Wii getting cell phone shovelware, thanks Gameloft

by Jason Dobson { Mar 27th 2008 at 9:57AM }

In companies' rush to capitalize on the industry's fascination with waggle, the Wii has become no stranger to games we'd sooner use to prop up the short leg of our coffee table than play. Much as it seems counterintuitive, novelty has not been par the course for the console so much as it has been quick cash-ins, though we continue to look to the Wii's digital download service WiiWare as the platform's saving grace.

It seems, however, that even WiiWare will not be immune to its share of shovelware, with mobile game developer-publisher Gameloft planning to use the service as a receptacle for cell phone games. We wouldn't mind so much if the company had originality on the brain, but its first effort, a Breakout clone going by the name of Block Breaker Deluxe, doesn't give us much hope. The download will be released in Japan in April before launching in other regions at a later date, giving us one to watch out for, if only to know what to avoid once WiiWare launches in North America on May 12.

[Via Wii Fanboy]

Tags: block-breaker-deluxe, blockbreakerdeluxe, breakout, clone, gameloft, wii-ware, wiiware

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Jerk Face @ Mar 27th 2008 10:02AM

*barfs*

In case any of you haven't heard, I hate my Wii with the burning passion of one thousand Hell-red suns.

Howl Pendragon @ Mar 27th 2008 10:26AM

Ever heard of this little, not well known, indie title called Super Smash Bros Brawl? Or even Super Mario Galaxy?

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Mar 27th 2008 10:27AM

I concur but I loves me some Smash Bros... And Mario Kart... And WiiWare looks promising...

Jerk Face @ Mar 27th 2008 10:31AM

I beat 'Meh'rio Galaxy (I said it) and while Smash Bros. is really great, I'm not sure if it is enough to save the system for me. I put so many hundreds of hours into Melee that it kind of feels like more of the same with Brawl, for me.

And don't start hating on me for it, because I said it was really great. I wouldn't deny that. I'm just saying that I already PLAYED that game. I was honestly really surprised to feel that 'bleh' emotion when I first popped it in.

Compared to a game like, say, Metroid Prime 3 which I feel actually made a step up for its Wii debut (by adding a more robust story and the cool controls), all the Smash added was a few more characters and awkward controls (I have long since ditched my wavebirds and now they're eleventy hojillion dollars on ebay).

I like it, it's just probably not a system-saver for me. My Wii is so dusty that I get bitter whenever I look at it.

NATO_Duke @ Mar 27th 2008 10:56AM

Wavebirds are getting pricey aren't they. People bidding 20+ on broken ones!

Anyway, this kind of Wiiware abuse should have been expected, and yet it's still sad.

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Mar 27th 2008 11:19AM

Jerk Face,
I could say I told you so...but what's the point?
The WiiSports Machine is unveiling itself as it truly is, a novelty, old hardware, and a pack-in uber Faddish game that the minions know it for. If you want a TRUE now-gen machine whos functionality will grow year by year and who's gaming library will have the most diverse range of ORIGINAL games and genres...there is only one machine to get, and that machine is...PLAYSTATION 3

NATO_Duke @ Mar 27th 2008 11:27AM

Damn you pull out all the stops to be lame.

Worst Review Ever @ Mar 27th 2008 11:29AM

Killjebus,

"...will have the most diverse range of Xbox 360 ports and genres..."

Fixed that for ya, son.

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Mar 27th 2008 11:31AM

Please, vote me down, I could care less...but you know I am right.
Question,
How will Fernandos put a positive spin on this?
Suggestions please.
I say that he will stay away from this thread, but I hope I am wrong.

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Mar 27th 2008 11:35AM

Uh no.
Sony Worldwide Studios has over 15 developers in 3 different continents employing close to 2000 people
That is MORE than Nintendo and Microsoft combined.

The days of the quick sloppy 360 to PS3 ports are coming to an end. Developers will lead with PS3 or develop both separately at the same time to make the quality of BOTH games better.

Thank you...try again.

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Mar 27th 2008 11:38AM

Dude, Ken, Whatever,

Normally, a troll for one's own beloved console gets additional tolerance. But c'mon, pull back the baiting a bit...even Fernando, a class I senior troll has managed to not be this bad recently.

That's assuming you're just dicking around for the hell of it and aren't serious.

Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Mar 27th 2008 11:40AM

I think Wii Sports is the only true "next generation" game. But what do I know. I'm just an arsehole posting on a blog.

But I agree with Jerk Face: the Wii isn't what I expected. The games, they seem, already done. We've played these games, or variations of them. Why should we pay money for the same thing over and over? But, even though I haven't a single Nintendo game in my collection, I'm relatively satisfied. At least the Wii re-lighted the Light Gun genre.

Maybe if Sega returned to the hardware business, then we'd get some more interesting games. And more common release dates.

Worst Review Ever @ Mar 27th 2008 11:41AM

Uh, yes.
They may have more people employed than Nintendo and Microsoft combined, but apparently these people really suck at their jobs. Nice spin, though, son. And do we have an approximate time for when these days are supposedly ending? 2009? 2010? When the 360 is no longer being developed for? Oh, you mean that what you just said about development was wishful thinking? That's what I thought. Try again, son.

NATO_Duke @ Mar 27th 2008 11:45AM

Oh look - opinion stated as fact again:

"Developers will lead with PS3 or develop both separately at the same time to make the quality of BOTH games better."

Troll.

Jerk Face @ Mar 27th 2008 11:46AM

Nigeria said it best: Wii just really isn't what I was expecting from Nintendo's spin. When it came out and I was rocking through Zelda (which was an obvious port, yes) and then the awesomeocity of MP3 was rocking my face.. I loved it. I remember conversations with my friends about how MP3 showed that Wii is a legitimate platform.

But then.. nothing. Nothing else that REALLY grabbed me like that. I would have loved Mario Galaxy when I was 13; just like I loved Mario 64 at that age. But now? The Wii's just not FOR me. My daughter likes it, so I guess that's great. *shrug*

Untapped potential FTL.

samfish (Brawl: 2793 0291 2277) @ Mar 27th 2008 11:50AM

"I think Wii Sports is the only true "next generation" game. But what do I know. I'm just an arsehole posting on a blog."

Wii Sports and Dead Rising are the only ones I'd consider 'next generation'.

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Mar 27th 2008 12:01PM

Sorry Borland502. I just find this very amusing. So many people are bitching about the Wii having to much shovelware, especially formerly HAPPY Wii owners. (Jerk Face) What is happening now with the Wii is a surprise to many, but I knew that this would happen the moment Nintendo said "graphics and horsepower do not matter anymore."

In my opinion, it is a SLAP to the face (Homer with the white glove style) to the Die Hard Nintendo faithful by the BIG N. Now the most loyal Nintendo fans are YET AGAIN stuck with another Nintendo machine with rapidly dwindling 3rd party support for GOOD games. I feel sorry for Jerk Face and other NON Fernandos that they got duped YET AGAIN by Mario and Pals.

That is the BIGGEST reason why I want this FAD to end. So the Big N can get serious again and make a machine that can compete on a hardware level with Sony and Microsoft. Then 3rd parties can come back to Nintendo with their AAA titles and not re-hashed games or shovelware.

Believe it or not, I really do want ALL 3 companies to do well and continue to compete (on an even playing field) with each other so that we gamers get the benefit of an ever increasing level of realism and immersiveness that videogames can bring.

Go Nintendo and create a next-gen machine using all of this money that the Wii gave you that the Nintendo faithful can be PROUD of.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 27th 2008 12:03PM

God Killjebus, How dare you state your opinion like a fact!

:)

Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Mar 27th 2008 12:04PM

Refresh.

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Mar 27th 2008 12:08PM

Nato,
that was NOT an opinion. Sony execs have said it, Criterion has said it, EA has said it, as have other developers.

http://www.gamerevolution.com/news/view.php?id=3374

http://kotaku.com/335525/scea-boss-says-ps3-has-become-lead-platform-for-3rd+party-devs

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=11653

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Mar 27th 2008 12:13PM

Nato and Crono,
Do feel stupid now...do you?
No soup for you guys.

samfish (Brawl: 2793 0291 2277) @ Mar 27th 2008 12:14PM

Remember what I told you the other day about dialing it back because you make it miserable for the rest of us, KillJebus?

We're still waiting for you to dial it back, thanks.

And knock it off with the concern trolling. It makes you look worse than usual.

deaftly @ Mar 27th 2008 12:15PM

If my girlfriend didn't enjoy wiisports so much, that piece of shit excuse for a game console would have been on ebay a long time ago. Ive kinda forced myself to buy games for the Wii just so I have a reason to turn it on. Metroid, Galaxy and Brawl are great but who are we kidding, Metroid is awesome, but the same shit just with new controls, Galaxy is just Mario 64 just more linear and Brawl is exactly the same fucking game as Melee. Sorry Nintendo fanboys but ive been pretty disappointed with the system in general.

NATO_Duke @ Mar 27th 2008 12:26PM

No troll - don't feel stupid because:

1) I don’t use Seinfeld references in 2008.

2) I don’t take someone else’s comments on events that haven't occurred yet as fact.

You are far from the person to be talking about stupid vs. smart when all you generally do is copy/paste.

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Mar 27th 2008 12:40PM

Check this thread, I made a non baiting post on what I think of the Wii and why it is BAD for the Nintendo faithful like Jerk Face.

I took so much shit from you guys back in 2007 when it was IN Vogue to bash Sony and praise Nintendo. I told you then as I am now that the Wii will show its true colors and that it will look old and busted soon enough.
Many of you laughed at me for it and I must say that I am quite enjoying my prediction coming into fruition.

Now, I am laughing at you Fernandos. And feeling sorry for the normal Nintendo fans that are getting tired of bending over for Reggie and pals.

At least when I post, I NEVER threaten or get mad (like Fernandos) I may be sarcastic (too much sometimes I know) but it is all meant to be in good fun and not malicious like some of you have said.

From time to time I will try to tone it down some. But I am a free thinking, free spirited, open minded person who does not take WORDS as seriously as most of you do.

If I have offended some of you, you will get over it. As for some of you offending me? NOT A CHANCE. In the words of Dubya..."Bring it on."

Frak, it's SNOWING AGAIN....by the Celestial Teapot...where is Spring?

Co @ Mar 27th 2008 12:49PM

Deaftly,

Everything you've said in your post regarding Wii can be said for the 360 in comparison to the original Xbox. STFU kid.

deaftly @ Mar 27th 2008 1:01PM

@ Co

Ok, thats quite the statement you just made. Please explain how what I posted even relates to the 360. Im sorry but I must have missed when MS just released the same system as their previous gen just with motion controls that don't work half the time. KID.

Co @ Mar 27th 2008 1:06PM

Every 360 game out that had a counterpart on the original Box is the same damn game. But instead of motion controls, it's just better textures and higher HD output. Shit, eve the PS3 compared to PS2. So what are you really saying? Not much.

Blazur @ Mar 27th 2008 1:08PM

Agreed. Only reason i'm holding onto my console is for SSBB and Galaxy, and occasional Wario Ware games when people are over.

Other than that this console is pathetically lame.

deaftly @ Mar 27th 2008 1:18PM

Yes, because there hasn't been any new titles on the 360 at all compared to xbox1. Bioshock, Gears, Mass Effect, Rock Band, Graw, Viva Pinata, Kameo, Condemned, Ass Creed, Crackdown and so on all say hello. Lets see the big titles on the Wii. Metroid, Mario and Zelda. WOW. So by your logic Nintendo has been putting out the same shit since the fucking NES.

Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Mar 27th 2008 1:19PM

Co's right.

I had the original Xbox and I recognise every big game released on the 360. It's just more of the same but with larger resolutions and "plasticky" graphics. There's not even the effort to even try anymore. I'm surprised most people aren't seeing this. It's a plague effecting both the Wii and 360.

In my opinion, the handhelds are the most interesting consoles this generation. At least with Nintendogs and Locoroco you get something different.

License to ill @ Mar 27th 2008 1:23PM

Damn reading these post I kept hearing twilight zone music in the back ground(ok in my head). All the things jerky has said is the reason why I jumped ship months ago, I won't bash the system Its just not the system for me...

Jerk Face @ Mar 27th 2008 1:35PM

Holy god, look what I started.

But like you said, Deaftly, I buy Wii games just because I feel bad for not using it and wasting my money. I really have only enjoyed three of them since it came out! That is a problem.

And anyone saying the 360 doesn't have good games is delusional. It has PLENTY of great games going for it, there is absolutely no way to argue against that.

And anyone saying the PS3 isn't turning around is kidding themselves too. It's clearly the most powerful system, and multicore processors are the way of the future. It's only a matter of time.

As for the Wii? Well, like I said before, at least my kids like it.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 27th 2008 1:52PM

I would, if that was all you said. But you also said:

"The WiiSports Machine is unveiling itself as it truly is, a novelty, old hardware, and a pack-in uber Faddish game that the minions know it for."

Which, is, like, the definition of opinion.

And I don't really care if you state your opinion as fact, I'm just giving you a hard time because you were dogging Fernando yesterday for the exact same thing. Revealing yourself to be a trolling hypocrite, instead of just a regular troll.

Blazur @ Mar 27th 2008 1:53PM

The 360 has excellent games and probably the most fine-tuned online system of the lot. But the thing is most of these games are also released on the PC, or eventually make it there as a port. So as a primarily PC gamer I have no reason to buy into that console (excluding GTAIV, which hopefully hits PC shelves soon).

Another thing that annoys me so much about the Wii is how crappy their online system is. They're really behind the times in that regard. But that has no bearing in this particular, so I'll save this rant for another thread.

kbomb1upc @ Mar 27th 2008 1:58PM

When was the last time Nintendo came out with a new IP that didn't involve Mario? Nintendo success is solely based only first party games, motion control and kids. This recipe may be good enough to win this generation but not good enough to put up PS2 numbers. PS2 was about variety, some the Wii right now clearly lacks. But I don't know if the 360 or PS3 can ever catch up.

tc @ Mar 27th 2008 2:07PM

Jerk Face, with all the replies to this thread i can only assume that YOUR HEAD ASPLODE!

Jerk Face @ Mar 27th 2008 2:09PM

Ha ha.. Dude, when I came back from my lunch break my Gmail Notifier icon was a middle finger.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 27th 2008 2:40PM

"When was the last time Nintendo came out with a new IP that didn't involve Mario?"

People keep saying this, and people like me always have to remind them about Pikmin and Animal Crossing, both of which were invented at the beginning of last generation. Also there is Disaster Day of Crisis (which may or may not still come out). Also: the entire "Wii *blank*" range of software is new IP, as was Excite Truck.

Mr Khan @ Mar 27th 2008 4:02PM

Hey, look at how cool and elitist i am, I can hate the Wii too! Mindlessly vote me up for it!

Please?

bm @ Mar 27th 2008 4:13PM

Haha, why does the OP get voted up while killjebuswhatever (who should really not be near any children, let alone raise one) gets voted down?

Oh, I know. It's because even Wii hating fantards can't stand him. :D

jcd @ Mar 27th 2008 4:25PM

posting in long thread.

Smash brawl = 2xMelee + tape

Fatass of Kickassness @ Mar 27th 2008 4:30PM

Really? I mean, I thought the whole 'over 250 fully orchestrated songs' thing in Brawl to be way better than the '28 horribly compressed, mostly MIDI songs' thing Melee had going. Plus, the controls feel much tighter, the list of things to unlock defeats Melee's by far, and the game is simply more fun to play.

Sure, the fighting system itself feels like Melee, but would you rather that it didn't? This is one of those situations where 'more of the same' is a good thing rather than bad.