The Wii is awesome...

I believe System Wars seems to have a special problem with the Wii. Their hatred for the system seems to transcend any dislike or indifference they might have for any of the other consoles, and the trouble is, I have no idea exactly why System Wars hates the Wii so much.

I've been here for over a year now, and in that period, I've picked up quite a few of the 'reasons' System Wars hates the Wii. I shall now attempt to demonstrate now not only all those reasons are invalid, but also the result of needless preconceived notions and prejudice:

1)THE WII DOES NOT HAVE GOOD GRAPHICS/DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH PROCESSING POWER/IS JUST A RESOUPED GAMECUBE:

This is absolutely incorrect, on all three counts. As I am assuming everybody here knows by now, the Wii is 2 times as powerful as the original Xbox, which, in turn was the most powerful system last generation. This not only lends the Wii with adequate processing power- surely we don't need the raw, supercomputer strength that the 360 and the PS3 bring to the table as a necessity, do we? I mean, we did have excellent looking games before the advent of the HD era as well, didn't we?- but also means that the Wii is capable of churning out beautiful visuals, if only developers would work on it. Cases in point: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Super Smash Bros Brawl, Dead Space Extraction and Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles. While the graphics are certainly nowhere near as good as they are on the HD consoles, they certainly are more than good enough to go along with.

That many games do not look good can be attributed to two reasons: that most of the 'games' System Wars picks as examples are usually hastily put together minigame compilations or movie tie ins: the very definition of 'shovelware.' Using the worst title a system has as an example of what the system is capable of is certainly not a good idea now, is it?

2) THE WII DOES NOT HAVE GOOD GAMES/ITS LIBRARY IS ONLY SHOVELWARE

While this point becomes a bit harder to defend objectively, due to the subjective nature of opinions that enters the equation whenever statements pertaining to choice or taste in anything arise, I believe that the general misconception that the Wii has no good games to speak of, or very few to care about, should be immediately dispelled.

The Wii not only has a lot to offer to the 'core' gamer accustomed to mainstream titles, it also has the support of Nintendo's first party support- indisputably the best first party backing, which I am sure all cows and lemming will also agree to- with classic franchises like Zelda and Mario. To add to all that, the Wii has loads of niche titles, like Muramasa and Little King's Story, and it also has the Virtual COnsole and WiiWare, two online gaming services loaded to the brim with old school and addictive titles. In other words, every true hardcore gamer's wildest fantasy.

To add to the above mentioned, the Wii also has great party titles (Wii Play and Wii Sports Resort spring to mind) as well as a lot of 'alternative' games, like Wii Fit, which offer new ways of interaction and interfacing within the medium.

Playing the Wii is a scintillating experience, if only gamers would be willing to offer it the chance.

It is true, the Wii has a LOT of shovelware, mote than any platform should have, but it also has a great many excellent titles, if people would only bother to look.

3) THE WII IS KIDDY/NINTENDO IS KIDDY

This one is actually the worst of the tlo, because not only is it absolutely unfounded on any basis, it also smacks of ignorance, insecurity and narrow mindedness on the accuser's part.

The reason that is usually quoted for calling the Wii 'kiddy' is the presence of Nintendo games like Mario on the platform, which are always bright, with a colorful palette, and a quirky storyline. The perception is also rooted in the early '90's period, when Nintendo was reluctant to admit really 'mature' games on the platform.

Now, while Nintendo and their games may be 'kiddy-' I do not deny that, whatever it is supposed to mean- my question is, what does it matter? So what if we play a game with a ridiculous storyline, or a happy theme for once, instead of the usual dreary and depressing fare that modern games have now become? What does it even matter if the game is good? A game's fundamental premise is its gameplay, and as long as that is sound, it does not matter at all.

But for those who insist on having a mature game, well then, on the Wii, you are spoilt for choice. Great games like Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles, Dead Space Extraction, Silent Hill Shattered Memories, House of the Dead: Overkill, MadWorld, Manhunt 2, No More Heroes, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex, The Godfather: Blackhand Edition and Call of Duty: World at War, to name a few, should really be enough 'mature experiences' to satiate anybody.

It's time we all learn to be a bit more broad minded, and a bit more willing to let go of our initial prejudices, if only to avoid stupid accusations like these.

4) THE WII IS DUMB BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE GOOD ONLINE

I accept unconditionally that the Wii's online leaves a lot to be desired (though Mario Kart Wii totally nailed it in that department). However, why does that imply that the console sucks? Or that a game sucks? Or that the game has no multiplayer modes to speak of?

Addressing the first two points (and the third, in part), I would like to say that great games and consoles existed even before online, if anybody cares to remember. Those that don't are most probably those who started gaming this generation, and so are unaware that games were usually better back then- the single player mode was longer, meatier and more fulfilling, instead of being rushed to accommodate an online mode that is usually the same in all games of the genre (primarily happens in shooters, where the online mode of one shooter game is equivalent to the online mode of all shooter games). The fact that the Wii games do not have an online mode, or that if they do, it isn't as good as the HD consoles', is a bummer, yes. But gamers would do well to acknowledge the Wii games' own strengths then- they're usually long, and have a fulfilling and compelling single player mode (instead of the single player mode lasting barely five hours. You all know which game I speak of).

As for the third, ALL Wii games still have excellent multiplayer. Don't forget, that it was Nintendo after all who introduced us all to meaningful multiplayer gaming in the first place. Wii games usually have an excellent local multiplayer component, and perhaps it would be the best for today's increasingly cynical and disillusioned society to actually take the time to spend some time (playing games) with their family and friends, as opposed to playing with some nameless person at the opposite end of the world.

********************************************************************************

That's it, really. That's all I have to say, for the moment.

I do not for an instance believe that the Wii is perfect- in my opinion, no console is- however, I believe that it gets a lot of unwarranted and undeserved hate, here in System Wars, when the HD fanboys usually gang up on it? Why? Because it dared to do something different? Or because its leading in sales? As I've already explained above,most of the reasons cited for the Wii being a 'failure' as a system are invaild. You are, of course, free to your own personal opinion.

I don't think my post shall make much of a difference- but hey, at least I can try, and I can claim nowthat I've done my bit to reason with everybody.

Before I sign off, I'd like to state that I own all three consoles, and love them equally. It's just that, I can;t stand it when what is so obviously a wonderful console gets so much hate that usually stems from narrow minded prejudices.

Please chip in with your thoughts, I look forward to hearing your points of view.

EDIT: I edited this topic on 3rd December 2009 to correct some minor grammar errors, and to change the topic title.

Im not going to read all that, but all I will say is the wii is fantastic! I owned a 360 and sold it on, the ps3 and wii are basically only good if you go online with them the majourity of their games are based on playing online. the wii is fantastic for people who just wanna kick out and play single player or play with a friend (not online). I guess its more about preferences I prefer the wii I think the 360 is trash ive had two RROD on me its a hump of junk. ps3 is a good console im not knocking it but the wii just has the works. sitting down with control pads such as 360 and ps3 is getting old.

Love the Wii, play it more than my 360. Great first three years, better than the first three years of any other Nintendo console save the DS and GCN. Those who complain have just not overcome the initial disappointment of 06/07 and are just totally oblivious when it comes to the system's library.

I have recently started Rune Factory: Frontier. Bad, bad idea. That game consumes you.

This poll, however, will not end well.

As a former Wii-basher, I have learned to accept its place among consoles. Truth be told while it may have its fair share of shovelware and capable of less graphically than the other 2 consoles, it still has many games that suit gamers of all types. While it is unlikely that I will buy one (building a gaming PC in Jan.), I accept its place among the consoles and ehat it brings to the table.

As a former Wii-basher, I have learned to accept its place among consoles. Truth be told while it may have its fair share of shovelware and capable of less graphically than the other 2 consoles, it still has many games that suit gamers of all types. While it is unlikely that I will buy one (building a gaming PC in Jan.), I accept its place among the consoles and ehat it brings to the table.

bez2083

[QUOTE="bez2083"]

As a former Wii-basher, I have learned to accept its place among consoles. Truth be told while it may have its fair share of shovelware and capable of less graphically than the other 2 consoles, it still has many games that suit gamers of all types. While it is unlikely that I will buy one (building a gaming PC in Jan.), I accept its place among the consoles and ehat it brings to the table.

charizard1605

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="bez2083"]

As a former Wii-basher, I have learned to accept its place among consoles. Truth be told while it may have its fair share of shovelware and capable of less graphically than the other 2 consoles, it still has many games that suit gamers of all types. While it is unlikely that I will buy one (building a gaming PC in Jan.), I accept its place among the consoles and ehat it brings to the table.

Lothenon

The poll answer needed for me would be something akin to:

Paid $249.99 for a $99.99 gaming experience. :P

It's not totally trash but just not what others lead me here on SW me to expect - haven't even had it plugged in for 8 months or so. :?

The poll answer needed for me would be something akin to:

Paid $249.99 for a $99.99 gaming experience. :P

It's not totally trash but just not what others lead me here on SW me to expect - haven't even had it plugged in for 8 months or so. :?

SecretPolice

[QUOTE="bez2083"]

As a former Wii-basher, I have learned to accept its place among consoles. Truth be told while it may have its fair share of shovelware and capable of less graphically than the other 2 consoles, it still has many games that suit gamers of all types. While it is unlikely that I will buy one (building a gaming PC in Jan.), I accept its place among the consoles and ehat it brings to the table.

charizard1605

Thank you. I got to play that New SMB Wii over Thanksgivng. Just the little bit I got to play of it, I would have to put it up there as the greatest 3 of the franchise. Very fun game.

The Wii just happens to be more of a love it or hate it console tagyhag

[QUOTE="tagyhag"]The Wii just happens to be more of a love it or hate it console Lothenon

[QUOTE="Lothenon"][QUOTE="tagyhag"]The Wii just happens to be more of a love it or hate it console charizard1605

http://www.unigamesity.com/debate-are-game-demos-game-killers/

In short,yes.
Although it's collecting dust for a while now.Which makes me sad.

If the wii was $149.99 and came bundled with metroid prime 3, I would have no beef with it. But it doesn't. It's an issue of value for money, I simply get more with the other options.

I think its cool to hate Nintedo, no matter what they do. Its like in the computer world how its cool to hate Microsoft. Its sort of a fad and not based on logic.

There is nothing wrong with the number of shovelware games on the Wii.HarlockJC

There is something wrong with the ratio of shovelware to quality on the Wii.

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="Lothenon"] Hm, no. The number of people who play the console and still think very lowly of it is extremely small. People "hate" the Wii because it is easy to dismiss its games if you're used to HD games imitating cheap action movies. If there were Wii game demos a huge, huge number of Wiis would stop "collecting dust".HarlockJC

http://www.unigamesity.com/debate-are-game-demos-game-killers/

On the Wii it would be different, though. The main problem is just that Wii owners don't know the good games exist unless Nintendo's marketing machine is behind them, so demos for Muramasa, A Boy and His Blob, Madworld, etc. should be front and center on the Nintendo Channel and Shop Channel. It would help the sales far more than it would hurt.

I think the way the Wii's interface is designed is also contributing to the problem. On the 360/PS3, you see ads and new content right on the main screen, but on the Wii you have to specifically go to the Shop Channel or Nintendo Channel to see that stuff, and you have to do it regularly to see everything that gets put up. The people who need to know about these games most likely aren't doing that.

[QUOTE="HarlockJC"]There is nothing wrong with the number of shovelware games on the Wii.Cherokee_Jack

There is something wrong with the ratio of shovelware to quality on the Wii.

[QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"]

[QUOTE="HarlockJC"]There is nothing wrong with the number of shovelware games on the Wii.HarlockJC

There is something wrong with the ratio of shovelware to quality on the Wii.

The PC is an open platform. No comparison to be made there.

The PS2...I'm not sure you're right about that. But even if that's accurate, you still have just a consistently higher quality on the PS2. The Wii just seems to get a scattershot of 7s and 8s each year, most of which have no real staying power and are forgotten in a month. And then there's the problem of variety. There is variety of sorts to the library, but in the genres that really matter to most people, it's lacking. There's very few good shooters, a handful of good action games, 1 good RPG?

That's why the Wii is strictly a secondary/tertiary system to me and a lot of others; it's worth it for the sort of games that you would never see on other systems, but when you want something with some substance, you go right to your PC/360/PS3. It shouldn't be that way, and if Nintendo can step up their game and get people interested in these new titles, it doesn't have to be that way.

I wouldnt say its unwarranted, i could be mad that the Wii has very few games which cater to me but i dont because i have a PC and a PS3. Someone who owned only a Wii would have every right to hate on it if they didnt get games they wanted.

for me its hard to like the Wii I luckily have all 3 consoles and the Wii is the worst out of thethree I follow the times on Wii news I buy all the "strong" games and dissapointed by every one of them I bought little king's story and I found it to befun...until the controlsgot in the way and I died every 5 seconds because of the goddam controls!! or metroid prime 3 I adored the 1st metroid prime, tolerated the 2nd oneadored all the GBA games, I did like metroid hunters for the DS, but this game corruption was the most horrible FPS exprience I ever had it just wasn't fun at all and the list goes on all the Wii games even the ones that the fans adore bored me to death plus the online support is embarassing its hard to play the Wii when both the PSN and XBL are so easy to access (no friend codes) I realize now that the Wii will never be for me I spent hours on that black cube that was the gamecube I played melee for over 30-45 hours by myself and countless hours with my friends and I can barely play brawl for 4 hours even with friends we turn the system off and go on XBL

[QUOTE="HarlockJC"][QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"]

There is something wrong with the ratio of shovelware to quality on the Wii.

Cherokee_Jack

The PC is an open platform. No comparison to be made there.

The PS2...I'm not sure you're right about that. But even if that's accurate, you still have just a consistently higher quality on the PS2. The Wii just seems to get a scattershot of 7s and 8s each year, most of which have no real staying power and are forgotten in a month. And then there's the problem of variety. There is variety of sorts to the library, but in the genres that really matter to most people, it's lacking. There's very few good shooters, a handful of good action games, 1 good RPG?

That's why the Wii is strictly a secondary/tertiary system to me and a lot of others; it's worth it for the sort of games that you would never see on other systems, but when you want something with some substance, you go right to your PC/360/PS3. It shouldn't be that way, and if Nintendo can step up their game and get people interested in these new titles, it doesn't have to be that way.

brilliant post, really, I never found myself agreeing this much to a post on SW.

[QUOTE="HarlockJC"]There is nothing wrong with the number of shovelware games on the Wii.Cherokee_Jack

There is something wrong with the ratio of shovelware to quality on the Wii.

Unfortunately, it's very easy to pick on. It doesn't deserve the almost unanimous hatred it gets.

[QUOTE="HarlockJC"]There is nothing wrong with the number of shovelware games on the Wii.Cherokee_Jack

There is something wrong with the ratio of shovelware to quality on the Wii.

[QUOTE="Lothenon"][QUOTE="tagyhag"]The Wii just happens to be more of a love it or hate it console charizard1605

Actally, the Wii has demos. (but only for a couple wiiware games)

There should be a middle option, like "Meh. It doesnt deserve the hate, but it isn't the greatest console ever" or something. Other than that, nice. Very well-though out post.

Of course it's under appreciated. It may not be perfect, but neither are the PS3 or 360(That's right fanboys. They aren't perfect. Get over it)

Im not trying to troll, but I hate the Wii. I had it for 1 year and the only game I found that I can come back to is Okami, which was a ps2 game. The fact that a ps2 game is on the wii, and I like it more than nintendo games just shocks me. Nintendo sucks now and now I think about, they never were really great to begin with. All I can thank them for is for saving gaming in the VG crash.GreyskullPower

Absolutely. No system's perfect but the Wii is definitely public enemy #1 here.

You'd think Nintendo personally killed all your families with the amount of hate they and the Wii receive.

1)THE WII DOES NOT HAVE GOOD GRAPHICS/DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH PROCESSING POWER/IS JUST A RESOUPED GAMECUBE:

This is absolutely incorrect, on all three counts. As I am assuming everybody here knows by now, the Wii is 2 times as powerful as the original Xbox, which, in turn was the most powerful system last generation. This not only lends the Wii with adequate processing power- surely we don't need the raw, supercomputer strength that the 360 and the PS3 bring to the table as a necessity, do we? I mean, we did have excellent looking games before the advent of the HD era as well, didn't we?- but also means that the Wii is capable of churning out beautiful visuals, if only developers would work on it. Cases in point: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Super Smash Bros Brawl, Dead Space Extraction and Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles. While the graphcs are certainly nowhere near as good as they are on the HD consoles, they certainly are more than good enough to go along with.

That many games do not look good can be attributed to two reasons: that most of the 'games' System Wars picks as examples are usually hastily put together minigame compilations or movie tie ins: the very definition of 'shovelware.' Using the worst title a system has as an example of what the system is capable of is certainly not a good idea now, is it?

charizard1605

Im not trying to troll, but I hate the Wii. I had it for 1 year and the only game I found that I can come back to is Okami, which was a ps2 game. The fact that a ps2 game is on the wii, and I like it more than nintendo games just shocks me. Nintendo sucks now and now I think about, they never were really great to begin with. All I can thank them for is for saving gaming in the VG crash.GreyskullPower

[QUOTE="GreyskullPower"]Im not trying to troll, but I hate the Wii. I had it for 1 year and the only game I found that I can come back to is Okami, which was a ps2 game. The fact that a ps2 game is on the wii, and I like it more than nintendo games just shocks me. Nintendo sucks now and now I think about, they never were really great to begin with. All I can thank them for is for saving gaming in the VG crash.IppoTenma

EDIT: Oh, BTW, if you know full well that what I said was an opinion, Why think that I'm trying to pass an opinion as a fact, and just assume that I'm just stating how I feel about the wii instead calling me a troll. Just because I hate the wii more than any system does not make me a troll. It's MY opinion, and I should be able to say what I think about the wii.

My problem with the wii though is not that its a kiddy console. I enjoy that there is a console for kids because that makes a christmas present for my little cousins easier lol, I mean the other 2 are HORRIBLE consoles for people who cant buy m rated games, there really isn't much big name stuff for them to get especially on the 360 (Ps3 is much better in that area though imo but still not great). My problem is that developers aren't using it right, they keep trying to make the mature wii game, or something that emulates stuff on the other consoles, which is the wrong way to do it. You need to have much simpler easy to pick up and play games, cause thats what its made for. If you have any other system, why on earth would you get something like the conduit? Its a waste of money because its just emulating shooters on the other consoles except shooters on the other systems are about a thousand times better, sure It has more accurate controls, but if I wanted something better than dual analog that badly I would just play them on pc. Sure I liked stuff like Madworld and No more heroes, but the whole time I was playing it I kept thinking, why is this on the wii? There isn't much reason for it, it seems to me like the games would have been much better if they didn't try to make a normal game first, but then just add the motion controls on top of the gameplay. Imo, the wii is made for stuff like, Zack and Wiki, Warioware, Or local multiplayer stuff like New Super Mario Bros. stuff that cant be emulated on other consoles or else there isn't much point in buying it because Id rather spend my money on a similar game thats most likely alot better on other consoles.

My problem with the wii though is not that its a kiddy console. I enjoy that there is a console for kids because that makes a christmas present for my little cousins easier lol, I mean the other 2 are HORRIBLE consoles for people who cant buy m rated games, there really isn't much big name stuff for them to get especially on the 360 (Ps3 is much better in that area though imo but still not great). My problem is that developers aren't using it right, they keep trying to make the mature wii game, or something that emulates stuff on the other consoles, which is the wrong way to do it. You need to have much simpler easy to pick up and play games, cause thats what its made for. If you have any other system, why on earth would you get something like the conduit? Its a waste of money because its just emulating shooters on the other consoles except shooters on the other systems are about a thousand times better, sure It has more accurate controls, but if I wanted something better than dual analog that badly I would just play them on pc. Sure I liked stuff like Madworld and No more heroes, but the whole time I was playing it I kept thinking, why is this on the wii? There isn't much reason for it, it seems to me like the games would have been much better if they didn't try to make a normal game first, but then just add the motion controls on top of the gameplay. Imo, the wii is made for stuff like, Zack and Wiki, Warioware, Or local multiplayer stuff like New Super Mario Bros. stuff that cant be emulated on other consoles or else there isn't much point in buying it because Id rather spend my money on a similar game thats most likely alot better on other consoles.

VendettaRed07

paragraphs are your friend.

[QUOTE="VendettaRed07"]

My problem with the wii though is not that its a kiddy console. I enjoy that there is a console for kids because that makes a christmas present for my little cousins easier lol, I mean the other 2 are HORRIBLE consoles for people who cant buy m rated games, there really isn't much big name stuff for them to get especially on the 360 (Ps3 is much better in that area though imo but still not great). My problem is that developers aren't using it right, they keep trying to make the mature wii game, or something that emulates stuff on the other consoles, which is the wrong way to do it. You need to have much simpler easy to pick up and play games, cause thats what its made for. If you have any other system, why on earth would you get something like the conduit? Its a waste of money because its just emulating shooters on the other consoles except shooters on the other systems are about a thousand times better, sure It has more accurate controls, but if I wanted something better than dual analog that badly I would just play them on pc. Sure I liked stuff like Madworld and No more heroes, but the whole time I was playing it I kept thinking, why is this on the wii? There isn't much reason for it, it seems to me like the games would have been much better if they didn't try to make a normal game first, but then just add the motion controls on top of the gameplay. Imo, the wii is made for stuff like, Zack and Wiki, Warioware, Or local multiplayer stuff like New Super Mario Bros. stuff that cant be emulated on other consoles or else there isn't much point in buying it because Id rather spend my money on a similar game thats most likely alot better on other consoles.

topgunmv

paragraphs are your friend.

no we had a falling out a few months ago and haven't talked since

Actally, the Wii has demos. (but only for a couple wiiware games)KillerWabbit23

And if the conversion rates aren't good enough...POOF! No more demos. Ever.