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Dec 6 / Ozymandias

Fair’s Fair – Thoughts on Wii

Been meaning to write up some thoughts for a while, but just haven’t had a chance. Pretty busy today, but just wanted to toss out a mini-review-like-thingy (to use the technical term). Short form, I really like the Wii, but with some caveats.

The controller works well – but for some genres. As I’ve said before, first person shooters and “point to aim” just isn’t this console’s strength. It works, but there’s a lag. Best way to describe it is that you simply cannot snap to a point as you might with a laser pointer. The lag causes you to have to slow down and compensate, and you tend to overshoot. However, for less time-critical purposes, using the remote to aim works just fine, and that’s actually part of the magic of the Wii dashboard.

One feature I found super-compelling was the ability to create a mini-avatar, or “Mii.” This is genius. I personally had way too much fun creating my little guy. But what was really impressive is just how compelling this was for non-core game users. My friends and roommate see me play pretty much every game on every system and are generally unimpressed. (Zuma was the last great wave that overtook them – but hey, it sold +2 360s last holiday!) The Mii creation got them all playing with the system for hours – and this was just creating little computer avatars for themselves. The roommate went and did a funky 70’s bar character, friends did representations of themselves, an ex-girlfriend spent two hours fussing over hair style, color, and lips. And people were attached to these little guys – when you started messing with someone else’s Mii while they were away (dark hair to blond, tall to short and squat), they noticed immediately and retaliated – good fun. Wink

This is all in the dashboard, mind you – we hadn’t even gotten to the games. The interesting thing I found was that this Mii creation process ended up being a bridge to actually playing the games. A few folks didn’t have that much interest in trying another “video game” like tennis… but once they saw they could use their character, or be in the audience, they suddenly jumped in and played. And loved it. Very, very cool – Nintendo has taken a huge step forward here in personalization. The primary problem with Mii’s is that they’ll be difficult to take and use in other non-Nintendo games – but it does open up some thoughts on what sort of personalization metadata might be applicable and usable across an entire platform (including other publisher’s games).

The online service isn’t there yet – but to be fair, it also wasn’t promised at launch as did Sony. Nintendo is still insisting on using Friend Codes (or Wii number) to identify yourself on the system. This sort of sucks. While they took some good leaps ahead of all of the competition in personalization with the Mii concept, this is a definite throwback. It’s also difficult as hell to use. In spite of knowing a friend’s Wii number, we were never able to get the boxes to have any sort of friend relationship. I have a greyed out entry in my address book for my friend, as does he for I. In spite of much experimentation, we’re not quite sure how to fully enable that link. We also both tried adding our email addresses to the book, and in fact each received email at our accounts instructing us to respond to approve communication. However, in spite of doing so I still am not able to communicate across the PC/Wii. <shrug> I assume this will be fixed, either though an update or clueless user education. Wink There are other holes in the current online experience. Weather and News channels aren’t there yet, and the Opera web browser is also unavailable. All are promised to be “coming soon,” but right now it’s pretty frustrating to not be able to use those parts of their dash.

Graphically the Wii won’t blow your socks off. Even Zelda, probably one of the best looking Wii games, only ranges from “ok” to “very good” in my opinion. (Yes, I have the component cables.) My hope is that there will be enough games that don’t need high-end graphics to enable the Wii to survive past the first couple of years. If there are enough innovative first-party games like Mario Galaxy or Warioware, it could happen. And frankly, looking ahead at Nintendo’s likely arcade thinking, they could be well positioned to be the $100 downloadable arcade/party game platform in the years ahead. At that price, who wouldn’t pick one up?

Of the released games, Zelda is pretty much the one to have (with Wii Sports being an obvious one to pick up, except it’s already bundled with the box). Zelda does start slow – fair warning. You have to spend literally two hours before it actually kicks in while they run you through what feels like a too long controller training level. I’ll also add that the new controls don’t add anything to the Zelda experience – frankly, they were tacked on to help sell Wiis. However, they also don’t negatively impact the game experience so it’s a bit of a wash.

I probably could write more but have to hit some other stuff. I’ll leave you with this article from Tom Bramwell of Gamesindustry.biz (who also wrote one of the PS3 articles yesterday). Some good thoughts on Wii there, and I’ll be curious on your comments.

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  • Namtillaku

    Let’s Mii up.  Give me your #, and I’ll add it (if you like), here’s mine…

    4481-5325-3522-3301

    davefoxis AT gmail DOT com

  • nopants727

    I agree about Zelda.  The controls don’t add or detract from the game.  And I wish Nintendo would provide an explaination about .mov playback in the Photo Channel.  I tried some files recorded with my camcorder but they didn’t work.  The photo puzzle is also a fun way to kill time.  

    Some tips for adding codes to the address book:  Make sure you have Connect24 on.  If the name in the address book still appears greyed out, try testing your connection.  That seemed to get mine working.

  • Joseph

    One thing to note about the graphics.

    They are gamecube quality. The Wii zelda game is actually just a port of the gamecube version with the graphics flipped to make link right handed.

    The wii has much more potential than we’ve seen so far.

    I don’t think it’s going to be related to the grapics ‘lite’ apps that you predict.

  • Anonymous

    Let me get home and I’ll post my Wii code – good call. :)

  • Namtillaku

    Cool – I have a few I created, and some others I’ve aquired like this.  I get home in an hour or so, and I’ll get you in :)

  • Anonymous

    Here’s my Wii code: 1257 8366 1810 0392

    Look forward to meeting some of your little Mii’s! :)

  • EteRnal PAL

    Here’s my Wii code:

    4381 1368 3575 1824

    I added you already so once you add me, I’ll be able to send you some interesting Miis.

  • Sean

    I must say that after waiting in line for 4 hours to get a Wii I’m actually sold on the concept.  My idea was to sell it on ebay and use the money to go towards an Xbox 360 or a PS3…but in the end I think I’ll end up getting another Wii for now.  As you’ve said, the Mii’s are a lot of fun to play with, and the controller doesn’t seem to detract from the gameplay with games that normally wouldn’t use it.  It’s also a nice, cheap, stop-gap console for those of us not ready to jump into the expense of an HDTV which is almost necessary for the other systems.  Finally, neither the Gamecube nor the Wii are hardcore gamer consoles.  I never considered buying the Gamecube when there was the PS2 and the Xbox.  Since the Wii is backwards compatible it means that I can achieve the goals above, AND play the best (and now cheapest) Gamecube games that I’ve missed over the last few years.  It’s a win-win.

  • Gerdon

    Anyone posting there WII code here can add mine I’ll add yours

    8022 0356 7547 5698

  • tasan

    "Graphically the Wii won’t blow your socks off. Even Zelda, probably one of the best looking Wii games, only ranges from "ok" to "very good" in my opinion. My hope is that there will be enough games that don’t need high-end graphics to enable the Wii to survive past the first couple of years."

    Q. How is Twilight Princess indicative of Wii graphical capabilities?

  • Jason

    No, TP is not indicative of the Wiis power.  TP was originally made for the gamecube (and only recently ported to the Wii).

    So im assuming Mario Galaxy will look much better.

  • Porktree

    I think the Wii’s a pretty good compliment to the 360, kind of like having fries with your burger, sure the burger has all that meaty goodness, but every now and then you want some light crispiness. (I don’t know where the ps3 fits here, maybe as that freakish vegetable casserole that looks good but tastes funky).  I think you make the point well, the Wii has a niche, and will serve to bring a more varied crowd into video gaming. Wiispect the Wii ;)

  • Steve 99

    Very good review of the Wii, very accurate,I also have the xbox 360 and the wii and I would say that this is pretty much my opinion, the wii mote is excellent , What a concept, as an example Tennis game feel very right, spin effect left right left right…  this is good,  but I have to agree, graphics are definitely behind, though this is not the only thing , yes, it does matter, I wished they bumped the graphics a bit more.  

  • Nicolai

    My Wii code: 8323 3029 3514 6441

    I personally think that Zelda’s graphics are gorgeous. Granted, I’ve only played it on my little 15" screen, but the Wii wasn’t meant for the huge, graphically intense games. Nintendo even came out and said that. They knew they wouldn’t win a graphics war, so they’ll instead focus on enjoyable games (I can’t wait for the next Mario Party or Wario Ware). If you’re looking for jaw-dropping graphics, buy a PS3 or 360, because the Wii lives up to the expectations it originally set.

  • http://nexthttp.com Joseph

    "As I’ve said before, first person shooters and "point to aim" just isn’t this console’s strength. It works, but there’s a lag."

    I noticed that too, and it had me concerned.  Then I played Trauma Center: Second Opinion and found that the cursor’s movement was precise and lag free.  The potential for high accuracy is there, the developers just have to use it.

  • Namtillaku

    FYI – Eternal, I added your Wii.  Gerdon & Nicolai, I’ll add you guys tonight.

    P.S. are y’all in Oz?

  • Gerdon

    So far added everyone but nicolia going to do that now.

  • Dwigs

    Um, lag no. Doesn’t happen. Play a game like Trauma Center. The pin point aiming is there. This is not the fault of the controller so don’t pass it off as its fault. It is the games way of smoothing out the accuracy.

    As for Zelda – your selling the system short by using a GC game as reference. Sadly, that is the best looking game on the Wii so far….but soon someone will use the power of the system, and no it won’t look like a 360 game, but damn near good enough to not care. I mean Zelda is gorgeous. It is BEAUTIFUL, and that was on GC hardware. So there is still potential.

    Finally- I like your write up for the most part. Thanks.

    As for the people who say the Wii is the fries to the big mac that is the 360. We’ll see who gets treated as a side in this console race. You’re too quick to count out the playstaion brand, and the innovation and acclaim that is Nintendo.

    Also, why does graphics make something beefy and good, and a main dish? It didn’t work for the PSP. The DS ended up being the New York Strip steak because of its games. The Wii may end up traveling that same road if the system sells well in the first year. You’ll see 3rd parties jumping ship likes flies to a new pile of steaming poo.

  • Raist3d

    I also don’t understand the lag you mention. I find it far easier to use the control for an FPS than any of the classical controllers. If there’s any lag whatsoever, ti’s like 1 frame at best, and that is far easier to use than a standard controller for an fps.

    I am not talking about the fps that are out. I am talking about the Wii potential. Red Steel didn’t get so good reviews, so I wouldn’t use it as the benchmark. I’ll be looking forward to Metroid for that.

    - Raist

  • Colmino

    I’d love to see somebody like Ozymandias comment on the Wiimote/nunchuk’s lefty-unfriendliness, since he’s just about the only one to bring up the latency issue that some people, evidently, seem either oblivious to, or overly willing to shrug off as a deliberate control aspect.

    To clarify on said issue, well, think about it.  Everyone has controlled games since the advent of the NES by using their left hand for movement and their right hand for buttons.  Enter the Wiimote/nunchuk combo.  The nunchuk wins the left hand by default since it possesses the analog stick.  The more precision-critical Wiimote control gets the right hand – great for right-handers!  A catastrophe for left-handers.  Speaking from experience, the process of overcoming this conundrum is akin to trying to play a FPS on the PC… with the mouse in your offhand.  In short, for a left-hander who wants to play Zelda, they must first – or else simultaneously – become ambidextrous.

  • starblade

    hey to comment on the pc/wii thing i got my e-mail and wii connected just fine.  if u want to add me its wii code:

    5641 1782 3496 5560.

    heres the thing about the pc thing do it again make sure u put the right e-mail in. then check ur e-mail bow click on the first link and send a message too ur wii u should get it. if not send me a message and maybe i can find out whats goin on.

  • starblade

    btw i’m goin to add every1 who put a wii code up here.

  • http://www.robairreg.tk RobbyG

    I agree on the Mii creation thing . . . I went over to my friend’s house to check out his Wii, and not only did five people spend over forty five minutes working on our Miis, but when we played Wii Sports, the entire experience was enhanced significantly by the Miis.  Especially how ridiculous they look.

    After a few hours of gaming, all of our Miis had little stories attached to them, such as the "Sad guy who’s just happy to be out on the golf course talking to people" and the failed railroad tycoon owner.

    Probably the most brilliant customization feature ever.

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