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I feel I want to get a disappointment off my chest, and what better a place to do so.

Today, I am going to express my deepest concern for my future as a Nintendo customer.  As I continue to browse the web, read reviews, and even play new games for myself, I see a steady decline in Nintendo's former direction.  As I play games like Super Mario Galaxy (Wii), or LoZ: Phantom Hourglass (DS), I see Nintendo dumbing down the games, and beginning to tack on gimmicks.  Now, I won't say these games are bad, they're great games, but they could be better, and represent a poor direction for Nintendo.

What I mean by this, is that Nintendo is simply using devices because they were their innovation for the system.  You have the touch screen being used in Zelda, where it doesn't feel great (try doing a summersault roll), and likely the regular controls would have been better.  You have Galaxy's controls, which, while feeling more polished, still seem to lack the feel if they were played using a GameCube controller.  Then you have those few gimmicky mini levels in (such as the manta ray, or the rolling ball), and, honestly, I can say they're so inprecise (or too precise), that it isn't fun to do, rather difficult, and getting lucky if you can finish the level.  As a whole, both games, I'd rather play on standard controls. (Don't get me started on how swimming is TERRIBLE on Galaxy levels that have it.)

Further looking, Metroid Prime 3:Corruption is solid, but it still suffers from problems with relaxing the Wii remote.  I find myself reaching out far towards the system just to make the accurate moves, and it's quite frustratingly difficult to get the quick turn of aim like a mouse, or even a dual joystick configuration could do.  One last game I'd comment is Battalion Wars II, a game that I really think has no need for the Wii configuration (it should have used the Classic Controller), and to me, the whole game feels broken because of how hard it is to select a grunt, etc. with the Wii remote.  The DS doesn't seem to have problems with controls, but does have what I speak of in the next section.

The control problems aren't the greatest of Nintendo's concerns, either, as I've come to fear.  As I look at it's current lineup, there's a select few Nintendo games worth playing (Wii and DS), and very few 2nd party/3rd party exclusives.  Past that, I see tons of shovelwear junk suitable for young children and families.   Even now, with it's current franchises and new IPs, that seems to be where Nintendo (makes sense to do so), is headed, and it scares me.  I want none of these games. Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart Wii are the only two holding me to the system, and on the DS, well, it's shoved in some drawer somewhere in my house, I have no idea where.  

I've said before, I'm no graphics junkie, and I understand.  That said, the junk on the console does dishearten me. As HDTVs are becoming more prevalent, I question the Wii's longevity, and lack of games I really want.  The main thing is the lack of variety, the very thing Nintendo always had for me to boast.  It used to have platformers, RPGs, everything, even just exclusives.  Now all it has exclusive is crap from the late PS2's life, and a few decent PSP ports (besides some ALRIGHT first party exclusives (my Galaxy rating 6.5-8/10)).  

Sony currently offers a nice selection of games, as well as Microsoft (Microsoft tipping harder to the side of FPS).  The Wii is fun, but it lacks new, hardcore, fun IPs, the only reason to keep it is rehashes of old series (face it, much of the new series (Wii Fit)) aren't all that appealing to the hardcore crowd.  I understand the games will never be as immersive as PS3/360 games, but I grow tired of the cutsey junk, where I know the Wii can have some decent gameplay.  Yet, when will devs (Including Nintendo), make SOLID control schemes that rival the fun of a controller (besides the mini games)  Every non-mini game I've played (and I hate mini-games), has felt as if it would be more fun on a GCN controller/SIXAXIS/360 pad, etc.  Maybe that's why the casual games sell, for the motion sensor, but my "medium-hardcore" taste isn't filled by the Wii's motion controls.  

The only thing keeping my Wii in my house is Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and I'm not sure that'll hold me.  With Crisis Core and God of War: Chains of Olympus coming on PSP, the DS may go in, because all I see on DS these days is brain training, and games that just don't appeal well to my tastes.

I want to know if anyone agrees with me to some extent. Do you feel my pain, or am I alone?


Written By: sc7

*claps* that was a very well written post


I HIGHLY agree with the games for wii and ds being added with too many gimmicks, and i wouldnt mind if all games were compatible with the classic controllers or gc controller, but that would really take the essence out of the wii.


you see, the wii *right now* has ALOT of crap games coming out, but thats because developers did not see the wii coming out with such a huge roar, all developers thought it was going to be a massive failier, and thats why many developers held out of making games for the wii...but now that they see that the wii=money, they are starting to jump on the band waggon, developers are soon going to start putting time and money into making games, they wont be rushing out load of crap like they have been doing, they are going to make quality games.

Tho i understand your dissapointment at the moment, I GARANTEE you, *and you can hold me to this* you will be impressed by what the wii will dish out in the future, so dont loose faith in nintendo JUST yet, give it a little time, and youll be back loving and playing the wii

again, ide like to say, that was very well written

For most avid gamers, the Nintendo Wii will sit dormet and dusty until an amazing VC game comes out or a 1st party Nintendo title.  I currently own 14 titles and find that they are only played when family is around, and that's usually with my young nieces.  

I find myself going back to  my favorite system, the Xbox, where I can play games I love, with excellent sound and graphics, and where the gimmick or creating a Mii character or voting isn't suppose to make up for the lack of games or even the lack of good games.

Now that Brawl and Mario Kart are within eye site, I wonder how much better they'd be played on a GC controller or my favorite Wavebird.  I've grown tired of the waggle, and since it hasn't be used effectively or realistically (IMO), I have no real wishes to use that faithful Wii-mote as a sword, lightsaber, or a fist.

For everyone who loves the Wii because it's a "gaming system" and isn't some bloated media center at least compared to the 360 or PS3, you have to wonder why Nintendo went so far out of their way to make controls that aren't that great for gaming.  Just play some WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 and waggle your Wii-mote back and forth to do almost every move as I did on New Years Eve and you'll start to wonder why things are so dumbed down.  The promise of realistic motion is dead, and if not dead then it's sleeping, and sadly I see nothing in the future to think it will awaken anytime soon.

I haven't give out rep points in a while.

kudos

I totally understand.

The last three big name Wii title (Zelda: TP, Metroid Prime 3, Mario Galaxy) have all been push over games. Taking either no skill to beat them, or at the least only a tiny bit of skill would be required.

So I agree, this is why I'm buying a PS3. And why I had a PS2 last generation.

Nintendo consoles are only secondary consoles imo.

I completly agree with the majority of your statement Sc7.

I feel/felt your pain, so I no longer own a Wii. Bought a PSP and a 360, I also have no DS games at the moment.

Now you see, I wouldn't go to a PSP. That thing is garbage and the DS is far superior and I'm more than happy to just own one handheld.

But for consoles I'll own a PS3 and Wii.

But it was the right choice for me. Im having alot of fun with my PSP.

i couldnt agree more, the psp is loads of fun, a little uncomfterable, but fun, i think i made a wise purchase when i picked it up.

i enjoy my 360 alot more then my wii, but the wii can bring some fun once your sick of the 360, i also plan on purchasing a ps3 in the next few months, maily to play MGS4:GOTP *as im a huge fan of the series*, i dislike how people are really bias against the ps3 saying "it sucks"etc. when they have not ever played one...i for one, am not going to miss out on a great gaming experience.

sc7, that was a fantastic piece of writing. And it's completely unbiased, which is what I love. I completely agree with you. Wii and DS started at the top of the hill of casual and have been rolling down progressively more since their respective launches. I'd love to stick this in the portal unless somebody disagrees. It is an editorial after all.

Thanks for the responses guys, I appriciate the great discussion.

The problem for me is, that as long as Nintendo games are going to be dumbed down, it's not really worth owning as a secondary console.  gft, I couln't agree any more, waggle is killing me, and motion controls are dead.  They just don't seem to be better fun, and the inaccuracies make it frustrating.  Waggle gets old, especially in Galaxy,where it's broken.  I can't tell you how many times in Galaxy, I'd go to waggle a Goomba, by the time it registers, they've walked away, I miss, stumble into another goomba, and loose health.  

To the DS/PSP, I used to love my DS.  Having never owned a GBA, I was happy I decided to break down for a Nintendo Handheld.  When I found it in the magazine rack of my living room 4 months after I bought it, i tried it again.  Packed it in a suitcase over the summer when I went on a vacation with my family, found it when I was cleaning out my closet and found the suitcase to put in the attic, still laying dormant.  I've always sneered/laughed/jested the PSP, but looking to 2008, the PS3 is lining up great, and the PSP is really coming to it's own. I'm really impressed with the PSP, and the recent 333 MHz unlock is making it look quite appealing.

I'm debating trading Wii/DS for PS3/PSP, sad, something I'd never thought I would do (leave the big N).  Because in the end, has Nintendo really stuck to just games?  They took out media support (which I found useful in the 360/PS3), and decided to put useless gimmicks (news/weather, I'll take my PC, EVERYBODY VOTES?? Sorry, I don't find that "gaming oriented").

One of my biggest gripes is as long as "Carnival Games" outsells games like Batallion Wars II, and the few hardcore games coming to the Wii, devs are going to continue to make the unappealing mini-games, as well as Nintendo continuting down that path.

Thanks for the responses everyone, I appriciate the participation, looking forward to hearing more respones

Regards,
sc7

EDIT: Zapasant, I agree about the PS3. It had a rough start, but now it's coming to it's own. It's got a diverse selection of games (my opinion, the most), new IPs, new technologies, and a little for everything and everybody. It's a fantastic experience, and I will be (re) picking one up again shortly.

i dont think the wii's motion sensing controllers work very good, IMO.

i would love to see more future wii games to be more compatible with the C.Controller and the Gamecube controller, as even tho the wiimotes are more inovative, you can't beat the feel of a good old "real" gaming controller.

Some people confuse me. If they didn't want to be beating heaps of games with the wiimote, why did you get a Wii? Nintendo were always going to follow the gimmicky, fun, innovative path.

And as for the DS. Pokemon + Zelda + Metroid Prime Hunters has me set for a long time. More than the PSP would.

Especially how the SIXAXIS and 360 pad feel so great, and the soon coming Dual shock 3. I've also agreed to how it seems that the accelerometer/pointing on the Wii don't seem to be/feel as accurate as they would/do need to be to execute successfully. Half of my problems are that it's not fun, the other half are that it's frustrating because some issues are simply because of controls being quirky, not the game being hard.

Also, this has been mentioned before. After a tough day, I like to lay on my back with a big pillow and play, and that's kind of tough to do with the Wii remote. This isn't really a gripe, as sometimes I sit upright, and many play that way, that's more of a personal inconvienence. (I will sometimes choose to play 360 simply because I don't feel like sitting in the gaming chair I purchased).

I honestly thought they would work a lot better. I also didn't realize at the time I purchased that it would be so integral, nor did I completely invision exactly how it would all work out.

The DS does have a good lineup, but looking at it's future library is showing it's hitting the same path.

I agree with you somewhat. I myself have found my Wii incredibly un-appealing lately and have practically fully switched to the 360. The Wii is really too much of a gimmick now. It's a sad truth really.

haha, after i come back home from football practice or basketball practice, i pretty much refuse to play the wii, as for the wii alot of the times you may have to be sitting in an upright possition, just so that the sensor bar can get the motions correctly.whcih is a HUGE PET PEEVE of mine when i comes to the wii, GAH, here is another one of my annoying wii senerios.

i was playing nba live 08 on the wii in online play, i had my wiimote strap on my wrist, and all i did was raise the remote alittle to scratch my nose, an my player takes a shot from my end of the court.which ended up as an air ball, i bet the guy playing against me was laughing at me.

Thats why i love playing my 360 after a hard day, just sit back relax, play some rainbow six for a couple of hours, and im satisfied.
--and no worries of loosing while im scratching my freaking nose!--

the 360 is a godsend to me

Wtf? I completely disagree! You're an idiot for thinking such things sc7, and I think you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Nintendo's smart and they know exactly what they're doing, they're marketing gurus for crying out loud!

Lol, yeah like I'd ever say something like that. I agree with pretty much everything you've stated, but whether I'm a fool or ignorantly optimistic, I believe Nintendo is using the Wii as bait to lure in the casual audience and maybe, JUST maybe, we'll get the system we've longed for next-gen. Also, in all honesty, I still go and play Wii Sports when all my friends are over, so they DID succeed in that regard.

They're there to be used after all!

And yes, the Phantom Hourglass controls are absolute trash. They kill me, why couldn't they have given the option of D-pad control?

SMG's difficulty level was, unfortunately, just right. For the first time in 15 or so years, my mom actually wanted to play a Mario game. What's more, for the first time in 15 years, she wanted to play v-i-d-e-o game. And she still is playing it. And the Wii is still selling like crazy, so Nintendo's strategy of massive demographic appeal is seemingly still working well. So they're not likely to change their methods until the masses start realizing how horrible the 3rd party titles are (excluding MOH Heroes 2, which they wouldn't be playing anyway). All I really want is a few more good FPS's, like MOH, and when SSBB and Mario Kart come out, I'll be content. Nintendo's downfall will come from 3rd party idiocy, which would kill the large appeal. Otherwise, they'd have to make some REALLY good controlling for the hardcore games and those gamers to retain their fanbase. Hopefully, they actually try out their 3rd party games themselves and realize that with that kind of crap, the Wii cannot last.

On another note, I found the SMG controlls to be quite good, especially after my aforementioned mother beat the manta ray race...without dying once.

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...and they'll need to step up their online play.