Gamertell

MSNBC Games Editor Kristin Kalning has a piece about the lack of quality software on the Nintendo Wii. We’re really beginning to see the divide between the hardcore gamer that’s currently disappointed in Nintendo’s offerings and the casual gamer that is just happy to be here.

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter, one of the go-to voices for game industry commentary, has a quote in the article that’s certain to be controversial. Pachter, quoted by MSNBC, says:

“You shouldn’t let hardcore gamers review Wii games. They’re holding Wii games to a standard that’s not fair.”

Say what now?

Does that mean action movie should have different reviewers than romantic comedies? Can the same auto writer that reviews station wagons write about SUVs? And surely the same sports writer that covered the New England Patriots’ game can’t go watch the Detroit Lions. Talk about a product for a different audience.

I tend to agree with Kalning’s take. Nintendo’s great marketing and innovative controller have gotten it in the door of a lot of homes. But it will have to come up with truly innovative games to stay in this race. And Nintendo can’t do it alone. They’ll need third-party support because Nintendo has already fired off most of its top-tier bullets. We’ve gotten a new Mario game, a new Mario Kart game, a new Zelda and a new Metroid.  Hey, us hardcore gamers might not know casual but we know what we like.

There is hope for the hardcore gamer, though. Sega’s Madworld is a grim, gritty violent game inspired by the likes of The Running Man. It sports an innovative black and white art design and amps up the violence way past anything seen on the Wii so far.

If Nintendo can keep the casual gamer happy and keep titles like this one coming, the company could be in it for the long haul.

Read [MSNBC] Also Read [411mania]