Ramapo students’ opinions on Nintendo’s new Wii U

by jmallon | October 3, 2012 5:21 pm

[1]
Photo of Nintendo’s Wii U controller and system, as shown in GameInformer, issue 234.

By JONATHAN MALLON

Nintendo announced the launch date and pricing for the Wii U, their new video game console, and some Ramapo College students give their opinions on the upcoming system.

On Sept. 13, Nintendo announced on their news feed[2] that their new system will launch “in the Americas on November 18.”  By Sept. 16, when an article by McKinley Noble aired on EGMNow.com[3], many units sold out at retailers.  Some students of Ramapo College of New Jersey have mixed opinions about the upcoming system.

“Ever since the Wii, I feel like the Nintendo side of the console genre is on the weaker side,” said Chris Desamparado, 20, “and I’m only following it not because it’s Nintendo, I’m just following it for the games that will come out for it.”

“I feel like Nintendo has done great things throughout their time as a video game developer,” said Craig Wolfe, 22, “and the Wii itself is what I like to call an appropriate first step, because what it did was it brought motion control to the mainstream.  Now that all the companies have taken that first step, they can build upon it, and that’s what I’m hoping the Wii U will do, among other things such as creating substantial games.”

The system, according to Noble’s article on EGMNow.com, has sold out online and at retailers due to advanced pre-ordering and a lack of new information about the system from Nintendo.  One suggestion he made was to call a retailer “and see if they’re keeping some for in-store only sales, and when they’re opening their doors.”

One of the famous aspects about the Wii U is what Nintendo calls it’s GamePad controller, a tablet-style device used with the console.  President of Nintendo of America and COO Reggie Fils-Aime, in Nintendo’s news article, said that with “the integrated second screen of the included GamePad and features that instantly enhance the way people play games, watch video and interact with each other, consumers will see how Wii U delivers a completely unique experience and a remarkable value right out of the box.”

The Wii U will release in two different colors and sets, according to Nintendo.  There will be a Basic Set with a white Wii U and accessories, which will cost $299.99, and a Deluxe Set with a black system and accessories, costing $349.99.  The Deluxe set “includes higher storage capacity, additional accessories and the new ‘Nintendo Land’ video game.”

Desamparado said he may get it “eventually, but I’m not going to be one of those people waiting in line for it.”

“Right now I haven’t thought about it,” said Anthony Aliano, 20, “but I guess one day, if I do have the time, I guess I would be interested in checking it out eventually.”

The original Nintendo Wii released in 2006, according to the corporate page on Nintendo’s website[4].  It became famous for its emphasis on motion control gaming using a wireless controller.

“The only problem is Nintendo’s track record recently has been pointing more towards kid-friendly games,” Wolfe said, “that while they do appeal to kids and parents, they don’t appeal to hardcore gamers looking for a well-developed game with something substantial, like a storyline, or a great adventure, or intricate puzzles or something like that.”

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: http://class1.ramaporecord.org/2012/10/03/ramapo-students-opinions-on-nintendos-new-wii-u/photo0198/
  2. on their news feed: http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/0wbUKtirspI0KMYdhpau4X7f8D4x9hL8
  3. McKinley Noble aired on EGMNow.com: http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/wii-u-selling-out-everywhere-many-retailers-already-out-of-stock/
  4. corporate page on Nintendo’s website: http://www.nintendo.com/corp/history.jsp

Source URL: https://class1.ramaporecord.org/?p=8452