Video Games??

[AdminAssistant]

I know several people on this board work in electronics/video game type store. My parents are debating getting me a Wii for graduation/birthday - and if they don't, I'll probably get one as a present to myself.

I'm doing some internet research today, trying to figure out generally how much they are, etc. And they're sold out everywhere I've looked, at least online. (I realize that has little bearing on what's in the store, but...)

So, are those elusive little consoles out there in stores? Any advice someone would be willing to give someone who hasn't had a console since the N64 :o?

Thanks so much!

(Also, apologies in advance to anyone who deals with my parents when/if they decide to purchase this. They're more technologically challenged than I am, and tend to ask a lot of silly questions...)

[Evil Queen]

*Big Massive Grin*

I've owned every single Nintendo brand console out there. Trust me; the Wii is still in stores and the modding capabilities are nice. Not as "hacker friendly" as the DS is, but nice all the same. (You should see what I've done to my DS, it's now a powerhouse of a mini computer)

It's backwards compatible with the gamecube games and will take the gamecube controllers if you don't want to shell out the additional 40$ (?) for the new wii controllers.

To be honest though, and this is saying this with a preference towards the Nintendo brand, you would probably be better off with a PS3 since it can do a bucket load of things. But there are some games that you just can't play on anything else like the new Mario Party games (which, btw; kick ass).

So really the preference falls under which list of games is longer that you want to play more off (The Legend of Zelda, Twilight Princess also kicks ass on the Wii and looks better then on the gamecube) and how much money you want to spend.

Doubt I was but I hope I was helpful.
-EQ

[AdminAssistant]

Doubt I was but I hope I was helpful.
-EQ

Totally helpful. I saw a few "Sold Out" notices and kinda freaked out b/c I heard of the massive shortage during the holidays.

Yeah, my sister and me got the NES when it FIRST came out (with the PowerPad!). I got the SNES and N64, but never got the GameCube. I LOVE Nintendo, I wonder if I was the only teenage girl to have subscribtions to Nintendo Power and YM at the same time. :D

I'm definitely going with the Wii, and getting the DDR bundle.

Thanks so much!

[Broomjockey]

EQ's being a tad misleading. It will take a gamecube controller for some things, but most games need the IR interface of a Wii controller, except for things from the Wii shop, where it starts to get complicated.

Also, the only things that a PS3 does that a Wii doesn't also do to some degree is play Blu-Ray discs. They both play games, they both go online and let you play with friends, they both have downloadable content.

The *big* thing to be aware of is the Wii has an insane amount of "shovelware," games cheaply and poorly produced, and sold almost as cheaply. What that means is don't let anyone just buy you a random game, always tell them exactly which you want.

As for the actual purchasing of said system, it really ranges from location to location how available they are. Some areas have tons available, some don't. Probably the easiest way is to put an order in on an online store that will add you to their list, if they're sold out. The hardest is to find out when stores get their electronics deliveries, and call on those days, and hope to luck out.

[Evil Queen]

Sorry, I didn't mean to be misleading. Yes, the Wii takes a special controller (I think it's called a Wand? and Nunchuck) for a lot of their games.

Thanks for correcting me Broomjockey!

The PS3 will also play regular DVDs (and music discs) whereas the Wii will not. If it does, I haven't been able to get it to work. What else are we missing?

[Broomjockey]

Sorry, I didn't mean to be misleading. Yes, the Wii takes a special controller (I think it's called a Wand? and Nunchuck) for a lot of their games.

Thanks for correcting me Broomjockey!

The PS3 will also play regular DVDs (and music discs) whereas the Wii will not. If it does, I haven't been able to get it to work. What else are we missing?

Just called a Wii remote (or Wiimote :D) and the regular attachment is a Nunchuck. I also heard rumour the newer batches of Wiis play DVDs, but I'm not 100% on that. If they *do* play DVDs, they'd likely play music discs.

ETA: It looks like they were going to add DVD functionality in 2007, but only in Japan, but then flubbed it up. Can't find anything else, so score one for EQ. Then again, a PS3 is about 2x the price of a Wii. For that, you can go pick up a cheap DVD player, and some games. :p

[RetailWorkhorse]

I'm a Sony-guy myself, but have this nasty habit of trying to play the old PSX games on my PS2 (Chrono Cross, how I miss you :cry: Why wouldn't you let me save my data on a psx memory card, you little rat bastard??). Will also be picking up a PSP with Daxter in the future.

One of my students keep singing praises (off-key) about the x-box 360.

Big Brother suggested the PS3, but it's very pricey and I don't make as much as he does.

I have a DSLite and I need another game to go with it (Pokemon is starting to REALLY piss me off again). Too bad I don't have Tetris. I miss the old school Tetris. Flying penguins. :lol:

[Evil Queen]

Then again, a PS3 is about 2x the price of a Wii. For that, you can go pick up a cheap DVD player, and some games. :pAin't that the truth. :rolleyes:

Supposedly, you can mod the Wii to play DVDs but it's very hard to do and if you mess up the Wii is just an expensive piece of useless junk. I know, X fouled up the first Wii he got. Completely ruined from that day out.

The X-Box 360 is a nice piece of machinery with lots of arcade games and shoot'em'up games. I haven't played on it very often. (Room mate J owns one, the PS3 is his and a Wii is his too. X just as a Wii and a DS original. I have the N64, the gameboy advance SP, gamecube and DS original)

[myswtghst]

Don't have much constructive to add, though I will weigh in as a fellow Nintendo-ite (my fave console is my Gamecube, thanks in large part to Zelda, Soul Caliber and Eternal Darkness). Y'all have reminded me, however, that I'm so excited for my brother to move home already, so I'll have access to his XBox360 and Wii. :D

[PCGameGuy]

I say find a Wii and grab it. :) I've got the 360, the Wii, and a mess of older systems. (Anyone looking for an Atari 2600 with a few carts? I have three and need closet space)

The Wii is the only system I've found that I can get _everyone_ who comes over to play. I've had little kids (nieces and nephews) old folks (grandparents, parents, aunts) even casual friends come over, and the Wii is able to entertain them all. :)

We usualy use the games it came with( Wii Sports) along with Wii Play and Game Party.

[digilight]

We just got a Wii last week and love it. I'm a nut for games along the Tony Hawk line and racing games. My wife who isn't a gammer at all is getting adicted to it. My kids love it as well. In fact my daughter who turns 4 next week is picking up the sports stuff pretty well, she loves the bowling and golf. My son has allready kicked my ass on bowling and boxing (he's 6).

You can use an original gamecube controller on certain games (or a Classic Controller). Otherwise you are using a Wii-mote. Some of the games only use the Remote, while others require you to use the remote and the nunchuck (thats taking some getting used to on games like Tony Hawk - Proving Grounds).

And yeah, you can find them all over now. I've heard of people walking into walmart in the afternoon and just asking for one and getting it. My dad was at gamestop a couple of weeks ago and then had a couple just sitting there on the shelf. I think you just need to ask if they have any in stock.

But definantly get the extra remote and nunchuck (you get one of each with the system) and you can have up to 4 total.

[Aramika]

I just wanted to add some of my experiences with some of the Wii games.

Wii Sports (comes with it): awesome game especially for a free one. I got tennis elbow from the first night of playing the tennis game. :D

Wii Play: a few interesting games (some may not like it though) with a max of two players. I personally LOVE the cow racing game.

Mario Party: definitely a game to play with friends though you will have to shell out quite alot of money for 3 more Wiimotes and 4 Nunchucks, though you can play with less, I say the more, the merrier.

Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess: if you like Zelda games, you'll love this one. I still haven't beaten it but I haven't had the chance to play the Wii as often as I'd like lately.

and I agree with whoever said that some of the games might suck, I would suggest going to a game reviewing website, perhaps gamespot.com?

[marty]

I'm pretty hardcore first-person-shoot and moderate RPG player--needless to say, the Wii system isn't for me (I'm too lazy for it, I love my 360, will pick up a PS3 when I'm not broke anymore).

But from what I've heard with people who have more interactive families (I can't vouch, I'm the youngest in my ENTIRE family and the ONLY one willing to play video games besides my brother who is like me in taste), the Wii system is absolutely fantastic. It's a great party system--a great way to have fun with other people, particularly a younger and/or older generation. I know a lot of families who love their Wii.

Availability really does depend on location. Nowhere in a 100 mile radius around me can ever keep any in stock, but I keep hearing about other places further out having plenty.

My game suggestions are Zelda, all the Mario games (Galaxy, Brawl, Party, Mario Kart's coming out the 27th and looks to be good). Those are the ones people seem to enjoy most.

[lordlundar]

Okay, first thing to do is to look at what you want to do with the system. If you simply want a gaming system, go with the Wii, if you want an entertainment center, the Ps3 is the better choice.

Second, look at the current library for both systems (really easy to do right now) and see which games interest you the most. Make your decision based on that.

Remember, a system might as well be an empty shell without games, so that is where you need to focus.