Miyamoto: Wii Sports will be flagship title, Wiimote not finalized
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jun 19th 2006 at 2:25PM }
Speaking with Famitsu, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto emphasized that the goal for Wii is to encourage a daily regimen of gaming. Nintendo aims to design "[hardware] that you'll want to turn on every day," Miyamoto told Famitsu. With that goal in mind, Miyamoto described Wii Sports as the console's flagship title. Of course, Miyamoto assures us that Nintendo will continue producing its staple franchises (e.g. Zelda), but the focus will turn toward developing software that promotes daily use.Miyamoto also noted that the Wiimote has not been finalized. Nintendo is "still debating on the area of how many buttons to use."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Paul P. @ Jun 19th 2006 2:42PM
If this is their U.S.S. Enterprise, then put me abourd the Defiant, thank you very much.
that guy @ Jun 19th 2006 2:42PM
I just realized this weekend that I'm actually tiring of the DS a bit because of the lack of 'hardcore' games. It's awesome what Nintendo is doing with getting non-gamers playing, but there's only so much I can take. I love those 'non-games' too, but I need stuff with real meat to it too, you know? And there isn't a lot of that being released right now - not by a longshot.
I hope that isn't the case with Wii. Of course I'm excited for it but I at least hope that they'll keep bringing out a decent, constant stream of 'hardcore' games as well as the casual ones.
vidGuy @ Jun 19th 2006 2:45PM
Now package it with the console, add a second controller, and sell for $249, and I'm a happy camper.
BlackYoshi @ Jun 19th 2006 2:47PM
...A tennis game thats so rudimentary that you don't even control the player running, and has been done with cheap TV games you can buy at the fair, is their flagship title? Not GOD DAMN ZELDA AND METROID? I'm sure Nintendo has convinced themselves of this, but everyone knows that the early adopters aren't going to be flocking to Wii sports.
"Of course, Miyamoto assures us that Nintendo will continue producing its staple franchises (e.g. Zelda), but the focus will turn toward developing software that promotes daily use."
Yes, more touch generations stuff that I don't want to play. I was afraid that Nintendo would start to move away from their loyal users who have been with them for 10, 15, 20 years, and I guess I was right. The good stuff like Mario and Zelda is no longer the focus. Brain Age sequel after sequel are, apparently.
Henry @ Jun 19th 2006 2:48PM
Who says I won't play Zelda every day?
CRP Addict @ Jun 19th 2006 2:49PM
Isn't it a little late to debate on the amount of button of the controller? How can a 3rd party developer can tweak its gameplay without a stable hardware?
Laxcat @ Jun 19th 2006 2:50PM
"still debating on the area of how many buttons to use"
The addition of one (maybe two) little buttons next to the A button would cinch the wiimote as the perfect controler in my book. It would still be far simpler and less intimidating than the standard controller, to ensure that new casual market they're after, but would also be far more complex than a standard controler, for us hardcores. It'd be best of both worlds, which seems to match what Nintendo has been promising all along.
MosquitoControl @ Jun 19th 2006 2:51PM
The only game I've ever gone more than two weeks playing every day is Smash Brothers.
We're on two years of playing it at least 7 hours a week.
So much damn fun with 3 or 4 people.
John Q. @ Jun 19th 2006 2:57PM
Yeah, that guy, I agree. I'm getting sick of "non-games" like the recently released New Super Mario Bros. and Magnetica. Hopefully upcoming "non-games" like Final Fantasy III will help the trend.
Oh wait...
Do some research if you're truly looking for more great DS non-"non-games." There are plenty.
Paul P. @ Jun 19th 2006 3:01PM
That really totally depends, John Q. For some people one or two a month(or less, usually) is certainly NOT enough.
Nathan S. @ Jun 19th 2006 3:03PM
This isn't surprising, considering how strongly the Wii's advertising has emphasized the Wiimote as a revolution in game control. The Wii Zelda and Mario games don't seem to use the new aspects of the controller nearly as much as something like Wiisports.
But I am getting a little worried about how strongly Nintendo is pushing toward claiming a new audience. I hope they don't go nuts with the Wiimote-centric titles to the exclusion of Link and Mario. (Although Samus seems to be making the transition all right.)
Kris Aubuchon @ Jun 19th 2006 3:05PM
I would just like to point out that the first comment is the nerdiest thing I think I have ever read.
xerus @ Jun 19th 2006 3:08PM
I think you guys are just missing the point that Wii will be the secondary console for everyone. If you want your "hard core" games, there's a crapload of them to choose from on your xbox360 or ps3.
Alkaiser @ Jun 19th 2006 3:08PM
Paul P: I agree. Hell. I'd even choose DS9 over the the Enterprise if Wii Sports is supposed to be Nintendo's flagship.
As for more buttons, I honestly think that's a BAD idea. Maybe one more, but three buttons on the thing is pushing it.
If you're trying to figure out why, it's because of the controller's motion sensing. If you put a button above the "A", trying to hit it means the controller dips, which is likely to screw you up. If you try to hit one below "A", it'll make the controller rise, also screwing you up. (My friend tried adjusting the controller in his hand by sliding it back a little while playing Red Steel and it made him spin in circles.)
The only place I can see you adding buttons are triggers on the side of the controller, and nobody wants a trigger where one side is the B button and the other side is the C button.
Paul P. @ Jun 19th 2006 3:11PM
Kris, you obviously missed the time I made analogies between the three next gen-consoles and different seasons of Power Rangers.
Sam @ Jun 19th 2006 3:11PM
Metroid Prime Hunters. 'Nuff said. That is a real game(as opposed to "non-game") that is fun to play often. It's even a multiplayer game, so it lasts way longer than a normal single-player game. Maybe I'm just weird, since I buy my games one at a time and play them to exhaustion before buying another game, but whatever.
Also, if Nintendo's gonna update the controller, they should take out the accelerometers and put in gyros. Gyroscopic sensors are much more precise than accelerometers(which can only detect direction of motion and nothing else), and it would really help with the functionality of the controller. Please, Nintendo! Remove the accelerometers!
crono141 @ Jun 19th 2006 3:27PM
There is such a thing as "too sensitive" you know...
Jdoki @ Jun 19th 2006 3:30PM
There's a lot of speculation in the previous posts that Nintendo are looking at adding buttons...
With their current 'games for everyone' attitude I wouldn't be surprised if they are looking at reducing the number - perhaps just down to a trigger, power, A button and Home.
Instead they will bundle a Wiimote and 'classic' controller in the standard Wii, and make the Virtual Console / OS driven either by the Wiimote using gestures, or the 'classic' controller.
that guy @ Jun 19th 2006 3:31PM
Holy crap people, relax.
The DS is one of the single best hardware purchases I've ever made. I love the thing. BUT, with that being said, there is a lack of new, 'hardcore' games coming out on it. Sheesh. I have Metroid Prime Hunters. I have Lost in Blue. I have New Super Mario Bros. I have plenty of those types of games, but you can't tell me that the majority of DS games right now aren't focussing on the non-gamer. You bring up Magnetica as a 'hardcore' game but it's actually branded as one of Nintendo's Touch Generations games, meaning it's specifically targetted to non-gamers. I'm actually playing through it right now and it gets crazy-difficult, but it's still not something I would consider 'hardcore.'
Anyways, relax. I love the Brain Age and Sudoku games, etc, etc. I'm just saying I want more of the big, epic games as well.
AJ @ Jun 19th 2006 3:49PM
"I was afraid that Nintendo would start to move away from their loyal users who have been with them for 10, 15, 20 years, and I guess I was right. The good stuff like Mario and Zelda is no longer the focus. Brain Age sequel after sequel are, apparently."
That isn't true. Nintendo has so much faith in thier loyal fans they don't feel the need to push for those titles in the marketing sense. They are still making thier good games along with games that will appeal to non-gamers, the non-gamers aren't going to buy a low marketed item or game so nintendo will market to them because they know that thier loyal fans will buy thier games that won't be as heavily marketed.
Jay @ Jun 19th 2006 3:51PM
I like the sound of that. I'm getting older now, I have less time for hardcore, engrossing games. Give me a little game I can wind down in the evening with and I'm fine.
cheers Nintendo. looks like I was born at the right time. grew up as a kid with the NES, got into junior school with the SNES, secondary school with the N64 (hey look, bigger games with all that free time!) college and uni with Gamecube (party games) and finally career with the Wii.
perfect.
AlloyNES @ Jun 19th 2006 4:00PM
Jay (#18), I am the exact same way!! We must be same age!
Nintendo 4 Life~
striderhayasa @ Jun 19th 2006 4:00PM
@ that guy
Castlevania, Metroid, Mario Kart, Age of Empires, Advanced Wars, Sonic, Jump SuperStars, Bleach, Mario and Luigi: partners in Time, Mario 64DS, NanoStray, Resident Evil, Gulity Gear....there's your meaty games right there.
Geez, how many times have people submitted lists of all the great games for the DS? Can we read a little people and retain the information for more than 2 minutes, or how about doing some research and actually KNOWING what's available for the DS before making lame comments like.."DS has no real games." sheesh
@ mosquitocontrol
Goldeneye. Me and my friends played that game every day of the week at least 2 hours a day for 7 months before we got tired of it.
Back on topic. I see what Miyamoto is trying to say and it Wii Tennis has the simple but addictive gameplay of a Virtual Tennis, I'm there. If not, I'll pass.
Jeff @ Jun 19th 2006 4:11PM
"Yeah, that guy, I agree. I'm getting sick of "non-games" like the recently released New Super Mario Bros. and Magnetica. Hopefully upcoming "non-games" like Final Fantasy III will help the trend."
So sequels and remakes are supposed to be the answer to those looking for hardcore games?
I love my DS but I have four games for it and I haven't really felt compelled to shell out $35 for much else. There are other games I want, but not for "full price" if you know what I mean. FF3 and Super Mario, I mean sure, but it's not as if we haven't played those games before. There are some nice original games on the DS - Phoenix Wright, for one example - but these are still for the most part pretty simple games.
It seems like the entire DS library is made up of either a) simple games for non-gamers (most of the original titles), or b) hardcore remakes and sequels. There aren't many hardcore *new* titles at all. That's the one big hole in the system's lineup.
Not that the PSP has anything over the DS in original titles. They're both lacking. But the fact that the competition isn't doing any better is no excuse - Nintendo's got holes in the lineup that they'd do well to fill, even in a competitive vacuum.
Paul P. @ Jun 19th 2006 4:12PM
You know, your meaty list still tranfers to less than a game a month. And I have most of the games on that list, save the ones I'm not interested in at all and the imports.
Erik Novak @ Jun 19th 2006 4:15PM
I love when people list the good meaty games out right now for DS, everything they list I consider to be bad to mediocre. I don't care if the game is by Nintendo either, I consider Kart & New Mario games I got sick of years ago. The only thing I've found worthwhile on the platform is Phoenix Wright. Oh well...I'm not going to sell it back cuz there's still FF3.
entero @ Jun 19th 2006 4:16PM
I was born at the right time too, except it went a little like this:
elementary school: NES and Genesis
High School: PC and N64
CEGEP (yeah I'm from Quebec) and university: GCN, GBA and Wii, DS for the next year or two.
I have very little time to play games between school, work and my girlfriend. That's why I want my DS Lite real bad so I can play it on the go, between courses and during breaks at work. Then I can go home and end the day with a little Wii gaming after diner. Damn, can't wait!
Jeff @ Jun 19th 2006 4:19PM
"Castlevania," - sequel
"Metroid," - sequel
"Mario Kart," - remix/remake
"Age of Empires," - sequel
"Advanced Wars," - sequel
"Sonic," - sequel
"Jump SuperStars," - yay, a game based on anime series' made for children
"Bleach," - another anime game, maybe slightly better
"Mario and Luigi: partners in Time," - sequel
"Mario 64DS," - remake
"NanoStray," - ding! I think we have our first contender!
"Resident Evil," - remake
"Gulity Gear" - sequel
Have I proven my point yet? (Or really, have you proven it for me?) One fully original, semi-hardcore title out of that whole lot.
Note that I *only* own a DS and not a PSP, and I love the system. But you're not gonna convince anyone that having all these sequels and remakes is anything special, any more than having Madden 07 makes the Wii worth purchasing. Remakes and sequels are fine, they serve a purpose, but they don't a game library make and neither do simple games for non-gamers.
idioteraser @ Jun 19th 2006 4:22PM
Over one hundred games for the DS are coming out. Lots of third parties coming out with games.
Quite a large number of originals too. Some will suck for sure but well developers are to blame.
Nintendo.com lists 254 Nintendo DS titles.
Mike @ Jun 19th 2006 4:24PM
Sam, I don't know if you know this, but the revmote does use something more advanced than accelerometers. It's just the nunchaku extension that uses those.
Robotic House Plant @ Jun 19th 2006 4:25PM
I kinda wondered about the button placement if you're using only one hand. In that context, if you're holding the remote, it's kinda hard to use the buttons near the end of the unit, or possibly even below the keypad. The button underneath is a good idea, and probably necessary. But the buttons on the end seem to allude to two-handed action.
Most likely yoou're going to be using your thumb and and the range of motion where you thumb moves, plus your trigger finger.
If you use both hands on the remote, it seems a little un-natural, but then again I haven't tried it yet, and am only speculating.
I can totally see a lot of games using the nunchuck controller add-on, and I can also see turning the controller sideways for two-handed "classic" use.
Mike @ Jun 19th 2006 4:26PM
Sam, I don't know if you know this, but the revmote does use something more advanced than accelerometers. It's just the nunchaku extension that uses those.
ShaleX @ Jun 19th 2006 4:27PM
Castlevania, Good Game.. but easy to get lost
Metroid, Physically painful control scheme..
Mario Kart, Remake with broken powersliding dynamic
Age of Empires=Havn't played it.. or have I?
Advanced Wars, same game as AoE, but with innane wigga dialogue
Sonic, Kick Ass Game
Jump SuperStars, Bleach, Imports, and too damn expensive
Mario and Luigi: partners in Time, Probabbly a good game too, but the beginning made me hurt since it was written with the quality of a Saturday morning Cartoon
Mario 64DS, Remakes aren't innovative.. and touch screnn control does not equal Analog stick
NanoStray, Never played, but as an overhead shooter, it's not epic
Resident Evil, Remake, but a decent experince... And it was rated really low
Gulity Gear, Another badly rated game i'm not throwing $35 at
that guy @ Jun 19th 2006 4:29PM
Jeff - thank you.
Striderhayasa - I own eight of the games you name there, and have played the other ones. Again, you're COMPLETELY missing the point. Jesus - I said LATELY there haven't been many 'hardcore' games released for DS. I've played through all those games. Many of them were/are awesome. And I want more of that, but I'm not getting it.
One more time - I'm not dissing the DS. I own it, I own tons of games, I love it to itty-bitty pieces. But I'm also being open-minded and unbiased. I'm not bitching and complaining to try to incite riots here. I'm simply saying 'more new hardcore game releases, please.'
Michael @ Jun 19th 2006 4:29PM
Don't overreact to the term 'flagship title'. Here is my guess of what it means. It will be bundled with every Wii similar to the way that the Metroid demo was bundled with the first DS. As a result, no matter what else you buy with the Wii you will be able to play the sports game when you set the system up.
When kids open up their Wii on Christmas morning, they may not want to show it to grandma by showing Resident Evil 6.2, but they can pop in Wii Sports and show of the capability of the system.
It more obviously and immediately showcases the use of the wiimote, than something like Zelda. In this way it is a good vehicle for showing off the difference of the Wii. That is not to say that Zelda, Metroid, ... are not still important gaming series.
Michael
crono141 @ Jun 19th 2006 4:29PM
Uh, stack that same criterion up with your consoles, you see the exact same things. How many original, non-remake, non-sequels do you have on your PS2? That are good?
What you are describing isn't a problem with the DS, its a problem with videogaming in general. Its a corporate culture of make more of the same stuff that makes money. Thats why we have RE clones, MarioKart madness, et al.
Now, I'm not saying "quit your bitchin'" or anything like that, but its a little unfair to say the DS is lacking when it is actually doing a better job of creating new games than any system the last 2 generation.
BTW, FFIII is a total conversion of a game that never saw american shores, and is essentially, a brand new, neverbefore played game, even by those who played the original on NES.
idioteraser @ Jun 19th 2006 4:31PM
Jump Superstars has more then one series and the thing is kiddo most teens like those series in Japan as do adults.
Most of the Manga series in that game is rated for those above 13 or 16. How is it for kids then?
Go look for more games stop depending upon what your game store tells you and seek out titles.
Erik Novak @ Jun 19th 2006 4:32PM
If this is their flagship title, then I'm waiting for Nintendo to announce Mario Ball-In-A-Cup.
idioteraser @ Jun 19th 2006 4:34PM
How is Metroid physicaly painfull to control? It was far damn easier using the stylus in 40 minute play sessions then using the camera buttons.
rubaiyat @ Jun 19th 2006 4:35PM
Since when have you played FF3 before?
And where are people coming up with this nonsense?
The DS already has one of the most eclectic and numerous library in handheld history.
Given N's long history of dominance...please name a single previous handheld with greater oomph in its library...
-1 stars @ Jun 19th 2006 4:44PM
I actually prefer the 360 for it is like the Borg!
Resistance is futile, buy the 360.
Tox @ Jun 19th 2006 4:45PM
I plan on buying Zelda and Wii Sports at launch.
Fanboy paradox?
starfighter @ Jun 19th 2006 4:53PM
You know what the problem is, many of the kick ass games never really make it to the states. I have jump superstars and bleach ds, and they kick ass. You should go to yesasia.com and check out their games.
student @ Jun 19th 2006 4:54PM
that guy, you're forgetting that it's summer time right now and that no games are coming out for ANY systems. Sheesh.
When the games for all consoles do start coming out... have your wallet ready for the ds will have:
harvest moon
tales of tempest
pokemon mystery dungeon
pokemon diamond/pearl
contact
children of mana
lunar knights
castlevania: portrait
mario hoops 3 on 3
mario vs donkey kong 2
kirby
yoshi's island 2
zelda phantom hour glass
diddy kong racing
chibi robo
dk king of swing
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket slime
Final Fantasy 3
Mech Assault Phantom War
Deep Labrynth
And that is WITH the whole touch generation concept. Geez, you guys are forgetting that summer is a lull for every console. The DS is still ready to fire in the games department much like the wii will when it comes out. They're more expanding their offerings than anything else.
Aran @ Jun 19th 2006 5:15PM
@ that guy:
Hey I hope you knew that you can play Game Boy Advance games with your DS Lite too? You should really check those out, there are some awesome "hardcore" games to play, like Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, couple of Metroid games and Golden Sun 1&2 among many others. :)
*still waiting for DS Lite to be released here in Europe*
Sam @ Jun 19th 2006 5:18PM
"There is such a thing as 'too sensitive' you know..."
The suggestion to add gyros is not about sensitivity. It's about how much the sensor can detect. An accelerometer can detect, say, that you moved the controller to the right. It can't tell how fast you moved it or how much you moved it, though. While gyros can detect more than just that. Gyros can detect that you moved the controller 3 units to the right from the controllers original position and that you twisted the controller 8 degrees to the right while doing so.
It's not to say that developers should actually use that type of complexity, but gyros offer much more than accelerometers do.
striderhayasa @ Jun 19th 2006 5:20PM
ok ok, this is getting ridiculous when the DS is being slammed for sequels. Look at the PSP library or the PS2 library and what do you see? The most anticipated game for the PS3 is Final Fantasy THIRTEEN! If the fantasy is supposed to be final then when is it over. LOL! I wouldn't mind seeing more original games in the industry in general but I'll admit that if a sequel is good, I'll buy it. That's why Nintendo gets my money before anyone else. They will make a sequel that will have you saying "WTF" but when you play it it's like "wow, now I get it."
@ that guy,
You do realize that every year for I don't know how long, the summer time has always been slim as far as new releases. I couldn't tell you the last time....on ANY console or portable, where the summertime was filled with new releases. This is how it is. It's been that way for more than an entire generation.
I see Student has made that point pretty clear (thank's dude). Think about that.
I have 10 DS games. You know what I'm going to do...continue to get down with Metroid Prime Online (PhillyYakk is the handle, look for me) meetup with buddies for some cracked out Age of Empires action, which is awesome. and chill with the DS and GBA games that I didn't get a chance to play like Final Fantasy tactics.
Sam @ Jun 19th 2006 5:24PM
Oh, and for anyone who realizes what FF3 is and are confused as to why people say they played it before in America, it's because Final Fantasy 6 was released on the SNES in America, but under the title of Final Fantasy 3. Some people just don't understand that before FF7, the FF games were renumbered for American release.
Intellectualdiot @ Jun 19th 2006 5:29PM
Uhh... ok Mr. Miyamoto. Far be it from me to disagree with the man who created The Legend of Zelda, Mario AND Star Fox. If you say Wii Sports is the flagship title for the Wii, then I suppose I have no other alternative but to suppress the extremely powerful urge to snort derisively at the claim.
But just so you know, I had "Super Mario Galaxy FTW!" tattooed on my chest recently, so you know... don't drop the ball with that one.
mercatfat @ Jun 19th 2006 5:32PM
"If the fantasy is supposed to be final then when is it over. LOL!"
you deserve negative stars for that. seriously.
None of Nintendo's sequels are simply rehashes. Almost every one of them has a unique twist that has never been used before and is rarely repeated again.
Using the same characters doesn't make something a rehash either, you know. It just adds positive pretention and familiarity to a title.