View Full Version : Wii launch window games.
I spied this over at HardOCP and it seemed interesting.
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1029558933&postcount=1
Everyone knows the launch titles already (seen here: http://wii.ign.com/articles/709/709258p1.html), but Nintendo has released a PDF with "launch window" games, or at least most will be available within the first 6 months of launch?
http://press.nintendo.com/object?id=9821
If you can't see it without logging in, enter "media" as the username and "dslite" as the password. (heh, have fun on the press page)!
Now, all those entries into the PDF that just say "TBD" or "Action Game" aside, it seems like Nintendo is planning on pumping out a Zelda, Metroid, and a Mario game in the launch window. Not at all like last time when these games slowly trickled out. Zelda suffered from being too cartoony in most peoples eyes, Metroid was great but the 1st person alienated old fans I think, and in most peoples eyes Mario Sunshine didn't even hold a candle to Mario 64 when it finally showed up.
This time around Zelda is highly anticipated, and Mario looks like it will play amazingly. With the 360 not having any strong brand exclusives at the moment, and the PS3 not looking to launch with any strong brand exclusives either, it seems Nintendo might be able to at least secure a not so distant 3rd place this time around, huh? By November I'd expect MS to have at least a few strong brand exclusives out. Gears of War is the one I'm looking forward to. But Sony?
My only concern is, what exactly do they consider the "Launch window"?
|MaguS|
06-14-06, 09:54 AM
I spied this over at HardOCP and it seemed interesting.
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1029558933&postcount=1
Now, all those entries into the PDF that just say "TBD" or "Action Game" aside, it seems like Nintendo is planning on pumping out a Zelda, Metroid, and a Mario game in the launch window. Not at all like last time when these games slowly trickled out. Zelda suffered from being too cartoony in most peoples eyes, Metroid was great but the 1st person alienated old fans I think, and in most peoples eyes Mario Sunshine didn't even hold a candle to Mario 64 when it finally showed up.
This time around Zelda is highly anticipated, and Mario looks like it will play amazingly. With the 360 not having any strong brand exclusives at the moment, and the PS3 not looking to launch with any strong brand exclusives either, it seems Nintendo might be able to at least secure a not so distant 3rd place this time around, huh? By November I'd expect MS to have at least a few strong brand exclusives out. Gears of War is the one I'm looking forward to. But Sony?
My only concern is, what exactly do they consider the "Launch window"?
Launch window is considered before, during and usually a week after launch. X360 not having any strong exclusive titles at launch? Ever play Kameo? Great game. As for the PS3 lacking strong exclusive titles, how do you know? Very few titles have been confirmed for launch and the ones that have are all exclusive (Resistence, Warhawk, Full Auto 2, Fatal Inertia, Untold Legends, Virtua Tennis 3). I know im excited about Resistence, Warhawk and Untold Legends... Both Resistence and Warhawk have great developers backing it and the original Untold Legends was fun as heck!
CaptNKILL
06-14-06, 10:01 AM
:lol:
When I read the thread title I thought it meant that the Wii would support Windows games. :wonder:
Launch window is considered before, during and usually a week after launch. X360 not having any strong exclusive titles at launch? Ever play Kameo? Great game. As for the PS3 lacking strong exclusive titles, how do you know? Very few titles have been confirmed for launch and the ones that have are all exclusive (Resistence, Warhawk, Full Auto 2, Fatal Inertia, Untold Legends, Virtua Tennis 3). I know im excited about Resistence, Warhawk and Untold Legends... Both Resistence and Warhawk have great developers backing it and the original Untold Legends was fun as heck!
I wasn't really refering to how good the game was when I said strong, so much as its brand recognition. I mean, Kameo could be a great game, I plan to get it once I'm done playing the games I already have, but it won't move systems like Final Fantasy, Halo, or Zelda, you know? Same goes for those PS3 games you listed. They could all be amazing, and might have a little bit of brand behind them, but do you honestly think they could sell systems the way a launch with Final Fantasy would? Was it you who worked for EA or somebody else? If it was you, you should know all about how brand sells games more often than actual game quality :P
Resistence does look good though. Probably the only PS3 launch title I'd be interested in.
|MaguS|
06-14-06, 10:22 AM
I think nintendo is killing their "strong" brand names, hell the Wii zelda is nothing more then a port of the Gamecubes, the only difference that we know of is the control style which has even been state can be changed on the Wii to make it feel traditional.
I personal would rather have fresh new IPs then the same crap over and over. How many times is Princess Peach going to get kidnapped... hire her so Fing bodyguards already... Metroid got ruined for me when it went FPS, no matter how many people scream how great it is, I can't get into it. I loved the original 2D so much, would have prefered if they went 3rd Person over FPS.
Brands don't mean much anymore actually. Look at Madden, it lost alot of its hold on the market once NFL2k Series released. Many football fans recognized that Madden lost its edge, only reason its going to sell now is because its the only NFL Football game on the market now.
I think gamers are looking for new stuff now, sure Zelda titles and Mario titles will continue to sell well but a game like Heavenly Sword and Gears of War are grabbing people just as much.
I personal would rather have fresh new IPs then the same crap over and over. How many times is Princess Peach going to get kidnapped... hire her so Fing bodyguards already... Metroid got ruined for me when it went FPS, no matter how many people scream how great it is, I can't get into it. I loved the original 2D so much, would have prefered if they went 3rd Person over FPS.
Brands don't mean much anymore actually. Look at Madden, it lost alot of its hold on the market once NFL2k Series released. Many football fans recognized that Madden lost its edge, only reason its going to sell now is because its the only NFL Football game on the market now.
I think gamers are looking for new stuff now, sure Zelda titles and Mario titles will continue to sell well but a game like Heavenly Sword and Gears of War are grabbing people just as much.
Recognizable franchise titles at launch will definitely help sells consoles. Most people are looking to buy a Playstation 3 in anticipation of sequels like Metal Gear, Grand Turismo, Tekken etc. Even Xbox 360 owners are eagerly waiting for Halo 3. If MS and Sony are banking on their well known IP to sell consoles why should it be any different for Nintendo?
:lol:
When I read the thread title I thought it meant that the Wii would support Windows games. :wonder:
Yeah, same here. Oh well...
LiquidX
06-14-06, 11:04 AM
I think nintendo is killing their "strong" brand names, hell the Wii zelda is nothing more then a port of the Gamecubes, the only difference that we know of is the control style which has even been state can be changed on the Wii to make it feel traditional.
I personal would rather have fresh new IPs then the same crap over and over. How many times is Princess Peach going to get kidnapped... hire her so Fing bodyguards already... Metroid got ruined for me when it went FPS, no matter how many people scream how great it is, I can't get into it. I loved the original 2D so much, would have prefered if they went 3rd Person over FPS.
Brands don't mean much anymore actually. Look at Madden, it lost alot of its hold on the market once NFL2k Series released. Many football fans recognized that Madden lost its edge, only reason its going to sell now is because its the only NFL Football game on the market now.
I think gamers are looking for new stuff now, sure Zelda titles and Mario titles will continue to sell well but a game like Heavenly Sword and Gears of War are grabbing people just as much.
I guess I am the opposite. I usually look to Sony or MS for fresh new IPs and to Nintendo for that tried and new Zelda, Mario or Metroid. I think it will be the same this time around also. Wii for mainly Nintendo made games and other unique exclusives. Been that way since Nintendo 64 for me.
I think nintendo is killing their "strong" brand names, hell the Wii zelda is nothing more then a port of the Gamecubes, the only difference that we know of is the control style which has even been state can be changed on the Wii to make it feel traditional.
I personal would rather have fresh new IPs then the same crap over and over. How many times is Princess Peach going to get kidnapped... hire her so Fing bodyguards already... Metroid got ruined for me when it went FPS, no matter how many people scream how great it is, I can't get into it. I loved the original 2D so much, would have prefered if they went 3rd Person over FPS.
Brands don't mean much anymore actually. Look at Madden, it lost alot of its hold on the market once NFL2k Series released. Many football fans recognized that Madden lost its edge, only reason its going to sell now is because its the only NFL Football game on the market now.
I think gamers are looking for new stuff now, sure Zelda titles and Mario titles will continue to sell well but a game like Heavenly Sword and Gears of War are grabbing people just as much.
Well, you've made it obvious that your personal feelings towards Mario, Zelda and Metroid won't sell the system to you, and thats perfectly valid, for you. But when you take that and claim that "people" will do the same as you imply, I'm going to have to call you on that, although I think you may have a point when you say new IP can move systems too. It was a combination of God of War and Katamari Damacy that motivated me to buy a PlayStation 2 after all.
The thing is though, the only IP that Sony has as old as Nintendo's is Final Fantasy. That is it. Most of their IP started with the Playstation 1. Nintendo's IP has been building up for 20 years or more. You obviously view this as their IP being stale, but I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. You have games that ruin their IP like Tomb Raider, and then you have IPs that are pretty consistantly good, like Zelda and Metroid. Now I know in your opinion these IPs have been ruined, but in my opinion, and in many others, they are still great titles to look forward to. This isn't about how valid our feelings towards these games are, but how many people share these feelings.
And on that note, I have not heard a single negative comment from the gaming press on the new Zelda, Mario, or Metroid. Just the same as I've never heard a negative mainstream opinion about Final Fantasy, Halo, DragonQuest, or any of those other strong IPs. This tells me that those IPs are still strong, much unlike my previous Tomb Raider example. Might & Magic's IP has gotten pretty banged up too. And if they are strong, they can still move systems effectively. More effectively than the 360's current lineup, or the PS3's launch lineup, I can almost assure you.
On one hand I can say I am sick as hell of Mario and some of the Nintendo recycles, but then I can admit that I love the Final Fantasy games, Street Fighters, Tekkens, King of Fighters, Devil May Crys, and various other games that are in their third or higher incarnations.
Yeah, I don't really understand why some people criticize Nintendo for their franchises that "rehash" storylines, characters and/or gameplay, yet hype games such as MGS4, DMC4, GTA4, and FFXIII, which do so in the very same vein or more so.
Zelda_fan
06-14-06, 12:43 PM
I think gamers are looking for new stuff now, sure Zelda titles and Mario titles will continue to sell well but a game like Heavenly Sword and Gears of War are grabbing people just as much.
I like how you say this, but then go beat off to the latest batch of MGS4 videos.
Zelda TP will be a GREAT game. Who cares if the characters are re-hashed. Mario Galexy will be a GREAT game.
H3avyM3tal
06-14-06, 01:18 PM
Zelda_fan, will you try to bringing in something constructive to the forums for once? You know what, I'll agree with you that those games will be great.
It's just that the problem with these kind of games, is that they never really change. Im not saying it's bad at all.
Im just saying that there are other games and chances for great ones.
you can't really compare IPs like sports to other types Magus, cuz the sports games you refer to are just like real life. There is nothing more to them than you already know. But people still see them. Or play them, for that matter.
With me, it's more like I really want for that 'mature' kind of game. And after god of war, the future is brighter. FF games will continue to be great, becasuse each one has a new story to tell. So does MGS or DMC. In the racing genre, while it is sports, there is still lots to be added. Can you think of reason to put in dmg models in Madden? Niether do I.
Come on Zelda _fan, try to be somewhat ojective here, I am sure you too want to play something more than Zelda or Mario.
There is some truth in both of the arguments. Keeping the same franchise/characters/concept is okay if balanced with innovations in the gameplay, or when a proven foruma is backed with a high quality, nearly flawless execution.
Unfortunately, many of todays sequels lack of the necessary oompth to be anything but mere expansions (Yet sold at full price).
Despite this, established franchises still sell very well regardless of the quality. The worst example is EA sports titles but you can hardly blame EA itself when there's a market ready to swallow anything. The top suits might not care too much about customers when making businness decisions but they surely do care about revenues. So, if year after year, we keep seeing the same soup, it would be wiser to put the blame on customers rather than on software publishers.
Zelda_fan
06-14-06, 01:52 PM
Come on Zelda _fan, try to be somewhat ojective here, I am sure you too want to play something more than Zelda or Mario.
Of course I do. When did I ever say I didn't? And if you paid attention to E3, you'd see that Wii has several new IPs. Project HAMMER is one. RedSteel is another.
My point is this. We all love franchises. Maybe you don't like Mario, and I don't like MGS. However, you don't hear me going around saying MGS4 is just a rehash, and then praising how great Zelda is going to be.
When it comes down to it, I just want to play a great game. I don't really give a **** if it's a "new IP" or not. If it's a good game, it's a good game period. Anything else is simply fanboyism (and there is a lot of that on these forums).
Despite this, established franchises still sell very well regardless of the quality. The worst example is EA sports titles but you can hardly blame EA itself when there's a market ready to swallow anything.bThe top suits might not care too much about customers when making businness decisions but they surely do care about revenues. So, if year after year, we keep seeing the same soup, it would be wiser to put the blame on costumers rather than on software publishers.
Well, it's getting off topic, but EA does have exclusive deals with the sports organizations for those games. I'm sure someone would make a better one if it were legal to. I mean, other companies CAN make sports games, they just can't use real players, teams, stadiums, etc. At least, thats my understanding of it. I forget how many sports EA has bagged like that.
Although, on a side note, wouldn't it be interesting if any competent developer could use any IP they wanted? Sure, we'd get some real stinkers, but we'd get some real gems too. Especially from the IPs that companies have killed off, like Dungeon Keeper, Ultima, Wing Commander, Populous, and pretty much everything else that went into the gaping maw of EA.
With me, it's more like I really want for that 'mature' kind of game. And after god of war, the future is brighter. FF games will continue to be great, becasuse each one has a new story to tell. So does MGS or DMC. In the racing genre, while it is sports, there is still lots to be added. Can you think of reason to put in dmg models in Madden? Niether do I.
Your reasoning for which games are okay to have sequals is really dumb. You are saying that its okay for those games to be have sequels because there is a different story in each case (even though the characters and gameplay seem to stay the same). Yet if Nintendo reuses characters and stories, but changes the gameplay, then its rehashing? Maybe for youself, but I'd prefer new gameplay over a new story and the same gameplay.
Zelda_fan
06-14-06, 02:51 PM
Your reasoning for which games are okay to have sequals is really dumb. You are saying that its okay for those games to be have sequels because there is a different story in each case (even though the characters and gameplay seem to stay the same). Yet if Nintendo reuses characters and stories, but changes the gameplay, then its rehashing? Maybe for youself, but I'd prefer new gameplay over a new story and the same gameplay.
It's called he's a Sony fanboy. Which is ok. Nothing wrong with being a fanboy as long as he recognizes it.
Your reasoning for which games are okay to have sequals is really dumb. You are saying that its okay for those games to be have sequels because there is a different story in each case (even though the characters and gameplay seem to stay the same). Yet if Nintendo reuses characters and stories, but changes the gameplay, then its rehashing? Maybe for youself, but I'd prefer new gameplay over a new story and the same gameplay.
It gets dumber when you realize those "new" stories are about as different from the old story as West Side Story is from Romeo and Juliet. What, I have to take out terrorist again in Splinter Cell? Someone is building a Metal Gear in Metal Gear Solid? The world is ending again in EVERY JAPANESE RPG? *Shrug* So I have to save a princess again in Mario/Zelda, big deal. And what games don't just redo the story from the last game, usually borrow a story from another game. Or mix and match story elements. I think Tom Clancy has an auto generator for the stories in his games.
The only games I've played with truely unique and interesting stories I can count on one hand. Planescape Torment, Baldur's Gate, System Shock 2, and uh...I guess thats about it.
Although, to be fair, most games elaborate on the story's more. Spice up the characters, take different slants on them, elaborate on the relations between them, maybe infuse the lead character with a terminal ANGST. Outside of Zelda, most Nintendo games use the story as a gameplay premise and thats about it.
H3avyM3tal
06-14-06, 05:27 PM
I didn't say that they should through mario and zelda in the trash can...
You know what, forget about the story. You have new characters, new settings, new game mechanics (to some extent). It still is refreshing. I have nothing against mario or zelda, nothing at all. It's just something that I used to play alot when I was a little kid, and since than, my taste broadened.
And Im not a sony fanboy (although I once said I was). Im a fanboy of the games that the PS brand gets. I could care less where I play my GT or MGS, or FF for that matter. And those are just examples.
I know it all comes down to taste, but no need to say that certain games suck ass while other do not. I may not like Halo's pink aliens, but I sure don't think the games suck. A game that made this number of gamers happy can't be bad. Same goes for Mario, or Zelda for that matter. But times do change, and I do prefer the more mature games. And most FF, every MGS, or other games that you would like, are no walk in the park (in terms of story).
When you look for something diffrent, you need to look real good, cuz after all, what sells are proven formulas.
hazindu
06-20-06, 09:23 AM
Does anyone here remember what the thread title is?;) Anyway, I feel the need to toss in my $.02
1. Innovation CAN be but isn't necessarily a good thing. There is something to be said for a proven formula. The New Super Mario Bros is a perfect example, little new, lots of old, and tons of fun. Chrono Cross's battle system, on the other hand is a fine example of the dangers of innovating for the sake of innovating. Some people praised Square's effort, while most were perfectly happy with Crono Trigger's atb.
2. Truly original stories are just not possible. Every story is in some way inspired by something. Even the Bible is not immune, the Old Testament was inspired by (or a rip off of if you want to put it that way) Isreal and the Promise Land. The New Testament is more or less a biography of Jesus Christ. Star Wars borrows many aspects of Shakespear's work, and Shakespear's work was a inspired by his observations of humanity. OK ok, whatever. Bottom line, if Final Fantasy can continue to tell good stories that revolve more around the characters than the world they save btw, then more power to them. Btw, WTF plays Super Mario games for the story???:rolleyes:
3. Who can denie that name recognition is important. One of the biggest factors in the PS2s success is the PS1. They sold out on launch day despite a high price and lack of conpelling games, and eventually went on to dominate the console market. I believe the gamers supported PS2 because of the PS1s household name, and the developers support PS2 because the gamers do. Also, I see people pre-ordering every time a new Zelda game comes out long before the first reviews and often before any indept previews come out. If Nintendo said "to Hell" with the Zelda series and made Elf Boy Action Puzzle Adventure for Wii, would it be sold out before the first reviews turned up?
btw, what games are expected at Wii's launch(nana2)
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