The Nintendo Wii may stand as one of the most controversial consoles in gaming. While it was called a nuisance by hardcore gamers due to the perceived notion that it was solely for the casual crowd, it had a profound impact in the industry and maintains its legacy today. Because of this, it should live on through the Switch.
The Wii: A Massively Successful Console
As mentioned above, the Wii stands as one of Nintendo’s most significant consoles. If the NES brought video games into the home, the Wii attracted all of the home’s occupants. It was a testament to Nintendo’s ability to attract a wide variety of audiences and brought motion controls to the forte.
Which is why it’s a shame that Nintendo Japan is ending repairs on Wii consoles. The decision to do so is a sensible one, given that the Wii has since been toppled multiple times by more recent consoles. It signifies that Nintendo officially recognizes the Wii’s demise and assumes players are done being active with the console.
A Need For More Ports
What this really means is that it’s time for Nintendo to get on porting Wii games. Many of the Wii U’s titles have gotten ports to the Nintendo Switch, not limited to New Super Mario Bros. U and Mario Kart 8. Further, other last-gen and current-gen games have been ported to the Switch as well. Along with several Resident Evil remasters, the Switch has gotten ports of the likes of Cuphead, Undertale, Cities: Skylines, and a bevy of others.
However, since the Wii is now considered derelict, now’s the time for Nintendo to get on Wii ports. If there’s a way to easily get Wii games on the Switch, then Nintendo ought to consider doing so. There could be an accessory designed to host the Wii’s motion controls on the Switch or Wii games whose mechanics are changed slightly for the purposes of the Switch. Whatever the method is, Nintendo should make this happen.
This isn’t even mentioning Gamecube games, whose existence could seemingly be continued on Switch via the compatibility of the Gamecube controller adapter with the Switch.
With Wii repairs going by the wayside, Nintendo should adapt in recognition of this. The Switch has thus far received many ports but none of the Wii’s most significant games. At this point, the thought of bringing games like Super Mario Galaxy grows in appeal, especially after this. The games don’t need fundamental changes but deserve continued relevance.
