I love Nintendo's newest system, the Wii U. Let's just get that out there in the open right from the get-go. But I do have some issues with it, as is to be expected with any new system that's in its infancy stage.
One of my biggest gripes, so far, is the game library and Nintendo seemingly not understanding what it is or what to do with it in general.
Sure, the launch was pretty good, all in all. Yes, it was filled with a bunch of games that were ports of already released games, just re-imagined for the new system and the GamePad controller. But they were all pretty damn good games, so it's not like they were porting rubbish. But after a launch that had almost 30 games, we haven't seen many new games for the system at all since then. I'm not complaining too much, as I am still very much enjoying the Wii U games I do own, and with this Year of Gaming project, I'm playing so many games that I don't know if I would even have time to enjoy a more extensive library.
Nintendo did promise a lot more fascinating games, however, to be released in the Wii U "launch window," and it seems that "window" term is being used very liberally.
My other gripe is that they don't understand that some games just aren't full retail games, and would be much better suited as downloadable eShop games instead of $50 or $60 retail boxed games. The game I played tonight, Tank! Tank! Tank! (yes, that is the real name of it), is the perfect example of Nintendo not knowing what to do.
Was it a fun little game? Yeah, it was. Upgrading to newer and cooler tanks is fun, especially because you have to earn medals by completing levels with different tanks to be able to upgade your tank. You also use the same method to unlock new levels. The game is super easy to figure out, only a couple of weapons on each tank and power ups throughout each stage. The enemies, which are pretty much all boss battles, are fun, creative and look great in HD. But after an hour of playing, I felt like I saw everything the game had to offer.
And that made me sad knowing that some people paid $50 for this game. (By the way, GameFly has proven to be an amazing tool in this year long journey thus far. Can you say sponsorship opportunities, anyone?) If I had paid $10-$15 through the eShop, could play a few levels here and there, play with my son when he was itching to play, and not feel ripped off, this would be a great game. But it is far, far from feeling like a full retail value game. If I ever see it in a bargain bin I might grab it just to add it to the collection of good family co-op games, but other than that, sadly, it won't get much play time from me in the future.
One of my biggest gripes, so far, is the game library and Nintendo seemingly not understanding what it is or what to do with it in general.
Sure, the launch was pretty good, all in all. Yes, it was filled with a bunch of games that were ports of already released games, just re-imagined for the new system and the GamePad controller. But they were all pretty damn good games, so it's not like they were porting rubbish. But after a launch that had almost 30 games, we haven't seen many new games for the system at all since then. I'm not complaining too much, as I am still very much enjoying the Wii U games I do own, and with this Year of Gaming project, I'm playing so many games that I don't know if I would even have time to enjoy a more extensive library.
Nintendo did promise a lot more fascinating games, however, to be released in the Wii U "launch window," and it seems that "window" term is being used very liberally.
My other gripe is that they don't understand that some games just aren't full retail games, and would be much better suited as downloadable eShop games instead of $50 or $60 retail boxed games. The game I played tonight, Tank! Tank! Tank! (yes, that is the real name of it), is the perfect example of Nintendo not knowing what to do.
Was it a fun little game? Yeah, it was. Upgrading to newer and cooler tanks is fun, especially because you have to earn medals by completing levels with different tanks to be able to upgade your tank. You also use the same method to unlock new levels. The game is super easy to figure out, only a couple of weapons on each tank and power ups throughout each stage. The enemies, which are pretty much all boss battles, are fun, creative and look great in HD. But after an hour of playing, I felt like I saw everything the game had to offer.
And that made me sad knowing that some people paid $50 for this game. (By the way, GameFly has proven to be an amazing tool in this year long journey thus far. Can you say sponsorship opportunities, anyone?) If I had paid $10-$15 through the eShop, could play a few levels here and there, play with my son when he was itching to play, and not feel ripped off, this would be a great game. But it is far, far from feeling like a full retail value game. If I ever see it in a bargain bin I might grab it just to add it to the collection of good family co-op games, but other than that, sadly, it won't get much play time from me in the future.
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