Out of all three "next-gen" consoles, the Wii is a major disappointment. Many core gamers, and even some casual gamers, are finding the platform collects a lot of dust because the time between AAA software is staggering. This is not necessarily Nintendo's fault, as Nintendo publishes (which is the norm for their consoles) the bulk of the AAA titles. Third parties need to step up to the plate and prove to me that they are in this for the long haul, and not just cashing in on a clunky, one trick pony.
Nintendo balances their offerings well. You get Wii Play, and Super Mario Galaxy, Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. For the core gamer, it is getting harder and harder to justify the purchase of a console on first party software alone; nowhere is this more evident than the Wii.
I am not the first to come to the conclusion that the Wii has left its core audience behind, and I won't be the last. I just hope that the console survives past the three-year mark, as when it is not collecting dust, it is fun to play.
The Wii doesn't necessarily need more games, it just needs better games, and better selection. You usually do not see so many bad ports and mediocre licensed games on a console until they are ready to die - GameCube, for example.
Gaming Online: I think it goes without saying that most would wish for an easier way to play games online than 12-digit friend codes, and on occasion, game specific codes on top of that. In short, this hassle has meant very little online playtime on my Wii. If it is too much of a pain in the ass for me to deal with it, do you think someone with less invested in gaming is going to go through the many hoops to build a friends list?
Many times I have added a Friend Code, and a friend has added my Friend Code on his Wii, but we do not both get added because somewhere in the ethos of WiiConnect24, the connection was not made. I have had to send multiple Friend Requests to the same person, it is really annoying. Also, both parties must be registered with each other to be able to send and receive messages, also aggravating.
Article comments
1 - wiggy
There IS an import category in the shop channel.
2 - Ken Edwards
My mistake. Now, why on earth would I have thought to look under Genres? Seriously, Import is not a genre. I am glad they havee it in the store, but it needs to at the main Category page. Thanks wiggy, I will update my column.
3 - Lewfkrad
Dumbest.....Artical....Ever
4 - Cowman
Great article. I fully agree on the news channel. It is such a great, clean interface for reading news (No visual noise - flash ads etc) and it would just be that much better if it had more news. It obviously isn't going to make them a ton of cash but is just inches away from being perfect.
5 - hilow man
i suspect there will be an external hard drive one can purchase considering there are 2!!! usb ports on the back of the console.
6 - Jamison
Hilow man... dont count on it. Wii is full or rumors. The external hard drive may not happen. I mean, if they couldnt fit a gig of solid state RAM in the Wii, I cant see them making an external HD. Funny thing, the USB ports are good for nothing. Nothing is recognized by them except a USB LAN adapter in case you don;t have wireless... odd odd.
Never the less, I love my Wii.
Lewfkrad, keep up the helpful and insightful comments.