Leisure
Got a New Wii!
I got a Nintendo Wii last Monday (5/7/07) at WalMart. I just browsed the Electronics section and chanced upon a Wii in stock after several months of passing by that section in either WalMart or Target.
It's a good thing I passed up the chance for one by lining up at Target one Sunday Morning a few weeks ago. The sales person told me they will be passing out coupons, so I had to be there earlier than the 7AM opening time. I'm not that bent on getting one, thanks anyway, I said. Besides, I just read that Nintendo will up the production because of the increased demand. He said they will be launching in Europe so there still might not be enough. Yeah right.
And so I guess it was a stroke of luck that I was at the right place at the right time, or maybe because it was a Monday. Or could it be that the demand has diminished to a point where we will see more stock on shelves?
Anyway, I set it up last night. It took a while to enter the settings, download the update, and it was two hours later when I finally got to play. Who knew typing on a keyboard using a cursor would turn out to be so slow?
I tried one of the "Channels" but gave up when I found out I had to navigate like I did with a web page. I thought it would be like channel-surfing on TV. But in this case I'd rather use my computer.
The remote takes some getting used to. I read something about synchronizing or calibrating, but I forgot about it. Maybe I will look in the manual later.
A Bit of History
I am not a serious gamer. My first console was an Atari - a gift, then a Nintendo Family Computer - my mom bought it, but I preferred to do other things. I only got to borrow a first generation Sony Play Station, and even then it was only the driving simulation games that got me excited - Need for Speed and Gran Turismo. On the computer, I tried Wolfenstein 3D and Doom, even Starcraft and Warcraft. But in those games I prefer to use cheat codes.
Even so, when I saw the Wii in action I wanted one. It could've been becayse if the novelty of it or just the different way of playing it presented. There were news clips of people injuring themselves or others while playing, even busting their TV sets in the excitement of game play. And that was just Wii Sports. Another news bit showed that old people in retirement homes were at it.
Back to The Wii
So, the graphics are "ok". It's certainly better than the first generation Play Station. But I'm prettty sure that the Microsoft XBox and Sony PS3 outrank the Wii in graphics. I mean, why bundle it with a composite video cable instead of component video?
Nintendo says it really is not intended to compete on that level. It wanted to break out of the "serious gamer" market - the 30-something male. And I guess it did, though I am a 30-something male.
Even my friend who I consider a serious gamer dismissed the Wii after owning it for a few months. He says the wife enjoys it, but he prefers the PS3 and Microsoft's XBox. As for me, after a couple of days, I still enjoy Wii Sports. I just confirmed what others have found - It's a workout. Boxing is especially tiring. But tennis is a good workout too.
But the Mii looks juvenile. But hey, I guess that's the market they're after.
So, I guess this is going to be my only game console. I don't think I will be spending 600 dollars on a PS3 any time. Besides, with TV, cable, and DVDs, I simply do not have the time.
My Next Steps
I am looking forward to exploring more of the Internet-accessible features. I guess they put wireless capability in for good reason. I read somewhere that there is no online game play for Wii. Maybe that will change soon with a firmware update. Or maybe I am misinformed.
I am debating whether to get a storage card for my Wii. After all, I am a casual gamer. I wonder if I will get hooked enough to need to save my games.
Maybe I will buy one more game - as usual a driving simulation.
Updates
10/01/2007: I have honestly not played my Wii much since I got it back from repair. Check out my blog on the issue. Basically leaving the wireless on causes overheating problems.