Wii gets a thumbs up

News Type: Event — Sun Nov 19, 2006 12:25 PM EST

technology, video-games, kids, nintendo, wii, exercise

My grasp of video games is limited to observing their popularity with my kids over the years. I pay and they play. From the Super Nintendo through the Game Boys and Play Stations, including virtual gaming like World of Warcraft, we have had a "typical American" assortment of tech games parade through. In my eyes none has been very different from the one before, except that the games get smaller and the prices grow higher.

Last night my son stood in line along with more than 1,000 others in Times Square to get the newest game, the Wii. He called excitedly at 6pm to share the good news that he was tagged with a bracelet as 240 in line for the sales, which began at midnight. By 2 am it was attached to our television and the games were underway. My feeling was that it looked about the same as every other game that "we had to have" and there couldn't possibly be any game that I could play, much less appreciate or endorse. I went to sleep happy that it was only two am, thrilled he's old enough to have gotten it without involving me and delighted Nintendo made enough games available that the the chaos of Sony's PS3 was not a factor.

I was wrong, the wii is very different. I woke to a boxing match and instead of seeing my kiddies slack jawed and slumped in a chair with controller in hand, they were on their feet and moving. They were playing virtual sports, facing off as batters and boxers by moving. A competitive bout in the ring had them jabbing like they were in a gym, actually sparring. In their words, "It's sick", but in my view it's the first game that might be healthful.

Much as I believed there would never be a video game whose benefits justified it's cost I'm happy to say this one is different enough to get the very first thumbs up from Mom. While most gamers couldn't care less about that, maybe a few parents will feel hopeful that something their kids are drawn to, might secretly have a positive result from playing. Don't let the kids know I said so, but this may really be all it's cracked up to be. I can see older adults looking for a workout or a chance to show some of their old prowess in a sports area enjoying what the old body just won't let them do anymore. Wii may have bridged the generation gap and found a new ideal.

40 Votes
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8.2

{"commentId":387513,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

Here's the Newsvine-AP story comparing Wii with Sony for those who want technical details and may have missed it.

{"commentId":387513,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

5 votes

#1 - Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:20 PM EST

{"commentId":387843,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

Another story of wii and sony nemesis.

{"commentId":387843,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

2 votes

#1.1 - Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:59 PM EST

{"commentId":387558,"authorDomain":"scooterdman"}

ScooterDMan

Cool, Pamela, thanks.

But did you play it? Is it something that you think might open up games to a large demographic than just teenage and young adult males?

{"commentId":387558,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"scooterdman"}

10 votes

#2 - Sun Nov 19, 2006 2:06 PM EST

{"commentId":387631,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

I took a few swings at tennis and let the two of them go back to their bliss. It will be crossing the digital divide and could easily have the shuffleboard set boxing and engaged in fierce tennis volleys, hitting that home run and pitching strikes. It is just real enough to give you the same rush as the early arcade car and driver things did. Frankly, I'm shocked but like it a lot.

{"commentId":387631,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

13 votes

#2.1 - Sun Nov 19, 2006 2:57 PM EST

{"commentId":387590,"authorDomain":"zeketyler"}

ZekeTyler

It's good to hear that Nintendo have done exactly what they intended to achieve with the Wii.

Thanks for the report, Pamela. It's nice to read a take on gaming from someone who isn't a gamer, but has been observing them.

{"commentId":387590,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"zeketyler"}

6 votes

#3 - Sun Nov 19, 2006 2:28 PM EST

{"commentId":387662,"authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

Steve Watts

Nice, Pamela, it's good to see some of these things from a non-gamer's perspective. Me and a few of the other GameViners are (possibly) working on an article involving our experiences of waiting in line, so if your son wants to get registered and join the GameVine group (or if you want to post it in his stead), feel free to go for it. I picked mine up early this morning, and I'll hopefully be posting some early impressions of the console before I leave for Thanksgiving on Wednesday.

{"commentId":387662,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

6 votes

#4 - Sun Nov 19, 2006 3:21 PM EST

{"commentId":387747,"authorDomain":"kevinb66"}

kevinb66

My son picked up his Wii this morning and I have to say it is a much better gaming experience than what I expected. I was playing the tennis game that came with the console and I was able to put spin on the ball depending how I moved the controller wand (I can't remember what they officially call it).

{"commentId":387747,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"kevinb66"}

8 votes

#5 - Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:41 PM EST

{"commentId":387787,"authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

Steve Watts

"Wii Remote" is the official title, but "Wiimote" works too.

{"commentId":387787,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

8 votes

#5.1 - Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:19 PM EST

{"commentId":387799,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

The wiimote is awesome. This is the first time I've ever won a video game. Still have a smokin' backhand, what fun!

{"commentId":387799,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

13 votes

#5.2 - Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:31 PM EST

{"commentId":388707,"authorDomain":"brgiant"}

brgiant

I picked up my Wii around noon yesterday from my local TRU. Luckily I was able to obtain the last copy of Twilight Princess and one of the last copies of Trauma Center. I have a roomate so I bought a second Wiimote to play Wii Sports with but was not able to find a single Nunchuck in the entire city of San Antonio...

Where have all the Nunchucks gone? All I want to do is kick my roomate's ass in boxing and until I can get another nunchuck that isn't going to happen.

{"commentId":388707,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"brgiant"}

4 votes

#5.3 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:54 AM EST

{"commentId":388899,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

So sorry, my son got two and we feel your pain. The boxing matches are fantastic, not to mention a great work out.

{"commentId":388899,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

3 votes

#5.4 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:02 PM EST

{"commentId":388914,"authorDomain":"brgiant"}

brgiant

I've loved playing in single player, but the joy I suspect I will get at finally being able to (at least virtually) punch my roomate in the face will far surpass that of any match against the computer. For now though we duke it out either in tennis or bowling.

{"commentId":388914,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"brgiant"}

5 votes

#5.5 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:09 PM EST

{"commentId":389464,"authorDomain":"greathoj"}

jgreath

All I want to do is kick my roomate's ass in boxing and until I can get another nunchuck that isn't going to happen.

You could always resort to doing it the old-fashioned way...

{"commentId":389464,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"greathoj"}

4 votes

#5.6 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:27 PM EST

{"commentId":395960,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

Two of mine have always been natural "competitors" ready to go at it the old fashioned way. They spent 40 minutes with wii boxing and it was the most fun they've ever had together. We had KO's and knock downs and both got a workout that was much nicer for a mother to watch then the "old fashioned" sibling rivalry. The more time we have it the more positive my feelings are, really never thought I would see the day any electronic game was an asset to our lives, but love the thing

{"commentId":395960,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

1 vote

#5.7 - Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:57 PM EST

{"commentId":388296,"authorDomain":"ronaldlewis"}

Ronald Lewis

Well, Pamela, aren't you just a cool mom? Thanks for your review!

{"commentId":388296,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"ronaldlewis"}

4 votes

#6 - Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:47 PM EST

{"commentId":388316,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

I'm very cool as my wii character, with the big eyes and long legs that look great on the wii tennis court. In reality, ehh?

{"commentId":388316,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

6 votes

#6.1 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:12 AM EST

{"commentId":388532,"authorDomain":"marilynl"}

Marilyn L

Great, Pamela. You've got me interested now. I need something to get me outta this chair. Sounds like just the ticket.

{"commentId":388532,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"marilynl"}

3 votes

#7 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 5:53 AM EST

{"commentId":388728,"authorDomain":"thura"}

Thura

Wii may have bridged the generation gap and found a new ideal.

Thanks. I was thinking of getting it for my daughter (and myself as well!!) so at least we can play games together.

{"commentId":388728,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"thura"}

4 votes

#8 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:06 AM EST

{"commentId":388908,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

It is really a treat to play. My youngest is old enough to drive and I have had a lifetime of electronic games go through and it is so very nice to finally have one that includes me in the fun of it. Hackneyed as the expression is, I feel like a kid again!

{"commentId":388908,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

2 votes

#8.1 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:06 PM EST

{"commentId":389495,"authorDomain":"greathoj"}

jgreath

All this talk about the Wii is just making the wait all the more unbearable! I may not be all that old (not even 24), but since this is the most excited I've been for a new game console since the release of the SNES, I too feel like a (younger) kid again.

{"commentId":389495,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"greathoj"}

2 votes

#8.2 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:36 PM EST

{"commentId":388738,"authorDomain":"gregplancich"}

Greg Plancich

I bought a Wii at midnight and will write up my experience soon.

But I gotta say, the Wii is effing awesome!

{"commentId":388738,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"gregplancich"}

7 votes

#9 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:16 AM EST

{"commentId":388921,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

At the rate this is going there will be a wii group on the vine next. It's fun to create your own character too, though my son told me that other on-line games have had that for a long time it's easy to know who player it is, by how they look. That for me was like a little magic act, to see the long legged me dive and roll for the cross court shot. It's so silly but pure fun.

{"commentId":388921,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

4 votes

#9.1 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:12 PM EST

{"commentId":388950,"authorDomain":"charlie-b"}

charlie-b

I spent yesterday shooting my slingshot and swinging a sword in Hyrule. My cat's complaining that she can't nest as usual with me waving my hands around. I'm afraid this system may jeopardize peoples relationships with their pets.
Effing awesome indeed!!

{"commentId":388950,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"charlie-b"}

3 votes

#10 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:27 PM EST

{"commentId":388962,"authorDomain":"climbingthe"}

Vanadium

I sat 10 hours in line for my Wii (5th of 21 at the local Target) with my wife making trips home and back to get me whatever I needed as it was a nice risk 35 degrees that night. I have to say, it was worth it. Picked up Trauma Center, Tony Hawk, and Super Monkey Ball and we've been having a blast ever since.

{"commentId":388962,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"climbingthe"}

5 votes

#11 - Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:30 PM EST

{"commentId":395924,"authorDomain":"greathoj"}

jgreath

Pamela, now that you've had the console for nearly a week, is there any indication of what the battery life for the controllers will be?

{"commentId":395924,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"greathoj"}

2 votes

#12 - Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:13 PM EST

{"commentId":395957,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

The official report, from my son, is that the controllers have over 60 hours of use with no indication of any loss of power. I'm guessing that the holiday weekend will give us the chance to continue to test battery life so I'll let you know.

{"commentId":395957,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

2 votes

#12.1 - Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:53 PM EST

{"commentId":397154,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

The battery life test results are in. Based on "expert" evaluation, we started to see decline in performance from low batteries at about 75 hours but a note that at least 10 of those hours were with the nunchuks in conjunction with the wii-mote. Zelda uses the nunchuk and draws from the wii-mote too, so it was reported all I know for sure, is the the home inventory level of AA on hand.

{"commentId":397154,"threadId":"55793","contentId":"448598","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

2 votes

#12.2 - Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:50 PM EST

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"55793","isPrivate":false}

PAMELA DREW

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Wii gets a thumbs up

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