Is the WII really going to be what we expect?
I think its cool like anyone else that Nintendo is finally being the first guys to really tap into that user + game play interactivity. But from I’ve have seen mostly are gimmicks. Now for Nintendo’s defense, Games like Red Steel (Which reportedly is glitzy, slow moving, and not decently responsive to the users Wii remote commands), is a game that is doing exactly what I want to see. Zelda, and Metroid on the other hand, the Wii remote add on seems more the like gimmick than a new form of game play. Yes it’s cool to use the remote to shoot an arrow, or use the mic etc, and swinging the remote playing games like tennis, and maybe a voice recognition game (or a game that would use it) will be awesome.
But really now think for a moment, look at your TV. I use a 21 inch VGA monitor. That would get annoying, and old after a good while. For example, imagine playing Tennis on anything less than a 40 inch HD TV. It would SUCK period. There is no way me, and my friend could play together in a normal sized room (average bedroom), and effectively play the game the way it’s designed. 60 inch seems to be ideal here. The concepts I agree are awesome, but the demonstrations and video’s are very cinematic. Take for example the guy playing Metroid, you really wouldn’t jump out of your chair, nor would you want to wave your hand around for 5 hrs. “ But you can go back and use the regular controller”, yes I know, but then it just turns that element into a gimmick. Now games like “Dunk Hunt” would work in this setting, AS IT DID BACK IN 85.
Side Rant
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As far as gaming, and system wise, if Nintendo makes it core franchise games like Mario, and add some new flavor franchises to it, they will be doing 10x better than the N64, and GC combined IMO. New franchises is a must! Think back to the golden era of gaming IMO, the SNES vs. SEGA days. Nintendo had its Marios, and Zeldas, but new one’s such as Star Fox, and Donkey Kong Country sprang about. Nintendo needs to do that again.
* For my defense, I’m not bashing Nintendo, and I’ve very excited about the Wii, but I have to look at it seriously for a moment.
* For some reason I feel guilty for saying this, but what Nintendo is doing, which is awesome, reminds me of what Sega was doing or trying to do with the Dreamcast. That’s just my personal take though.