We’ve discussed it on Infendo and analyzed the situation from almost every possible angle, but aside from some sporadic gems and surprises, the state of third-party Wii software remains, well…quite regrettable.

Which makes the recently unveiled Wii projects from Illinois-based High Voltage Software, the development studio behind licensed Wii detritus like Ben 10: Protector of Earth and Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, even more surprising. Only an optimistic few expected such promising third-party Wii software in 2008, and given its mediocre Wii track record, even fewer expected these unlikely games to come from High Voltage Software.

I speak for all of the pessimists; we stand corrected.

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In an interview Thursday with MTV Multiplayer, Majesco’s Kevin Ray had nothing short of praise for Nintendo and the company’s oft-criticized online implementation philosophies.

“If you see the tools coming out from Nintendo today, they are providing a lot of support for developers to integrate the Internet into their games,” said Ray. “It’s really up to the publishers now to adopt these features into their games; the tools are there and the support from Nintendo is there as well.”

While promoting Majesco’s upcoming Wii title BlastWorks: Build, Trade & Destroy, Ray contrasted the game’s robust online component, fueled by an ambitious user-generated content system, against the pervasive perception that Wii is not capable of a competent online gaming experience.

“There’s no technical reason why games for the Wii aren’t more connected,” said Ray. “The Wii is a very connected device and Nintendo not only provides library support for communications, but was very supportive with positive feedback and marketing input.”

Maybe Harmonix just missed the memo. Majesco’s BlastWorks: Build, Trade & Destroy is set for a May 6 release in North America.

Thanks to Infendo reader Pete for the tip.

IGN yesterday revealed an exclusive first look at High Voltage Software’s The Conduit, an ambitious first-person shooter in development exclusively for the Nintendo Wii.

Contrary to the unfortunate nature of most third-party Wii afterthoughts, High Voltage is putting substantial effort behind The Conduit, promising both refined Wii control mechanics and hardware-pushing visuals.

In designing the game’s controls, High Voltage’s Eric Nofsinger told IGN the development team looked to Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 and Metroid Prime 3 for inspiration, offering players a precise and fully customizable control scheme. However, Nofsinger suggested the team is placing even greater emphasis on Wii’s graphics capabilities.

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Or so says Newsweek’s N’Gai Croal.

“The first third-party to truly solve what Wii gamers want will become very wealthy,” said Croal, in the March 2008 issue of EGM. “But I don’t believe that most third-parties apply anywhere near the amount of time and resources necessary to resolve it. Sure, they’ll experiment with some exclusive brands and titles, but at the end of the day, they’ll treat [Wii development] like the Game Boy Advance and the DS — licenses and brand extensions aimed at casual gamers and kids.”

Modus operandi, indeed.