Wii Warm Up: Memorable delays

by Candace Savino { Jan 26th 2008 at 10:30AM }

We've done some delay speculating, but we were wondering -- are delays really all that bad? Hear us out, for a second.

There's no question that delays are disappointing. It's not fun to look forward to something, only to find out that it's being pushed back. In the end, though, the frustration goes away. Once you get your hands on the game, all is forgiven and forgotten.

Or is it? Are there any game delays that you really remember? What we mean is, do you still get angry when thinking about any delays in the past? Five years from now, will you still be venting about the time that Super Smash Bros. Brawl got pushed back twice? Essentially, how memorable are delays to you?

Tags: brawl, delay, smash-bros-brawl, ssbb

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

vidGuy @ Jan 26th 2008 10:46AM

Delays don't really bother me. I usually have enough to play that a delay just means I have more time to play what I've got.

Shadow31 @ Jan 26th 2008 10:52AM

Good for you that you can afford enough games to keep you busy. I gotta pick and choose ones worth saving up for and so when a game is delayed for me, I have longer to wait with my money set aside. Stupid college tuition.

vidGuy @ Jan 26th 2008 11:44AM

I'm in the same boat as you - college senior here. I just try to shop smart. I buy one or two games a year at full price (usually with giftcards from holidays), but I get another dozen or so on-the-cheap. Yes, I'm usually playing older games, but so what? I got Puzzle Quest on the PC for $10, MP2:E for $12, Zack and Wiki for $19, and Super Mario Galaxy for $29.

I also look around for deals for accessories. I bought a 3-month LIVE subscription for $10 and my last Wii Points card for $14. You've got to be resourceful to fulfill a gaming addiction on a limited budget.

Shadow31 @ Jan 26th 2008 1:25PM

I don't even have that much money. My income is about $40 to $50 a week, and I commute since I can't afford housing at school, which costs just about that much in cash. I'll get a couple extra bucks a week, if I'm lucky; I definitely can't afford a game more often than every few months. I've been saving up for Brawl for about 6 months and I finally have enough.

Red Leader @ Jan 26th 2008 2:43PM

Makes me glad I work at Blockbuster video: piddling wage, but the free game rentals certainly make entertainment cheaper. Then all that money I save can go . . . right into tuition.

flameofdoom666 @ Jan 26th 2008 3:01PM

Being a college students, saving up for games is really hard.

Making time to play the games, is even harder!

And now Brawl comeso ut for Midterms week. blah.

flameofdoom666 @ Jan 26th 2008 3:02PM

I live in New York, my Spring 08 semester started yesterday (Friday 25), how about you?

Shadow31 @ Jan 26th 2008 3:04PM

I go to RIT. We have quarters. Our winter quarter is more than half over. Spring quarter starts the day after Brawl's release.

Shadow31 @ Jan 26th 2008 10:51AM

Actually, yes. I am still pissed about the Twilight Princess delay; great game, yeah, but wasn't worth waiting two years for, didn't even live up to Ocarina of Time. Oh yeah, and there was that delay. The Mario Galaxy delay, was too short to be worth it. The list goes on. Each delay kills my faith in the company a little more; the more often a delay happens, the more it can be expected. I'm in the industry and I think that a release date should not be announced until the developer is sure they will make it; and, if worst comes to worst, a delay should be within a month of the original date and ONLY ONCE.

Done with my rant. Yeah, I'll be pissed about the second Brawl delay for awhile, now I get it the day before my Spring quarter starts and I won't have any time to play it. Thank you so much Nintendo. *rolls eyes*

fallentomato @ Jan 26th 2008 1:14PM

Yeah the Twilight Princess was brutal. And yet after all that time the second "half" of the game feels as barren as the mostly unpopulated overworld. Where the hell were the side-quests? I will always be bitter about that delay because it spent 2 years building up my expectations and then failed to deliver.

It's one thing when a game is delayed but the final product is so refined that the extra time seems well spent. That's why I don't think this brawl delay is that bad. From all indications this game will be worth the wait.

bhengh @ Jan 26th 2008 10:54AM

There are lots of games without delays. We call them shovelware.

Seriously, I don't mind waiting at all for a good game.

heyzeus @ Jan 26th 2008 10:58AM

The delay for the European release of Super Mario 3 was incredible. I think we had to wait 18 months. I was on holiday out there as a kid and played on it when it had just released. Back in England, no one would even believe me that it existed!

Whatevers said we get a better ride these days. They could still improve things. Then again we often get VC things before US, yay!!

Patrick @ Jan 26th 2008 11:24AM

Well there isn't anything right now that I was so mad that there was a delay, just because there wasn't any I really that I wanted that was delayed. Also, although I was pissed off at the delay of Twilight now, but I will not forget it. They just delayed it way too long. I don't know really, I am mad still, just not like full out rage. And I will will not forget these delays for Brawl in 5 years with out a doubt. And I will probably still be mad. Well right now I am really pissed, but I will still be mad then. I just wish they would tell us EXACTLY what they were doing. Instead of "Due to delays in the completion of Super Smash Bros. Brawl." What are the delays? Tell us. If I just knew exactly why they were delaying, and it was good reason to delay, I wouldn't be mad at all.

ChrisCanberg @ Jan 26th 2008 12:17PM

You make a good point. Something that I've been dying to address for a while.

I've been watching all of these different Brawl videos with tons of gameplay, and everything just seems to run silky smooth. It just gets me to thinking, what exactly do they still need to do to it that they haven't already? The game's done in Japan, or at least it should be, seeing as how it's coming out there in 5 days. It shouldn't take another month and a half to translate because the photos from the Dojo with wording on them are all in english. So I assume that the game's being translated as it goes. I don't think they're adding more onto the game for the English version, because that's just not like Sakurai. He wouldn't put something in English version that he's not putting in the Japanese version. There's really nothing left to do if a version of the game is coming out in not even a week.

I dunno, it's all bullshit. I've been playing along nicely for a while, but now I'm really starting to get pissed about it.

Shadow31 @ Jan 26th 2008 1:40PM

First delay made sense. This one? What could they be adding? Nothing, if it's coming out in Japan in 5 days. Here's the possibilities at this point:

1) Localization, but doubt it. A game like that gets localized as it's made. Obviously so, since we were supposed to get it within a week of Japan for the original release date.

2) Licensing. One of the most plausable excuses. The legal issues for non-Nintendo characters are a lot more complex in the US. Japan is lighter on the copyright things.

3) Making sure they have enough discs to ship. I'm not so sure with this, though, because obviously they didn't think that through in Japan. But I definitely would understand then, fixing the shortage issue here. Still, those of us who have had it preordered for 6 months... throw us a bone! (Or have it at demo kiosks here as well starting next week.)

4) They just wanna screw us over. Doesn't make sense, but then again, Nintendo always has shown favoritism towards Japan. Get over it.

Gun Barrier @ Jan 26th 2008 6:48PM

maybe they are taking the time to Add some voice acting in english? That would be awsome!

hvnlysoldr @ Jan 26th 2008 11:26AM

We still have to wait for more Mother games...

spare-jello @ Jan 26th 2008 11:27AM

It really annoys me that Brawl's been delayed twice, but I'll forgive and forget these three+ months of my life wasted playing... well, nothing actually. I'm broke because I put down 50$ on SSBB recently, before the second delay.

But, the thing is, if the delay's going to help the game, then so be it. Considering that this is going to (possibly) be the last one, I'd rather have it be the best then something that was just spit out.

Genome4824 @ Jan 26th 2008 11:32AM

once Brawl comes out i'm happy for the next decade ...or 2.

but i'm sure we will Joke about it. Like call the slowdown items Smash Delays or something.

AcidFaux @ Jan 26th 2008 12:16PM

I still remember the N64 delay (Proyect Reality... right), and Rare's constant delays (remember Perfect Dark?). Don't really care about them, though, I'd rather see a good game than a rushed one.

Tom @ Jan 26th 2008 11:52AM

I don't think I've ever been upset about a delay and the fact that people get pissed about them is a little childish. No offense, but does it really matter that much when you get to play it? I mean sure the delays in Brawl have been off putting, but to get angry or upset over it means that you are putting too much energy into caring about a video game. I love video games, but when something gets delayed it doesn't matter because there are plenty of other things to do during that time that aren't necessarily video games.

glass soldier @ Jan 26th 2008 11:54AM

delays will always benifit the game in the end, and of course if you think long term it really matter much as long as the game is perfect, its just knowing its only a few weeks away and then being told the next day you wont get it for another 2 or 3 months breaks your heart a little

Mr Khan @ Jan 26th 2008 11:59AM

I always remember Metroid Prime Hunters' delay. Initially it was targeted at DS launch, but all we got was a demo instead. First release date was March of 2005, then it got pushed back to August 2005, then all the way back to February 2006, when it finally came out

xavier @ Jan 26th 2008 12:02PM

i agree i just play gametap for free!
I got free membership for a year!
ya want one?
let me kow!

Shadow31 @ Jan 26th 2008 1:44PM

How do you get free membership for a year?

xavier @ Jan 26th 2008 2:20PM

i have family that works for the company so i can make people a account but it will cost ya after i make the account for ya!

flameofdoom666 @ Jan 26th 2008 2:56PM

I smell a scam!

xavier @ Jan 26th 2008 3:33PM

you dont pay anything till i set the account for you

Jared @ Jan 26th 2008 12:10PM

I think bhengh hits the nail on the head, for the most part. However, whatever happened to Earth Bound for the NES (not to be confused with EarthBound for the SNES)? And how about Mother 3? I'm so totally with hvnlysoldr on this one. I could strangle Nintendo over this issue. We're still waiting. Nintendo Power issue 19 announced Earth Bound. This has to be the longest d*&% delay in history. I know, I'm talking about a game that is now nearly 17 years old, never released, as if Nintendo is still planning to release it, but I'm imposing my own expectations here. This is one of very few strong opinions I have about gaming.

Also, LoZ:TP could have made me buy a GameCube. But, we waited, and waited, and waited... It truly ended up working out for me that it came out on the Wii, but I would have been happy to buy a Cube to get that game. Despite what others said, I think it lived up to the hype.

flameofdoom666 @ Jan 26th 2008 2:55PM

I think it lived up to the hype also. An action game that was 60ish hours- and didn't get me bored once?! Amazing, amazing, amazing.

Shadow31 @ Jan 26th 2008 1:32PM

Haha, worth the wait? My expectations are plummeting already. Half the fun with Melee was the surprise of characters, items, and stages. Unlockables make a game IMO, and Sakurai himself said he's not getting hung up on secret characters. It is highly likely by now that we know a decent chunk of the secret characters, and even if we do our best to avoid it, if we go online regularly we will know pretty much everything by the time Brawl comes out Stateside. And, like I said before, I will not really be able to play this game much until summer now thanks to this last delay. The only thing that can make me forgive this last delay is if it ends up having downloadable content (characters and non-editor made stages, REAL ORIGINAL stages). Which I highly doubt. Yes, I'll love the gameplay of Brawl, but what I was really looking forward to was the unlockables, and if we already know most of them... meh...

By the way, trophies and stickers, can care less. I like unlockables that actually make a difference in multiplayer modes, since that's where most of my time will be spent.

flameofdoom666 @ Jan 26th 2008 2:59PM

I always felts that knowing the secrets was cool. I would play the game, with a suspense of "when will I gewt the kirby level?" It fuels my drive to play the game.

And as far as Brawl goes, I am super excited for the single player!

GatorSax2010 @ Jan 26th 2008 2:44PM

Every Rare game EVER. 'Nuff said. Oh, and pretty much every Zelda game, too, and Metroid Prime 3. But nine times out of ten, it's been worth it. As long as the finished product is great, and I'm still around to play it, I don't mind delays much. I can wait, I've got school to keep me busy.

flameofdoom666 @ Jan 26th 2008 3:00PM

Nintendo and Rare games are some of the best. Delays = goodness :-)

Patius @ Jan 26th 2008 4:36PM

Every time there is some sort of delay, i think about Twilight Princess.

One year delay, and it was the best one so far because of the extra work put in the game.

TX2 @ Jan 26th 2008 5:14PM

My biggest complaints about delays are for the games that should get them, but don't. NiGHTS for one, as well as... well just about every sonic team game really.

Mr Khan @ Jan 26th 2008 5:26PM

No More Heroes should've gotten one, IMO

Even though i love it, don't get me wrong, another 2 months or so to iron out all the little issues with the overworld would've made it shine so, so much more

MMLgamer @ Jan 26th 2008 6:55PM

I don't see what the big deal about the Twilight Princess delay is. To say that TP was not enjoyable because it was delayed is kinda contradictory seeing as it would probably have been just as enjoyable if it wasn't delayed. Although if it weren't for the delay, it probably wouldn't have been released on the Wii (I personally prefer the Wii version).

Maddles @ Jan 26th 2008 10:32PM

Of course they're delaying the game. Haven't you heard they're burning it on Blu-ray to accommodate soooo much ED content. Now that's an achievement!

XD

Tom @ Jan 26th 2008 10:36PM

I've gotta agree with the other Tom on this. If a game gets delayed, so what? There's more to life than constantly thinking about videogames and getting enraged about delays and never forgetting them. I love videogames, but if one gets delayed, I nod my head and find other things to do, or kep playing a game I already own. Problem solved.

ScoTT @ Jan 27th 2008 12:32AM

When there is a delay I just try to look to the bright side and think "They are just taking the time to make the game better so I can enjoy it longer when I get it."

Patrick @ Jan 27th 2008 2:09AM

Probably the most painful delay I can immediately remember was Perfect Dark for the N64. After seeing screenshots in early 1999, I was looking forward to a summer release, then a Christmas release, then a release in April, and finally, May 2000. I thought I was going to die waiting.

Aaron @ Jan 27th 2008 8:50AM

No, delays aren't memorable - and if they are to anyone, they're an idiot. At the time, yes, but once the game is in your hands... its all good. Honestly, 5 years from now I'll still be finding out Brawl's secrets.

There's an exception to the rule with Nintendo games, as delays for Ninty games = higher polish.

Everyone else? Watch out.

Elohim @ Jan 27th 2008 9:13AM

Perhaps I'm the only old-school PC Gamer here, but no one has mentioned Duke Nukem Forever?

It has the "Life-Time Acheivement" for being Vaporware. Thats not even a joke, it actually won an award for being delayed for so long.

If you don't know what I'm talking about just google the game title, the quick rundown is it was slated for a 1998 release, and they released a new trailer in just last year. Thats 10 years of delays and gamers are still getting publisher assurance that the game is coming out....

Jonathan @ Jan 27th 2008 5:58PM

Ok some people might think being mad over a delay is childish but the point here is that Nintendo should be absolutely sure they're going to meet the date. If you aren't sure then don't say anything. nintendo seems to be pressured into conforming a release date but seriously, not knowing it is worst than finding out they lied to you. Delays should never happen. they should make sure they polished the game to perfection and take this time into account and not use delays to do so. It seems that their thoughts are that if anything goes wrong, they'll just delay it. All I'm saying is they have to plan ahead for the unexpected and may be that way they'll make a lot of people less angry at them. (Especially me)
And yes, i remember all the delays they've put me through.

padgon @ Jan 27th 2008 11:17PM

Usually I’m not mad with delays, only when:
1) The final product sucked - Seriously, why did they delayed?
2) Localizing the game took so long - For example: Donkey Kong Blast, when the game arrived to America was all ready out dated.
3) I have nothing to play at the moment - This only happens one every decade.

My opinions about some delays:

Brawl delay: I don’t really care about it, unless they delayed again.

Mario Galaxy delay: At the moment my thoughts were: “its okay, only if the game turns out to be great”.

Twilight Princess delay: I’m actually glad that they delayed the game, This way I could play it with motion controls.

N64 delay: I have never waited some a system with so much enthusiasm. I even dreamed my version of the console (looked ugly and complicated in my dreams) with a 3D MK (That looked awesome, pretty much MK4 but with out weapons, remember at the time there wasn’t any 3D MK).

Perfect Dark delay: Was the game delayed?

Duke Nukem for ever delay: I’m not even waiting for the game.

dudemarr @ Jan 29th 2008 3:28PM

I don't mind delays from other companies because they generally only do it once, and it tends to be a delay of a few months. Nintendo, on the other hand, consistently gives release dates which almost always turn out to be false. The thing that bugs me is that Nintendo puts out release dates as a form of hype management more than anything else. I'm convinced that most of the dates they give are simply put there so they can tout their strong lineup for Q1/Q2/Launch Day/Whatever, and when the next marketing period comes around and they don't have a strong enough lineup, they can just delay their titles some more and push them into the next time frame. Wow, Nintendo had a ton of periods where Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime 3, and "many more" were just around the corner!

Sensai @ Jan 28th 2008 1:47AM

'A delayed game is eventually good, a bad game is bad forever.'

-Miyamoto

Gonzo @ Jan 28th 2008 11:39AM

I like delays.
I'm serious.
Usually delayed games end up to be pretty good. Games that are rushed to the shelves (see No More Heroes) usually end up really disappointing because you see how they could've been outstanding.
What was it that Miamoto said: "Delayed Games are eventually good. Rushed games are bad forever."