At last year’s E3, Nintendo pitched a system to us. A classic Nintendo machine, but with motion-sensing technology. We were promised the ability to swing Link’s sword in real-time, light-gun games would be available to every system, we’d fire Samus’ cannon at our TVs. Nintendo were really trying to convince the gaming “hardcore” that they want this system.
What a difference a year makes…
This year, Nintendo mentioned Zelda and Metroid in passing, as mere afterthoughts. Reggie and Miyamoto were clearly levelling their sights on a different audience this time around – WiiFit and Focus Training are now the dishes of the day. The ‘improvement’ games, as Nintendo put it, are apparently the future. I’m not saying that Mario and Link will be completely abandoned, but now Nintendo has a completely different install base and thus a different audience.
A ridiculous number of Wii owners only play Wii Sports. A large amount of DS owners only have the Brain Training games. It’s these people who Nintendo are now going for. “We’ve got you hooked on the novelty of your first console, now it’s time for us to turn you into gamers” seems to be the Ninty mentality.
