http://news.filefront.com/jc-barnett-claims-super-smash-brothers-brawl-is-unfit-for-the-wii/
The Article
Lately, we have heard only good things about Super Smash Brothers Brawl, but now a Japanese game developer who uses the alias “JC Barnett” has expressed concern for the new Nintendo Wii title. Surprisingly, I basically agree with his opinions of Super Smash Brothers Brawl and the Nintendo Wii. He believes that this game will confirm the fact that the Wii is not appealing to hard-core gamers and that future developers need to stick to casual games for the system. He also mentions that he believes that the Wii may not even be part of the current console war. I have believed that for a while, but it’s not a very popular opinion to have these days. I have always felt like the Wii had a different market than the Xbox 360 and PS3, but somehow people find that hard to believe. For whatever reason, fanboys tend to get all bent out of shape when you mention that the Wii is a “casual” system. I’m not sure why because it really is a casual gaming option.
Is the Wii the wrong system for a game such as Super Smash Brothers Brawl? I’d have to say with certainty that it probably would have been better on the Sony PS3 or Xbox 360. Considering it’s only on the Wii, it will probably sell really well though, at least for a while. I hope you fanboys out there don’t try to go off on me for this opinion. There’s nothing wrong with the Nintendo Wii, but it’s certainly just a different kind of system than what you get with the 360 and PS3.
Here’s what he had to say:
As a spurious prediction I’d say we may see a promising start with the usual drop-off over the next few months and sales figures that would make anyone proud but that are still lower than expected, a bit like Super Mario Galaxy. If Sumabura [Super Smash Bros. Brawl] doesn’t sell that well it would be proof positive that the Wii isn’t a hard-core friendly platform. I suspect already that it isn’t, but a title like this could prove it once and for all.This also means the Wii is out of the “console war”. It has its own market distinctly different from its competitors, whom must fight amongst themselves for their own top spot. Both Microsoft and Sony are making wooing noises to the casual market but they’ll have a hard time stealing customers from the big N.
So any publisher looking to make money on the Wii must squarely look at casual and avoid hard-core at all costs.
Via VGM
My Comments
Oh so much ranting on such a non article - as SSBM sold so well on the GC and we know that the Wii has been selling to a new demographic, top this off with the fact that the Wii still hasn't sold as many units as the Gc did then there's still a lot of Gc owners out there that hasn't purchased a Wii yet. I see SSBB, Wii Mario Kart, Animal Crossing and (whenever it gets announced) Pikmin 3 as all having massive parts to play in that respect. For this reason alone I fully believe that most people that see SSBB as a system seller will be more "hardcore" gamers if you like. Even if it doesn't sell - we all know us who are looking forward to it will love it.
The unknown Japanese Developer uses SMG sales as an example to bad sales - "IT'S NOT SELLING BADLY", this to me is an example of someone who reads an Internet article and goes off half cocked without any research to back up their claims.
Anyways the fact the dev felt they had to remain silent proves they know it's a stupid point of view or truly demonstrates how much power the Wii and it's Internet publicity can hold.
