At least one analyst thinks it is, and he's notshortofsupport. Cowen Group analyst Doug Creutz's comments were prompted by the latest NPD figures, in which the Xbox 360, PS3, and PlayStation 2 versions of Madden NFL 09 hogged the top three positions, with the Wii version relegated to ninth place, behind Wii Play, Wii Fit, and Mario Kart Wii. "We continue to believe that the Wii is a relatively inhospitable platform for third-party publishers," said Creutz.
Is he stating the obvious, or does the success of certain third-party titles suggest otherwise? In the past, we've found many fans pin the blame for low third-party sales on third-party developers, suggesting that better quality products would compete with Nintendo's own wares. Can the same be said, however, when even critically acclaimed titles such as No More Heroes and Zack & Wiki sell poorly?
Wow, talk about dominating the list, Madden NFL 09 has crushed the competition in August, even though it released in the middle of the month. That hasn't stopped it from selling well over 2 million copies, across all platforms. As for hardware, well, it's basically the same story:
This year's Madden NFL 09 All-Playon the Wii has gotten a lot of buzz. The title has tried to cater to the Wii's casual crowd. Yet, it also attempts to keep its hardcore audience and not alienate them with all kinds of casual additions. It's a tough line to toe. Has EA Sports done it?
On to the review scores!
Nintendo Power (90/100) is of the mind the game is the sports title to beat on Wii: "So while EA may not have lived up to its marketing directive, it's succeeded in creating quite possibly the best, most fully featured sports sim available on the Wii." [Sept 2008, p.85]
IGN (86/100) says it's good, but hardcore gamers might not like some of the changes: "Madden 09 has done a great job of giving every type of player a little to love, but for the Wii-only hardcore out there, you're going to need to realize that times are changing, and Nintendo is synonymous with "everybody" now"
GameDaily (80/100) thinks the game is easily recommendable: "Even though it lacks complexity, Madden NFL 09 on the Wii achieves more than enough to earn a recommendation. Its user-friendly controls and various modes will keep you scoring touchdowns well into next season."
Games Radar (80/100) believes the game is a solid title: "Even so, Madden NFL 09 All Play is blazing an important trail to reintroduce lost football fans to the franchise. It's an undeniably fun experience that will please many in its target audience, and even includes roster updates and online play. Not to mention we're really starting to like a little waggle with our football. We may be old curmudgeons, but fun is fun, and Madden does a lot more right than not."
This week brings lots of content to the Wii. We've got a pair of new Virtual Console games, some fresh WiiWare action and even some retail game love, for good measure. If you're looking for something new to enjoy on your Wii, then you're certainly in luck.
The biggest title to release this week is undoubtedly Madden 09 All-Play. Were any of you looking forward to this one? Can't wait to go pick up your copy?
Head past the break for the full details on what's new this week on Wii.
We're excited about Madden NFL 09. Oh no, sports on a game blog, run! But, in all seriousness, this year's Madden NFL 09 looks like it's going to be a solid title and unique from the other versions available. Plus, the All-Play stuff looks fun. If the video up top tickles your fancy, then the one past the break is going to blow you away.
Also, check out the latest video updates to the Nintendo Channel tucked away back there as well.
Another Monday means more videos on the Nintendo Channel, and is there anything worth watching? Well, not really. We did appreciate the Hell's Kitchen Info Video, though, if only so that we could mock it. Who knows how the game will actually play, as a Cooking Mama with actual recipes might be kind of fun. (Even if this video doesn't make it look fun.) But what's the point of using the Hell's Kitchen license if Chef Ramsey isn't going to be his total cad self?
They definitely toned down Ramsey's personality for the game, or at least it appears that way from this trailer. Spouting lines like, "Not good so far," and, "I need you to really -- seriously -- up your game," are laughable coming from the chef's mouth. "Don't even touch another thing in this kitchen" is the worst it gets, apparently. Wow, color us scared.
To see the entire list of videos on the Nintendo Channel this week, just click past the break.
Following word that they would be doing so, EA has revealed its EA Sports 'All-Play' line-up of Wii games. These Wii titles feature a new casual approach, which include mini-games, as well as simplified controls. The titles also include simplified versions of each individual sport, including 5-on-5 in Madden or 8 vs. 8 in FIFA.
Are all football players blockheads? That's what EA might be trying to say with those giant bobblehead players in the above trailer for Madden NFL 09. Here's an idea -- grab a copy of the game and head down to the local arena. Find a group of guys and taunt them with your nerdish ways, saying EA are right to parody player intelligence and the meaning of life is 42. It's a foolproof plan.
If you're an NFL fan or not, Madden has been an acclaimed addition to the Wii library in the past and this year's entry looks to be no different. The bobblehead players are taken from the arcade-style 5-on-5 mode, but simulation fans can still duke it out with the traditional, realistic style. Head past the break for another, correctly-proportioned video of a full stadium experience.
Starting today until this Saturday, Target will have six of its Wii games for sale for only $37.00! As you can see from the list below, they're not all crap, either!
Most of these titles are already out of stock on Target's online shop, but you should still be able to pick them up at a brick and mortar location. If you've been putting off on buying Super Mario Galaxy to accommodate your Christmas budget, with the holiday now behind us and this great deal, you can make this long overdue purchase without having to feel guilty about it!
The latest commercial pushing the "Family Play" aspect of EA's sports titles is actually pretty good. Just the sight of an old lady screaming "This is my house!" is enough to send us into giggling fits. We don't know how family-friendly the games themselves are, but we can see this marketing campaign being pretty effective.
Even in a month when hardware sales are down, Nintendo's Straight Up Success bus just keeps on rolling. Let's hope this keeps on challenging Iwata and company to avoid "doing the easy." Even the re-priced Xbox 360 couldn't compete with the Nintendo juggernaut.
Nintendo Wii: 403K
Nintendo DS: 383K
Microsoft Xbox 360: 277K
Sony PS2: 202K
Sony PSP: 151K
Sony PS3: 131K
In software, however, the story was different. After Metroid Prime 3'smoment in the spotlight, Bioshock's longer release window won out between those two. Nintendo games barely even struggled into the top five, with Wii Play and its extra controller snapping up that spot. Madden, which is its own juggernaut, dominated sales last month. To see the top ten titles, slip past the break.
With Madden 08 being on store shelves for two days now, we're sure the game has sold half a billion copies. Unlike the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, which are almost exact copies of each other, the Wii version stands out as a unique title. Also, we can play online without friend codes. Oh, how sweet it is.
What did the critics have to say about the game?
IGN (85/100) says it's a big improvement over last year, but still has its faults: "The game makes great use of motion with better-implemented and easier to pull off moves than 07, it has more modes, far more multiplayer both locally and now online, and is generally superior in nearly every regard. On the flipside, Wii's second Madden still suffers from a ton of last-generation bugs, with everything from moronic AI and cheap pass defense to disappearing pass icons and odd camera glitches that cloak the entire playfield in blur effects."
Cheat Code Central (84/100) lauds the game's new additions: "A great game. The new additions to the title are innovative and impact the gameplay positively. Online play will prove to be a boon for Wii owners, the Party mode helps make the title stand out on this console, and the high quality graphics make it competitive with the other versions."
GameSpot (80/100) finds the game to be appealing to fans of football and those curious as to what it's all about: "As it is, it's a great follow-up with a few quirks that are mostly forgivable. For fans of last year's game, or those curious for the first time about football on the Wii, Madden 08 is worth checking out."
GameDaily (80/100) thinks not only the football is fun, but all of the other extras, as well: "Don't purchase Madden NFL 08 expecting beautiful visuals and slick looking menus. Buy it because you crave a more interactive experience as well as modes that you can't find in the other versions. With 22 mini games, trivia and fun controls, this gridiron giant runs the pigskin into the end zone."
So, have any of you picked this up? What do you think so far?
No, well ... move along, then. Because there isn't anything else releasing this week. See, this week is for those who crave the feel of the bumps of the pigskin, the sound of half-a-million screaming fans as you drive toward the endzone, and that nail-biting moment with 3 seconds on the clock and you're kicking a game-winning 47-yard field goal. These are the moments that define the sport.
Never let it be said that EA can't innovate! Whatever we usually think of EA Sports, their new Family Play control system is really cool.
Madden '08, NBA Live '08, and FIFA Soccer '08 will all include Wiimote-and-Nunchuk-based control schemes that will allow players to "take full control of the game"-- running, passing, kicking (not so much in NBA Live) and such. But they'll also include simplified Wiimote-only control schemes that reduce the games to Wii Sports-level . The controls become fully gestural, and the AI takes over some of the gameplay tasks that were previously yours.
The coolest part? You can switch back and forth on the fly, just by plugging in or unplugging the Nunchuk. Even the method of choosing controls is streamlined. We are quite impressed.
We already heard about how big online gaming would be for the Wii in 2008, but we didn't expect that EA, of all studios, would be fighting for us to have a better online experience on the Wii. Either that, or they're just too lazy and don't want to retool an interface and online package for their Wii version of Madden 08. Regardless of what it is, they've got the right idea: no friend codes. We don't want them, you don't want them, so why use them?
Hopefully, Nintendo won't fight them to change this.
At least one analyst thinks it is, and he's not short of support. Cowen Group analyst Doug Creutz's comments were prompted by the latest NPD figures, in which the Xbox 360, PS3, and PlayStation 2 versions of Madden NFL 09 hogged the top three positions, with the Wii version relegated to ninth place, behind Wii Play, Wii Fit, and Mario Kart Wii. "We continue to believe that the Wii is a relatively inhospitable platform for third-party publishers," said Creutz.
89.7K (-14.75%)
31.3K (12.49%)
This week brings lots of content to the Wii. We've got a pair of new Virtual Console games, some fresh WiiWare action and even some retail game love, for good measure. If you're looking for something new to enjoy on your Wii, then you're certainly in luck. 
