madden '07 is much, much more fun to play on the Wii than the PS3, owing completely to the unique control system. I don't play non-arcadey sports games, so I have no idea.

[ubersaurus]

Wii controller is amazing. The speaker and rumble add quite a bit to wii sports when you're playing it with buddies, and to zelda just in general. And really, the controller itself for wii sports and zelda rocks hard. If I have one complaint, it's that it doesn't have a rechargable battery pack out that I'm aware of. As much as I've ended up playing that thing compared to the 360's controller, I've been running the batteries out much faster.

[jajaja]

I have heard, however, that despite the dip in graphics, Madden '07 is much, much more fun to play on the Wii than the PS3, owing completely to the unique control system. I don't play non-arcadey sports games, so I have no idea.

I've heard that the Wii controller works rather lousy in Madden. They said the controller functions wasnt really fit out for a game like that.

When you're playing Zelda:TP, will he look at det direction you have the pointer? If so, what will happend if you dont point the Wiimote at the screen?

[chicnstu]

I've heard that the Wii controller works rather lousy in Madden. They said the controller functions wasnt really fit out for a game like that.

Actually I thought people were saying the opposite. The Wii version is getting better reviews than the PS3 and 360 versions because of the controls.


When you're playing Zelda:TP, will he look at det direction you have the pointer? If so, what will happend if you dont point the Wiimote at the screen?

I didn't get to buy Zelda with my Wii so someone else will have to answer.

[aiko]

When you're playing Zelda:TP, will he look at det direction you have the pointer? If so, what will happend if you dont point the Wiimote at the screen?

He will when you're using the slingshot/bow/clawshot, &c. If the wiimote isn't pointed at the screen, the game automatically pauses, darkens, and throbs something similar to "please point the wii remote at the screen" (and when you do, it automatically unpauses).