The Wii. Quite the interesting little machine would you not say? Although one could say that of all of the video game consoles that ever were. Yet there are some things that the Wii has accomplished, that quite plain and simply, no other systems have done. Never in my life have I been able to have a range of hardcore gamers, casual gamers, and non-gamers get together and have an extremely good time playing a video game. Something that everyone could enjoy.
However, the Wii has delivered that. So it seems that the Wii has truly achieved its dream of “Wii”, what the system’s name is based off of. Its philosophy of being the console that brings people together can be considered achieved.
Or has it?
Over these past two years, Wii has garnered the reputation as the “family fun” console. It’s the one that you go to for a simple, fun game. It’s also the one that you go to for a fun party “everyone” game, something that non-gamers can pick up as well.
There are very few people that will legitimately attempt to defend the Wii’s ever-failing reputation for “hardcore” gamers anymore. I tried for quite some time, before coming to the conclusion that the business and economics of the matter had finally driven the final nail in the coffin, forever sealing away more “hardcore” games from third-party developers. Nintendo would obviously continue to make such games as The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime 3, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, however there would be no more new, completely radical hardcore games. It had been decided that doing so would be financially ruinous.
Sure, I loved many of these party-style games. I cannot get over how ridiculous Raving Rabbids is. I like Mario Kart Wii’s real-style controlling with the wii-mote. But these are generally only good for multiple people, back to Wii’s philosophy of bringing people together.
So reluctantly, my opinion of Nintendo has gone down. True, I still love Nintendo. I shall forever be a Nintendo fanboy, as it’s been part of me for my entire life. However I was beginning to realize that Nintendo alone would simply no longer be enough to quell my thirst for video games.
The main problem with games for the Wii I have found is that I am always finding myself waiting. Games such as “Sword of Legendia” have kept me hoping, hanging on to the desperate trust that one or two games will come out, and they will revolutionize the Wii’s hard-core status. I keep hoping, and being disappointed by games that fall of the radar, or games that do in fact make it out, yet are poorly made.
Which is something I have often been very annoyed about. A more mature game will come out for the Wii, yet it is poorly made, and as such, I decide to not buy it. And pretty soon I am hearing developers saying that they are not surprised that the game did poorly, as it was a mature game, which just does not work for the Wii.
This just burns me up. Poor games will almost always have poor sales, due that simple fact: they are not well made. Yet developers instead place the blame on the Wii’s demographic, and such, Wii’s hard-core hopes fade even further.
And then there are those lovely, lovely games that decide to abuse the Wii-mote. Sure, they may have a good idea overall for a game, but then they decide that every single function in the game MUST be controlled by some sort of random waggling movement of the Wii-mote. Just because something is there, doesn’t mean you have to use it, especially when there is pretty well no gain to be had by doing so.
And so it stands that the Wii is typecasted into these party and “kiddie” games. So it seems that I should just give up hope.
However, I shall continue to hope, and believe in the future of the Wii. Right now, I am highly anticipating the action game MadWorld, the point-and-click puzzle/adventure game Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars, the first person shooter The Conduit, and the RPG Arc Rise Fantasia. I have finally come to a conclusion about these games as well: and that is that I shall buy them, regardless of my liking for them. I have the hope and belief that I will highly enjoy them, but in any case, I shall buy them. As it seems that developers will only listen to numbers, and so, I shall give them just that.
For these games represent the dream of a Wii with new games for any genre and player. These games represent the current future of mature, “hardcore” games that currently the Wii is lacking. They represent the final step that the Wii must take to achieve its dream, its philosophy, of being for everyone.
And I, for one, would like to be one of those that help the Wii achieve this.
Last Halloween,
I was privileged to a party,
And I was oh so very keen.
You see,
The difference between others and this,
Any at which I instead could have decided to be,
Was that those that do not exist,
Were in perfect attendance, down to a T.
From Link, to Light,
From Megaman, to Meta Knight,
From Sasuke, to Sora,
From Kurosaki Ichigo, to Kenshin (who promptly tripped with an amusing “Ora!”),
From the Prince of tennis, to all the Pokemon,
From Daisuke to Donkey Kong,
From Winry, to Wario,
From Magus, to Mario.
What a tale to be told,
To both young, and old.
So worry not,
Those who think many a reference they’ll miss,
For, under oath that Kastom be shot,
Or that his own bottom he kiss,
I swear to you, at this very point,
That understanding and humour shall be joint.
It all began with my opening the door,
As white light blinded me from ceiling to floor.
“How appropriate,” a thought began to bloom,
“That it should be held here, in the third music room.”
Haruhi brightly greeted me,
She was covered in Halloween festivity.
“Welcome to the Ouran Host Club!”
First thing I thought, So this is her voice in dub…
And there behind her came good old Tamaki,
“Are you trying to hit on my Haruhi?!”
He began to freak.
But he was ignored by her, and hid in a corner, looking terribly bleak.
I laughed, and began to look around.
And amazed, I stood as though bound.
From wall to wall,
Were people I knew!
There was every character from Brawl!
And even shyguy and Boo!
Haru was quietly chatting with Cloud,
While Elie and Tifa laughed.
I saw KOS-MOS off in a crowd,
And Genis and Jade compared magic craft.
I looked back at Haruhi, astounded.
And was about to reply,
When suddenly I found myself surrounded.
A horde of Pokemon were on the fly!
Pikachu led them running,
The mass of them carrying a sword.
Realizing whose it was was stunning.
Inuyahsa had apparently left something ignored!
“Come back here you little bast…!”
“INUYASHA! SIT!”
I laughed as Kagome ran past,
And proceeded to enter a fit.
I figured now was a good time,
To talk while the conversations were prime.
Being the Otaku type,
I shuffled off to an area of people I knew,
And I saw a conversation that looked ripe,
Between Ranma, Rock Lee, and Plue.
“What is this thing?!” burst the befuddled Lee.
“Well, just between you and me,”
Began Ranma, just as confused,
“I think it looks like a dog that’s been abused!”
“Really?” a doubtful Lee replied,
“I thought it was an insect since it’s bug-eyed!”
But before Ranma could talk back,
Akane punched him, and he dropped like a sack!
“That’s for calling me a ‘macho chick’!”
Nearby, Yahiko laughed, “Wow, that was real slick.”
“That guy’s worse than Kenshin!”
“Well…” someone began, full of chagrin,
“I know how he feels alright…”
I looked and saw Keitaro, his usual lacklustre sight,
Though made a bit more exciting,
By his cat-man costume (though bad for the number of insults he was inviting).
I laughed and continued on my way,
Wandering from cliché to cliché.
“OBJECTION!” Someone called.
“Why did you say that Wright?”
Phoenix’s expression stalled,
“…”, which was a laughable sight.
Al ran around with his head off,
Scaring many a person.
And though many of the older ones attempted to scoff,
It was obvious their apprehension of him would worsen.
Samus, Train, and Quote, got themselves into a shooting competition,
All vying for the “Best Shot” position.
“Do a barrel roll!” Peppy called, excitement to the brim,
As Renton attempted to best Kira at a piloting sim.
Naruto could be heard everywhere,
Yelling his dreaded, “Believe it!”
Until Renji, in angry despair,
Taped him to a chair in a crazed fit.
I talked, I laughed, I listened,
The happiness shone, like a diamond would glisten.
But as everything good,
It had to come to an end.
And it was over, much sooner than I thought it should,
Like a conversation with a good friend.
The night went on,
I eventually grew tired and would yawn,
And knew it was time for me to be withdrawn.
So I waved Sora, Ed, and Lloyd goodbye,
And hoped I get to meet them all again,
I saw a few begin to cry,
And really, who would blame?
For this night had been so amazing,
The whole thing in my head blazing,
That I knew I would never forget it,
For it truly was unique,
And if only reality would permit,
I would gladly do this every week.
But Halloween comes only once a year,
And so I knew that from now on,
I would simply do my best to spread its cheer,
From dusk ‘till dawn.
For, while that night can never happen again,
I know that if I try hard enough,
I can make sure that everyone has fun, simple and plain.
And though it will be tough,
I challenge each and every one of you,
To make the most out of this day,
And make sure you live it up, all the way through.
So Happy Halloween, everyone!
This wonderful and fun day has begun!
