Of the games that are online on the Wii, few of them actually have full online lobby systems. Many of them just have "Quick Play" options with no true listings of open sessions waiting for more users to join. This is a problem that plagues the DS and PSP, but on those consoles the lack of full lobby systems is tolerable.
Virtual Console: I wish to see more Foreign-only games released in non-native countries in the New Year, as that is something I would want to purchase. We need more games such as Sin & Punishment and Alien Soldier released on the U.S. Virtual Console.
I wish there was an "Import" category was not buried under Genre in the Search by Category page.
I hope that Nintendo figures out a solution for downloading all of these games, especially when WiiWare games start arriving. The Wii does not have a lot of internal hard disk, and there has been no official word on an external drive. I also wonder what will happen when all my "channel" spots are taken up. The system only has 48 spots to fill, though I imagine a firmware update could extend this.
Just like with the disc based games, the Virtual Console should be offering the core gamer more. Chances are high that someone owns Super Mario Bros. in cartridge form. But they don't have it with online leaderboards. The Virtual Console needs to offer core gamers more; shelling out $5 for Super Mario Bros. on the Virtual Console is a lot more appealing to casual gamers.
Since Nintendo is making so much money off of the Virtual Console, and good for them, I think they could afford to release a better selection each week. Sure, not everything released on the service is going to be puppy dogs and ice cream, but a number of the offerings have been just baffling.
Miscellanies
News Channel: I wish it had more news. As Nintendo is using the AP news feed, how about more categories, such as the off-beat news that is so funny to read.
I wish that there was just more news in general. National News and International News always has gobs of headlines, but Technology has few; Science/Health doesn't have many more.
I wish that when you hit Slide Show on the main News Channel menu it would randomize the headlines. As it stands right now, it cycles through all in National News, International News, then Sports, in order down the list. When I am inside of Sports and I select Slide Show, that is the one time I want to only see Sports headlines.
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.