• January 19, 2007    Home > Games News > Article

    Nintendo Wii: Kikizo's Definitive Review

    Two months on, Kikizo brings together Nintendo's number one fans to deliver this comprehensive, unbiased review of Wii - and we're not shy about saying what we mean.

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    Wii - The Future

    Is Wii a viable long term platform? Can the mainstream audience angle really accelerate it past 360 and PS3? Will hardcore gamers get bored with the controls? Will Batman untie Robin AND save Gotham from the bomb???

    "I think the most successful Wii titles this year will come from smaller developers who take the time to utilize motion control in a fun way"

    Carl Johnson

    Daniella: Like the DS, people were unsure of the controls and their future, but a look at the last year puts all fears at rest - I think the same thing will be said for the Wii. I guess the whole "mainstream" thing is a worry for more hardcore gamers, but I don't see why. There are some games in production that are definitely not "mainstream" such as No More Heroes, which is by the same guys as Killer 7 and is a game that I am really looking forward to. I really love the style of it graphically, and from what I've seen of it so far it'll definitely be on a lot of peoples "must have" lists.

    I highly doubt that people will get bored of the controller, as it's all about the games you play with it. If people got bored of the PlayStation controller, Sony would be screwed, but that hasn't happened and it has been almost identical since its debut. Wii's future is in its games, and with such a startling change, there are bound to be plenty of groundbreaking ideas to keep the system going for a long time.

    Marwan: The future of the Wii is being put into question a lot. If the thirdparties continue to support the Wii like they have been doing recently, then I could see new market leader. I see other gamers picking up a Wii as something different from the Xbox 360 and PS3. But if developers are reluctant to make unique software for the console, or dish out half-arsed conversions, things will be disappointing for Wii and I hope to god this doesn't happen.



    It's possible that the system could lose support after a few years because people may see it as merely a GameCube with a remote. So far it doesn't look this way at all though and we've already seen some interesting and unique titles, and we know there are more on the way - Elebits is a good example. Everybody keeps telling me Nintendo games are too kiddie and what not, and we're now seeing titles like Red Steel, I think it's the start of something great which is appealing to the average consumer. It's only a matter of time until we get a lot more of the same. And if Nintendo has a successful online service, then the Wii could definitely go far.

    "If developers are reluctant to make unique software for the console, or dish out half-ass conversions, things will be disappointing."

    Marwan Elgamal

    Sharan: I'm not sure on the future of the Wii yet. While there was a brilliant launch line-up, the release schedule needs to keep its momentum and Nintendo really needs to give some more indication of future releases - both first- and thirdparty. As long as the console keeps selling like this, I'm sure developers will want to make games, and releases like Guitar Hero proves it's worth putting thought into things.

    I can see the machine being re-released with the Classic Controller later on though, with many developers using the Wii to deliver the traditional gaming experience with development costs at a fraction of what it would cost on PS3 or 360.

    What Nintendo and other creators will have to do is really vary the way the controller can be used. Currently the controller gives a fresh experience. But what other experiences or concepts can they come up with? This needs to be the focus, otherwise we'll just get used to the way it functions, and rather than feeling part of a game, we'll simply be playing them as we do with a normal controller.

    Adam: I predict there will be a single Wii title or franchise that gets everything right - thoughtful control, online community, emergent world, microtransaction revenue model, cult following, massive mainstream success - that eventually makes the Wii a one-game or one-series machine. All other games will be mere bonus material. Nintendo needs to make sure that it is the company benefiting from this success story on the horizon. Don't ask me what it is, this is just what I see in my crystal ball.

    "There's a goldmine waiting for developers who crack the Wii fun code."

    Carl Johnson

    Carl: The idea of Wii is a success with consumers and the fancy new controller is really great, but there's a shortage of games that make good use of it. In fact, the only Wii-specific games that are truly fun are glorified tech demos. Without the graphics punch, the Wii needs triple-A software to keep its strong momentum going into 2007. Mario Party 8 should be interesting, and our first impressions of Wario Ware: Smooth Moves have been big smiles. But where's the killer app? Super Mario Galaxy should come to Earth sometime around Christmas 2007, but I think the most successful Wii titles this year will come from smaller developers who take the time to utilize motion control in a fun way. Simplistic offerings that tap into the family "non gamer" demographic. Games that make you forget all about pretty graphics. There's a goldmine waiting for developers who crack the Wii fun code.

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