Point/Counterpoint: Yea or Nay -- Play on Wii?
by JC Fletcher 
{ Oct 31st 2008 at 4:25PM }
At their October media summit, Nintendo announced plans to release Wii ports of some GameCube games as the Wii de Asobu (Play on Wii) series. Today, we found solid evidence of a North American release. While GameCube games are, of course, currently playable on Wii, these new ports will enable motion and pointer-based control schemes, allowing new players to use the "simpler" Wii controls, and existing fans to play favorites in a new way. At least, that's the idea, we think.But is it a good idea to port these games and try to sell them again? Is it good for the fans? For the games? For the Wii? For the win? We say yes! And also no. That's kind of how debating works!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dustin @ Oct 31st 2008 4:32PM
What if they release more Play on Wii games with MotionPlus compatibility. Or online functions.
There are more than just Controls that a Wiimake of some games can benefit from.
Deozaan @ Oct 31st 2008 4:44PM
They better be budget priced like Player's Choice games or something. $20-$30 would probably be low enough for me to buy these games (again).
Abscissa @ Oct 31st 2008 4:51PM
If they add progressive-scan, widescreen AND let you turn off that terrible blurring effect it insists on using...and the Wii controls don't end up getting screwed up, and it's like $20, then I'll buy it. Otherwise, I'll pass.
Jonathan G. @ Oct 31st 2008 4:53PM
In general I'm against bringing in more ports as opposed to original games, so my initial reaction to this idea is a negative one. However, I was a huge fan of RE:4--Wii edition, so my caveat to the 'no on ports' position may be that it's okay as long as (1): The game TRULY benefits from adding wii-motion controls and (2) the PRICE is right, and by that I'm thinking $20 or $25 tops, maybe as low as $15. Otherwise it just doesn't seem worth it.
My issue on the price-point really depends on how little (or how much, re Dustin above) functionality they add to each game.
Mr Khan @ Oct 31st 2008 4:59PM
If i didn't own it, i'll probably buy it
Unless its Metroid Prime. I'm kinda required to re-buy it
Abscissa @ Nov 1st 2008 12:29AM
I'd get Metroid Prime 1 & 2 remakes, but only if they updated the graphics to MP3-quality and fixed the control issues that MP3 had (shitty lock-on, no sensitivity setting that was actually any good, false negatives and false positives on the "flick to jump" control, randomly just *stopping* while you're in the middle of trying to turn, and reeeaallly slow (and limited) up/down looking...just off the top of my head.)
Sisyphus @ Oct 31st 2008 5:11PM
I never got around to trying any of the games they are bringing back, so as long as the controls sound like an improvement, I'll try them now with Play on Wii. Heck, not using a GC controller is already an improvement.
benmully @ Oct 31st 2008 5:19PM
I would personally love to play Pikmin and Metroid again with Wiimote controls! I found the numerous buttons and sticks very confusing and the Wiimote controls would be perfect for both these games.
samfish @ Oct 31st 2008 5:28PM
I would buy Wind Waker if they put in some of the cut dungeons.
Otherwise, I'll probably pass.
Covarr @ Oct 31st 2008 5:34PM
One thing they could do with these is fix any slow down that the GC versions may have had. Wii may not be a powerhouse, but it's certainly enough more powerful than GC to fix framerate issues (ie Geist). Additionally, I missed some of these titles the first time around because I was in high school and didn't have any money, but now that I have a job I can afford them. I'm sure there are other people with similar circumstances, who didn't buy them originally not for lack of knowledge or desire, but for lack of opportunity.
Gewurz Man got equipped with... Guitar Hero! @ Oct 31st 2008 6:01PM
Pikmin yes; I'd re-buy because I got them pretty cheap in the first place and they could really benefit from the newer controls.
Metroid maybe; I've never played any of the Prime games, and only recently got in to the series period (via Zero Mission). I'm not really one for FPS, but who knows.
Mr Khan @ Oct 31st 2008 6:19PM
If you like Zero Mission (the real part of the game, not the psuedo Metal Gear parts with Zero Suit Samus) you'll probably like Prime. The controls are different from other FPSes by far, due to lock-on, and the emphasis isn't on the combat, but on the exploration
If you like the sense of isolation and the grandeur of Metroid worlds, you'll love Prime, or you should anyway.
Abscissa @ Nov 1st 2008 12:37AM
I agree with Mr Khan in the case of Metroid Prime 1. But with Metroid Prime 3, the first 25% of it is just a bunch of Halo-wannabe crap. Then it gets good, but still not nearly as good as Metroid Prime 1 (although better-looking, of course). Plus, as good as FPS controls normally are on the Wii, I really think they screwed up on MP3's controls. MP1 controlled perfectly, MP3 introduced a lot of control issues that other Wii FPSes don't have (see my other post above). Generally, most Metroid games are great, but I'd caution you to avoid Metroid Prime Hunters (imagine trying to play a super-pixelly PS1 game on a 3" screen, plus it's all action, no atmosphere or exploration) and Metroid Fusion (They *really* screwed up this one - hand-holding *all* the way through - totally ruined it.). Super Metroid is the next-best one to Zero Mission and Prime 1.
Polecat @ Oct 31st 2008 7:03PM
I'm all for it if it means that there'll be a Metroid 3-pack for the Wii. At which point I would agree totally. Mario Sunshine could also benefit from the pointer controls with the water pack... apart from that, well... seems like there should just be uh... some sort of patchwork that works with individual games... I mean like the old X-box/360 intercompatibility (which I imagine was not too expensive, but don't own either or) maybe to be released cheaply as a Wiiware download.
KaBob799 @ Nov 1st 2008 12:30AM
Gamecube->Wii is a lot different from Xbox->360
Dante G @ Oct 31st 2008 7:08PM
I'd like to buy some of these new old titles since I didn't get to play them their first time around. I only had a ps2 last gen so any must have gc title that gets ported would be well received.
RE4 Wii version was awesome btw.
TX2 @ Oct 31st 2008 7:55PM
I have honestly been waiting for Nintendo release the all the old 3D zelda with Twilight Princesses controls (preferably on one Wii Disc like the GCN's Zelda Collection).
So when Wind Waker get's it's WiiMake, I'll be first in line.
I also missed out on Pikman, and chibi robo, so that might be worth looking into as well.
leonus @ Nov 1st 2008 8:43PM
i most definitely say yes to play on wii. would love to play wind waker with motion controls.
wiigina @ Oct 31st 2008 11:18PM
I think its a good idea cuz the gamecube is the only nintendo system that I didn't buy. Its hard to find a lot of used gamecube games and motion controls will be even better. I think the games should only cost around $20 though, just like ps2 greatest hits games, otherwise I don't need em and will just get the used gamecube games.
raindog @ Nov 1st 2008 12:16AM
I can't wait to pay whatever Nintendo feels like charging for a Wii take on Pikmin 2, and I'll be preordering the native Wii Pikmin whenever it turns up. But I'll be buying the Play on Wii Pikmin on its launch day as well, in all probability, irritating time limits notwithstanding.
I'm less sure about Chibi because I think it was damn near perfect as it was, but if the controls aren't too gratuitous I might give it a try. Finally, I'll pass on Metroid 2 because I thought it was a bit of a misstep, but the first one could really benefit from the Wiimote and I'll give that one a try if the price is right.
I could also see myself trying Jungle Beat now that it doesn't require those drums that are too bulky to keep in your lap but too light to keep from walking all over the table when you whack them hard enough to play. I can't remember what other Play on Wii titles there were, if any.
Bowser the Baptist @ Nov 1st 2008 7:15AM
The Gamecube was an incredible failure, so I never managed to play any of these games announced. But if I was really interested I would have brought them for my Wii. So I'll probably pass.
murray b @ Nov 1st 2008 12:14PM
I don't know about incredible failure. It's not like it was the Virtual Boy.
Haohmaru @ Nov 1st 2008 5:26PM
The Cube was by NO means an "incredible failure." You missed out on some great games by that logic.
Bowser the Baptist @ Nov 2nd 2008 5:10AM
I've got a Wii so I obviously have acess to the GC library. If we ignore the franchises, which had better upgrades on the Wii, at last count I found four worthwhile games: RE4, Killer7, MGS, Billy Hatcher. Two of those were available on the Playstation.
The GC library is poor. I'm being wholly honest here.
Haohmaru @ Nov 1st 2008 10:14AM
Of the announced games, I never played Pikmin 2, DK Jungle Beat, or Chibi-Robo. I'll likely give those a try. I've beaten all of the Metroid Prime games, but MP1&2 with MP3-like controls may see me buying those two again.
juangrande386 @ Nov 1st 2008 3:36PM
Why not make a new Mario Tennis? Thats the only one from this list that doesnt make any sense.
zchry @ Nov 1st 2008 6:31PM
Personally, I didn't have a GameCube, so I am looking forward to this. However, if they do mess the controls up, I won't be happy. I'd like the graphics to look a tad better (smoother or whatever), but that's no big deal.
I don't care much about anything else.
KonEL @ Nov 1st 2008 7:43PM
Laugh if you want, but i want a widescreen, motion sensing version of WindWaker. Just graph on Twightlights controls onto it at a budget price and i'm totally there.
ChaoticTails @ Nov 1st 2008 9:13PM
I will play MP1 and 2 Wiimakes, if only for the controls, but I dunno about Pikmin.
Hamster @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:14AM
I don't think adding Wii controls automatically makes a game simpler and more accessible for your gran. I doubt with added Wii controls your gran would be able to play Metroid Prime, Pikmin or Chibi Robo (by the way I'm one of those supposedly heartless souls who couldn't give a toss whether my gran can play video games or not, and neither does she, so we were both perfectly happy with the situation Nintendo! In art and entertainment one must never pander to old people. After all, they have appalling taste in everything. If old people like something, that means it sucks! Everyone knows that).
As for 'Play on Wii' in general, well of course I'm totally against it. Nintendo has basically just given the green light to say it's ok for developers to shovel lazy last-gen ports onto the Wii (as if they weren't already....) I would even go as far as to say this move could potentially kill stone-dead any hope of the Wii having a decent games library and a healthy, forward-thinking, innovative development environment.
Nintendo said the Wii wasn't "next-gen", it was "new-gen". Well right now, it doesn't seem like either.
aang1818 @ Nov 7th 2008 9:55AM
I am torn between this idea. I missed some titles like Pikmin, Mario Golf, and Mario Tennis, all of which I have been waiting to get on the Wii in some form. On the other hand, I bought both Metroid Prime GC games within around a month of their release so there is no incentive to make me buy them again. If new controls are all they are offering, I won't be paying anything for any game I already have. If it's more like a director's cut though, with new gameplay elements, levels, features, ect. then I could be pursuaded to pay about 15 bucks for some of this stuff.
GrimmjowQuincy @ Jan 29th 2009 6:01PM
If I only read this sooner. I spent like $80 on Pikmin 2, and putting it on Wii could have really saved me cash. But I guess its too late for that now... ayways Ido hope they put some classic games on the Wii.(with some extras/surprises inside them)