WayForward has a rare knack for delivering enjoyable download games for Nintendo formats, with its DSiWare Mighty games and, of course, Shantae: Risky's Revenge helping the company make a profit on DSi downloads.
The studio's now moved onto 3DS eShop titles, with its latest title Mighty Switch Force! getting it off to a flying start. CEO John Beck recently spoke to Gamasutra about the studio's plans, and it seems 3DS downloads will play a big part in its future.
When you consider that DSiWare basically meant we could make a DS game and didn't have to find a retail publisher, you start to see why it was an obvious move for [WayForward]. When you have certain content that is available exclusively on dedicated gaming devices, it really helps to set that content apart. The eShop will be a major part of our strategy for handheld games going forward.
It's good to hear a studio of WayForward's quality committing to the eShop. While the company hasn't announced any further titles for the eShop, we'll let you know when it does.
[source gamasutra.com]
Comments 29
sweet more mighty games
I need to download some of these games. I've heard nothing but great things about WayForward - good to see them sticking around on the eShop!
They should port their retail games over to the eShop in some form. I'd certainly download their recent Aliens game, but I'm not quite as keen on obtaining a retail copy.
Hope that plan guarantees a VC release of a certain GBC game called Shantae.
Just getting into Mighty Switch Force! recently. (beaten, first four levels under par so far, great fun) So yes, looking forward to see more releases, Wayforward. Please don't completely rule out making retail games though. (Even non-licensed ones, Contra 4 and A Boy and His Blob are great.)
@warioswoods The problem with that is, as the article states, digital downloads appeal to Wayforward because they don't require a publisher. Aliens, on the other hand, has a publisher; SEGA. In other words, SEGA's the one who chooses where they port Aliens, not Wayforward.
@battLeToaD They've already hinted at that. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/11/wayforward_working_on_shantae_for_3ds_virtual_console
cool. i want them to make an adventure game like super metroid.
@bezerker99 What are you waiting for? =D These games are high quality indeed, quite enjoyable, you won't regret! If you like challenges you'll find hard ones in their games trying to pass every stage in a set time or less. Quite entertaining =)
@battLeToaD I didn't knew about Shantae before Risky's Revenge, but with so many good commentaries I buy it and now I'm a fan! I can't wait to play the original Shantae! (and a Shantae 3 will be AWESOME the ending of S:RR leave me wanting more) I finished Mighty Switch Force the fisrt day u.u I couldn't stop playing it, it's so great! Next day I beat the time required in each stage. A really awesome game, but tooooo short. Can't wait to MSF2
@AbuJaffer: I know. It just doesn't seem definite to me so i wished we had a firm release date. No wait, that's not true. I wished the game was on my system right now.
Put in Shantae for GBC then
@Waveboy
Well, Shantae is definitely the most precious title on DSiWare, so yeah, it's definitely worth checking out.
Hope their next game is another Shante or another metroidvaina. they should alternate between them and the mighty series.
@waveboy: It doesn't look that bad on the 3DS. Not as bad as the old GB VC games. Gotta say I'm surprised you haven't downloaded it yet though.
Mighty Switch Force was my first WayForward game, and I loved it. Eagerly looking forward to their next game. I would check out some of their DSiware offerings, but I don't like the fact that DSiware games can't be saved to an SD card on 3DS.
wayforward have become one of my favourite developers.
i love their style and the fact that many of their games remind me of the 80s, 90 gaming back in the days. i think it would be good if they released and made games for both the eshop and for retail outlets in general.
Yes... this pleases the obsessive Shantae fan greatly! =P
I hope they make something that's connected and has a story, the Mighty series just doesn't do it for me.
I actually bought Shantae a couple of days ago and a few minutes ago i finished it,excellent game,i'm glad wayforward is going to stick along the e'shop,i hope they release the original,i've never played that one,so i was a bit confused with the characters and the story,but the final battle was excellent if a tad bit cliche.
While it could use a few improvements still, I'm happy with the eShop overall in the 3DS and couldn't have asked for a better online store. I'm glad WayForward will continue to support the eShop and hopefully other developers/publishers will as well.
@Waveboy No.
This is great news! Can't wait to see what they make.
Sounds great!
I could not agree with Battletoad more. Hoping for more Shantae
Does anyone know how Mighty Flip Champs did on PSP? I heard it didn't do so hot, and that might be why they are now focusing on the eshop instead, since their games do so much better there.
maybe these guys can make a good zombie survival game?
It's very nice to have Wayforward on board, but wouldn't we all love a fully fledged retail product made by them? Let's say Mighty switch force...but much bigger!
Definitely like wariowoods's idea. I'd love for Alien Infestation to be on the Eshop. If not, maybe an exclusive.
WayForward are definitely the best developers on the eshop, and all they're games are quality. I hope that they keep supporting Ninty in the future.
They are very good but some developers have bettered them in a number of ways, (apart from Aliens Infestation). and while they have many great titles for dsiware and the eshop, there games are taken over by say nintendo, sega and capcom. But they do have lots of great games so don't think I'm trolling.
WF just needs at least 1 male hero; Don't get me wrong, I can easily play games w/ heroines, & even secondary female characters. It's just WF has a knack for scantily-clad video game characters.
The best game WayForward can put on the eSHOP requires no development on their part. Because they've already made it. WayForward's greatest game will forever be the original Shantae for GBC, not only b/c of quality but b/c of the legend it has become...
Not that I don't love every SINGLE 2D sidescroller they come out with
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