wii would like to play

Since its release the Nintendo Wii has taken the video game industry by storm. Even now, some stores still struggle to keep the console in stock. Nintendo’s plan was to create a non-intimidating console that was so easy to use, and intuitive, that people who have never touched a gaming console would be able to pick up the controller and play. The wii did not provide cutting edge graphics or media center capabilities like the Xbox 360 and PS3, instead, the wii provided a whole new form of control to the user. Aptly dubbed the “wii-mote,” this familiarly-shaped controller uses some of the standard buttons and triggers found on most controllers, but what really makes this controller different is the motion control. If you’re playing a baseball game, you swing the wii-mote mimicking the way you would swing a bat. If you’re bowling, you make the same movements you would as if you were bowling, with the wii-mote instead of a bowling ball. This has the potential to translate into all sorts of controls, like punching, slicing, shooting, etc. Nintendo’s ad-campaign consisted of two Japanese men driving around demoing the console to American families. The commercials would show people of all ages enjoying the console. Their goal was to create a console everyone in the family, even adults would enjoy playing with their kids.

For the most part, they succeeded. The console is intuitive, and simple, to a fault. Aside from the new controller and a few web applications, the wii fails to bring anything new to the table. The lack of real high-definition capability, online gaming, and media center capabilities turn away most of the “hardcore” gamers. Also, the game developers have struggled with the utilization of the motion-controlling. The wii’s release shooter, Red Steel, with its point-and-shoot type control, felt clumsy and unfinished. The role playing game Zelda fared much better, but it had a much more limited use of the motion control.

Many people, myself included, searched for a wii in the “shortage” (there is still speculation on whether or not the shortage was deliberate, creating false demand). After finally getting my hands on one, I began playing the game that came with the console, wii sports. This game is meant to get gamers used to the new motion controls, and it uses them to the fullest. Gamers can choose bowling, tennis, baseball, boxing, and golf, all of which use the motion control. These mini-games are simplistic, especially graphically-speaking, however they use the motion controls well, and are very entertaining.

Wii is not a bad console, in fact to an extent it lives up to its original name, “Revolution.” It is a good little system, and it has forced Microsoft and Sony to reevaluate their consoles. However, to someone used to playing online with the Xbox 360, or staring in awe at the amazing graphics of the PS3, the wii seems more like a novelty than anything else. I ended up selling my wii, and honestly, I haven’t missed it. It’s great for families or a group of friends, but personally, I’ll stick with my 360.