Lately, we have heard only good things about Super Smash Brothers Brawl, but now a Japanese game developer who uses the alias “JC Barnett” has expressed concern for the new Nintendo Wii title. Surprisingly, I basically agree with his opinions of Super Smash Brothers Brawl and the Nintendo Wii. He believes that this game will confirm the fact that the Wii is not appealing to hard-core gamers and that future developers need to stick to casual games for the system. He also mentions that he believes that the Wii may not even be part of the current console war. I have believed that for a while, but it’s not a very popular opinion to have these days. I have always felt like the Wii had a different market than the Xbox 360 and PS3, but somehow people find that hard to believe. For whatever reason, fanboys tend to get all bent out of shape when you mention that the Wii is a “casual” system. I’m not sure why because it really is a casual gaming option.
Is the Wii the wrong system for a game such as Super Smash Brothers Brawl? I’d have to say with certainty that it probably would have been better on the Sony PS3 or Xbox 360. Considering it’s only on the Wii, it will probably sell really well though, at least for a while. I hope you fanboys out there don’t try to go off on me for this opinion. There’s nothing wrong with the Nintendo Wii, but it’s certainly just a different kind of system than what you get with the 360 and PS3.
Here’s what he had to say:
quote As a spurious prediction I’d say we may see a promising start with the usual drop-off over the next few months and sales figures that would make anyone proud but that are still lower than expected, a bit like Super Mario Galaxy. If Sumabura [Super Smash Bros. Brawl] doesn’t sell that well it would be proof positive that the Wii isn’t a hard-core friendly platform. I suspect already that it isn’t, but a title like this could prove it once and for all.
This also means the Wii is out of the “console war”. It has its own market distinctly different from its competitors, whom must fight amongst themselves for their own top spot. Both Microsoft and Sony are making wooing noises to the casual market but they’ll have a hard time stealing customers from the big N.
So any publisher looking to make money on the Wii must squarely look at casual and avoid hard-core at all costs.
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Dang...there are plenty of other games to chose from then this. Although it does look kick-ass.
And the Wii was never really in the console war to start with. Even Nintendo officials have stated it, even though they've had a few hypocritical remarks against their "competitors" while they did so.
And I'm willing to bet that Brawl will reach and/or surpass that mark. Brawl's sales won't disappoint, it's only been one of the most hyped games ever.
You wanna do that port over Ninja Gaiden, or DMC 3 and see how well they sell. I bet they wouldn't do that great. Wii is more of a fad at the moment for many of the owners.
The article is right really. There is plenty of hype surrounding Brawl - If the game ended up being mediocre or not what people expected, then that would obviously be a huge dint for the Wii itself.
Heck, Brawl is the Wii's most anticipated game. It's what many (if not most) Wii owners are planning on buying. There would be a lot of disappointment if the game ended up being not all it was made out to be.
People might say that one game doesn't matter in the big scheme of things, but this is THE game for Wii. Something better and more hyped might come out later on, but at the moment Brawl is THE must-have game for Wii. Of course it matters if the game succeeds or fails.
Mind you, I wouldn't consider the Wii being in the console war anyways. Nintendo has clearly stated that they aren't competing with Sony and Microsoft. They don't want to compete - They're focusing on their own console and their own audience. The Wii's target audience is vastly different than the 360 and PS3. Completely different people buy the Wii for completely different reasons than a 360 or PS3.
It's not as if Brawl's the only alternative (Mario Kart Wii is also to be a hit), though it is the most hyped. Hell, Halo 3 was the most-hyped for the 360, wasn't it? And the same thing can be said for MGS4 on the PS3. Sure, the 360 and PS3 have other games in store for us, but that doesn't mean the Wii has nothing.
As mentioned, they are targeting a different audience. They didn't try to go up against PS360 in the graphics department, or many others for that matter. It's just the kind of games for families and friends, really.
I gotta say, last Monday I played WiiSports with a few old friends of mine, and I can't remember the last time we had that much fun. Nintendo seems to be looking past the whole 'competitiveness,' and going for something else. Fun, fun, fun, and more fun.
I always saw Wii as the family fun console.
Like I said earlier if you wanna test that bring something really hard and see how well it sells. Like ninja gaiden or some crazy shit rpg that allows for tons of tweaking and doesn't guide you.
They're hyping this game alot, like Halo 3, but some fans were disappointed with that game. I expect its going to happen with this game as well. Cause you can't please everyone. But before anyone thumbs me down im a SSB, and SSBM fan i loved those games and i hope im wrong here.