Anyone actually have the Wii?

[Eburk]

I'm really curious about their experiences with it. My impulse tells me I want it really bad, but I've gotten mixed signals about it. Can anyone offer a good, in-depth write-up?

[qualious]

Well, a couple of my friends have it, and it seems rather elementary but VERY very different. I could easily see it getting old quickly though. Sorry, no in-depth write-up, but I WILL offer you this:

Overall fun factor : 7/10
Originality : 10/10
Long-term outlook : 6/10
Bang for your buck : 8/10

Total : 31/40 ( plus an extra 2 points for being able to slash Link's sword around ;) )

If that means anything to you, then there you go. Anyone want to argue their thoughts?

[rabb1t]

Anyone want to argue their thoughts?

Haven't got one, but the thing on originality everyone seems to be forgetting is the Power Glove (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Glove). The Wiimote is just an evolution of that. The Wii isn't really introducing any 'new' ideas, it is just presenting them better some 17 years after their first attempt.

Yeah, it is still very different than other consoles, but it isn't totally 'original'. ;)

Plus, some things seem similar to what they are doing on the DS. Again, I don't have one of those either, but still. ;)

[Nólaquen]

My very first thought when I turned on my Wii for the first time and played around a bit was "wow...they finally got the power glove right this time." I used to own the power glove back in the day. And seriously...it *never* worked.

The things about the Wii right now are:
1. It is not hi-def. 480p is the max you'll get out of it, and only that if you manage to grab the "sold separately" component cables.
2. Only in-depth "good" game for it right now is Zelda, but this particular Zelda is more like Ocarina of Time, but with motion controls. And I'd hold off on playing it if you're on a high-def screen and aren't using component cables--it looks awful.
3. The only "channels" available are Photo (not very capable, IMO), Mii channel, and the shop channel (for things like virtual console). News channel, Weather channel, Browser channel--these things are not available yet.
4. It does not play DVD or movies of any sort (except for the Photo channel, which only plays QuickTime movies in MJPEG format--just about the most limited, largest in size, crappiest format for video ever).
5. Virtual console, while open, does not have more than 1 or 2 games that you might care to download. I was hoping more for "greatest hits" type of games. Instead, we get things like 1987 Columns or Soccer games.

On the flipside,
1. It is very inexpensive comparitively.
2. It is available (as opposed to PS3).
3. It does have a Zelda game, and it does look pretty good with component video.
4. Motion sensing is pretty fun, if not tiring for extended play.
5. You can update the unit's firmware wirelessly.

So....I'd really just recommend holding off for several months. I think this will have the same life as the DS. Nobody bought into it and it pretty much sucked in the beginning, but its potential was realized several months later and now it blows away almost any other handheld.

[qualious]

Power Glove-Shmower Glove, I always say

[Spirit]

I was at a 'console crossroads' last weekend. The Wii was tempting, but didn't seem to offer any lasting appeal. Although gameplay > graphics, there's no excuse to have one without the other. With the PS3 not being launched in the UK yet, I settled on a 360.

[Spirit]

So....I'd really just recommend holding off for several months.

I like that advice, and would apply it to all consoles, ever. Decent launch games are thin on the ground (re: you'll probably only like one of them), unless you actually like playing some crap you'd never dream of playing, out of desperation. Fantastic Fritzies Racketball Frenzy, anyone?

[rabb1t]

1. It is not hi-def. 480p is the max you'll get out of it, and only that if you manage to grab the "sold separately" component cables.

I don’t think that will matter for the majority of Wii purchasers. (I’d bet they only have standard def 4:3 screens in like 90% of the cases).

Though, I have to say that even ‘good’ 480p can look pretty bad with a high-def screen compared to what it could look like in 1080. Like I said, I don’t think most Wii owners will have high-def screens, so they won’t care, but with my PS3 showing me what super high-end graphics look like cut down into 480p… well… it most certainly looks last generation as opposed to this generation.

4. It does not play DVD or movies of any sort

Apparently they are going to have something that will eventually. It is currently rumored that there will be a new Wii that can play DVDs (I’d bet it will be a different color) as there was mention that the current Wii was missing things that would prevent the DVD potential from just being ‘turned on’. I’d expect about a +$25 or more price difference on the DVD vs. non-DVD version.

1. It is very inexpensive comparitively.

Yeah, but… not to diss Wii or any Wii peeps here, what you get for the $ is quite a bit less. I got the $500 PS3, note that the Wii $250 is 50% this cost, and for that I have access to Blu-Ray 1080 movies (note here that stand alone Blu-Ray players are in the $800 range) and PS3 games which go up to 1080 (most seem to be targeting 720 at the moment cause they are still getting used to the coding aspects).

I’ve already watched 3 Blu-Rays, and I gotta say 1080 movies just put regular movies to serious shame.

Also, I don't recall if Wii has a HD (I do recall it has internet access), but I've also downloaded 4 high-def Blu-Ray trailers (like 500+ meg each). Sure, how many will want to watch trailers? But hey, it gives me a good look at how those movies would look on my screen. Yeah, I'd only buy 1 and rent probably 2 of the others, but still. :)

Wii is cheap because all it does right now is games. Something like the PS3 has a lot more potential as a general media/movie tool. Not saying either is good or bad, just something to note for peeps purchases.

2. It is available (as opposed to PS3).

Massive quantities. Heh. They apparently vastly outsold the Xbox 360s in Japan within the first week. (Guess the 360 wasn’t well received over there) and will probably completely dominate total world-wide 360 and PS3 sales pretty quickly. However, does having the most units mean they win? Only time will tell.

Sony has apparently fixed the Blu-Ray diode problem though, and are estimating that they should get up to 2 mill total systems by their March world-wide launch. But yeah, that will be way less than Wii’s 6 mill total.

Plus, the cross-platform games, such as Marvel Ultimate Alliance, are $10 cheaper for the Wii than the PS3 for effectively the same game. (Though I think it is running in 1080 with enhanced effects on the PS3.)

So....I'd really just recommend holding off for several months. I think this will have the same life as the DS. Nobody bought into it and it pretty much sucked in the beginning, but its potential was realized several months later and now it blows away almost any other handheld.

Um… not sure if you know but the DS is kicking major butt. Supposedly like in the last month they sold nearly 1 mill units. Shoot can’t find the link on that, but anyways, the DS is kicking all the consoles butts in terms of unit sales.

I like that advice, and would apply it to all consoles, ever. Decent launch games are thin on the ground (re: you'll probably only like one of them) …

Yes and no. That’s why I created my “4 game rule”. If there are 4 games within 6 months of launch I’d be interested I’ll probably get the system.

While it’s true that really awesome launch titles are rare, that is pretty much the case with every console launch. Every now and then they can ‘cheat’, like with the Wii, by using established franchises (Zelda, Metroid, etc.), but most of the time the big titles wind up missing launch (Metriod for Wii, and for PS3, Metal Gear Solid).

Plus, now that consoles are going with backwards compatibility, you can always pick up older things. I’m totally loving God of War and FFXII is pretty good too (though playing for 1 hour and then dieing and having it revert to your last save 1 hour ago is annoying). Resistance was really fun, took me about a week with 2-3 hours per day. The same could be true of Halo though with the Xbox. Launch titles are often overshadowed by really good second or third gen games. Getting systems at launch is rarely about the uberness of the launch line up and more about the potential for exclusive franchises or simply having the new shiney. :)

[Nólaquen]

Um… not sure if you know but the DS is kicking major butt. Supposedly like in the last month they sold nearly 1 mill units. Shoot can’t find the link on that, but anyways, the DS is kicking all the consoles butts in terms of unit sales.
That's exactly what I'm saying. Nobody bought the thing when it first came out. Now it is a handheld phenomenon.

[rabb1t]

K wasn't totally sure 'cause you said "same life". Most peeps mean "lifespan" when they mention life. Wasn't sure if you were referring to a similar 'hesitant to adopt at launch' sales style or if you meant the total life span to date. :)

[Snake]

I agree completely with holding off. Right now Zelda is the only game really worth getting unless you like some mini-game games. By the end of next year you could pick it up with Mario, Samus, link, and the new super smash bros. I will definitely get one then.

The other launch titles really just dont cut it. The first person shooters that game out are all mediocre to horrible, and the graphics of most of the games don't even reach gamecube level. The far cry game for example. Marvel Ultimate Alliances tacked on controls also are very odd from what i've read, and i don't think i want to fling the controller every time i want Captain America to throw his shield.

The only reason i could recommend it is if you dont have a gamecube and you love zelda to death.

[Letsinod]

I agree completely with holding off. Right now Zelda is the only game really worth getting unless you like some mini-game games.

Wow is that ever wrong! We got a Wii for our kids for Xmas and people young and old have been literally coming over to play it. Wii sports is fun and you can see the potential in the upcoming games to maximize the controllers. Call of duty 3 with the controllers is great as is Madden 07. You actually have to throw the ball with your arm. Gameplay is so much funner than anything I have played on a console before. You can acutally get tired playing games. To everyone talking about Blu Ray in the PS3? Call me in a few years when Blu Ray is dead. HD DVD is gonna be the next step and Sony has failed miserably with this console.

[rabb1t]

To everyone talking about Blu Ray in the PS3? Call me in a few years when Blu Ray is dead. HD DVD is gonna be the next step

Maybe, we can't tell right now. The industries are still split down the middle in terms of who supports which side. HD-DVD is in the lead in terms of being cheaper, however, Blu-Ray is getting more support (last I heard ~50% of the companies were producing for HD-DVD, yet ~80% were producing Blu-Ray content.).

And I can guarantee you that high-def movies kick the poo outa regular def ones. (I've rented/watched nearly a dozen Blu-Rays now. :) )

Sony has failed miserably with this console.

That remains to be seen. In terms of what you get; Nintendo is making a profit of somewhere around $15-20 per Wii sold, which means you basically get what you pay for. The PS3, on the other hand, is loosing about $250-300 per unit, which means you are getting about 50% more hardware value than you are actually paying for, you are getting stuff 'free'. Sure, that means the company takes a massive hit and it makes it tougher to succeed short term, however, that also means that to the consumer it is a better long-term investment.

If you want to talk about who is where in a few years, let's see who is doing better between the Wii and PS3 in a few years, say holiday season '08. With the PS3 running at 1080p it's gonna look a lot nicer and have the power to run really nice games for quite some time. And, even if Blu-Ray does 'fail' and the industry moves to HD-DVD I can still run the Blu-Ray movies I already got as long as I have the PS3. No offense, but with Wii limited to 480p it already looks fairly dated for those of us on high-def. Sure, graphics aren't everything, but as has been stated by many reviewers it is not a whole lot more powerful than the Game Cube. The 360 and PS3 are far more powerful systems.

Sure, Nintendo may once again take over peeps living rooms. However, the ‘target the family’ tactic may or may not work long term. It remains to be seen. I’m sure Wii will be very strong this year and throughout next holiday season, but if it will be stronger than PS3 or 360 beyond that only time will tell.

[Ziegfried Trueblade]

I'd say once you've played Zelda on the Wii you won't look back. The Wii sports is lackluster however the bowling is pretty good. And it is a good demo of how the controller works!

Oh, and if you like shooters...the Wii is friggin awesome. The control scheme is very, very fun for any game where you shoot stuff.

This is the real power glove, you actually have control over your character with the crazy remote thing. It works really well most of the time, although there are times that is can be hit and miss.

PS3 offers nothing new and neither does Xbox. Just fancier graphics...although the Wii lacks the power of the other systems it adds something new and more importantly IT WORKS unlike the horrible, horrible virtual boy. Anyone remember that piece o crap? haha

[ChrisChairs]

I have a Nintendo Wii. We actually got it from Walmart. Yeah. We were there looking for something else and we saw this nerdy dude coming out with a Wii in a bag. So, of course, the SO and I had one of those Wordless conversations. It went something like this:

Self: "?"
SO: "??"
Self: "!"

This being done, we went back into the store, and there were THREE LEFT. We bought the Wii and Twilight Princess. We both have games on it. He's a little further than me. He just discovered the Mirror of Twilight and I'm still at the beginning of the Arbiter's Grounds. But I do have more insects than him. :D

[Slide]

Still cant find one in the stores, wife+me both agreed thats what we're gonna get to replace the ps2 under the tv. She's had the most fun out of our other Nintendo, the DS that we have bought into the brand.