The Observer, December 1, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 12
Nintendo banks on Wii to trump Playstation 3
Last week I obtained a Nintendo Wii after a very long and frigid wait outside of the Wal-Mart at Severance Center. The line was comprised almost entirely of gamers eager to get their hands on the console, and with good reason.
The Wii is unlike any previous system in that its controller can sense both depth and motion. Of course, with such a novel design, even the most avid Nintendo fans may be worried that the Wii is merely a gimmick. Can this system possibly live up the hype? I would definitely say yes; for the most part, Nintendo has fulfilled its promises.
First and foremost, the controller (dubbed the "Wii-mote" by fans) is fantastic. The remote itself feels very solid and comfortable. Pointing at your television screen is intuitive and the sensor is precise. I'm so glad that Nintendo decided to include rumble functionality, because it gives a tactile sensation to even simple actions such as navigating menus. The Nunchuk attachment also feels comfortable, but most games right now seem to use its gyroscopic capabilities sparingly (Zelda excepted). The only aspect of the controller that disappoints is the built-in speaker. It's a welcome feature, but the chimes and beeps it makes sound very scratchy. However, lowering the volume a few notches below the default setting helps immensely.
The Wii's "channel display" is user-friendly and will become robust when more of the planned features (the weather, news, etc.) are added. It is clear that Nintendo is going for a simpler version of the Xbox 360's dashboard (an excellent foundation). One channel boots up the "Virtual Console," a service that lets you download classic games from yesteryear. The idea is great but some of the early options seem a bit too expensive; Sega Genesis games are $8, for instance. A surprising feature is the "Mii" channel, which allows users to make caricatures of friends that can be used as avatars in games such as Wii Sports and next year's Wario Ware: Smooth Moves.
All of these features are fun additions, but they are not replacements for a cohesive online strategy. This is the one area that Nintendo needs to address. Right now, not a single game can be played online, severely limiting the appeal of titles like Call of Duty 3, and even sending messages to friends requires users to swap "friend codes." This clunky system is likely a measure to protect younger players from the unpredictable realm of internet-based multiplayer, but Nintendo would be wise to use parental control setting instead, à la the Xbox 360.
So the system itself is well made and the controller works well, but a console is only worth an investment if the games are enjoyable. Luckily, despite some ports and major disappointments (stay far away from the generic Red Steel), a handful of games are excellent. The most important title is without a doubt The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which is the most fun I've had with the series since Majora's Mask came out seven years ago. The dungeons are impeccably designed and the aiming/sword swinging mechanics add a new dimension of immersion to the series. Despite sticking to many of the Zelda conventions, the new tools and twilight realm make this entry feel fresh. Trauma Center: Second Opinion and Rayman Raving Rabbids are also standouts, as they use the controller to do everything from making incisions and using a defibrillator to shooting plungers at rabbits and kicking soccer goals. If you're looking from multiplayer games, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz and the included Wii Sports are fun for almost everyone; I was able to introduce my father, who had never previously touched a videogame, to the joys of Wii Bowling.
Visually, these games will not amaze you, but in the cases of Zelda and Rayman, art direction can go a long way. The graphical horsepower was sacrificed in order to keep the system at an affordable $250, and while not everyone will agree with that decision, I don't think the current visuals are unpleasant or distracting. I will admit though that jumping back and forth between Zelda and Gears of War has been a bit jarring.
The Wii has the potential to target a larger audience than Nintendo has had in the past because the games are so accessible. Even so, I am glad that gaming enthusiasts will not be forgotten. On top of Zelda, next year's release schedule is looking very bright, thanks to Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, and the latest installment of Smash Bros. Whereas Sony's Playstation 3 has consistently disappointed up until this point, with its severe shortages and current lack of quality software, I think Nintendo finally has an opportunity to reclaim some of its former glory.
