The Wii has been an unquestionable retail success so far. No one would have expected over a year after its launch it would still be difficult to find in stores, and it would still be outselling both the PS3 and Xbox 360. In the mindshare of so-called hardcore gamers, however, it has had a much rougher time. “Where are the games for us?” they cry out. The problem is that it’s rather difficult to see with both eyes closed.
The Wii has suffered through a drought of games on par with the PS3 and Xbox 360 in their first years of life. Not only those systems, but it has actually fared better than some classic systems such as the PS2 and N64. So, what is everyone complaining about? While the games are there, they aren’t exactly there the way many ways would want.
While Super Mario Galaxy was a true AAA title, many gamers were disappointed not by a lack of innovation or decent control, but instead by a lack of high-resolution textures. Similar criticism was leveled against The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Still, many hardcore players seem to miss the point that right there they have three AAA titles within the first year of a console’s release. The fact that the Wii is not the hardware equivalent of the PS3 or Xbox 360 is simply something they’ll have to get over, or miss quality games. This is the same as bringing one’s self to term with the concept that the DS and PSP will never be the graphical equal of their big brother consoles.
What’s really amazing is when you take into consideration the first year and a half of the Wii’s lifespan (up through June 2008), you see quite a stacked lineup. Consider the following titles:
- Wii Sports
- Super Mario Galaxy
- Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition
- WarioWare: Smooth Moves
- No More Heroes
- Super Paper Mario
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Zack & Wiki: The Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure
- Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
- Wii Fit
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- Mario Kart Wii
Granted, not every titles above may qualify as AAA, but it is still quite an impressive lineup, and far better than the last two Nintendo consoles saw in their first years. The point is that the Wii is hardly the complete failure for gamers as many would like to point out. It may not feature Devil may Cry 4, but there are plenty of fun substitutes for the open-minded gamer. This is to say nothing of second-tier titles such as The Godfather: Blackhand Edition, Sonic and the Secret Rings, Mario Strikers Charged, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, and others.
Where hardcore gamers do have a point is when it comes to the future of the console. While the first year and a half have been good, it appears to many Nintendo has run out of their exclusive franchises. Rumors of a Kid Icarus update persist, but otherwise? An Excitebike update? A new Luigi’s Mansion? Perhaps Nintendo might finally get back to developing original franchises, but many worry their future is more in titles such as Wii Sports and Wii Fit.
While the above mentioned titles get rave reviews and are fun with groups, many hardcore gamers see them as shallow and lacking in the gameplay they have grown to adore over the past 25 years or so of Nintendo console gaming. Where is that one new franchise that will strike the Nintendo faithful in the same way as the first time they played Super Mario Bros. or StarFox? Is that Nintendo gone forever, replaced by the new largest player in the casual gaming market?
Perhaps. Still, one would have a hard time arguing that the first year of the Wii’s life hasn’t been one of the most impressive ever for a Nintendo console, or any console for that matter. There’s a reason that many continue to lineup to find that elusive Wii console. There’s a reason that Nintendo is at this point making more money than they know what to do with. Perhaps, many hardcore gamers ponder, Nintendo will use some of that money to develop new franchises and innovative entries in old ones? Perhaps, Nintendo has not forgotten all those dedicated fans who stuck by their side through the financially hard times of the N64 and GameCube? Perhaps, with Nintendo back on top gamers will see a return to Nintendo’s SNES attitude dedication to quality and innovation? Perhaps.
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