Nintendo has announced that they are finally adopting a traditional web-based network they have so cleverly dubbed The Nintendo Network. The service is said to offer DLC, personal accounts for Wii U systems, and “communities” for Mario Kart 7.
Let’s take a look at this. Microsoft, with its XBOX Live service, has been serving over 40 million of its 66 million consoles (based on its 2011 report) with overpriced online gaming. Sony, on the other hand caters to a staggering 70 million (as of April, 2011) users on their Playstation Network.
Nintendo, meanwhile, has been twiddling their thumbs.
The Wii has never been known for its online capabilities. Some of its games offered a limited option of playing online, either singleplayer or multiplayer, but few ever successfully pulled it off. A case could perhaps be made for games like Monster Hunter Tri, with its laggy servers of four players, or maybe Super Smash Bros. Brawl, with its absurd sixteen digit friend codes, but then again, it would be a stretch.
But having an online network is not just about online gameplay. There is also the matter of DLC, something that has been notably missing from the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (WFC) service. It would have been great (albeit underhanded) to see Nintendo roll out some new characters for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, or perhaps downloadable galaxies for Super Mario Galaxy.
At least the Nintendo WFC service offers things that even the most rudimentary online network services have: profiles, a user search engine, maybe some form of an achievement system. Oh wait, no it doesn’t. Nope. None of them. Not a single one.
So what does this say about the Nintendo Network? Well, for one, it is a drastic improvement. Gone are the days of not being able to find your friends because you can’t remember sixteen digit numbers. Every Nintendo Network user will have their own personal profile, as well as the ability to download DLC for games. During Nintendo’s quarterly financial and policy, Iwata admitted that the Nintendo WTF WFC service was too “focused upon specific functionalities and concepts.” He did state that the Nintendo Network will strive to fix those issues with some new, and needed, functionalities. To quote:
Also for the Wii U, we are planning to introduce a personal account system compatible with Nintendo Network. With this, for example, the ease of using a video game system when the hardware is shared by multiple family members, which has been a challenge we needed to tackle, shall be improved, and we will also be able to construct and offer the system by combining a variety of different services and content.
What could this mean? Personal accounts for each Wii U system, obviously, but perhaps some other things. An achievement system, perhaps? Some form of communication system along the same lines as the Wii Speak accessory?
What are you looking for in the new Nintendo Network? Sound off in the comments!
Tags: 3DS, accounts, alessandro, alex siravo, comic booked, dlc, humor, monster hunter tri, network, Nintendo, nintendo wi-fi connection, siravo, super mario galaxy, super smash bros. brawl, Video Games, Wii, Wii U
About the Author
Written by Alex Siravo
Alex Siravo, born December 1995, is the youngest and most kawaii of the Comic Booked Video Game Team. A diehard Nintendo-fanatic, he occasionally cheats on his Wii with his PS3, but he knows very well who he loves more. He hopes to someday kidnap and marry David Tennant.
Friend codes were once a good idea. Haha. No, that was a lie. They were never a good idea.
Scumbag Nintendo:
Takes out Gamecube compatibility
Adds 2004 online gaming standards
Now all they have to do is what Sony is doing and offer Gamecube games at the very very low price of $20-$40.
Took them long enough.
In the name of all that is holy and good in this world…I sincerely hope they put “friend codes” into a vault, strap it to a rocket and fire it into the center of the sun with a soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and narrated by Morgan Freeman
Gotta keep it classy
-J
Narrated by Morgan Freeman!!! Now that would be awesome…
I dont think this will help Wii sales at all they are just too far behind Xbox and PlayStation with an online presence already
I think they will do well if they build some good communities. I’m a die hard Zelda fan, and if they bring that online, I’m in. Mario, Kirby, hmm, who else?
Yes! 8 year old features are FINALLY being added!