So, Nintendo's conference is said and done. We were shocked appalled, and slightly aroused, but all in all, it was fun. But, the conference isn't just for our enjoyment, no. It's Nintendo's chance to show the world what the company has to offer. Now that it is said an done with, I want to reflect and give my thoughts on the show like the huge egotis I am.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
I hope you promoted the guy who thought this up (although it was probably Miyamoto). This is a genius idea. The 2D Marios have always done better then the 3D ones. This is in part because they are so accessible. New Super Mario Bros did it right because it took Mario to his roots, and it blew doors down. This game will do it once again.
The games does seem to brim with new content, which is good. The best part is the added multiplayer. Multiplayer is a key element in console games. I know many people will ask “That's great, but where is the online?” Local is the most important type though. The HD twins have a bad habit of undermining local multiplayer in favor of online. Online (and LAN) work best when combined with local multiplayer (for a console game, Halo has done the best with lan). Online is usually restrictive, and even with Nintendo trying to make online easier and accesable, most people don't get online. Local is always numero uno. The Wii is driven by local multiplayer, so NSMBW will definatly look a lot more appealing with the multiplayer.
Great idea. My favorite game coming out of the show. Will sell a lot. Will boost Wii sales.
“Great Job”
Wii Fit Plus
In some ways, I see this as a dropped ball. I assumed the “Plus” was for Wii Motion Plus, but it's not. It's a good idea, but Wii Motion Plus would have made this game. All the new exercise opportunities that Nintendo could have done? Instead, this is just a squeal.
Now, it seems like Nintendo will trying to work out some of the problems (from their perspective) of the game. Making the work out transitions seamless is a smart idea. Other wise, it just seems like Wii Fit 2 rather then Wii Fit 2. From their position in Japan, it may have been genius since they want to get the Wii moving, and a good percentage of people use the system for exercise purposes (30% I believe). In this case, it is a good idea, but with Wii Motion Plus coming soon, the expansion ship has set sale.
“Ya Blew It”
Wii Sports Resort
I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting this. I loved Wii Sports, and I'll love this. I'm a sucker for multiplayer (one reason I'm not getting Red Steel 2).
The purpose of the showing was on Motion Plus rather then the game. For the most part, it is Wii Sports with Motion Plus. What makes this more than Wii Sports 2 is, well, the Motion Plus. The device adds a new range of possibilities. Don't believe me? Look at the ping pong and compare it from Wii Play. Now the game gives more you can do without it losing it's fun. This is where Wii Motion Plus is going. Making motion controlling easier, and like Wii Sports before it, Wii Sports Resort will show new possibilities.
Will they sell this with Wiis? Maybe. It depends on Nintendo's goal with it.
“Great Job”
More on Motion Plus
I'm surprised as I suspected more titles were not shown for the device. Part of it may be that Nintendo is taking it easy as Sony and Microsoft wont pose much of a threat to them. Nintendo will get more serious with the device as time goes on. Zelda will defiantly be a big game for the device. I'm not sure what else Nintendo will make for it.
Golden Sun DS
I'm personally happy for this. It's been far too long. It will probably sell better thanks to the other games since it's on the DS........uh, not much else to say here. GLEE
Mario and Luigi 3/Style Savvy
Not much to say, so I'll combine it into one.
Mario and Luigi 3 is finally coming. Yeah. Not much to expect for it. It will probably beat the second one's sales, but all I could say is really obvious. Now, Style Savvy is an interesting game. It is Nintendo proving to expand gaming by making games that cater to other demographics (previously, we would have never heard of a game for girls). It might do well, but I think more females own the system in Japan (handhelds are more practical in Japan than the US).
Mario Galaxy 2
If the Mario game shown earlier was this, I'd be disappointed. Not that this game is bad (I enjoyed the first one), but it wont reach the same heights as a 2D Mario. A game like this is fun to some, but unaccessible to others. My Mom, who played platformers back in the day, could not play this because of motion sickness. It may also be hard to navigate and move quickly in a 3D world (especially with bottom-less pits around). It just wont work as well as a 2D game would.
I think Nintendo knew what they were doing. This game is targeted to the core, not the expanded audience. The goal is to make it more of a challenge to veterans who played the first. It's suppose to be exclusive, but that is OK. Also, I'm not trying to undermine the sales. The first one did well, but it will not move units like NSMBW will. Since that exist, this is OK. Also, the game seems to have a lot of good content, so expect happy Nintendo fans when this game comes out.
“.........”
Wii Vitality Sensor
I know a lot of people are mad at this, but let me explain.
What Nintendo showed was a “sneak peak.” As of now, all we have is what the device looks like and do. We do not know the software attached. Now, I don't think this will be a big peripheral, but I suspect they have software for it. My thought is they have a stress manager game in the vein of Brain Age. The goal would be to try and manage stress and work with stress. We'll see it next year for sure.
Metroid: Other M
This one is a mixed bag. It will be either awesome or terrible, or both.
For the awesome part, the game is doing what fans want. It delves into Samus's back story, elaborating on the universe. It is a darker title. It is a hardcore game. I think a lot of people will be happy about this. Metroid is also big in the west, so making an action beat-em-up will defiantly do well over here. On the other side, it looks to go against what Metroid is. This one is focused on action rather then using items and exploring. While it looks like the power up system is still in place, it looks like the game is Metroid if it played like Ninja Giaden. Also, I fear for the camera controls.
So, I'm not sure. I suspect there will be mixed fan reactions, and the game will do well.
Either “Great Job” or “Ya Blew It”
Final Thoughts
I knew there wasn't going to be a Wii Zelda with Phantom Hourglass coming soon. Nintendo wouldn't release two similar titles at the exact same time. Now, the next game will DEFINATLY be at E3 2010. I think Nintendo will use it to show what a core game with Motion Plus will look like. Also, I suspect Nintendo will attempt to make it more accessible, but I'm not to sure with the fact that Link will be:”more adult” (meaning grittier). Pikmin 3 wasn't shown, which saddened me. I assume we'll see at the Fall Conference.
Now, if I may criticise their conference, I think Nintendo is ignoring their other franchises too much. Mario and Zelda will always be top dog, but now they are forgetting they made other games.
The two big ones I'm talking about are Starfox and F-Zero. Both of these lend themselves to accessibility and the motion controls very well. F-Zero could very well be the upstream from Mario Kart. Driving games will always a hit on a console like this. Starfox is also accessible as it is a space shooter (an easy to get into genre). It also lends itself to motion controls. However, no Nintendo outsources these games. F-Zero has done well, but Starfox has suffered. Nintendo can do a lot of good with these games, and as the Wii audience upstreams, they will be able to easily get into these games (although they are not to hard to do so). This is the biggest mistake I think Nintendo is doing. It's hard to surprise if you are just going to make Mario and Zelda (in other words “Ya Blew It”).
Otherwise, they did a good job overall. I think Nintendo knows what they are doing. Expect Wii domination to continue. My thoughts on the conference?
“Great Job”
(NOTE: I forgot one part. I'll get it tomorrow)
