Nintendo Wii

[Chris Ingersoll]

Number is like the DS's friend code, used for connecting online. Right now all we can do is share Miis and send messages, but hey.

I just have Zelda (and Sports, obv) at the moment, but will pick up Rayman soon. The wife will probably pick up Trauma Center: Second Opinion as well, since the DS version was way too hard for her and this one has a difficulty setting.

[the_faction]

I hadn't heard that about trauma center. Loved the idea, but it was a very difficult game for the DS so its nice to hear the difficulty is adjustable.

Still looking for a Wii though I can't wait to play Zelda.

[Chris Ingersoll]

There were times when I was finishing up the original TC that I thought actual medical school would be easier and less stressful.

[fti]

I'm going to wait a month or so... I went to a few stores and no one had one... I'm going to get the GRIMM ADVENTURES OF BILLY & MANDY Game once I get the Wii.

[swarm]

so what is the major difference between Wii and X Box? Like, what are the major upgrades?

[Chris Ingersoll]

One is an apple, the other an orange. I don't understand the question.

[swarm]

Ok my bad. Let me put it this way...I have only ever owned PS2. I've played X Box a few times at a friends house.

I was under the impression the Wii was the new and upgraded X Box much like PS3 is the new and upgraded PS2. Didn't Nintendo create the X Box or is that incorrect?

I apologize for not being on the "in" on this stuff and was simply wondering what the difference between the two are? People seem to like Wii so I asked.

so if you say one is an apple and one is an orange, let's hear it. What are the major differences?

[bmurderh8s]

Graphically I don't think the Wii is that much of an upgrade. But it looks like with the new controller scheme, the games will be a lot more fun to play. Plus you can purchase and play classic nintendo games on it, which I think is really cool. Thats almost worth it for me, as I can't get enough of some of the older games like Double Dragon, Ninja Geiden, Legend of Zelda ; A link to the Past and others. I constantly find myself digging out the old NES just to play TMNT II The Arcade Game.

[Chris Ingersoll]

swarm said:

Ok my bad. Let me put it this way...I have only ever owned PS2. I've played X Box a few times at a friends house.

I was under the impression the Wii was the new and upgraded X Box much like PS3 is the new and upgraded PS2. Didn't Nintendo create the X Box or is that incorrect?

I apologize for not being on the "in" on this stuff and was simply wondering what the difference between the two are? People seem to like Wii so I asked.

so if you say one is an apple and one is an orange, let's hear it. What are the major differences?

Yeah, you're base assumption is incorrect: Nintendo's previous console was the GameCube; Microsoft makes the Xbox and it's current model, the Xbox 360.

As for the apple/orange comparison between the PS3/X360 (which IMO are similar enough to be nearly identical; a quick look at the PS3 launch titles revels one exclusive, with the rest also being available on the 360) and the Wii, it's largely a matter of priorities.

Wii's priority is its innovative "remote" control interface as well as being accessible to any/everyone; there are numerous stories of non-gaming parents practically needing to be pried away from Wii Sports over the last week and a half because the controls are so blatantly obvious (e.g., "to hit a homerun, you swing the remote like a bat when the ball is over the plate", "to bowl, you hold down this button, swing your arm, and release the button when you want to let go of the ball"), which in turn eases acceptance. Graphically, the system is barely more powerful than its predecessor (itself no great shakes visually when compared to Xbox or top-shelf PS2 games); while both systems are capable of jaw-dropping visuals (Zelda: Twilight Princess, for example), they are infrequent... and not particularly necessary.

By contrast, the PS3/X360 are more "hardcore/mature", emphasising bleeding-edge graphics and content. They both use control devices similar to their predecessors (approximately 90% identical, I believe), which may intimidate non-gamers who are often confused by approximately a dozen buttons and two control sticks. There are some new ideas there (PS3's "sixasis" control pad uses a limited form of motion-detecting), but ultimately they're not blatantly trying to win over a new demographic (or three) like Nintendo is.

Here's the main difference: if you're familiar with the PS2 and Xbox, there wouldn't be much transition for you to play and enjoy the PS3 or X360; by contrast, anyone can literally pick up a Wii remote and be playing most games on it (although probably not Zelda) within fifteen minutes, even if they've never touched a gaming device in their lives.

I'm not saying one method is definitively better than the other, but the Wii's is certainly the most unique we've seen in the last 10-15 years.

[swarm]

Very interesting. I will say this...being a life long exercise enthusiast, I give Nintendo credit for integrating some kind of actual physical movement/exercise into a console that has for the most part, produced fat kids who sit on their couch all day and play video games.

Thanks for the info.

[Chris Ingersoll]

swarm said:

Very interesting. I will say this...being a life long exercise enthusiast, I give Nintendo credit for integrating some kind of actual physical movement/exercise into a console that has for the most part, produced fat kids who sit on their couch all day and play video games.

Although the first couple of days are hell on the upper arm, I tells ya. Baseball and Tennis especially.

[swarm]

It's actually a very considerate and intelligent thing to do this Wii thing...

I would buy it for my kids...

kind of like when MacDonald's replaced the french fries in Happy Meals with carrot sticks...

ok not like that but you get what I mean.

[offspring515]

If you buy your kids a Wii they will love you and shower you with praise.

If you replace their french fries with carrot sticks there will be riots in the streets.

I know I know, we're all too fat, especially the children....but do take into account the relative level of difficulty that an obese child presents to would-be kidnappers.

[the_faction]

If you're looking for a work out in games there are recent innovations that are trying to capitalize on the new "genre"

There are dance pads for the PS2 for DDR.

Guitars for Guitar Heroes on PS2 that you can't help, but stand and rock out.

The most interesting for PS2 though is the iToy. It is a peripheral that has you stand against a white wall and projects you into the game and you use your body to interact with the game in real time. It is an exhausting experience. It's still very simple with its games, but I'm really excited for the possibilities this technology could expand into.

[Chris Ingersoll]

Nitpick: eyeToy. iToy is probably some sort of Apple product.

[moparpaul]

I took the day off today with the hope of snagging one. I'm still empty handed.

[Chris Ingersoll]

moparpaul said:

I took the day off today with the hope of snagging one. I'm still empty handed.

You have a local Best Buy handy? If they advertise Wiis in their weekly flier (check early Sunday paper or BestBuy.com), then they will also advertise a minimum number that will be available at the store. Check what time your store opens, then head out there about at least an hour early to check any line that might already be there; I got in line at 8:30 for a 10am open, but the line didn't reach the minimum 12 until about 9:45ish -- the store actually got in 16.

Checking during the week may be a fool's errand, both because they will sell out so quickly on Sunday and because they will actually hold their stock until Sunday in order to meet the advertised minimum.

[fti]

I'm really looking to get the Wii, I'm going to see if the Best Buy near me will have them this Sunday. I have to say that to get another Wiimote and Nunchuck is not cheap from what I've seen, but thats one way to get their money.

The Grimm Adventures of Billy & Mandy will be my first game I'll buy, I love the toon and the game sounds fun.

[Chris Ingersoll]

I've heard that several stores will likely have product (both Wii and PS3) in for this coming Sunday, so be ready.

[the_faction]

admin said:

Nitpick: eyeToy. iToy is probably some sort of Apple product.

You are correct sir.

Thanks for the heads up on the holds for Sunday stock I'll have to do some searching tomorrow.