Wii Have A Problem

I rarely talk about the Wii on Critically Correct. The reason for this is quite simple: there isn't anything to say. Yes, I own a Wii and love it, but I'm not quite sure why. It's nice to have a device with such an interesting control scheme, and I've seen it implemented very well in many cases (and really bad in others). I only own three games, all of which work flawlessly. Truth be told, the Wii software library right now is not something that excites me. I use my Wii as a GameCube more than not, and I also have a nice collection of Virtual Console titles that I play through regularly.

If nothing else, the Wii handles VC titles very well. About half of my VC games are ones that I've never played before, and some of these (such as Super Metroid) are insanely fun, and suck up a lot of my time.

So what do I have to look forward to in the coming months?

Super Mario Galaxy is, according to major gaming press, looking to be the best Mario title since Super Mario 64 -- definitely not something that I take lightly, so I expect to check that out as soon as I can.

But the big one, of course, is Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Never before has a game captured my imagination so much, or put so much on the line. I was slow to grow into the original Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64, and even slower to pick up Super Smash Bros. Melee on the GameCube. But with all that has been announced about Brawl thus far, I can't help but think that it will be the game to define the Wii, even if it doesn't take advantage of any unique features.

Among its many features, here are some that sound out to me: four control schemes, spanning all possible input options that the Wii has to offer; a huge multi-game and multi-company character roster, including Sonic the Hedgehog and Solid Snake, among dozens of classic, modern, and retro Nintendo characters; a level editor (!?); online competitive and co-op play; more collectibles and accomplishments than Melee could have ever dreamed about.

I am of the opinion that Brawl could bring so many features to the table, provide such an expansive and diversified way to play, and feature a longevity index so off the charts that it could be nothing less than "the next great Nintendo epic" -- yes, that one I said was dead.

Even if it is half of what I expect, I think Super Smash Bros. Brawl could be the game of the year (err, next year).