by Jake
For the past 2 video game generations, Nintendo has constantly been the object of criticism for allegedly ignoring the "core gamer." These critics point out the GameCube's lack of online options, FPS, racing, and fighting titles, and the Wii's presence everywhere from preschools to senior citizens homes, reinforcing the "Kidtendo" image.
Now you're playing with power. Hardcore Power!
However, both of these console's launch titles showed an edgier side of the Big N. In each list, I have italicized all of the titles which are "certainly not hardcore games" (the definition of a hardcore game is so arbitrary, it is easier to determine what is not hardcore rather than what is).
The GCN. Did it start off as a "hardcore" machine? Read on...
Here is the Gamecube's launch lineup:
All Star Baseball 2002, Batman Vengeance, Crazy Taxi, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2, Disney's Tarzan Unlimited, Luigi's Mansion, Madden NFL 2002, NHL Hitz 20-02, Star Wars Rouge Squadron II: Rouge Leader, Super Monkey Ball,. Tony Hawk's Pro skater 3, Wave Race: Blue Storm.
Of the 12 games available at launch, only 3 were "certainly not hardcore." Perhaps this is one reason why some "core gamers" still have fond memories of the GameCube. Maybe Resident Evil 4, Eternal Darkness, Cubivore, and the like were hardcore enough for them to stay happy.
Any game with "survival of the fittest" in the title MUST be hardcore!
However, even the fondest memories of the Gamecube will to give way to disgust if you mention the Wii to a "core gamer" today.
E3 2008. The chasm between Nintendo and the core gamer seems greater than that between Lazarus and the rich man...
We're talkin' Biblical proportions.
Anyhow, let's take a gander at the Wii's launch lineup:
Avatar: the Last Airbender, Call of Duty 3, Excite Truck, Happy Feet, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Madden NFL 07, Monster 4x4: World Circuit, Need for Speed: Carbon, Rampage: Total Destruction, Red Steel, Barnyard, Cars, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaicha 2, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, GT Pro Series, Open Season, Rayman Raving Rabbids, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Tony Hawks Downhill Jam, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, SpongeBob Squarepants: Creature from the Krusty Lab, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, Wii Sports
23 titles, 10 "certainly not hardcore." But perhaps, of greater importance, the Wii had 10 launch games with a colon in their title!
Get the probiotics: Most colons: ever.
I am not going to feign ignorance and naively tout Madword, No More Heroes, and Monster Hunter Tri (among others), as proof that the Wii was a hardcore machine. Heck, even in launch titles the PS2, XBOX, PS3, & 360 killed the GCN and Wii in percentage of "hardcore titles." Also, earlier this year, Nintendo admitted that they focused on casual gamers and that focus did indeed cost them. I still love the Gamecube and the Wii. In fact, those 2 consoles make up the greatest number of titles in my vast collection of video games. But I am not going to pretend the past didn't happen and neither is Nintendo.
Right now, Nintendo has 34 games featured on the Wii U website; 15 are "hardcore games." Granted, we have yet to see how many of these will be available at launch but one thing is certain; Nintendo intends to silence all the "Kidtendo" critics once and for all. Click here to look at this list; among the "hardcore" tiles are Ninja Gaiden 3, Black Ops 2, Zombie U, Mass Effect 3, and Nintendo's ultimate statement to all the detractors; Bayonetta 2.
Bottom line- The Wii U lineup is Nintendo's strongest statement to the "core gamer" since they put blood and fatalities in Mortal Kombat II. Nintendo silenced the critics then and they will silence them again.
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Nintendo myths that need to die: Virtual Console edition
Nintendo's decision to cancel GoldenEye XBLA: bad for gamers, good for Nintendo?
The 15th Anniversary of GoldenEye 007: A retrospective
Nintendo should port the Mario Kart Arcade games to the Wii U
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