Excite Truck Comments by Mathew Kumar

Fun then eh?

Sounds good but the feedback issue is a little worrying. A bit like controlling a Tomy steering wheel remote control car thigumyblob then?

well i use the accelerator to move forward to i don't think pressing a button is the big a deal

Sounds like it could be great fun. Balancing the bike in Excitebike was a lot of fun, and using such a natural control system to do that sounds great. I'm not convinced that the whole feedback thingie is such a big problem, I think there will be some controller calibration allowing you to decide how much is max steering, and in any case it is just a matter of getting the hang of it.

Btw, Kumar has done the whole coverage of the Wii software with a negative bias (he doesn't sound like a Nintendo lover for sure, and the E3 stand seems to have done the rest on his feelings...), but often concluded each review with positive comments. Seems like the Wii is already starting to convert the unbelievers... :D

Now, as it's quite unlikely that when using a steering wheel you'd have to be pushing buttons, this does damage the immersion factor,

Actually, isn't it becoming more of a trend in cars to have buttons on the steering wheel for switching gears?

I wonder if somone could create an empty steering wheel shell/housing to contain the remote?

But then I suppose - what would be the point?

A bit worrying in so far as the lack of feedback will be a problem for a lot, or maybe all, Wii games, unless they find a way to compensate for this.

unless they find a way to compensate for this.

I like what the writer said - perhaps the controller could provide feedback through rumble?

The controller could gently throb as you turn slightly and shake lots as you turn to the very limit?

edit: had second thoughts about awful pun so removed

I also think the feedback issues might be resolved with a bit of practice on the games.

Sounds as if it could be a fun little game (good in multiplayer too, by the sounds of single-player). If Wii games are around £30 I could see myself buying this on launch.

driving? steering wheel then!
I like the new controller, but can't beat a steering wheel!

@UncleLou:
There is force feedback in the remote of the nunchuk, not?

The controller could gently throb as you turn slightly and shake lots as you turn to the very limit?

Also like to add that another solution could be to use the speaker in the remote to make a discrete 'click' noise to signify the end of travel.

Although this might get anoying after a while............

@neuroniky "Btw, Kumar has done the whole coverage of the Wii software with a negative bias"

Oh do get a grip please, enough of this crap. He has given a good balanced view of the Wii and for that he should be praised. He can only report on his own impressions. If you want Nintendo can do no wrong reporting look elsewhere there are plenty of other places.

Put it this way, I had given up on Nintendo for this gen. I've had enough of the constantly in your face Nintendo IP that is force fed to you each generation. I actively dislike the character Mario. However the level headed and honest reporting of Mr Kumar has me interested. He actually addresses the concerns people have rather than skimming over them with a "oh Nintendo are bound to fix that" attitude. If Nintendo are to win over some of the people they lost last gen and increase market share then they need more people like Mr Kumar reporting on them.

It's criminal not to like the Wii and everything about it.

CRIMINAL.

Sounds quuite good fun. One of the more posative previews I've read for this, regarding gameplay anyway.

I think Matthew has got the balance just right in this particular article. If I want rose-tinted spectacles I'll go to the NOE site.

If you don't like Wii hold it in.

he matthew! i'm also realy excited about the possibility of a new kid icarus game! man, that game was realy cool. can you still remember the amazing final level? where you could suddenly fly? wow that was a great moment. a gift for all the hard work. it was a realy challenging game.

@UncleLou:
There is force feedback in the remote of the nunchuk, not?

Yes, but not in the remote itself - I think.

Anyway, I believe in the Wii, it's just that I read a few hands-on reports these days that sound a bit so-so.

I think the real issue here is that not everything on show had been given the usual nintendo spit and polish, and that it's evidently still a bit to do with many of these titles before launch. That's the impression I got at least.

Also, Kumar's only being honest.

around 1998 (i think) a controller was sold for the PS1 in which you had to tilt the controller and i tried it with wipeout and man it was hard to play with. I cant remember for the life of me what the name of the controller was, but it took some time to get used to. Maybe someone can remind me what the name of it was. It used some sort of tilt tech.

You don't mean the twisty Namco one do you? NegCon?

@UncleLou
I thought the remote was normally attached to the nunchuk, but with a possibility to be standalone as well.
Anyway, can hardly wait for it. I'm quitting my job in October and getting the bonus meant for March next year - just in time for the holiday season: big LCD monitor(s) (21", LCD, Wide), big big loudspeaker to pair up the odd one in my sound system and the Wii nintendo entertainment system ;). In the meantime, brain training and age of empires on the DS :) - only possibility to still stay in bed on Saturdays morning until girlf wakes up.

The NegCon was the best way to play Wipeout if you could get used to it. The best Wipeout pilots (hehe) all seemed to use it. I was just happy Wip3out let me use the analog stick which was better than the D-pad in 2097.

Nice write-up and good point about feedback, surely it's got to be essential for Tony Hawk's and racing games in general.

BTW who's developing this game?

Now, as it's quite unlikely that when using a steering wheel you'd have to be pushing buttons, this does damage the immersion factor, but it's not the worst aspect.

Errrr. Driven any cars recently, Mr.Kumar? Or trucks for that matter? :o)

The idea of ExciteTruck doesn't excite me at all, but then I never did play ExciteBike.

Sounds very enjoyable! And I won't have to stand up to play it! Wahey!!!!

Sounds like this could be a lot of fun :)
Sounds like it would also be even more fun with a proper steering wheel though!

Yeah, but that seems a bit like missing the point. Part of the fun here is actually to maneuver the tilt of you car while in the air, so that you lose less speed when hitting the ground again. A steering wheel just can't do that, or at least, traditional steering wheels can't.

Sounds potentially exciting. Not that I'll ever afford it or anything, but still :)

regardless of the control method, the actually physics on the vehicle looked crap