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It looks like all those Rockstar/Reggie talks paid off. Rockstar has announced Manhunt 2 for the Wii. Easily the biggest news of yesterday, and it will likely continue to be a major focal point from now until release. For all the Nintendo fans out there that are sick of hearing their friends complain about how Nintendo is kiddy, this game effectively kills that argument in one fell swoop.

Controversy follows Rockstar with every Mature title that they release, but Manhunt may be the most worthy of the angry complaints it received. The gamplay in Manhunt was far and beyond anything you would see in the GTA series. When I played the original on the PS2, I was taken aback by how brutally violent some of the scenes were. It gave you a very uneasy feeling while playing...which is a goal I believe Rockstar was reaching for.

I don't ever feel that a game should be censored in any way. I believe that they should be rated accordingly, and that ESRB rules and regulations should be fully enforced at all retailers. Any retailer that sells a Mature title to a minor deserves to get in trouble. Even with all the precautions set up to protect children from these type of games, you can bet that Manhunt 2 will be tagged as a murder simulator being made for people of all ages, regardless of age ratings.

I can only imagine the type of press that Manhunt 2 will pull in. I'm guessing that the PS2 and PSP versions will be overlooked by the media (for the most part), while the Wii version will be the main focus. If Manhunt 2 for the Wii turns out as we expect it to, you will no longer be pressing buttons to slice a throat...you will be going through the motions. Stabbing, shooting, slicing, beating, suffocating, and strangling were all common in the original Manhunt, and I am sure we will see the the sequel retain a lot of those aspects. The game content should be the same across all platforms, but the Wii version will no doubt be viewed as the most violent.

If there were ever a game that needs ESRB regulations in full effect, this is the one. Just imagine if a minor managed to pick this title up, and their parents catch them mimicking the motions of a murder. On top of that, we have to worry about the parents that pay no attention to these ratings, buy their children the game, and then bitch about it to no end once they catch a glimpse of the gameplay. Once again, I have to stress that I am NOT for censorship. On the other hand, I am 100% for making sure this game only ends up in the hands of people old enough to play it.

These next few months could change the entire perception of the Wii. The family friendly machine that lets you bowl, golf, and mini-game is entering a dark world. This is a hugely important title for Nintendo. It has the ability to forever cast away their kiddy name, opening up an entirely new market. It also has the potential to alienate the new market that the Wii is enjoying right now. Good and bad publicity will come from many sources over the next few months. This game could change the way developers, and consumers think of the Wii for the rest of its lifespan.

What do you think...will Manhunt 2 end up causing more good than bad for the Wii, or vice versa? I am extremely interested to hear your viewpoints.

That ends it for me, time for some sleep. Quick question, what do you think about me changing this "End of day" segment into a video feature? Feel free to leave your comments concerning that as well.