The Video Game Critic

Here is another topic that gets bandied about casually in the forums, and thought deserved its own debate.

I've heard this over and over again. "The Wii isn't going to get third party support. That will all go to Microsoft if Sony falters."

I would like to get everyone's take on this issue. Can the Wii get great third party support this time around?

My thoughts:

People sometimes forget that the PS2 has no signs of slowing down at this point. Huge install base with plenty of people getting on board even now. Huge library. More great games including God of War II. This alone will ensure that Sony won't tank (the games division, that is) if the PS3 doesn't do well this generation. In fact, that may have been why they decided to take this big gamble with certain aspects of the PS3.

You could say if the PS3 can't hold the third parties, the PS2 will continue to do so for the next few years.

However, if the Wii continues to sell at a brisk pace (and it is important to note that the mainstream media coverage of the system continues unabated), third parties (at least ones that want to make profit) will absolutely have to take the Wii seriously. The games will come. EA has just announced that they intend to be a "strong no. 2" behind Nintendo in making Wii games, and Ubisoft is already bringing a steady flow of games. Yes, EA and Ubisoft can certainly produce their share of licensed junkola, but they are heavy hitters you need. Konami is also gearing up for the Wii. The others will follow.

Look at Dragon Warrior. It's on the DS now. That would have caused gales of laughter from the peanut gallery if I came here with that a year ago.

I suppose my overall point is that this idea that the Wii is just not getting third party support is, at best, overly presumptious.

-Rob

I honestly think that, no matter what happens, the Wii will be either number 2 or number 3 in overall support. It doesn't really matter if EA supports them because, frankly, EA supports EVERYBODY! You know what would really help them is to get exclusives that nobody expected. Who thought DQ9 would go to the DS and it is going to sell like mad the day it arrives in Japan! Since Nintendo is promoting this "games before graphics" policy, they should get down on their knees and BEG Konami to make a brand new 2.5D Castlevania for it. Square's support sort of helps but, based on what I played of FF:CC on the Cube, I'm very skeptical. The indie development for the system will certainly help but it needs more: it needs name recognition. Not the usual multiplatform games that arrive regardless, not ps2-Wii ports, not remakes but sequels that will make a nostalgic gamer misty-eyed. How about a Splatterhouse remake(that could be interesting)? An Afterburner with intense speed where you flip the controller on it's side(similar to Excitetruck), use the A and B buttons to fire, and the trigger to launch missiles? A new Nights? Third party support will grow the more the system sells, obviously, and I disagree with whoever tells me that it NEEDS the games the ps3 and 360 has to survive. None of us are experts and, for all wii know, the ps3 and 360 strategy of "better graphics, better processing speed, better blah blah blah" will ruin them. Then again, this could be Nintendo's last stand. I don't know which one it will be. This generation, to me, is alot more interesting than the last one as each system is taking brave risks. It really is a matter of preference. Personally, I think Nintendo will be sunk if it relies on the "one hot exclusive every six to seven months" strategy...honestly, I think I'll probably abandon them if they pull that crap again!

Nice read but I think you are forgetting one huge aspect of 3rd party games and that is the multiplatform games. A developer can make a game for the 360 and throw it on the PS3 and vice-versa. However, this isn't possible for the Wii in most cases. You are not going to see Virtual Fighter 5 or GTA4 on the Wii b/c the system can't handle it. Therefore, 3rd party developers are going to have to make original IP's for the Wii which isn't as lucrative. I think Nintendo has incredible short term games but the Wii won't hold up over the long term.

I just read a small article saying that Activision is moving its efforts to "aggresively target" Nintendo's systems.  The article also states that Guitar Hero is one of the games coming...though it doesn't specify which system.  One would have to imagine that its for the Wii though.

Here is the quote from the Activison dude:

The key difference in our strategy versus the prior cycle, is that in addition to full support on Sony and Microsoft platforms, we will aggressively target the Nintendo platforms consistent with our multi-platform strategy and Nintendo's expected growth. In fiscal 2008, we will double our offerings on the DS and the Wii, including Spider-Man, Shrek, Transformers, and Guitar Hero.

Expect more such reports as the system continues to build a larger install base.

-Rob

Just think of how easily a Guitar Hero game could be brought to Wii. Instead of a full controller all the developer needs to do is create something the Wii can be attached to. That's why the nunchuk and classic attachments are so cheap, and I think that will make the Wii the system to go to for games with special controllers.

I just read a small article saying that Activision is moving its efforts to "aggresively target" Nintendo's systems.  The article also states that Guitar Hero is one of the games coming...though it doesn't specify which system.  One would have to imagine that its for the Wii though.

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It's both the Wii and the DS:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6165647.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0

I am quite sure the DS version is not going to be the same control scheme, though the Wii version might have a guitar controller of its own to attach to the Wiimote.