No Wii? No Wii! *cue music loop*

[Blue Blood]

If SEGA wanted to intentionally piss off a load of fans, cutting Wii support for S4E2 while still offering it for all the other original E1 platforms (and some extras) would definitely be the way to do it. But upsetting people is obviously the last thing they want to do. It really does suck for Wii-only owners who want to play the Sonic 4 series, and if you can't understand why then you probably want to consider how they feel. They got the first part of a game widely deemed to be underwhelming (or you may love it, it doesn't really make a difference) and the second part which is touted to be a great improvement isn't being made available to them. They were given part of something only to be later told they won't get the rest. Kick in the teeth, much? SEGA will have their reasons for this decision and if what we're all guessing is correct, well then I agree with them. So let's try to decipher these reasons...

1- WiiWare Limitations in E1?

From a technical standpoint, E1 was very dated. All of the level art in the game was pre-rendered, a technique developers used to use to make games look 3D long before it was at all practical for them to make actual 3D games. SEGA's excuse for this was that they wanted to continue the visual style of the MegaDrive titles up to modern day standards. Only problem with that is that the modern day equivalent would be either true 3D graphics or hand drawn 2D. The pre-rendered style is far easier and cheaper to produce that hand drawn 2D, and having the entire game rendered in 3D would very likely push it over the 40mb size limit for WiiWare games. Whatever they’re planning on doing for E2 is more than likely going to push it over that limit.

Everyone should know by now that E1 has an alternate, MIDI-based soundtrack exclusively for the Wii. Naturally this was to save on space, but then every track in the soundtrack is rather short compared to what the MegaDrive games. E1's level music loops every 35-40 or so seconds, while for the S1-K they tend to last 60-70 seconds. This could quite simply be attributed to other music problems in E1 but at the same time you could guess it was part of efforts to make all versions of the game as similar as possible across the board. The soundtrack is quite possibly the reason SCD didn't get a Wii release.

How much of E1 was designed with limitations, both in budget and platforms, in mind?

2- How Serious Are They About Improving E2?

If Wii-support could be linked to any problems in E1 it should go without saying that getting rid of that support would be one step in the right direction to improving E2. That's definitely not to say that all of E1's issue could be related to the Wii at all (level design and physics for example), it's just something to consider. Whether it actually has a new graphics engine or simply 'improved graphics', what they’re going for might not be possible on the Wii. It might not be worth the effort to downgrade it for Wii, or like with Generations they might not be happy with the prospect of offering an inferior version to some players. That's quite a big deal when E2 is so far being marketed on improvements alone. The same goes for music. You don't want to say you're improving things, and then go half-hearted on it.

3- Is the Wii-Only Audience That Big?

Most gamers and members of the more casual audience alike will have at least one of the platforms E2 is being made available for- XBLA, PSN, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android devices, Windows Phone 7. And although it's only speculation at this point, it would make perfect sense for it to come to Steam too. Generations did, SCD is, S4E1 has appeared on the registry recently so why wouldn't E2? That would open up the game to practically everyone who'd be interested in it. SEGA can't be expecting any significant loss in sales. Is there any official data on how E1 sold on individual platforms? The Wii isn't exactly renowned for its online capabilities after all. Even if Sonic games do usually sell well on Nintendo systems, we’re only basing that knowledge on physical releases. It’s a different story when you’re talking about digital ones. SEGA haven't supported WiiWare much either. They've only released three games for it- Pole's Big Adventure, Let's Catch and S4E1. PBA only got released in Japan, while Let's Catch was only published by SEGA and instead developed by Prope. SEGA don't seem too interested in it.

4- Wii's Dead, Move Over...

This one explains itself really. The Wii-U is due out next year, and there's not much life left in Wii. It's practically a generation behind the competition. With a better online system on the way and much of the Wii's audience expected to get a Wii-U somewhere down the line it's perfectly reasonable to expect that SEGA may plan to bring S4E2 to the Wii-U instead. Why bother with the old system when its replacement is imminent? Or even, why bother with the Wii at all when it’s not going to make much of difference?

So, what do you think about the decision not to put E2 on the Wii? Do you agree with it at all? Are you a Wii-only owner who feels hard done by? Discuss it here.

[Soniman]

I only have the Wii and even I don't want an Ep II on the console.

Because ill be playing a crappy, watered down version of the much superior version. It would be Unwiished all over again, and god knows. I don't want that.

Edited December 30, 2011 by Grooseinator032

[Stritix]

I only have the Wii and even don't want an Ep II.

Because ill be playing a crappy, watered down version of the much superior version. It would be Unwiished all over again.

I thought that the majority prefered the Wii/PS2 version?

Edited December 30, 2011 by Spi

[KrazyBean]

Wow, epic post Blue Blood...it just makes sense people!!

[Blue Blood]

I thought that the majority prefered the Wii/PS2 version?

Review scores indicated that, but as far as fan reception goes the Wii/PS2 version usually gets the Wooden Spoon award.

[Doctor MK]

I am a Wii only owner, and yes I do feel hard done by. While I don't think Episode 1 was a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, I did enjoy it to some extent and was looking forward to seeing what Episode 2 would bring with its (hopefully) more original approach. So to be told I can't play it feels like a bit of a slap in the face, sure.

However, I do totally understand why we're being left out. I really do think that WiiWare has been painfully underwhelming, and I can only imagine how many Wii owners there are who don't even know it exists. If the console were more online orientated like the 360 or PS3, SEGA would have a much wider market for it. But alas, WiiWare is a bit non-existent by comparison.

That and, of course, even Episode 1 had to be nerfed to play on the Wii. Lower resolution graphics, different music... at the end of the day it's not the game as it was meant to be played, and that's quite saddening. I want Episode 2 to be as much bigger and better than its predecessor as it can be, and if that means I have to miss out on it for the good of the franchise... well, I guess I'm happy to take one for the team. I want Sonic back on his former pedestal of glory, and Episode 2 sounds like it might have the potential to propel him there. If the Wii would only be holding it back, I say that fair's fair and sacrifices have to be made.

And that's how I'm not letting it get to me. Because I'm excited to see what an impact Episode 2 can make now. Excited to see the positive reaction when it turns out to be amazing, with any luck.

Besides, I'm sure someone out there will be willing to let me have a go on their HD console... right? Right?!

[Eternal EX]

4- Wii's Dead, Move Over...

This one explains itself really. The Wii-U is due out next year, and there's not much life left in Wii. It's practically a generation behind the competition. With a better online system on the way and much of the Wii's audience expected to get a Wii-U somewhere down the line it's perfectly reasonable to expect that SEGA may plan to bring S4E2 to the Wii-U instead. Why bother with the old system when its replacement is imminent? Or even, why bother with the Wii at all when it’s not going to make much of difference?

So, what do you think about the decision not to put E2 on the Wii? Do you agree with it at all? Are you a Wii-only owner who feels hard done by? Discuss it here.

This basically explains everything I was going to say. I mean the Wii is dead. Skyward sword being its last major game means the Wii U is going to be coming very soon. (hopefully in the summer even though that's kinda a random time to release a console)

I thought that the majority prefered the Wii/PS2 version?

We all know that every reviewer mixed up the versions and meant to give the HD version the higher score.

Edited December 30, 2011 by Eternal X

[Dreamcast]

I'm so glad they're skipping Nintendo Shitii, it will make for an overall better console version.

[JezMM]

I'm okay with it, but I can't judge since I have access to most platforms it's coming out on. I can understand and sympathise with the Wii-exclusive owners, but they have to understand that they do have the lesser console. The Wii can do wonderful things but the game has to be designed around it's shortcomings, and that just adds such an extra workload to the developers if they want the HD version to be the "real" one.

At the end of the day it's probably not even the Wii's capabilities though. If the iPhone can handle it of course the Wii can. But the iPhone won't have that damn 40mb download limit.

I thought that the majority prefered the Wii/PS2 version?

The majority of REVIEWERS certainly did, though for what reasons I utterly cannot fathom. "Rolls down hills the hedgehog" is one thing but goodness me "Runs down corridors the hedgehog" is quite another.

It was a nice game. Tided the Nintendo/PS2 people over at least. Though pretty much everyone I know who eventually got to play the HD version never looked back after.

Edited December 30, 2011 by JezMM

[Stritix]

Review scores indicated that, but as far as fan reception goes the Wii/PS2 version usually gets the Wooden Spoon award.

Thanks for letting me know! I also prefer the 360 version.

[Diogenes]

They already flipped Nintendo fans the bird with Generations, so I'm not surprised they aren't bothering to care this time either.

I'm so glad they're skipping Nintendo Shitii, it will make for an overall better console version.

The Wii isn't what held back episode 1. Not beyond music, anyway.

[Tornado]

What bothers me more than the game not coming out on the Wii is that every single time a Sonic game doesn't come out on the Wii someone has to make a post like the one Blue Blood made to explain why.

Edited December 30, 2011 by ChristmasJack

[Ferno]

I thought that the majority prefered the Wii/PS2 version?

From what I've observed, there seems to be more Sonic fans that own Nintendo consoles vs ones that own the others, so their voices (and wallets) were probably louder. And as for the reviews? Nintendo reviewers are usually kinder to Sonic games when it comes to scores compared to the other guys.

Edited December 30, 2011 by Inferno

[Scar]

They already flipped Nintendo fans the bird with Generations, so I'm not surprised they aren't bothering to care this time either.

The Wii isn't what held back episode 1. Not beyond music, anyway.

Lack of zones? E1 was short, only 4 zones. Yes there were more acts, but its easier to make more acts because you're using the exact same assets, just arranged differently. I can see the Wii being a reason why there were so few zones in Episode 1.

[Marcello]

I think it's understandable that they're pissed. This is the third game in a row that the Wii isn't getting. And they even have the first part. Being stuck on an Episode 1 is of course frustrating. Of course I understand why it's not coming for it, and I wasn't planning to get it for the Wii anyway.

More annoying I find are how pretentious some from the other side are being about this.

I'm so glad they're skipping Nintendo Shitii, it will make for an overall better console version.

Wow, seriously?

[JezMM]

Lack of zones? E1 was short, only 4 zones. Yes there were more acts, but its easier to make more acts because you're using the exact same assets, just arranged differently. I can see the Wii being a reason why there were so few zones in Episode 1.

Episode 1 was meant to be a short game. Back then I don't think they anticipated how it would all pan out. Remember the idea of episodic games is that when all played in a row they are the length of a full retail game. If they did 4 zones in every episode and did up to three episodes, "Sonic The Hedgehog 4", the singular product made up of a smaller trilogy, would have a very respectable 12 zones, plus extras and special stages of course.

I think from the way they're talking about episode 2's improvements, we should stop treating them as some kind of collection that will eventually all merge like S3&K did. Better to consider them like the Half-Life 2 episodes - closely tied but still their own entities.

Edited December 30, 2011 by JezMM

[Chooch]

I appreciate the effort put in to making the post, but seriously.. This is all so goddamn obvious to most of us. Ken Balough even said himself that it was for reasons people could have already guessed. Common sense stuff.

People shouldn't be surprised at all it isn't coming to the Wii.

Edited December 30, 2011 by Chooch

[Scar]

Episode 1 was meant to be a short game. Back then I don't think they anticipated how it would all pan out. Remember the idea of episodic games is that when all played in a row they are the length of a full retail game. If they did 4 zones in every episode and did up to three episodes, "Sonic The Hedgehog 4", the singular product made up of a smaller trilogy, would have a very respectable 12 zones, plus extras and special stages of course.

[Blue Blood]

Lack of zones? E1 was short, only 4 zones. Yes there were more acts, but its easier to make more acts because you're using the exact same assets, just arranged differently. I can see the Wii being a reason why there were so few zones in Episode 1.

Edited December 30, 2011 by Blue Blood

[Marcello]

Well, "its meant to be a short game" was SEGA's excuse. They could have crammed in a couple more zones to make a game with a more satisfying length, if the stupid restriction wasn't in place.

[JezMM]

Well, "its meant to be a short game" was SEGA's excuse.

Edited December 30, 2011 by JezMM

[HeroMystic]

The majority of REVIEWERS certainly did, though for what reasons I utterly cannot fathom. "Rolls down hills the hedgehog" is one thing but goodness me "Runs down corridors the hedgehog" is quite another.

It was a nice game. Tided the Nintendo/PS2 people over at least. Though pretty much everyone I know who eventually got to play the HD version never looked back after.

I believe Reviewers don't particularly like it more so much as dislike Unleashed on the Wii less. The problems that reviewers had on the HD version wasn't shown on the Wii version, either because they took a much simpler route (No town stages, just HUB selection), or it's just not there at all (No medals). So despite being a much lesser game, it just wasn't as annoying to play as.

As for the topic at hand, I've just assumed this game will just be ported to the Wii U whenever it comes out.

[Blue Blood]

No. It's an episodic series. Of course the single episodes would be shorter. It's not that hard to understand. Don't try to blame the Wii on a direction SEGA decided to take.

If they wanted to release it as one big game then the wouldn't have put it on Wii to begin with, or they would have taken it in a different direction so it would fit. That's fair enough. I dunno though. It would make most sense that the 4 zones/3 acts/12 levels structure was chosen simply because it's easier and cheaper to pull off than more standard 6 zones/2 acts/12 levels one. You could link that to cutting down on size for the Wii if you wanted to. There's no real proof for it though.

Edited December 30, 2011 by Blue Blood

[Marcello]

I assume it has more to do with money. They wanted to create as cheap as possible to see how it fares and then decide on the future of it.

[Chooch]

I wanted to post my "NO WII? NO WII!" picture where everyone could see it.

Perfectly understandable.

It's hilarious.