Just wanted to comment on the "WiiWare really needs some more decent releases" line.

GamerBytes is one of 7 home pages that opens in IE for me everyday when I start up my browser, however, I've been getting very close to eliminating it from the list and I think your quote above is part of what I feel, but from a different angle.

If you look at the GamerBytes "best of" each week you'll see there is very volume about WiiWare, however, that isn't b/c there is little to talk about. I feel a real strong bias towards XBLA and PSN, which is fine, but I think you are missing out on what is interesting in WiiWare.

There is more coverage of what is happening on WiiWare on both Kotaku and Joystiq, even though they cover a very broad spectrum, meaning not just downloadables. The same is not true of their coverage of XBLA and PSN, yours contains an equal or greater amount of information.

As a website dedicated to downloadables, I'm disappointed that you haven't even downloaded the Strong Bad game. It further illustrates what I feel is a total lack of coverage of WiiWare. That feeling that you have that it needs more decent releases isn't unwarranted, but if you were playing more of the games and following things more closely, it would likely be less warranted. Strong Bad has been about as close to a big hit as we've seen, and it is the beginning of a series, both which point to it being critical for having perspective on WiiWare.

Nintendo Power had a nice piece on the up-coming Tetris for WiiWare as well as another interview with the MegaMan producer. Hudson sent out press releases on Alien Crush and Bomberman today. None of these things were mentioned here (though I do appreciate the link to Wired to get some actual hands-on opinions). However, I have seen mentions of each of these items elsewhere.

More than once recently I've seen a press release about a WiiWare title and come to this website to see more about it, only to find no-mention of the game at all. (not to mention no contact with the game's developer for additional juicy info)

Again, I only mention this as I would like to see more of that here. This is a website about the downloadable sides of the consoles, and there is a lot to talk about. On all 3 of the consoles, in my opinion.

I dunno, Russell - I also feel underwhelmed by WiiWare thus far, partly through being burned by the 'no demo' thing and buying games I immediately realize that I don't like.

I also feel like it's true that we're covering WiiWare titles less, but that's almost entirely due to the fact there's less info out there. If there are announcements we're missing, mention them - we definitely want to run them.

This is, of course, the danger of expressing one's opinions on a site like this - because Ryan said he's a bit nonplussed with Wii, there might be an implication that he's not paying as much attention to announcements on it. Don't _THINK_ that's true. He can speak for himself on that, though. :)

I didn't mention the announcement of Bomberman Wii because I posted this at 12 midnight my time. I thought it was announced already, or at least assumed.

I haven't bought Strong Bad yet because I'm working 9-5 on my regular job [as a QA tester], and then have only a little time to play games at home, and I've been waiting for the last 4 weeks of XBLA games for an awfully long time :)

Also I'd probably end up getting the PC version anyhow. Strong Bad costs $15AU an episode for WiiWare, while I can buy the whole season for ~$35AU via TellTale. I'm not made of money! :)

While Nintendo Power did have previews and reviews recently, I don't tend to mention magazine based stuff because it's not directly available to me. Game Developers Magazine is mentioned because GSW / Gamasutra always post at least half of the interview.

My comment on "needs better games" is more for the SPOGS Racing and Pirates: Key Of Dreams that we've been seeing lately. Stuff that generally is indicative of platforms early in their cycle [and XBLA / PSN have definitely gone through], I was just hoping that 'era' will be over soon. I should be picking up Bomberman Wii and Space Invaders when they land - maybe Alien Crush, depending on the reviews and if I'm really up for a Pinball game at the time.

Fair enough...though I'd bet TellTale could hook you up with a review copy if you asked. The game was released very recently, hence my concern. Certainly SPOGS (?), Major League Eating and Beer Pong look like rubbish...but I become a bit guarded when they are called rubbish without playing them. It seems things should be called rubbish/good on their merits and I worry that WiiWare gets reviewed on game play videos.

I understand the 9-5 thing as well, again it's just a sense I've gotten that the site sees WiiWare as 3rd class.