More like Guitar Zero
Nov. 13You'll notice we don't talk about multi-platform games much here at OMG Nintendo. Most of that is my personal bias. For most of the multi-platform titles I've played, the Wii and DS SKUs are inevitably the worst. Usually the Wii gets the PS2 SKU (which means unreasonably bad graphics) with some sort of token Wiimote-waggle controls or mini-game attached. The DS usually gets a totally watered down version of the main game, with the graphics either overhauled into 2D or simplified to the point where nothing's really recognizable.
The Wii and DS sell on the strength of unique hardware that results in unique games, and the very idea of a multi-platform title just runs totally counter to everything both of the main Nintendo systems now are good at. Developers, usually using the Xbox 360 as the lead platform, just don't have much effort left to put into making Wii and DS versions that really shine, or sometimes are even competent.
Case in point: Activision's smash hit Guitar Hero III. I've played it on the PS2 and 360, and it's a justifiably awesome game (though the 360 SKU is light-years beyond the others, IMO). If you opted to go with the Wii SKU, you not only got a watered-down game... you didn't get what the package advertised. There is no Dolby ProLogic sound support in this game, or even any stereo sound output, Instead, the sound playback is monaural. Any attempts to play the game in stereo just result in monaural channels being duped through both speakers (although there are reports of sound effects working properly in stereo).
Here's the thread on the official Guitar Hero Community forums that outed the problem. Be sure to read the last page, where Activision tech support begins advising people to return their copies of the game.
What's somewhat inexcusable is that but a single review of the game caught the problem, the one from Wiisels.com. I e-mailed the reviewer, A.D., and sure enough his review was based on a retail box copy. Right now it's unknown whether the pre-release copies of the game varying outlets used for review had the mono issue, or output sound properly. Gameplay footage on IGN.com of Guitar Hero III Wii features... you guessed it, mono sound output, but most of the major reviews praised the game's use of sound. Did it ever work right, or is there a serious lack of audiophiles among game journalists (and, for that matter, the guys at Nintendo who authorized the game for mass-production)?
Either way, the fact that this ever shipped demonstrates appalling negligence, and shows just how low a priority the Wii SKU was. Some gamers are hoping for a solution, but my gut instinct tells me that there won't be one short of Activision doing a second, corrected pressing of the game. I think, though, it proves my point about Wii SKUs of multi-platform games being something to avoid. The Wii is a fantastic system, but if any game you really want is multi-platform... you're probably best off investing in an Xbox 360 at this point.
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