Everybody Votes! Nintendo secretly adds new Wii channel
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Feb 13th 2007 at 10:23PM }
How do you like them eggs? No, seriously. Nintendo wants to know. Nintendo wants you to know. Nintendo wants you to want everyone to know.
This covertly added Wii Channel allows you to answer
Nintendo: first they made weather fun. Then, the news. Now ... mass polling?
[Thanks, Jed! Image via Go Nintendo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
StevO @ Feb 13th 2007 10:28PM
As if voting for webcomics wasn't fun?
Haha I gotta run downstairs and try this RIGHT NOW
Brad @ Feb 14th 2007 6:44AM
I downloaded this 30 minutes ago and I just have to say...It's soo cool! You all should give it a try! :D
vidGuy @ Feb 13th 2007 10:30PM
This channel seems goofy, fun, and pointless right now. But hopefully using the Suggest A Question option, serious questions will be asked that will help Nintendo improve the Virtual Console, update system, and other Wii features.
My first submitted question?
"Would you like to see original content on the Virtual Console?"
This could be very interesting.
therpham @ Feb 13th 2007 10:36PM
I suggested the question "Which Mario Brother is your favourite? Mario or Luigi?" because they were probably going to ask that anyway and it would make me feel special to see my question used.
3cubedminus3squared @ Feb 13th 2007 10:36PM
Could there be a WiiBlog Channel in the near future?
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 13th 2007 10:36PM
DEMOCRACY FOR THE WIN
you know @ Feb 13th 2007 10:37PM
I suggested the question "Which Mario Brother is your favourite? Mario or Luigi?" because they were probably going to ask that anyway and it would make me feel special to see my question used.
QFE
Daniel @ Feb 13th 2007 10:52PM
hey engadget, don't forget to tell people to do an update first! or it won't work
Sensai @ Feb 13th 2007 10:38PM
Interesting...haven't had a chance to check it out, but if it turns into something that Nintendo actually listens to...
Fatass of Kickassness @ Feb 13th 2007 10:40PM
There better be an RSS feed channel in the near future
or the Ninty execs will suffer...
Derick @ Feb 18th 2007 7:33PM
I submitted the question, "Which Wii game are you more excited for?"
Super Mario Galaxy or Metroid Prime 3.
Let the official poll sort it out.
They should really try to use this in a constructive way, rather than stupid questions about dogs vs cats.
David @ Feb 13th 2007 10:44PM
First question they will have up...
"Does anyone understand the point of this?"
Nice job Nintendo, you really stuck by your "We are a video game company only". Can you release a game that isn't a bunch of mini games or redone Gamecube games? No... do shock.
Sketch @ Feb 13th 2007 10:44PM
I think this a great idea. Just a little something fun...it's not like it costs you anything anyway...
I also sent in a question...the first thing that came to mind...should Sonic be in Brawl.
Keif @ Feb 13th 2007 10:45PM
Hey david, can you not act like a bitch? no? what a shocker!
Liraco @ Feb 13th 2007 10:47PM
Perhaps it's a covert way to get user feedback mixing it up with other random/nonsensical queries.
It's nice to see surprises like these sneak up on us, now let's see something with more substance next time!
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 13th 2007 10:48PM
"Can you release a game that isn't a bunch of mini games or redone Gamecube games? No... do shock."
Hey Nintendo, you're losers for not listening to us. You're also losers for making would could be a veritable suggestion box.
Max @ Feb 13th 2007 10:48PM
Sorry for the stupid question, but in response to vidGuy's post, what exactly is "original content"? I remember a post about it awhile ago and never asked.
By the way, this poll thing is very fun, although there's only 3 questions I see so far. It should get better and hopefully will be used to improve the overall Wii experience. They can even make categories in the future, or voting on which image is better, the possibilities are endless.
Optimus Prime @ Feb 13th 2007 10:50PM
Q: Its 2007, why not spend your R&D resources on online multiplayer?
Max @ Feb 13th 2007 10:52PM
Sorry to be a bit off-topic, but in response to vidGuy, what is "original content"? I saw a post awhile ago and never asked.
And about this new channel, it's awesome. Not much now except 4 questions (for me at least). This could be used to greatly improve the Wii experience. Also, in the future, there could be categories, voting on multimedia, the possibilities are endless.
Mohan @ Feb 13th 2007 10:55PM
This channel has a lot of potential.
PM @ Feb 13th 2007 11:10PM
"DEMOCRACY FOR THE WIIN"
Fixed.
It's not the big thing, but well, they're giving it for free. Now, some more serious questions would be better...
Pedro @ Feb 14th 2007 8:55AM
Excellent a new way to gether market research while making us feel like weare playing a game.
vidGuy @ Feb 13th 2007 11:03PM
@Max,
Original content would be NEW games. When the Virtual Console was announced, it was supposed to be for BOTH classic games (NES, SNES, Genesis, TurboGrafix, N64) and NEW games. The original content would be fun little games developed by the biggie developers or by indie developers (independent game designers who don't have the start up cash to sell full-fledged, on-disc games).
There's a pretty big following of game designers who use the SNES/Genesis sprites (chracters and objects in-game) to design completely new games. The Virtual Console could be an avenue for those game designers to break out into console gaming.
Imagine a completely new game on the level of Zelda: LttP or Super Mario World, but using a different character set and developed by Joe Shmoe and sold for $5.
The likelihood of Nintendo creating a follow-up to a SNES Zelda or Mario is very small, especially since the design costs probably wouldn't allow them to sell it sub-$10. But there's tons of games to be tried that people have programed in their spare time.
The system would have to be regulated somehow so that it didn't get flooded with trash games that gamers were being charged for. Maybe a rating system would move the most popular games to the top of the list, but each console could only vote on a game one time in order to prevent rating-padding.
Anyway, original content was something that was mentioned when the VC was announced, but we haven't heard any real mention of new stuff coming to the VC (other than channels/Wii Ware). It would be good to have that poll question up in order to show Nintendo what we want.
Rob Accomando @ Feb 13th 2007 11:05PM
I kind of hoped they would fix the forcast channel first. It still says it's sunny outside by me and it's 11pm.
Sensai @ Feb 13th 2007 11:08PM
Ok, checked it out now, and voted on everything I could. Submitted a question (one a day? Boo), and am hoping that this thing becomes what I envision it becoming.
I think that this could be a very VERY nice way for Nintendo to get feedback on specific topics. It's obviously in it's alpha stages, so hopefully we'll see a lot more questions, along with categories and more then 2 choices...
And a quick (almost rhetorical) question: when it says '6 days left,' does that mean there won't be a question taking that spot until 6 days from now? 'Cause that'd be kinda....bad.
Pedro @ Feb 14th 2007 8:55AM
This channel could be nintendo's reverse major nelson. He is liek MS eyes and ears among the fans. Nintendo could do polls on this channel and determine market data. Like they could ask wii owners whether they want rumble enable in VC games.
It isn't a big update, but it is a welcome one. I like that nintendo is comitted to giving us new (albeit small) toys to play with.
Algernon @ Feb 13th 2007 11:22PM
They should actually have polls that would matter and make a difference in their decision making.
religiousjedi @ Feb 13th 2007 11:24PM
I like this potential...
Now if Mario could hurry up with my download...
chenry @ Feb 13th 2007 11:24PM
My first reaction was "wow, that's dumb". Now I'm going to go update my Wii.
Nicholas Sulikowski @ Feb 14th 2007 2:17AM
There needs to be polls concerning gaming, like "would you like to see a new Kid Icarus game?" or "how important is VOIP to you?" It's a good thing though that we can suggest our own polls. When Nintendo receives a flood of suggested polls all about gaming, they'll realize what they need to do with the channel.
samfish @ Feb 13th 2007 11:25PM
We should form a campaign to all send the following question on the same day:
"Are games on the Virtual Console priced too high?"
Answer 1: "Yes"
Answer 2: "Yes"
I bet if they got a few hundred thousand or more they'd get the point.
Jake @ Feb 13th 2007 11:27PM
Getting client feedback is always a good idea. They might just make this for fun, or have serious questions about service. Either way, it is free and optional, so you really can't complain about it.
I would personally like to see questions like "which one of these Nintendo employees is the hottest?"
J @ Feb 13th 2007 11:27PM
I submitted
"Friend COdes"
"Yes" or "no"
Hopefully you will see that question. Everyone should suggest that. It would certainly get an overwhelming response of no.
colin ballast @ Feb 14th 2007 12:42PM
Suggesting a poll to remove the evil friend codes from the wii online service would be nice...
john @ Feb 13th 2007 11:29PM
Puffy sez:
"VOTE OR DIE"
V1L3 @ Feb 13th 2007 11:45PM
PM: "It's not the big thing, but well, they're giving it for free."
Yes. If only they had polls on the internet that were free, dammit!
I'm so sick of being gouged, and seeing my credit card statement littered with all these forum and poll charges. >:(
oludemilade mujib raji @ Feb 13th 2007 11:48PM
interesting Idea Nintendo. Question now is do i actualy get a wii...
Yay or Nay
Or do i wait till metroid prime 3
shoop008 @ Feb 13th 2007 11:51PM
Nintendo wants you to use your Wii everyday. The thinking is probably that if you use it everyday you will think about it more and tell people about it. You will also want to buy new games for the device you use everyday. Every month that add a little feature that keeps you thinking about your little Wii.
meekzzz @ Feb 13th 2007 11:59PM
what if this is some way Nintendo registers a Wii serial and corresponding Mii's for some online system they are rolling out?
Eh I can hope..
meekzzz @ Feb 14th 2007 12:01AM
what if this is some way Nintendo registers a Wii serial and corresponding Mii's for some online system they are rolling out?
Eh I can hope..
tmmoore_nc @ Feb 14th 2007 12:28AM
Here's a question I should submit:
"Do you want Mario Kart 64 and Kid Icarus to be updated to include ghost data and passwords respectively?"
bmac @ Feb 14th 2007 12:36AM
Wow, that certainly is a thing that... exists.
Hopefully they use it for something more than inane questions. Even though people do love those. Sounds like it's a yes/no two choice deal though, which makes me questions just how much value it would have from a demographic and marketing standpoint, let alone user feedback.
But hey, whatever gets your Wii waggling.
Frankie @ Feb 14th 2007 12:40AM
Exactly, #38.
This is useless, mindless entertainment for a few minutes each day but that is exactly what will make it addictive to the mainstream audience. A little news here, a little cool weather globe here, internet a bit somehwere, and this nifty voting thinggie with preditions, results, etc here. Those minutes a day adds up.
Tacoman @ Feb 14th 2007 12:47AM
@31
I don't think the VC games are priced too high. A lot of these games are more expensive to buy used now, and with the Wii you get them all in one place instead of having to have multiple consoles and various controllers which may or may not work cluttering up your gaming space. $10 for Kid Icarus and Ice Climber is a damn good deal, especially factoring in the convenience factor.
David @ Feb 14th 2007 12:55AM
I like how everyone makes fun of me for pointing out the bullshit Nintendo said before releasing the Wii.
People make fun of the PS3 for not having the games when neither does the Wii. People make fun of Sony for saying the stupid shit they do and never point out the lies Nintendo says.
Now you will say I'm pro Sony and anti Nintendo fanboy. Yet another examble of how many of you are assholes that don't know shit.
Frankie @ Feb 14th 2007 1:01AM
"People make fun of the PS3 for not having the games when neither does the Wii. People make fun of Sony for saying the stupid shit they do and never point out the lies Nintendo says."
Wii has Wii Sports, and its probably enough to last until June. The same cannot be said with the PS3's lineup until MGS4 or FFXIII.
vidGuy @ Feb 14th 2007 1:07AM
@ tmmoore_nc,
You can use passwords in Kid Icarus. It allows you to use passcodes as save points. You can't use SECRET passwords - that you get to the end of the game with all the powerups. This is similar to disabling the Justin Bailey (spelling?) cheat for Metroid. No super huge deal.
Ghost data for Mario Kart 64? I don't care, but others might.
@David (#45)
It all depends on what games you are into. Between Wii games, VC games, and GC games I missed and have been picking up for $20, I have TOO much to play. I'm looking forward to MP3, Super Mario Galaxy, SSBB, Sadness, Midnight, Project H.A.M.M.E.R., Tiger Woods, Disaster: Day of Crisis (which, BTW, aren't mini-games or re-done GC games), and all sorts of others, but I'm pretty satisfied right now.
You've got to consider that the Wii, like the PS3, is only a few months from launch. Personally, there's not a single game I'm interested in for the PS3 now or in the next six months. But I'm plenty content with the Wii and its current and future offerings.
That's what's great about the console this gen. They all offer something completely different.
Johnny Wolf @ Feb 14th 2007 1:08AM
Is this a spin off of "Everybody Poops"?
SonicRift @ Feb 14th 2007 1:23AM
Now Nintendo fanboys can comment on how you can't do surveys on the 360 and PS3.
Seriously, what is this garbage? I've already deleted it. Give me something cool, like DVD playback, a video player, SOMETHING?~!
Striderhayasa @ Feb 14th 2007 1:23AM
I submitted a question asking whether VC games are too high?
When I first heard about this I said "WTF?" But after seeing the interface and the potential of it, it could be great if Nintendo actually takes heed to the results of important questions.
We'll see. For the time being, it's free so I can't complain.