Wii's online capabilities

[ed21x]

Ok, so for those that don't know, the Wii is actually not that bad as an online console. Now granted I am not saying that it is anywhere near xbox live, I think it does deserve credit where credit is due.

So currently my wii at home is capable of doing the following things:
1. Opera Browser
2. News and Weather Channel (provided by AP, using rotating Google-earth like interface)
3. Virtual Console Games
4. Wiiware Games
5. Nintendo Chan- Download DS/Wii demos, watch game trailers
6. Online Gaming- currently I only play SSB:B, Mario Kart, and Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 online. All have become smoother in the past weeks and now are less prone to lag.

But of course the drawbacks to Wii Online:
- friendcodes (but not necessary for random matchups or EA games)
- Wii has a pathetic amount of system memory, so you need to swap alot until Nintendo allows SD card support for their Nintendo Channel.
- not as developed infrastructure, still very limited to just contact with the people you know.

I know that bashing the Wii is like a favorite past time here, but definitely consider that although late to the game, Wii's online capabilities as well as it's game selection are definitely improving.

 

[Modeps]

Not this again...
But I'll bite anyways.

1) I've used the browser only a few times. I've got a laptop and a desktop in the same room.
2) See #1
3) Too expensive for something that hasn't been touched in many years.
4) Implementation remains to be seen.
5) Its a marketing channel, but at least it seems neat.
6) Lag free play is easy when you offer no functions 😉 but I agree, they play well... Kart is like butter.

 

[erwos]

No voice chat with friends = epic fail.

I will say that I like MKW's "find a game with friends" function, but it's not nearly at the same level as XBL.

The problem, really, is that "improving" is only good for the fanboys in the audience. There's an online competition going on, and the Wii just isn't competitive. "I went from 10th place to 9th place!" You still aren't winning the race, or even coming close.

 

[RandomFool]

It's not amazing but it's not terrible either. Overall I think the bad is out weighing the good, They've got some neat things in the channels but actually going online and playing game with your friend is much more painful than it should be thanks to friend codes, no voip or text chat and lack of memory.

 

[Slew Foot]

Its OK, online play in Mario Kart is pretty good, and remember you dont have to pay $50/year to use it.

 

[BD2003]

Its not what its capable of so much as how so poorly its tied together. With 360 everything is perfectly integrated, with Wii youve got console codes, game codes, VC games with no leaderboards, no buddy list, no in game access to anything, etc.

Despite the fact that me and many of my friends have many online capable Wii games, we've *never* actually played a Wii game together. We've all got to inconveniently hand each other friend codes, organize a time to meet outside of game, and then find an alternate means of communication.

With 360, you just turn on the console and invite someone to a game. I would gladly pay another $50 a year if the Wii could mirror the 360s online capabilities.