So the time has come, we've decided to go for a Wii.
My mother, always disturbingly enthusiastic about new technology (other than microwaves and tumble-driers, which are apparently the work of Satan), has insisted that the family pool its resources and get a Wii for the Boy's 5th birthday. The fact that she does afterschool babysitting for us four days a week has nothing to do with it, I'm sure. We're completely stony broke ourlseves, but between grandparents, grand aunts, uncles and aunts, it should be manageable. Shades of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory here.
My role in this operation as Delta Male is to get the goods. By Thursday. And I'm completely ignorant.
So I'm looking for suggestions as to pros and cons of models/versions, most appropriate peripherals, controllers (and how many), starting games etc. No-one in the family is a current gamer, but my own side is heavily into sport, and grandparents are likely to be pressurised into play as that's where the Holy Thing is most likely to reside. A 20-month old will probably also want to get involved. Lego Star Wars is a given.
EDIT: Just realised I should have posted this in Games. Good start.
If money is tight I'd suggest going for a pre owned one from Game or some such place.
You can get one for about £70 and it comes with a guarantee.
All the Lego games are excellent and again can be picked up pre owned.
Not sure of your opinions on video game violence but I'd consider 'Punch Out!'.
It's a remake of the classic cartoony boxing game - it has very simple controls and can be played with either motion sensor or traditional button bash style.
It's very easy to play but hard to master and is the type of game a small child or eldster can have a go at without really knowing what they're doing but still feel like they're having fun.
has no one gone for the prostate gags? you dis appoint me board! :P
Boom Blox is really good, and you should be able to pick it up for pennies.
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is good fun for all the family.
You should be able to get a Gamecube Dredd Vs Death for buttons on eBay - it's still good fun and the controls are fine. Game cube games work on the Wii but you do have to buy a separate memory card.
If you think the boy would like it I'm happy to donate my Rogue Trooper game - it was good on the PS2 but I found the Wii controls too fiddly. Drop mr a PM if you fancy it with your address.
Mine is almost exclusively used for the Wii Fit which is good fun and keeps tabs on your weight - bit judgemental though!
got some for sale on ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110687561335&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
pimpytipimp...check out our other items as well! ;)
Many thanks all, some great suggestions there! Bloom Blox and Punch Out look particularly fine.
Now I'm a little deeper into it, some specific questions:
Am I right in thinking there's just the one version of the console, barring colour/stylings? HMV are offering a previously loved console (plus one set of controllers) for €80, or €90 with Wii Sports, with a 1-yr guarantee. This seems like a good deal to me, but is there anything I should be looking out for?
As to controllers, what's all this 'Motion Plus' gubbins? An extra 'Motion Plus' controller plus nunchuks looks set to cost me €60, but will it be the same as what comes with the console? Is there much benefit in getting a 3rd and 4th set (not that I'll be able to afford that this time out).
And further, what are the options for other peripherals, dance game-stuff and so forth. Is the Wii Fit actually any good, apart from perving opportunities, which would be few and far between in my parents' house (unless my brother's girlfriend is about, sporty sporty yum yum).
Buttonman: many thanks, but I have Dredd and Rogue on my own much-loved X-Box original, a fine workhorse of a thing.
Mogz: I am that tempted to buy a GameCube for myself - i've wanted that Rogue Leader game since it first came out. Waiyt, hang on, it works on the Wii, seriously?!? What's the But It Now price, I'm there dude.
Anecdotal additions:
• A friend of mine with minipeople hugely endorses Wii Sports. MarioKart also goes down well "unless the youngest loses".
• Wii Fit is all very well, but be careful. It resulted in one of my editors quite badly screwing up his back.
QuoteAm I right in thinking there's just the one version of the console, barring colour/stylings?
Correct.
It's definitely well worth buying a second controller and nunchuck, but it's insanely expensive to shell out for a third and fourth set. However, four player Wii Tennis is an absolute joy - so try to borrow a couple or get your friends to bring their controllers over!
QuoteAs to controllers, what's all this 'Motion Plus' gubbins?
Motion Plus is an add on the standard Wii motion controller (a little block that clips into the bottom), which enhances range and accuracy. Certain games, such as Wii Sports Resort, require a Motion Plus-equipped controller to play.
As I understand it, new Wii consoles come with Motion Plus built in.
Quote from: radiator on 15 May, 2011, 04:30:39 PM
However, four player Wii Tennis is an absolute joy - so try to borrow a couple or get your son's friends to bring their controllers over!
My
son's friends, you mean. It's for my
son. Not
me. No. Really. I'm a grown man, I have no interest in swinging lightsabers, racing carts and blowing things up, what do you take me for. No.
Many thanks Radiator - so a recent model should have Motion Plus built into the console, but if not the newer controllers will have it built into them, and old controllers will require an add-on?
Not quite, I think new Wii controllers have Motion Plus built in, if not, then a Motion Plus will come bundled when you buy a new console.
The Motion Plus is by no means essential, but as I say certain games require one to play - here's a list of them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Wii_MotionPlus_games (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Wii_MotionPlus_games)
Arsom, cheers.
Warioware Smooth moves is a good pick from Radiator.
For your son I recommend Zack and Wiki but he will need to be able to read to play it.
Super Mario Galaxy 1 or 2 will be great for your son and you should give it a try too.
My wife's parents like Wii Sports and the pool game on Wii Play. WiiSports will come free with your Wii and WiiPlay can be found at ridiculously low prices if you look at the second hand stuff.
Super Mario Kart Wii is a great multi player game that is simple enough for anyone to play but has depth if you look for it. It is also the best online game for the Wii and brilliantly judges your skill level when matching opponents with you so you are never outclassed or too good.
Also, take a look at the Wii link in my sig below.
Quote from: TordelBack on 15 May, 2011, 04:20:24 PM
- i've wanted that Rogue Leader game since it first came out. Waiyt, hang on, it works on the Wii, seriously?!?
you got mail. :P
I not a computer game kind person really, but one of my friends has Excite Truck on the Wii, and I find it to be really really good.
Quote from: TordelBack on 15 May, 2011, 04:20:24 PM
Mogz: I am that tempted to buy a GameCube for myself - i've wanted that Rogue Leader game since it first came out. Waiyt, hang on, it works on the Wii, seriously?!? What's the But It Now price, I'm there dude.
Be aware that you can only play GameCube games with an actual GameCube controller. None of the Wii controllers will work. The GameCube controller can also be used to play all the Virtual Console games so they're quite useful.
I'd suggest a wireless 'WaveBird' controller. You can pick them up second hand quite cheaply on EBay.
Quote from: Lee Bates on 16 May, 2011, 08:42:15 AM
Quote from: TordelBack on 15 May, 2011, 04:20:24 PM
Mogz: I am that tempted to buy a GameCube for myself - i've wanted that Rogue Leader game since it first came out. Waiyt, hang on, it works on the Wii, seriously?!? What's the But It Now price, I'm there dude.
Be aware that you can only play GameCube games with an actual GameCube controller. None of the Wii controllers will work. The GameCube controller can also be used to play all the Virtual Console games so they're quite useful.
I'd suggest a wireless 'WaveBird' controller. You can pick them up second hand quite cheaply on EBay.
Thanks Lee! The 'finally play Rogue Leader' project is for myself, so there's no rush there - I'll take my time tracking down a cheap controller.
All the advice has been terrific guys, many thanks. I'm off to collect the money from generous relations today and see if I can get the hardware too. Then I'll go digging in the bargain bins for games. I've actually decided against Lego Star Wars III for now, because I know that the Boy will want to play
nothing else, and it'd be better if he got used to playing other things before stepping back into the familiar. In a few weeks will be time enough, and hopefully give us time to save some more cash.
I don't think anybody's mentioned it but New Super Mario Bros Wii is excellent Father and Son fun. We love it in our house.
I have the Wii rogue game too happy to pass it forward if you want it.
Advice: don't let the cat near the extra fine wires, bitten through in sceconds!!
Hurrah, one slightly grubby console and controllers for €80 safely in the boot of my car. Unfortunately the copy of Wii Sports was scratched to buggery, so they apologised and gave me a new copy of Sports Island 2 or somesuch, and eBay is supplying a shiny copy of Sports.
Now to get home and, errrr, 'test' it. I'll doubtless be back on here about 1am howling about how the thing is a broken piece of shite.
Well, the Boy's birthday arrived, and the Wii was received with much rejoicing. Motion-based controls take a bit of getting used to (out of 9 of us involved, no-one had ever played with one - crazy unhip family), but the full haul (used console, two sets of motion-plus controls and nunchuks, two steering wheel gadgets, and three extra games) cost us just under €150, which is satisfyingly half of what Smyth's toy shop initially quoted my mother for the same crap new, with only 2 games.
Many, many thanks from us all for all the advice.
Gamewise went with secondhand copies of Wii Play, Sports Island 2 and Cars (a favourite film of the Boy's) plus cheap steering wheel gadgets, all of which were to be had for buttons, and all seem to be a good intro to different aspects of gameplay. We've been really enjoying the Wii Play billiards, fishing and the simple Tank game, and Cars is a good laugh.
I'll take a more serious look at the Marios, Bloom Blox and Lego Star Wars when these the entertainment cheapies are exhausted - the lad's only 5, and he's a lot to take on board that doesn't cost €20-50 a pop!. Some canny eBaying when not under time-pressure seems to be the way to go, since all the liquidity we have between us now seems to reside in PayPal, thanks to my wife's incessant selling of anything that isn't nailed down.
Thanks again, Hivemind, you never let me down (well there was that one time, but you were probably right, it'd never have fitted in there... not without straining something).
I bought Boom Blox for my girlfriend's nephew who is 5 - tbh he didn't really seem to grasp it, but all the adults got very addicted!
I am not a games person at all, we did the same, club together money for Brendans last bday, its great fun. Most popular is Mario Cart and Super Smash Bros Brawl. the girls have A Barbie dog show game, they knock hours out of it.
I only ever put it on if I'v had a drink, Sports is great fun under the influence! They go on about mii as well but I'm not sure what it is.
David
Quote from: maryanddavid on 19 May, 2011, 08:56:12 PM
They go on about mii as well but I'm not sure what it is.
I forgot about the Mii, they are awesome! They're little customisable avatar-people which you can make look just like you to play in some of the more basic games (Wii Play for example). The good woman and I spent ages last night making ones for everyone in the family so they all had themselves to play today - much hilarity, some tactful flattery. My own one is a triumph, it could literally
be me - the sight of my own arse bouncing along on the back of a cow is something I never thought I'd see (again).
If you go online with it go on the Mii contest channel and you can download some great Mii's that people have created from the world of film, TV, games etc...
Go here http://www.miicharacters.com/ for instructions on how to make some too.
QuoteI forgot about the Mii, they are awesome!
I remember a few years ago having a session on the Wii round a friend's flat - I spent ages making borderline offensive caricatures of all of our friends in Mii form. By the end I was almost crying with laughter. They're surprisingly versatile and expressive if you have a little artistic ability. I have at least one that I've made that looks scarily like it's human counterpart.
The Xbox Avatars are OK, but lack the charm of the Miis, and it's much harder to get them to actually look like yourself - while the PS3 avatars are just ghastly and shit.
Resident Evil 4 is worth getting, as are Bully, Goldeneye, Monster Hunter Tri, Zelda : Twilight Princess, Epic Mickey, and Red Steel 2. My wee boy loves Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros.
I've got a nunchuk, and copies of Epic Mickey and Goldeneye listed on Ebay at the mo. All are mint and factory-sealed, also got a couple of spare progs on there too.
Ebay pimpage alert !
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/runswithscissors2010/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1
I would highly recommend getting a few Gamecube controllers and a memory card. Ye can usually get them for a fiver each on ebay. There are a lot of fun family games, like Monkey Ball, and when it comes to frantic button mashing, nothing beats Mario Party
Quote from: pops1983 on 20 May, 2011, 11:01:14 PM
I would highly recommend getting a few Gamecube controllers and a memory card. Ye can usually get them for a fiver each on ebay.
On it, Pops. Also tiptoeing into the pirate infested waters of homebrew....
Huzzah, Mogzilla's kind gift of Gamecube Rogue Leader arrived today! It was all I could do not to hug it to my crotch and dance around the hall to an acapella version of Cameo's Word Up!, but unfortunately I'd asked him to send it to my work address and that sort of thing can get a man in trouble.
Now all I have to do is get the Gamecube controller in the door and I can die happy.
glad it arrived safely old bean ;)
watch that final level i only ever finished it once with cheats and even then its bleeding hardcore!
Quote from: mogzilla on 23 May, 2011, 06:25:25 PM
watch that final level i only ever finished it once with cheats and even then its bleeding hardcore!
Use the force...I managed to finish the whole game (bar a couple of hidden levels) with a 'gold' rating and unlocked all the secret ships, some of which are; the Millenium Falcon, a TIE Fighter, Slave 1, a Naboo Fighter and Vader's TIE Fighter.
I played the game to death and loved every minute of it. Stick to the 'in-cockpit' view for extra hardcore Star Wars-ness. The best level is the Battle of Endor. TIE Fighters everywhere, Star Destroyers firing at you, IT'S A TRAP! Then into the Death Star for some high speed tunnel chase action. Brilliant.
I should point out that I was unemployed at the time and had too much time on my hands.
Yeah Rogue Leader is awesome. Concentrate fire on gun turrets and sheild generators on the last level!
This is the only game I ever bought one of those guide books for. It was awesome - gave locations for loads of secret upgrades and stuff. The heat seeking missiles are a godsend!
Rebel Strike, the sequel, was a big dissappointment. Some levels are good - the AT STs for example but the training on Dagoba was just awful.
Remember being blown away by the graphics on Rogue Leader at the time.
Yeah Rebel Strike was a stinker. Some OK levels but what on Earth possessed them to include the atrocious on-foot sections?!!?
The graphics on Rogue Leader still look great even now. I still play it from time to time. Rebel Strike does have the redeeming feature of having the arcade versions of the original trilogy's games. They're feckin' hard though.
My wee boy was given Horrid Henry : Missions Of Mischief on the Wii for his birthday, it has to be one of the most cheaply-made, shoddiest cash-ins ever. It plays and sounds like a Spectrum game, there's no voice acting just text and static pics which tell you what to do in the following level. The music sounds like it was composed 20+ years ago, the graphics are flat and there's no attempt to make use of the Wii remote, which is relegated to being turned sideways and used like a NES controller. The whole thing is a throwback to the days when programmers could knock together a game in their bedroom in no time. The publisher was the one responsible for the Wii and DS Doctor Who games which were universally panned. If your sprog asks you for this game, tell them noooooo way ! There are 2G mobile phone games better than this and cheaper too. >:(