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 An Inexpensive Gaming Console for the Whole Family November 19, 2006
Lisa Shea
1831 out of 2006 found this review helpful
The Nintendo Wii is the most inexpensive of the current generation of gaming consoles. It provides motion sensing controllers and 480p graphics. We tested the Wii before its launch day (I'm a game reviewer), and we had our own unit in our home the morning of launch day. Here are our findings.
The Wii is designed around a menu of "channels". There is of course the game-playing channel, where the Wii will play any Wii or GameCube game. Simply load the disc in and go. There is a Mii channel where you set up a profile and avatar to connect to all your game playing. The Photos channel lets you look at photos on your TV. Other channels for news, weather, and online shopping require an interent connection; the news and weather were not actually working at launch time.
The system does NOT have a regular network cable port, which both the PS3 and XBox 360 have. Instead, it works with built in wireless or with a USB network adapter. I am a firm proponent of wireless - less clutter! So I am thrilled that they offer wireless automatically. With the PS3, you have to pay extra for the 60 gig unit to get this built in. The XBox 360 requires extra hardware as well.
It's hard to generalize gameplay on any console - it really depends on what games you buy. That being said, the comes-with-it software of Sports is really quite fun and is about as basic as you can get. You swing at baseballs, lob tennis balls, bowl, box and play golf. A "fitness" mode puts you through a variety of tasks and then calculates your fitness age, sort of like how Brain Age keeps track of your mental age. If you did both every day, you could aim to be as fit mentally and physically as possible!
In a world where video games = couch potato, it really is quite amazing to have a game where it natively expects you to move and be active. You don't lounge back and gain pounds here while playing games. Boxing can be quite strenuous, jabbing, blocking and weaving in real life. Tennis involves quick reflexes and strong arm movements. Bowling might be the most relaxed of the sports, but even there you are standing, moving, swinging. You get your heart going at least a little, and get some exercise. My boyfriend had a sore arm after playing for a number of hours, in a good way, as he would from exercising.
The 480p resolution is certainly not high def 1080p like the other two systems. It's something you accept when you're paying such a low price for the console. But really, it's not that big a deal. I still play the old Zeldas and love them for their gameplay, even though you can't see the pores in Link's face. If they are going for the cartooney characters and environments, 480p is DVD quality and is quite good. If you really, really crave high definition super realism in your games, then the Wii might not be the best choice for you. However, if you're fine with playing games with a more impressionist / cartooney look to them, the 480p can show that quite nicely. For example, there aren't fans in the stands for baseball - there are colored blocks.
Nintendo has always been known as a "Kid's Console" - but I really do think with the Wii that they have become a "Family Console". It's not just kids who will enjoy this. Seniors can have fun bowling without knowing anything "Tricky" about how to use a video game unit. It's very intuitive. Moms can easily play with their kids, each with their own Wii profile. Adults having parties can have fun passing the controllers around. Family groups can share slideshows on the big screen while hanging out and drinking wine. Every person who has come over - from 8 to adult - has instantly understood and enjoyed the Wii, without much explanation at all.
With the price tag being so low, a gaming household that "needs" a higher end system can easily save up their money to get that XBox 360 or PS3 - and still be able to justify to get a Wii for the fun, casual gaming stuff to share with their non-gaming friends.
Well recommended! Since I own all three systems, and am playing all three wirelessly, feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
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Update: One year later, and the Wii is still going strong! It's really funny how many people said the Wii would bomb because it wasn't as good as the PS3 or 360 - and here we are a year later and the Wii is still the system that people are really wanting to get. Hospitals are getting Wiis for their patients to play with. Senior centers are getting Wiis for their residents to play games together with. I was just on a cruise ship and they had Wii tournaments going on every day! This is a fantastically fun system that we really enjoy playing with and that literally the whole family can have fun with. There are great games for kids, great games for teenagers, great games for adults. I am really very pleased with how the Wii has held up and the game set available for it.
I'm running out of space here, but my nintendo.bellaonline.com site has full articles on exactly what you get in this box, and what else you should buy so you have a full system to play with.
Amazing November 19, 2006
H. Vargas (APO, AP United States)
474 out of 562 found this review helpful
Just picked this up during the midnight launch at Wal-mart, so far it's 3:45AM PST and I have to say that I'm totally impressed by Nintendo's latest effort though at first the new control may feel foreign after not more than just a few minutes it feels natural incredibly fun and after a little bit you'll never feel like going back to a regular controller again. I asked my cousin who was w/ me during the launch if he'd get a Wii and he said "no", but that all changed as we hooked it up and started playing Wii sports. All of a sudden it went from "no" to "what games are there" etc. Try this and I guarauntee(*sp) that you will be impressed by this revolutionary new system that places gameplay above nice shiny eye candy which unless you've been living under a rock should know by now that that's not what the Wii's all about. I just also wanted to add that I'm not just some Nintendo fanboy trying to butter this system up as I also own a 360 and also plan on owning a PS3 when the right games come out for it, pure and simple I am a gamer and don't care for one particular system over another as long as it has the games to back it up. For those that are skeptical stop doubting this is the real deal and at a price ($250) that can't be beat by any of Nintendo's competitors this is something that will entertain the entire family regardless of age, gender etc. For about $350 I picked up an extra controller set(wii remote and nunchaku)and a copy of Zelda (try getting anywhere near that much w/ any other system). I'll admit that when Nintendo had finally shared its strategy to the world a while back I was skeptical as well until I saw the videos for it and knew from than on that Nintendo was truly onto something great. Another cool note is that if you have a Gamecube controller lying around you can actually use that for playing the library of old school games that come from the Wii shop (which can be purchased w/ Wii points)instead having to go out and buy the new Wii retro controller (nice touch) some old school games can also simply be played w/ the remote. Also unlike the almighty Microsoft point the Wii points are on equal terms w/ the dollar so 100 Wii points equals $1 etc. You can purchase those online in the Wii shop by 1000 point increments(I believe) up to 5000 points. Prices for NES games are 500 points 800 points for Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo games and 1000 points for N64 games. Right now though the library is fairly limited offering no more than a few titles (no more than 5)for each console. The bottomline though is don't miss out on this revolutionary product it is definately worth at least a try before you dismiss it as a clever gimmick and is truly one of the best systems to come out in years(IMO) and a breath of fresh air to the staleness which are controllers.
Additional features include Wi-fi for wireless connection, 4 Gamecube control ports, 2 USB ports, 2 Gamecube memory card slots and extra slots for SD flash cards (doesn't accept anything else like Memorysticks) so you can view your pictures on the Wii for instance.
The best thought out console in a LONG time January 24, 2007
J. Martinez (Silicon Valley, CA USA)
111 out of 148 found this review helpful
I was lucky enough to pick one upon 1/21 at a non-Amazon retailer (brick and mortar).
This thing is AMAZING. We have been playing Wii Sports non-stop. Can't wait to get to the other games! So what sets the Wii apart? The feeling of being immersed into the game. Sure, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have all the technology advances built in to them. They are the cutting edge as far as graphics and video, but neither of those captured me as much as the Wii.
The Remote is what really sets it apart. You can't sit down and play this thing. So much for being a couch potato! You have to get up and MOVE. Second is the creation of Miis. You create your own profiles and can bring them with you to another Wii (if you can find somebody else with one). Last, is the compatibility with GameCube and the virtual console games. It's awesome that I can download games from my childhood.
The con is that you will spend lots of time playing!
If you are into the latest video technologies, get the PS3 or 360. If you want amazing interactive technology that you can forget about AND HAVE FUN, get the Wii...If you can find one!
 SEVERELY Over-Rated! November 30, 2006
kindasorta (earth)
80 out of 239 found this review helpful
First, I'm not a fanboy of anything. I like all the companies and I think competition only makes the industry better. That said, as a semi-avid gamer, I really didn't like the Wii at all. I had it since launch and months would go by where it wasn't even powered up. If you've never touched a game system in your life, you'll probably like the Wii because its so easy to play, its almost insulting to one's intelligence. Anyone else with even any sort of gaming experience realizes that this thing is an over-rated, underpowered and over-glorified pile of junk. Why?
Graphics: Yeah, the Wii is not about graphics. I know, I get it. I just dont like it. People say that games arent all about graphics. Baloney. Certain games like racing, sports, and shooters (you know, the types of games just about everyone plays?) benefit tremendously from having realstic graphics because the environment defines the game. Playing Madden and Call of Duty on this thing is like playing it on a PS1! I mean come on Nintendo, get with the times! I want to see realism, not Candyland cartoon colors all the time. If graphics don't matter, then why arent we all still playing Atari?
Software: The really good games are few and far between, and third party support is abysmal, just like on past Nintendo consoles. Plus, this system's library consists mostly of stupid mini-games. The only GREAT game I played on the Wii thus far was Resident Evil 4...and that game's 3 years old! Also, quite honestly, I'm so sick of seeing Link and Mario on everything all the time. Again, I do not always want to play in candy-colored cartoon land!
The controls: Face it, the motion control is a neat concept, but its not all its cracked up to be. In most games you really dont have free range of motion with your hand, you pretty much have to keep the remote pointer within the frame of your tv screen. If youre playing ahooter, and youpoint the remote off screen the whole game flips out on you. So you're pretty much only moving your wrist a couple of inches. Wow, great motion controls. Yeah I know, some games like Wii sports give you more range of motion, but for the most part its just like pointing a TV remote at the screen.
Lack of Online Play: This is why I ditched my Wii. Online play has been on consoles since roughly 2000 or so, and even longer on PC's, yet Nintendo still has not figured out how to produce online capable games? What a joke.
In sum, as a gamer, I was extremeley disappointed with the Wii. But in fairness, Nintendo was not going after the "gamers," but casual folk so my standards may be too high for what whom the Wii is meant for, namely grandparents, soccer moms, and little kids. Sorry, but I want cutting edge graphics, mature games, ONLINE PLAY, and a system that actually welcomes third party developers. I felt I bought a $250 Gamecube with a pointer that I couldn't move around that much. If history repeats itself, as I'm sure it will, hopefully MS or Sony will take the motion sensing idea and actually use it properly with decent hardware and support. So I'm now exclusively with XBOX 360. I'd rather take a chance with my 360 starting on fire than having my Wii collect dust waiting for the next mini-game collection to come out.
Bought into to the hype, wasn't worth it. July 10, 2007
Sean Powley
77 out of 339 found this review helpful
I like many others camped out at walmart for 5 hours for the Nintendo Wii. My first reaction was that it was kinda cool but that wore off very fast. I also own a PS3 and when you compare the two, the Wii just feels outdated. The control scheme is nice but too restrictive for some types of games like fighters. A lot of games just aren't possible on the Wii due to technology constraints and the controller. I think the system is great for young children and older casual adults who don't play video games regularly. Overall I am very dissapointed with the Wii and am going with the PS3 this round. It is future proof and I highly recommend one.
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