Otaku Gadgets

Nintendo Wii is one of the popular gaming systems that are currently for sale (the other two are Sony’s Playstation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360). What sets the Wii apart from the other two systems is its innovative control mechanism. Instead of relying on a gamepad controller with a dozen controls it uses motion sensors for controlling games. The Wii controller is therefor lightweight and able to recognize the motions of the person using the controller. That’s excellent for several types of games including sport and action games (think Golf or sword fighting for example).

The Wii on the downside does not offer high end graphics or lots of media support. Many have called it a family gaming system but it should not be limited to that although it definitely appeals to non-hardcore gamers more than it does to the hardcore gaming faction.

The Nintendo Wii Christmas Buyers Guide is a comprehensive guide to some of the best hardware and games for Nintendo’s Wii gaming system. It aims to help parents and others who do not have the experience with gaming systems.

For Fast Purchases:

Hardware:

Wii
Wii Play with Wii Remote
(second Wiimote plus game)
Wii Nunchuk Controller

Games for children:

Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel
New Super Mario Bros
Super Mario Galaxy
Animal Crossing: City Folk
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Games for adults:

The Beatles: Rock Band
Puzzle Quest
Guitar Hero World Tour
Resident Evil 4
Wii Fit Plus

The Core:

You need a Nintendo Wii gaming system to start with. The system comes with all things necessary to get started including a pack of controllers (one remote and one nunchuck attachment) so that one player can play at the same time. A sports collection game is also included in the system which is mainly used to showcase the capabilities of the system. Games included in this release are golf, tennis, boxing, bowling and baseball.

This setup is the absolute core system. It can be used to start playing right away but some accessories are missing to make it a better experience. A second controller for instance makes it possible to play with or against each other in some of the games (tennis or boxing for example) which is otherwise not possible. We therefor recommend to pick up another controller set so that you end up with two Wiimotes and two Wii Nunchuk Controller.

There are some options to save money on the second controller set. Several official games come with a controller. We suggest picking up Wii Play instead of buying a single Wiimote. Wii Play with Wii Remote, which comes with a Wiimote included, costs $44.95 at Amazon whereas the single Wiimote at Amazon retails for $35. That’s only ten additional bucks for the Wii Play game, a good value in our opinion.

Wii games for kids:

The Wii is excellent system for kids as it comes with lots of family friendly games including the popular Mario and Sonic franchise. Here are five games for the Nintendo Wii that will make children happy:

1. Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel – Mario Kart has been a Nintendo franchise for years starting with the first Mario Kart on the Super Nintendo. This edition comes with the latest Mario Kart game and a driving wheel accessory for the gaming system.

2. New Super Mario Bros – A new game in the popular Super Mario Bros series, this time in 2D which should remind many veteran players of how the series started. This could be an ideal starter game for children who have never played Super Mario before in their life.

3. Super Mario Galaxy – The third and final Mario game in this overview. This one follows the tradition of the most recent Mario games offering a 3D gaming world instead of a 2D gaming world. It scored high in almost every test and should be a definite buy for everyone.

4. Animal Crossing: City Folk – This is a peaceful game for childrens of all ages.

You make the whole story, as you and up to three other players move into a town and just live life. Befriend your animal neighbors, decorate your house with cool furnishings, fill up your wardrobe, get to know the local wildlife, hop on a bus to visit the new city and just explore the world. There are a million different ways to play. Every charming animal character has a personality: some are grouches while others are chatterboxes. And there’s no final goal or high score to hit. The game keeps going for as long as you want to play, and your town will always be there when you return. Move into town, buy a house and then do whatever you want. Time and seasons pass as they do in the real world, so there’s always something different happening. Collect more than 2,400 items, go fishing for rare and interesting fish, catch all kind of cool bugs, dig up dinosaur fossils and buried treasure, hang out with other players or spend the day in the city. There’s so much to do, and you have all the time in the world to explore it all.

5. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – Another classic Nintendo series. This one with a bit more fighting but still suitable for children.

When an evil darkness enshrouds the land of Hyrule, a young farm boy named Link must awaken the hero and the animal within. When Link travels to the Twilight Realm, he transforms into a wolf and must scour the land with the help of a mysterious girl named Midna. Besides his trusty sword and shield, Link will use his bow and arrows by aiming with the Wii Remote controller, fight while on horseback and use a wealth of other items, both new and old.

Wii games for adults:

Some of the adults games are absolutely suitable for children as well with the exception of Resident Evil 4.

1. The Beatles: Rock Band – The Guitar Hero and Rock Band craze is still ongoing. You can see those games in many popular tv shows these days. The Beatles Rock Band is the latest part of the Rock Band series where you and me can play to become the Beatles.

“The Beatles: Rock Band Special Value Edition” includes a Rock Band Guitar, Rock Band Drum Kit, Microphone, Guitar Strap and “The Beatles: Rock Band” software. “The Beatles: Rock Band” gives fans what they’ve been waiting for: a chance to experience the Beatles’ legendary story from the inside. You won’t just watch and listen as the Beatles make rock history, create landmark records and conquer the world-for the first time, you’ll be part of the band. The Beatles software is compatible with all Rock Band and most Guitar Hero and other instrument controllers, as well as third party microphones including SingStar and Lips. 45 legendary songs, including “I Saw Her Standing There”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “I Feel Fine”, “Day Tripper”, “Taxman”, “I Am the Walrus”, “Back in the U.S.S.R.”, “Octopus’s Garden”, “Here Comes the Sun”, and “Get Back”. Additional songs will be available for download through “The Beatles: Rock Band” music store.

2. Puzzle Quest – Probably the best game for the Nintendo Wii up to this point, at least in my opinion. It is a fascinating puzzle game for children and adults alike.

3. Guitar Hero World Tour – Guitar Hero is the second “be a rockstar” franchise next to Rock Band. It concentrates on the guitar whereas Rock Band concentrates on the complete band experience.

Guitar Hero World Tour transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero’s signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience that combines advanced wireless instruments with online and offline gameplay modes including online Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands,” which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online. The game features a slick redesigned guitar, an authentic electronic drum kit, and a microphone, as well as a Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock ‘n’ roll anthems.

4. Resident Evil 4 – A horror survival game for adults. Many believe that Resident Evil 4 is the best part of the series yet.

5. Wii Fit Plus – A fitness game for the Wii.

* The Wii Fit Plus Bundle includes the game software and the Wii Balance Board.
* Users can input the amount of time they want to spend on their workouts or select an area for personal improvement, and Wii Fit Plus will suggest a number of diverse activities for them.
* For the first time, users can mix and match which strength and yoga activities they prefer on a given day. The seamless exercise flows make it easier than ever for users to maintain their daily workout routines.
* The range of games and customization options will make players want to play every day. They¿ll be having so much fun that their workouts will seem to fly by in no time at all.