How the Wii has changed gaming, one year later

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It's the Wii's birthday, but just what has it acheived?

So what's next?

See that little guy below? His rounding off the Wii's first year has been very important indeed. Without him, doubts would still linger about whether the console was a worthy bet or just a cheap mini-game machine, and that's not the way anymachine needs to be considered upon its first anniversary.In Super Mario Galaxy though, we have positive proof that the Wii is a machine to bereckoned with. It can pack some gorgeous visuals into its games despite its comparitively lower specs, and in the right hands, its control system genuinely can add a whole new dimension to any genre. In short, the Wii works.

Oh, and Mario Kart. Did we mention Mario Kart?

It's been a slow process. The Wii has been a hard one to get a handle on, for both gamers and developers alike, but now it seems we're all starting to understand it a lot more. With that understanding can only come better games and more fun, so let's cut a slice of cake, fill up those glasses again, and look forward to a great 2008 for the young chap.

The future looks a lot brighter than it did six months ago. Third party developers are continuing to jump in on the Wii party, and they're actually bringing the goods now. No More Heroes, Disaster, House Of The Dead 2 and 3, Umbrella Chronicles, Zak & Wiki, NiGHTS, Guitar Hero... It's all looking very good indeed, and with the shot in the arm Super Mario Galaxy is hopefully going to give Wii developers in terms of gameplay and looks, things are looking better and better all the time.

Oh, and Mario Kart. Did we mention Mario Kart?

It's been a slow process. The Wii has been a hard one to get a handle on, for both gamers and developers alike, but now it seems we're all starting to understand it a lot more. With that understanding can only come better games and more fun, so let's cut a slice of cake, fill up those glasses again, and look forward to a great 2008 for the young chap.

David Houghton
David Houghton
Long-time GR+ writer Dave has been gaming with immense dedication ever since he failed dismally at some '80s arcade racer on a childhood day at the seaside (due to being too small to reach the controls without help). These days he's an enigmatic blend of beard-stroking narrative discussion and hard-hitting Psycho Crushers.