The Wii- a complete rundown

What it can do- Other than back flip.

Play all existing Gamecube games, with controller ports and memory card slots
WiFi Online mode for downloads and online play, as well as rumored Nintendo DS compatibility
Backwards compatibility for NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and TurboGrafx 16 games, downloadable from the internet
Parental controls systems will be implemented on all lines of the ESRB, much like a DVD player but for all games into the system

Thoughts and Commentary

These features are truly the key parts of the Wii (Other than the controller, which justified it's own section in this article) and really set apart what this system is going to be. It's very obvious Nintendo put some thought into this system, and much like the Nintendo DS, still acknowledges that it has a responsibility to hold itself to it's older library of titles, which by far tend to generate more hype and sales than even existing games. One of the most disappointing things about any given Nintendo system is the fact that since 99.9% of them were cart based, that you could not play old games on a new system. Whereas the Playstation 2 could play Playstation games and even the Game Boy Advance could play Game Boy/Game Boy Color games, the fact that the carts for the NES/SNES/N64 were special and require different ports generally meant that you would not see them continued into new systems. This was irritating, because when it comes down to brass tacks, Nintendo has the strongest old library of games, and yet Nintendo still always forgot to actually use it.



Well, this problem is no more. Thanks to some clever thinking, the Wii will support Gamecube games by default with no special connectors or anything- meaning that anyone could sell their Gamecube and get a Wii, guilt free. The whole system is actually built around this, with one whole side being taken up purely to accommodate four plugs for the Gamecube controllers and the standard two memory card slots. That's actually phenomenal- as I said above, this means that Nintendo has finally realized that they can build a library for a new system purely by supporting old games. However, there is a catch to this- the Wii is going to be built around the old processor assuredly for this purpose, which may be clever upgrading or stupid use of an aging processor core- you decide.

One of the more recent announcements is that the system will feature a rather extensive parental controls system, which is really a repercussion of the whole attack on violent video gaming by various organizations. The system will basically block depending on ranking according to the ESRB, CERO, or various other ratings boards in different countries, which will basically serve as protection to keep Nintendo safe from barrages and attacks from media groups. However, this still begs the classic question- If a parent is too lazy to keep their kid from buying Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, do you honestly think they will limit their child's actions on a Nintendo Wii? Doubtful. But still, a smart idea for those who will actually use it.

The questionable factor is the WiFi connection service, which will be used to connect gamers online against each other, just like the Nintendo DS. The real question here is going to be the service- if it's going to be like XBOX Live (As in Nintendo has one big central database for everything) or game-to-game specific- and if it will work correctly. As the Nintendo DS WiFi is great and supported well (Though sometimes notoriously slow and problematic), we at Gametrash generally expect a good experience, but wonder what the experience will contain. It would be very interesting to see Nintendo deal with common Internet idiots and hackers, but even more interesting to see how they handle day to day gameplay. In any case, this is something to watch, but I can't make any guarantees in any facet.

Overall thoughts and closing

When I step back and look at the Wii, I am floored at the capabilities and power of the system. But, like the Sega Dreamcast has shown, power and interesting features do not generally translate into an interesting system. In fact, Nintendo itself has had some pretty notable flops (For example, R.O.B. and/or the Virtual Boy) but, for the most part, keeps itself pretty stable in the market. By no means will Nintendo completely fail.



But then again, one must try to thoroughly examine the competition. The issue, as with the Nintendo DS, is that the system itself may be good, but now that the competition against Nintendo gets bigger and stronger daily, it is sometimes harder for the average gamer to be impressed by anything Nintendo pumps out. But, still, I have to think back to when I was a child, and when I was so obsessed with Nintendo and the systems, the sheer joy I got from taking one in my hand and playing with it. That's the kind of enjoyment I still want to have now- the kind of blind amusement that I used to carry with me, the kind of overpowering happiness I got, not because any given system was superior to another, but just because I enjoyed myself.

If Nintendo can simplify this system and promote the easy-to-play innovative setup they have going, there is no doubt in my mind that Nintendo will prove a definite winner in the console wars. However, if Nintendo would commit the carnal sin of attempting to sell the system at a high price, or, even worse, sell the system as a powerhouse graphics-pumping system, they will fail. My only worry at this point is that Nintendo will, like the Nintendo DS, somewhat under use the cool features and turn the Wii into a generic gaming console.

But in any case, I'm excited. I really want to play underwear samurai.

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