2007: Wii Online
Part of preventing a Gamecube repeatwill be integrating online play.
Or is it “Never: Nintendo Wii Online”?
As much as Nintendo fans and Gamecube owners hate to hear it, there’s a rather infamous history to the company’s online plans. When the GC launched in 2001, Nintendo wasn’t yet ready to slam players head-to-head in Super Smash Bros. sessions (unless they were using the same console). Like Microsoft, Nintendo introduced the Gamecube with plans to develop an online service. However, unlike Microsoft, the Big N never actually went through with it. The Xbox’s phenomenally streamlined and successful Live service was just part of the reason that console completely obliterated the Gamecube in units sold.
The difference between success and failure could be found online
Fast forward to November 2006. Microsoft continues to roll along with a much-updated and now undeniably #1 online service. Nintendo brings forth the Wii, again with “plans” to launch online multiplayer.
The difference between the Gamecube and Wii is that there are, at the very least, network foundations laid. At present time, anyone can use the “Wii Menu” to wirelessly download classic titles via the “Virtual Console”. In the future, users will also be able to check the weather and news updates.
Yawn. What everyone really wants to know is, “Will we be able to blast each other six ways from Sunday in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption? ”
If Samus=Social,then Wii=Wicked.
Not looking good
Quick answer: Probably not. Nintendo is stirring less than a Christmas Eve mouse on this one, meaning they might be satisfied with creating “party games.” Judging by most of Nintendo’s major 2007 releases, that could be the case. Mario Party 8 is meant for, well, parties, as is Warioware: Smooth Moves . Other titles, like Galaxy and Resident Evil Wii , don’t really transfer to online multiplayer, anyhow.
And yet, the Wii Menu and Connect24 are excellent interfaces. They’re primed and ready for hosting millions of immature fanboys (if they’re anything like Xbox Live fiends). So, what’s the holdup?
In order for a FPS like Metroid to ever compete with Halo , it will have to be online. There are absolutely no ifs, ands or buts about this, and if Nintendo doesn’t work on having thousands of Samuses sniping one another at any given time then the Wii will be at a disadvantage for years to come.