Alright now I know everyone is going to automatically say "Wii doesn't need saving" but hear me out. The Nintendo Wii is almost five years old. Also many analysts and gamers alike think that Nintendo will launch a next gen system in 2012. Now others have argued that Nintendo may wait for the competition to make their move which would mean the Wii would have to survive another few years.

But as we speak the Wii is growing older and hardware sales are beginning to dip. Software developers are starting to doubt the Wii. As we speak it is a pain to put a multiplatform title on the Wii. You need to develop the game on the 360/PS3 then downgrade the hell out of it or build it from the ground up for the Wii.

However the 3DS has a very similiar architecture to the Wii. So much so that Yuji Naka already announced his title will be multiplatform between the 3DS and Wii. Sega also confirmed that their Sonic game announced for the Wii will actually be multiplatform as well. So now when a developer makes a 3DS game they can port it over with somewhat ease to the Wii.

Remember how the PSP prolonged the PS2? Games developed for PSP and vice versa for PS2 were ported to and from one another. This kept games being developed for the PS2 till today. Infact some titles are being developed right now for both platforms like THQ's WWE All Stars for PSP and PS2.

So what happens in 2012 when Nintendo launches the next system? Nintendo themselves will probubly begin rolling back support for the 3DS. In the past developers have been quick to abandon Nintendo's consoles. But this time 3DS will still be selling big and game developers will be making countless games for it. So now developers will be able to port their titles over to the 3DS with ease. Meaning more Wii games coming long into the future.

Could the 3DS lead to more development on the Wii in the future? Will the 3DS do to the Wii as the PSP did to the PS2?

Wii doesn't need saving

lol I can tell you read the thread!

I copied your line. Does that count as reading?

What you didn't read it all you just copied my first response line...... that makes me a sad panda!

It'll mean less work, less risk and more return for third parties which is always a good thing. While some may say Wii doesn't need saving, and I agree, it's third party situation definitely needs a boost which 3DS will be able to provide.

I tried to argue this same thing last week and most people seemed to disagree with me.  However, we now have evidence of the first Wii/3DS dual-release game. There have been dozens and dozens of dual-release games between Wii and DS (Michael Jackson, and Sonic Colours are two recent examples).  Now it is going to be even easier for 3rd parties to release between the Wii and the 3DS since the games will be virtually the identical (minus motion-controls and 3D output).

The Wii schedule is looking very barren for early 2011.  Hopefully a few of these dual-release games help keep the Wii afloat.  It is going to need it. 

Many of these 3DS games have been in preparation for up to 2 years.  2 years ago the Wii was at peak popularity.  Many of the 3rd party developers probably saw a big opportunity if they could easily port from 3DS to Wii.  This option minimizes the risk of failure and also maximizes profit potential-- an easy decision, especially since the porting is probably very inexpensive. 

Really, they only starting to doubt the wii, i think it was like that since its launch.

For the 3DS/Wii multiplatform, no it won't favor the wii... All the core games coming to 3DS (resident Evil, MGS, SSF IV, DoA...) ported to the wii? i think its the answer.

'ey! We don't take kindly to sad pandas around here!

But anyways, I think Nintendo needs to put some software for the accessories that are somewhat lacking.