Wii Love it!
So I broke down this Saturday, followed the hype of the hard to find Nintendo
Wii, and bought one solely due to the fact that I stumbled into a store that
had a sign claiming the Wii is in Stock. I like video games just fine, but was
planning on holding out for the PS3, mainly because I like the HD resolution of
video games, and the fact that it plays Blu-Ray movies. The Wii, I had read,
could only handle a 480p or 480i resolution. While this seemed like it would be
disappointing, the graphics on the Nintendo Wii actually looked pretty good.
Which I was surprised about, since they were only hooked up to my TV through RCA
jacks. I wanted to get at least S-video or hopefully component hook-ups for the
Wii to improve the picture quality, but honestly the RCA quality looked really
good.
Opening
The Box
I love that the Wii worked right out
of the box. It comes with a game called Wii Sports which contains five different
sports games. Tennis, Bowling, Golf, Baseball and Boxing. Boxing requires the
use of the Wii Nunchuk in addition to the Wii Controller, both come with the Wii
System, while the other games used just the controller. Bowling and Golf could
be played in multiplayer mode by passing the controller around, but the other
games required at least two controllers (One for each player).
The box contained the Wii System, a
little sensor you’re supposed to put on top of your TV, the AC adapter, the
Wii to RCA cable to hook up to your TV, a Wii Bluetooth Controller, and a Wii
Nunchuk that plugs into the Wii and enhances your controller. It also came with
a quick start guide, a manual and these plastic things I haven’t figured out
yet. I guess I should read the manual, but since the Wii was so easy to use, I
instantly set aside all documentation and just started playing.
More
than a Game System
The first thing I noticed with
the Wii is that is does much more than just play games. I could check the
weather forecast or shop online for games using my wireless internet connection.
I also created my own character profile called a “Mii”. It was fun making a
character that looked like a cartoon version of me. My Mii keeps all my
preferences and scores to help with faster and more comfortable game play. I
could also view pictures on the Wii using the provided SD card slot.
Taking
over the Platforms
One thing I always liked about
the Sony PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 was how they are both backwards
compatible. While the Wii is also backward compatible, being able to play
Nintendo Gamecube Games. But unlike its competitors, it provides the ability to
play games from even older systems through its internet download option known as
“Wii Shop”. You can play Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, NEC
Turbographx 16, and Sega Genesis games on your Nintendo Wii. It’s nice, too
because for people like me who just want to play the game and don’t care about
collector’s prices, the downloadable games are very affordable. For example,
most NES games are $5 and SNES games are $8. You can buy points loaded on card
at stores that sell Wii Games. Each point is worth about a penny. Then, you can
download your favorite old school video game and play it on your Wii’s Virtual
Console. This idea thrilled me because my favorite Sega Genesis game called
Gunstar Heroes, is available for download for only 800 credits ($8). That’s
cheaper than eBay! I just hope the load River City Ransom for NES soon.
Pros
You can be as lazy as you
want with the Wii’s wireless internet. Although you can’t browse the way you
would with a standard internet browser (without a hack, that is), you can use
the Wii’s channels to check weather, the news, get software updates, and
download video games. The Wii’s Bluetooth controllers not only provide
wireless gameplay, but a new type of motion-driven gameplay. It adds the ability
for software programmers to make a new type of game. Another feature I really
like is that the Wii is backwards compatible with GameCube. Also you can
download games from earlier systems. And, like the great Wesley Willis once
said, “It’s Very Affordable!”. Priced at only $249, it’s certainly the
most cost effective new gaming system on the market.
Cons
Occasionally the controller
is lacking responsiveness, or at
times can be too sensitive. For example, when playing Golf if you breathe on the
controller, you’ll swing the club too fast, making your hit go AWOL. But if
you’re boxing, you can punch with all your might and never get the fists to
move forward. It may just be a programming thing. But you quickly learn that
there are tricks to manipulate the controller to get your character to do what
you want. Another issue is the Nunchuk cord. The Nunchuk plugs into the bottom
of the wireless controller. Sometimes its wire is too short, other times it gets
in the way or tangled. Come on, now. Don’t tease us by making a “wireless
Bluetooth system” only to start adding wires again. Speaking of wires, the
wire between the sensor you placed on top of your TV and the Wii is very thin It
just seems a bit too fragile. I know a 3rd party company makes a
wireless sensor, but the Wii should either have come with it, or at least a
thicker cord. All this being said, the Wii still totally rocks!
Summary
Currently on the market,
there’s really nothing out there quite like the Nintendo Wii. An innovative
system offering new game play adds to the longevity of this product. Games take
on new life simply because you’re swinging a controller rather than pressing a
button. The Wii and the PlayStation 2 (using the Eye Toy) are the only video
game systems I’ve ever pulled a muscle playing. And since the Sony PlayStation
2 isn’t giving enough attention to the Eye Toy game series, the Wii makes the
most logical choice when deciding which system will provide active game play.
Check out all our Wii Accessories and Games HERE.
