10 reasons why the Wii will continue to dominate in 2008
Nintendo has begun 2008 aggressively, like a company that really means business. After hinting that it would stagger its major releases so that players could digest each one properly before moving onto the next, the firm went ahead to confirm that (in North America at least), Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii and Wii Fit would arrive together in a proximity best described as an overdose in gaming goodness. But what of the rest of the year as far as the Wii is concerned? With this year’s E3 likely to bring us further details, Nintendic has compiled a list of what it knows Nintendo to have up its sleeve for the coming months, both for the core and casual audience, providing evidence as to why the motion-sensing console’s unstoppable momentum will continue throughout the year
Mario Kart Wii
With a European and North American release just weeks away, Mario Kart Wii (and the Wii Wheel accessory) is Nintendo’s attempt to please both core and casual gamers in equal measures. First announced back at the E3 Media and Business Summit back in 2007, the racer features online action for up to twelve karts, 32 tracks and the for the first time, the introduction of motorbikes to the fray. The jury’s still out on the functionality of the Wii Wheel, but so far the signs point to Mario Kart Wii (much down to its extensive online options) sitting comfortably amongst its highly ranked predecessors.
Wii Fit
Already selling by the bucket load in Japan, Wii Fit is a massive part of Nintendo’s casual gaming push on the Nintendo Wii. It started out life as Wii Health Pack back in September 2006, Wii Fit and the Balance Board accessory that arrives with it (able to measure a user’s weight, centre of gravity and BMI) combine to offer an enjoyable form of exercise through some 40 different activities, from yoga poses, to hula hooping and push-ups. Furthermore, Wii Fit allows its players to compare their fitness via its own channel on the Wii Menu. Over 10 games (including Namco’s We Ski and THQ’s All-Star Cheer Squad) are already being developed to make use of the novel peripheral, so it looks, for now at least, that the Balance Board has a positive outlook for the foreseeable future.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
The amount of pleasure that both Japanese and North American gamers are currently enjoying from Super Smash Bros. Brawl is just about equal to the same amount of frustration that European and Australian players have over the fact that the title still hasn’t been dated for PAL territories. There’s little to be said about the eclectic beat-em-up that hasn’t already been said, other than that those still waiting for it will surely not be disappointed by its plethora of game modes, including one of the Nintendo Wii’s best online experiences to date. Please Nintendo, just hurry up and put Europeans and Aussies out of their misery!
WiiWare
Just launched in Japan, WiiWare is Nintendo’s answer to the availability of new videogames put up for download on the likes of Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade and Sony’s PlayStation Store. For a fee ranging between 500 and 1500 Wii Points, players will be able to get their hands on brand new titles from some of the industry’s biggest developers, and, most importantly, a huge amount of independent software houses. Set to arrive in North America on May 12, the first set of titles are set to include Square Enix’s Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A King and Everyone’s Pokemon Ranch. With over 100 WiiWare games said to be in development, it will offer another welcome avenue to the Virtual Console and traditional disc-based Wii titles.
Animal Crossing Wii
Confirmation that Animal Crossing for the Wii would be released in 2008 was found hidden at the bottom of an investor report from Nintendo at the end of January this year. The latest iteration of the franchise is heavily rumoured to be the Wii’s first Massively Multiplayer Online title, allowing players to contact one another via the Nintendo Wi-Fi network and download new items to decorate their virtual worlds. What’s more, the recent announcement of Wii Pay and Play might very well mean that said downloadable content will come at a cost. Damn that Tom Nook and his capitalist ways…
Disaster: Day of Crisis
Currently in development by Monolith Soft, Disaster: Day of crisis sees the Nintendo-owned firm offering up a new, more mature franchise for the next-gen audience. Players take control of Ray, a former member of an elite rescue task force. His safety is not only compromised by a group of rogue commandos who have seized an atomic weapon, but there is the added threat of a number of natural disasters. Nintendo confirmed that it was looking “very good” at E3 last year, so we’re hoping it’ll have improved even more since then. It’s certainly the sort of title that core gamers, desperate for something from Nintendo to counter balance its casual output, will appreciate.
Kirby Wii
Kirby, the Nintendo mascot with a stomach for anything, hasn’t had the smoothest of journeys over the past few years. Kirby 64 arrived too late on in the ill-fated Nintendo 64’s life, while the GameCube’s Kirby Air Ride also didn’t get a whole lot of recognition. The pink blob’s next is the result of another last-generation projecting shifting to the Wii, and despite being around since E3 2005, very little is known about it. Hopefully the time has been spent in creating a title worthy of Kirby’s popularity, with gameplay that can only be produced on the Wii.
Super Mario Stadium Family Baseball
A next-generation sequel to Mario Superstar Baseball on the Nintendo GameCube, Super Mario Stadium Baseball follows Mario Party and Mario Strikers in becoming the next Nintendo franchise to receive a makeover thanks to the introduction of motion controls. With nearly 30 returning characters and another ten said to be making their debuts (including Princess Zelda and Super Mario Galaxy’s Rosalina), SMSB looks set to be the most feature-packed entry in the series yet.
Wii Music
Wii Music was one of the first ever games touted for Nintendo’s latest console, having appeared as a demonstration of the Wii’s motion-sensing capabilities way back at the Tokyo Game Show in 2005. The title will allow up to four players to jam together in a band made up of a maximum of six members, with over 40 instruments including guitar, drums, maracas and violin. With a variety of motion controls used to play each instrument and a tentative 2008 release date announced, we imagine this will be the next casual gaming must-have title for Wii after Wii Fit.
Kid Icarus, Pilotwings, F-Zero, Punch Out!?
The return of Kid Icarus’ protagonist, Pit, as a fighting character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl led to calls from many gaming quarters for the franchise to be resurrected. In January 2005, developer Factor 5 announced that it was creating a brand new title for the Nintendo Wii, with a “credible” source at the firm leaking that said new game was indeed Kid Icarus. There’s no denying that after nearly two decades in the dark, the return of Kid Icarus is long, long overdue. Nintendo of America president recently teased that a “big” Holiday game would be announced at E3, leading others to suggest the likes of F-Zero, Punch Out! or Pilotwings may also be the identity of the mystery development.
Nintendo’s upcoming plans for the DS are even more of a mystery, but for now, let us know in the comments section below what you’re most looking forward to for the Nintendo Wii in 2008 - especially what you think the mysterious ‘big’ Holiday title will be.
I do not think F-Zero this year. 2 Racing games in the same year? Even in Q4 that seems 1 to many…
My money is on Kid Icarus, and maybe punch out… Punch Out would be great with the motion sensing on the wii.
Hahahahaha wii lineup of games is truly pathetic eve the x360 lineup looks better then this.
I would agree the wii lineup does look a bit tired, after all Nintendo is just cashing in on its exisiting franchises. The hidden xmas game might be Pikmin 3? But I’ve got a feeling there will be 3 brand new IP’s one being an FPS, MMO & Brain Training for wii.
“Hahahahaha wii lineup of games is truly pathetic eve the x360 lineup looks better then this.”
wtf u srs?
yeah? what the hell does xbox 360 have anyways????
GTA4 alone destroys anything on that list.
I agree,there are some gr8 things coming out 4 wii jus not til latr in the yeah. But at the mo I jus can pull myself away from GH3 on 360.
I think you’ll find that the Wii isn’t dominating.
It is the DS or PSP.
I noticed how you’ve grouped the party console with the two next gen systems. Why leave out the handhelds?
In your book does the Wii go toe-to-toe with the PS3 and the 360 because it plugs into a TV?
The PSP lite outputs to a TV too does that count?
I’m afraid that is where the comparison ends.
The Wii is closer to a PS2 than it is to either of the next gen consoles.
When will people realise that there is no use comparing the Wii to the big two?
I’ve grown up playing games my whole life so my biggest dilema was PS3 or 360. Although I was always Nintendo growing up and owned a NES, SNES, N64 and cube I wouldn’t even consider a Wii now. Not only does it not compare as a machine. It’s not even aimed at me. Nintendo have entered a different market.
To me that list of games looks pathetic, but to Nintendo’s market they probably look great.
There are 2 online (proper online) multiplayer next gen systems and one party console.
Nintendo will win party console, and PS3 will win next gen console.
You may as well say that cars are going to beat trucks in the vehicle race.
If you want economy and speed - buy a car. If you want to haul freight - buy a truck.
Two different purposes.
Stop being pathetic and writing comparisons when there isn’t one.
cunt^
testing.
I bought the Wii back in early 2007, and I don’t regret it one bit. I know this isn’t a popular opinion on the interwebz, but I think it has an impressive number of quality titles for a console this young (Mario galaxy, Zack and Wiki, No More Heroes, Metroid, and Brawl to name a few). For me, the ability to download classic Nintendo titles is only icing on the cake.
Personally, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a console get as much hate as the Wii has. On every forum I’ve been on, if you dare speak anything even remotely positive about the Wii or it’s fanbase, you are crucified on the proverbial stake, so to speak. It’s almost frightening how vicious some of these people are. One would think that Hitler himself designed the console, judging by all the hatred it gets.
People need to understand that people like what they like because they do. No real reason, just because they do. If you enjoy your PS3, that’s fine. If you like the 360, have a ball. The same principle applies if you like the Wii. Play what you want to play, and be happy. I don’t understand why that’s such a hard concept for people to grasp.
Thats only the Nintendo-Wii-Games expected for this year. There are many more Games in development from other publisher.
“When will people realise that there is no use comparing the Wii to the big two?”
The Wii is the Big one. Xbox and PS3 are niche-Products only bought by nerds. No other console has so many Games in pipeline as the Wii.
That’s what the Wii is going for, being the mainstream game system that everyone goes for, while 360 and PS3 are the more hardcore/niche choice. There’s nothing wrong with that of course. I grew up playing coleco, nes, snes and such.. most all games when video games were conceived were just that, casual games.. it’s what I liked.
As things went further, it moved from casual to a more time consuming graphics involved thing, and games didn’t seem as simple or enjoyable overall. I dont care to spend a lot of time exploring, watching pretty videos, etc. So I jump to the Wii of course.
And about the negative talk on forums regarding the Wii.. you have to realize your hardcore game nerds are the ones who frequent forums all the time and are so passionate. Your casual people who play just for fun here and there are the core audience of the Wii, and have other things they do besides bash one another online.
Comman people… Who can really say the wii won? They’ve sold about 7 or so million mostly due to the fake shortages and hype. The “hardcore” gamers arnt a niche in the market. They are the market. Selling less than 10 million consols dosent make this thing the system that made gaming mainstream. The ps2 has sold over 120 million. The Nes sold over 100 million. The psone sold over 100 million. Why the hell does selling a few million of these updated gamecubes to people that will forget about it in a few months so revolutionary? All it does is lower the standard for developers in a consol war that was supposed to take us to more realistic games for mature audiences. Instead develoupers will create tons of crappy kiddie games for the gamecube 2, spit out a few tolken “mature” games that would be terribly rated on any other current gen system. Uhh…Its just sad. And i know this is bitching, and i really dont think it would be a bad thing if it didnt get all the hype and attention as the “system that won.” It didnt win. and in a year and a half as the Wii 2 comes out you might just believe me.
Oh and by the way
Gowa…you say that only really nerdy hardcore people go one forums…who the are you then????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Those of you that wonder where all the hate for the Wii comes….?
It comes from guys like me that grew up with the NES, SNES, N64 and gamecube, but then preordered and got the Wii on release day before realising that the machine wasn’t made for me.
For guys like me that helped shape Nintendo’s future but were then cast off in favour of selling to children, grandparents and non-gamers in order to cash in.
Oh and Thomas: Wii the Big one? In what way?
You can’t be talking about size, because it’s small. You can’t be talking about sales, because it hasn’t made as much as the DS or PSP. You can’t be talking about next gen, because it doesn’t have the horsepower to qualify, its similar in power to a PS2, yet the PS2 has sold more than the Wii.
Let me guess the Wii is the Big One because it’s the highest selling console that: plugs into a TV, came out after 2004 and isn’t a handheld.
Am I right?
Nintendo hasn’t released their 2008 schedule of games yet, so this is just all guessing. That’s why it looks a little light.
But I have no fear. Many surprises await.
I cant recall saying that nerdy hardcore people go on forums.. i did however say they’re the ones who frequent them and are very passionate over it. Just felt it was kind of necessary to point out to people who go a little overboard that none of this matters. And really, these are comments on an article, not a video game forum.
Which system is better technically? Definitely not the Wii. Which is better, as far as more fun as far as playing and games go? That’s subjective.. what one person defines as enjoyable others might not, right?
I don’t care for most things available on PS3 and 360, but that doesnt mean they’re not great and others shouldnt or don’t enjoy it. I think it’s great the current market appeals to anyone and everyone and is heading more in that direction. Definitely not something to be hostile or give people a hard time over. Arguing that any system is better outside of talking technically only is a waste of time.. was just trying to point that out.
Just the silly comments like.. “GTA4 destroys anything on that list” or that the 360 lineup looks better is what i’m commenting on. Definitely didn’t mean to offend, just to point out some obvious things people forget.
The Wii is for babies, and babies don’t post on nintendic; only cool kids.
therefore we are cool kids! dude, and we are playing the wii, and that makes it cool too
*BURN*
Xbot, if you don’t like the Wii, then what are you doing here? The posters here have more than likely already made up their mind about the Wii. If they like it, they like it. I know I do, and you won’t be able to change anyone’s mind, especially not with that childish attitude.
Clearly, you do not like Nintendo, therefore you do not belong here. So go to an Xbox/Playstation site and leave everyone else alone.
Becuase i own a wii,
even though i havent bought a game for it yet and its been sitting there collecting dust for the past 7 months.
this pathetic list of games 2008 sure as hell aint gonna help me buy a game anytime soon.
smash bros online freaking sucks, people stand up to nintendo they are a freaking joke right now wake up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I assure you that your whining is going to fall on deaf ears. Personally, I have no reason to rebel against Nintendo. I never cared about online gaming (I like playing games without little 8 year old twats screaming in my ear, thank you very much), and this list means nothing to me because I know that there’s far more coming out than this. The fact that the author left out so many potentially great titles from this list is baffling to me. And before I’m inevitably labeled a “blind fanboy”, I should note that I consider the PS2 to be the greatest system I’ve ever owned.
I can tell you why Nintendo is the big one for this home console system generation. It is because it has made more money in a shorter amount of time for Nintendo than Microsoft and Sony could hope to get in the first three years. It stems from the fact that Nintendo decided to differentiate itself from the other two game makers to make a wider appeal and audience and to give up a huge and expensive tech leap in favor of a smaller one to cut their cost to make the system, the cost for other developers and Nintendo itself to design and program games, and finally offer a much more affordable system to the public than either Microsoft or Sony.
All three of these companies are out to make money. They are business after all. Microsoft and Sony followed the same formula that made them money last time. Nintendo chose a different route and ended up with the best benefit while Microsoft and especially Sony lagged behind with advanced but comparatively expensive systems.
In fact, Nintendo actually has a triple whammy over Sony and Microsoft. This stems from several things starting with the fact that they have revenue for each system they sell. Sony and Microsoft both sell their systems at a loss because they are expensive to make and hope to regain their money on game sales. If no one buys their systems because of price, they have just made expensive shelf space occupiers. If they can’t get many systems sold, independent game programming companies see the opportunity to make revenue is less on that system. Additionally, the more technologically new and advanced a system is, the more time, work, and money required to make a game for it. That is why recently several developers have basically said, “Sorry, but we would like to make money for our time and effort,” and have thus left the overly expensive systems behind.
FFRPGFAN - well said - certainly shut up Xbot, thank god! Welll we know that Xbox’s are top when it comes to breaking down. Another area where their losing money i might add.
Xbox 360 and PS3 are good systems. The Wii is in a category all its own. It’s outselling both of those systems by far. The 360 has been out for a year longer and has sold LESS consoles. Yes….that is true. Go look it up. PS3 had a bad start and it still hasn’t gotten its feet on the ground. Wii is a solid machine that, whether you like it not cry baby fan boys, IS next generation.
That’s all.