What's Wrong with the Wii - Gamepro Rebuttal

Gampro has a great article up that lists some things that they would like to see changed on the Wii:

• GamePro: The continued low supply of the Wii makes you think that Nintendo is creating a "false shortage". Either way though, these supply issues should be solved by now.
  Rebuttal: While I agree that the Wii supply issues are annoying, I'm not cynical enough to say that Nintendo is creating a "false shortage" by purposely not producing enough consoles to meet demand. If anything, this shortage may actually encourage some people to look elsewhere for their gaming needs if they continually cannot get a Wii. The best bet is that the Wii is facing a similar situation in the US as the DS is in Japan; i.e., they're simply selling out immediately. I can't tell you how many times I see fevered postings on websites like Slick Deals that the Wii will be on sale at X webiste (!!! ZOMG!) and that people better move fast if they want to get one. Usually the Wii's are gone in a matter of minutes.


• GamePro: There isn't enough storage on the Wii (512mb) and there are no storage options available down the road. The Wii needs more storage.
  Rebuttal: The Wii is not a media center like the Xbox360 or PS3. If you want something like that, go pay the cash for it. The Wii is actually something of a backlash against this type of mentality. Nintendo felt that the consoles' focus on games was drifting away towards a more Living Room entertainment hub concept, so they created this simple little device that is fun to play games on (though they also takced on a news reader and a weather forecast feature and an Internet feature and... ok, that may not hold much water). I understand that some people (who purchase every available Virtual Console title) could run up against that 512 barrier, but, realistically, most people won't. It would be nice if Nintendo offered that option for some people, but right now that number is too much of a minority to get what they want.


• GamePro: The Wii was originally slated to have DVD playback, but that feature was removed to cut down on the cost of the Wii. Now that the Wii is out there, add the DVD playback feature as a download.
  Rebuttal: Okay, GamePro has me there. This feature is entirely a software issue that could be resolved with a pay download. This one really should be done. Even though I already have two DVD players, it would be nice to see this included if software is the only issue. I wouldn't use it, but I imagine some people would. If they made a Divx code or something available where I could stream media to the view... yeah, that would be nice though. I would almost never use it, but it would be nice. Pay download again please.


• GamePro: Nintendo should offer a rechargeable battery pack for the Wii. It's the environmentally conscious thing to do.
  Rebuttal: I agree on this one too. Not only is it the environmentally friendly thing to do, it would be the cost conscious thing to do: the Wiimote eats batteries. I have a set of rechargeables for my Wii, and I'm really happy that I have them.


• GamePro: Online gaming is essential. Microsoft didn't get it right the first time around, so Nintendo really needs to get their butt in gear.
  Rebuttal: I would throw a couple of swear words in to this one too: Where the ****ing **** is my ****ing online play?! It cannot be stressed enough how important online play is today. It adds replay value and games with online components sell better than those without. This is so important that my head is about to explode. Hell, I've been wanting to buy Mario Strikers Charged for awhile now just because it *has* online play. This is my biggest pet peeve.


• GamePro: There are too many crap-tacular titles out for the Wii. Bring back the Nintendo Seal of Approval and make it mean something by only letting quality games out to the masses.
  Rebuttal: Again, I completely agree with Gamepro. A lot of companies have just been porting PSP games to the Wii with absolutely no thought to graphics or gameplay. It's been incredibly frustrating to see so much shovelware produced for a console. I don't want to pre-order any games for the Wii (except for those made by Nintendo) because I'm afraid of how badly they're going to be screwed up. I wait for the reviews to come out and pray. A lot of the time I've been disappointed. Bringing back the seal of approval would be a very nice move.

Other than those issues, I really don't have anything else. The online play is the biggest one for me. I like the innovation that we're seeing from Nintendo with their accessories. The Wii Fit board looks great - check out a clip of it here. I have high hopes for it. The zapper seems gimicky, but the game that it comes with has been given great reviews so far, especially at the price point that it's going to be selling at.

Fingers crossed.

Wired Pumpkins

The folks over on the Wired Blog have thrown up a smorgasbord of pumpkin love for all of Geekdom to enjoy. Check it out.

I have no idea which one is my favorite, but right now I'm leaning towards the Cheshire Cat pumpkin. I think it's probably the clear lines (the WoW one is just too much for me) and the subject matter. Yeah, just a bunch of great pumpkins though.

[via Wired Blog]

Alien vs. Predator Sequel Coming 2007

Who would win in a fight: a Predator or an Alien?

It's one of those questions like, "Do I really exist?" or "Who is faster: The Flash or Superman?" that philosophers have been trying to answer since Predator was released in 1987 (Alien was released in 1979). All of the bent up frustration that fans of the two series felt though was supposed to be answered in the theatrical release of Alien vs Predator in 2004.

It should have been resolved in 2004, but, with a PG-13 rating, the only thing that was resolved in Alien vs Predator was the question of whether or not the fight would ever happen outside of fan fiction, graphic novels or video games. And a PG-13 movie doesn't jive with either of the two series gore-filled histories.

This fight is the gladiatorial match-up of two completely kick-butt pillars of the sci-fi horror/action community. It's also an excuse for one bad-ass, knock-down, drag-‘em-out movie that should end with gigantic fireballs coming out of your eyes - that's how thoroughly this movie should blow you away. Like I said though, the 2004 Alien vs Predator didn't meet these expectations. It was still good: it maintained the strong and intelligent female lead of the Alien series, it had an acceptable plot and good action, but, without the R rating's goodness, it felt empty. Like a doughnut that's healthy - it just doesn't work on a lot of levels.

That was then though, and this is now. There is a new Alien vs Predator movie coming out called Alien vs Predator: Requiem. The facts:

• Comes out on December 25, 2007. It could be direct to DVD, which would hurt a bit.


• It's directed by the Brothers Strause, which makes me nervous as hell because they have no movie-making experience. Yes, they are well known for some great music videos and commercials, and they do specialize in FX, but, still... no movie experience? Hell, it's possible that a director's eye more tuned in to the frantic moves and cuts of a music video will make a great addition to this storied series, but, still... no movie experience? It's the difference between writing poems and novels: the narrative length is hard to jump. This next item gives me a lot of hope though...


• The trailer looks great! Watch it here. Seriously, watch it. It's pretty damn good.