Weeeeeeee!!!!!!!!So far so good!!!!!!! (Nintendo Wii)

Member Name: noomad

Product:	Nintendo Wii
Date:	04/02/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Small size, wireless controllers,

Disadvantages: Can't play DVDs, limited selection of games out so far

What with the current lashing of snow we are getting I decided it was time to take the plunge (not into the snow) and join the next generation of gamers. My PS2 kicked the bucker last year and I have been waiting ages for this little white bundle of joy to come down in price, so i have given up on that one. However, whilst there hasn't been a significant price drop for some time retailers are offering some great value bundles. I got a load of stuff for little more than the standard price of the machine. The best deal I found was a Wii with Tiger PGA 2009 golf, and an accessory pack. This was about £190 a saving of £40; the price of the game.

To me the Wii was not a serious gamer purchase. Gone are my days of spending 10 consecutive sleepless nights trying to finish the final level of the latest shoot em up extravaganza. To me gaming machines exist in the same place board games used to take in my cupboard. It is something to do in order to have a laugh with friends.

I was first seriously attracted to the idea of getting a Wii when I read that Japanese bars putting virtual golf machines or Wiis in them. Additionally I have been in casinos where they have used Mariokart or bowling as entertainment for poker players during breaks and after games. I feel that the Wii is well suited to this. I have also jumped on the Guitar Hero band wagon seeing as HMV were flogging these for £35 too. This is another fun party game.

All in all I am very pleased with the Wii so far. It is a nice snug fitting machine that doesn't have you leaving wires everywhere like other gaming machines. Another unexpected bonus is that I am feeling the burn in my arms and shoulders from all the boxing and golf action so it is a little less sedentary than traditional video games which can only be a good thing, and I am looking forward to getting some of the fitness games. I am also looking forward to getting it online and trying the browsing and TV on demand functions. This is definately the future and I think Nintendo are doing a great job of trying new styles og gaming to attract a less typical and traditional gamer, which is why I also own a DS. So I expect to see more innovative ideas and add ons in the future.

My only gripe so far is the inability to play DVDs on it, in this respect it is ages beyond the PS3 which functions as a Blu Ray player too.

Summary: Definatley the way forward