Have I seemed a bit grumpy and overly critical of Nintendo lately, especially during such a momentous announcement as the Wii one from yesterday? Maybe. But don’t view such judgment as a bad thing, just a culmination of scrutinizing Wii coverage by a Nintendo enthusiast for well over a year. That and a little last minute gamer doubt.
I have never followed the pre-launch of a gaming platform this closely. Ever. It all started back in March or April of 2005 on a pseudo daily occurrence right before Infendo was born. Though I had anticipated the launch of the GameCube back in 2001, it was nothing compared to how meticulously I’ve followed the Wii. If anyone where to ask me in the last 18 months what was going on with the console or its manufacturer, I could tell them in precise detail, quick-like. Heck, I should be on Nintendo’s payroll for all the evangelizing I seem to be doing.
I have played Wii (or at least a near-final prototype in May) and really enjoyed my limited time with the system. The controller made a believer out of me. The problem was I only played games in 20 minute chunks. So while I’m convinced the console will be a casual hit, Nintendo hasn’t completely sold me on the experience of comprehensive gaming, not that they won’t.
This isn’t the first time I’ve had my doubts about a Nintendo platform, though. I questioned the DS from the moment I saw it at E3 2004, and Nintendo proved me (and many others) wrong since then. Currently the DS remains my most favored gaming platform for the engaging casual and in-depth software it offers. I guess what this all boils down to is a gamer coming to terms with inevitable, unproven, but very promising change. Can I get a witness, or am I alone in Wii coverage burnout, inner-gamer doubts, and a desire to just play games?
I totally agree with you. Nintendo kept their promises, which is more than you can say for most corporations. While my confidence is still a little shaky in regards to the Wii i can't say i am disapointed with all the specifics annouced yesterday.
I am burned out :-), and will retire to the West.Or I'll just make some more posts this afternoon and go to a pub somewhere.
It's funny really, to me. I remember, about 2 years ago, I was falling off of the Nintendo bandwagon. I just wasn't impressed with their direction as a whole. I was not impressed with console gaming in general really. I had started to play more PC games, get into MMOs because they were cost effective and full of content to last months and years. But then the DS came about… it was the 1st time to me that it really seemed a company was trying to change things in the gaming industry and not just stick to what's worked in the past. I followed it's development and into its inception, but I didn't immediately buy one. My tax return came… and I couldn't resist. I had to try it. I knew the PsP was cool, but pretty much crap when it came to games, and the DS, at the very least had something different to offer.You see, I had become complacent with gaming. I loved the relaxation and the artform of videogames, but it seemed that even Nintendo was just riding the trends. Until the DS came out… games like Yoshi Touch and Go and Kirby Cursed Canvas sold me on the idea that Nintendo had… to innovate in the industry, truly innovate, for the 1st time in almost 20 years.I'm burnt out yeah on all this news, but I still keep fishing for more. The next 2 months will be long, no doubt, but since E306, N's proven that their goal to reshape gaming and broaden the audience just might work.I think Brian Crecente over at Kotaku said, "They've swayed me from thinking they'll be a moderate success, to widely successful". That's how I feel. There's no doubt for me, that with all the 3rd party support and positive reactions from folks who've played the system that it will live up to the hype. They're moving towards bridging the gap between the player and the game itself, by giving you more immersive control over the game… no more simply pushing buttons and rotating joysticks. Those things are there, but so are the times when you reach out and turn your hand, and find your in-game persona doing the same thing and opening a door.It's such simple genius, I'm amazed no one thought of this before. So sorry to ramble, but in short. It's been a crazy week of news, with some great revelations, and now… more than ever… I can't wait to bring home my own Wii for the 1st time, and prompty punch the heck out of my wife in WiiBoxing.Salute, Big N.
I am all over the Wii like white on rice. I read an article online where they person complained that the game scene as it exists today (mostly) is "guys with guns".I'm sick of it! I want absurd, totally stupid, utterly retarded, I'm-embarassed-I'm-playing-this-game kind of games.I WANT TO HAVE AN F-IN BAKE OFF WITH MY FRIENDS. GIVE ME THE F-IN COOKING GAMES ALREADY.PS: I'm 32.
Speaking of which… Am I the only one to notice a Cokking Mama like looking game in the new Wii trailer? 'cuz Cooking Mama is so awsome, If it's coming to the Wii i'll be dancing, I realy will.
Kokernutz, that's freaking hilarious!!!
@BlakeAmen brotha!I have been through some ups and downs with the news/hype cycle, to be honest, for all 3 consoles. I agree with what you are saying whole heartedly but multiplied by 3 since I've been watching them all. I was so excited at first for the 360, and then the reports of the overheating etc. I was stoked about the crazy stats of the PS3, then the final hardware was nowhere close to what was initially revealed. It just seems like everyone in this industry is out to jerk us around one way or another. So far Nintendo seems to be doing it less but not immune completely, so your doubt is completely justified.Now if we could just get the gaming sites to quit jerking us around. I mean, you work at joystiq, what is up over there? That place seems out of control and its only making an uncertain time in the industry even worse. Can't somebody get a new editor in chief over there before it gets completely out of hand. I personally know at least 5 readers who are done with joystiq. Please don't let this place get out of control. I would hate to see another great site take such a hit.
This burnout reminds me of the E3 burnout… This is what happens when people follow a hobby with unhealthy obsession! Gaming is supposed to be fun and entertainment, not a lifetime career! (Unless you are a game developer, of course, but that is a completely different world than that of just playing games, I suppose!)It's time to take a break, relax, sit back and enjoy some of the great games that have come out this past year and forget about the Wii until November 19…