Iwata 'sorry' for Nintendo E3 briefing; Wii supplies may still be tight this holiday
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jul 23rd 2008 at 12:00PM }
The other thing Iwata's conversation with Forbes covers is the continuing Wii supply shortage in the US. The CEO expresses that Nintendo is 100% committed to having Wii be available this holiday, but can't make any guarantee. He believes the best he can do right now is say the company is doing its best to supply the States with consoles.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
OMGOMG @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:04PM
This is awesome.
xFenixKnightx @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:07PM
Why?
OMGOMG @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:12PM
Just the fact that the community isn't allowing Ninty to rest on their laurels.
xFenixKnightx @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:18PM
I see, and I concur...
deaftly @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:31PM
Internets 1
Nintendo 0
bigsofty @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:16PM
Nintendo rape developers with there charges for development machines and licenses. this adds up to a very restrictive environment which hits the pocket AND the creativity of developers... nothing changes...
Mike @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:12PM
Nintendo's conference pretty much killed any hope I had for the system. My Wii has been telling me that I've got a message for close to a month now and I've yet to check it. The Wii is pretty much dead to me now. A part of me sheds a tear. :(
BigSoftie, you're right. The licensing fees cost far more than the budgets required to create a game on the 360 and PS3. The wii-mote is holding back a lot of creativity as well. You're teh smartz.
Nathew @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:52PM
@bigsofty:
what are you talking about? nintendo has the cheapest devkits of the current gen systems. i don't know about licensing fees, though.
Misfit Toy @ Jul 23rd 2008 10:00PM
Yeah, Iwata telling us that hardcore gamers get to have one game every year or two because it takes time is awesome. Meanwhile Microsoft and Sony are pushing out dozens of hardcore gamer games a year.
Ben @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:05PM
I just want a red Wiimote
Dr. Stabbingworth @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:06PM
As opposed to games worth playing?
Duke @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:40PM
I guess its the little things that matter for some. I would rather have games to use my white wiimotes with.
Ben @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:35PM
I gave up on new games after MarioKart. I'm excited for Animal Crossing as long as theres more to do than the DS version.
ballistic3188 @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:06PM
show some cgi trailer of fake realtime gameplay of games that won't be released until 2+ years from now will probably shut people up
Haggard @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:54PM
I think people would notice if you start announcing games with better graphics than Crysis on the Wii :P
Broseph @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:08PM
that's it.... apologgggiiiiizzzee
time @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:10PM
I forgive you. Show me some games now!
Xoviet chiK @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:10PM
Big titles do require time, but I thought one of the benefits for Wii was that it being closely based on pre-existing hardware you could easily streamline pre-production and development time.
I think what a lot of people fail to realize as well, that The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is the first handheld Zelda title developed by the core Zelda team (outside of Link's Awakening). It wasn't developed by a third party. So whatever Zelda title they are working on, they cut into that time with PH. Holiday 2009 is definitely the earliest we'll see Wii Zelda, which shouldn't be that big of a deal considering the four year wait for Twilight Princess. And TP had both Four Swords Adventures and Phantom Hourglass in development at the same time.
baby sea tuna @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:06PM
Phantom Hourglass, even with the constant backtracking, put Twilight Princess to shame.
Corbo @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:31PM
I was thinking along the same lines - everyone's demanding a big Zelda title every time Nintendo opens their mouths while also conveniently forgetting how long the previous ones took.
There have never been more than two main series Zelda titles on a single console. NES had I and II, SNES only ever got LttP, N64 had OoT and MM and the GameCube actually had more than most, if you count FSA and TP along with WW. Same goes for the main Mario series, more or less.
So before everyone goes nuts about the absence of a new Zelda game (then complains that Nintendo makes too many sequels) lets just remember that Zelda games aren't like Madden or FIFA retreads. They put a lot of time into each one, hence why it's generally agreed to be one of the greatest game series of all time.
Or, the tl;dr summary - time is linear, guys. That means we have to wait for stuff. Deal with it.
DBuck_Eye @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:40PM
@ Baby Sea Turtle: I'm not so sure Phantom Hourglass was the cell-shaded Zelda that put TP to shame, but one of them sure did. *cough, cough* Wind Waker *cough, cough*
Pedobear @ Jul 23rd 2008 7:35PM
@Corbo
Well it maybe true that we only get 1 or 2 Zelda games per Nintendo console, we've had 0 for the Wii so far, as I hardly count a GC port a Wii game, even though the graphics may be the same. I'm sure they could've announced another Zelda game.
qbix @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:12PM
They can't meet the demand over a year and a half later? I have a hard time believing this isn't manufactured hype.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:16PM
How can it be "manufactured hype" if every month the Wii outsell the competition, combined?
They are even increasing the production, and een at this current rate, is selling a lot faster than the PS2 did.
Guzzie @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:23PM
Third holiday season shortage?
Just because they sell a lot doesn't mean they aren't capable of making more. The demand has been high from the get go, Nintendo just isn't investing in more factories because they want it to be unobtainable.
Shaq-Fu @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:32PM
yes, that way they get away with selling their consoles at a higher price than Sony or Microsoft. Oh, wait...
primetime4 @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:38PM
The weak dollar and $250 set price definitely means not as many Wii's for the US. The added hype is a bonus.
Dirty @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:14PM
I saw quite a few wiis at my local target, where they have never been in stock. Wonder if it was the press conference?
Mr. Numeros @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:34PM
@shaq-fu: Nintendo makes $ on every console, Sony and u-soft do not.
giantenemycrab @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:54PM
If Nintendo REALLY was having production problems this late in the game, some serious heads would roll. I'm talking entire teams of people being fired. Nintendo has totally lost my respect, faking supply shortages because "demand is just too high," and totally dumping on us people who actually care about Nintendo because you're making enough money from the soccer moms.
Reminds me of this comic:
http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=269
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:14PM
I have been very busy this last days, so I'm just reading all the previous Joystiq news and comments.
And this is getting ridiculous. Part of the problem is, that you guys (not only commenters, but also the bloggers) really think that the only games available for the Wii this year is Wii Music and Animal Crossing.
Tell me: Is Resistance 2 and LBP the only games coming this year for the PS3? Of course not. There are a lot of games that Sony fanboys know , that Joystiq don't report, and that wasn't announced on this E3.
I only see bash about the Wii having no games, and thats ridiculous, specially coming from PS3 fanboys. Yes, you just barely had your first truly AAA title, MGS4, just a month ago. But the Wii already have a lot of great titles (better reviewed than MGS4 btw).
And you guys are hyped because Sony announced Killzone 2, Resistance 2 and LBP. Guess what? Those games were announced years ago. What else did they show? God of War? That was CGI and it wont be released anytime soon.
The Wii has a lot of games that can be considered as good games coming this year... a lot. And there are not "just wait until..." games, because the Wii is still selling.
Just because you guys don't know about the upcoming games, it doesn't mean that there are no games. Heck, I just bought Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Dungeon for the Wii. Is an easy roguelike/dungeon crawler RPG, and I can tell you that that game is a lot more hardcore than a lot of PS3 title.
John Z @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:21PM
I wondered where you were and what you thought of all this.
I also have to second the Chocobo Dungeon recommendation-- I didn't pick it up because I'm not a big fan of Rogue-likes (in one of those twists of irony, they're always TOO hard for me), but it definitely IS something for the core audience.
Danny @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:23PM
You're a fanboy. The Wii has very few games coming out this year that I would consider "good" games. That is to say, games that could hold my attention for more than an hour. But that's really only part of the issue. Iwata said nothing about new games in the pipeline, that would shut me up immediately or at least until I knew what they were. He just said that they wanted to make core gamers feel less alienated "by any means necessary" which to me says they are now scrambling for ideas so they can churn out another piece of crap with Nintendo characters attached.
You use the same tired fanboy excuse that your system of choice is in the lead. Well I'd like to see how many of those people buying Wiis are truly having fun with them, including you.
RC @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:35PM
Metacritic
Games scoring 80 or better
PS3 58
Wii 25
Reuben @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:38PM
Well, you seem to be operating on some blind Nintendo faith. So, with that said, I'll level with you. You say that there are big games on the way for Wii that weren't announced and that no one knows about. Since you have no proof, and I have no proof that they don't exist, we're sort of at a standstill.
I used to be a huge Nintendo fan. I was extremely excited for the Wii, and I planned to wait on line to be one of the lucky ones. Nintendo's line up of "shovelware" and casual games has pushed me away from them to such a degree that I don't even want a Wii anymore. The Wii has some great, impressive games, I admit... but in reality the Wii has hundreds of games, more games than any other system, and therefore it has the most crap.
Nintendo's E3 conference could have been their time to shine in the eyes of the hardcore gamer, but they chose not to wow us. Now, I know that you're known around here for your blind Nintendo fanaticism, but I for one am through.
By the way, I'd like you to name any Wii game that got better scores than Metal Gear Solid 4 all around. I'm not a PS3 Fanboy, but you're just begging to be proven wrong.
Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:42PM
Citing metacritic averages and acting like it proves anything is asinine.
xFenixKnightx @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:44PM
Oh dude, Fernando. We're buddies and all but I think you should just let it go man. Bottom line is the Wii isn't getting any major games that can match Xbox360 or PS3's lineup anytime soon and thats why most of us are bitching. =/ E308 has solidified this. The Conduit and MadWorld look good but theres just so many multiplat 360/PS3 titles the Wii is going to be left out of for obvious reasons.
Dead Space
Street Fighter IV
Far Cry 2
Resident Evil 5
Quantum of Solace 007
Fallout 3
Tekken 6
MK VS DC Universe
Mirror's Edge
Dark Void
UFC 2009 Undisputed
Fight Night Round 4
PURE
Star Ocean: The Last Hope
Final Fantasy XIII
MassEffect 2
Bioshock 2
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (I keed :P)
Left 4 Dead
Soul Calibur 4
Mercs 2
Saints Row 2
Prince of Persia
Prototype
TC HAWX
Darksiders: Wrath of War
Dude I know lists suck but the proof is there. At least Gamecube had a fighting chance in the competition. Nintendo knows EXACTLY why they are winning this thing and thats why they are attacking aggressively with soccer mom smiley lady at E3 this year.
:(
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:45PM
"You say that there are big games on the way for Wii that weren't announced and that no one knows about"
No dude... I didn't said that. I said that there are a lot of announced games. But, here in Joystiq there are never announced. For example: this next weeks two games by Telltale are going to be released on the Wii: Strongbad, and Sam & Max.
"By the way, I'd like you to name any Wii game that got better scores than Metal Gear Solid 4 all around"
Based on Metacritic average reviews: Super Mario Galaxy and Twilight Princess are above MGS4, and SSBB has the same score as MGS4.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:50PM
Fenix
I guess is a matter of preference. Just like you are waiting those games, I will buy some of those games too. I want Gears of War 2, Street Fighter IV, Fallout III, Fable, Mirror's Edge.
But I'm also waiting for a lot of Wii games. I definitely want Tales of Symphonia 2, Soul Eater (by Square Enix) and specially Fragile: Farewell Ruins of the Moon, by tre-Cresendo (this is my most wanted game for all this year), just to name a few.
hdbrown465 @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:52PM
Which "good" games are coming exclusively to the Wii thats not on the 360 or PS3? Animal Crossing? Oh, I can't wait to play it and then let my Wii collect dust for another 3 months.
And by the way, Nintendo is holding back supply to fuel demand. It doesn't matter if the Wii is the #1 system in the U.S. The components used to manufacture a Wii are not as advanced as a 360,a PS3, or even an iPhone.
Danny @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:51PM
No dude... I didn't said that. I said that there are a lot of announced games.
But what if I want to play Fable 2? Or Mirror's Edge? Or Fallout 3? You know I wouldn't be here bitching if the Wii had good third party support and low first party offerings(Sony I'm looking at you). Basically the 360 and PS3 are getting very similar lineups pretty much making them comparable while the Wii is "trying something new" which is industry code for targeting soccer moms.
Shaq-Fu @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:02PM
RC: How many of those PS3 games are exclusives? How many of those Wii games are exclusives? I want those numbers, not multi-platform numbers
xFenixKnightx @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:16PM
"Soul Eater (by Square Enix) and specially Fragile: Farewell Ruins of the Moon, by tre-Cresendo"
Dang, I've never even heard of these games. To each his own brotha. Still, Nintendo sold out the "Core" gamers AND the Nintendo franchise lovers. I really hope Iwata is sincere and starts firing some people high up so we can get back to the *real Nintendo Power.
Zoesch @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:19PM
On behalf of the thinking world... shut the fuck up please. This is an article about Nintendo, not a rant about Sony, you can take your hatred of Sony to the appropriate thread.
So Iwata apologized, OK, well done, now could he also shed light as to what they're working on?
Second, if you think Reggie and Cammie did their casual show without Iwata's aproval I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you.
4MyFriends @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:31PM
Oh come on Fernando, you should have known reasoning with the people here is a waste of your time. They have made up their minds, let them be. Nintendo will still dominate this generation, we will still get our zelda/kid icarus/pikmin/whatever and the haters will enjoy the games whether they want to admit it or not.
It's sad that the main reason people like to hate on Nintendo is the fact most of them grew up with the Playstation and enjoyed seeing Nintendo fail, seeing them succeed frightens them. I bet most of you wouldn't object if it was Sony who was milking casuals(which both Microsoft and Sony are starting to do. I can't wait until they officially announce their motion based controls later this year).
Killjebus @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:33PM
Man Fenix...after seeing that list I see Hardcore/Oldschool/Original/Realgamers are going to be taken VERY GOOD CARE OF by Sony and Microsoft.
That list is GOLD for Gamers.
Killjebus @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:40PM
Hey Fernandos
The Wii has just STARTED taking the bashing that the PS3 did for a year and a half...so, I will say you have no right to bitch about a weeks worth of Wii bashing...talk to me in lets say oh....540 days or so.
As for this article?
At this point in time Nintendo is doing one of these things as to the reason of shortages STILL.
A. Refuses to build more factories or enough of them to meet demand, that way...it creates a want with the scarcity of the console.
B. They are REALLY doing everything they can to meet demand...if that is the case, then CLEARLY Nintendo logistical skills are at a 6th grade level.
I say A...Nintendo is NOT dumb.
4MyFriends @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:41PM
"That list is GOLD for Gamers."
That list also has a high number of GTA clones and/or FPSs. Unless you say "core" gamers only play games with gratuitous violence, sex and guns.
Killjebus @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:42PM
WOW 4myfriends.
I will never, evah evah evah evah evah evah tell you that you lack imagination.
Well done sir.
Joeshie @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:52PM
Sorry Fernado, but no amount of Nintendo ass-kissing can turn back the clock and stop the fact that Nintendo fucked up royally at E3.
Everyone keeps saying that the Wii has "good" games coming, which I won't necessarily disagree with. The problem is that Nintendo is abandoning promoting these "good" games in favor of promotion a ton of casual stuff that will mostly likely be either mediocre or trash.
Nintendo could have completely salvaged their conference at the end if they had taken five minutes at the end to say, "Hey, check out these potentially great core games we have coming." They wouldn't even necessarily have to be first party titles. I would be far more excited to see some AAA third-party titles even hinted at for the Wii, seeing as that's one of it's greatest weaknesses.
So what can we tell from this? Either A) Nintendo doesn't have any great games coming in the pipeline for the Wii or B) Nintendo thinks that casual games are far more important than core games.
Either way is bad news.