What the Wii Has to Do to Win, Part 1

So far, the Wii is up. But the battle isn’t even close to over. So far the Wii has sold over 20 million units, but last cycle, the PS2 sold almost 120 million units. We still have a long way to go, and here is what Nintendo needs to do if it wants to stay number one:

More Wii Games:

We need more games designed for the Wii. More games that can only be played on the Wii. Games like Metroid Prime 3. Games that wouldn’t be the same if it was ported to a different console. Nintendo needs to deemphasize games like Wii Sports — just a motion sensitivity gimmick — and show some games that focus on game play, with the Wiimote of course. Super Smash Bros Brawl is a spectacular example. Unfortunately, most developers are using the Wiimote capabilities for the same things they would use a mouse for. Or they only really use them in small and lame mini-games. We need more games that include the Wiimote into core game play, in unique and innovative ways that work.

At the moment, the Wiimote is new. So I understand the slow developer movement to explore the possibilities. Nintendo is doing a great job of showing the way, and I think that developers are starting to take a real good look at what they can do. So far, so good in this category.

More Non-Wii Games:

A lot of big franchises are skipping over the Wii. This has to stop, or eventually people will get those other consoles. A lot of developers don’t even want to deal with how to manage a port, and many of them feel that if they can’t incorporate motion sensitivity it isn’t worth it. Nintendo needs to put more emphasis on the Classic Controller. They need to arrange more people having one so that developers can count on players having one, making the port simpler. If Nintendo doesn’t reel these developers in, many gamers this cycle are going to end up with two systems. In that case, I think developers will continue staying away from the Wii which will only lead to the Wii will losing out big.

Drop Virtual Console Costs:

The VC is a great idea. Tons of people love the old games and want collection of them. This is already common in the computer emulator and rom world. I think the VC could be a great draw, and a good reason for people to buy a Wii. But costs need to go down. Ten bucks for an old N64 is far too much. I know they’re working on this, but Nintendo also needs a much bigger collection. People like the idea of having every old game at their fingertips. If Nintendo drops VC prices and offers a wider collection, I bet it’ll help them stay in the lead. Imagine the amazing response if Nintendo offered every NES game ever made — free. That is marketing, get on it Nintendo, people are already pirating them anyway.