My Sims for the Nintendo Wii: What I'd like to See From the September Release

Every Wii and Sim fan alike is awaiting the release of My Sims for the Nintendo Wii console. Every now and then Nintendo will release a teaser photo to get fans into an even bigger uproar, yet they are releasing very little photos and hardly no information at all. Most of the information you can find online is just opinions from reviewers or bloggers. However the official website at www.mysims.com has released some tid bits of information. Although the information is small, it's enough to make any fan go ga-ga.

Most of the information though consists of rants about how this game resembles Animal Crossing. Before the title was even released though fans believed that My Sims was actually Animal Crossing. When Nintendo released the games name, people were left scratching their heads. This My Sims game looked nothing at all like the Sims us fans have known and grown to love.

In My Sims characters look like Nintendo Mii's just miniaturized. To me they resemble lego people. With awkward shaped heads and cube like bodies, legs and arms. As lame as it sounds though, I must say I actually find them to be cute.

In photos you can see the My Sims environment, and according to the official website you pretty much choose everything that goes into this environment. From the homes, to the decorations, you build them all. It even seems like you get to build your characters. I am sure this game will come with many customizations. I do however have a hunch that a lot that went into this game is going to be extremely similar to Animal Crossing, so I'm really pondering what they are going to do with Animal Crossing, if this game resembles it so much? It would be pointless to own both games if they are alike.

The website at www.mysims.com claims that you are able to build and customize an entire town. Your town is your own unique creation, from the flower shop to building a mad scientist's laboratory, and beyond. (This sounds cool, but for me it just sounds like Animal Crossing with some new features).

(Taken from the website)

Shape the community

It's your call who lives there and who moves out! Who will you befriend? Who will you ignore? (Again, this sounds very neat, but it's sort of what I was expecting to see out of the Animal Crossing Wii).

A whole world to explore

Socialize with the locals and uncover all sorts of useful or surprising treasures hidden throughout the town. (Yeah, this sounds just like the original Animal Crossing)

Create your own Sim

It's a cinch to personalize your Sims appearance from head to toe with the Wii™ & Nintendo DS™ controls. Unlock cool new clothing and accessories as you befriend the neighbors. (Okay, this is new, I was only allowed to customize clothing on Animal Crossing. But again, this was something I thought would hatch from the yet to be released Wii version of AC. Oh, and look, turns out they are making it for the DS as well).

Design your own stuff

Decorate with your very own furniture and accessories, then customize your creations with things you can grow, harvest, or discover around town. (Wow. I was also expecting to see this with AC)

Honestly I am confused about why this game is even being made? What will be left for Animal Crossing, and why is My Sims almost like a clone of Animal Crossing?

But gee whiz, there is one major important aspect they have yet to add in. ONLINE PLAY!?What is going on? Someone please tell me these jerks are going to allow other gamers into my town, or is this the special feature they are saving for Animal Crossing Wii? If so, it's going to piss a lot of fans off. I honestly hope that Nintendo is not going to be greedy and release this one without any online gaming capabilities, and then a few months later release Animal Crossing with online capabilities.
It looks to me like My Sims has the potential to be a fun game, but if Nintendo does not add in online gaming what good would it be? Like Animal Crossing, what would be the point if you could not connect with other players? There would be no point, thats my main issue.

I can't moan and complain much about it though, for all I know the official My Sims site just may release more information regarding online gaming. Hopefully.

On to the graphics. I've been finding myself in many sites where gamers are bitching and moaning about how stupid and childish the graphics look. Well a big middle finger to them. For one, we all bought the Wii knowing damn well that the graphics in the Wii were not really up to todays gaming standards at all. But you know what, we all bought it for the new concept of the controls, not the graphics. You want superb graphics go and buy yourself a gaming PC, 360, or PS3.

I for one actually love the graphics in the My Sims game. They look charming, quaint, and adorable, but what makes me angry about the graphics in the game is that they are seriously the same graphics from AC on Gamecube. You can see in the photos I have included just how exact the 2 games are.

Other opinions I have found on the web included this little rant from Armin Siljkovic on www.digitalbattle.com. He is being quoted as saying, "EA has announced The Sims Wii and the official website reveals the first screen shots of the game. While no game play details have been announced, it looks rather "childish", with Mii like characters and environment. Judging from the first set of screen shots, the game looks rather terrible, and doesn't share much with previous Sims games."

MY 2 CENTS:

Right, right, I agree it looks childish, but honestly whats wrong with that? Because people aren't getting eaten by zombies where blood hits the screen, or good cops turn bad cops are not wandering around in a city like atmosphere you are upset? I don't get it, I enjoy wholesome games, and like Animal Crossing, this is exactly what My Sims seems like. However tons of 'adults' have been playing Animal Crossing since it hit the shelves.

Also, I agree when you say this does not resemble past Sims games, but my point again is, what is wrong with that? Why can't Sim fans think outside of the box, and take on some change. Change is good, I suppose.

Overall

I think My Sims Wii is going to be an excellent game, but I honestly think that this game is going to leave no room for Animal Crossing to be any different or any better. I wish they would have made Animal Crossing first, and then hatched up a better plan for My Sims.

The pre-release for this game will occur on September 18th 2007, costing gamers $49.99.