Cruis’n proves graphics do matter on the Nintendo Wii
By Jonathan Schlaffer
Screenshots of a new Nintendo Wii game have been circulating around and if you thought normal Wii games looked “bad” (I know I do) well this game makes them all look good. Many have been comparing it to N64 graphics and that’s about the size of it, if not worse.
Cruis’n as the name implies is a driving/racing game (do we need another one) and has graphics that date back to about 1996. There is no excuse for that, not even on the Wii so what happened here? Theories abound ranging from this game is simply a port of a N64 title and the graphics weren’t updated to that it’s going to be one of those extras you can download but what game company would create box art for a downloadable title?
In all honesty, I do not know what happened here but judging from the comments on the original article most are not planning on buying the game, if it gets made. That’s right “if” it gets made. Both the developer and Nintendo would be foolish to allow this atrocity to make it to market. I hope the checks and balances work themselves out because allowing this game would pave the way for even more mediocrity and we certainly don’t need that, there’s enough of that with current Wii titles and Cruis’n is an insult to even those games.
One comment that rang true to me was written by Sloppydrew who says “Graphics don’t matter? Try playing Bioshock with Super Nintendo capabilities. Graphics are more than pretty. They are AI, they are atmosphere, they are what make games great and I’m getting sick and tired of feeling like I’m somehow a “lesser” gamer because I actually value decent graphics in a game.”
Either the Nintendo crowd can’t admit that the Wii’s graphics really aren’t great because all they talk about is gameplay, hardly touching on the issue of graphics or are just jealous of the much better systems put out by Microsoft and Sony. I’m talking about Wii titles across the board here. The point is, graphics do matter, and all Nintendo fans do is put a spin on things saying “gameplay is more important” but in my opinion, only to a point. Good gameplay which the Wii has should be balanced with good to excellent graphics which in my opinion it does not have. Nintendo played the “gameplay only” card and for some reason, for reasons I can’t and maybe will never understand, worked out.
On another note, the Wii can play DVDs but it’s just too much work and to include DVD playback in the Wii would have required Nintendo to charge $25 more for the Wii. Sersiously, $25 more, no one I know that could afford a $250 console certainly could NEVER spend an extra $25 for it. Not to mention the fact you still can’t buy it for the price of $250 as most stores are still sold out and prices on eBay border on extortion hence people with more not less money buy the Wii… now tell me was leaving DVD playback out worth it?
I’d have included DVD playback, just because and if that’s not good enough then most people could afford the extra $25. Then, then there is the whole limitation of 480p only, I mean even the original Xbox played DVDs and outputted a 720p signal.
Related:
Stumble It!
Tips N4G
August 23rd, 2007
Just do me a favor and stop it with the Wii bashing. The PC has the best graphics and interface of all systems. The consumers have consistantly tossed graphics to the side for great gameplay. Almost every generation had a superior game system with graphics lose to an inferior. What was the differance? Gameplay. We purchased console games because they were simple. They did not have the graphics of a PC but they did have simply gameplay with only a few buttons to worry about. Each generation has tried to get closer to the PC with graphics and button combinations. If I want to play a complex PC game I buy it for the PC. I liked the simplicity of the NES, SNES, Genisis, and PS1. Games started to take advantage of all of the butons with the PS2 but not to the extent of the XBox. So my XBox sat in my closet hacked and mostly unused. Now when this new generation came out I jumped on the Wii. Why? Because of the promise of fun simplified gaming. What did I find? A user interface that allowed me the control of the PC without the button combinations and the play of casual games that used only a few buttons. I could care less about graphics. My PC makes the 360 and PS3 look like last gen gaming. Keep your bashing to the hardcore only crowd. The rest of us are having fun with a console that shows us the reason why we went to them to begin with.
August 23rd, 2007
You still place too much emphasis on graphics. Yes, they do ADD to the experience, but they should always be second to gameplay. That is why these are called video GAMES. If you want beautiful graphics, go watch a movie. Are those not lifelike enough for you?
As for the DVD movie functionality, I am surprised this is ever an issue with anyone. WhyTF are you buying a game machine to watch movies on it? Call me crazy, but I bought my game console to PLAY GAMES. Why would I want the price tag increased (even by a measly $25) when I have a perfectly good DVD player on my shelf already?
This blog continues to be hypocritical on all accounts just like Sony. “Graphics matter a lot”, yet the record-breaking PS2 had pathetic graphics power compared to both the Gamecube and XBox. Graphics are neat. Graphics are pretty. Graphics enhance the experience by making it more lifelike, but when I dwell on my gaming memories, I rarely recall how beautiful a game was. Rather, I remember the complicated tactics or the clever boss designs.
August 23rd, 2007
Well golly, another lame rip on the Wii, Jon, just stfu and die. It’s got nothing to do with the Wii when a company makes a shitty game, God, you’d think even you knew this.
August 23rd, 2007
I do and if you read carefully, you’d see I did blame them, in fact I implore them not to make it. However, that does not excuse the current level of the Wii’s graphics, the only good thing is that this game will make the other games look good in comparison.
August 23rd, 2007
Face it. You’re gonna complain after the Wii can play DVDs and is able to play at 720p and 1080p.
Those who has a tv that outputs 720p or 1080p will most likely have an entertainment system that INCLUDES a dvd player. Not to mention, a DVR, a computer, TiVo, etc… Also, any gamer now would also have either have a PS2, PS3, Xbox, or Xbox 360. Why add something that can cost you time and money when it’s already out there? $25 isn’t much to you but I would spend $25 to go to work and earn $100 every day for the next two weeks.
Although graphics can be a factor, it isn’t the main factor. How about Viva Piñata? Microsoft promoted it like it was for the whole family and one of the games that showed the far the graphics of the 360 can go to. But what happen to it? It bombed a few months later and is now being ported to the PC and DS, which the graphics are more worser graphics than the 360.
Finally, I don’t know where you live, but where I live, Wal-Mart has 3 Wiis and the Gamestop near me has 5 Wiis.
August 23rd, 2007
Don’t get me started on Viva Pinata, I’d have been perfectly happy if that game WERE NOT on the Xbox 360… such a waste.
You’re right, okay, let’s put the DVD issue aside and no if the Wii were capable of 720p and 1080p I wouldn’t complain… and I doubt any kind of firmware update will change that, this limitation is hardware… if Nintendo upgrades, I promise not to complain.
I have a Xbox 360, I use it for gaming and DVD playback… see how that works… if someone say would like to do that with a Wii, oh look, they can’t. There are situations where this would be applicable. But sadly, it’s still limited by its 480p output…
August 23rd, 2007
In other news Wii surpassed Xbox 360 in console sales…
But lets not focus on that… Let’s focus on the fact that Jonathan Schlaffer & the other writers here hate Wii graphics. So much so that this article switches the topic so it can bash Wii some more.
Cruisn doesn’t even represent the peak of graphic performance the Wii can do. This article would be a bigger joke if it bashed Excite Truck. Heck if Cruisn was also going to 360 & PS3 with the same graphics I doubt this article would exist.
As for the DVD part I already have 2; an Xbox & portable DVD Player. So Wii not having a DVD player doesn’t matter.
August 23rd, 2007
Jonathan, how did you ever survive the 8-bit era???
August 23rd, 2007
Johnathan Schlaffer dont be angry at the wii cause your ex girlfriend owns one and it gives her more enjoyment than you ever did.
Also your Wii Bashing material is old and lame, its ok to be a little angry that Nintendo is bending over Sony and Microsoft and raping them with the success of the wii at the moment, but thats no reason to take it out on the poor readers of this website that read your ‘typed excrement’ these poor reader have done nothing to you and dont want to hear your rant.
August 23rd, 2007
The hardcore hobbyist gaming crowd doesn’t get and will never get it, but the rest of us understand perfectly.
The average human being does not care about the performance difference between a Shelby Cobra and a Dodge Viper. All they see is two really fast cars that are expensive and not particularly comfortable or, in the 360’s case, reliable.
Sure, they are cool. Sure, they’d love to take one for a short ride. But, in the end, the vast majority of people are going to a buy a reasonably fast six cylinder car that is still pretty peppy and costs less.
Especially if the cheaper, peppy car has cool new features like the Wiimote.
It is *really* not complicated.
And the funniest/saddest thing of all is that even the guys who lament the Wii’s poor performance are *still* buying them because they are so “hardcore” that the idea of of not owning *any* major video game system is anathema to them!
Nintendo must laugh their asses off nightly at you guys.
August 23rd, 2007
Okay, I’m starting to think that maybe it’s the hardcore that are out on this.
Every other site I go have “hardcore” gamers acting as if their dominant in this console argument. I guess if you’re hardcore you have to have pretty pictures to have fun with games.
Well, have you ever thought that maybe hardcore gamers are the crazy ones here? The wii is fun, it has games, I can download, I have a dvd–what more do I want? Why do we have to cater to what they want. I mean, what about what normal players want.
It’s aways, “it’s not for the hardcore gamer.” F’em. FF games today wouldn’t be as fun if no gfx. That’s not how you build a game.
August 23rd, 2007
Geeze, all you do is bitch about the same things: no dvd playback and wii graphics. Seriously, the graphics are fine. We don’t need to see every grain of sand on a beach or anything like that. You just used Cruis’n to attempt to support your argument, but failed in the end. All-in-all, it’s the same whining and bitching we heard before. If you don’t like the Wii, then shut it. We don’t need to hear it. Go play your Halo 2 til 5 A.M. or something.
August 23rd, 2007
Wii is #1 in overall sales at this point. I know your feelings are hurt, but it might be time for you to take a little time out, ok sweetie?
August 24th, 2007
I just have to say that you fanboys have to pull your heads out of your asses and get a breath of fresh air and a look at whats really going on. I mean ffs I didn’t know there where still people who had goes at the wii about the lack of DVD capabilities, I mean these days its a stretch to find a fanboy like this one to be going on about it. Nintendo made a sensible descision not to include a DVD player in the wii for the right reasons. Im not exctly from a very technical family but still we have 4 DVD players, so why would people want to spend extra money for the wii to include a DVD player, it costs alot more to include a DVD in a console than it is to buy a cheap one at a boot sale, that is if you don’t already have like 4+ DVD players in your home.
And for the graphics, I do agree with you that they add to the experience of a game but they can only MAKE A GOOD GAME BETTER NOT MAKE A CRAP GAME GOOD. viva pinata and star fox adventures are 2 good examples of games with great graphics but because they had good graphics every thought that they were going to be fun to play but obviously sales proved that wrong. Games are to have fun with which is why game play is most improtant but graphics can to the experience but not make it, Just like icing is really nice on a cake but you can’t make a whole cake out of icing. All graphics do is add to the experience.
This shows what sore loosers fanboys can be when their almighty company starts to go down hill in the video game industry. Nintendo fanboys have taken it all these years after being on top in the video game industry I think its sony fanboys turn.
August 24th, 2007
I own a wii and am perfectly happ with what the wii can do, I owned a ps2 (as I bet almost all of you did) and the wii’s graphics are better than those of the ps2’s and are only bound to get better when developers start to realise they cant make games like Cruis’n anymore.
Just look at the Nintendo games, Smash bros, Mario galaxy, even umbrella chronicles looks great. The only reason that games with graphics like Cruis’n are being made is because of lazy and (extremely) stupid developers who think they can do it. It has NOTHING to do with the wii’s hardware. end of
August 24th, 2007
you can twist things anyway you want when your biased. thats like saying one of 360’s launch games was a suped up gamecube launch title (kameo) so all the 360 is is a lame gamecube ripoff. it might not be true but then im just doing what ur doing J Schlaffer.
at the end of the day nobody supports your lame and reppetative theorys. if they did the 360 would sell better. if your going to continue in this job you need to be alot less biased. try buying a wii. maybe you might actually realise games can be fun aswell as pretty.
August 24th, 2007
ha ha Jonathan Schlaffer is an idoit!
August 24th, 2007
I used to think Jon wrote these bashing in purpose to attract more clicks on their site, but he’s actually serious enough to come back and defense??
Let’s see, I remember all these same comments last year on DS everywhere. Jon, why don’t you write something about DS too. I’m sure it’ll be very “convincing”
Anyway, I’m very happy with Wii on my 480P CRT TV, and I’ll be enjoying Metroid next week on Wiimote. And Jon will stick with the decade old dual analogue technology because he will think Metroid looks horrible.
August 24th, 2007
Ok one
“Graphics are more than pretty. They are AI…”
Graphics ARE AI???? What?
Second, if you want good graphics buy a xbox 360.
You will get your AI and graphics etc.
If you want a new gaming experience and good ole nintendo fun. Buy a Wii,
Its not complicated people
August 24th, 2007
Sounds like someone’s a little pissed that Nintendo is kicking Sony and Microsoft’s ass. Sure it has less than stellar graphics but that’s no reason to continue to put it down.
honestly, this is just a ploy to get more people to click on this website.
jon, you phail.
August 24th, 2007
Nintendo opted to forgo DVD playback because Nintendo is interested foremost in making a profit. Nintendo’s bread and butter is games. If they were a software company like Microsoft, then they could afford to add all of the non-gaming features they want and release a console with shoddy hardware because whats a another billion in lost defiicits to MS. They could also afford to release a new version of their console every six months, effectively confusing consumers because they would not have to worry about efficiency. That Nintendo doesn’t make consumers pay extra for features which they will not necessarily use is nothing to fault them for. If anything, it ensures better quality hardware and more dedicated costumer service. Compare the way Nintendo handled the cracked hinges on DSs and broken straps on Wiis to the way MS flat denied the failure rates on 360s for months.
Secondly, you are right, Jonathan, graphics do matter. It is however, unfair to pick the ugliest game and use that as the basis for you complaint against Wii. If you want atmosophere, play Metroid. No, not Prime 3–Super Metroid. The game retains all of its atmosopheric effects after all these years because of its presentation. It is in my opinion artistic talent and style–not raw power alone–that makes games look beautiful. Even 360 games like Assasin’s Creed bore me with their bland visuals. I’d much rather play Heavenly Sword or Prime 3 because their in game universes appear to be more stylized.
August 24th, 2007
John you loser, if you really cared about the ‘best’ graphics, why the hell are you playing a 360 and not a pc. pc’s have by far the best graphics in gaming, bar none.
the 360 is for losers like you who can’t use a pc, and the wii is for people who wanna have fun playing games.
August 24th, 2007
If you want good graphics, go watch a movie! The graphics are extremely lifelike compared to in video games. Jonathan, I don’t think you understand something: I would rather play PONG than most of the games that come out today. You can continue to preach about graphics all you’d like, but the fact remains that games are all about the experience of conquering the system. Graphics are (as someone already mentioned) the icing on the cake.
August 25th, 2007
omg…this isnt a bad reflection on the wii…more a bad reflection on developers UNLESS THIS IS PART OF THE NEW WII CHANNEL DOWNLOAD
August 25th, 2007
Johnathan your always 1 step ahead of me but im on the edge of a clift.
August 26th, 2007
John, you always make me laugh, especially when you post a hundred articles on the same subject (pathetic subject btw). Since everyone else has said all that needed to be said, im just going to end with some sentences said by many up above.
1. if i want some great graphics, i play on my pc or watch a movie
2. if i want to have fun, i play on my wii
3. if i want a good laugh, i read your latest article
August 27th, 2007
Jonathan… why would you complain about dvd playback? I have about 10 dvd capable things in my house, why would I need 1 more? Shit my car even has a dvd player, the wii does not need 1.
Tell you what, when your done whacking off to DOA girls, and you actually put your hand on the controller and play, maybe you’ll understand why the wii is better.
August 28th, 2007
Wow, all this article proves is the author certainly has found his career as a critic, he’s certainly inept in terms of running a business.
Why should the Wii have DVD playback? Serioiusly, why add 10% to the price of a product to provide a function that over 90% of your target market already has? Idiotic.
As to graphics trumping gameplay? You are kidding right? There are stunning looking games out there, that absolutely suck. Far more often then there are stunning looking games that are excellent.
Do graphics need to be decent? Sure, not excuse for not utilizing the hardware… but please, I’m not going to listen to idiotic diatribes from a guy about game graphics and quality.. Nintendo’s doing a great job with the Wii, all all games great? Nope, never are for any system… but you want to lecture WII about releasing mediocre games? Are you serious? 360 library is full of mediocrity, and thanks to MS we have games that litterally came with your BK value meal… so yea,…. zero credibility on that rant.
This “graphics make gameplay” is the absolute last vestage of a loon. While you are focused on the graphics of whatever game you are playing, I’ll be busy playing the most immersive FPS/FPA ever built for a home system in Metroid Prime 3… enjoy your dual analogue button mashing…. at least you’ll have your hi def blood splatter that your system offers to fall back on as a bragging right.
August 31st, 2007
I personally believe that Jonathan Schlaffer are unable to do so, such as talk about anything aside from graphics, because, uhmmm, some people out there in our nation don’t care too much about graphics and uh, I believe that our, I, graphics like such as uh, in games now, and uh, the future, everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uhhh, our games over here in the US should help the people, uh, should help gamers, it should help us have the FUN so we will be able to build up our future, for us.
P.S. You talk about graphics as often as I say, “such as.” And we’re both as retarded. Marry me?