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Modern Warfare 2: Nintendo Wii unable to deliver exact experience

Modern Warfare 2: Nintendo Wii unable to deliver exact experience

By: Alan Ng | November 4, 2009 | 68 Comments

Following a recent interview with Infinity Ward’s Robert Bowling, it has been revealed that the Nintendo Wii would be unable to deliver the exact experience as seen on the PS3 or Xbox 360 – potentially destroying any hopes Wii owners had on a port sometime in the future.

As reported from Eurogamer, Bowling was talking about how the team plans to move on to something else after Modern Warfare 2, but a good portion of the interview was spent talking about a Wii version (or lack of it).

As most of you will be aware, the port of the original Modern Warfare is being handled by Treyarch and is due to release on the Wii the same time MW2 hits consoles.

When taking about the Wii version though, he stated: “Right now, we don’t think the Wii can deliver the exact experience that we’re doing. We like to be very equal across all platforms, and if it’s not equal then we won’t do it.”

What are your thoughts on this? You kind of expected this anyway Wii owners, be honest.

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  • Josh

    How is not giving us(peple who own wiis) the game equal?

  • Alan Ng

    Hmm, what do you mean Josh?

  • Doug

    I don’t remember anyone ever claiming that the Wii version of any other game would provide the exact experience of the PS3 or Xbox 360. They are different consoles. The Wii offers a unique motion controlled experience. Wii owners understand the graphics performance is different.

  • Michael

    what they are saying is they want to make the game in one way.. AWESOME. they dont want to take out everything you can experience with a ps3 or 360 out just so wii people can play it. just stick with wii sports

  • c.e.b

    they need to make it for wii if they dont people on wii will stop buying there other products i know i will ,i dont care if wii dont get it eqauly i just wont to play it my familys broke and i cant get another game system thank you for your time …,,,.please.

  • james

    It’s right about now Nintendo is feeling the heat for under powering the Wii. They could have crippled both Sony and MS if the Wii was able to handle ports of the hottest games and would have solidified the Wii as the only HD console in the house…. Now we have to wait for a WiiHD, and it can’t come soon enough. Users are dropping like flies and with each passing month you will see it sell less and less. The games just look awful on a HDTV and as more and more people are upgrading TV’s, they are also upgrading from the Wii to either the 360 or the PS3, or both.

  • John

    exactly, I have bought every call of duty game since “finest hour” on the PS2, now they’re saying that since wii’s aren’t as “cool” or “powerful” as 360s and PS3s that they can’t make a game for them. When cod 5 came out the PS2 was considered to be “Old” and “Outdated”, but guess what, they made a special version just for PS2 so everyone would be happy! and for christ’s sake stop ripping on people with wii’s, I know that they don’t have as good graphics, but that doesn’t mean it’s any worse than anything else

  • Kevin

    Yes but Nintendo has never been for hardcore gamers in my opinion. I think if you want to play hardcore games like cod4 or MW2 then you can play them on the 360 or ps3 i mean they are cheap enough now i know times are tough but even i can afford a ps3 or 360. Pay the price and get the full experience you don’t want to play a downgraded version its just not the same as the original experience. Im actually surprised infinity ward ported cod4 over to the wii the fanbase is so much bigger on the next gen consoles and pc.
    ( i dont class the wii as a next gen console)

  • Ben

    I never expected it would be great on wii, but I hoped it would at least be there, and also

    “not equal” whats not equal is that we dont get the opportunity atall, having it worse is better than not atall

    Ben

  • warren

    gutting for wii players i have all 3 of then and to be honest it would be better for xbox and playstation exspeacially graphics wise

  • warren

    yeah your right i went to a games shop there were hardly any xbox 360 or ps3 games but the wii shelfs were full

  • John

    The graphics “experience” might be slightly lacking with the Wii, but it’s totally made up for with the unique experience of the awsome Wii motion controlls. Out of all the console all I have is a Wii and I made that choice becaue of the fun new controlls that nobody else has. I have always thought of Call Of Duty as one of the BEST GAMES EVER and especially the Modern Warfare games.

  • Nathaniel

    If they want to deliver us the exact experience, then why don’t they make the game so that it DOES deliver the exact experience? It’s that simple.

  • Dave

    Kevin, your right..to say it’s next gen would have insulted the Wii as it truly took things to a new level. Graphics on the 360 and PS3 are outstanding..no doubts…but they are the exact same button crunching systems as before. Wii could have delivered the same graphics if they wanted to but they thought (correctly I might add) that it made a lot more sense to have the system play the type of graphics the majority of it’s users could handle on their gaming TV. You may have a nice big 60″ HD to play your games on but that is not the percentage of users….it’s getting there and it will be there and by then “WIIHD” will be too. I love to turn on my 360 and say wow…great graphics…then an hour later turn it off an switch to the Wii where I get a true gaming experience.

  • Nate

    I think what their saying is stupid. I see no way that the requirements would not be met. Even if it didn’t look as Ps3 or Xbox I would still get it no matter what.

  • CheriCulture

    I don’t think it’s equal to not have the game for Wii consoles. I only have a Wii, and all the Wii games are so lame and childish. I want an X-Box 360, but thats not an option at the moment. I would looooove to play MWF2. Nintendo so let us down with the Wii, I mean, it’s fun to play and all, but I would much rather have a wide selection of games, brilliant graphics and have no motion-controller thingys, than have limited games, not so great graphics and motion controller thingys. Not fair :*(. xo

  • Steve

    The thing is that modern warfare 2 is a pretty big step up from COD 4. The Wii port for COD 4 is already out now. The reason why COD: WAW is on the Wii and PS2 is because it was made by a different company. Now if they were to do a direct port of Modern Warfare 2 to the Wii, it would probably fry the Wii or your Wii would constantly be crashing and freezing up. Modern Warfare 2 is optimized for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Therefore, since the Wii is way below the 360 and PS3 in terms of everything, it has no chance of running Modern Warfare 2 unless they take out all the extra features including Spec-Ops and reduce the graphics by 75%. That would make the game suck so it’s better if they didn’t do that at all. It’s a fact the Wii is completely powerless against the Xbox 360 and PS3 when it comes to power.

    Also, at this point, the Xbox 360 (the cheapest version) is the same price as the Wii. The Wii is a rip-off now. It’s way too expensive for something as powerful as a small netbook. The Wii is the only console to not support HD or play DVD movies. Compared to modern game consoles and PC’s, the Wii’s price should be more like $75. That’s how much its hardware is worth compared to PC’s and modern game consoles.

  • george

    Well yes wii is underpowered but its a system in a class of its own… i wish they could make metroid for xbox and ps3 but they don’t… i love playing wii but all in all its performance that matter these days so i switch to the best of both worlds play it on PC… don’t bother getting games for consoles that’s :o utdated: My PC version of cod is gonna run smoother load faster and have better quality graphics than any console that’s ever gonna be made,,,, i dun see why ppl don’t get it yet.. all the games ever made can be played on a computer with better graphics and inline support in almost all cases… its an all out better experience… why play on ps3 or xbox when u can actually see get a better experience playing on a PC?

  • Xaver

    “if it’s not equal then we won’t do it.”

    That’s bullshit! Not only can the Wii handle everything they want, it can exceed that! call of duty 3, 4, World at War, and Modern Warfare(1) were so much better than the ones I have on my xbox, minus a bit of graphics resolution.

  • Daryan

    fuk, have they played the conduit? their idiots!
    wii- motion, IR screen pointer, speaker in wiimote.
    ps3/360, good graphics, 4 face butons, and dual analouge sticks.
    wii>ps3/360.
    anyway, the conduit demonstrates what can be done on wii IF YOU TRY.

  • Marsmash

    The wii is a next gen system but in a different way. People by ps3 and 360 for graphics and thats not how you should rate games. Gameplay on the wii will kick the ps3 and 360 ass around the would. dont get the wii to play shotting games if it has to look mad real for you cause it wont happen. Plus of modern warfare reflex does not look bad on the wii. i have had more fun on wii that any system.I say ps3 and 360 are over rated

  • The Mafster

    It is a pretty lame excuse from a professional company. Okay, yes they can’t provide the top-notch graphics that PS3 and XBOX can do, but as stated the controller is a superb experience. They could move some parts of the game or even make a sub game of it with. Lets be honest, the later COD games are loved for the multiplayer and I would be happier with more maps to thrash out – like a wii upgrade to MW reflex.

    Just to add that no hardcore games are on the Wii console – this is totally incorrect. What does concern me is that it is getting bogged down in a family only experience.

  • Grant

    Ok, the guy from the interview said if they wouldnt be equal across all consoles, they wouldnt make one. Well, it doesn’t get much more “un-equal” than not having a Wii version at all! I don’t care if the graphics are slightly worse for the Wii. I expect it, actually. But don’t do it just because you “have to” or for money. I don’t care if there’s smoke coming out of my Wii. You could do it with COD4 and 5(minus Nazi Zombies). Just give it an opportunity.

  • Elvis

    Wow, at first Robert Bowling looked and sounded like a cool guy and gamer but after what he just said about the wii, I no longer have respect for him.

  • Elvis

    WOW Robert Bowling, is there something wrong with your head, huh. What do you mean the Wii cant handle it. Dont you see Call of duty 3 on Wii, dont you see call of duty World at War on wii, and dont you see Call of duty Modern Warfare 1 on Wii. hello. Where have you been the last 3 years. If those were successfully made on wii than what makes you think that Call of dut modern Warfare 2 cant?

  • balines

    they made a COD WAW game for the PS2 because its a lot more powerful than a wii, buying a wii is like having a brand new car and then trading it in for a car in a junk yard i think u all better off just buying a PS2 and not a wii. only thing nintendo got going rite now is the Handheld but that wont last neither. its been a up hill battle for nintendo since the nintendo 64 last good console it had was the super nintendo but back to the point what happen with call of duty Modern Warfare 2 its just going to keep happening if ur aint a little kid just sell you wii and buy ur self a real console other wise dont cry about not having real games for the wii

  • James

    Come On Guys Its Not About The Graphics Its About The Gameplay Realy

  • Mike

    It upsets me just reading this because when they say “equal” they definitely mean graphically… I was personally impressed by the graphics on MW for the Wii, and I didn’t experience a lot of slow downs at all, if any! I think they could probably improve the graphics here and there, but even still, I wouldn’t complain if they used the same damn graphics! They could fit in all the same gameplay as the other two consoles easily. They seem to just have a problem with the Wii because they don’t want to have to dumb down the graphics at all, which isn’t even what’s most important!… I personally just want the game, FOR THE GAME, not for a pretty light show. I’ve played MW on all three consoles and the Wii version is by far my favorite, simply because the gameplay was so much better. They should quit screwing Wii owners around, just like every other friggin company, simply because the Wii can’t output 1080p. Wii owners don’t care, why do they?

  • http://twitter.com/Pepsimaximo Max Mckenzie

    lol you obviously don’t understand, graphics does not represent power, wii may be less powerful than ps3 and 360, but it is still up there, which is exactly why wii is smashing both 360 and ps3 in sales
    and also they thought that CoD4 would be too powerful for wii, and look at it now, it runs on the wii easily. so it will be the exact same for MW2 if they can be fuked lol

  • Jevan

    Sorry . Nathaniel but it is not that easy , because the XBox and the PS3 are built As a computer would be with a higher graphics card , but the Wii isn`t the Wii doesn`t has a very high Graphics card or even a very power-ful hard drive , so for a Game like Modern Warfare2 on the X«box with the HD to be the Same as the Wii with no HD would be a very hard , and costly thing , and Yes making games cost alot of money and modern warfare could have costed thousands , so Infinity Ward would still need to make a good enough profit , for them to even bother with it.

  • Joe

    The wii has AMAZING graphics. Look at Super Mario Galaxy; that has 360 graphics and it only uses one-third of the wiis processing power.

  • Franco

    It’s funny that people demand stuff from the game developers… I have a Wii and I have to admit that I am not happy with the graphics and it really doesn’t compete against the xbox360 or PS3 and have to accept that.. I have to also accept that Wii graphics stink but what makes Wii fun is the interaction in most of the games… But sometimes game developers just need to move on… and us Wii will be left behind… Just like the old 486 and old Pentiums… Try asking a game company to program a new COD release in DOS for you because you can’t afford to upgrade to Windows… Its just part of life..

    Save up and eventually get a used Xbox or PS3 on Ebay and stop the complaining…

    Regards,
    Franco

  • ivan

    is call of duty modern warfare reflex edition the newest cod cuz this dude at walmart said it was the first 1 so i didnt buy it if it is y doesn’t it have the number 2 on it this is 4 the wii

  • Texas

    No quite ur hating. Nintendo should deserve getting this game for their console and you can go ahead talk crap if you want because you on the internet. folks MW2 can come out for wii. its possible just be pateint n have faith that it will come out. Really who care what PS3 fanboys and 360 Fanboys say because they hate on Wii. You know wii is on the rise ^_-.

  • Connor

    ll the Wii haters out there need 2 get a life. The wii is a great system. Just because the graphics arent the best doesnt mean it sucks. I played COD4 on the Wii and its great

  • http://www.youtube.com/peanutovplymouth adam

    ok i love cod on xbox 360 but i also love it on the wii on the wii it feels like your in the game having to use the shake motion to reload and not to mention aiming. the wii experience would be so much better if it was wii speak compatible just like ‘the conduit’. ive never played conduit becus it dont look that interesting but still cod 4 reflex is amazing i love it to bits.

  • Jeremy

    Ok you all are wrong mw2 is just taking a little longer to make for wii because they need to sinc the motion controls into the game just like cod4. Now go back through and look at all the ps3 and Xbox lovers spelling they are all dumb. That’s why they don’t have wiis now mabye they will get a life and let everyone play the same games. I mean are the graphics realy that important.

  • chris

    i really dont give a crap about the "equality," as long as they have the same guns and campaign im fine. if they wont release it for the Wii, im gonna have to spend an extra $200 for an Xbox to play a $56 game

  • Donny

    I think that Modern warfare 2 should be made for wii because I bought modern warfare reflex on wii and it’s awsome online/story mode. I play it every day and I never get bored so imagine what MW 2 would be like!

  • Oran

    Just put it on the Wii!

  • jeff

    It upsets me just reading this because when they say "equal" they definitely mean graphically… I was personally impressed by the graphics on MW for the Wii, and I didn't experience a lot of slow downs at all, if any! I think they could probably improve the graphics here and there, but even still, I wouldn't complain if they used the same damn graphics! They could fit in all the same gameplay as the other two consoles easily. They seem to just have a problem with the Wii because they don't want to have to dumb down the graphics at all, which isn't even what's most important!… I personally just want the game, FOR THE GAME, not for a pretty light show. I've played MW on all three consoles and the Wii version is by far my favorite, simply because the gameplay was so much better. They should quit screwing Wii owners around, just like every other friggin company, simply because the Wii can't output 1080p. Wii owners don't care, why do they?

  • son of a critic

    i totally agree with jeff and if you look at the demands just by these comments on this page they will make alot of money (not that they dont have inof) also wont reach expectations my @$$ it would be major bull $#!% if they dont make it for the wii all in all it would be extremely disapointing if these guys cant put at least liltle effort to put it on the wii F.Y.I GRAPHICS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT ITS THE GAME NOT THE GRAPHICS

  • Brian

    ya it needs to be equal but u made 1 for ds and a cell phone

  • KcirdnekC

    I have both a ps3 and a wii and MW2 would not be good for wii. soo us "fanboys" are not hating. I love my wii but certain games should not be on it

  • KcirdnekC

    Do you really want to spend $60 on a game that has less than good graphics?

  • not important

    I agree, they should just release it a little different. it's like that with cod 5, why not MW2?

  • Carson

    I agree that the whole "equal" thing is all about the graphics and frame-rate, but seriously, It's really lame to just deny thousands of Wii owners (some who have parents that won't let them get anything other than a Wii) the chance to play a great game in their home. However, I do agree that Nintendo has been EXTREMELY lazy with the Wii and the games it develops. They need to stop focusing on stupid party games that suck and actually spend some time making original games that are keeping up with today's hard-core gaming demand. Personally, I think that Nintendo should make a new system, forgetting the motion controls, make an up to date controller, provide competing HD graphics ,and finally get in line for the new best games that the PS3 and Xbox 360 are getting. The Wii party games were fun and cool for a year, but when people realized how simple and not technologically advanced they are, you get sick of it. I like my Wii and MW reflex, but I'm tired of waving my Remote around trying to hit someone. I'm also sick of going to my friends house, playing theirs PS3 and finding myself in a whole new gaming experience that runs a lot smoother. I mean, lets face it. I've played the game on all systems, and Ps3/Xbox360 version runs a lot more smooth and it feels quite a bit nicer. But I still don't think MW 2 should be for the Wii.

  • Jonathan

    I agree that he Wii doesn’t have good graphics for high detailed games such as CoD. But they made Modern Warfare Reflex, yes it doesn’t have nearly the same graphics as the ones on the 360 or PS3 but the fact they made the first one shows it can be possible. I have seen some of videos of MW2 and it is greatly detailed but I don’t think hey should cut the Wii version out because of that reason. I know it costs alot of money to make video games like that but if you raise the cost of the game I am sure CoD fans on Wii would be willing to pay that extra 5-20 dollars more for it on the Wii. I would buy a 360 or PS3 but I don’t see te point because by the time I get around to buying it the next version of it will come out because of how old the game systems are getting. So I am going to enjoy my CoD games on my Wii until the next generation of the xbox or playstion hit store most likly sometime this winter or possibly next year summer…

  • Carson

    I agree. just to clarify, i didn't mean to add that last don't in the last sentence. i DO think MW 2 should be for the Wii. oops.

  • Wfizzle

    I have MW for te wii and it is AWSOME. I bought it as soon as it came out and the online play is really good tooo so what if it can only have 10 people on a server. I REALLY WANT MW2 TO COME OUT FOR WII CUS I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER CONSOLE AND THEY THINK IT WONT BE EQUAL TO US WII GAMRS BUT YET IT STILL ISN EQUAL CUS THE PS3 AND 360 HAVE IT AND WE DONT!!! THINK ABOUT THAT ROBERT EFFING BOWLING!!!!

  • Mike

    Make the graphics the same as cod4 I throughly enjoyed it we wii owners would appreciate it if u came out with it but many think. About a controller that comes with the game it dosent have to be super dance because some stuff u just need a controller for maximum efficency like a throwing knife wouldn’t be any fun for a pointer if you army willing to do that then just take some stuff out of the game I have mw2 for PC but I play my wii more idk I guess I like cosoles better then my laptop please come out with it dosent need to be super fancy

  • Mike

    I also agree I have played all the systems and hope that nentendo does but I can survive another bad graphics game if the come out with a controller for it and make it easer for friends to hook up also talking would make one he’ll of an improvement

  • Aaron

    i agree. call of duty 4 on wii still had all of the levels (unlike cod5 when they cut out the boat level, which was ridiculous) and the graphics were a huge achievement for the wii. i would totally buy mw2 even if the graphics are significantly better on 360 or ps3

  • Aaron

    i agree. call of duty 4 on wii still had all of the levels (unlike cod5 when they cut out the boat level, which was ridiculous) and the graphics were a huge achievement for the wii. i would totally buy mw2 even if the graphics are significantly better on 360 or ps3

  • Joseph

    I think it should come out for the Wii. I don't care if the quality or the graphics aren't the best, i just want to play the game. Modern Warfare I for the Wii wasn't as good as it was for the Xbox or PlayStation but it was still very fun and successful. The Wii owners know that the game won't be as good as it is on Xbox or PlayStation but we sill still buy the game and play it.

  • Anonymous

    Alright, let me explain this: Modern warfare 2 isn't the same as CoD 4. They both have the same main title and all, but here it is. Modern warfare 2 uses the same basic engine as CoD 4, but the lighting and the different enhanced details make it truly amazing. I don't really have a favorite between the 3 consoles, but I saved my money up for about 3 months from weekend jobs (I'm still 16), and I bought an Xbox 360, because my friends had them so I could play with them. You all know how to save up, right?

  • Michael

    not everybody has $2,000 or more to spend on a computer to play games, not all computers can play the new games smoothly with max settings without upgrading to the newest hardware. Consoles still exist because they are way cheaper and are built for gaming and all console games are optimized to run as smoothly as possible with the given hardware the console already has and it lasts way longer than on a computer. 5-10 years on a console while you have to replace the graphics card on a computer every year or two in order to get the best possible experience.

  • War_Maniac

    Alright, I understand that the reason why the experience won't be the same because we can't talk live, but if MW1 was a big hit, then why can't you just make a sequel to it! If people are begging for it then you can get a profit, make millions of people happy, and maybe one day, you will look back and think of ever doubting not making MW2 was just being schizophrenic.

  • Ryushi

    Xbox and PS3 suck, they both have terrible overheating problems and hardly any smart ideas. The Wii provides very smart games along with some wacky ones, which are simply yet elliquently designed, such as Warioware. And Nintendo has some of the best games in existence whether you like it or not.
    Key Example: Other M, Metroid Series.
    Most likely one of their biggest titles: Super Smash Bros Brawl.
    And for people who don't like it just because its not too violent take a look at No More Heroes. That stuff is incredibly gorey and they cuss just about every minute, and plenty of feminine cleavage for any perverts out there, but I felt the accessive cleavage was unnecessary.

  • Danny

    I agreed with c.e.b. We won't able buy their products even if they didn't manage to bring the game to one of the "greatest" consoles. But I'm really sure that they WILL make the sequel for Reflex. It should be import to Wii version soon. If you believe, then things might come true. Cross your fingers and hope this game would actually be in Wii.

  • Nikarampo

    Equal?! WTF,the game is out for DS AND CELLPHONEEEE!!! If you want so much to deliver the same expirience,why did you release it for the ds? I mean,c'mon, the wii is worse than the ds in graphics??? CUT THE CRAP AND TELL US IF YOU ARE BORED OR HATE US IN OUR FACE!!!

  • deleon3793

    The irony is that the DS, a handheld with N64 graphics, has every COD since MW, whilst the Wii is capable of much much more than a simple DS, so the argument there has just been nullified.

    Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling can eat a dick. Tyrearch developed MW:R for Wii and it's just as good as the original port, so MW2 wouldn't be too different, it's not even that much of a step up from MW. If a freaking DS can do MW2, the Wii can MOST DEFINITELY handle MW2. Do some research people.

  • deleon3793

    Take a look at MW:R, then look at the Nintendo DS with both MW and MW2. I'm not a super insane hardcore fan, but if the DS can handle both titles, the Wii definitely can. MOH: H2 can handle an insane 32 player multiplayer with just about the same, if not better, graphics as COD:MWR.

  • deleon3793

    Nintendo won the graphics and power debate in the last two console generations, while failing in sales because the PS1&2 had a larger variety of publishers than the N64 and GC. So being pretty poor at the time, developing the Wiimote was costly and they could only afford to do 480p with specs making a redefined GC with triple the power altogether. In other words, it's the most powerful console of the 6th gen (a cute little lunchbox, btw, as opposed to a giant black box) upgraded. Not the most powerful of the 3 this gen, but graphics are truly a visual gimmick, for 480p is HQ anyway.

  • deleon3793

    Graphics are a visual gimmick. Many shitty games have HD graphics with shit gameplay. Gameplay and decent/playable graphics engines are the sources of good games.

  • ndragon13

    I had a 360 and a ps3, both were boring consoles to me. And Modern Warfare 2 would be excellent on the wii because I already played World at War, and it was fun. It's not about the graphics you technosexual freaks. Graphics improve every other year, so you people are wasting your breath and lives argueing about graphics. Besides Goldeneye 007 is coming to the wii soon, it will destroy call of duty anyway!

  • Sam

    I would get xbox but i cant afford it and even if i do. You need to pay for xbox live. And thats basicly the whole reason you buy the game for the multiplayer. Because the campaign only can last so long. Hopefully they will make this game for wii. If not im gonna say it right now activision is making a big mistake.

  • dragoon

    you just don't think that wii users should not have the experience of MW2. they should at least try to make the game for wii and have a trial run to see if it is good.