@Mike: Hmm... It does make sense. And people in different gaming forums are happy about DLC for PS360 version.
Let's hope the publishers don't take that route after all.

I see two reasons, developers want to offer something else, because Wii has inferior graphics, thats why choosing version some people would prefer a extra mode/level over the HD graphics.

Also Wii is believed to be a casual friendly system that's why Madden 09 for example does have different options avaliable then the PS360 version.

@Lolcislaw: More options, you mean.

@Mike: I really can't see anyone paying good money for splitscreen...

The reason their is an explosion in the cost to develop games on the HD systems is because they require more people working for a longer time to produce the same quantity of content; the total development costs have (often) risen to 4 (or more) times what it cost to produce a previous generation game, and it is not that uncommon for their to be less content (4 to 8 hours) compared to previous generation games.

Producing a game for the Wii is a lot like producing a game for the previous generation consoles, which means that if you're given a similar time-line to produce a game the game should have much more content; and if you're given a proportinate budget and timeline you still might be able to produce a game with additional content.

Really? I don't think Gears of War would have been nearly as cool if it didn't have split screen co-op, do you? That's an example where I would pay a bit extra for a certain feature.

I am thinking of micro transactions -- $5 to $10.

And if you have ever played local multiplayer, you know that can be a blast. Goldeneye was killer back in its day.

Mike from Morgantown

DuffDuff... what an insightful post.

Why the extra content for the Wii versions? It could be a myriad of reasons.

1. It costs less to produce

2. It caters to the Wii demographics, which are social players who enjoy local multiplayer titles. (Just look at the sales of titles that meet that criteria, Sonic-Mario-Olympics, Super Smash Bros, Carnival Games, Mario Party)

3. The Wii is the console to most likely be part of a multiple console household, so potentially a fan could buy two versions of the same game.

I honestly don't know what was considered in these decisions but as a Wii only owner it makes me smile as those two titles you mentioned are titles I intend to pick up (Star Wars & James Bond) and I get two features that sound really cool to me.

Is the X360 holding the PS3 back?

That's an interesting thought. If developers are assembling the same team to produce games for both then yes, because that extra space the Blu ray disc brings in isn't being fully utilized, That extra space gives game developers space to put more levels, more quests, and more content. To pack a game with almost five times as much content is unheard of in a cross console title, and would certainly be a selling feature in favor of Sony if developers opted to do so. How could anyone justify to buy a game if another console had the same title with five times as many levels? However packing that much more content probably increases dev costs significantly.

Incidentally anyone who remarks that X360 DVD drive can pack more content than the Wii Optical drive, needs to check the specs. They pack the same amount. Dual sided or not.