Nintendo prez on Wii news, reviews, and its competition
by Blake Snow 
{ Nov 29th 2006 at 3:55PM }
In addition to rumors of GoldenEye on the Virtual Console and a later than expected Mario Galaxy for Wii, MTV's interview with Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime drops some additional information nuggets on the company's competition, "hypercritical" Wii reviews, controller bundles, and online play.In regards to competing console makers, the Ninty prez believes Sony and Microsoft view their success as a right of manufacturing passage rather than something that is earned. "I do think that highlights a difference between us and our competitors: We're not arrogant. We don't view success as a right. We feel we need to earn success every day. And we're going to do that by being true to the gamer," he said. We like that consumer focused perspective, but our memories venture to the Yamauchi days after "arrogant-less" comments like the one above. And we hope the company stays truer to the gamer than it was during its profitable but drought-ridden GameCube campaign.
Fils-Aime also called out IGN in the interview criticizing the gaming site's complaints of lackluster Wii Sports graphics: "They're negative on the graphics of the game, but we always said what the graphics would be. I think that's people just being hypercritical." He might have a point. If the Wii is "new generation" hardware, maybe it needs to be reviewed under new methodologies. Especially since reviewers traditionally cater to hardcore gamers and not casual or non-gamers that Wii hopes to reach.
Lastly, Reggie noted that Nintendo may include both the Wii Remote and Nunchuck in one package if the attach ratio becomes one-to-one and stated gamers can expect online Wii play "very early in 2007." If you haven't already, hit the link for the informative interview nestled away in MTV's crappy Flash site.
[Via Game Daily]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Extinction @ Nov 30th 2006 1:15AM
Reggie - "The games don't suck, the reviewers do!"
droptop GP @ Nov 29th 2006 4:04PM
Wii's are for kids.
Miniboss @ Nov 29th 2006 4:10PM
I like how you drudge up the Yamauchi days. Yes, Nintendo was once arrogant. But then they got owned by Sony and Microsoft. I think they may have learned their lesson (at least, for another ten years).
botdeluxe @ Nov 29th 2006 4:09PM
um yeah, he sounds pretty arrogant to me.... granted not as much as those sony folks.
Magic Ketchup @ Nov 29th 2006 4:10PM
#1: and for millions of adults, too!
phantom42 @ Nov 29th 2006 5:15PM
i think they'd easily see a 1:1 sale ratio if there were any nunchucks to be found at all.
the TRU i bought my wii at received 4 cases of remotes and only 1 case of nunchucks at launch.
jc @ Nov 29th 2006 4:14PM
Nintendo's not arrogant? Since when?
How come I didn't get that memo?
BPM? @ Nov 29th 2006 4:14PM
I recall that from day one, the word from Nintendo higher-ups (Reggie, Iwata, etc.) that Nunchuks and Wii Remotes would always be bundled together. A Nunchuk for every Remote...
Not only that, but that Wii, its main controller, and the controller's extensions, would be very affordable. A mass-market price.
And, well, Nintendo fell short on both.
By no means do I think $250 is a bad, or unreasonable, price. Especially considering it comes with a game packed in (and Wii Sports rocks, especially Bowling). But, I don't quite think $250 is "mass-market." $200? Definitely.
$40 for the Wii Remote is understandable, as it has more in it than either the 360 wireless controller or the SIXAXIS. But $20 for the Nunchuk, Classic Controller, and so on? To get a Nunchuk for every Remote (which is how it should be, since many games make use of the Nunchuk) puts the setup $10 above either of the competitiors' wireless controllers.
I like the Wii a lot, but I'm still very critical of Nintendo's business decisions. I can't help but think that the Wii is a victim of its own hype. People went crazy for the Wii once they got a chance to first play it (E³06), so if the desire is high enough, people will be willing to pay more for it.
Me? I've just got the one controller setup the Wii came with.
Blake Snow @ Nov 29th 2006 4:14PM
"I like how you drudge up the Yamauchi days. Yes, Nintendo was once arrogant. But then they got owned by Sony and Microsoft. I think they may have learned their lesson (at least, for another ten years)."
I only bring it so they do remeber for another 10 years.
> @ Nov 29th 2006 4:22PM
"They're negative on the graphics of the game, but we always said what the graphics would be. I think that's people just being hypercritical."
He better get used to it.... its already 'hypercritical' day one; does he think people are going to stop just because he said so?
Its only gonna get worse once people really start pushing PS3/360. Whereas, Wii is pretty maxed out already as devs. are (1) already accustomed to the hardware environment from their GC days and (2) Wii just aint that much better than GC.
johnjacob @ Nov 29th 2006 4:25PM
Let go of the past.I know most of you grew up with nintendo but come on.
If the wii were made by some no name company you all would think its a joke.
crono141 @ Nov 29th 2006 5:23PM
>,
Its is twice and more what GC was. Considering they are keeping the same number of pixels on the screen, we'll be seeing the same kind of shader effects and wii as we will on ps360. We won't have as many polygons on screens, but we'll still have all the eyecandy. And the fact its based on GC architecture just means we'll get there all the sooner.
Todd H. @ Nov 29th 2006 4:27PM
Who wants a "Next-Gen" console to have graphics that look the same as "Last-Gen" consoles?
It's not all about the graphics, but I think you need a mixture of both and after seeing some of the games on the 360, I don't think I could go back to the Xbox or PS2 no matter how fun the game is. I plugged in Halo 2 for the first time in a while the other night and just couldn't play it, it just felt old compared to GoW and Rainbow 6: Vegas.
Todd
http://www.proxbox360.com
Tush @ Nov 29th 2006 4:30PM
They're all arrogant.
That being said, I am enjoying my Wii very much. I don't have an HD tv, and don't plan on buying one for years to come, so the 360 and PS3 would have been a waste of money for me. I think that's how a lot of people feel.
If the wii were built by a no-name company, it probably would be a joke. Nintendo has the ability to pull it off.
FinalDelerium @ Nov 29th 2006 6:49PM
@ #1
You're thinking of Trix.
Josh @ Nov 29th 2006 4:35PM
Reggie, you do know that even if you said the graphics were going to be "simplistic", they can still judge the game on the fact that it has the graphics it does. It's not like you could say "our next Mario game is going to be a POS" and expect that everyone will then not review it poorly. (I'm not saying Galaxy is bad. I just used Mario as an example of a Nintendo game)
And by the way, I love the graphics in Wii Sports, but I've never played it yet, so I'll reserve final judgment until I can.
Finally, the Wii is not mass-market priced and of course Remote and Nunchuck sales are going to be nearly 1:1. The online play is Pokémon Battle Revolution.
brillulus @ Nov 29th 2006 5:29PM
I guess I'm one of the few that look for a game that's more fun than pretty. I absolutely love the Wii Sports games, even with those crude blow-up people on the other side of the screen. While this day and age graphics are something that can drive a game, it shouldn't be the deciding factor on whether to buy the game. Let's just say Gears of War had GameCube quality graphics, but played the same, would you buy it? If you like it now, I would hope so. Or, let's say that Gears of War looked 5 times better than it does on the Xbox 360, but had terrible controls and dumb AI, would you still buy it?
Don't limit your choices about games just because of looks. Obviously Nintendo thinks that if it plays well, it doesn't matter how it looks.
Magic Ketchup @ Nov 29th 2006 5:08PM
#8: No matter what, the best looking Wii game will never beat a great looking PS3 game, it's a fact. Nintendo chose to make a profit on hardware from day 1 instead of winning the beauty pageant, but at least they have a great selling feature that they others don't have - the motion sensing controller. Gimmicky or not, Wii is flying off the shelves. I wouldn't mind giving Nintendo some face when they try to defend themselves for having the least powerful graphic chip.
Also, I don't think we have seen any games that have maximized Wii's hardware potential yet. Metroid and Mario are look stunning to me.
kish @ Nov 29th 2006 6:02PM
@10 I don't know Todd. I kind of feel the same way about controlls. I had begun to feel like I had "done it all" in gaming, I was, sadly, losing interest. I realized I hadnt been really excited (and I mean REALLY excited) about a new system since the N64. For the most part, since the n64, systems have just been upgrades, not new experiences.
From commadore to NES was AMAZING! The controls from NES to SNES was a HUGE leap, and so were the graphics. Then the jump to 3d? With the joystick? WOW! Blew my mind. But n64 to gamecube? PS1-PS2-PS3? Xbox to Xbox 360? Basically just upgrades, nothing really new.
Oh there was something new every now and then. The Total war series on PC. Smash Bro's. A few others. But it was pretty far an inbetween, mostly just polishing of what we already had.
I've been playing games for well over 20 years, and over the past 8 or 10 (though age may have had something to do with it) the excitement just hasn't been the same as it was before. We stopped seeing as many revolutionary games, and saw a lot of evolutionary games. Halo was fun, but it was just a polished version of the 500 FPS's before it. Mario sunshine was a polished (or not so polished) version of mario 64. All the adventure games are polished versions of legend of Zelda. I understand a given technology has to plateu, but maybe gaming doesn't have to yet.
As far as I am concerned this could be the first REAL new generational leap since we went 3d. I'm excited again. I'm trying something new, seeing, not just technology, but the way we play games pushed ahead.
I would say that is a much bigger leap than the small graphical increment PS3 and 360 have introduced. The only time graphical prowess is useful is when it pushes forward the way you play games. Controlling thousands of units in rome total war, traversing your first 3d world in mario 64, dealing with new physics ala Half Life. The polish (bmp mapping, specular lighting etc.) is appreciated, but if it doesn't really push forward new gameplay, meh.
So yea, give me wii golf. Give me a new way to play zelda. (give me a frikkin pistol grip for FPS on wii, otherwise that 'taint happinen) Give me a new way to dive for cover in GoW. Give me thousands of men to crash through and incinerate and a whole new way to steer in Lair. Give me something NEW to blow my money on. Not resistance. Not halo. Not japenese RPG with turnbased combat select(fight, magic, tech, item, flee) #1000. A few hours into the game, I probably won't be paying attention to the bmp mapping. But a new control scheme? That'll turn some heads.
Mr. Khan @ Nov 29th 2006 5:42PM
Aye, but how can they release Battle Revolution here since they don't even have a release date for flaming Diamond and Pearl?
I've said this before: Strikers Charged
That game should have a fairly low development time, being that all they do is punch some nice graphical upgrades and build a control scheme, set up an Online system, and boom, the sequel to one of the biggest Sleeper Titles of 2005
(its not like they have to MAKE that much, they already have the character models and control scheme, had 'em since LGC, and all the stages are built the same, just with a minor cosmetic tweak to each)
old_nintendo_fan @ Nov 29th 2006 5:50PM
My ass.. it's all about the $$.. If it was about being true to the gamer they wouldn't have put out this system. The Wii is a gamecube with a new controller.. And that wouldn't be so bad if the games were reinvented as well, but they're just the same old Mario & Zelda games we've been playing for years, nothing new (A new way to control the game doesn't mean the game is new. Nintendo should have bit the bullet and come out with a real next-gen console instead of a gimmick with the Nintendo brand slapped on it. Or better yet, just stick to making pocket consoles and start making games for Sony and MS. I've said it before and I'll say it again, This is Nintendo's last home console.. They're going to switch their focus on the portable consoles and start making software for Sony & MS. I mean since the Gamecubes launch until now THIS is all they could come up with?? a new controller? Give me a break. Don't' get me wrong.. I grew up with Nintendo.. but you can only play the same ol mario & zelda games for so long before the shit gets old.. and coming up with a new controller wont make it better by that much. And why the F*ck does the game still freeze up for a half second when you kill an enemy in Zelda?? There is no excuse for that.
JodyAnthony @ Nov 29th 2006 5:56PM
My favorite part is how the diehard sony fanboys have to post in every single Wii-based comment thread about how Wii is a terrible system. I guess me and the 599,999 other Americans that bought a Wii last week are just stupid.
DeadPlasmaCell @ Nov 29th 2006 6:06PM
I'm still on the fence about the Wii..I want to pick one up, but $250 Gamecube quality games and a gimmicky way to play them is a turn off. Now if the games were actually new or something that'd be something else.. but so far it all seems pretty old and gimmicky.
Zo K. @ Nov 29th 2006 6:16PM
I love Nintendo. I really, really do. I always have, and probably always will.
But Nintendo... not arrogant? Pssh. Nintendo INVENTED arrogance. Sony are the new Nintendo. And saying so is not flattering to either company.
While I will say that Nintendo have come to be more humbled in the industry as of late (by comparison, of course), I honestly don't think you survive as a console manufacturer without a little arrogance. Too much or too little can both be deadly to your business. I think they may have found the right amount these days, but only time will tell if it'll help them through their past mistakes.
tanngrisni @ Nov 29th 2006 5:36PM
Personally, I don't fee that Nintendo should care what the people at IGN, or any other reviewers, are saying about the graphics. "Hardcore gamers" (i.e. the ones that read video game sites) knew from day one that the graphics on the Wii weren't going to be a mind-blowing step up, and the casual/non gamers that they are looking to pick up through the intuitive (if somewhat gimmicky) controllers won't be going onto IGN to figure out what game they should buy.
Also, given supply and demand, I think Nintendo was smart for pricing things the way they did. The way prices are set are just on the outer limit of what I would be willing to pay for a console and accessories (though I made my roommate buy his own controller). In 6 months to a year, when the hype has died down, and there is a relative surplus of units, they can dial the prices back to make it appeal to an even broader audience. I'm not happy that I am probably paying more than I would if I had waited a year, but I, and countless others, are willing. It's good capitalism to squeeze every dime you can get out of your buyers as long as you don't turn them away. The profit lost because of people who have been turned off by the $250 price tag is probably a fraction of the profit made off the people who will buy at that price.
Jonah Falcon @ Nov 29th 2006 6:36PM
I'm waiting for Super Mario Galaxy before I give my 360 a buddy to sit next to. ;)
ChrisL @ Nov 29th 2006 6:21PM
You can spot PS3 fans from a mile away lately.
That might be because they're standing all by themselves though.
Nack @ Nov 29th 2006 6:36PM
old_nintendo_fan, first of all I'd like to point out that the momentary pause when you hit an enemy in Zelda is an effect that they put in the game, not any real slowdown. Also I just want to remind you that Twilight Princess was developed for Gamecube, not the Wii. Therefore you can expect it to be a little bit on the "gimmicky" side when it comes to the controls. However, if a new Zelda title is released for the Wii, (cross your fingers) you can bet the controls will indeed be so fresh that the game will feel new. As for Mario Galaxy, we'll just have to wait and see what Nintendo does with that one. No fair judging a game before it is released. What I am excited to see is what new franchises Nintendo will be able to come up with to fully utilize the wiimote.
reppy @ Nov 29th 2006 7:08PM
I want a Wii stocking cap.
mike @ Nov 29th 2006 7:46PM
You can spot PS3 fans from a mile away lately.
That might be because they're standing all by themselves though
--
rehashing PSP jokes is sooo lame...
;)
TehDestroyer @ Nov 29th 2006 7:44PM
It's true that the next generation should push the way in which we currently play games. But it is also important that the game look new. Which would you rather have, a wii with the exact same control scheme but with graphics on par with the PS3 or the current wii? If you are at all sane you'd pick the former. And that proves that despite this garbage talk about games being all about the gameplay, that graphics are a big part of gameplay. The wii would be a revolution if it coupled graphics WITH gameplay. But as it stands now it's a Gamecube with an updated controller, which isn't necesserarily a bad thing. It just means this isn't in any way, shape, or form a revolution.
The Jeremy @ Nov 29th 2006 8:05PM
Nintendo and not being arrogant?
Uhm, they monopolized the videogame industry between 1986-1989 and used illegal practices to keep Sega, NEC, and Atari all down. And now they are playing up the victim card once Sony (and to a lesser extent, Microsoft) showed up and took away their cookie.
When it comes to the Gameboy platform, it took them until the GBA before they eclipsed the Atari Lynx in what the hardware could do...and only in certain areas. That was well over a decade just to do that.
Wii the People @ Nov 29th 2006 10:13PM
TehDestroyer,
Asking people to pick a Wii or a Wii with better graphics proves absolutely nothing. That's not the choice we're given in the real world. In the real world we're given the choice of same old basketball game with shinier floors and sweaty players (PS3/360) or same-looking basketball game with a more immersive control scheme (Wii).
old_nintendo_fan,
Why are you pissed that "all" Nintendo has come up with is a new controller? What the hell have Sony and Microsoft come up with? "Call of Duty: Now with aliens"? A fourth dimension? HD movies? Anything that moves "gaming" forward?
Nintendo always comes up with the control scheme that becomes standard. D-pad? Check. Analog stick? Check. Shoulder buttons? Check. Rumble? Trigger buttons? Motion control? Check, check, and check! Think it through first buddy. Nintendo is in the least amount of danger for this being their last home console.
Sony better start sacrificing some virgins if they want this BR3..I mean, PS3 to take off.
syco @ Nov 29th 2006 11:18PM
Like I've said before, I'm sure Gears of War looks jawdropping on an HDTV, but if you squeeze that game onto a regular ordinary TV it's going to look nearly identical to Metroid Prime 3. There's only so much you can do with 480i, and I think the Wii will probably hit that mark easily.
Mr P. @ Nov 29th 2006 11:51PM
old_nintendo_fan,
Many of games that come out for each console is a remake. Doesnt GTA Paris come out next month. If you have somthing good why kill it?
Sometimes I think many of you MS and Sony fanboys are wishing Nintendo to create games for your console so you can join in the fun you see that other people are having w/o looking gay to all of your friends because you have a Nintendo console.
I think this may well be sonys last console if it doesnt shape up. Sony needs Blu-ray if it wants to stay alive. There getting raped in all their other departments. If Nintendo still do what its doing right now well will surely see it after this gen. MS got the money to do whatever they want to do so well mabye see them next go round to.
Let me ask you what new thing to gamers have Sony or MS come up with?
Ive played all three with intent on buying the Wii(already have the 360) because I think it fun with a group of friends who are not gamers. And I play my 360 when I want a good game I can play by myself on live like GOW(awsome game). PS3 has nothing to offer, so it will suffer. RIP Sony.
Drew2u @ Nov 30th 2006 1:12AM
When the 360 had their demo kiosks, I played some sort of WW2 game and HATED the controls for it, I had no idea how to control anything and I dropped a grenade in the truck I was starting out with.
I played the Wii at a Fusion Tour and it was second-hand.
Graphics: I'm a pokemon fan (yeah yeah, shut up), I have most of the linear series. When GS came out, it was a great improvement! After playing those games for a long time, I switched back to my RB games. I didn't not like the first games anymore because of the graphics, but I didn't like them because of the changes to the game that were brought along by the next generation. The graphics I could live with, but if gameplay is going to be sacrificed for graphics, I'd rather stick with pixelated icons.
Cuja @ Nov 30th 2006 2:10AM
Talk is cheap. That's what Nintendo's about. I just hope they don't lose the nunchuck somewhere down the road.
Todd H. @ Nov 30th 2006 10:33AM
@10 I somewhat agree Kish. I'm not all about graphics, but it is an important part of the fun factor for me. I mean, why have an HD setup and not be able to play games that have that WOW factor. I think the LIVE experience Microsoft is offering is probably about the most next gen thing for new consoles, I know its been available in PC gaming forever but I'm not a PC gamer so this is new for me. The ability to download demos, purchase "extra" content, stream movies, music, pictures, etc.
Like I said before, its a combination of both controls, graphics and gameplay that I think can make a system "NEXT-GEN." The Wii's new control system is interesting but I think they'll need to come up with more than the current offering to make it work, I think Sony's controller is heading in the right direction they'll just need games to take full advantage.
I'm afraid if companies take the motion control thing to far it could hurt gaming, I don't want to be dancing around like a monkey to have to control my character on the screen, I prefer being lazy and sitting on my couch, not breaking a sweat because I'm playing Tiger Woods on the Wii.
Todd
http://www.proxbxo360.com
Dash Cruz @ Dec 8th 2006 8:14AM
"10. Who wants a "Next-Gen" console to have graphics that look the same as "Last-Gen" consoles?
It's not all about the graphics, but I think you need a mixture of both and after seeing some of the games on the 360, I don't think I could go back to the Xbox or PS2 no matter how fun the game is. I plugged in Halo 2 for the first time in a while the other night and just couldn't play it, it just felt old compared to GoW and Rainbow 6: Vegas.
Todd"
This said statement above is a statement you would expect to see from a fan, not a true gamer. True gamers are loyal and optimistic, not simple minded and pesimistic. When you say denounce a game that is a "let me remind, probably got most of you back into the gaming world!" When you denounce a game like that it just goes to show how un-loyal you are.
You are simply being fed into the commercialistic aspect of the gaming world, which the big companies want you to do. I will admit that we all love to have the best and greatest graphics with our new consoles, but thats because that is what we expect. We still go and play our old games because those games are fun too and they cost me a Hell of Alot of money at the time(shit)! Never the less they are all still great.
So when you go out to purchase your new consoles, just remember those nintendo games that you probably have sitting in your closet. Pull out that atari that you had to re-purchase on ebay for some outrageous price amd play it everyonce and a while. Wip that Sega out and put in that Sega Cable Cartridge in your system and call your local cable provider and argue with them until that start streaming out unlimited game feed again. Sega-Saturn, well, who the hell bought one of those. "Sega Slap," "I just got my Sega like a few months ago, why are yall releasing something better already?!?"
You all get my point, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
-dash cruz-