Alright, we briefed y'all on
what we knew so far about the
Wii controller early this morning, but now that we've gotten our paws on the Wiimote itself, we wanted to let you know how it is in the flesh. Nintendo and millions of fanboys are betting a lot on this concept, and Nintendo itself said that "playing is believing" every other sentence of
their keynote, so the real question is: do we believe?
The short answer is that we're just not sure yet. The first chance we got with the Wii was for a golfing game (the shortest line we found, go fig) and as soon as we got our hands on the Wiimote we knew it was something special. We slipped the wrist lanyard on so we didn't fling the remote across the room, and held in our hands the light weight, ergonomic, and simply beautiful controller. If this was as far as we'd gotten we would have gone home happy. The controller allows plenty of leverage for the trigger "b" and the large "a" button, and only slipped out of our hand once from a particularly aggressive sword strike in "Red Steel." Click on for the rest.
Unfortunately, we soon realized a flaw in the control scheme for golf, in that there was no frame of reference or feedback for our motions. A traditional analog stick lets you know how extreme your motion was, but we just couldn't quite get a feel for how much power we were putting into our putts. Nintendo's "Tennis" game was quite enjoyable by comparison, but it automates a lot of the control such as the movement of your character. You also can't miss if you time your swing well enough, so we can't say this really tests the controller. That said, it was quite fun and provided a whole new type of play experience that we look forward to more of in the future. Next up, the "Obstacle Course" tech demo, which was so painful to play we almost swore off the controller altogether. Yeah, that fast. The sensitivity was so high that we couldn't keep our character from bouncing all around and losing all his coins, but our opponent managed his character fairly well, so perhaps we just don't got game.
Our hopes were buoyed by the sight of Ubisoft's "Red Steel," but were quickly dashed by the incredibly awkward FPS aiming that this game is banking on. The controls were great and easily learned, and we were soon slashing, parrying, ducking, shooting, reloading, opening and pushing with more convenience than we can ever remember in a shooter, and never had to look down to find a button once. But our aiming could be best compared to that of a hyperactive drunkard, and we seemed to get worse at aiming as the demo progressed. This is bad news for FPS fans who thought they might have found a new home on the Wii, but we have heard that games will allow you to set the controller sensitivity yourself, and Ubi obviously has some polishing time left before release.
We had a much more enjoyable experience aiming in a simple Bomberman mini game in which we shot at balls of lava, but weren't required to pan the camera or anything fancy. The other Bomberman mini games were equally enjoyable, including a balancing act, and a old school Sonic-like tunnel run that had us twisting our wrists in some rather uncomfortable ways -- in a good way. We didn't get to Zelda or Metroid, but we heard conflicting reports as to the ease of aiming in both of those games, with one complaining of the oversensitivity of Zelda, and another claiming Metroid to be the very pinnacle of the series and singing the praises of the FPS control.
The overall story seems to be that Nintendo's Wii controller (along with the expertly crafted and very intuitive nunchuka attachment) is all it claims to be, but software manufacturers still haven't figured out how to get this wonderful hardware to control their games as easily as the gamepads of yore, and our skills have not yet progressed beyond a shaky noob. It might turn out that the controller is just too abstract for some actions, and too hard to hold and control for others (let's hope FPS doesn't fall into that category), but we're going to reserve judgement until the software is more mature and we get a Wii in our living room for a few nights of practice.
So, first impressions in a nutshell: mixed bag. Are we hopeful? You bet. Are we floored? Not yet, but we're not willing to rule anything out. We're expecting to get some more play time this week, so we'll check back with you.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Avinash_Tyagi @ May 11th 2006 3:32AM
Pretty much what I expected, did you guys try the first party stuff like mario?
alraydius @ May 11th 2006 3:32AM
You've kind of summed up my feelings. Pre-E3 I was really wanting to see this thing working. I was HYPED. Now, after watching the conference and seeing the feedback, I see we're in for a slightly rougher road than my crystal lined highway of dreams. I've got to have the thing in my hands...then I can see if its all I've cracked it up to be. They hit the nail on the head with the tagline:
Playing is Believing...and I've got to play to believe.
soniCron @ May 11th 2006 3:32AM
I don't put ANY stock in the fact that ANY of these games were hard to control. What you just witnessed is someone essentially sitting down to a new game and console for the very first time. And if it's hard on the Wii, imagine how painful it is on traditional consoles! It's very sobering to see a bunch of hardcore gamers have the same problems as anyone else that steps up to the plate. (Mom included.)
Is the Wii controller inferior? I think the jury is still out. Until someone gets an opportunity to become familiar with the controls and THEN comment, we really won't know. However, as you read the words of anguish and frustration, ask yourself, "What would a non-gamer say about their first time with Halo?" (And with games like Wii Sports proving to be crowd favorites, the problem may be in the implimentation, not the foundation.)
And I think it goes without saying: this is the first generation of a brand new gaming paradigm. We're bound to see changes over the years as developers and players become more and more comfortable with the new control system. With non-traditional video games like Wii Sports, it's becoming apparent that the more novel concepts (like stir-frying, conducting, drum playing, etc.) may be more at home on the Wii than games we're familiar with. And, after all, that's what it was designed for. Wasn't it?
Eric Bostrom @ May 11th 2006 3:37AM
I remember the first time i played atari, nes or arcade machines.
Horribly moving the controller around to make mario move around etc. I'm guessing I might need to give the wiimote a little practice time and not expect to be perfect right out of the gate.
Magera1 @ May 11th 2006 3:42AM
Now this is a good report. (Unlike that DH james guy).
No bias for or against, rather an objective opinion of good and bad. Nice report Paul.
I am particularly dissapointed (Being a hyped up Nintendo Fanyboy) by the fact that the controles are still not quite right yet. And I personally dont like the stile of the FPS in Red Steel... Why couldn't they have a:- push a button to have mouse look style of shooting... it WOULD give a more freestyle/keyboard and mouse feel to it...
I mean when you look at the video, it reminds me of the old JUST keyboard days where you can't turn a corner , be straffing and shoot at the same time.. Come on, what's with that??
All in all, I still have my Wii on pre-order and am looking forward to finally being able to play games with my ungaming Wife!
Sean @ May 11th 2006 3:53AM
The first time I played an FPS with a mouse instead of the keyboard (ala doom), I spent 30 minutes staring at the floor or ceiling.
idioteraser @ May 11th 2006 3:54AM
Amazing that most people who have talked about working with the controller state none of the problems joystiq had. Notice these were pc gamers. Stop thinking it's two analog joysticks on a gamepad.
It's a far superior mouse and keyboard setup.
The wii sports is meant to guide your characters it meant's for the nongamers to get into.
Hundreds of developers have tried it out and they haven't had the problem Joystiq and some others have had.
JayBee @ May 11th 2006 3:57AM
As i expected, more hype then anything. Ive read elsewhere that the tennis game played at the press conference was fake as well. Hopefully we'll soon see Zelda on Xbox 360 soon due to nintendos fatal mistake.
idioteraser @ May 11th 2006 3:58AM
As for Red Steel look at the ubisoft video.
Why do you people expect the first video game using a new control type or new play mechanic to be like the games ten years down the line using the same mechanics?
God you complainers have short memories.
First gen pc shooters were awfull in control compared to today. First games with ragdoll were godawfull in comparison to today. But guess what smart people accepted it would be improved and decided to have fun with it. And guess what those first gen games using those mechanics you said were horrible are in the best games of all time lists.
Madster @ May 11th 2006 4:09AM
I'd assume one's aiming would tend to get better in time. Also, remember that most console titles have aiming aids.
I'm rather hardcore and I really suck at lightgun games. Red steel's aiming is lightgun-ish.
as for a mouselook button... I believe the scheme designed by Ubi is far superior, as you can see the demo guy FLYING around the level much more confortably than in any console or even PC FPS (in PC you can't spread UZI fire across the screen, in consoles movement is sluggish as controlling the movement and turning speed is difficult).
SetupWeasel @ May 11th 2006 4:10AM
The controller and the controls are two separate things. Like the DS there will be a learning curve for making games for the controller. Game developers sitting at a table aren't all going to hit the nail on the head the first time. Look at how many games can't use current controllers properly.
My concern is how the actual controller performs. Does it do what it is supposed to do when it is supposed to do it? With a couple of exceptions (James Ransom-Wiley) the answer seems to be yes. (I still think he has a cellphone in his pocket that is interfering. My DS has trouble connecting wirelessly within a yard of my cellphone.) That is a relief. With 4-6 months till launch, controls in the game can be tightened, but even though the controller could be tweaked, I would worry about any major issues with it at this point.
Aside from sparsely reported connection problems--which could be caused by interference (there are a shitload of revolutions in a small area with shitload of people with a shitload of wireless devices) or remedied by strengthening the beacon in the controller--the controller itself works very well, and that is a relief.
MyNameIsGame @ May 11th 2006 4:21AM
Im SOOO with #3. It even makes me more excited. I mean everytime we get hyped for new games. Than they come out and somehow you always have the same principles apply over and over. They only difference is how many attention there was to detail, which is why I love nintendo so much. Or the guys from Gran Turismo. Or Metal Gear Solid.
They understand that to create a game you have to be get immersed in a world. Your purpose in a game has to have context.
With the coming of Wii (insert pun here *sigh*) we are all back to being nicely unevolved. Which is a very important aspect of the whole experience as well.
Because we have to let go all past experiences and make fresh ones.
We are all noobs. Remember that and you'll be safe. I'll bet you are all just scared to get your nice furry behind creamed by someone who you've been kicking around all these years..
Miche Ackerman @ May 11th 2006 4:32AM
There is going to be 4 sensitivity settings for the Wii controller when the hardware is finalized.(We asked the Exhibitor at the Obstacle Course Demo. Which I did very well at, but I only did well because I watched my friends mess up first, and I made sure not to mess up in the way they did. It really does take getting used to. Its a new control style. Something that doesn't come around very often. I predict many hardcore gamers will not be as good at the Wii as they thought. Me included, but I look forward to learning how to play games all over again.
PS. Sonic WildFire is Sweet!!
Stakker @ May 11th 2006 4:46AM
The only important thing is that the pointer is reliable, fast and accurate. When you point at a pixel, the system always correctly selects that pixel. All the rest is simply up to the developers. Just like with a mouse.
Ben Roe @ May 11th 2006 4:49AM
Most of the complaints about the control seem to be that it is more sensitive than people expected - was there no way to ask them to turn down the sensitivity? I know that I find the default mouse sensitivity on most FPSs way too high.
Joe @ May 11th 2006 5:20AM
It's so real why don't I just buy some golf clubs and go play golf?
That's the bone I have to pick with all my Wiiner friends, they keep telling me how "awesomely realistic" the controls will be. It makes me wonder, what is the point then? if playing a golf game on the Wii is identical to playing golf in a physical manner, why don't I just play golf? or take up skeet shooting?
I'm certain there'll be bizarre, even surreal, games that will require strange motions to control who knows what in a completely alien environment. But as far as things I can do "in real life," I'll pick up a skateboard again before I balance and wave my arms around with a remote.
embassy @ May 11th 2006 5:32AM
lol@ some of your having the audacity to tell the peopel wHO PLAYED WITH THE WII-MOTE that they're wrong or inaccurate with their assesment..im sure joystiq realizes this is a " brand new" control scheme and has taken that into account..this is joystiq for christ sake..they're always harder on new stuff than everyone else...shit i mean they found stuff to complain and whine over in thier review of GRAW...so this report is not suprising from them....also i just dont see the staying power of this remote...and i judge the
pick up and play" mentality nintendo was going for...i mean if seasoned gamers are having difficulties with the learning curve..how do u think NON-gamers with LESS patience will react...??
GTG @ May 11th 2006 5:34AM
My question is how feasible does it seem to have an extremely prolonged session of Red Steel?...what is the rate of hand/arm/wrist fatigue versus using a regular controller? Also, will Revolution games at least offer the ability to play with standard gamepads rather than the new style controller?
Joe brings up another point I had that leaves me scratching my head about the Rev and the repeated cries of more immersive simulation of physical actions. The next natural question is that if it's almost as much work to play the game compared to reality, why not go out and do the real thing?
I'm still waiting for virtual console details...now THAT is the key part of the system (for me).
Joe @ May 11th 2006 5:48AM
Good point about fatigue GTG.
Speaking for myself and a couple mates I play games with, usually it's something done at the end of a day, something to help one unwind. I'm lucky, but I look at my one mate who does construction all day... the last thing on his mind is holding his arms in the air to unwind after framing a house.
idioteraser @ May 11th 2006 5:49AM
Well quite frankly virtual golf is much easier, less expesnive, you don't have to deal with dozens of things to get a game going.
In short it's every reason why people don't go to golf games in real life the virtual version is just superior.
I mean do you know how much a set of golf clubs and going to a golf course if there is a good one around costs?
Mike Abundo @ May 11th 2006 5:50AM
GTG: "The next natural question is that if it's almost as much work to play the game compared to reality, why not go out and do the real thing?"
Because shooting and slashing people in the real world presents legal problems.
idioteraser @ May 11th 2006 5:50AM
Does he a hold a remote control at the end of the day?
If he is too tired to do that then he shouldn't be able to play any games.
Shado @ May 11th 2006 5:52AM
#14 - Joe
What if you can't do those things in real life? Say it's raining, or winter, so you can't golf? Say, you have a broken ankle, or just no sense of balance, so you can't skateboard?
It's the same reason people play Tony Hawk. Because it allows you to do things that are beyond what you normally could. Sure, you could go outside and attempt the same things. Some people would be able to do them. But you will most likely break your next.
It's also the reason people play the Links series. I can golf, but I'm not great at it. But I've never played at St Andrews, and likely never will. In that respect, Links is beyond what I could do in real life.
If I could walk out my door, and suddenly be able to play golf, on a sunny day, at St Andrew's, then no, I would have no need for golf games.
And somehow, just because the control scheme is different, and closer to the real activity instead of an exercise in the timing of button-presses, it's no longer worth it?
I think not.
chiax @ May 11th 2006 6:32AM
My faith in the wii dwindles somewhat after reading joystiq. Anyhoo,Come on, logically thinking with Nintendo spending over millions of dollars to R&D the wiimote, they most probably have tested extended playtime with the wii.Time will tell. Are the nintendo engineers really that stupid or lazy to not do extended playtime tests with the wii?
I really hope the wii turns out ok. Nintendo is taking a big leap of faith out here. They have done so in the past, most of the time they turn out just fine.
You know what would be great? Nintendo and Sony working together on a console. Nintendo can focus on the controller and Sony can focus on the graphics. Enter the Wiistation ! Superb graphics with revolutionary control! There would be no more fighting between fanboys of the two.
idioteraser @ May 11th 2006 7:08AM
They did do extend playtime tests. They had months of play tests. E3 you had tons of people who didn't turn off their cell phones the air was saturated with blue tooth signals. Add in the mere fact that those were disposable controller prototypes working on demos rather then the dev kit or final production model.
x876543 @ May 11th 2006 8:31AM
The comments about "why don't you just go out and play the game in real life" (ie. golf, tennis) can be addressed with: what if I don't have the time to put into it? The Wii is perfect for people like me with little time to spend going out and playing tennis (and finding a partner); or spending the money to play on a golf course at a specific tee time. I'm usually good to play a game for 30 minutes before I go out and do my regular activities.
Gross @ May 11th 2006 8:44AM
I hope you washed your hands after touching your wii.
mocax @ May 11th 2006 9:05AM
I guess the aiming for FPS games on Wii will be similar to Freelancer, the space game from Microsoft.
Since moi rox0rz at Freelanx0rz, WPS games should be a piece of cake for me. :P
NeilM @ May 11th 2006 9:58AM
chiax, uh they tried that and things didn't work out. Thats why the PlayStation 1 came out. The PS1 was the CD drive for the SNES (I think it was the SNES, might have been the N64)
moominsean @ May 11th 2006 10:19AM
reminds me of the first time i tried to control quake with a mouse...i couldn't aim at anything to save my (virtual) life. I actually bought a thumbball mouse because I just couldn't get it. Now, a regular mouse easy as pie, of course, after many years and much playing. all a matter of experience. some will get it right away, some will take awhile, some never (just as there are some people who still can't use a joystick, 30 years later). I wouldn't expect something so completely different as the wii controller to be THAT easy.
TheFlyingOrc @ May 11th 2006 10:24AM
I think the problem is we've all forgotten how terrible we were with the control stick the first time we touched one. I know I was AWFUL at Super Mario 64 when I first got my hands on it. Nowadays, I can do a backflip with Mario without even trying. Just a quick rotation and a tap of A. I think the new controller is like that - I'd say within a week of owning it you'd be pretty good.
tha b.o.b. @ May 11th 2006 10:49AM
i keep reading that it will fatigue the gamer to have to hold up the controller for periods of time. i've seen some of these "hard-core" gamers out there, they overweight and out of shape. try working out and building up some stamina, no wonder we are looked at as one of the most out of shape counties in the world. if the wii is twice as powerful as the cube, and resident evil 4 turned out that sweet...my advice to developers, take your time and make a game to look beautiful w/ the wii capabilities. nuff said...lates.
Justin Smith @ May 11th 2006 11:06AM
This system is going to make PS3 and Xbox 360 look sick
jabbertrack @ May 11th 2006 11:22AM
and they expect to attract people who aren't gamers with this? When gamers themselves are having a hard time controlling it??
This is so asinine...
wiithepeople @ May 11th 2006 11:23AM
Hey, "Why don't I just go out and play the game in real life" boy, why don't you just go out and play the game in real life? Nobody's begging you to go buy a Wii sports title. Who the fuck even plays sports games anyways. Unless of course you're the guy who scored four touchdowns in one game and have since based your life upon that one bright and shining pinnacle. It's one of the biggest cons in the history of mankind that a company can resell the same slightly updated game every year and you idiots flock to it as if it was the cure for cancer.
ovejon @ May 11th 2006 11:28AM
I'm somewhat disappointed after reading Joystiq's report on the Wii controller and games. But then I realize that you and thousands of attendees are playing the system in a public place where space and comfort is limited. If you guys were to play in another environment such as your living room or at you own room sitting down feeling relaxed, how well will the Wiimote feel when you play the game? I?ve also read that the farther you are from the screen the less sensitive the controller is. So I?m suspecting that in a different environment things will change.
Anyhow, my final judgment on the Nintendo Wii will not be made until the system is released. There is still enough time to work on the games and tweak them. I?m looking forward to a new generation of gaming as I?ve been slowly loosing interest in gaming for some time now.
chuck norris @ May 11th 2006 11:50AM
Who's that in the picture? why is there a girl with that dude?
Zorblaz @ May 11th 2006 12:32PM
the jump from analog stick to wiimote is even further of a jump than it was going from a 2600 controller to the NES... I'm sure it'll take a while for everyone to get used to playing with this thing, not to mention developing for it... I hope that developers will use the next few months to get more public reaction, and tweak the control
Joe @ May 11th 2006 2:22PM
You all have my apologies. Really, I must be some kind of moron to speak ill of the Wii. Everyone assumes I don't want to play it, I'm simply thinking about it and posting a comment. You need to calm down.
Except Shado, thanks for being rational. I see exactly where you coming from. Won't have a broken ankle effect playing the Wii as well? All the shots I've seen have the player standing. I imagine you can play seated, but wouldn't that limit your range of motion?
TheTruth @ May 11th 2006 2:43PM
This just reminds me of the first time I played Halo. I was terrible, I just couldnt handle the two analog sticks. I knew it could be a really good thing, but it took hours of playing to get used to and was never as good as mouse and keyboard.
Kevin B @ May 11th 2006 3:27PM
Goodness, Goodness. :o
1. All this talk about a new controller.
Please, everyone....It's Nintendo. We all have a soft spot in our hearts for Nintendo. We can leave it up to them to do something wacky and we still find their games irresistably attractive and fun. Maybe someone somewhere wants to agree.
2.Until then realize it's some f****** E3 demos, cmon. Wii all know that those games will be so polished in six months. Also, when you first knew the Revolution could play Gamecube Discs, you were overjoyed. Naturally Nintendo strives to make a superior product and delayed Twilight Princess. We should be playing it right now! Everyone knew then what we know now; i. e. twin LOZ:TP SKU's...OMG!!!111!!:-)
3. As far as what I've read so far concerning all Wii's surprises so far, I am nothing but optimistic as to the success of the console. Whether it's the price, the new unique, control scheme, the [exclusive] titles, or the sleek and sexy chassis, with a (toy) chest to match! Ho, ho!
Get real everybody. Wii don't wanna hurt nobody.
Wii just wants to have a little fun.
Can Wii play with you?
Playing is BELIEVING.
And I'm sure no one is playing a complete Wii titlee just yet.
I can't wait to see what the DS connectivity features could be? We have speculated before.....Nintendo, I'm telling you now. If you dont come out with RAM carts, so we can play our downloaded games, for that DS, I swear you're missing out on a capitol idea. Just, take it, free of charge, now run with it. Scoot.
Transgenic @ May 11th 2006 4:36PM
I am an avid keyboard and mouse FPS gamer for years. As soon as i saw what the next Nintendo system was going to have as a controller, i fell in love. I was waiting for so many years to make a new controller scheme for consoles. I think this will take alot of skill to get used to, and i love having games based on personal skill instead of how high you can level your character. I think there will be a ton of FPS'ers that will find a home on the Wii for just how much skill it will take to play Multiplayer FPS games that they will be sure to come out with in the future. Overall, I think this is going to be one of the most popular systems since NES.
Cyborg771 @ May 11th 2006 6:14PM
Is it me or is this identicel to how the DS started out. It will just take some time for 3rd party developers to get things figured out and then all is go.
pukerua @ May 11th 2006 8:48PM
IGN noted the closer they were to the Wii receiver thingy the more sensitive the wiimote was. Did you try moving back a little? Makes some sense if you imagine a signal like this > going to the receiver, the closer you are to the reciver the less room in the > signal you'll have and the more senceitive it'll be.
doom3 @ May 16th 2006 7:39PM
I'm not too worried... this is the same thing that happens with all FPS. Every one has their own settings... Goldeneye was like that and so was and still is all of the Quakes, unreals,and other FPS. This is a chance for newbie comapanies with some talened programers doing game controllers. I expect the arcade veterans publishers who have an fetish for prcise controlls to really get this controller working and then offer there ideas at a price to the other guys.
It would be nice to see what factor five could have done with this... too bad... The system is not out yet and hopefully nintendo tweaks the chip or ethier build up the graphics tricks libary for other developers... I'll admit it was mixed bag graphics wise but controller wise I blame the programers...LOL becuase no other games seemed to have issues... Nintendo took baby steps and it was still successful.