Jump to content

  • Log in with Facebook Log in with Twitter Log In with Google         

Follow us on Google Plus!

Article Categories


Recent Game Pages


Recent Reviews


Nintendo Network A Game Changer?

Aug 06 2012 06:54 PM | Submitted by: aquizero

Wii Wii U 3DS Misc Nintendo Network
When Nintendo released the Wii in 2006, they focused on having the entire family enjoy gaming together in one home. This was definitely apparent with the focus on motion-controlled gaming. The Wii certainly brought together the old and the young by making gaming easy and fun. This marketing strategy worked great for the company, for a while. Soon after the hype of motion-controlled gaming died down, there was a huge focus on things that the Wii could have done better; one of them being the online options.  It turns out that Nintendo decided to develop their online services in-house for its Wii. If Nintendo would have reached out to other companies, who had better online infrastructure knowledge and experience, then the Wii’s online features would not have been so sub-par.

Posted Image
The Nintendo Wii U has a chance to change this. The Wii U is a more powerful device and Nintendo promised that its Nintendo Network would be more than just a re-branding of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. There were many rumors floating around the Internet stating that Nintendo was partnering with Electronics Arts (EA) to provide a better online experience. Unfortunately, there has yet to be any confirmation that such partnership exists with EA. Only time will tell if Nintendo has truly learned that they cannot do it all themselves. There is hope for Nintendo though.

One brand new online service that will be unique to Nintendo is MiiVerse. This service is certainly a step in the right direction. No other competitor currently has this type of online service that can be integrated so well inside certain games. MiiVerse has many benefits, but the biggest would be the inclusion of a fun and intriguing online interaction with other Wii U owners. Beyond just the occasional typed or hand written messages from friends, what else is needed for Nintendo Network to be a success?

Posted Image

If you have played any of the competitor systems, then I am sure you will agree with me on one key aspect; online multiplayer. The use of online multiplayer is almost foreign to Nintendo, as many of their franchises have yet to offer it. There is really only one franchise that I personally used online multiplayer with and that's Animal Crossing. The simple fact is that it's not always possible to play multiplayer games locally. The New Super Mario Bros. series is a perfect example of this. Ever since the release of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, I have dreamed of the day to be able to play online with friends from all over and have a blast! Unfortunately, Nintendo has yet to make this a reality, even with its current Wii U title for the series. If you ask me, this seems like a huge missed opportunity.

In closing, Nintendo does have to play catch up this time around. If MiiVerse is any indication of what is forthcoming, than I am hopeful.

What do you want to see as part of Nintendo’s online options?

About the Author

Photo
Benjamin is a true gaymer. For nearly a decade, his interest in Nintendo has grown exponentially! He's not extremely skilled at any particular genre of games, but mostly enjoys RPG, strategy, and fighting games. His true obsession within the Nintendo universe is Pokémon, followed closely by Zelda. Ever since he watched the first episode of Pokémon, he's been hooked. To this day, he plays the main-series Pokémon games and watches the anime religiously. He's as close as it comes to being a Pokémon Master. His true passion for Nintendo makes him excited to write new topics for you!

Other Interesting Articles


Comments: 14


Kyle
Aug 07 2012 11:59 AM
I am excited for Nintendo Network. Like they say "Better late then Never"

aquizero
Aug 07 2012 12:20 PM

View PostDarthArk, on 07 August 2012 - 11:59 AM, said:

I am excited for Nintendo Network. Like they say "Better late then Never"

That is so true! The funny thing is, if this came out at the same time as the competitors it may have gotten lost in the shuffle but now all eyes are on Nintendo.

Kevin
Aug 07 2012 02:41 PM

View PostDarthArk, on 07 August 2012 - 11:59 AM, said:

I am excited for Nintendo Network. Like they say "Better late then Never"

View Postaquizero, on 07 August 2012 - 12:20 PM, said:

That is so true! The funny thing is, if this came out at the same time as the competitors it may have gotten lost in the shuffle but now all eyes are on Nintendo.

Guys, the Nintendo Network is already available to the public. We may not know its true capabilities while working in tandem with the Wii U and the 3DS, but it's fully alive and functional. I'm assuming that the both of you are referring to the Wii U capabilities though.

As aquizero pointed out in the article, Nintendo will have to change up their strategy for online services. Specifically, Nintendo will have to give its consumers a better way way to communicate with friends by broadening their perspective on online multiplayer services. What's odd to me, is that Nintendo is so far behind, that it just seems a bit out of the ordinary. Will they surprise us with some new and exciting online multiplayer functionality with the arrival of the Wii U? Let's hope so.

Speaking of Wii U, here are the known Nintendo Network-powered services that will be available:
  • System: User account system, opposed to a Friend Code
  • Games: Online multiplayer (not all of course), online rankings and online communities
  • Communication: NFC Reader, video calls and cross-platform compatibility with the 3DS
  • Online Shopping: eShop
  • Entertainment: Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube
I think it's safe to say that, out of that list, the most important service is online multiplayer. If Nintendo can get that straight, they'll have it in the bag.

aquizero
Aug 07 2012 03:13 PM
Yes that is true that Nintendo Network is out and we have a taste of what it can do but yes mainly I am interested in how NN and Wii U will work.

As simple as it may be I am interested in in the media apps Netflix, Amazon Video and YouTube streamed right to my Wii U Gamepad. That way my man can watch whatever awful show he wants and I can comfortably watch mine with my headphones. :)

Kevin
Aug 07 2012 03:17 PM

View Postaquizero, on 07 August 2012 - 03:13 PM, said:

...but yes mainly I am interested in how NN and Wii U will work.

You almost had me confused there for a second. ;)

View Postaquizero, on 07 August 2012 - 03:13 PM, said:

As simple as it may be I am interested in in the media apps Netflix, Amazon Video and YouTube streamed right to my Wii U Gamepad. That way my man can watch whatever awful show he wants and I can comfortably watch mine with my headphones. :)

But you'll be watching them in non-HD, while someone in the other part of the house wants to use it to build platforms for Mario.

aquizero
Aug 07 2012 03:20 PM

View PostKevin, on 07 August 2012 - 03:17 PM, said:

But you'll be watching them in non-HD, while someone in the other part of the house wants to use it to build platforms for Mario.

Hahaha. I do not need my episodes in HD. I am fine using Netflix on Wii. The screen is bigger than a mobile phone or my 3DS so that in itself is a win. Oh and no they probably won't be touching my Wii U Gamepad very often. Lol.

Kevin
Aug 07 2012 03:26 PM
Speaking of the Nintendo Network, and the way games are now able to be digitally distributed, this perturbed me to no end. I can't stand reading stuff like this:

New Super Mario Bros. 2 Takes Almost An Hour To Download

aquizero
Aug 08 2012 09:57 AM
Yeah I dislike reading that as well. Funny thing is I just read another one saying it only took 10 minutes to download. As you said on G+ it is based on individual internet connections and what else is uploading/ downloading/ streaming on your connection at the same time.

https://plus.google....sts/DFiyRkLh16b

Kevin
Aug 08 2012 12:02 PM
That's why I can't stand sites 100% related to "news." Those types of sites post anything and everything, and it's just plain annoying.

aquizero
Aug 08 2012 12:16 PM
Exactly. They post anything so they meet their "quota" for the day and or week. I mean sometimes they do have some good points or info but that is in between garbage articles.

Kevin
Aug 08 2012 12:26 PM

View Postaquizero, on 08 August 2012 - 12:16 PM, said:

I mean sometimes they do have some good points or info but that is in between garbage articles.

Yuuuuuuup. <--- (Don't let me down with that reference)

aquizero
Aug 08 2012 12:28 PM

View PostKevin, on 08 August 2012 - 12:26 PM, said:

Yuuuuuuup. <--- (Don't let me down with that reference)

Oh I know all about "yuuuup and noooope" my good man! Archer 4 Life!

Kevin
Aug 08 2012 12:35 PM

View Postaquizero, on 08 August 2012 - 12:28 PM, said:

Oh I know all about "yuuuup and noooope" my good man! Archer 4 Life!

Thank you!

aquizero
Aug 09 2012 06:55 PM
You know I am really curious on how the Nintendo Wii U eShop will actually look. I wonder how different it will be in comparison to the 3DS eShop. The funny thing is that I really liked the organizational parts of the Wii shop. Yes I know it was bland as heck and not the greatest but I love organization and I do not like scrolling from side to side as much as we do on the 3DS. So, hopefully this new eShop is basically a middle ground of the Wii and 3DS.