Wii Man

NINTENDO Wii
(November 19, 2006-????)

Touch my Wii.

Wow, that's the new name Nintendo came up with for their latest gaming console here? Was the older code name Revolution really that bad in the first place? I do admire them going for that more controversial Wii name though. Why not just call it the Nintendo Penis, or how about the name Nintendo Italian Sausage instead, eh? Anyway, this new age unit here is a very small and slim gaming-only console that comes with new way to play games and it is said to be three times more powerful then the Gamecube itself.

If you do manage to find one (dam, the girl at Walmart said it would be much easier to get then the PS3) you'll be happy to know the console is only a mere 250 bucks Canadian. You get the system itself, sensor bar to read the controller, the TV and wall hook ups, and even the bonus game Wii Sports (when was the last time a gaming company gave you a free game at launch, eh?). The system lets you customize players and menus, get the latest downloads in the shop, plus there is even the option to check the weather if you like.

There is a reason the Wii console is cheaper then the competition though. Although the sharp 3D graphics do look better then the Gamecube games, the Wii isn't as powerful technically as the Xbox 360 and Playstation3 so you may see less detail in some of the polygon textures and there maybe some smaller frame rate issues on multi-platform games like Madden 07 as well (the system doesn't even support Hi-Definition television believe it or not). There is no DVD or Blu-ray disc support either so you can forget about watching movies on it too. The system maybe lacking some tech, Nintendo is hoping the revolutionary nun-chuck controller here will make you want to play with the system instead for example.

The new controller may look like a goofy wireless TV remote here at first but wait till you try this sucker out! Just moving the controller around in the air just may effect what happens in the game thanks to the special motion sensitive functions built right in. These controllers even let you store data if you make a character on the Wii so can use that guy at a friend's house and it has it own speaker too. There is an extra analog hook up that not only has more buttons but it is also motion sensitive so it's possible to have both your hands moving like crazy while playing. The price is a little high because the Wii-mote itself is 40 bucks and the extra part is another 20 but the thing is still like nothing else I ever played before. You can either play a lot of these new Wii games like the excellent Zelda: Twilight Princess by sitting down like in most standard video game or others actually require you to stand up to play to help bring a new level of immersion for gamers. A great example of the controllers special interactive features is right there in the pack in game Wii Sports.

When you get sick of Wii Sports there are a bunch of other launch games available like Avatar the Last Airbender, Excite Truck, Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess, Madden 07, Rayman Raving Rabbids, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz, and many more. The games range from 50 to 60 so far and most are slightly less expensive then the one for the Xbox 360 and PS3 so you may have the cash to buy other goodies like an SD Memory Card to save your games or just another Wii-mote. One thing I really like about my Wii is that Nintendo is also banking heavy on the diehard old school fans that made them so famous in the first place. If you were a fan of Nintendo's previous Gamecube (all 18 of you) you'll be happy to know those games are fully compatible with the Wii here as well. Just lift up the system's top panel and you'll see the four controller and two memory card ports for the Gamecube accessories.

The system will not only be backward compatible with the Gamecube discs but Nintendo also promises the system will be able to play the older games from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, and Nintendo 64 eras viva Internet download. Nintendo could be all snobby about their games and release only classic titles but even the once rival Turbografx-16 and the Sega Genesis systems will be part of the Wii's line up as well. Here is a closer look what these five classic consoles are all about:

Nintendo Entertainment System:
Here is the undisputed king of the 8-bit world and this system single handily put life back into the once dead video game industry. This system alone has nearly a decade worth of history (1985-1994) and in my opinion it is still the greatest game system of all time. Sadly, this is also the oldest console to be featured here on the Wii downloading service so just be prepared for a lot of out dated looking games with limited colours and weak midi soundtracks. If you can stomach some older visuals then you find a lot of these classic games require less points than the other downloadable consoles and can be more fun then silk underwear.

NES games already available: Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda
NES games I'm hoping will come out: The Guardian Legend, Gradius II (unreleased Nes game), Dragon Warrior IV
NES games that have no chance in hell of showing up here on the Wii: Tengen Tetris, Bubble Bath Babes, Menace Beach

Super Nintendo:
This 16-bit system lasted from 1991 to 1998 and it not only has updated graphics and improved sounds over the original 8-bit unit but it is also one of my all time favourites with over a massive 700 games available like the awesome Donkey Kong Country 2 and Final Fantasy III. This one always keeps me playing for hours on end back in the day and it's great to see it back in action again.

SNES games already available: F-Zero
SNES games I'm hoping will come out: Chrono Trigger, Wario's Woods, Gradius III
SNES games that have no chance in hell of showing up here on the Wii: Bebe's Kids, Pit Fighter, Super Noah's Ark

Nintendo 64:
The N64 lasted from 1996 to 2002 and it was Nintendo's first console to have built in true 3D effects and an 64-bit processor. It is also the only classic console here to use an analog stick for their games for more precise control over the digital cross pad. The 3D visuals in most of the games are very blurry and can be hard on the eyes at times but these titles are still the most advance ones out of the five consoles here. Expect to pay more points for these games then the others.

N64 games already available: Super Mario 64
N64 games I'm hoping will come out: Goldeneye, WWF No Mercy, Star Soldier
N64 games that have no chance in hell of showing up here on the Wii: Goldeneye, WWF No Mercy, Star Soldier

Sega Genesis:
C'mon, don't be a fanboy and avoid these games just because they were once a bitter rival of Nintendo (remember that Sega can do what Nintendon't ad?). Looking back now I can see why the Genesis destroyed the TurboGrafx-16 and knocked Nintendo off the number 1 spot back in the early 1990's. Sega was able to produce a continuous flow of hits like Vectorman, Castle of Illusion, Streets of Rage and many more during it's run on top while the competitor were lucky if they got a AAA title in one year. This system also has one of the longest life spans in gaming history with its run from 1989 to 1998.

Sega games already available: Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast
Sega games I'm hoping will come out: Fire Shark, Phantasy Star IV
Sega games that have no chance in hell of showing up here on the Wii: Art Alive, Double Dragon 3

Turbografx-16:
Alright, now we're talking here! OK, this 8-bit/16-bit system is definitely the least popular classic console on the Wii since it only last 1989 to 1993 but I still loved it as a kid and it had a great range of colourful titles like Blazing Lazers and Legendary Axe. I don't like how hard it is to find the games now today especially compared to the Genesis and SNES but having the Wii helps solve that problem.

Turbo games already available: Bonk's Adventure, Bomberman 93
Turbo games I'm hoping will come out: Magical Chase, Y's Book I & II
Turbo games that have no chance in hell of showing up here on the Wii: Deep Blue, TV Sports Basketball, Gunboat

You either have the option to buy these classic games off the Internet Wii Shop menu page with a credit card for 5 to 10 bucks or you can buy this games with special point cards in stores instead. You even have the option to buy a special Wii game pads (30 bucks) if you like the more classic style controllers if you like or you can use the Wii or Gamecube ones. Most Snes and N64 downloadable titles will require the Classic Controller to play though so be sure to check what controllers you can use first before you commit to buy.

The Nintendo Wii looks and plays amazing so far and those interactive games really do get you off the couch so you can throw out all those lame exercise equipment you never use because chances are they suck compared to this. That alone makes it worth buying. OK, the system doesn't have strength of the Xbox 360 and PS3 and I don't like how the console doesn't support online or even LAN multi-player games yet but I like how cheap it is, the games feels uniquely interactive, and the classic downloads helps gamers relive the great legends of the past. The Nintendo Wii is a stunning little console and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Just imagine the Wii adult games!

Nintendo Wii overall rating: 87/100

Look for the Nintendo Wii on eBay here!