As anticipation for the Nintendo European Media Summit in London rose, we wondered what rout Nintendo would take after a tough year for the casual gaming market in 2009. Many argued that they should continue on their casual course and that the market would soon return.
Nintendo obviously disagreed with this and, on February 24th, has made it clear that they intend on making the hardcore market a main focus of their game creations in 2010. With well-known blockbuster titles being released in the Super Mario, Metroid, and Prince of Persia series, hardcore Wii gamers everywhere were already excited for 2010.
Additional information and release dates for games such as Monster Hunter Tri, Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, and Xenoblade (Monado: Beginning of the World) only served to heighten the anticipation for the rest of the year. This expansion of the Wii’s hardcore library has certainly gotten the attention of gamers.
Jordan Alsaqa, a freshman in creative writing said, “I’ve always been interested in the Wii itself, but with its growing (game) gallery, I’m really considering getting one soon.” This attitude could change the gaming community’s view of the Wii as a play thing into a serious gaming machine.
Many WiiWare announcements were also made that are geared towards the hardcore market. These titles include X-Scape, Metal Torrent, WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase, and Cave Story. WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase will be out April 30th and includes 70 micro-games, as well as the ability to design your own.
With all the attention given to the Wii, Nintendo thought it was only fair to show equal love to the recently redesigned DSi. An overload of screenshots and game info were released for games like Dragon Quest IX, Picross 3D, Pokemon (HeartGold and SoulSilver), and new WiiWare titles such as Photo Dojo. In Photo Dojo, you pose for 13 pictures and enter 10 sound effects. From these inputs, a side-scrolling fighting game is made, starring you as the main character.
A new model of the DSi is set to release on March 5th across Europe. (Note: Since the summit, Nintendo of America has announced a U.S. release date of March 28). This new model is titled DSi XL. The screen has been enlarged by 93% to provide an improved visual experience and larger play space for the user’s stylus to slide across. A new design of the stylus itself will also be implemented making it more like a pen with grips.
The new system comes with Nintendo DSiWare software such as Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training: Arts Edition, Dictionary six-in-one with camera function, along with the Nintendo DSi Browser, that allows you to access the internet wherever a wireless internet connection is available.
With all these announcements, the most significant is the fact that Nintendo is making a commitment to create hardcore game experiences with their first party studios. The most important of these are Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid: Other M. Gamers knew these titles would be announced at one point, but have received relief in finding that they are being made first priority instead of putting these projects on the backburner.
“I’m glad Nintendo is finally putting out games I can get into instead of more mini-game collections like usual,” said Thomas Johnston, a sophomore in mechanical engineering.
As more gamers see the moves Nintendo is making, the install base will continue to grow including hardcore gamers. As the base grows, we can expect higher sales of hardcore titles, leading to more of them being produced. If this happens, the Wii could have a hold on all demographics pushing it further into the lead as the console wars wage on.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 has a lot to live up to. With its predecessor having great success in sales (8.15 million copies sold) and receiving tremendous critical acclaim (Metacritic 9.7), the new title has to astonish the gaming community if it wishes to improve upon the original. Nintendo is hoping to make the experience fresh to fans of the original. They are adding new galaxies along with newly designed challenges for players to overcome.
Mario’s dinosaur friend Yoshi makes appearances in the game using his classic tongue to grab items to spit back out at enemies. Not only does the game return with classic elements, it also adds new game play mechanics. A drill used to tunnel through rock is a welcome new addition to our hero’s arsenal. Super Mario Galaxy is set to release June 11th, giving the hype machine plenty of time to fire up.
The other major first party title coming from Nintendo is Metroid: Other M. Concern about the game not evolving in its 3D form has risen among gamers.
“I’m excited for its release, but it really dosen’t look like its changed much to me,” said Kenneth Howell a freshman in International studies. These concerns can be set to rest as the game has been turned into a 2D/3D hybrid, and is promising to add a cinematic flare that the series has never seen before.
This year is promising for hardcore gamers who own a Wii. It could also draw more gamers to the console at the same time. Whatever your taste in games is, 2010 is looking to be a great year to be a gamer.
