Based on data pulled from
GameRankings, folks over at GameFunk have prepared the nice little chart above. Apparently, Wii games don't get that great of marks from reviewers. Compared to the marks of games on other consoles, it makes the Wii's library look even worse!
Here's the numbers:
- Xbox 360: 374 games: 26% good, 24% bad
- PS3: 122 games: 33% good, 17% bad
- Wii: 189 games: 11% good, 37% bad
But, before you punch your computer monitor in a fit of rage, know this: the Wii
does have a lot of
shovelware. It's just the price of success, as publishers and developers see the console as a means to
make money. And that's what they're in it for.
Also, keep in mind that the PS3 and Xbox 360 don't have
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption or
No More Heroes. So they pretty much lose.
[Via
Joystiq]
{ May 2nd 2008 at 4:00PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
adolson @ May 2nd 2008 4:13PM
Metroid is awesome. But COD4 isn't on Wii, and neither is Oblivion, so Wii loses. :P
andyl @ May 2nd 2008 4:16PM
I'd like to see what that chart looks like with PS2 included... I'm probably the last person on Earth that doesn't have one, but I'm pretty sure I remember people saying that PS2 had its share of shovelware, too...
Yay/nay?
Ghen @ May 2nd 2008 7:11PM
Yay.
The more popular the console the more shovelware it will receive. If a console isn't popular (like the ps3) then only games that developers are SURE are truly awesome will be released on them giving that console a higher average score. I'm sure even the bad games on the PS3 caught the developers by surprise when the public didn't like them. (Lair)
guttertalk @ May 2nd 2008 11:16PM
I don't see an easy way to calculate the numbers on gamerankings, so I'm lazy and used metacritic, which is close enough. 20% of the PS2 games that are good.
So much for stats.
A couple of other items to consider.
First, developing a game for the Wii is roughly 1/3 of the costs for developing for the PS3 and 360. I think publishers are going to invest more in having a good game for that much money (although Lair is proof that ain't always so).
Second, the 360 is less in its top games while the Wii is more. The top 20 Wii games are spread out among 11 genres (4 in sports and 4 action). The top 20 360 games are spread across 7 genres, heavily dominated by FPS (6) and racing (4).
I have both a 360 and a Wii, and I enjoy both. The 360 games are probably deeper, but I have more Wii games, and I'm more interested in upcoming Wii games.
In short, these kinds of stats are really meaningless because it depends on what you like to play. Maybe just 5 games matter to a gamer in a given year. It's those games that count.
yal5717 @ May 2nd 2008 4:35PM
In some way, it's kinda good that most wii games are bad. You don't buy as much games.
Timdogg @ May 2nd 2008 4:40PM
I wonder now many hater/fanboys were polled in this?
Sonic_13 @ May 2nd 2008 5:34PM
It's not a poll.
It's based on scores from reviewers like IGN, Gamespot, EGM, Nintendo Power, etc, etc.
sn1per @ May 2nd 2008 9:35PM
That makes it even less reliable. In the current rating system, I seldom see an fps get less than a 7.0/10, but less traditional games don't get the same kind of love.
deaftly @ May 2nd 2008 4:46PM
Just like the Gamecube, the first party games were great and 3rd party was shit. This is why you get an extra console to go with your Nintendo whatever.
n3l619 @ May 2nd 2008 4:51PM
the wii does not have gta4 so the wii loses out not the ps3 or xbox
Jonathan Allen @ May 2nd 2008 4:54PM
I wonder what that chart would look like without the crappy Wii game ports.
The stuffed designed for the Wii is generally quite good!
Gloqwi @ May 2nd 2008 5:03PM
You should change the title:
MOST Wii games aren't good. You pulled my attention for something I already know(COMPELTELY NO OFFENSE WHATSOEVER). I'm really happy yet sad, I just resigned from my position as an Xbox 360 Fanboy and I have promised myself to a life of multiconsoletude.
Eddie @ May 2nd 2008 5:31PM
what does your quitting have to do with this topic? did you really need to share that?
Gloqwi @ May 2nd 2008 6:04PM
It's worse than you think. I've lost my wife, my friends, my family.
I just commented to change the name because it seems that I have to care about more than just the 360 and PS3.
And I agree with everyone that said third party title for the Wii all suck. And they even keep the Wii so locked up from smaller companies or indie developers wanting to make games.
TheWarlock @ May 2nd 2008 11:35PM
Wow, THAT IS WHAT REALLY GETS ME MAD. You say you lost your loved ones over this issue? You DARE blame Wii titles and the fact of loyalty over a gamesite? Yeah, maybe you should've lost more because of your blind-sightedness and your sequential lack of discernment concerning the state of your family.
Gloqwi @ May 3rd 2008 8:48AM
Thumbs up to that.
Habb @ May 2nd 2008 5:04PM
Personally, I don't know how much I can read into this chart. There have been some games I've purchased that had terrible scores on Metacritic, but I enjoyed the games. It's a little bit like going to see a movie that is getting terrible reviews, but you personally enjoyed the hell out of it.
DAud_IcI @ May 2nd 2008 5:09PM
Of course most of Wii games suck! I can summarize these games with two words: CA$UAL $H1T
Cozmo @ May 5th 2008 12:07PM
Take out all the shovelware ports and look at games designed for each system. All three have stellar games. And, all three have crap games. They're all about equal. It just depends on each gamer's tastes.
Max Headroom @ May 2nd 2008 5:11PM
This chart is in percentages, which skews the numbers in favor of the PS3. When you look at the actual numbers, you have:
Xbox 360: 97 good games
PS3: 40 good games
Wii: 20 good games
That clearly shows the 360 has the most high rated games so far. And even though the Wii is the only console I own, I'd have to agree with the numbers above. There's a ton of games I'd really like to be able to play on the 360 that I'm pretty sure won't ever end up being ported to the Wii. It's not that I'm unhappy with Wii's current offerings. I've really enjoyed many of its games so far, including those not counted as "good" by this poll, like Ghost Squad and other 7-ish games. But I still recognize that it is missing the huge variety 360 has.
Unfortunately, I just cannot spend my money on a console that is almost inevitably going to break on me. Fix your issues MS!
TheWarlock @ May 2nd 2008 11:42PM
Take it from a PS360Wii owner who has no envy for either partys. The grass is always greener on the other side and it will stay that way until time stops. Bioshock and Halo 3 are good, but they can't compare to the whole-heartedness that is the Mario title.
Sure you enjoy a better, more solid online experience with either of the two, but does that really take into account when you're selling your soul to the monopolizing, cold hearted mega sellers that are PS3 and 360? I think not.
Take solace in the fact that you have remained Nintendo loyal as many others have and trust me, you haven't been missing out on a lot. Rockstar games aren't that good anyway ; )
Daniel Lawson @ May 5th 2008 12:32AM
The Warlock is lieing... Rockstar games are really good. Their trash game is already on the Wii. The Xbox 360 consoles that are on sale now have the Falcon chip. This chip is 65nm and it's much cooler and they actually apply the amount of solder that is needed (that was the problem for alot of people and thus why the towel trick work cause it melted the solder back together). If you are looking to jump on the Xbox 360 boat then now is a good time. Pick up GTA4 (it's much better than the previous games) and definitely Mass Effect and Gears of War both can be found for decent prices online.
mian @ May 2nd 2008 5:23PM
Game reviewers like flash and shininess, and for good or ill the Wii can't generate as much as other consoles can. Plus, you've got gamers reviewing non-games on a games-style scale.
What would be more interesting is a chart of investment, ie, How many dollars does it take to get a great game on Wii and how many dollars does it take to make a crap game on the other two. This chart will someday be cited by some idiot developers as more anecdotal evidence that the Wii isn't good for core games, when all it really proves is that not trying is a good way to not succeed. To wit, failing on Wii is a lot less expensive than failing on other consoles.
But there won't be punching of any monitors today. I save that for when new waves of Wii crapware floods the shelves. Gamefunk is just recapping old news, and I've already gotten that out of my system.
Mr Khan @ May 2nd 2008 5:27PM
Huh? I can't see this report
I got this Wii Wheel in my way
TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ May 2nd 2008 5:32PM
BURN! :P
Hey, what's your MKWii FC?
Add me! :)
Eddie @ May 2nd 2008 5:33PM
B-)
TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ May 2nd 2008 5:34PM
Dammit!
I didn't read the part about not punching my monitor in a fit of rage first!
TheCoats @ May 2nd 2008 5:37PM
I assume as only scanning over the article that this covers every game out.......not just the ones by the company
if so i agree with this chart
LOVE my Wii and All the games I have but just like the DS there are so many filler horrible games like ninja-bread man and ninja-bread man gets an egyptian skin 2 game....You just got to know what to buy
Good_Bytes @ May 2nd 2008 5:38PM
The problem is that every company simply cash in on teh popularity of the Wii..
At that rate it will be like the Atari 2600, were it cause the video game crash. Well now it won't cause one as we have computer and other consoles, however the Wii won't survive, unless Nintendo either block bad games to be released (actually use the "License by Nintendo" certification, like they did with the NES) or continue to make games themself. Also Nintendo doesn't show any effort is trying to get games. I am sure Nintendo could have convinced company to make good games for the system. Specially that now Sony and Microsoft pays gaming company to release the games on everything except Nintendo (as it seams) it doesn't help.
The Wii games I like (no order):
- Zelda Twilight Princess.
- Metroid Prime 3 Corruption.
- Mario Kart Wii.
- Brawl.
- No more hero
- Super Paper Mario
(All Nintendo expect for 1. WOW!)
No VC games interest me so far, actually they are some but I previously played (on their actual console) so much that I am tired of them. As for RE4, I love it, but I have it on the NGC already.
So their you have it, if Nintendo keeps things as their are, Nintendo will lose it's gamers, and we will start seeing games with Koolaid and Sprite.
TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ May 2nd 2008 5:42PM
Don't dissrespect Kool-aid!
Deaftly will hunt you down!
Sonic_13 @ May 2nd 2008 5:51PM
"Nintendo doesn't show any effort [in] trying to get games. "
Nintendo does make efforts to get good titles on Wii. A perfect example of this Monster Hunter 3. Monster Hunter is a huge franchise in Japan - its the reason why the PSP has been selling so well these past few weeks. MH3 was announced a while back as a Playstation 3 exclusive, but Nintendo, knowing how big of a game it is, approached Capcom and now it is suddenly a Wii exclusive game.
Sonic_13 @ May 2nd 2008 5:42PM
The thing that you have to keep in mind is that their definition of "good" games leaves games such as:
Battalion Wars II
Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree
Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors
Elebits
Excite Truck
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
Mario Strikers Charged
Medal of Honor Heroes 2
NiGHTS: Journey into Dreams
Rayman Raving Rabbids
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
Sonic and the Secret Rings
Wii Sports
mykie @ May 2nd 2008 11:00PM
Oh sure, the Wii has a large number of bad games...
but the GOOD games on the Wii, are OH SO GOOD.
raindog @ May 2nd 2008 11:12PM
Maybe this will matter when the sites who make up Gameranking's figures credit "ease of use" with the same weight as "resolution" and "it's actually fun" with the same weight as "has lots of brown and gray". Fire some sociopathic 20-somethings, already.
Stephen @ May 2nd 2008 11:21PM
Yep... Wii games stink.
TheWarlock @ May 2nd 2008 11:31PM
Ummm, yeah, Wii games stink because they don't have GTA4? Oh right, and because it DOES have Metroid3 and SMG??!! Well, let me tell you something mister, you obviously need to show a bit more out of the box-ness?
TWOO DEE @ May 3rd 2008 2:26AM
TheWarlock creeps me out
Stephen @ May 2nd 2008 11:36PM
Wii games don't stink because of a lack of GTA4. I think the entire GTA series is quite lame, personally.
The Wii is the only console I have owned since ~ 1982. At that time, I owned a Colecovision. The Wii won me over with WiiSports. Since that time, I have tried (literally) every Wii game released. I would go further than the referenced chart and say about 95% of them are quite bad. They are not "out of the box," lack entertainment value, and generally speaking are not fun.
Other than Elebits, Mario Party, WiiSports, and Guitar Hero 3, I can't really say that there are any other games on the Wii that I have found worth my hard-earned $$.
TheWarlock @ May 2nd 2008 11:52PM
I find your lack of pride both disturbing and understandable. Most wii games would agree with you on how they aren't that good, but see, isn't that the very beauty of Nintendo? When everyone was playing "Tomb Raider" and "Spyro" who was the little guy with "MarioKart" and "Donkeykong64"?
The formulaic and undistinguished titles of the PS3 and 360 are apparently what attracts people today, and why this is the result I cannot say. But 95%? Is it really that depressing to lack a sense of fun and sit down to enjoy some Metroid Prime Corruption or SuperMarioGalaxy? In the end, it is your decision and whether or not you like these games isn't Nintendo's fault.
Kaneda Jones @ Jun 5th 2008 4:23PM
you guys are argueing the wrong issue. everything you guys are saying is general knowledge and is debated a billion other places too. how 'bout this fact. The claimed numbers are...
Xbox 360: 374 games: 26% good, 24% bad
PS3: 122 games: 33% good, 17% bad
Wii: 189 games: 11% good, 37% bad
with these numbers are they including downloadable games? if so then are they counting downloadable for PS3 and 360, without counting the virtualconsole?? and if they arent counting downloadable then are they counting backwards compatability? then they arent counting gamecube for the wii. Those numbers don't make sense for the amount of games out there. so I can dismiss it as bad press as per usual.
SoshiKitai @ May 3rd 2008 12:33AM
I guess after reading this and reading everyone's comments... I just have these things to say:
1. It's just a chart, not something you should live off of
2. Bashing on other companies is kinda' sad... especially since Nintendo Fanboys were once known for being friendly-competitors
3. Just a chart. Really, JUST A CHART. Just play the games and love 'em.
Lord Bowser @ May 3rd 2008 7:37AM
Don't you understand: this is war. Pride is at stake, man. Where's your dignity. Your honour. If Wii games are rated low, this will adversely effect me in my daily life.
SoshiKitai @ May 3rd 2008 12:21PM
When we had war with SEGA, we were still friendly towards them. Like a game of tennis. Not war.
I understand, nowadays, the consoles we're facing are total ***holes, and they wouldn't think twice in crushing us.
But do we hate them so much to become like them? The instant we take on their attitude, the more our games will start to look like most of their's: Shallow.
TheWarlock @ May 3rd 2008 8:30PM
Won't someone PLEASE think of the children? Guess the reference ;)
WillTheSecond @ May 3rd 2008 4:47AM
@ Kaneda Jones: I believe they are only counting packaged software. Ironically WiiWare's line up looks better than the lineup of physical Wii software that's coming. World of Goo; LostWinds; Gyrostarr; Strongbad's Cool Game For Attractive People; Animales De Muerte (sp?); Bomberman; Eternity's Child.
On the other hand, guys, we don't know what's turning up after July, if what Iwata said recently is true, there are some big third-party guns for Wii coming as well as first party. Apart from Kid Icarus *cough* by Factor 5 *cough* also known as 'Nintendo's worse-kept secret'. Oh, and Alone In The Dark looks good on Wii, too.
* * *
As for the actual list, well, I find that some Wii games that I like are undervalued, but people have to consider that 1. reviewers don't know how the handle reviewing casual games yet 2. Wii gets lots of shovelware because it's popular, that is certainly true and 3. developers are still getting the hang of Wii controls, once they do review scores will begin to climb. It's a combination of those three things, methinks.
@TheWarlock: I know this is hard to believe (trust me, as a Wii fanboy there is no sarcasm for me here) but some people don't like Mario or Metroid games. It's called the subjectivity of art. If you want to be artistic. Or niche demographics. If you want to be an economist. Alas, the fact remains it is true.
Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ May 3rd 2008 11:13AM
> It's called the subjectivity of art.
Well. If game is repetition of what you have experienced once already... what the hell that has to do with art?
As long as games are fun, their number is irrelevant.
I personally think that most console games are simply overrated - Halo, Mario, Metroid, etc - bring ZERO, ZILCH, NADA new to N year old experience, yet still receive great scores.
Probably Xbox360 games are simply overrated more than rest of the consoles... But well, Wii really lacks on number of good games - and even those few highly rated are definitely overrated. For Xbox360 at least solid paid-for on-line is explanation for the people' addiction. Wii?.. I hardly can understand somebody playing another Mario game 50th time.
P.S. Disclaimer: Wii/DS owner. PC gamer.
Jeremy @ May 3rd 2008 9:31AM
How good a game is has nothing to do with what some idiot in an office says. If you like a game then you like it no matter what the reviewer had to say. So far their is only around 2-4 PS3 titles that caught my attention and that is not enough to warrant a purchase of the console. Also I life FPS but a console that has a majority of them once again isn't enough to make me want the system. True the 360 has around 10 or so titles that I may enjoy but they came a little to late since I have gotten rid of my 360 and I don't plan on getting another one. Now my Wii I play it lots more than the 360 I once had. The Wii is so well rounded and covers so many genres That I have a game to play no matter what mood I am in. Now when it comes to shovelware for the most part (if you are a smart consumer) then you can see a bad title a mile away without ever having to read a review. I for one never trust reviews (just like movies) what one reviewer hates might just be the diamond in the rough.
Ryan @ May 4th 2008 4:28PM
I don't get this really. What's a definition of a good game and what's the definition of bad game? A kid would say Yu-Gi-Yo is such an awesome game, and you would most likely say, that game sucks. Some say Halo is a great game, and some say it sucks. There is no definition of a good or bad games. SO really this article is sort of full of it...
Matt @ May 5th 2008 9:23AM
Each of the consoles has its console sellers.
360 has Halo, Gears, Mass Effect
PS3 has...well, it doesn't have AS high-caliber games, but it has UT3, Uncharted, Warhawk, etc. (Personally I prefer the PS3 over the 360, so don't take this as an insult if you're a PS3 person)
Wii has Metroid, Mario, Smash Bros, and Zelda. Seeing as we haven't seen a Wii Zelda game (TP was admittedly a GameCube game ported to Wii) I'd say that still leaves us with 3 heavy hitters. But realistically, it is the success of games like Wii Sports and Rayman Raving Rabbids that have sold Wiis in MASSIVE numbers, which just leads developers to think "well, we can throw something on there and SOMEONE will buy it" which is bad for the owners of the system. Less effort is needed since, with such a high install base, even capturing 5% of the Wii owners is a bigger profit than 10% of the PS3 margin, if the Wii outsells it 2 to 1...
So unfortunately, as long as people keep buying these games, even if in smaller ratios than games like Smash Bros, they will still be made.
I'd like to also point out: the 360 has been the middle ground system, since it's easier to develop for than the PS3, but harder than Wii. The PS3's development difficulties mean that you only put a game out there if you really want to make it right--discourages people from making games with minimal effort, since you'll know it's poor from the start, and you need to impress more customers on a system that not as many people have...