Wii Warm Up: Rate WiiWare

by David Hinkle { May 13th 2008 at 8:00AM }

So, WiiWare launched yesterday! We were all excited to see what we'd be getting, and we even found the time to check out a pair of the more casual titles on offer. But, who cares what we think, we're just a bunch of dumb jerks on a gaming blog.

We want to know what you think. Did you download any of the games? Read some impressions? What did you think of the overall WiiWare launch line-up? And, to make it simple, just go ahead and assign WiiWare's launch a score, like we do with our reviews (keep it between 1-10, makes it easier).

Tags: casual, defend-your-castle, downloads, pop, wiiware

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

splazzatch @ May 13th 2008 8:27AM

I downloaded Defend Your Castle. Funness was like 8, ease of play was like an 8. Cost was like a 5. It was cool but not worth the 500 points. 300 definately but 500 was not worth it..at least not yet.

beesnipe @ May 13th 2008 8:24AM

6.8/10

My biggest letdown was the fact that Dr Mario, or ANY Nintendo title for that matter, failed to launch with Wiiware. I was so disappointed, I didn't even bother to even consider downloading a different game until almost a day later. Great casual gamer titles, but nothing really to satisfy a gamer anywhere above that. Having said that, half of the games available are incidentally shovel ware, and the other half are great as casual games, or time wasters, judging from the trailers, and observations.

I only downloaded "Defend your Castle".
I actually liked it more than I thought I would, and it's very challenging around level 50.

SushiPillow @ May 13th 2008 9:50AM

Nintendo didn't launch any WiiWare games to help the indie developers start out.

exolstice @ May 13th 2008 8:45AM

Lost Winds looks pretty good, and I might download that quiz game.

Jumbo @ May 13th 2008 8:30AM

Waiting for Dr. Mario.

always waiting.

natureboy46 @ May 13th 2008 8:37AM

8/10

The content was terrific but the lack of storage space really put a damper on things.

I downloaded Lost Winds and Defend Your Castle and really enjoyed them both. I would have gone ahead and picked up FF too but I couldn't be bothered transferring more VC games to my SD card.

Going forward I know that I'll be less inclined to buy new games because of the storage issue.

koehler83 @ May 13th 2008 8:35AM

I booted up my Wii for the first time in months yesterday for WiiWare.. only to find out my Wii's video card is apparently fucked and the box needs to get replaced...

Of course I didnt realize it until I dropped $20 down on stupid Wii Points... /angry

Back to GTA4

Russ Carroll @ May 13th 2008 11:22AM

So you missed out on No More Heros, Smash Bros and Mario Kart Wii (among others). I'd be angry if I missed out on those games too!

;)

Erwos @ May 13th 2008 8:38AM

6/10. I understand that Nintendo is trying to throw a bone to the third party devs and publishers, but not releasing Dr Mario was a mistake, not to mention skipping VC for the week. Nintendo needs to learn to balance first party and third party concerns ala Sony and Microsoft, not have volatile swings of focus between them.

OTOH, the launch line-up did have a couple very good games, so kudos on that.

jan_halmes @ May 13th 2008 8:41AM

So you guys didn't buy Lost Winds? What, you got something against awesome-ness or something?

It's the best Wii game I've played since Smash Bros, better than Mario Kart Wii, better than Boom Blox, better than most games so far released on the console.

It's over fast, but you'll be thinking (and typing comments like this one) about the game for weeks, if not years, after you play it.

But it, you goof balls!

SoshiKitai @ May 13th 2008 12:30PM

I wouldn't accuse it of being better than Boom Blox...
...because Boom Blox is well... you know... NOT EVEN AN ADVENTURE GAME.
Not really comparable.

Oh, and did you play Boom Blox? For more than 3 hours, I mean. I wouldn't suggest comparing anything unless you've played it more than 3 hours.

Hughesmar @ May 13th 2008 8:41AM

Well, the only worthwhile games at launch were FFCC, and Lostwinds. Although IMO, FFCC is not worth $15 (more like $10).
Also, jeers to Squeenix for charging out the wazoo for DLC.

Overall, I'd rate the launch around a 6.5.

koehler83 @ May 13th 2008 8:59AM

Wii Pointer Games, much like the use of the Wiimote as a pointed... SUCK BALLS

Lost Winds can go blow goats for all I care.

samfish @ May 13th 2008 9:08AM

Meh. It gets a 4/10.

Lost Winds is good (but a bit over rated), none of the other games look terribly appealing and I actually had to finally delete all my N64 games. I only had 56 blocks left.

Damnit Nintendo – release a friggin' hard drive already.

Matthew @ May 13th 2008 9:09AM

So Wiiware is upon us, my ratings go as follow.

Defend Your Castle 8.5/10 - Tremendous fun factor, great new additions such as multiplayer (made the gf very happy) and slick new design. The downfalls for me, turn away from blood but I understand why and lack of music, the sound became stale.

Lostwinds 7/10 - If you've played Kirby Canvas Curse, this style of game is nothing new, and well it's just a semi cheap cute looking char with a basic story and very short game. If you haven't played Kirby I'd suggest you pick this title up.

FFCC 8/10 - New God like concept. Fun to manage an entire city, makes you more attached to everything. Downfall, you always wonder if you should invest in the DLC even though it is not necessary. Battles you never view, so for chars you grow attached to you can't even watch, you wait with great anticipation hoping for the best (which may work for some ppl but not me). Umm and ya, the story hasn't developed for me so it is becoming kind of stale.

Overall Wiiware launch looks like a solid 7/10. I was hoping for more scroll shooters, racer type things but that is near future. I'm still a little on the cautious side with Wiiware. I hope developers do not try to design quick cash in games, I want some substance, meh but for $50 -$10 maybe I am asking too much.

SoshiKitai @ May 13th 2008 12:34PM

FFCC "New God like concept"... Not really. There's a bunch of free internet games that have those kinds of concepts... also, try out more "god games" from Japan, they're usually that meticulous.

Also: It's rare that Square/Squaresoft/Square Enix ever comes up with a completely original idea... they just make not-so-original ideas look astoundingly prettier than the original... but like I said, they do make originals, it's just rare.

Matthew @ May 13th 2008 1:50PM

I know it's not original but I mean for the FF series is it not? I don't remember ever playing FF that is God like. God like games I know have been around, my fav was the one with the animal you had and you created the village and used the animal to protect or destory them, ush I'll never remember the name.

SoshiKitai @ May 13th 2008 1:53PM

Yeah, definitely the first FF of its kind.

And could you possibly be talking about Black & White?

Matthew @ May 13th 2008 2:19PM

DING DING DING, I was going to say Black but that is a FPS that popped up in my mind, but ya Black and White. That was a fantastic God game, I believe that was a first of it's kind when it was released. At least the direction it took =)

SoshiKitai @ May 13th 2008 2:37PM

Hurrah! I got a DING!
Yeah, it was the first of its kind when it came out. Sadly, so much people got frustrated with it, that it never kept going as a series. I think it would have done better nowadays if shined-up-a-bit.

andyl @ May 13th 2008 9:29AM

I think the launch games are pretty solid, and am personally kind of glad that no Nintendo games were there for launch. It's definitely a "throw the third-parties a bone" thing, as it seems that in the US, especially, Nintendo gets criticized for not having as much third-party support (or even bullying third-parties).

It's a sign of good faith to have them sit back for a week and let the third-party game shine before coming in and having money that _would_ have gone to a third-party game _instead_ go to Dr. Mario...

ViewtifulVance @ May 13th 2008 9:33AM

I got Defend Your Castle and i think it's amazing!! Playing with friends is the way to go with that one! A bit $$$ but worth it. Just get to round 20 with 4 friend and the real fun starts!

Andy @ May 13th 2008 9:37AM

The launch gets an 8/10. A good variety of games, but lacking in the first party [Dr. Mario?].

I nabbed Pop and FFCC:

Pop gets an unfortunate 8/10 for me. At first, I thought it was lame. Popping bubbles? Really? But the music sucked me in. Then chaining bubble colors. Then came the badges. It was refreshingly addicting, but not so much to keep me glued to the screen for an hour or two. It satiated a hunger for a quick 15 minutes of fun.

FF:CC gets a 9/10. Not having played MySims, this game is loaded with nuance. I like the RPG versus Strategy. It reminds me of "Age of Empires," only everyone has big eyes. This game has loads of depth, and the music is reminiscent of the old FF games [1, 2, 3...]

Shadow31 @ May 13th 2008 9:43AM

I downloaded Final Fantasy and have been hooked from the first building I made. It is so addictive. Seriously, at least an 8/10. Worth every cent (though I can't decide if I show throw down some extra money for more content). Graphics are actually nice for a cheap, downloadable game, around GCN level at least, music is subtle but fitting...

Would rather like it if you could choose to explore the dungeons, but... I do recommend it for RPG fans, as long as you don't mind the battles being done for you. It has all the strategy and customizing elements... it's like Final Fantasy meets Animal Crossing meets Sim City.

Jason Chapa @ May 13th 2008 10:04AM

I downloaded TV King Show (or whatever it's called). I thought it was pretty good for the price. Although it would have been better at $5. But it was a lot of fun. It had a good integration of Miis and good four player action. The trivia questions were pretty good, but I wonder how many there are. I would recommend it, especially for parties.

Makalu @ May 13th 2008 10:06AM

Well, I only downloaded LostWinds, but I really liked it. And I'm somewhat interested in Defend Your Castle and really interested in My Life As a King, so I'd give the launch an 8.5.

Kat @ May 13th 2008 10:47AM

No, I didn't download any of the titles. Even though I am a sucker for SquareEnix games, I was just too depressed over the absence of Dr. Mario.

youllbejustfine @ May 13th 2008 10:59AM

I downloaded LostWinds and it's fantastic. An incredibly charming game.

The whole launch, I'll give a 7. Lostwinds I'll give a 9.

Scotty @ May 13th 2008 11:19AM

My only complaint is lack of storage. I had to clear off several channels and a couple VC's to make room for the three games I downloaded.

On the plus side, Defend Your Castle, Lostwinds, and My Life as a King are all super fun to play and addictive in each of their own rights. I can't wait to see where indie-developers take this new medium, I'm really looking forward to the months to come. I just need a frickin hard drive or something to do it with. I'd even settle for a flash drive plugged into the back that I could run a game off of, you know?

WiiWare: 10 Storage space: 0

Orion @ May 13th 2008 11:28AM

Some of you people are hilarious.. really. You guys complain that Wii doesn't have enough 3rd party titles, then you bash nintendo for not releasing Dr. Mario, which probably would have sufficated sales for more deserving titles, like Lost Winds. And common.. out of any Nintendo title you can think of you guys are upset over DR MARIO? It wasn't even that great of an IP to begin with people... instead of more of the same, concentrate on some new games from new devs...

Lost Winds btw, is a wonderful game. This game alone makes WiiWare a pleasant suprise. I figure if they make 4 more sequels, it will be the same price and size as a retail game.. so I'm happy with that (like an episode type thing).

I will say one point of criticism. I had to put StarFox 64 and FZero X on SD cards because i didnt have enough space on my wii.. and i hardly have any VC games. 7-8, tops.. 3 of which 64 titles. This really made me wake up to the storage issues, and I really am happy nintendo is addressing this. Though, it is a shame it isn't until now. To say that only a select few are running out of space, with the size of 64 titles and Wiiware titles... i think is kinda stretching it. I bet nearly 50% of wii owners now have this issue after the Wiiware's launch, and a solution to this problem can't come soon enough.

Overall launch (between what I played, Lost winds and FFCC) 9/10

Why 9? There are always duds on a launch of any program/system, and usually outweigh the good. But rarely is the good at a launch SO good. Bravo third parties, bravo.

SoshiKitai @ May 13th 2008 12:24PM

***It gets an 8.5 / 10***

Games such as Lost Winds and FFCC show the grandeur of WiiWare quality games... Practically setting a standard for future games. * * +3

**Current Score: 3**
Games such as Pop and Defend Your Castle show the mini-game capability of future WiiWare titles: Simple, yet challenging. This is capability is a MUST for "future WiiWare titles". Being the games to set the standard, and being averagely good overall. * * +3

**Current Score: 6**
Games such as TV Show King give an impression that other future WiiWare will have Mii-integration. The game is a basic-good, but the promises it gives can be a let down if other companies don't follow suit. This "promise" of Mii's being in more games can easily turn off many serious players, as well as turn of casual players if this promis is broken. * * +2

**Current Score: 8**
Games such as VIP Casino Blackjack show that card games are ever-needed inside mini-game stores... afterall, though it might not be a popular choice, it will always be readily available for the gambling-tycoon or the bored mom... * * +1

**Current Score: 9**
Dr. Mario was very much begged for by the US gamer, especially with the showing of online multiplayer. Not being delivered, as well as not having ANY Nintendo launch titles being delivered... * * -1

**Current Score: 8**
Nintendo claiming that not launching any Nintendo titles can encourage great indie games. * * +1

**Current Score: 9**
This news being only easily available to those who are gamers. * * -0.5

***Overall Score: 8.5 / 10***

SoshiKitai @ May 13th 2008 2:21PM

So many spelling and grammar mistakes. I should be ashamed.

Marcelo Teson @ May 13th 2008 12:38PM

I downloaded Pop and Defend Your Castle. Haven't played Pop enough to know whether I like it (generally I do), but Defend Your Castle is super fun. I want to get home from work so I can do it better. I love the graphical improvement over the original and the multiplayer aspect of it.

Still wondering whether to get Lost Winds or FF:CC - generally I'm saying no to FF:CC but the reviews have me possibly convinced. Maybe I'll get it later and just wait for Tetris and Dr. Mario, which are the ones I'm really after.

As for the service itself, the store wasn't choked up at all and the downloads were speedy and efficient. I remember when the Wii first came out it was almost impossible to get into the store for a few days. So kudos to Nintendo for being prepared.

Apollo @ May 13th 2008 7:22PM

Yeah, well, I have three VC titles and I've got just enough room for some add on content for FF, the actual game, and lost winds. >_<

I don't know what I'll do for the next WiiWare release.

JRVillalobos @ May 13th 2008 1:58PM

I for one welcome our Mii overlords.
I find it somewhat sad that its taken this long to start to see games integrate Miis as they are beginning to do so now. Now my Tyrone Biggums Mii can do more thab Wii sports, he can go-kart, be on game shows and soon prescribe drugs!

Joe H @ May 13th 2008 1:58PM

One thing I'm majorly disappointed in. Why is there not a link on the download/ buy page to go directly to the Nintendo channel and see the video of a game? If the Nintendo channel can send you to the internet channel to buy Wii/DS games, the Shop channel should be able to send you to the Nintendo channel to see what you're about to buy.

SoshiKitai @ May 13th 2008 2:20PM

You should definitely send that in as a request to Nintendo.
I'm sure they can do something with that idea.

milan @ May 13th 2008 6:14PM

There are still too many (mostly snes or 64) VC games that I don't have yet, that to me are worth more to me. Might get lostwinds, but if i can get pop for 700 i may as well get Actraiser for 800.
And I wanted to be excited for this launch!
*waiting for second wave of WiiWare games*

Gewurztraminer says: R.O.B. is the last Cylon! @ May 13th 2008 8:50PM

So far I only have Defend Your Castle. No time left to play it more today, so tomorrow will be at least 3 days of playing it. I'm sure I'll get to a point where I can no longer hold off the enemies and will lose, but even if that time is a week from now, that's still 50cents a day for the game. Not bad. I'd like to see Blockbuster rent games for that much.

Also, still haven't had to move anything to the SD card yet. Yet. 300 more blocks to go...

JRVillalobos @ May 13th 2008 10:23PM

I'd give the Wiiware launch a 9 a one of those "casual" gamers. I was waiting for Dr. Mario as well, but I'll say one thing, after downloading Lostwinds and Defend your castle, I'm looking forward to the games that these devs are planning to produce.