One of our readers sent in this interesting article about the rise of Rock Band parties, and in his e-mail, Dan said that he felt Nintendo was on the right track with their games-for-everyone strategy. While he and his friends -- the force behind the parties mentioned in the article -- were playing Rock Band on other systems, obviously, he felt that one game was similar to many of Nintendo's current offerings. That is, it's a game that brings everyone together, whether they're into those "vidya games" or not. He mentioned that he spends time playing WarioWare: Smooth Moves and Super Mario Galaxy with some of the new gamers in his life, gamers who were picking up the Wii, and that experience is enriching his gaming life as a whole. He can have it all -- time with more "hardcore" games, and time with his friends, just having a good time, and Nintendo is making that easier and more welcoming.
We wanted to pass along his story not only because, hey, we agree with him when he says Rock Band for the Wii is a sadly lesser entity, but also because we have to agree. Holing up for hours to get through one tough stage in the hardest of hardcore games is fun, but it's also fun to host a drunken tennis tournament or pass a few hours with a group of friends and WarioWare: Smooth Moves. But there's a trade-off: some of the traditional games are getting a little easier and a little more casual-friendly. For some of us, that's not a problem ... while others see it as a possible death knell for the hardcore niche title, and that's what we want to discuss this morning. Is the trade-off worth it? Can the hard modes in casual-friendly games keep things interesting for the rest of us?
[Thanks, Dan!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-21-2008 @ 9:42AM
Orion said...
I think casual games with harder levels are just fine... though I think we still need a balance of all types of games. If the Wii is really "for anyone", you need to not only satisfy the casual market, but the more serious market as well, which they seem to be doing pretty well (I'm not disappointed with the game selection at least).
It's kind of interesting how the casual games seem to be pretty interesting at times, like Guitar Hero, Endless Ocean, etc. I would not have thought I would be into games like these, but they are kind of refreshing. As long as it's not a mini game collection (unless done well like Sonic and Mario), then I'm all for it personally.
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4-21-2008 @ 9:49AM
Co said...
Where the heck are all these Rock Band parties? I literally know 1 person that has played Rock Band. ONE. I know alot of people both gamers and non-gamers alike and nobody plays this game. I do know alot of people that play Guitar Hero, however I just don't see where all this Rock Band hype is coming from.
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4-21-2008 @ 10:07AM
Paddy said...
Mario Kart.
I've been playing it since it was on the SNES, and like to play the Wii version with a GC controller. My girlfriend is not a gamer at all, but enjoys playing it online, particularly with our friends, using the wheel and with drift set to automatic. The Team Grand Prix mode is particularly useful if there's a mixture of skill levels in the group. Yet I don't think it's been dumbed down - they've just made it easier for the novice to get into.
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4-21-2008 @ 12:06PM
Neal Eaton said...
I think that part of the problem lays with the 'Hardcore Gamer'...in that they don't WANT to change.
I am not sure where I fall in the spectrum of Hardcore to Casual. I love to play, and do so daily, but it may be for 15-20 minutes or it may be for 2 hours. I play games from most genres.
I think that Nintendo has returned to the NES days...they are marketing gaming to EVERYONE. They are competing against TV, Movies and Music. Certainly Wii Sports, Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii will help keep the 'new gamer' audience satiated.
I am perfectly OK with the harder levels on games now to cater to my hardcore side, and still enjoying the simple pleasures that come from petting my Nintendog or training my brain or power sliding out of a corner.
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4-21-2008 @ 8:15PM
SoshiKitai said...
Ah... I have to agree with that reader's e-mail.
It certainly is a lot more enjoyable, and I, too, believe the Wii is heading in the right direction. But eventually games will have to go in separate directions.
The way I see it: The Wii started the gaming history all over again. Back to the basics. With all games being almost similar to each other in "feel".
But as time will go on, they'll do like they did in the beginning: They'll grow up and go separate ways.
Let's hope they take the right paths this time.
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