Key Weakness of the Wii - Graphic Capabilites?

[Luthor]

RolStoppable said:

fkusumot said:

One of the key weaknesses of the Wii, as opined by many, is its graphical capabilities. I believe this may be true. Setting aside the issue of gameplay vs. graphics I believe that if the Wii is graphically underpowered this is having an effect on the sale of games for the system. Why? Because I believe it's easier to sell a game with new graphics than it is to make a unique game offering created by talented people.

The graphic capabilities of the Wii have probably not been fully tapped but they are most likely fairly close to being fully realized. On an even more important note the graphics that the mainstream game buying public is demanding seem to have been satisfied on many fronts. Without the lure of new graphics, or indeed, even the need to produce them, the developer is faced with the dilemma of having to rely on the creation of engaging gameplay and talented execution.

For these reasons I believe the Wii presents a challenge to developers that only the first and foremost of developers will be able to tackle successfully in a way that is popularly and critically pleasing.

It looks like a weakness, but it isn't. I have to admit that you did your best to present the positive effects as negative. On purpose.

If graphics can't be the selling point, the game has to rely on its idea for engaging gameplay. Which means that during development more time is spent on making the game fun instead of making it look as pretty as possible. Logically this should result in more unique and entertaining games and that is good.

It's similar to the SNES, 2D graphics had hit the point where they were considered to be good enough by most people and it became really hard for developers to sell their games based on graphics. So it mostly became a battle of talent and ideas in order to create a hit game. The result was that the SNES is seen as one of the best systems ever made due to its diverse game library.

The DS is in a similar situation, 2D games are big on the Nintendo handheld, but they can't sell based on their graphics. So once again developers have to think of unique concepts to make their games sell instead of maxing out graphics. Additionally the DS offers new input methods like the touchscreen and the microphone, giving developers the oppurtunity to think up games that weren't possible to be made before. The result? People are already comparing the DS to the SNES.

So what's going to happen to the Wii, if 3D graphics have hit the point where they are considered to be good enough by most people and the controller allows for new gameplay ideas to be realized? I think we have some very interesting years ahead of us.

I agree. Graphics is a lame argument. Think about Tetris.