Track is Back…
…on Nintendo.
And I’m not impressed.
Konami recently announced a reincarnation of its wildly famous track and field game from the original Nintendo system. The game — called New International Track and Field* — will be released in North America this summer for the Nintendo DS system, and will feature 15 classic Nintendo characters competing in over 20 standard track events.
I have a couple questions:
1. Will there be a Power Pad? C’mon … the Pad was Wii 20 years before its time — a workout and entertainment all rolled into one. Nintendo Track & Field without the Power Pad is like Bonnie without Clyde … Bush without Cheney … Bershawn Jackson without headband…
2. Why not use actual track & field athletes? As much as I want to see Frogger break a world record in the javelin throw… Why weren’t the IAAF or USATF banging down Konami’s door to get its athletes plastered all over this new game? What if millions of kids could pick up a game with Powell or Wariner’s mugs on the cover in the same way they can with Manning or Wade? Imagine what that would do for face recognition and new fan creation within the sport of track & field. Seems like no-brainer marketing to me.
I’m not a video game nut, and I’m sorry, but New International Track & Field for Nintendo DS is certainly not going to make me a convert.
*is this name the best Konami could do?
Last 5 posts by Steve Holt- Who's the most exciting athlete on the planet? - September 6th, 2008
- Olympics Hangover - August 26th, 2008
- Yes We Can! - August 7th, 2008
- Gilbert - July 24th, 2008
- Now I can Sleep - April 23rd, 2008