Nintendo talks AC Wii

By Ellie Gibson Published 6 June, 2006

Phone and email possibilities.

Nintendo executive Katsuya Eguchi has revealed that the Wii version of Animal Crossing may allow you to send messages to fellow players via your PC and mobile phone.

In an interview with Kikizo, Eguchi confirmed that the Wii Connect 24 service will ensure that your console is online all the time, allowing for all sorts of exciting possibilities.

"With the example of Animal Crossing, one of the things that might be possible is while the player isn't even actively playing in their town, a friend of theirs could come and visit their town and, for instance, leave them a letter or a gift," he explained.

"Another application might be someone could send a letter from their cellphone or from an email address on a PC to the Wii, and then the player living in the town in Animal Crossing could receive that letter."

The Wii will most likely use a Friend Codes system so you can communicate with other players, according to Eguchi, although you won't necessarily be able to use your current DS code: "There probably will be Friend Codes for the Wii version, however we're not so sure about compatibility. So it's most likely that everyone will be using new codes."

Eguchi went on to discuss the Wii's remote controller and the possibilities for producing a range of add-ons, such as the light gun prototype that was on show at E3.

"I could give you my ideas of [Wii controller attachments] that are possible, but that might end up becoming a product, so right now I can't really say," Eguchi stated.

"Of course, if software calls for a light gun, we'll make a light gun. If the software requires a guitar, then maybe we'll make a guitar. Our number one priority is always to provide the ultimate gameplay experience, so if the game requires a peripheral, then we'll supply a peripheral."

As for the debate over whether Sony nicked Nintendo's idea for a motion-sensing controller - well, Eguchi's not convinced they're all that similar.

"There's a significant difference between the Wii controller and the PS3 controller. If we're just talking about the motion sensor, with the Wii there are two parts to the controller - each hand can move freely.

"But with the PS3 controller, both of your hands are kind of stuck, and I get the feeling that will limit freedom of movement."

Hmm. Anyway, Guitar Hero Wii, anyone?

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (26) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • smoison #1 6 years ago

    Anyway, Guitar Hero Wii, anyone?

    I hope not.

  • Kami #2 6 years ago

    "Hmm. Anyway, Guitar Hero Wii, anyone?"

    How about Rock Heroes Wii - drumsticks, guitar peripheral... and maybe anything else you need... become the best worst rock band ever!

    There's an idea for Nintendo, I now expect royalties, ta muchly. ^^

  • LOLLERS #3 6 years ago

    One Man Band Wii

    You get a dog on a string peripheral.

  • Chtulie #4 6 years ago

    It might be nice to get down with KK dog and do a jam together.

  • djchump #5 6 years ago

    "Anyway, Guitar Hero Wii, anyone?"
    Yes please! :-D

  • Dirtie #6 6 years ago

    Motion sensing guitar? So your character onscreen moves (his guitar at least) as you do in real life :D?

  • Razz #7 6 years ago

    Nah I was thinking more along the lines of using another wiimote of the nunchuku as a plectrum. :)

  • citizenHUNTER #8 6 years ago

    I was thinking why not Wii Snooker?! You could get a long stick and attach the Wiimote, then(from a distance), make your shot, and the cue on screen would do your actions on the ball on the screen. Probably wouldn't work.. but who knows :p

  • melw #9 6 years ago

    Kami, well... 4 controllers - 2 for drums, one for guitar - the last one would be left for singing - there, Guitar Hero + Singstar + Donkey Konga combined. :)

  • regmund #10 6 years ago

    wii-reless Guitar Wii-ro!
    \m/

  • Les #11 6 years ago

    "the Wii version of Animal Crossing may allow you to send messages to fellow players via your PC and mobile phone."

    So now Nintendo starts to rip-off MS's ideas!

  • smelly #12 6 years ago

    I hope not.

    Why not? GH is ace fun! Best ps2 game I have

  • smelly #13 6 years ago

    You could get a long stick and attach the Wiimote, then(from a distance),

    The cue would go thru the tv! :-)

  • LetsGo #14 6 years ago

    G Hero is overrated pap!

    Good for people who like 'press button 'x' 'here' type-o games...!

  • otto #15 6 years ago

    Animal Crossing is a classic example of when less is more. The code-swapping system in the Cube version worked perfectly. The more 'online' they try to make it, the less appealing it becomes. How many more years are we going to have to wait for the industry to get over this ridiculous obsession with online play??

  • thelastslice #16 6 years ago

    otto
    "Animal Crossing is a classic example of when less is more. The code-swapping system in the Cube version worked perfectly. The more 'online' they try to make it, the less appealing it becomes. How many more years are we going to have to wait for the industry to get over this ridiculous obsession with online play??"

    As far as I can tell Otto, you're the only person on Earth that feels that way- so I'm going to assume never...


    Anyway, never play AC so I don't have an opinion- but what I do have an opinion on is a GH peripheral for the Wii. I was really hoping the Wii-mote itself would replace the need for a lot of new peripherals... or something.

  • Nikanoru #17 6 years ago

    As far as I can tell Otto, you're the only person on Earth that feels that way

    Actually, no. There are plenty of us who can't give two shits about online, partially because we have friends and we prefer actual physical human company from people that we know aren't 12 year olds making racist comments while swearing at their mother for chocolate milk.



    And I wouldn't worry too much about the peripherals. If anything, you're going to see one or two come from Nintendo, and that'll be it. At least, that's what I think will happen. I definitely want the new Zapper, though.

  • Drakron #18 6 years ago

    Most people STILL play single player games.

    Online gaming is something companies really want because it becames easy for then to get more revenue, be it by placing ads or by subcription models.

  • Xerx3s #19 6 years ago

    "With the example of Animal Crossing, one of the things that might be possible is while the player isn't even actively playing in their town, a friend of theirs could come and visit their town and, for instance, leave them a letter or a gift," he explained.

    "Another application might be someone could send a letter from their cellphone or from an email address on a PC to the Wii, and then the player living in the town in Animal Crossing could receive that letter."

    A) I dont want me machines to be using inet when im not using it.
    B) errr, seems kinda pointless to let your console on for being able to receive mssgs & similar digital gifts. The same effect can be achieved with i.e. xbl. The AC thing does sound interesting though.

    Wii-tar hero? ;)

  • ProfessorLesser #20 6 years ago

    Surely the title should be 'Wii Guitar Heroes', anyway?

  • geek-chic #21 6 years ago

    Oeundan Wii would be much better than Guitar Hero Wii!

  • Chim_chimma_nee! #22 6 years ago

    Animal crossing leaves me cold..brrr.
    Repetitive and nothing to do - same old fish and insects, festivals too far apart, AI is poor, your house is never big enough to store all the things you can buy.

  • Planet #23 6 years ago

    Isn't it obvious enough? It's not "Guitar Hero Wii", it's Wii-tar Hero!

    Last time i played with my PS2 controller, it didn't feel kind of stuck. I can imagine the PS3-Controller won't either, maybe he got sticky fingers.

    Honestly, the PS3 controller doesn't try to be a Wii-mote replacement. It just adds another layer of controll, just like DualShock2 did compared to DualShock. Here's still hope that they find a solution for the rumble though, maybe as an add-on or optional heavier pad, even if that means choosing between rumble and tilt in some games.

  • Bates #24 6 years ago

    "Actually, no. There are plenty of us who can't give two shits about online, partially because we have friends and we prefer actual physical human company from people that we know aren't 12 year olds making racist comments while swearing at their mother for chocolate milk. "

    Agreed here. I couldn't give a rat's arse about online either.

  • kaleii Verified Editor-in-Chief, Country Manager, Eurogamer Sweden #25 6 years ago

    Gwiitar hero, surely?

  • Jez_the_Pie #26 6 years ago

    Before it came out in Europe (back when it was predicted to never rear its head over here), I imported the GC version from Oz. It was a good game, but I did eventually become a little bored of it. And the lack of freedom seen in the online part of AC:WW on the DS (no villagers, etc.) and only being able to visit friends' villages (Surely you should be able to meet new people, at least to some extent?) prevented me from buying that version at all.
    So the idea of a Wii version leaves me slightly sceptical. There are so many things that could be implemented, but with a slightly barren game like this it will probably not be done that greatly.
    Don't get me wrong here. Wii will be great. I just feel that AC's days are numbered in terms of popularity (Especially given the number of younger kids who will probably eventually own all 3 versions.)