Should I buy a Wii?

[viccles]

I'm thinking of selling my XBOX 360 since I absolutely never play it anymore. I haven't found any game that has really taken my interest 100% I'm not into shoot em up games at all...I like sports games, RPGs etc. The only thing that deters me from the Wii is not having nice graphics. Can someone give me some advice?

[thebassoonist]

I have a Wii and it is a lot of fun. Wii Sports is highly addictive (Tennis pro right here! Ha ha). One of the best things about the Wii is that you can download older games to play. Anyway, that's why I like the Wii. Oh, and Super Paper Mario rocks.

[Ja Di ksw]

Should you buy a Wii? No. I bought one, and now . . . .

Sigh, I use to have a life, really. Damn you Mario Strikers!

[GFLPraxis]

Forget the graphics; if you want a game system just to have some fun, Wii's the way to go.

Especially if you like multiplayer and party games (stuff for having friends over).

[jgutteri]

I agree...

Your Xbox experience sums it up perfectly: it isn't the graphics, it's the gameplay. I love our Wii, and previously had a 360 too. The possibilities are endless with the controllers and every normal game suddenly becomes fun! Hooked up to our HD 42" plasma and surround sound, it performs beautifully. Yes 480p and ProLogic II aren't 1080i and Dolby Digital, but that means absolutely nothing if fun and physical engagement is your aim. Cheers.

[JackAxe]

The Wii is FUN, which is the best part of playing games!

A true Wii games like Metroid Prime 3 look absolutely great -- even on my image-bastardizing LCD HDTV here in my office. It's just the first of many to come! Everything prior to this game has been PS2 or Cube ports, which didn't even begin to tap into what the Wii is capable of, but that was expected since the console is less than a year old.

RPGs should be great on the Wii, since the interface can be designed around a pointer. Just like the DS when some developers figured it out.

<]=)

[miniConvert]

Everyone should have a Wii! Fun fun fun! :D Ok, so I mostly play Tennis on Wii Sports on ours, but it's bloomin' fantastic. I never thought I'd buy a console full stop, but the Wii was worth every penny.

[pcypert]

I sold my 360 to get a Wii...the 360 games were actually great to me, but were too time intensive. The Wii fits better with my lifestyle...it allows for a better experience with short time gaming while also providing good long time gaming if you need it.

Paul

[Chundles]

Good heavens Victoria, wasn't so long ago you were agonizing about buying that xbox. Then you'll get tired of the Wii and so on. This is how it is with games consoles, I think it's time you just stopped buying everything. Posted from my iPod touch, nyah nyah na nyah nyah.

[Dagless]

If ya want. My Wii has a thick layer of dust (because I don't touch the console!, oh and not really because I clean the house:p).

I've wasted away too much time on games like Mario Strikers and Wii Sports, and pretty soon I'm more or less assured that Smash Bros Brawl is going to kiss byebye to any free time I have left.

My 360 red ringed too, I sold it when it returned because I realised I didn't play it that much. It has all these highly rated games but they're not the kind of games I put hours at a time into. I'm more than happy with a PC and Wii. Unless Half Life 2 is released on the Wii :p

[viccles]

Good heavens Victoria, wasn't so long ago you were agonizing about buying that xbox. Then you'll get tired of the Wii and so on. This is how it is with games consoles, I think it's time you just stopped buying everything. Posted from my iPod touch, nyah nyah na nyah nyah.

Please do not refer to me as Victoria, thank you :) and I have a touch too?

[zero2dash]

If you got bored with the 360 you'll get more bored with the Wii eventually. 360 has a lot more going for it in terms of long term enjoyment IMO.

[Much Ado]

If you got bored with the 360 you'll get more bored with the Wii eventually. 360 has a lot more going for it in terms of long term enjoyment IMO.

Agreed. My Wii isn't much fun anymore :(

[JackAxe]

Growing bored of the Wii is a crime when "Zak and Wiki," Umbrella Chronicles, and Harvey Birdman -- I LOVE THIS CARTOON -- will be out shortly! Not to mention that it's the fall season, so games in general explode onto any console, especially on a YEARLING console that's been a runaway success -- SO the majority of DEVELOPERS are panicking to get their crap, I mean games onto it! :)

If the Wii were my only gaming outlet and I had played and beat all of its offerings -- meaning I really didn't do anything else, not even WORKED, and I DIDN'T HAVE FRIENDS, than I would probably be bored of it. But who really has time for that, not to mention that even the biggest weirdo has some sort of life, or more than one avenue to entertain themselves.

I'm bored of those that go against the flow of FUN! ;)

<]=)

[Dagless]

If you got bored with the 360 you'll get more bored with the Wii eventually. 360 has a lot more going for it in terms of long term enjoyment IMO.

Not here, I flogged my 360 because it wasn't that fun IMO. It was like swimming through mediocre soup.

Stuff like Strikers, Metal Slug, Twilight Princess and the upcoming Prime 3 (which I hear walks over Halo 3 in single player), Brawl and Galaxy all around the corner - it's a ruddy awesome machine. And the VC is full of the best games ever (fact).

I'm bored of those that go against the flow of FUN! ;)
Bingo!

[GFLPraxis]

Because there's no games outside of Zelda and Metroid...it'll be a good time to be a Wii owner once we get Galaxy and Brawl.

Oh, and Strikers is awesome.

[Antares]

Because there's no games outside of Zelda and Metroid...it'll be a good time to be a Wii owner once we get Galaxy and Brawl.

Oh, and Strikers is awesome.

Super Paper Mario was also a fun romp. As was Resident Evil 4 (though, it's simply an outstanding port).

[JackAxe]

Ahhh, RWii4. Soooooo much FUN!!! :)

I still have hard mode to beat! :D That game still has sooo much re-playability in it. It's easilly the best $30 I've spent on entertainment.

<]=)

[evilgEEk]

If you got bored with the 360 you'll get more bored with the Wii eventually. 360 has a lot more going for it in terms of long term enjoyment IMO.

How does one get "more bored" with something? ;)

It all depends on what her likes and dislikes are.

I think pcypert said it best for me. I'm sure I would really enjoy a 360 because of the great games it has, but the majority of those games require a huge time investment, and that's something I can't give.

Plus there doesn't seem to be many games that would interest my wife like the Wii has with MySims or future Animal Crossing titles.

So for my family it's definitely the Wii all the way. :)

[sam10685]

Forget the graphics; if you want a game system just to have some fun, Wii's the way to go.

Especially if you like multiplayer and party games (stuff for having friends over).

Graphics look REALLY good on Super Mario Galaxy coming up. (Brawl too kind of.) I'd say get a Wii dude... Zelda twilight princess is probably the best RPG there is and Mario strikers is one of the best sports games and there is so much more coming!

[pcypert]

Yeah,
It's a great family system. My wife really hates video games...but she's been asking constantly about WiiFit and she's actually above tolerant with her stance on the Wii...which is a pretty big deal.

I wish the 360 and others would use that power to make some great new style platformers. Games that are easy to accomplish a lot in a short sitting, but with many levels to go through or something. I wish Abe's World stuff was still around...other games like that. I remember playing Oblivion for two hours and having no sense I'd accomplished anything really. Then had a 2 week break and forgot what was going on :)

Paul

[GFLPraxis]

If you got bored with the 360 you'll get more bored with the Wii eventually. 360 has a lot more going for it in terms of long term enjoyment IMO.

Depends; if you don't like the 360's type of games, like the OP does, the Wii DOES have a lot more.

I can easily find more games I desire on the Wii than the 360, just because I dislike console FPS.

[MacRumorUser]

Viccles....

But you'll miss out on the Viva Pinata party game ;):p

Sell some of the games you no longer play and put the money/trade towards a wii

But keep your 360 and have best of both worlds. You can guarantee you'll only be kicking yourself when somthing crops up on the 360 you want and there is a 'dry patch on the wii front'

(I didn't like the sound of that last bit :o)

[Antares]

Viccles/Victoria (or whatever),

I agree. Keep the 360 and get a Wii. Sell some old games to fund the Wii. You'll get good game options on both (only better options with the Wii). But the 360 may eventually get some exclusive that you really want.... And native Wii games look outstanding, graphically. It's the ports that look like rubbish.

[pkts]

Thats funny...the OP and me couldn't be more different. I have both a 360 and a Wii. I haven't used my Wii in 5 months. They just aren't my types of games. I bought into the lovefest. And Wiisports...I couldn't get into it....just seemed like a novelty. Why am I jumping around my room like an idiot playing fake tennis when I could be outside playing real tennis?

Anyway...360 has some amazing games out recently (Bioshock, Halo 3, Orange Box, NHL 08) and I don't even like FPS that much. If those games aren't drawing your interest then yes...get a Wii...its so cheap...why not?

[Dagless]

Why am I jumping around my room like an idiot playing fake tennis when I could be outside playing real tennis?

Why are you jumping around the room to play Wii Sports?
Why not play real tennis? I dunno, possibly because not everyone owns their own tennis court or lives near one, or can play as well as Wii Sports makes it look like, or that it's simply more convenient and you still get the upper body exercise.

[Much Ado]

Again, Wii Sports got less interesting for me once i realized I could play it by gently rocking the controller between two fingers.

Metroid will be great, though.

Beyond Galaxy, what else are Wii owners here waiting for on the horizon?

[zero2dash]

How does one get "more bored" with something? ;)

Wii vs 360, you'll get more bored with the Wii because it has less features.
Comparing the two, the Wii
-has lackluster online functionality
-doesn't play DVDs (or HD-DVDs if you buy the 360 drive)
-no free game demo downloads

Once the initial Wii novelty wears off, I find the system rather boring any other time of the day because there's not much else you can do with it or the games you have for it. The system has very few online capable titles, no achievements to increase the lifespan of a game...and a pricetag of $60 for each (complete) additional controller to let your friends play with you.

Hence - "more bored".

Depends; if you don't like the 360's type of games, like the OP does, the Wii DOES have a lot more.

I can easily find more games I desire on the Wii than the 360, just because I dislike console FPS.

Ah yes, the old "Xboxes are FPS systems" argument.
I think you'd be pleasantly surprised to find out that in fact, it's only 17% (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/12/xbox-360-only-17-shooter-games-22-of-good-games/). :D :p

[pkts]

Why are you jumping around the room to play Wii Sports?
Why not play real tennis? I dunno, possibly because not everyone owns their own tennis court or lives near one, or can play as well as Wii Sports makes it look like, or that it's simply more convenient and you still get the upper body exercise.

Upper body exercise? Ummm...I don't think swinging a piece of plastic that weighs nothing (and without any resistance) would count. But to each their own. I just don't get the deal with Wii Sports, there isn't much skill involved and you'd have to be pretty out of shape to get much physically out of it.

The day I'm breathing hard from playing a video game....well....I better be 90! :p

[atszyman]

The day I'm breathing hard from playing a video game....well....I better be 90! :p

Have you tried doing a few bouts of boxing in a row?

I used to use Boxing as a cool down on nights I went to the gym and worked out upper body. If you let yourself sufficiently get into it (don't just sit on the couch and twitch, make a fool of yourself damnit), it works well for a cool down/stretching exercise shortly before bed.

[viccles]

This may seem like a stupid question but do you have to wave the wand around....can you randomly bash buttons too? :D

[evilgEEk]

Hence - "more bored".

Heh heh. I still don't think you can be "more bored" with something. In my mind there are no differing degrees of "bored". Bored is bored. :)

But that aside, I still disagree with you. ;)

You say that since the Wii doesn't stack up with the 360 due to limited online funcionality, doesn't play DVD's and such that you will automatically be "more bored" (still, no such thing!;)). But I say that if someone is bored with a console that HAS great online functionality, CAN play DVD's and etc... then that obviously is not what they desire out of a console. So a console that doesn't have those features and adds unique gameplay may indeed be what they seek.

I don't particularly care about online gameplay. I have too many standalone DVD players sitting around doing nothing already, and to me the absurd price tag for the controllers is more than made up by the cheaper games and "fun" factor. :)

So I guess if I believed in such a thing, you could say that I would be "more bored" with a 360. :D

If you let yourself sufficiently get into it (don't just sit on the couch and twitch, make a fool of yourself damnit)

That's exactly right. Wii Sports can give you a workout if you sufficiently allow yourself to get in to it. Sure you can swing the bat with a slight twitch, or return a serve with a simple rotation, but that doesn't mean you HAVE to play it that way.

When I play Wii Sports I make myself pretend like I'm actually playing the sport. When I'm up to bat I'm actually standing in a batter's stance. When I'm playing tennis I'm playing like I do in real life. And when I'm boxing I'm up, bouncing around, ducking and leaning and throwing punches like a genuine boxing match.

It becomes a workout if you allow it to be. Play Wii Boxing for over two hours and you will absolutely break a sweat if you allow yourself to.

Can you play Wii Sports while sitting on the couch eating Cheetos? Absolutely. But why would you??

[Dagless]

This may seem like a stupid question but do you have to wave the wand around....can you randomly bash buttons too? :D

Depends on the game. You play Strikers sat down, whilst Wii Sports can have you stood up waving your arm around or you can "cheat" and sit down.

Out of all the games I've played Wii Sports is still the only game that is more fun to stand up.

evilgEEk - I was bored with a 360 because I realised it was offering me no different experience to my PC with a 360 controller. Especially now since all these new games offer no fuss support for said controller.
It's a good system but there has been nothing to drag me in. I still suspect GTA4 will do this so long as they don't go and make a PC version.

[JackAxe]

Remember that time zero2dash said Nintendo was holding back stock on the Wii only to have his theory be completely debunked as the Wii sold 10 million consoles in only 9 months. :) And now he's bored with it and it's only 11 months old, I guess he didn't get enough Resident Wiivel, or maybe he had too much of it! ;)

zero2dash, were you one of those guys that prematurely sold the DS? :)

Anyways, this whole boredom thing is superficial. It's nothing but me me me! :p Let's compare the Wii's first 11 months of games to the 360's less than stellar first year selection if you really want to talk about what's boring. But fortunately for the 360, its second year was better. Imagine that!

Oh... How will I ever fight off the boredom as I play RE:U with my friend this coming month? *sigh* Playing a game with friends is just boring! DAM Nintendo for releasing a console that gets friends and family together. What were they thinking? Maybe next time they should just release another thumb-trainer like Microsoft and Sony. Who needs friends when you have to little sticks to rest your thumbs on for hours on end as they twiddle in joy!

<]=)

[Dagless]

I'm looking forward to that RE:UC game, I wasn't bothered at first but the trailers have turned me. I love a good "lightgun" game.
We get Prime in 13 days :) I've heard this game is pretty much perfect so I'm a bit hyped! Just got Glovepie again and I'm really liking the speed you can play an FPS with. In games like HL2 it's actually a viable option compared to the keyboard & mouse!

[MacRumorUser]

We get Prime in 13 days :) I've heard this game is pretty much perfect

It is if your wearing nintendo branded rose tinted glasses ;):p




Very good game, but not even as good as the first prime and no multiplayer is dissapointing. Solid 8/10 but certainly not 'perfect' as there is plenty of room for impreovement, which obviously isn't the case with a perfect release.

[jessica.]

I sold my 360 to get a Wii...the 360 games were actually great to me, but were too time intensive. The Wii fits better with my lifestyle...it allows for a better experience with short time gaming while also providing good long time gaming if you need it.

Paul

This sums it up for me though I didn't sell anything to get it. I just happen to like the Wii. No need to feel like I have to finish a game and Wii Sports is tons of fun.

[psycoswimmer]

The Wii is a great system. I've been a little bored with it during single player since around May or June. I got it in February, and I just have Wii Sports, Wii Play (mainly for the extra controller), Zelda: TP, WarioWare, and Rayman's Raving Rabbids. All of these games (except Zelda) are much, much more fun when playing with other people. So, my Wii had been sitting there in the basement, untouched for a month or so. Now I just got into playing Wii Sports a bit, and I'm going to get some more 1-player games for Christmas. I also can't wait for Mario Galaxy and Brawl. :D

It's tons of fun when you have some people over. When you're done with the games, you can go on YouTube and stuff on the Internet Channel for even more fun.

[viccles]

I ended up buying a Wii and it game with the sports game and the Sims 2 pets. Looking forward to playing :D stupid question but does yellow on the power button mean its switched off? Also I see that you can use memory cards from digital cameras etc...do you just take the memory stick straight out of the camera and put in the Wii? I don't quite understand how that works

[Dagless]

It has to be an SD card, but yea just pop down the flap at the front, insert the card and load up the Photo Channel. There's a way to email and send pics to other Wii owners but I've never tried it.

Red means its switched off (hold the power button on the console for aboot 8 seconds).
Orangey yellowy is standby.

[psycoswimmer]

Minek's always on standby. It lets you receive e-mails and updates from WiiConnect24. As for the SD cards, any will work. I'm using an old one I had for my camera. There's also some games (like Excite Truck) that allow you to use .mp3 files on the card during the game.

[viccles]

Thanks for the help guys :D So it doesn't hurt leaving it on yellow? its on red now I switched it right off. Do I actually need a SD card to save games?

[evilgEEk]

Thanks for the help guys :D So it doesn't hurt leaving it on yellow? its on red now I switched it right off. Do I actually need a SD card to save games?

I always leave mine on standby as well.

No, you don't need an SD card to save games. I bought one for backup purposes though.

[viccles]

It was just a bit odd last night I saw the CD drive blue when I had it on yellow and I thought huh? :D

[psycoswimmer]

It was just a bit odd last night I saw the CD drive blue when I had it on yellow and I thought huh? :D

Yup, the CD drive pulsing blue means that you either have a system update or a new e-mail.

[Aranince]

Thanks for the help guys :D So it doesn't hurt leaving it on yellow? its on red now I switched it right off. Do I actually need a SD card to save games?

Yellow means its connected to wifi, red means its not. No, you don't need a SD Card

[Dagless]

I'd also recommend buying a little USB dongle-based wireless keyboard. It's so much easier to use all the fancy channels with that thing.
And please Nintendo give us external storage for Wii Channels. I can't actually download Super Metroid without removing or backing up old ones :(

[MacRumorUser]

Wasn't there an issue with some Wii's being in connect24 mode, where they would in some instances cause too much heat on the gpu and cause it to go screwey, causing artifacts and other display issues.

TBH the fact that updates aren't automatic makes the whole wii connect 24 thing really a bit pointless and in an age of energy awareness - really a bit of a waste of everything.

I turned it off...

[Dagless]

I'm sure I read something in the new Wii Terms thingy that said the new firmware update will support automatic downloading.

I'm hoping Mario Kart will be the first to use this. Just as they originally said "You'd see the blue light on the Wii, turn it on to find your system downloaded new tracks or racers overnight". Or something to that effect.

[MacRumorUser]

I'm sure I read something in the new Wii Terms thingy that said the new firmware update will support automatic downloading.

I'm hoping Mario Kart will be the first to use this. Just as they originally said "You'd see the blue light on the Wii, turn it on to find your system downloaded new tracks or racers overnight". Or something to that effect.

Mmm could be cool.

Though I have to be careful these days with auto updating since my wii has been modded. Don't want to wake to a bricked wii. :)

[evilgEEk]

Wasn't there an issue with some Wii's being in connect24 mode, where they would in some instances cause too much heat on the gpu and cause it to go screwey, causing artifacts and other display issues.

Yep, happened to mine, but after I got it back from Nintendo I still left it on and haven't had any further problems.

[Dagless]

It's like with the 360, sure it's bad that a lot of them break. But because of that you get a free repair. A nice bit of reassurance on the consumer side of things!

[2nyRiggz]

Wasn't there an issue with some Wii's being in connect24 mode, where they would in some instances cause too much heat on the gpu and cause it to go screwey, causing artifacts and other display issues.


Yup I experience this first hand....was quite pissed but Nintendo was good about it and now my wii is going strong(that dont sound right)

I think you should get the wii(you got it already I know but I have to throw it in there) There are couple of games worth checking out and its only an uphill road after the devs got out all of there PS2 porting fixes and start the original.

By the way...enjoy it

Bless

[jbstew32]

The only disappointment I have is the lack of good, realistic sports games for the Wii (aside from Madden of course). I'd like to see a real baseball game, NCAA 08, and a more polished FIFA and Tiger Woods.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Wii, but the 360 kills the Wii in the sports arena, imo.

[pcypert]

I'm loving FIFA...the 08 Wii version challenges are much better than the 07 360 version. Haven't played the 360 version but the Wii version has been much nicer in the control area...they're not necessarily intuitive controls but are great when you really get into a game...you really slam that controller down trying to make a hard shot :D

Paul