| Product: |
Nintendo Wii |
| Date: |
06.01.08 (187 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Revolutionary, innovative and tremendously fun
Disadvantages: If any, the remote can fly out of hand and break TV screen
I have been a console gamer for nearly 20 years. I have played on nearly every decent console that has existed, none of which has largely differentiated in terms of how you play the game. All have involved inserting a joypad into the computer and controlling the action on screen with the D-pad and a few buttons.
You'd have thought it would probably always be this way... well think again. In 2006, the world was introduced to the most innovative, ingenius and incredible gaming system the world has seen - the Nintendo Wii. It had parents and avid gamers hitting the shops like a tidal wave to get it. Over a year on, and it's still very hard to obtain. You still have the likes of GAME, Gamestation and HMV saying "Wii's in stock", and the interest it attracts has hardly diminished.
In May 2007, after months of falling victim to more demand than supply, I finally got my hands on one. I obtained the standard package from HMV for £179.99, which included Wii Sports, took it home and set it up straight away.
Background
++++++++++
Historically, Nintendo was in competition with Sega - a battle characterised by Super Mario vs Sonic the Hedgehog. In 1985 Nintendo launched the NES - a fantastic gaming console which we all remember for Super Mario and Duck Hunt (that came along with the Zapper). Sega instigated the beginning of the rivalry by launching the Master System. 3 years later, Nintendo launched the Gameboy, immediately being counterattacked by Sega's Game gear.
Finally Sega took the initiative and launched the Mega Drive to which Nintendo replied with the superior Super Nintendo. The battle then slowed - Sega launched the 32 bit Saturn, to which Nintendo again came up trumps with the Nintendo 64. Sega responded with the Dreamcast, and then Nintendo went silent.
In 1994, Sony broke into the market and dominated with the Playstation - which became a massive worldwide hit. They increased their success with the fantastic Playstation 2. Microsoft released the X-Box and subsequently the X-box 360, signifying the potential end of the Nintendo and Sega battle. It was now Microsoft vs Sony. Where were Nintendo now? Where they defeated?
Nintendo made a relevant mark with the GameCube, but its release was not a major milestone. In 2004, Nintendo threw a stone into the ocean, called the Nintendo DS. Initially, its quirky features caused a ripple effect in the console market. The handheld market had not been touched in years, hence the impact was significant. Subsequently the PSP was brought out, slightly less quirky and fun but definitely a fantastic counteraction from Sony. The PSP is a handheld version of the PS2 - superb graphics and more versatile than the DS and can also play movies. Nintendo, needed to make another mark. Enter Shigeru Miyamoto, who threw a boulder into a lake, causing a mammoth splash with the creation of the Wii.
Impact
+++++++
The Nintendo Wii has totally and utterly revolutionised console gaming. The newest consoles released around the time of Wii, the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 place their emphasis on phenomenal graphical capabilities, which has traditionally been the major indicator of success within the gaming industry. In the past, gamers could be criticised for being couch potatoes, sitting in front of the screen for hours on end. However, the Wii eliminates this downside - you are given a more realistic and active experience. You hold the wireless Wii remote in your hand, and the movements you make e.g. the bowling action on Wii Sports, are accurately recorded by the sensor bar. Furthermore, the Wii boasts just as fantastic graphics as the PS3, meaning it has all the bases covered.
The impact is moreover enhanced by the age we live in - where billions are spent by people wanting to lose weight and/or stay trim. In America, $1.3 billion is spent each year for exactly this. As the actions and motions required of you by the Wii can often reflect those you would use playing the sport or activity in real life, the pounds will drop off you - certainly more so than in the older days of playing the consoles sitting on your backside.
Wii Sports
++++++++++
Wii Sports is a magnificent game which deserves a review on its own. Nevertheless, it is easily the best simulation to get you used to the controls of the system. Wii Sports comprises of Tennis, Bowling, Baseball and Boxing. Each sport has a training and exhibition mode. The training is excellent and very detailed to enhance your skills as best as possible. Other than the boxing game, you only need one remote and nunchuck between how ever many friends you are playing with/against. The remote can be attached to your wrist via the strap on the end of it, which can be tightened so as not to fly out of your arms when you do a vigorous motion, like you might in tennis.
Opening the box
++++++++++++++++
On opening the box, everything you will need to get connected and started will be in front of you.
Included are:
- The Wii console - small in size, sleek in design and polar white in colour.
- Wii Sports - normally included in bundle
- Sensor bar
- Wii Remote
- Wii Nunchuck
- Cables (along with power supply)
Manuals are also included which provide guidance on setting up the Wii console. Once all cables are attached and plugged in, and the sensor is in place, you will need to ensure the Wii remote is in sync with the sensor.
Powering up
+++++++++++
Once you turn on the Wii, you are met by the Wii Menu screen. This screen will feature six primary channels.
The Disc Channel
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When you insert the game disc into the Wii, the disc channel will highlight the game that is in the console and give you the option to start. Once you press start the game will commence.
Mii Channel
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The Mii Channel is where you can create, in essence, a 'me'. The Mii is a 3D self-caricature that you will control in certain games such as Wii Sports and Big Brain Academy. You are able to customise the Mii's height, facial features, skin tone, colour hair, colour of clothes in order to reflect you as intricately as possible. A number of these can be created hence everyone in the family and friends can have their own Mii on your Wii.
Photo Channel
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The Photo Channel is where you upload photos by inserting an SD memory card from your digital camera into the appropriate slot on the Wii, or alternatively by accessing your photo's from email (requires internet connection) in JPEG format. On this channel, you can do three main things. You can simply view the pictures you have taken in full screen format - which does look great when enlarged (dependant on the size of your TV). You can also view slideshows and doctor photos, adding effects etc in a similar way to the Paint program you will find on most PC's. Lastly you can have a lot of fun with them by turning them into jigsaw puzzles, either into 6, 12, 24 or 48 pieces.
For access to the following channels, you will need to connect your Wii to the internet.
Forecast Channel
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The forecast channel allows you to obtain weather reports. You are able to display the weather forecast either locally, nationally and internationally. It will hardly replace any major weather forecast sources, but it is useful for a quick glance and is certainly a unique extra.
News Channel
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Similar to the forecast channel, you are able to display news reports and stories from a wire service. These stories are accompanied by photos which is a very neat detail. Again, it will not compete with any online or television news services, but it is a very useful and nifty service.
Wii Shop Channel
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This channel allows you to buy and then download classic games, from various consoles of the past such as the Sega Megadrive, Super Nintendo and Nintendo.
There are a multitude of games that you are able to buy, and these will then be stored into a channel of their own, accessible from the Wii Menu.
You are able to play these using the Wii remote, however, for the classic experience, you can purchase a 'Classic Controller' from most software retailers for around £15.
Personal thoughts
+++++++++++++++++
I personally think that the Wii is the most innovative and enjoyable creation in the world of gaming to date. For a start, my partner finally plays a console with me, and better than that, has more fun playing it than I do. Even my parents, now in their early 60's, play on the Wii - and I have not seen them play on a computer game since Mothership on the Spectrum ZX. Like Lewis Hamilton did for Formula 1, the Nintendo Wii has attracted huge scores of people to the console market, and brought old gamers out of their antipathetic woodwork. It is undoubtedly the hero of the gaming industry.
This console WILL ensure family fun, and furthermore, if you get hooked, the benefit is that you are doing some form of exercise. Wii Sports comes as standard, and there is hours of fun to be had from this. Just be careful that the strap is wrapped securely around your wrist when playing or the TV screen could be at risk. This has been the only main complaint about the Wii.
Overall the Wii is a supreme creation, with such gargantuan appeal that you will find your 10 year old child as addicted as your 70 year old grandma. This is a must for your household at a very good price.
The Wii console can be purchased from all main electronics retailers (when in stock), such as GAME and HMV for £179.99, including Wii Sports.
Thanks for reading!
Summary: Probably the most enjoyable console in the World!
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