Nintendo Wii Fanboy

Wow. While online play is not a must-have for me, this is still bad news for Nintendo, as many others are very much into the online thing. Concerning multi-console titles, Wii-centered gameplay may be more compelling than HD graphics, but it's going to be hard to beat HD graphics AND online play in some of these launch titles... here's hoping Nintendo gets their sh*t together soon on this issue!

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Why?

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Who knows if this is even true...

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It seems like every company makes people scratch there heads asking why.It just seems that nintendo makes there fans scratch there head the most.Any who it'll be cool if the third parties can realese the online component for there games online over wiiconnect24,the only problem is where would we store it,i guess sd cards could do but a harddive would be better YES NINTEMDO A HARDDRIVE i hope they make wii compatible with external harddrives.

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the only system to ever launch with 3rd party multiplayer online from the beginning is 360.. out of nearly 10 systems

Nintendo probably wants to ensure a quality experience from thier own games.

I'm not concerned as this is normal.

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That's true .ed nintendo is a company not afraid to delay anything to make sure it's perfect to them.

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I believe I have read that external hard drives are supported via the USB ports. Feel free to knock off another $80 Nintendo...

The Wii has XBox-like hardware with a new control scheme. I can get an XBox for $120 dollars with a hard drive. Where is the justification for the alleged $250 price tag? $170 is better, but still not on par with what I can get elsewhere. I am paying for the Nintendo franchise and the ability to manipulate Mario and Link.

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Mundane_Noodle I think your forgetting a few things. Your not paying for online play. Its free So Nintendo doesn't owe you jack. Also the Xbox doesn't have a Wiimote or the games to follow it.

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This is a giant step backwards and the main reason the gamecube failed. Nintendo is abusing it's third party support..AGAIN!!

I realize this a fanboy site and thus rationality is a moot point, but this is horrible. It won't sink the launch here or in Japan. Just like the PS3 price won't sink the launch. If the "early 2007" turns into mid or late 2007, they will have a serious crisis on their hands.

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@Mundane_Noodle,

Not quite. The Wii has nearly twice the hardware of the XBOX, a new slot-loading drive (which can accept discs of different sizes), SD slot, 2 USB, Bluetooth, sensor bar, more expensive controller design, 4 GC controller ports, 2 GC memory card ports, Connect24 capability, WiFi built in. Nintendo will be taking a loss (albeit a small one) at the beginning, so what's the problem with a $199 or $249 pricetag if the hardware costs $215 or $265 to produce? It's definitely costing Nintendo more than $120 to make the Wii.

Regarding online: several games have confirmed online multiplayer. If it takes Nintendo a few months to finish the online details, I'll give them a few months. I want the system to be perfect. But I don't want them to delay the console's launch because of it, so this is the best move. They can design their games, tweaking online as they go, and release info to 3rd parties in Feb or March. We'll have Wii online gaming by summer 07.

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mundane_noodle the hard drives you can use with the wii will cost far less and have far more storage then what can be used with the xbox 360 which you have to pay a 100 bucks for.

There are 200 gigabyte external hard drives that can be gotten for 200 dollars or even cheaper that will run far better then the internal hard drives. Compare that to a 60 gig hard drive Sony will be charging half the cost to.

Also it should be noted that numerous times Nintendo has said wiiconnect24 doesn't require any extra code for a game to use. Meaning any game could possibly be patched for multiplayer later on. Retro Studios mentioned this with Metroid Prime 3 Corruption.

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Ewwwww....

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To Idioteraser - interesting assertion. :)

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I'm really surprised people didn't see this coming. The DS was the same way, and the Wii will have to follow course. Just like someone already said, this is a free online play component, and XBOX is the only one to launch with online play from launch because 1) you pay for it so you're funding it anyway and 2) that's the whole point of their strategy in the first place. I don't agree that online should not be Nintendo's strategy (because at this point in the game it really should start being) but I thought this would be apparent to all of us at this point. The DS took how long before wi-fi network was up? Once it was up it was flooded. You can only imagine what kinds of flooding will happen when Wii comes out. This is very disapointing, and I agree if early 2007 changes to late or mid 2007 we definitely have a problem, but I'm not sure we can say that this is a surprise. I for one am still pretty stoked about the online play they discussed for BWii and Strikers Charged... that's the kind of online play we haven't even seen Nintendo do on the DS, so it's definitely apparent that Nintendo is reaching for some kind of awesome online component, and thus will need time to dedicate to developing it.

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Let's not forget, IGN didn't name names here. This probably isn't a valid rumor.

All this article serves to do is whip fanboys and opponents into a fervor. IGN scores stupid points again.

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I believe it'll all games that lack online, not just thrid party. There's nothing surprising about this and I don't think it'll be that important. No one has ever mentioned online support for any of these games until the CoD rumor a few days ago.

Nintendo is focusing on the non-gaming market; that market doesn't consider a 16 player deathmatch as a good time. Weird, I know. But they're focusing on multiplayer with people in the same room, like they tried to do with the GC.

On top of that, Wi-fi is still pretty uncommon in most homes, so I think they'll need to increase production of their USB wi-fi dongle and start selling it in stores.

"This is a giant step backwards and the main reason the gamecube failed." (flancyboy)

No, the Gamecube "failed" because lack of third party games in general. If you remember, the system that had the best online features was the Xbox, and that sold about the same as the GC.

I expect Nintendo to launch their Wii wi-fi service with Smash Bros. in January/Feburary 2007.

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Metal Slug Anthology was confirmed with "Wi-Fi capabilities" quite awhile ago in an interview. No surprise SNKP would lie out their ass.

#8
Good external hard drives are very affordable..And as with SD cards and rechargable batteries, they're useful for numerous other electronics. If you have to ask why the Wii's price is justified, I'm wondering why you're posting at a site called Wii Fanboy in the first place?

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What's the big deal here... How far away is 2007... oh yeah... that's right... 3 months after console release... oh GOD NO... 3 MONTHS!!!!

SERIOUSLY GUYS, stop trying to tear the Wii apart.

Let's not forget that this is Nintendo's first home console online effort... I would rather have it right the first time than buggy, laggy games that won't realize online gaming until the sequel comes out...

Launch titles are at best usually poor and games don't really start to show the results of the new hardware until 2nd gen or 3rd gen. *That is why I waited to buy a DS* Unless it is a first party Nintendo launch title it probably isn't worth having online play anyway. It just becomes another slapped on feature to a game that should have been released on the GC, but wasn't because 3rd party vendors haven't been excited or supportive about Nintendo since the SNES days. Nintendo is going to have to weed out their 3rd party supporters as everyone and their uncle jumps on the bandwagon. This is another quality control they are putting in place. Nintendo = QUALITY... and that is why I have stuck with Nintendo since my NES days. Quality games, 1 quality game is worth 100 lack luster games.

Besides, after a gamer buys a PS3 and a game they are not going to be able to pay their DSL/Cable bill anyway... not to mention another contoller, which they will need so they can have friends over to play their new POS game. ;)

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I really don't see the big deal here. The DS did the exact same thing and look at it now. It is the biggest and best selling system right now. Even though I would like to see some online games for the Wii at the very beginning, it's not a deciding factor in me buying the system. The Wii's biggest strengths lie in it's constrol scheme, which is why I'm buying the Wii.

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To me, this just sort of means that Nintendo isn't exactly ready with their online portion, at least not fully. To me though, someone who rarely ever goes online to play games at all, it means kinda little especially with the general annoyance of the whole friend code system.

To me, if Nintendo can get these companys to release their products right now, and than come spring 2007 bring out online code than they will have struck themselves a major victory in that regard.

Though, my fear would be they release these games now, and 6 months later offer up online play for sale for each of them. Very much microtransaction style.

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I believe this for may be true for many 3rd parties, but Ubisoft is so far in Nintendo's pants I would definitly not count Red Steel and the like out from Wi-fi...

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Dude, the fact that the wii doesnt have a built in HDD but supports any external drive is freakin amazing (albeit old) news. The 512MB of built in SD ram is way more than enough to save your games if you dotn want to buy an HDD, thats about the size of 64 PS2 memory cards. Yes, enough to save games. But the real deal here is rather than having to spend $99 on a 20 GB HDD (i swear to god $3.33 dollars per GB is an absolute atrocity.) You can spend $99 on a pretty good external with probably at least 100GB. HOW is that a rip off?!

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No kidding. I made a 200 GB media external for just shy of $100. I could put together a 40 GB external for $50, half of what a small drive would cost for another system I know.

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ATTENTION!
I just read game that Game Informer article and it states "Up to 16-player via Wii Online". That is a direct quote. Please disregard David Hinkle's inacurate post.

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Hi to everyone,

First and foremost, let's not forget that this is a rumor.

Secondly, let's not forget that 1st-party titles are still going to be online.

Thirdly, let's not forget that november 2006 + 2 months = 2007.

Fourthly, let's not forget the DS's history. I mean, it wasn't really online at first, but now the online system is great, always up, with statistics and all the greatness we all know and adore.

Last but not least, why bother? We all want the wii for the controller and first party titles at first. No online for 2 months doesn't mean we're still screwing it up with 3rd-party partners. It just means we make sure Nintendo tests it first, then we give them the great infrastructure.

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ATTENTION!
I just read game that Wii Fanboy article about that Game Informer article and it states "the [online] information is in fact in the magazine, but is a misprint. Instead, the grim truth is that the game will feature no online multiplayer support on the Wii." That is a direct quote. Please disregard Tom's inacurate post.

http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2006/08/24/rumor-cod-3-to-have-16-player-battles-online/

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Sad thing is, I'm pretty darn sure they said "Spring 2007" Not just "2007"

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Here's something written by BritPod on Joystiq:

"Getting Libraries in "early 2007" doesn't mean you'll be playing third party games in early 07... it means developers will be able to start coding online support.. depending on what libraries they're waiting on it means that probably Summer 07 will see the first online games from third parties... if they are waiting on more complex libs, then look for the tail end of 07."

If it's true that 3rd party devs don't have the programming libraries, people will have to keep the appropriate development schedule in mind. It takes time not only to make a game, but to learn how to use the dev kits, too. This is not generic PC hardware, nor is the software just raw access to server TCP/IP ports.

Frankly, I think everything about Wii online has been messed up. How many people have wireless broadband compatible with a Wii in their house? Anything that doesn't come with a console is going to be adapted very slowly (especially for a system geared towards casual gamers, who are not going to buy every accessory right away -- or at all). That's the whole point of a console, anyway... an integrated device that has everything you need. The built-in memory is the only good thing Nintendo has done so far with the main unit.

Lack of hardware flexibilty, last-gen graphics, a new interface to play the same old games, traditional gamepad for some 1st party titles, and now online limitations? This is hardly what I consider a revolutionary console.

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It's just because it's free. Server bandwidth costs money, and that money comes straight out of Nintendo's, not the 3rd party's, pockets. Ironically, if demand is high for Big-N's online service, it'll be tough for them to maintain fast performance, a real downside to free service. Personally, I'd rather see a lower-priced service than a free one--it leads to higher expectations...

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I'd rather play my friends at my house than online anyway. Online will just make more people come around to the Wii.

But early 07 huh? Seems like a while... Oh well, Nintendo will get their stuff together and get all the bugs out before releasing it.

(Can't wait to have a bunch of people over and play Mario Party Wii)

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You guys are forgeting one thing.

Zelda Twilight Princess will launch with the system and Metroid Prime 3 may also launc if not be in launch window.


By the time I am finished with both of those games it'll probably be 07 and I might pick up another game. So as of now Single Player will be key because it will have great games at or around launch.

Why even worry about online if you have TWO EXCELLENT games coming, and not to mention the many other good-great games coming from third party developers. I mean why even bother playing online if you have so much great single player games.

For me ONLINE is a way to EXTEND the life of a game, if the game already has great single player than online can wait.

Stop crying, you'll have Virtual Console games to play as well as the vast selection of wii games at launch. I mean really why waste your timep playing 4 player RAMPAGE online when you can be playing Super Metroid, Earthbound, other classic games and such.

WHats the big deal? Zelda, Metroid, and various classic games is MORE THAN ENOUGH to keep me happy until next year. I would love online gameplay but I doubt I will have time to play it so whatever

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Wii Fanboy didn't say it. They just reported what Activision told Go Nintendo.

"I received a statement from Activision earlier today.

'That was a misprint on Game Informer’s part. We wanted to clear up that the Wii version will not have online multiplayer, but is being developed to take advantage of the unique controls and provide an amazing single player interactive experience.'"

http://gonintendo.com/?p=4939

Go to the links I send you before opening your mouth.

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KHAAAANNNN!

Sorry. It just seemed appropriate.

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Don't worry John Wood, it was very appropriate.

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Tom,

I was under the impression that Activision made Call of Duty. I did not know that Game Informer develops the game and decides whether or not to include multiplayer. Mea culpa.

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ATTENTION!
Probot is an idiot because he believes that just because nintendowiifanboy.com says Game Informer did a misprint that makes it true. Game Informer is right. Everyone else is wrong. There WILL be online support for Call of Duty 3.

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I'm not overly concerned either... perhaps Nintendo meant they wouldn't have online networks for 3rd parties before 07? They could put online in the game and then run it when Nintendo gives them the resources... just a possibility.

In the end I'm glad Nintendo isn't biting off more than they could chew. If they had to deal with 3rd party online at launch on top of everything else they might be in for serious trouble indeed. Better to keep it small. Xbox didnt have online for almost a year and it still ended up in pretty good shape. We'll all keep busy with everything else the Wii is offering and get our online game on come April or May.

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