Since my time with the demo at E3, I’ve dreamed about playing Sin & Punishment 2 about five nights a week - give or take. The Wii controls are so deliciously smooth that I simply can’t imagine another way to experience that style of shooter anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the original - but I can’t lie, the controls feel heavier to me after my time with the sequel.

It isn’t that the Wii controls reinvent the wheel - you won’t have to make any strange hand gestures to play the game. Using a standard control scheme split between the Nunchuck and Wiimote, the controls are just magnificent in their simplicity. And that doesn’t make playing the title any less challenging, but it does remove controlling the game as part of the challenge - allowing players to focus on the actual game at hand.

The only complaint I have about this sequel is the wait, which continues to be excruciating. The title may not be as fiscally important as other Wii releases this year, but it is still important to me. So I was colored several shades of happy to hear that Nintendo of Canada’s Senior Supervisor of Communications and Advertising, Matt Ryan, is also a fan of the game.

I was even happier when he agreed to field a couple of questions, including when we can expect to get our eager hands on it.

Jamie Love: Could you tell me a bit about how the project came together and what, if any role Nintendo had in cultivating a follow-up to Sin & Punishment specifically for the Wii?

Matt Ryan: Sin & Punishment is a popular title that resonates with fans, both those that played it when originally released on N64, and those who have experienced it for the first time through the Virtual Console. Nintendo has been on board with Treasure for the exciting launch on Wii as it provides another proof point that the Wii Remote offers the ultimate experience with motion controls, especially for shooting. At this point I cannot share more information about the project, however I was in the room when Sin & Punishment 2 was announced for North America alongside a sneak peek at gameplay and I can tell you that there was cheering, from a room full of gaming media. Sin & Punishment 2 is one of those unique motion control experiences that you can only get on Wii, which is great for the cult that follows the Sin & Punishment series.

JL:Treasure titles typically play to a very niche audience, how does Nintendo plan to approach the marketing for the game?

MR: The marketing efforts will be focused on targeting franchise fans as well as the experienced and advanced gaming population.

JL: After playing the E3 demo, I was earnestly impressed by how smooth the Wii control scheme made the gameplay. Beyond the hardcore fanbase, do you think the game has a legitimate chance at expanding its reach with the Wii’s audience?

MR: Sin & Punishment franchise fans as well as experienced and advanced players are going to be the first to pick up Sin & Punishment 2 for Wii. While there are levels of complexity in the game that are most redeeming for this type of player, others will pick it up as well because of the intuitive controls and sheer fun you get out of the run ‘n’ gun shooter experience. Is Sin & Punishment for grandma and the little kids? No.

JL: Would you be willing to wink, nudge, or give a secret sign that gamers can expect to see the game on shelves this year?

MR: Q1 2010 is what we are looking at for a launch date