Underutilized Wii Features - News
by VGChartz Staff , posted on 08 November 2011 / 7,446 Views
It's easy to look at the Wii and see where its faults lie. There's definitely some quality software on the platform, but many of those titles were hampered by the limitations of the Wii. While not alone on the market now, its motion controller gathered a hefty amount of attention at launch, but there were other features that Nintendo, unfortunately, never went through with entirely. We look at some of Nintendo's little white console's feature set that barely saw the light of day.
Wii Remote-Based Memory
With all that's jam packed in the Wii Remote, it's easy to overlook the fact that the controller actually has memory built into it. How much memory to be exact? About 6 kilobytes. It's hard to say exactly what Nintendo planned on doing with this memory, but out the gate it was simply available to store Miis to transfer them between Wiis. A few actual releases did make use of the storage space, but mostly for controller configurations. Probably the most effective use of it was with Monster Hunter Tri. Players could put their character on their Wii Remote and go to a friend's house and play arena based multi-player. In days where memory cards are a thing of a past, the ability to transfer data without extra accessories or other external means is a cool touch. It's just a shame only one title actually used it effectively.
WiiConnect24
Leading up to the Wii's launch, we probably heard more mentions of WiiConnect24 by Nintendo than the actual number of times it was used. WiiConnect24 relies on the Wii going into standby mode to download new content while the system is not in use. It carried a large promise, including the idea that developers could push new content to players through this service over night. So the next day when they booted up the title, the content would simply be there requiring a simple install. Due to the limited space available on the console, frequent patches would be a pipe dream. Nintendo's messaging system isn't exactly user friendly and many of the channels that used the service were more throwaway channels, that didn't play much of a role beyond a few minutes of fun.
MP3 Playback
While the system itself was limited on internal space, the amount of space available via SD card was much larger, allowing 2 GB of data until 2009 when Nintendo updated it to 32 GB. Early on in the system's lifespan, Nintendo offered the ability for developers to include SD card support for soundtracks. Only a couple titles actually made use of it though, like original Excite Truck and Endless Ocean. In titles that use licensed tracks, like sports releases, the ability for the player to bring in their own playlist seems like a no brainier. Nintendo used to support MP3s through the Photo Channel as well, but this was removed in the 1.1 update, instead replacing it with AAC playback.
Wii Speak
The Nintendo DS came with a microphone built in and even had its own official headset for online play in titles like Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. Even with its ability to be used as the standard system's microphone, there wasn't much support for voice chat over Nintendo Wi-Fi. Nintendo Wii faced a similar fate, but took a different approach than a straight-up headset. When Wii Speak came around for the platform, it promised a new approach to voice chat – allowing Wiis to connect entire rooms to each other across the world. It seemed appropriate given the console, but was never used effectively with any specific software. There were no four on four player online games where one living room connected to another. Instead, most games that supported it had single player in mind, which Wii Speak simply wasn't built for. For a few years Nintendo would occasionally toss a title out there that utilized it, but now it's basically dead in the water. Most of the more recent online Wii games opt for the third party headbanger headset, which functions more like a traditional 360 and PS3 headset. While a failure, it was a very Nintendo-like way to approach something already with a standard.
USB Storage
The Wii features two USB ports. We've seen them used for Wii Speak, keyboards, microphones, ethernet adapters... Basically, any accessory that plugs directly into the Wii console that isn't from the GameCube era. One of the more obvious abilities of the USB port is to store content, but it's something that the Wii still hasn't allowed. So late in the system life cycle, there's not too much use for this. Nintendo is finally rolling this feature out thanks to the Wii version of Dragon Quest X. Unfortunately, Dragon Quest X seems to be the only title that will make use of it and, at least for now, any current storage will continue to have to remain on the SD card.
All of these features are, or will be, sort of buried in the dust as the Wii's life span is obviously nearing its end outside of a more casual audience. For now, it's hard to say if the Wii U will feature any of these, minus the already confirmed ability to use USB storage. Given their lack of ample time in the spotlight on the Wii, it would be interesting if Nintendo gave them all a second chance under more suitable conditions and improved hardware.
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I do not think the author did much research on the Wii Remote-Based Memory. Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit, Mario Kart Wii and any game that allows the use of Miis in any capacity, such as save file icons. Will allow a gamer to use their transferred Miis.
Secondly, USB storage is a non issue. DLC, Wii ware, and VC games can all fit on an 8GB SD card. Any thing larger that that is overkill. The only game that's being developed for the Wii that needs a lot of storage room is Dragon Quest X. No other Wii title needs that much space.
Thirdly, I do not think many games allow users to use custom sound tracks.
Benjamin, you can download ITunes and convert your mp3 to the AAC format.
Also Wii Speak is not a feature, as someone already mentioned. Therefore the only feature on the author's list that really has been under utilized is Wii Connect 24.
I remember hyping up wiiconnect24. Thought that was the coolest feature for the wii.
Makes you wonder if the Wii wasnt first place in sales. Nintendo would of tried harder like they did with the GameCube and what Sony did for the PS3.
I was just wondering how exactly did Nintendo try harder with the GCN? Was it the GBA add-on or the ethernet/dial up accessory that could only be used with Phantasy Star games? The ability to link the GBA with the GCN?
maybe having 3rd party content that people WANT to play???
That is an issue with the third party companies not Nintendo. Sure you can put some blame on Nintendo for their third party support but most of the blame is on the 3rd party companies.
@Seth I just felt that the games where better and they had character. Super Smash Melee still to this day kicks Brawls ass.Luigis mansion will always be a favorite of mine, we got a great Star Fox that people hated cause it wasnt true to the formula. Online wasnt there but Phantasy Star was a great experience(even though Nintendo had nothing to do with it). The GameBoy add on that brought many games to the big screen. Wind Waker was miles ahead of Twilight Princess and had a multiplayer Zelda. Therese alot of things the GameCube did right where it seems the Wii failed at.
@oniyide What third party games was that? The GameCube has ALMOST every single third party games the ps2 xbox had. They didnt have Black, GTA... thats really all I can think of. GameCube had every Need for speed, madden, splinter cell, rainbow six, Medal of honnor, Call of Duty, etc. I never can understand why people say the GameCube had lack of Third party support. The console shined with Nintendo games and Dreamcast hits. When you have Luigis mansion, Skies of Arcadia, Super Smash Bros, Phantasy Star, Zelda, Sonic Adventure on one console you are doing something right.
@SuperAnthony64, I know that, I had GC. THat was my point, that console actually had 3rd party support and not just shovelware. Wii?? Not so much and Ninty didnt try to rectify that either outside of MH and DQ
Saddest thing is even Motion Plus or the Balance Board should be on this list...
and if you want to get really technical than online in general, the concept of channels (i.e. apps rather than just games), the T.E.V (or any any part of the hardware that separates Wii from a PS2 according to most devs), multiple genres of games (JRPGs, WRPGs, Simulation Flight and Racing games, Fighters not call Smash, 3rd Person shooters/adventures, hell even good 3d platformers aren't that common), and so on and so on... Such a strange console when you think about it. Quite sorry to see it end its life without delivering on its promise.
QFT, WMPlus and BB are the most important underutilised features.
Motion+ and the Balance Board are not features, they'rer peripherals.
Motion+ and the Balance Board are not features, they'rer peripherals.
Peripherals that add features, WM+ adds higher precision motion detection, and is now standard equipment, but its higher precision feature is used by very few games. Balance board is a peripheral that adds feet pressure and posture detection, and it's used by not many games.
Those are features of the peripherals, not the Wii itself. In order to take advantage of the peripherals, you first have to buy them separately just like a guitar hero guitar or a DDR pad.
Typical Nintendo.
They treat their consoles like a canvas and just keep tossing stuff at it to see what kind of a picture it will paint. Sometimes it just doesn't look good so they just choose to "paint over" it with something else.
I love Nintendo and their innovative spirit, even if it does make their decisions a little hit -or- miss.
Wii Speak isn't a feature, it's a peripheral.
I agree with the missuses called in this article. Nintendo sometimes goes to ahead of what it should, but sometimes they later reprise (like the GameCube controller or 3D or whatever), so all ideas are welcome even if missused at their first try.
Don't forget the "so called DLC" known as Pay N' Play.
It's true, they focused so much on the motion-controls, that they left behind the use of other great features the console has
I'm suprised that the Wii console itself is not on the list. Oh, snap!
oh its Ben! must be some crap about Nintendo so i will pass right threw here. talihoo (or whatever the English say)
Thank you for not adding even WiiMotionPlus, with the recent release Go Vacation and the next Skyward Sword at least 10 games have used that.
I, myself, have discovered the MP3 Playback 2 months ago...
Most of the things mentioned don't really matter to me anyway. The only thing that I would actually like to see used more would be Wiiconnect24. The rest is not that important.
motion plus should have been numero uno, wiispeak sucks, thats why it was not used. Hell the PSeye does it better and that in not even its main feature
I think the same could be said for every single console ever (pretty much). Just because it has the features, doesn't mean they're gonna be used (read: 3DS' online)
