Nintendo: Project Cafe - Wii U

[Weekend_Warrior]

It's true that Nintendo's systems usually sell very well. But their third-party developers' games on the other hand... that's where they've really struggled. I mean.. who the hell wants to develop games for a Nintendo system when they don't sell, and Nintendo doesn't do anything to help market them?

I do think Nintendo did a nice job promoting EA Sports Active with the Balance Board support. And look how that did - pretty well. But I can't think of any others beyond that. Can you?

[MrPopo]

Dragon Quest VI and IX, though that might be cheating since Nintendo published them here. Personally I don't see any reason why Nintendo should do anything to help out third parties aside from giving them good dev kits with great documentation. If a third party doesn't feel it necessary to allocate some amount of budget to promoting a title on a Nintendo platform then they shouldn't be surprised when the game doesn't do so well.

[fastbilly1]

I am just curious to how it will all go down. Nintendo could say it is backwards compatible with Wii titles and controllers (they are all bluetooth anyway), and still develop the Wii titles. Ofcourse this is all speculation until it is announced.

[ZeroAX]

What MrPopo said + Nintendo left the Wii without any major releases for close to a year, and the 3rd party publishers did nothing to pick up the slack.


Let's face it, Nintendo is quality wise, the best publisher out there. The reason they can't compete with them, is because their games just aren't as good. Why do 3rd party games on the DS sell a lot? It's because the developers got the hang of what makes a good DS game.

[Jamisonia]

What I'm worried about is that Nintendo would be able to release a sufficiently powerful console within their price point. I don't like how the Nintendo console is being compared as "slightly more powerful". It comes with the air of Nintendo being behind hardware wise, and they're just now catching up. Clearly the Wii was less powerful, because the used a different strategy. I hope they don't fall into the PS3 360 game, and release a console that is just as powerful. IMO for it to succeed it has to usher in the next generation. It will be doomed if its like the Dreamcast. It has to set the standard, not be a bridge.

[emwearz]

Wasn't the Wii advertised as "Slightly more powerful than the xbox", didn't really see it in terms of the games.

[Niode]

Wasn't the Wii advertised as "Slightly more powerful than the xbox", didn't really see it in terms of the games.

Really? Games like Sin & Punishment, Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2, Monster Hunter Tri, Metroid Prime 3, No More Heroes and Metroid Other M really showcased the system. It put out some very good visuals for a 480p system.

[ZeroAX]

Not going to argue with that list....except for No More heroes.

I loved that game, I loved the music,story,characters and the art direction fitted the mood of the game. And of course the gameplay was something else.

...but graphically...the game looks kind of shit...even for PS2 standards.

[Jrecee]

Most game companies have traditionally dropped their old systems like a bag of rocks as soon as the new system starts showing enough potential to make the stockholders happy. Think of all the games that were supposed to be a nintendo system's last hurrah for the people who stuck by it til the end, only to get cancelled and moved to the new system. Star fox adventures? Kirby? Super Paper Mario? Remember how the Nintendo DS wasn't a gameboy replacement? The DS and GBA were supposed to 'coexist'. How long did that last? When the saturn launched the 32X was done. The genesis only held on til the last minute because the saturn was such a failure. The snes did alright, getting Kirby 3 and DKC 3 after the N64 launched. And the PS2 got god of war 2 after the ps3 was released. But outside of maybe 1 or 2 good releases, I wouldn't hold out hope for the wii to stay strong once cafe is out. The current drought is evidence enough that nintendo has their focus on other things. I think Zelda will be the last serious game for the wii. After that here's what the wii's 2012 looks like: http://wii.ign.com/objects/097/097073.html

[Rurouni_Fencer]

What? You've never dreamed of flying a magic carpet through wild race tracks in the midst of scenery inspired by the most beautiful places in the universe?

Seriously, though, you make a good point - however, don't forget the PS2 is still supported today, albeit by dumbed down sports title and/or the odd Atlus-SRPG. And why? Because a metric-Faak ton of people bought it. That being said, I don't expect A-list titles to be released on the Wii any later than the first quarter of the Cafe's fiscal year of existence.. But don't be surprised if the Wii maintains some longevity in the market well after its' successor, and the 'hardcore' gamers, move on. The Wii is still sold and played by our parents and non-gaming relatives, and they'll still hunger for more shovel-ware.. (as we speak, my girlfriend is begging me for the new Yogi Bear game because "it reminds me of Donkey Kong Country.. )