-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
Local Multiplayer: the best thin about Wii U
- Thread starter marc^o^
- Start date
listwars commence?
If those are the standouts for you, then my previous quote still applies.
Your objection requested a little list. No war. These games are not the standouts, obviously, but they do the job on keeping the system as the first place to be for solid - when not great - local multi. On a dying platform.
Adam Prime
hates soccer, is Mexican
I believe it when i see it. I have my doubts about Nintendo pulling off deep local multiplayer
MadOdorMachine
No additional functions
Pretty much. Their analysis of people being together but separated speaks volumes on them understanding the barriers they face on getting people to interact together socially. They need to build hype and market it properly so we'll just have to trust that they know what they're doing in that department. The disappointing aspect of course for gamers like us is the lack of third party support. Nintendo clearly wants it, but I don't think there's anything they can do to appeal to them anymore. Some of them get it, some of them don't.
But there's such a wider selection of local multiplayer options on the other consoles. I wouldn't trade Portal 2 coop for any of those. Or if you're in the mood for a 4-player party game, there are so many downloadable and Kinect/Move options. Castle Crashes and Fat Princess are personal standouts. Is there even an exclusive 4-player shooter worth playing on Wii?
I'm not saying Wii isn't a good platform for local coop, I just don't take for granted that it's "the king" as Rash said. On PS3/360 local multiplayer is often taken for granted because online allows you to enjoy these games any time with or without friends. But it's still strong, and it's still a ton of fun.
Definitely. And then there's miiverse. Social is at the heart of their strategy.
There's four captains... Two for each player? I'd buy it based on that alone, really.
You're right, and I shouldn't have say Wii was today the first place to be for these experiences. I was certainly wrong. I should have say Wii was the first system to highlight and push the local multi this gen and it's why the system is perceived as "the place to be" for local multi.
me and my friends are still disappointed with no local multiplayer in Max Anarchy/Anarchy Reigns. In fact, one them is not planning to get the game anymore. That being said, local multiplayer > online multiplayer for me. Really glad that Nintendo is still promoting it and I don't mind them not putting online multiplayer on NSMB Wii/NSMB U and Pikmin 3.
That I will definitely co-sign. PS3+360 were lousy for local multiplayer in the beginning.
mugurumakensei
Member
I wish PC games would go back to lan play. Yes, you technically get the same thing by all playing online, but there's noticeably less lag when games stay only on the local network.
Dynamite Ringo Matsuri
Member
I was actually thinking exactly this last night after playing RDR online. It felt kind of boring and empty. I had a hell of a lot more fun trash talkin and playing Mario Kart/Tennis/Party/Smash,Perfect Dark/Golden Eye etc. back in the day.
Davey Cakes
Member
No point in going into list wars, but there's a wide selection on all the platforms at this point. Additionally, they all have original downloadable titles, and then the Wii has classic multiplayer VC titles, X360 has arcade titles, and PS3 has PSN classics and whatnot.
There's a lot out there.
For me, the Wii started as the best local multiplayer, and it remains that way not only because it's kept up with some recent strong multiplayer titles (MP9 especially), but because it has titles that people typically come back to. People can still go back to Wii Sports, Resort, WarioWare, Brawl, Mario Kart, and others from the system's first couple of years. In my experience, Nintendo's system provides multiplayer games that have legs, where this isn't as often the case elsewhere (barring exceptions, of course).
But yeah, obviously the competition has gotten better over time. And it's true that the Wii doesn't provide every kind of multiplayer game. I'm glad I have an X360 as well because it allows me to play shooters like Halo, which I find really fun in multiplayer. In fact, one of my favorite things about the Halo franchise is the focus on 4-player simultaneous co-op and deathmatch modes (local or online) which you don't actually see that often.
Bungie understood the importance of split-screen/simultaneous play, just like Nintendo. I hope both of them, and others who have jumped on board with the "same-room philosophy" continue to be influential in keeping local multiplayer games alive. In terms of the Wii U, I hope the boost in power and the Gamepad help provide a greater variety of local experiences than even the Wii had.
Ah yes, I remember how FUN gaming used to be. Back then, you could enjoy hours and hours of competitive local multi-play that left you feeling rejuvenated afterward - whether you were winning or not. Today's online multiplay, while having its moments, does leave me frustrated/angry a lot more than I please. Take away the immediate presence of friends, and things suddenly become more about winning or making a statement, more serious and less "fun."
There are elements to local multiplayer that online play can never capture...
Remember the surge of adrenaline you get as you frantically try to dash around a corner in Mario Kart 64's battle mode, because you SAW your friend launced his red shell behind you?
Remember the sigh of relief and instant gratification as the shell hits -* KLONK* - into the corner of the wall as you just barely made your escape with one balloon remaining?
Here's hoping Wii U produces such moments all over again.
There are elements to local multiplayer that online play can never capture...
Remember the surge of adrenaline you get as you frantically try to dash around a corner in Mario Kart 64's battle mode, because you SAW your friend launced his red shell behind you?
Remember the sigh of relief and instant gratification as the shell hits -* KLONK* - into the corner of the wall as you just barely made your escape with one balloon remaining?
Here's hoping Wii U produces such moments all over again.
what?
LiquidMetal14
hide your water-based mammals
With only 2 players? COME ONE NOW SON!
2 Players with GamePad and 2+ with Wiimotes/Wii U Pro.
He's referring to the problem that as you age it isn't as easy to know/find people that will play local co op with you
outunderthestars
Banned
THIS. I don't know a single gamer who lives near me.
It is seriously hard to get 5 people, let alone 2 or 3, in my house that wants to play a game rather then just hang out.
I think the last game played in my house with friends local multiplayer was Zombie mode in Black Ops and that was for 20 minutes to kill time until other friends showed up and we went out. Not too mention the fact that the two playing live across the country.
A lot of folks have come across as skeptical of asymmetric multiplayer, and I would hazard a guess that it's caused, at least in part, by years of mostly competitive online gaming. Why? Competition is what breeds the idea of every player standing on equal ground. I think people are ignoring that in co-operative play, this needn't be the case, and truly the level of co-operation can be made more engaging by giving each player different tasks, even when one might not feel as immediately "fun" as the other. This will be more than compensated for by the fun gleaned from the need for working together to accomplish a common goal.
The main argument I see thrown about is that the guy holding one controller or the other will just feel sidelined. Like, they aren't having as fulfilling an experience as the other person. I couldn't disagree more.
Look at the majority of local multiplayer games today -- especially, the non-competitive ones. Everyone's doing exactly the same thing; there's little in the way of "co-operation", it's really more like just trying to reach the goal together. Neither player contributes something unique to the experience, as it's just a 2-player version of the single player mode, and that's boring to me.
Don't get me wrong, sometimes it can work. I have to bring up Portal 2, whose local co-op was brilliant, and still falls under the category of "symmetric" multiplayer. But it's a puzzle game: it works because the puzzles are specifically crafted for each person to do something specific. This isn't usually the case in a platformer or FPS, for example.
I don't think the player with the touchscreen in Rayman Legends, for example, will feel sidelined. On the contrary, I both players will feel that they are contributing something both necessary and distinct to the experience. That's what will make asymmetric multiplayer fun, and a heck of a lot more interesting than most co-op games that exist today.
The main argument I see thrown about is that the guy holding one controller or the other will just feel sidelined. Like, they aren't having as fulfilling an experience as the other person. I couldn't disagree more.
Look at the majority of local multiplayer games today -- especially, the non-competitive ones. Everyone's doing exactly the same thing; there's little in the way of "co-operation", it's really more like just trying to reach the goal together. Neither player contributes something unique to the experience, as it's just a 2-player version of the single player mode, and that's boring to me.
Don't get me wrong, sometimes it can work. I have to bring up Portal 2, whose local co-op was brilliant, and still falls under the category of "symmetric" multiplayer. But it's a puzzle game: it works because the puzzles are specifically crafted for each person to do something specific. This isn't usually the case in a platformer or FPS, for example.
I don't think the player with the touchscreen in Rayman Legends, for example, will feel sidelined. On the contrary, I both players will feel that they are contributing something both necessary and distinct to the experience. That's what will make asymmetric multiplayer fun, and a heck of a lot more interesting than most co-op games that exist today.
It's not a problem if you, you know, actually look for people to play with. There are even groups dedicated to this sort of thing. Or you can just have your friends come over, gamers or not. I've had plenty of fun with games like Wii Party and such with my non-gamer friends.
Sorry, but if you can't find people to play with, then you're not trying hard enough. Maybe if you live in the middle of nowhere then you have a valid excuse, but otherwise there are always plenty of gamers out there.
Mr.LightMan
Member
And that makes me extremely happy. Love me some local co-op, that it seems to be disappearing is a disappointment.
Flying_Phoenix
Banned
ITT antisocials come out.
I'm happy that you have people to play local multiplayer with.
Wake me up when you get out of your teens
Barack Lesnar
Banned
I used to love local MP but am now in my mid 20s. I don't have friends that 'come over' and play video games with anymore. Don't have any siblings living with me, either. Just not a viable gaming method for most people in their 20s, post-college.
Ken Masters
Banned
I'm 25, local multiplayer was something I'd be interested in 10 years ago. I'm not about to start teaching my girlfriend how to play games and invite my coworkers for parties and say "surprise!! You're at a video game party!!"
mugurumakensei
Member
I have no problem finding people to game with, and I'm 25. It's actually not that difficult.
I'm 21. Yeah, I'm still not that old, but I'm not a teen. But no matter what your age is you have no excuse. I help run a StreetPass group and we have members of all ages. We actually have a good amount of members in their 30s-40s or higher. But these people were actually seeking a group like this. If you just sit around and say "whelp, I have no one to play with", then no, you're not going to find anyone. There are so many people in this world, and if you can't find anyone to play games with, then I'm sorry, but you have no one to blame but yourself. And I understand that some people just aren't the social type, but in that case, local multiplayer probably isn't for you anyway.
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
And I'm 30 and have three children. Local multiplayer is something I'd LOVE to see make a triumphant return. It appears Nintendo is marketing this toward families again, which is the right idea.
This "LOL only teenagers play local multiplayer" garbage is ridiculous.
Ken Masters
Banned
When I have kids I can see the appeal, but I don't and people who graduated high school and still play local mp games are...well...something else
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
Wow. LOL. Just wow.
Vermillion
Banned
Imagine you and your friend with instant access to your movelist at any time, no pausing.
DashReindeer
Lead Community Manager, Outpost Games
Do you not have friends who come over to your house or even roommates?
mugurumakensei
Member
Yes, male gamers who play online games are always very polite, never use colorful language, do not act creepy, and are just all around really wonderful people.
LiquidMetal14
hide your water-based mammals
Now we're talking.
Maybe you're right. Videogames are just a small part of my life.
Anyone actively seeking a streetpass group is probably someone I wouldn't want to associate with anyway
Vermillion
Banned
Do you suddenly stop having friends at that age?
Local multiplayer is extremely common in college around here. Everyone does it and it's only gotten more popular lately with games like CoD.
outunderthestars
Banned
It gets tougher in your mid-thirties.
mugurumakensei
Member
Someone actively seeking people who enjoy their hobby is someone you don't want to associate with? I guess you also don't do book clubs or user groups.
People who can set up local MP games post high school have my eternal respect.
Getting more than two adults in a room for any amount of time has proven to be a herculean feat for me.
BlueTsunami
there is joy in sucking dick
More like stopped having disposable time. And when the stars somehow align for friends not a lot of people at my age (26) want to stay inside and play videogames. That's the beauty of online gaming, you can jump on quickly after work and get an hour in with other friends who are off work versus blasting the proverbial LETS PLAY VIDJAGAMES AT MY PLACE trumpet. With that said I'm willing to concede that gaming just isn't a large a force in my life as it was in my teens.