Tiny Diggers – An iPad Construction Truck Game for Kids Age 2-5

I mentioned in my previous post “The Wii is Obviously Not Just A GameCube” that a lot of gaming sites seems to criticize the Wii as a GameCube with a fancy controller.

I found it odd that when presented with an interesting and in-depth Interview with Miyamoto, they pick out the one quote that appears to support their argument, even when other quotes in the same article demonstrate that their is a clear difference between the Wii and GameCube hardware!:

“For a brief period of time, some of the staff said, ‘The Wii has better capabilities than the GC so lets improve the graphics.’”

I mentioned that the interview included a lot of other interesting information and asked why they don’t focus on that as well. Then an astute reader (Subnet6) pointed out that I didn’t mention what any of these interesting things were… yeah… about that… keep reading for a quick run-down of the things I found interesting!

- The location for the interview was the Shigureden, an interesting sort of Art/Technology exhibit/installation and cultural center developed by Nintendo. It’s the place where they have those button-less DSs you might have heard about. Miyamoto was heavily involved in the work there; definitely check out the website (linked above).

- In a 2000 interview with NintendoDREAM Miyamoto said:

“Games would die out if the controller became one-handed.”

Miyamoto makes a quick save by pointing out that it is difficult to use a one-handed controller for games designed for a standard controller (hence the classic controller?)

- Nintendo considered putting a microphone and speaker into the Wii controller, but thought it was too “extravagant” (cost-wise). Glad to see that the speaker (at least) made it, but I would have liked to see an integrated microphone. (Heck! They had one in the original Famicom!)

- Animal Crossing “will finally reach its final form on the Wii”. OMG! What does it mean!?

- Iwata moved Miyamoto away from administrative duties (overseeing overseas projects, like Metroid Prime?) and back into the Enterntainment Analysis and Entertainment Department. Hopefully this means more games from Miyamoto closer to the Wii launch.

- Miyamoto and Shigesato Itoi (Mother series and Contact) both share an obsession with electronic dictionaries! Miyamoto mentions that they influences a number of DS titles.

- Miyamoto clearly feels very honoured to have received the “Chevalier de L