Topic: Reviews Lagging

Hello everybody. Do you think it would benefit the WiiWare community if reviews on Nintendo Life come out more quickly?

Perhaps the webmasters should contract out some of the work if it is becoming overwhelming with all of the new formats and releases. I, for one, think I could write a wonderful review; I have written music reviews for large publications before. I would definitely be willing to make the sacrifice of playing the new releases at the moment they are available for download to ensure that the review can come out ASAP!

Or maybe we can at least weigh in with our own reviews?

It seems like lately the WiiWare community posts a comment reviewing the titles long before Nintendo Life puts anything in print. (Bonsai Barber, Equilibrio) The users that take the time to do this are awesome!

In fact, the user reviews for those games will probably (definitely in BB's case) be quite closely aligned with the "official" review.

Equilibrio review, anyone?

I'd hardly say it's taking long right now, especially considering a new system with several new games just launched at the same time as their new site launched. They're just busy right now. When they need help, they generally put up a request for new reviewers on the front page.

I just don't trust IGN reviews for Nintendo products. I look here for unbiased opinions. It would be best if the review came out at the same time as the games, but perhaps that will come when the developers understand how much of a power player this site is!

if you need someplace to check for reviews re: new games as they come out, Metacritic features reviews from all kinds of websites, as well as users.

You have to take into account the fact that big, reputable sites like IGN and the like often get sent review copies of these games for free, whereas the NL staff have to buy them like everybody else. It's not a matter of being overwhelmed by the workload, it's a matter of being an amateur site staffed by people who write in their free time. It's unfair to expect up-to-the-minute coverage from staff who don't get free review copies or an hourly wage. No amount of contributors is going to change that.

I'm not sure who or what you're referring to when you talk about the "Wiiware community" but WiiWare-World (and now NL, I guess) was the most reliable and in-depth site for WW-related info on the internet. To be frank, that probably has as much to do with it being the only WW-specific site as anything else. The whole NL portal has been a bit hit-and-miss in terms of both quality and quantity in the past, but that's something we're actively working to rectify with the site re-launch.

Moai Head:

That is exactly what I am talking about when I say "when the developers realize what a power player this site is"

I have definitely made sure to tell Nintendo (via clubnintendo surveys) that the main reason I purchased a game was because of a review on this site!

My comment and board topic is meant for developers as well as all of us to read. This site is and has been the best place for legitimate, unbiased, QUALITY information on everything Nintendo.

@bengyenah - I'm a little surprised that you think WiiWare reviews come out late for your liking on Nintendo Life (WiiWare World R.I.P.).

I am the unfortunate soul responsible for making sure that WiiWare reviews get submitted in a timely fashion and I'd say on average we have a turnaround of less than 48 hours for most WiiWare reviews. This includes the reviewer playtesting the game for several hours, then writing up their thoughts, then passing over to us for proof-reading. That's pretty fast I would say, any quicker and you would have to ask yourself if we are even playing the games properly!

In many cases we beat IGN to the punch for timeliness in my experience, except for a few occasions where they get given review code prior to the game's release. In the case of World of Goo and the Strong Bad series we had the PC version a week or so before the WiiWare launch, so that helped us.

We've got a good relationship with most WiiWare developers and they are often quite open with us about things. Few have the means to make their game available to us (or IGN) for play on a Wii debug kit. The simple fact remains that even the mighty IGN have to download most WiiWare games in just the same way as we do.

We generally beat just about every single media outlet out there when it comes to reviews. We're normally the first on Metacritic and Game Rankings as far as WiiWare reviews go. We are still getting the swing of the added Nintendo content for the Wii and DS retail titles, but that will come together soon. We just launched the new all-in-one site. It might take a little bit to come to grips with all of the new stuff, even for us.

I for one, think I could right a damn good review,

I couldn't resist posting this. I'd fix this if I were you before you become sig material.

Do you like my post better now?
Well you got me, I think that is what editors are for...

I wonder if you were more concerned about the missing comma or the use of the word good to describe quality.

IMHO, this site is indeed the best place for anything Nintendo! I just can't wait for the reviews when I am desperate for a game to play, so I often end up with games that aren't worth the price.

That's a great idea! I volunteer!

I am guessing that Corbie was most concerned about you using the word "right" instead of "write"

My guess is that the Balance Board is what's keeping the review from coming out a little sooner. Not all reviewers have access to both the game and the BB like I do.

Oh my god there were so many grammatical errors in that sentence I can't believe it.

[/quote]

That's exactly write Daz.
And I was just giving you a hard time. I actually write my reviews in crayon and Daz types it up and proofs it for me.

I think the turnaround is excellent myself. I mean I'm putting up First Impressions of games months before their EU/NA release !

I'm often astonished by the speed with which the VC/WiiWare reviews come out, particulary given their consistent quality and thoroughness.

First Impressions are great, but they don't help much for purchasing games (think Evasive Space). Please grace us with the Equilibrio review when you can.