superchunk on 30 January 2008
Are you concerned about the long-term prospects of the Wii, if Nintendo manages to meet consumer demand for it this year?
ME: No, Even if the Wii meets demand and sales stay level, they are producing 1.8m units per month which is far greater than anyone else. If demand stays pretty close to that supply, Nintendo has no reason for concern.
Should Nintendo bring back the "Nintendo Seal of Quality" (or an alternative game approval method) to enforce more stringent standards for third-party Wii games?
ME: No. The higher standards and fees were just one of the reasons N64 lost so many 'exclusives'. Nintendo, as all console manufacturers, have some say in what is released. However, as history has shown whomever has the largest, not best quality, library is who 'wins' the generation. NES, SNES, PS1, PS2 all had a quite a bit of shovelware. Wii will be no different, with or without a seal.
Are there any upcoming Wii titles for this year that you believe will help the system -- besides the Nintendo franchise titles (e.g. Super Smash Bros. Brawl)?
ME: At GDC and E3 I will know a lot more as I expect a ton of new games to be announced. As for what is known now...Baroque, Okami, PES2008, Monster Lab, Rock Band (its coming), Final Fantasy (WiiWare game), No More Heroes. I also think that this year might start some EA Sports titles that are not PS2 ports. Thus, quality games. If not then definitely next year.
ME: No, Even if the Wii meets demand and sales stay level, they are producing 1.8m units per month which is far greater than anyone else. If demand stays pretty close to that supply, Nintendo has no reason for concern.
Should Nintendo bring back the "Nintendo Seal of Quality" (or an alternative game approval method) to enforce more stringent standards for third-party Wii games?
ME: No. The higher standards and fees were just one of the reasons N64 lost so many 'exclusives'. Nintendo, as all console manufacturers, have some say in what is released. However, as history has shown whomever has the largest, not best quality, library is who 'wins' the generation. NES, SNES, PS1, PS2 all had a quite a bit of shovelware. Wii will be no different, with or without a seal.
Are there any upcoming Wii titles for this year that you believe will help the system -- besides the Nintendo franchise titles (e.g. Super Smash Bros. Brawl)?
ME: At GDC and E3 I will know a lot more as I expect a ton of new games to be announced. As for what is known now...Baroque, Okami, PES2008, Monster Lab, Rock Band (its coming), Final Fantasy (WiiWare game), No More Heroes. I also think that this year might start some EA Sports titles that are not PS2 ports. Thus, quality games. If not then definitely next year.
