Many industry analysts and critics have noted that, over the past few years, aggregate review scores for the Nintendo Wii have improved dramatically. So much so, in fact, that some were suspicious enough to look into how many titles on the system were actually reviewed. Mathematically, a console’s overall review scores remain high if only the most notable titles are reviewed, the more minor releases incorporated into criticism, the more any aggregate score will drop. Jesse Divnich, Director of Analyst Services at Electronic Entertainment Design and Research (EEDAR), charted the difference noted in reviewed titles for each of the three systems, using January-June of both 2008 and 2009 as a comparison. The results, as well as a handy graph, can be found after the jump.
The results noted were that, across the board, fewer titles were reviewed year-to-year, Nintendo having the largest jump with 12% more games not receiving an EEDAR score. One could argue either way on whether or not the company gets an advantage or detriment due to this change, but each system has received higher aggregate review scores because of it. Regardless of opinions arising with said results, Divnich reports that more AAA Wii titles are hitting store shelves, the increase in “shovelware” titles also increasing, but at a slightly lesser degree. The full report and the supplementary commentary can be found here.
SO, who wants to waste their time reviewing crappy shovelware, not me.
There are some good games left out too, like Phantom Brave: We Meet Again :/
It’s a PS2 port, yes, but it still has a continuation of the original game in a second mode. I’d like to know how that bit is.