The Gadget Playground gives you its unbiased Wii review, its specs and how it measures up against the PS3 and the Xbox 360...
Instead of putting together an expensive box with impressive hardware specifications like the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, Nintendo has set its system apart by offering innovative gameplay experience.
Nintendo’s new motion-sensitive controller is trying to take gamers into a more interactive gaming world.
Button bashing has been dropped for a more intuitive approach. For example golf games normally require exact button timing or a sweeping motion of the analog sticks, but...
...the Wii means you will be swinging the controller in a recreation of the actual act on screen, be it golf, shooting, fighting – any game you can think of will hold a completely new gaming experience...
This kind of innovation is a perfect alternative to the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 and a great addition to any gaming arsenal. It is ideal for both kids and grown ups but really comes into its own for parties or social gaming.
It’s a real smart attempt to get gaming virgins into the fun – and works tremendously.
The Wii Remote
The Wii remote is the primary controller for the Wii – the motion technology, which is incredibly intuitive, is the big innovation that makes the Wii immense fun and an essential addition to any gamers kit.
Games generally require two buttons – the A button and a trigger (B button), which are used for the majority of actions. It also has a D pad, 1 and 2 buttons, plus and minus buttons – used for more complex games. There’s a "home" button that takes you to the main Wii menu, and a power button to power down the Wii.
The remote also pumps out sounds, vibration and provides power to the nunchuck.
Because the Wii is best played with friends via multiplayer bliss, the purchase of additional Wii Remotes is pretty much an essential.
The nunchuck is basically a secondary controller for the Wii. You just plug it directly into the Wii remote and use it in your off-hand. It only has 3 buttons; a Z trigger button, a C trigger button and an analog stick – also habours the same motion sensitive properties as the Wii remote and works just as well.
The nunchuck does add a superb new game play experience for many games and it is essential for some. It adds awesome fun, variety and a new challenge to your games – I would say a must-have attachment for any Wii owner.
I have a couple of slight gripes:
The cable would benefit from being slightly longer or being wireless – however the only problem with wireless technology is the nunchuck would require its own power supply...
...personally this no major issue.
My only other problem is it feels slightly light and cheap compared to the Wii and its other accessories - it still works wonderfully well though and should last a decent amount of time. So until something better comes along it's fine.
Another bonus to the motion sensitive controller is the amount of physical activity that it can produce – get fit with the Wii (well it probably won’t make you fit but new research shows a significant increase in exercise over standard gaming)
New research commissioned by Liverpool University has shown that people who regularly play Wii games burn up a significantly larger amount of calories than kids who play other consoles, or spend their time watching TV.
In an average gaming week of 12 hours (as a gamer I would say this is a conservative estimate) there is a potential to burn 1,830 calories - this works out as 40% more than when using a traditional controller – Heart are rates increased to 130 beats per minute while playing the Wii, compared with 85 beats per minute with a traditional console - not bad!
I know this is kind of a given but it’s a wicked reason to use if you want one as a present... Now its time for the Wii Review Verdict.
Wii review - The Verdict
The Wii is an excellent console, no longer a kid’s machine but a perfect family console and a welcome addition to any household. The motion sensitive technology is amazingly accurate and intuitive - which means the Wii is a delight to use and games are a ball to play - the Wii even makes you exercise - which can’t be bad.
...but I would still say its more of a second console (a must-have second console I have to add), something you mainly get out for multiplayer mayhem - which should be often...
The reason I say second console is you may not fancy jumping around all he time and just want to sit down, chill out and relax while you game, you can get a standard controller but the whole fun behind the Wii is the innovative game play so I don’t really see the point.
If you're looking a Wii and accessories go to Play and Amazon.
Instead of putting together an expensive box with impressive hardware specifications like the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, Nintendo has set its system apart by offering innovative gameplay experience.
The Wii remote is the primary controller for the Wii – the motion technology, which is incredibly intuitive, is the big innovation that makes the Wii immense fun and an essential addition to any gamers kit.
The nunchuck is basically a secondary controller for the Wii. You just plug it directly into the Wii remote and use it in your off-hand. It only has 3 buttons; a Z trigger button, a C trigger button and an analog stick – also habours the same motion sensitive properties as the Wii remote and works just as well.
