A look at “Mario Chase” from “Nintendo Land.” (Nintendo).
CRITIC’S NOTEBOOK
The launch of Nintendo’s newest console — the Wii U — is just about one month away. There is no questioning the system’s ambitions. By replacing one of the main controllers with what is essentially a tablet, the Wii U brings another monitor into the living room — it holds the promise of dual-screen gameplay and aims to transform the TV viewing experience.
Nintendo this week is showing off aspects of the system and its games at a two-day press event at the W Hotel in Hollywood. The last time I was able to get some hands-on time with the Wii U was at E3, and while I left curious to try more, I went home with one nagging question: Would the system’s tablet-like controller — a GamePad that gifts its holder with an alternate view of the action — essentially mean I would forever need two or three people in my living room to fully enjoy the Wii U?
Probably not, but $299.99 or $349.99, depending on the configuration, is a lot of cash to part with and the Wii U has to impress when friends aren’t vying for the GamePad. As more information on the system became available, my fears were gradually calmed. Oddly, not by its games, of which 23 will be available on the system’s Nov. 18 launch (that number includes download-only titles).
Instead, it was the system’s TVii feature that looked to be one of its more promising aspects. If done right, the TVii can become a one-stop shop for all TV viewing needs. On-demand services such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon are placed side-by-side with network schedules, allowing users at once to see all that is available for viewing or purchase.
Alas, there was no hands-on time with the TVii this morning, so whether it works as seamlessly as Nintendo’s demos remains to be seen. For sports fans, the TVii looks to be rather addictive, with previews showing the GamePad as being able to provide in-game statistics, digitally simulcast games and host all sorts of other goodies for those with short-attention spans. Yet questions as to what augmented features are or aren’t available sans an additional subscription weren’t answered.
Instead, attention at the Nintendo presentation at the W Hotel was turned toward launch game “Sing Party.” What followed was an awkward few minutes when Nintendo staffers sang along to the Wanted’s “Glad You Came” and media representatives fidgeted around looking for TVii spec sheets. Admittedly, Wii U does karaoke well, utilizing the GamePad and the TV to offer different instructions to singers and dancers.
More exciting was the chance to score some time with third-party Wii U games such as Activision’s “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” and Ubisoft’s “ZombiU.” I desperately want the “U” in “ZombiU” to stand for university, but this is a first-person survival horror game rather than the lighthearted point-and-click zombies-in-college game I’ll continue to dream about.
At E3 “ZombiU” looked to be one of the Wii U’s more impressive titles and in limited sample time it was able to make use of numerous aspects of the Wii U’s technology. The GamePad can become an inventory screen, a flashlight or a rifle scope with just the press of a button and a few movements. The GamePad made it incredibly easy to switch weapons inside the darkened, apocalyptic Tower of London (just drag and drop on the GamePad) and then take aim at fiery oil barrels.
A look at “ZombiU.” (Ubisoft).
The GamePad goes a long way toward providing a so-called immersive experience. Flip on its flashlight and do a 360 on your couch and the GamePad screen allows you to see more of the environment than what’s on the TV screen. Intriguing also is the social aspect — friends who are completing their own missions on their own consoles can leave in-game messages for you to find, a la “Dark Souls.” The more competitive aspect of the game, which sees one person acting as a sort of zombie dungeon master versus a protector of humans, was not previewed today.
First-person war games such as “Call of Duty” are not my personal favorites, but the simplified inventory visualization of the GamePad, allowing a user to quickly navigate and organize an overwhelming amount of weapons, immediately does away with some of the more daunting aspects of the first-person shooter, at least for those of us who prefer our heroes named Mario.
When playing with a friend locally, the GamePad is a vital tool – clunky split-screens become a thing of the past; I found I’d much rather view the action on the GamePad than the large flat-screen TV in front of me. Maybe that says a lot about the strength of the GamePad’s slick 6.2″ LCD touch screen, or perhaps it’s a simple acknowledgement that smart phones and tablets are transitioning the living room of the future into a place populated with multiple, more intimate screens.
Ultimately, though, for the Wii U to work, the system will have to excite the players who aren’t using the GamePad and are instead forced to use the old Wii controller (additional GamePad will be available for purchase at a later date and are expected to top $100). There are some optimistic signs. Namely “Nintendo Land,” which comes bundled in the $349.99 system.
A collection of 12 mini-games, “Nintendo Land” aims to do for the Wii U what “Wii Sports” did for the Wii — it is out to clearly illustrate why consumers will spark to this system and its non-traditional controls. One of the offerings on display was “Mario Chase,” a winning diversion with a simple premise. The user with the GamePad sees an alternate view of the field of play, and the players with Wii controllers have to hunt down the one behind the GamePad.
“Mario Chase” accomplishes a number of the Wii U’s goals. It allows players and technology to work together, and illustrates the joy of not just a connected home but a home in which devices actually connect. Not bad for a game of hide-and-seek.
– Todd Martens
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The best thing about it is NO APPLE LOGO
One of the more intelligent stories I've read about the Wii U.
If he did a 360, wouldn't he still be facing the tv?
Sure. After having seen "more of the environment than what's on the screen." That's kind of what happens when you do a 360.
main unanswered problems with Wii U:
1. With the complexity of modern games, the necessity of looking back and forth between two separate screens seems obstructive. Example – There is no getting around the fact when being chased by zombies you may need to equip a gun…and really quick; and in doing so, the moment your eyes leave one screen for another, you're zombie food et al.
2. With the video game industry as a whole suffering a slump, a stagnant economy, and previous Nintendo products already at a near saturation point (who doesn't have a Wii collecting dust), the market for a shiny new Nintendo console, at a hefty price point no less, is counter-intuitive.
3. The games and perception as a "casual" gamer's console is another problem. Die hard Nintendo fans will always splurge on the latest from Mario, Link and Metroid and company. If there's a new game featuring those characters it will do well among that incredibly loyal fan base. The problem in this scenario is that these flagship titles are aimed at casual gamers (who probably already have a Wii, and may not find need to buy another console) and the hardcore Nintendo faithful. And while Nintendo may be lining up great 3rd party devs to compete with the other major industry players (MS and Sony), Activision and their Call of Duty for example, it is still viewed as a casual gamers console in respect to its "history" of casual games and kid friendly advertising and characters.
4. Lastly, the hardware itself is another area of interest and debate. The xbox and Playstation devs have revealed their planned specs to have approximately 6 times the graphics processing power of this generation of consoles. The specs on the Wii U are approximately 1.5 times more powerful (GPU-wise) than the current gen. If these stats are accurate the Wii U will again, be drastically overpowered by it's cousins. Certainly there will be a year or so before the other major consoles release wherein Nintendo can gain some market share, but at the end of the day most gamers know it's better to wait and get a more powerful console for around the same price point.
Of course, if you're a long time Nintendo fan, you'll be picking this baby up regardless…and more power to ya. Just food for thought.
I've heard these things a lot, and here are my thoughts on your problems:
1. There is undoubtedly a high level of complexity in today's games. Mass Effect being one of my favorite examples. Looking at ZombieU which has the very scenario that you mention, I feel like that is half the point in those games. It adds a dimension of realism to have to look away for a second to grab your gun. That's clearly personal preference, but frankly, I think the speed that half the shooters now switch guns and reload is too fast and takes away from the experience.
2. You're Wii may be collecting dust, but mine (along with a large number of people's) is still getting a strong workout. I agree that the economy is weak, and that will make sales rough, but I don't think that throwing out a new console is counter-intuitive. Like you're said: it's near the saturation point. Which means, we need something else we can start saturating the market with. And considering console launch prices, I consider this one to have a rather fair price.
3. Can't argue with you there. I don't view Metroid as all that casual, but that's just me. The only thing I can see happening to fix this issue is having those people that both play "hardcore" games and casual ones playing something like Arkham City on the Wii U, being impressed, and getting other more hardcore gamers to try that and see that it adds something (assuming it does, which I grant is a huge assumption). So, agreed. Nintendo has a tough sell ahead of them, getting people to see it as more than just a casual platform.
4. I admit that the hardware will likely be outdated come the next installment of consoles, but this is the point where gameplay is going to have to trump graphics. Now that graphics have gotten to the point of things seeming life like (arguably ish), I think the importance of better and better graphics will diminish while the importance of actual gameplay and story will be on the rise. At least that's my personal hope.
Again, these are just my thoughts on the subject.
Well said sir, and I respect your honest retort, whereas most Nintendo fans would just reply in an expletive-laden fit of fanboy rage. And to your final point, you are absolutely correct. Gameplay should trump graphics in nearly every respect, as it was in the "beginning". As someone who still plays his SNES, and others of my generation will contend, the times of games being implicitly about creative and entertaining gameplay are almost completely gone. Sure, there's a bit of innovation here and there, but it's all graphics now. Like a Micheal Bay film…lots of explosions and CG, but very little plot or substance.
Couldn't this software be a downloadable app on any old tablet to utilize interaction with all forms of media. It seems idiotic to have wasted resources on R & D for hardware that, when released, will be very obsolete compared to other gaming/media consoles. I think Nintendo hardware, at least there gaming platform, will be going the way of Sega's dreamcast or the Atari. It is too late for Nintendo to not be competitive with major players. Therefore, I would recommend focusing on software content and development until you, Nintendo, develop technology that is truly innovative beyond, what is essentially, a smaller tablet with lots of buttons on it. Better luck when you are bankrupt!
Well, if Nintendo does go the way of Dreamcast, everybody wins (with the obvious exception of Nintendo hardware manufacturers, and die hard fans). Then Mario, Zelda and Metroid titles will be cross platform; much like the sonic the hedgehog games now. That would be interesting. PS-Sega still makes some amazing games today…ever try "Vanquish?" (on ps3 and 360). Great game!
hi there your wrong nintendo not bankrupt sold put preorders in 24 hours sold out sooo nintendo reinveted gaming
It is just so very difficult to take your retort with any credibility when you seem incapable of speaking even basic English or using any grammar or punctuation whatsoever.
grr way to many gaming systems! so now my wii fit board and wii fit won't work with the new system? I didn't see anyone ask that question.
An amazing review of Nintendo's new GamePad Wii U!! I really like the cool features added in the new edition and I think to reinvent the playing field Wii U will be successful. Advantages of this excellent device making inspired to buy it as soon as possible. Thanks mate for brilliant review.
Fine, this is really a highly review of Nintendo's new GamePad Wii U. Every feature of this new addition seems to me very attracting and I'm very willing to buy this device as soon as possible. Thanks
hi there yeah wii u has reinvinting gaming becuase compution has coppied nintendo ps3 ps vita xbox 360 smart glass xbox kinect and ps3 move
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