This is less true in Japan, where Nintendo has published many big budget, critically acclaimed Wii titles.
Here’s a look at the lot of them.
Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse
Nintendo
Creepy survival horror atmosphere.
Nintendo
Controls are frustratingly slow and awkward.
Running is annoyingly slow.
The game uses the Wii remote and Nunchuk to aim the spirit-destroying camera and a flashlight.
Square Enix
Eurogamer gave it 7/10, lauding the atmosphere but complaining bitterly about the sluggish control scheme.
Easy to switch classes (called jobs).
Requires a monthly fee.
Nintendo
What it is AnMMORPGentry in a hugely popular game series.
When it was released in Japan: 2012
Where you’re able to play itJapan.
What the critics sayFamitsu’s four reviewers each gave it a 9/10.
Nintendo
Improved controls over previous title in the series.
Combat becomes unbalanced in the player’s favor as the game progress, making it easy.
Voice acting can be dull at times.
Nintendo
What it is A Wii remake of Fatal Frame II.
What the critics sayFamitsu’s four reviewers gave it 8, 9, 8, 9.
Metacritic gives it 77%.
Nintendo
Reviewers have reported that its controls are an improvement over the previous WiiFatal Framegame.
Dialogue-heavy, and the dialogue is uninspired.
What it isA sequel to the DS gameTrace Memory.
Nintendo
The metacritic aggregate score is 66/100.
Many critics were particularly impressed with the game’s use of the Wii remote in its puzzles.
Has big ideas and ambition.
Nintendo
Feels like a mish-mash of games.
Pacing can be slow.
What it isAn action adventure game in which you must survive natural disasters while battling terrorists and saving civilians.
Western publications have ranged from 8/10 from IGN to 5/10 from Gamespot.
Atmospheric and engrossing and gross at times.
Combat with the sword is limited and repetitive.
Camera angles can obscure enemies, leaves you vulnerable.
SUCCESS Was released in North America in Spring 2013.
What it isAn action role-playing game from Ganbarion.
But the trailer looks really cool.
When it was released 2011
Where you’ve got the option to play itJapan only.
It apparently was demoed in France, raising the possibility that it will come to Europe.
Game world is enormous and visually exciting.
Combat and progress through the game can feel too scripted.
Characters and dialogue are hackneyed.
Inventory management is a pain.
SUCCESS Released in the U.S. on April 6, 2012.
What it isA role-playing game from Monolith Soft, the developers of theXenosagaseries.
What’s it like:Game Trailer
The Last Story
Villain characters enliven the game.
Protagonist characters tend to be flat.
Combat can be frustrating and imprecise.
SUCCESS Released in the U.S. on August 14, 2012.
What it isAn action role-playing game from Hironobu Sakaguchi, the man who created theFinal Fantasy series.
This is the first game he is credited on as director sinceFinal Fantasy VI.
