We find it inherently amusing that Wii Chess is -- minus a few frills -- the same game as countless other titles on the market, many of which can be bought with a small handful of spare change. Despite this, we still suspect Wii Chess' no-nonsense approach to the world's favorite strategy game could be a commercial hit for Nintendo; certainly, the budget price tag won't harm its chances.
There's a couple of things to note about the above video, however. One: that elevator music is freakin' hideous (and on that note, we'd really like MP3 support in this please, Nintendo). And two: where are the optional Nintendo-themed pieces?! To have Mario and Peach playing the king and queen would have been an excellent little touch. Other Nintendo games get outstanding fan service, so why not this? Two words: Missed. Opportunity.
[Thanks, Troy!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-20-2007 @ 2:24PM
Shadow31 said...
Okay... what's the catch? What's it got that other chess games doesn't have? No seriously, there are free chess games online, this should have something they don't have. I'm still waiting and hoping they have SOMETHING original that make it worth the budget price...
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12-20-2007 @ 5:58PM
Larz said...
Yeah, I'm with you. Nintendo wants me to pay for this? At least make it like battle-chess or something.
12-20-2007 @ 2:30PM
Garu said...
There is only one rule to remember when playing Wii Chess:
Let the Wookie win!
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12-20-2007 @ 2:42PM
HPFFE said...
*sarcasm* This game will be as successful as Jenga World Tour.
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12-20-2007 @ 3:06PM
Randy said...
Hope it has network vs. play at least. No reason not have it.
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12-20-2007 @ 3:06PM
Tristan said...
Im telling you, this game looks exactly like the one from the Windows 95 version of PC Chess, spare the ugly background in the image!
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12-20-2007 @ 3:09PM
jsa3mm said...
I want them to spare me of the horrid elevator music!
12-20-2007 @ 3:16PM
Casey said...
Why would anyone bother to play this on the Wii when you can play it for free on your computer.
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12-20-2007 @ 3:17PM
Mickey said...
A Nintendo character themed chess game would be awesome. Think Mario baseball teams. You could pick your team by captain and that would set the team. Think Bowser as the king surrounded by Goomba pawns! Those magicains as the bishops, Thomwps as rooks, bones as knights. The queen might be a challenge, hhmm, what about Boswers kid witht the pink bow in her "hair", or maybe Birdo?
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12-20-2007 @ 3:22PM
Sora57 said...
Must be a slow news day.
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12-20-2007 @ 3:39PM
velocitystrike said...
Comments like this tick me off tbh because believe it or not, some people might actually want to know about this. And I can't comment, because I don't give a toss, but if we lived not thinking of others, what would the people in the third world be up to right now?
Hmmm?
Hmm??
Hm???
=p
12-20-2007 @ 3:29PM
FX-1 said...
"(and on that note, we'd really like MP3 support in this please, Nintendo)"
I would as well, but I'm just wondering something: it seems like NWF adds little things like this to entries quite often. Does anyone at Nintendo that's in a position to make that kind of change even read this blog?
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12-20-2007 @ 3:35PM
RobsonROX said...
Such game would be realy nice -- exactly as it is presented -- as an downloadable WiiWare game...
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12-20-2007 @ 3:44PM
Sora57 said...
@velocitystrike
Of course, you are correct. I apologize. Sarcasm can greatly impact the third world and their ability to play chess on their Wii console.
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12-20-2007 @ 4:56PM
hvnlysoldr said...
Were you being sarcastic?
12-20-2007 @ 3:47PM
Valien said...
Chess on the Wii? Meh. Show me some Catan or Carcassonne action! Or maybe Ra! PowerGrid! San Juan! Puerto Rico! Race for the Galaxy! Cuba! 1960! RoboRally! Fearsome Floors! Arkham Horror! Tide of Iron!
I could go on but I'll stop for sanity sake.
(sorry long day)
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12-20-2007 @ 5:24PM
Alisha Karabinus said...
Cataaaaaaaan!
12-20-2007 @ 5:01PM
NutMac said...
One word: Archon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archon_%28computer_game%29)
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12-20-2007 @ 5:30PM
Jeremy said...
Why not play chess on my kitchen table? If they charge more than 5 bucks for this and it has no added features then it is over priced.
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12-21-2007 @ 1:55AM
Aaron said...
Things Wii Chess needs to do to get my (and by the looks of it, everyone else's) sale.
- 3D graphics. This is 2007.
- Harry Potter-esque "attacks." Eg, when a rook destroys a knight have him physically crush the pawn by smashing it to pieces.
- As mentioned, turn the chess pieces into Nintendo characters. Or, if chess purists are against this, at least include the option. Have something different.
- WiiWare or under $20 AU.
- In fact, under $15 AU, WiiWare or not.
Nintendo need to realise that while Chess is quite the popular pastime, and playing it on Wii would be novel, they'll need to do something different to bring in big sales.
As has been mentioned above, there are FREE, online, (which aren't limited by region, either) flash chess sites out there already. They have 2D graphics. They offer voice (and keyboard) support to chat. I could go on.
What is Nintendo offering so far? The ability to play Chess on your Wii.
Hell, I can do that using the Internet Channel.
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