Best of 2007: Worst attempt at a cash-in

by David Hinkle { Dec 19th 2007 at 6:00PM }

During 2007, lots of companies realized that the Wii was doing good. Perhaps, too good. So, they scrambled to make games that they could port or "enhance" for the Wii, or other games that were made to take advantage of ~~the console's~~ adopters who were new to gaming and thus susceptible to spending money on crap games the unique capabilities of the Wii's controls scheme, causing a slew of cash-ins on the console that didn't necessarily bring anything new to the Wii other than another game sitting on the shelf. So, let's look at those games and you tell us what the most shameless and useless game of the lot is.

Soul Calibur Legends

Namco Bandai's attempt at a spin-off title made exclusively for the Wii didn't fare so well with the critics. Maybe it was the graphics, poor play mechanics or constant glitches that got the reviewers so down. Or, maybe it was just an unnecessary game that should have never been made.

Gallery: Soul Calibur Legends

Mario & Sonic at the Olympics

We've made tons of jokes about how Mario & Sonic at the Olympics is completely and utterly bad. Come on, Mario and Sonic in a foot race?! What the hell, man?! But, sure enough, it has been selling better than we thought and some people are actually playing the game. So, Sega's cash-in for the Wii might very well have been a good idea.

Gallery: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga

Oh no, Wii Fanboy is going to diss Lego Star Wars now?! Better get the pitchforks and torches ready, amirite? But, seriously, did we need the game repackaged in this manner? Sure, the first Lego Star Wars game might not have been released for the Wii, but it definitely hit the GameCube. Actually, the second game wasn't available on the Wii, either. But, it was, again, available on the GameCube. So, instead of allowing gamers to use the Wii's awesome ability to play GameCube games, Lucasarts repackaged the two for other systems and the Wii. Maybe we're reaching a bit on this one as the other consoles got it a bit worse than us, but it should definitely be considered.

Gallery: LEGO Star Wars: Complete Saga

Carnival Games

Here's one of the "omg Wii Sports we need something like Wii Sports" games to hit the Wii, bringing forth a ridiculous array of minigames with a carnival theme. With this blogger having never played it, he can't comment on its exact worth, but its creation is definitely a cash-in.

EA Playground

Now, we come to EA's attempt at cashing in on the minigame madness with EA Playground. Considering we were so sick of the whole minigame thing back when it came out, we didn't give any time to EA Playground. Looking back, we're not too interested still.

Gallery: EA Playground

MySims

Take one of EA's most successful franchise and add in one console that has seen incredible popularity out of nowhere and you get My Sims. Our very own Alisha said it's "lacking in depth, it's long on charm and simple fun." So, maybe it isn't such a horrible cash-in and more of a valid option for fun times on the Wii. We'll leave that up to you to decide.

Gallery: MySims Wii

Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition

It may have been many folks' choice for Game of the Year once, but it's been ported onto the PS2 and finally the Wii. The changes? There's a reticle always pictured and Nintendo faithful can now enjoy some of the extra content that those who snatched up the first port for the PS2 version enjoyed for so long. And now there's waggle, too. Great game, but still an obvious cash-in attempt.

Gallery: Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition

Ghost Squad

Ghost Squad is an arcade game that was created back in 2004. Sega, for some reason, saw fit to put it on the Wii in 2007. Light-gun games are a perfect match for the Wii, since the Wiimote can be a pretty good light gun and special peripherals don't need to be manufactured. But, why not do what Capcom did and at least attempt to bring something new to the table, instead of just giving us this game from 2004. The graphics look like they're from 2002, to be honest.

Gallery: Ghost Squad Wii

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

The port of the PS2 and Xbox game was given Wii controls, allowing special moves and fatalities to be performed with some serious waggle. But, since this game is pretty much the most content-rich fighting game in existence, many Wii owners just wanted the game on their favorite system and we can't fault them for that. So, maybe just because we felt it should be recognized, you don't.

Gallery: Mortal Kombat Armageddon

And there goes our list for the cash-in titles of 2007. But, your voice needs to be heard. Vote which one is the biggest, most shameless cash-in below and be sure to comment on games we might have missed or overlooked.

Tags: armageddon, best-of-2007, capcom, carnivalgames, ea, eaplayground, ghostsquad, lego, legostarwars, marioandsonic, mk, mortalkombat, mysims, namco, re4, residentevil4, sega, soulcaliburlegends

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

jeremy @ Mar 8th 2008 8:35PM

hey if u r a guy that likes playground im the skate camp no one can beat me

ps. work on it all night long

nytestalker @ Dec 19th 2007 11:32PM

Me and the wife love mario and sonic at the olympics...

Its not by any means a core game, but it is actually quite fun.

I spend most of my time with it trying to "out do" the other players online ranks.

In all honesty, if it had online, it would have a been a super great game imo.

The rest on that list are all "meh".

(I vote for lego on the foundation that it was just a rehashed game to cash in on the popularity of the wii... same with MK, but I like MK)

lego91994 @ Dec 20th 2007 12:41AM

Lego star wars had alot of added content though... and wouldn'y be easier to just buy that than finding the 2 games seperate for Gamecube? I don't think it was really a cash-in, itherwise it wouldn't have appeared on the 360 and PS3. RE4 doesnn't really deserve to be on that list either.

LuigiHann @ Dec 19th 2007 6:23PM

I vote for Cruis'n.

tiamat1990 @ Dec 19th 2007 6:36PM

Carnival Games...

Ross @ Dec 19th 2007 6:41PM

BOOOO..... come on half of the games there are really good games, for example: EA Playground, i bought that game even after reading a review on ONM (The British Official Nintendo Magazine) I still went out and bought it, it's a good game and most of the 8 or so games are good. only 1 or 2 are bad but it's a great multiplayer game!

Laughing_Hands @ Dec 19th 2007 6:52PM

Yeah, most of these games are good.

Aaron @ Dec 19th 2007 6:54PM

I have come to realize that David Hinkle has some of the worst taste in videogames of any reviewer I know.

Have you ever played Mario & Sonic? A cash-in? It's a fun and original take on the summer olympics, featuring all the favorite Mario and Sonic characters. Honestly, I think it's the best game SEGA has made since F-Zero GX on the Gamecube.

And RE4? Are you kidding. This is perhaps one of the top 5 adventure games ever made, and Capcom is generous enough to take advantage of the Wii's capabilities and give us the definitive version of this instant classic. The Gamecube audience was small. Capcom wants a larger group of gamers to be able to experience their finest work.

As for the rest, yeah we all know that "playground" or "carnival" style minigame compilations are a dime a dozen, but at least give credit to SEGA and Capcom where credit is due.

Garrett @ Dec 19th 2007 7:05PM

Even though those are good games, they're still just cash-ins. Companies just slapped something on like motion controls to make money, and it just happened to work.

troy @ Dec 19th 2007 7:12PM

This is pathetic criteria for 'cash-in'. It's like saying "a company thought it could make a game that would sell, so they made a game for the system and it just happened to be good."

Something using the system's unique features is a cash-in? I don't know, I think its a good Olympics game. I don't think an Olympics game would have been considered a 'mini-game collection' before the Wii but now anything with activities will seem like that because that is what everybody expects.

sn1per @ Dec 19th 2007 7:38PM

While I agree that a good game can still be a cash-in, I don't really think RE4 counts as a complete cash-in. Yes, you could play the GC version on your wii, but the wii version of the game has added content and cleaned up graphics, and the wiimote functionality actually adds to the gameplay.

David Hinkle @ Dec 19th 2007 8:13PM

"Have you ever played Mario & Sonic? A cash-in? It's a fun and original take on the summer olympics, featuring all the favorite Mario and Sonic characters. Honestly, I think it's the best game SEGA has made since F-Zero GX on the Gamecube."

No, I never did play Mario & Sonic. Why? Because it doesn't appeal to me, it's a collection of olympic sport minigames that has no real value to me. There isn't anything there to draw me in personally, and I could care less about the title. Regardless, it's a cash-in game in every sense of the word. It uses the prospect of Mario and Sonic being in the same game for the first time to sell itself, rather than its actual content (engaging gameplay, fascinating story, etc). if I'm wrong, fine, I'm wrong, but I don't feel I am.

"And RE4? Are you kidding."

Noone is arguing the greatness that is RE4. It was on many GOTY lists for a reason. But, seriously, this is a cash-in. The game now has a reticle on the screen and it gives us the same content we got shafted by when the PS2 version was announced. Sure, it is at a discounted price on the Wii, but the game is a cash-in by all means, still. If Capcom decided to bring Viewtiful Joe to the Wii with waggle and a new playable character, would you not call that a cash-in? Would you not call Okami coming to the Wii a cash-in, as much as we all want it? If all it has is pointer-based painting (which is what I fully expect) to differentiate itself from the PS2 version, would you not call that a cash-in?

And, in general to all of you, this isn't my judgments by any means. These are just some games that came to mind as possible cash-ins and worthy of consideration as possibly being one. Don't crucify me!

But, overall, good discussion, folks!

Fullmetal Salchemist @ Dec 20th 2007 4:03AM

"This is perhaps one of the top 5 adventure games ever made"

Man, you must think VERY highly of this game, considering the fact that the RE series aren't adventure titles.

Rainer @ Dec 21st 2007 11:55AM

"No, I never did play Mario & Sonic. Why? Because it doesn't appeal to me, it's a collection of olympic sport minigames that has no real value to me."

I never wanted to play Mario & Sonic either, but my roommate came home with it one day and I ended up playing along with him. It's a much better game that I ever expected it to be and actually really fun to play over and over again. It's almost like Wii Sports 2. You should give it a try, David, it may change your opinion. But you should be playing it anyway. Quit looking like an irresponsible journalist and by writing about a game you've never played.

Zack W. @ Dec 19th 2007 7:01PM

Personally, I am loving Ghost Squad...."On your Knees!!!"

troy @ Dec 19th 2007 7:10PM

"There are enemies remaining... Defeat them!" -
"I will give you permission to use the grenades!"

This game has some great voice acting (lol). I love the game though. I think it is better than if the acting was good, because it adds a lot of humour to the game.

"WHAT are you doing? Can't you even give support fire?"

Kenology @ Dec 19th 2007 7:02PM

Why the entire Conspiracy Entertainment/Data Design fleet of craps games aren't on this list is beyond me. RE4 should be given a pass just for being a classic.

Evangelist Pinto @ Dec 19th 2007 7:05PM

I guess I'm the only one who voted for Ghost Squad. Its a port of an old game..and Cruisin wasn't here...

troy @ Dec 19th 2007 7:07PM

I sure wouldn't vote for Ghost Squad, I've got it and I like it.

Sketchy Fletchy @ Dec 19th 2007 7:06PM

Dear God,

Hello. I realise you're probably quite busy and all, but I have just one small request to make. I don't ask for much - as a matter of fact, I've never asked you for anything before - but I feel this is extremely important, and you're the only person/deity for the job.

Could you please instantaneously smite from existence every single bastard that decides they're going to make another minigame collection for the Wii in the next three years? We're all getting quite sick and tired of them, and we'd really rather they not waste the time and resources of quite capable software developers on derivative drivel like Carnival Games and EA Playground.

Cheers,
Fletch

troy @ Dec 19th 2007 7:06PM

Agreed, I fail to see why some of these games are labeled 'Cash-In's' when they are just Wii versions of multiplatform titles, like 'Lego Star Wars,' (and NO, I don't like star wars). Some choices I have to take offense to like 'Mario & Sonic,' which IS selling well and guess what it IS number one in the UK, so maybe your laughing so hard at Sega is not warranted. Maybe Sega should be laughing at YOU! Oh, and again you make me mad by insulting 'Ghost Squad.' I'm glad I spent my $28 on this very fun and engaging game. Sure, the voice acting is awful, but you can bet I've made jokes tons of times involving a play on 'I will give you permission to use the grenades!' I just don't know what you are complaining about. Yuck.

I can see some of these being on here but then again people are commenting who actually own or have played those games (unlike me) saying they found them enjoyable and engaging so who am I to try to make them feel like their taste is awful?

David Hinkle @ Dec 19th 2007 8:23PM

I'm not trying to make anyone feel awful. This is a post for YOU ALL to decide what the cash-in games are. If they aren't one I listed, fine, just mention it yourself and discuss it. These are some things I put together as possible cash-ins. It's all meant as discussion for you, not some kind of thing where I'm proclaiming things from the top of a mountain or something.

As for Sonic & Mario, it's just not a game that appeals to me and one I think was warranted. Sure, Sega is making money, but of course they are: it's the first game with both Sonic and Mario in it. As for myself, I'm counting Smash Bros. as being the first Sonic and Mario title.

Ponweed @ Dec 19th 2007 9:02PM

Mario and Sonic was OK, and I never played L.S.W. before the "Complete Saga:, and I enjyed it.

AlgusUnderdunk @ Dec 19th 2007 7:15PM

Okay, that's an unfair listing and set of judgements. Any 'newcomer' to the gaming community (or old-school gamer who returned to gaming) will be delighted to buy any of these games.

David Hinkle @ Dec 19th 2007 8:24PM

This isn't a judgment by any means, that's why the poll is there. If something wasn't included for consideration, then bring it up and talk about it.

Aaron @ Dec 19th 2007 7:24PM

Hinkle, you are now my arch-nemesis.

David Hinkle @ Dec 19th 2007 8:25PM

Am I the Lex Luthor to your Superman or the Joker to your Batman? I'd prefer to be the Joker, to be honest. :)

sn1per @ Dec 19th 2007 8:28PM

That's not very nice. I mean sure, I disagree with him calling RE4 a cash-in, cause it had better graphics/added content, but like he said, he's just trying to start a discussion, and I'd say he succeeded in that.

David Hinkle @ Dec 19th 2007 8:31PM

Why, thank you.

*tips hat*

troy @ Dec 19th 2007 9:58PM

Anyone can start a 'discussion' by heavily dissing a game over 500,000 people in this country alone have paid $50 for, and then admitting they've never tried it, played it, or even want to know anything about it. This isn't a discussion, its offended people puking up words in disgust.

Mr Khan @ Dec 19th 2007 7:45PM

I had to vote for Carnival games, because real, actual carnival games are hideous cash-ins in and of themselves

Although Soul Calibur Legends was really tempting. The whole concept of it just screamed "cash in"

Kai Cherry @ Dec 19th 2007 8:55PM

Ha!

Clever observation.

grp110nyr @ Dec 19th 2007 7:55PM

No Way RE4 should be on this. Capcom did it right when they ported it and for their effort they deserve to cash in. I stopped playing the PS2 version b/c Wii controls are much better for this game. I wish other devs would take a note. I wish Capcom would cash in more and remake previous Resident Evil games with the over the shoulder view and Wii controls. If they do they need to chuck the lead boots that slowed avatar movements. But anyways this is simply a blog to get readers mental juices flowing.

3cubed minus 3squared plus1 @ Dec 19th 2007 8:03PM

Shouldn't games like cooking mama and Petz be cash ins?
I don't see how half of these qualify.

Robert Jung @ Dec 19th 2007 8:19PM

Anyone who lists Lego Star Wars or Resident Evil 4 as "quick cash-ins" on the Wii instantly loses all credibility.

--R.J.

David Hinkle @ Dec 19th 2007 8:34PM

Whoah, don't go putting words in my mouth. I never called them "quick cash-ins." But what kind of huge overhaul or effort was put into the Wii port of RE4? As for Lego Star Wars, I even said it is probably reaching to include that. But, as I've made clear in the comments, this is here to start discussion. If you're here often, you've seen our Wii Warm Up topics. They're the same thing. We like discussion. It's rad.

Kai Cherry @ Dec 19th 2007 8:48PM

David...

If you are going to smart off to your readers, and in this business model, your readers are your goddamned CUSTOMERS...

As a writer, could you PLEASE TRY TO USE PROPER ENGLISH and CORRECT SPELLING?!

Good Lord, man. "Noone"? "could care less"?

As for the content of the piece itself, I'm gonna have to agree with the customers here.

It is off the mark, at best, and at worse, a thinly-veiled whiney piece against causual/minigames in general.

Guess what, slick? That's the system. That's what it is...one big Warioware theme and variation experiment.

Let me give you a good take on a "social" spin on one of the "Cash-In" games you ragged on...Carnival Games.

We actually picked this up and, get this, had a whole Carnival Themed Party around the thing.

That's right...funnel cakes, kettle corn in Red and White Boxes, balloon animals, cotton candy and little dollar store "prizes"...
And it was a *blast* man. The kids loved it...the adults *really* loved it because you know, to the "not anti-social screen-starin' button mashers" the concept of even using a video game system as a party favor, the entertainment and setting the theme never occurred to them because most games are more like WORK than PLAY.

Of course...I forgot about "LAN Parties"....ugh.

I think that you guys do a disservice to the platform sometimes by constantly ragging and knocking on the entertainment that the expanded market (what..you think Ninty is selling all these things to basement dwellers? Movin' a lot of Mario are they?) that is making the system actually viable, simply because the Revolution was in fact Televised...it just seems that you were tuned to the wrong freakin' station.

I mean, is there any "writer" on the staff of this blog that actually speaks for the BUYERS and CUSTOMERS...the "Wii Fanboys" as it were?

You guys, pound for pound, don't *really seem* to LIKE the system at all...and really wish it were something else, but got stuck with this crummy assignment.

And yes, before you ask, Carnival Games got played more than that one time. My kids play it at least once a week...and we have over 25 titles to choose from at this point.

They like it. Its FUN. Stop hating on "yay!" laugh-out-loud with you sis or bro or mom or dad fun.

troy @ Dec 19th 2007 10:02PM

There are very many times when a great deal of your words ring true.

Don @ Dec 19th 2007 11:17PM

"I mean, is there any "writer" on the staff of this blog that actually speaks for the BUYERS and CUSTOMERS...the "Wii Fanboys" as it were?

You guys, pound for pound, don't *really seem* to LIKE the system at all...and really wish it were something else, but got stuck with this crummy assignment."

Yes, it definately feels like that. They think they can hide their indifference/apathy toward the Wii, but it's pretty obvious in articles like this one.

We're not looking for sycophants, but it would just be nice to have people who *LIKE* the Wii to be writing on WiiFanboy.

David Hinkle @ Dec 20th 2007 12:23AM

What would give you the impression that I hate the Wii? The site may be Wii Fanboy, but we're by no means going to smile and take every single game for the system and say it's great and report to you all that it's wonderful like a bunch of robots. We're not the press-release-spewing gaming media here. We're bloggers with a passion and unique opinions and personalities. That wouldn't be honest if I sat here and churned out posts with nothing but pleasant things to say about the subject material and never criticized anything. We are objective and honest in our writing, each and every one of us, and that is what sets us apart.

As for smarting off, I don't even understand that. I put up a post full of games that might be cash-ins. I then put up a poll and asked the readers to vote and say what they think. Where did I smart off and do a disservice to our "customers?" Our readers are the best and we're very thankful for them, but we don't charge anyone for anything. So, I myself don't look at you all as customers like some kind of car salesman or something, but more along the lines of folk with a mutual interest: the Wii. I love the Wii, I love playing it and I love my job of writing about it. So, if I come off as too critical or mean regarding the system, that's because I want to see it be the best it can be.

As for the whining and some kind of attempt I made at trashing these games, again I point to my severely limited commentary and the poll. If I wanted to make statements about these games judging them, I'd review them. Or, I would definitely write more about each game rather than a couple of sentences like I did here. This was merely a few tidbits about the game itself or why it deserved to be considered a cash-in, a gallery to let folks check out some screens and then the poll.

I just don't get how I come off to some of you as being this guy who just absolutely hates the Wii. I mean, if I did, you think I would be happy doing this? If I'm not happy, why wouldn't I just quit?

And, as for this being a negative piece, we're trying to do interesting stuff for the end of the year. Anyone can just throw up cookie-cutter wrap-up posts and polls and call it a day. We don't settle for that around here. We're proud to be a unique blog on the Nintendo scene and try to bring that to everything we do, including these kind of wrap-up posts. And, most importantly, we try to involve you all as much as we can. This is a community that you're a part of as much as we are, so we value everything you have to say very much. That's why these are reader polls and not just stuff like "Wii Fanboy's top 10 games of 2007" and junk like that.

Hopefully, that explains my position a bit and helps you feel better. If not, well, I don't think there is much else I can do for you.

Kai Cherry @ Dec 20th 2007 12:48AM

Oh don't give me that "we aren't robocheerleaders" line, man.

What I said stands: you guys don't generally report on the system for what it *is* but more often than not, what you wish it were.

This in and of itself isn't inherently bad...but it crosses into a cynicism that makes one wonder if you even really "get" what Nintendo is selling...and selling BIG.

The Wii "Experience"...to borrow from Nintendo, really *isn't* Gamecube 2.0, is it?

Its not marketed the same, its not attracting the same audience...it is a thing in and unto itself.

You want to bash Cruisin'? You'll get no arguments from anyone sane, really I think.

But to (constantly) berate an entire class/genre of Interactive Entertainment, the one *actually driving sales and adoption* if nothing else, tells me you may not recognize your target reader (anymore)...you know?

Have you guys done any market research on the actual demographics of this blog?

You say you are objective, David?

Name one "minigame" collection on the platform with merit. How about something "on rails"? Its an automatic "fail" pretty much, isn't it?

The "smarting-off" was not directed at the piece, but your earlier responses to the post. They were a bit...acerbic.

Again, I don't think you know your core readers anymore.

The "whine and cheese" specifically refers to your painfully obvious *lack of objectivity* towards the "minigame menance" (not your words, but certainly your tone) and pretty much anything casual.

You know...the Wii market.

Hate the Wii? Perhaps not.

Wish it were the "GCN Über" and not "Granny's New Best Friend"?

Yeah...I get that, to be honest. I get that vibe here more often than not...and I really don't think I'm even remotely alone...for those in the Stick With It crowd, anyway.

Want a poll suggestion? Ask the readers what they think about THAT.

And your last paragraph....sheesh. A bit snide there, chief :)

Yes, we realize that you're "honest" and "objective"...I'll take that as read.

I just wish you'd actually write about the Wii, the impact, and what is *driving that impact* with a bit more respect or understanding.

Or maybe both.

Mr Khan @ Dec 23rd 2007 12:33PM

WALLS OF TEXT

CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL

Zack W. @ Dec 19th 2007 9:30PM

Um...I may some of these other titles from the bargain bin...why not? Probably My Sims and Lego Star Wars. As for Minigames, I only own Wii Sports. I may get more in time. I also own The Godfather. It has been a while since I played it, but I did enjoy the strangle people and smack guys with a bat motions. For that part, I felt the game benifited from the Wii tack ons. As for most of the games on the list, I cannot comment because I have not played them. I will say that Ghost Squad is like playing in the Arcade, but you don't have to pump in the quarters. So, if you play the game through about 20 times (which is not hard to do) it pays for itself. I definitely recommend that one, and it paves the way for more light gun games. Just my 2 cents.

troy @ Dec 19th 2007 10:03PM

Agreed, I can spend hours with my Zapper whittling away at higher and higher scores man on Ghost Squad

Zack W. @ Dec 19th 2007 9:34PM

By the way David, no hard feelings here. That is why there are so many games out there, not everyone likes the same thing. I would be dissapointed to see a lot of so-so cash-in games in teh next hear or two, but at least these are something to rent while we wait for something really good....ie. Geometry Wars. Although a re-hash of a free xbox360 game, I just can't put it down...oohhh the colors!!

Zack W. @ Dec 19th 2007 9:35PM

So many typos...I am the suxxorzz..heheh

Neko @ Dec 19th 2007 9:59PM

I don't care what any one else said, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is an AWESOME FREAKING GAME!!!!!!!!!! I got it about a week and a half ago, and I love it! Everyone who gave the game a bad rating, or who doesn't like it, can kiss my ***!

troy @ Dec 19th 2007 10:06PM

I've heard only good things from people like you who have ACTUALLY PLAYED THE GAME. People with ultra-strong opinions about things they have no experience with are called bigots, closed-minded, or other unsavory things that reflect that particular unsavory aspect of their personalities.