Why does Wii games look so bad?

[albionus]

I've been ponderring this issue since the Wii launched. I don't think that it's just developers not expecting the Wii to be successful and so the games were rushed. We're getting games that haven't been rushed now that still look PS2 quality.

I'm leaning more to it simply being 3rd parties aren't used to programming for the GCN/Wii style GPU (which uses TEV's instead of pixel shaders). Yes I know the Wii is essentially the same as the Gamecubes architecture but how many 3rd parties actually spent time making an impressive exclusive on the Gamecube? Companies like Nintendo and Retro of course only programmed for the GCN so the Wii's TEV's are second nature to them and as expected Mario, Smash Bros., and MP3 all look excellent and show the Wii's power.  Factor 5 did something almost historic by taking the Gamecube nearly to its max at launch so they know a little about what the Wii can do with a 50% higher clock speed, more than 3 times as much RAM, and twice the TEV's (even if they weren't working on any games for it until recently).

I forget which Wii graphics article it was, but one pointed out that the big boost in the Wii's graphics comes from doubling the number of TEV's. However, it said if you don't know how to take advantage of 4 then you're not going to be able to take advantage of 8 and trying to would only cause problems since the Wii's GPU isn't fast enough to compensate. So essentially untill the 3rd parties learn to use TEV's the Wii is a Gamecube to them.  Capcom is one of the few that did make a major effort on the cube but that was years ago, I doubt that team is still together or even mostly at Capcom these days.  Even more so I doubt more than a few have been put to work on the Wii.

My guess would be most 3rd parties are not yet convinced they need to learn to master the Wii's unique architecture. Like many "hard core" gamers, they're progressing through the 5 stages of Wii Grief. First they ignored the Wii. Then they got angry at the Wii for interrupting their graphics obsession and ruining their industry. After that they decided they would make a deal, a few crap ports and casual games if the Wii left them alone. Now I think they are enterring depression, woe is them the Wii is winning and will destroy the industry to make Nintendo money, why bother doing anything on it. Soon they will accept the Wii for what it is and learn to use it's capabilities to the fullest. Of course that means we won't see those 3rd party games until next Christmas.