I'm thinking about adding the Wii to the kids Christmas list, I haven't heard much about it, I'm wondering if its a good system and about the quality of the games. Any help deciding would be appreciated.
Y'all knew I was going to post something from Ars Technica, didn't you?
ReviewAlso, Bren will be along shortly to post a Penny Arcade comic.
Seriously, I have read that it is a whole lot of fun and generally a great system.
I have a few aquaintances that have managed to pick one up, They say the interaction is addicting, definately brings the gaming experience to a new level. It did make for some new learning curves on game play, though. Best game they have tried is of course Zelda. But the packaged sports games are fun. Good luck finding one.
I've tried some games on it at my local gamestop store. I tried a few sports games, and it's definitely fun to control the game in such a unique way. One of the games was a racing game (all terrain) and you had to hold the controller with both hands and twist it left and right like you would a steering wheel. It takes a little bit to get used to it but it definitely gives a more "authentic" feel for many games.
As much as I liked the controls I'm not sure I'm sold on them. I tend to like a more tangible gaming experience and if I really wanted more realism in a racing game I would just get a steering wheel. I have the feeling that I would get tired of the controls pretty quick.
Now the Wii definitely would be fun for kids who might like the fact more than adults that they can "be" spider-man as they control the character (for isntance for spider-man to throw his web you have to motion the controller in the way he acts, so it's a great pretend!)
For myself I would definitely get a PS3 or a XBOX 360 but for kids it might be worthwile to consider the Wii, on top of that it does play gamecube games (even my wife would love to be able to play Luigi's Mansion since she's a Mario freak).
Of the 3 current next-gen consoles the Wii is the one I want.
I guess I'm still a kid, since I love the immersive factor of throwing my arms around. Of course, I have guitar hero 1 and 2 and enjoy the hell out of both...
-james
I've heard various discussion online and in mags by "official reviewers" and they compare XBox360, PS3, and the Wii.
----Start Disclaimer----
The following is just my summary of most of what I have read. There are people all over the board on these systems, and I usually try to ignore the people that just rave or, on the flip side, rant about one system. I like reading the reviews that put logic behind their answers and not just "its cute", or "I hate it because it is Microsoft", etc.
----End Disclaimer----
Right now (emphasis on the "now" part), PS3 should be on the bottom of everyone's list (have I made you mad yet?).
Not because it is bad, but with such a short supply, getting one costs way more than it is worth (unless you can actually find one in stock for regular price).
The Wii is cool. I really want to try one out. The graphics are supposed to be "sub"-XBox360 and PS3, but it is less than half the price, and a real "fun" system. Again, good luck finding one.
One place recommended for Christmas 2006 that the XBox360 is the best way to go. 1) you can actually get one, 2) the games and accessories are more developed, meaning better use of the gaming engines, graphics, sound, etc, 3) you won't get shot or stabbed when you buy one.
Don't forget, at E3 this year, the "Big 3" were on display, and XBox360 has a small line waiting to play, PS3, a "moderate" waiting line, but the Wii had people waiting upwards of 4 hours to give it a shot, and the line was very long.
Although, will it have enough to hang on, or will it become too much of a gimmic and people lose interest when the PS3 starts getting out there more...
Either way, can I come over and play?
I decided to go ahead and get the Wii with a couple games for the kids (maybe that will keep them away from my 360
)
I'm going to actually agree with you Nick about the PS3, Sony did a horrible job of getting their product to the public, it's no longer even on my list. I'm really happy with the HD DVD addition to the 360 so now I'm rooting for HDDVD.
If you ever make it to Calif. you are welcome to come over for some gaming, as long as you bring that lunch you offered me awhile back
BEHOLD THE CRAAPY CELLPHONE PICTURE OF DOOM!
So yes I own a Wii, I've had it since launch day and I love the thing. Wii Sports and Zelda have been thoroughly enjoyable for me and my friends (wii sports), granted we're a little biased as five of us own Wii's
It works just fine with my Axiom's and my projector. My only caution would be the sensor bar. It has a 10ft cable and needs to go in the center either above or below your screen. If all your gear is stuffed in the back somewhere you might have a cable running on your floor for a bit.
There are 3rd party extension cables, and a wireless sensor bar coming as well, but they're not quite out yet. I actually managed to sneak mine behind the fabric below my screen so you can't even see the cable.
If you have any other questions feel free to hit me up at
daphoid@gmail.com, I've been over this thing with a fine toothed comb and have been reading about it since 6 months ago, so I can answer pretty much every question, complete with a non-fanboy attitude.
If it matters at all, I'm not a 14 year old gamer, I'm 23 and a successful college graduate
Cheers,
- D
Sean, I may take you up on that offer of help, thanks. It should be arriving in the next couple of days, unfortunately I can't play with it till after Christmas
Thinking about getting a Wii for my 8yr old (and me:) ) I'm guessing the main unit would need to be near my Denon AVR, so I can have the sound through the Axioms. A little concerned if the control bar will be able to reach below the screen in the PorterPlex? hmmmmmm
That would be tons of fun playing the games on a big screen.
I bought mine on E-bay, I actually got a good price considering the demand, with the games and controllers I figured I paid about $50.00 over what the retail cost would have been. EBgames is selling them for shipment on 12/18, I just didn't want all the games and extras they put in their bundle.
Right now the best deal is the 360 since you can get them anywhere, and the games really are something on an HD setup.
For what it's worth, I have a PS3 and a Wii. I was fortunate enough to have inside info where I work and bought both. I knew I wanted the Wii, wasn't sure about the PS3 but figured I'd get it.
It's still sitting in it's box waiting for my big screen to arrive but the Wii is out and being played. Nintendo has a great rep with kids, lots of kid orientated games, encourages them to have FUN, and is working the virtual console angle with lots of old school titles to be released and available for download in the coming months. It's hard to imagine a kid being disappointed opening one Christmas morning.
For me (a movie buff) the PS3 makes more sense. As does a 360 and HD-DVD add-on.
Maybe I'm the wrong person to ask
I've always been a fan of Nintendo making games you can just pick up and play... I'm not investing my life into becoming a max level Half-Orc/Half-Gelatinous-Cube Numenorean Runic Bard, I just want to grab a controller, and stuff a few red turtles up someone's exhaust pipe.
But I'm no one's target audience.
Bren R.
Jake I'll have to agree with you, Bren that was one classic line, now if you'll exuse me I'm gonna wipe the wine off my keyboard.
*bows* Thank you, you've been a great audience, I'll be here all week, try the veal.
Bren R.
I walked into WalMart yesterday around 11:30AM and picked one up
along with an extra Wiimote, right time right place I guess. I had been sitting on the fence as to buy one or not, my 6yr old was aking for a gamecube, I hope he likes this.
Downloaded the manual and the Mii's seem pretty cool. My son likes to make up characters for his online RPG games, the Mii's should keep him going for a while.
Those people should not be letting go of the remote as if they were throwing a real baseball.
Well my connections have notified me that Target and ToysRus are getting shipments tonight. Next Sunday, Walmart and Bestbuy will be selling them again. Man, I hope I can get one for my kid for Xmas. This will be like camping out when Star Wars III hit the theaters.
Apperently ther are third party wireless sensor bars on the way and a few intrepid soles have opened their's up and spliced in a battery end, 9V, for the home made version and it sounds to be working quite well.
Randy,
the walmarts in my area and a few other people i have seen on other boards put the Wii's out on wednesday. you might want to call and check.
Well the internet rumors about Target and ToysRus were just that rumors. I stood in line at ToysRus for an hour with a bunch of other nutz people like me. The manager even came out and said they didn't have any, which was contrary to the shipping information posted on many websites.
We think they have them, they are just not putting them out yet. I think their online store even showed stores had inventory.
My dad stood at Target for me, and same thing, however, the manager told him they will be giving out numbers next weekend for first come first serve, as they plan to have the Wii in next weeks flyer add.
I've got to find one for my kid guys.....
Perseverence and luck and you shall find one. I know on the sites I have gone to they all said Walmart puts out there stocks around 11 Am and Noon, so a few trips to a closeby Walmart may bring you the same luck I had.
Now to try and get a hold of the Classic Controller......
I've had a Wii since launch. Got lucky on a preorder. I'm a Nintendo fanboy, as I also have a DS Lite running homebrew. (That's a whole 'nother discussion and BTW, homebrew is AWESOME on the DS. I have PSP homebrew but it doesn't even come close...)
Love it. The control is awesome and my 4 yr daughter loves to pitch in Wii sports baseball. The golf carries my slice into the virtual world too.
I bought Red Steel, Madden and Zelda. I exchanged Red Steel after hearing the reviews and got Trauma Center. I have only opened Zelda because it's that good. Even at 480i (cables arrive tomorrow), on my plasma it's FANTASTIC. Great gameplay. Nintendo has a winner.
The Xmas hot items are hard to find. No extra Wii controllers anywhere. I tried looking for a PS3 and got no luck. My company has 3 chips in there and we can't even find them for our use. But I did manage to find a new Elmo TMX for my kid at MSRP + $10 on craigslist. That thing is hilarious and as an engineer, the animatronics are very impressive.
No wonder you were able to just walk in and pick one up. 