2007: Wii Games
Not exactly a galaxy of selection
Depending on how you look at it, the number of Nintendo Wii titles promised for 2007 could be considered a drought. Retailers currently list no more than 35 titles for the entire year, just a fraction of the games coming to the Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3. Still, that’s never been a problem for Nintendo gamers before, and with more players on board already, the “quality over quantity” formula could slowly change the way the other consoles operate. That is, if the Wii keeps up this blazing pace.
Nintendo sure flooded the market with these fun-loving Wii photos.
Warioware: Smooth Moves - January
Since it’s going to be a while before Nintendo fans get their hands on Mario - be it in Party or Galaxy form - Wario is here to fill in. The shady little character comes equipped with hundreds of minigames and all of the goofball nonsensical style that Japanese gaming has become adored for. Expect to sprint along with Lego men, balance tennis balls on rackets, and do a bunch of other stuff with marbles, cheese graters and nostrils. If these sound ridiculous, you should know there are about 197 other microgames to satisfy your ADHD problem.
Our Take: Warioware: Smooth Moves is yet another example of Nintendo’s unmatched first-party support. Although the number of titles making their way to the Wii is slim, Warioware narrows the gap with a flood of entertaining minigames. Although we’re worried a lack of titles (or genre selection) could land Nintendo in hot water again, Warioware is a good game. That’s all you need to know here.
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Mario Party 8 - March
The eighth, yes eighth edition of the Mario Party franchise is set to release this spring, part of Nintendo’s strong Q1 for 2007. Mario Party 8 (seriously, we’re going to start calling these games “Rocky” Party) features a story that is, at this time, being kept very hush-hush by Nintendo. However, fans of the games are very excited about a new bluish-orangish top-hat-wearing character appearing on the game’s box art.
As for the actual gameplay, it may actually be a good deal different than the last seven Mario Parties . That’s pretty obvious considering the introduction of the Wiimote, which should factor in a number of different ways when playing Mario Party 8’s 75 minigames.
Our Take: Hard to imagine this one gets screwed up, either. It looks like a more cohesive, traditional minigame-based title than the lovably odd Warioware: Smooth Moves .
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The Godfather: Blackhand Edition - March
Someone other than Nintendo needsto make great games for Wii.
You may be thinking: are the Gizmo guys nuts? Recommending some stupid EA game based on a decades-old license over the likes of Resident Evil and the new Super Smash Bros.? Well, since this is a predictions article, based on the most important events factoring into the gaming industry this year, we’re sure Electronic Arts’ new Godfather game will be an important title when it launches in late spring.
Why? Simply put, the Wii needs EA. Part of the problem limiting the Gamecube and N64’s success was a complete lack of third-party support. Other than Nintendo, almost no one was creating noteworthy games, and as we all know if the titles aren’t there … neither are the players and their fat, fat wallets.
So, if Nintendo is to continue its holiday 2006 success, it will do so because gaming giants - and there’s none bigger than goliath Electronic Arts - will have put together quality titles that take advantage of the key to the Wii: the Wiimote, of course.
Our Take: As for the likelihood that EA’s Godfather game will actually be good, it’d be a first for the license. The only previous success from this theme was Gathering’s 2002 PC hit, Mafia . If EA’s smart, they’ll borrow a few of the elements that made Mafia so much better than last year’s last-gen Godfather game. Both Mafia and The Godfather: Blackhand Edition are based on the Grand Theft Auto formula, so we have our fingers crossed that EA will deliver.
Side note: The Godfather: Blackhand Edition , based on the 1972 movie, may also be a much-needed adult-oriented release that could draw hardcore gamers to the Wii.
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Galaxy could launch Mario (and the Wii) towards big sales.Super Mario: Galaxy - April
It’s a fact: Mario is the perfect salesman. Although most car dealerships don’t employ little Italian plumbers, we’re thinking they should. After all, every Nintendo console has been defined by a great Mario title. From the original Mario Bros. on NES to Super Mario Bros. on SNES to Super Mario 64 on N64, the M-man simply dominates.
That’s why Super Mario: Galaxy is so critical. Unlike the other first-party titles from Nintendo, if this one stinks then it would be a devastating black eye for the Wii (and we all know there’ve been enough of those).
Will it stink? Probably not. There’s certainly no precedent for a crappy Mario game, and with the Wiimote in tow, changes should be good. The best use of the Wii’s controls may be shaking the Wiimote, which causes Mario to spin and injure nearby enemies. As for other gameplay elements, expect Galaxy to follow the item collection and massive boss fight formula perfected years ago.
Our Take: Nintendo had better have the hardware stocked up, ’cause Galaxy is sure to rope in many of the potential Wii owners still not sure about the console. Our only gripe with what we’ve seen and heard is that Mario isn’t taking full advantage of the Wiimote. Expect motion sensor gameplay along the same (limited) lines as Zelda: Twilight Princess.
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Our advice to Nintendo: Get this damn game online…or bust.Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - June
If you read our in-depth review of the Nintendo Wii, you’re well aware that we were less than amused with the console’s first FPS, Red Steel. The game introduced first person shooter controls via Wiimote in overly sensitive and annoying fashion, with graphics that mud-butt.
Early reports on Metroid Prime 3: Corruption are that the controls are similarly difficult to manage, but are adaptable thanks to some much needed sensitivity options. Regardless, that wasn’t the primary problem with Red Steel (good gamers adapt). Instead, terrible graphics and story marred that title, a pitfall Nintendo is likely to avoid with its challenger to Halo’s throne.
Our Take: And, apparently that’s what Prime 3 is seeking to do. Reports are that Nintendo is making it a dramatic shooter, along the same lines as Halo. That means constantly changing objectives and furious action, which should all make this a winner. If Nintendo is ever going to get their “poop” together with online multiplayer, this would be the perfect title to sell it.
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