Genevieve
Marquette
Clare
Jodi
Victoria
Michael
In case you're not one of the two hundred people I stood in line with outside of Target this past Sunday morning (or aren't someone who's done something similar to purchase a Nintendo Wii this year), I'm sure you're dying to get a Wii console for yourself or someone you know this Christmas. The bad news is that this weekend was the last shipment of Wiis to major retailers before Christmas. My local Target had 177 Nintendo Wiis in stock, and they were all spoken for by the crowd of people waiting in line by 7:30 AM – a half hour before the store even opened. Other stores with less stock were probably "sold out" much earlier than that.
If you haven't found a Wii yet, you can either live without one for now, or pay a fortune for one on eBay. (My suggestion: Wait for it.)
In the meantime, I'm going to let you know a little bit about the Nintendo Wii...
First, let's start with what comes with the console. The Wii console comes with one Wiimote controller and one Nunchuck controller. The Nunchuck attaches to the Wiimote, allowing you to use both of your hands to control games that support this functionality (not all of them do).
A composite video cable is also included, which is the lowest quality connection cable available. If your TV has component video connections, you can purchase a separate Wii component cable from Nintendo or a third party (recommended). There is no HDMI connection cable available for the Wii, which is fine, since the graphics aren't high-definition like the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.
The Wii console comes with Wii Sports – a collection of five sports games that utilize the Wii's motion controllers (tennis, golf, baseball, bowling and boxing). Only the boxing game makes use of the Nunchuck controller, and only the tennis game allows up to 4-players. Most folks will be content with just playing Wii Sports. The games are fun for casual single-players and large groups.
In order to play in groups, you're going to need additional controllers. When you get a Wii console, you should also pick up an additional Wiimote and Nunchuck. Then, if budget allows, you should also get additional Wiimotes (for a total of 4). I suggest purchasing Wii Play, which includes additional sports games (like ping-pong and billiards) and a Wiimote.
You can expect to pay $250 for the Wii console, $30 for a component video cable, $50 for Wii Play w/ Wiimote, $20 for a second Wii Nunchuck, and $80 for two additional Wiimotes. Total cost will be around $450.
When you get tired of playing Wii Sports, there are plenty of other fun games currently out for the Wii, including Super Mario Galaxy, Guitar Hero III, Mario Party 8, and Metroid Prime 3.
Generally, the Nintendo Wii game play and game selection are geared towards casual or new gamers. The target audience seems to be children/seniors and non-experienced gamers. Its popularity is due to its mass, general audience appeal.
For someone like me (a life-long gamer), the Nintendo Wii offers a limited experience. It's fun for parties and family gatherings, but the single-player experience is less than satisfying. I'm not a child, and I'm not a casual gamer. I want amazing graphics, intellectual complexity, and adult themes in my games. Nintendo products have always been – and continue to be – safe and kid-friendly.
But there will always be a larger market of non-gamers than gamers. By targeting non-gamers with a simple, fun gaming experience, Nintendo has greatly increased its potential customer base, and sales of the Wii are reflecting this.
Personally, I'll be giving my Wii to my mom for Christmas. She's been asking for one, and I'm sure she'll enjoy it much more than me.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1. Thanks for the description of the wii console and for explaining it so simply. I was one of those crazy people standing in line waiting to spend my money on this thing called a WII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My kids will be happy as it is a family gift. Now I am off to find some extra controllers! Merry Christmas!
Posted at 8:13AM on Dec 20th 2007 by leslie
2. You're welcome, Leslie! I'm sure your family will enjoy playing the Wii together. Social family gaming sure beats having your son or daughter locked away in their room playing video games by themselves. Have a merry Christmas!
Posted at 11:27AM on Dec 20th 2007 by Michael Tolosa
3. I loved your article, And thankful for the clickable links as I have a hard time reading such small print! Our Son told me he was sending a check to get his pop a Wii, he lives in Seattle so with tax and shipping it makes more sence each year for me to get his Pops gifts. Anyway as each time I went to my local dept store I would check and one day TADA i seen a Wii Line LOL. and I was the lucky last person to get the Wii. now LOL the fun of buying all the extras. Thanks for the video cable link I hadn't thought of that. Merry Christmas everyone TC Linda
Posted at 9:09AM on Dec 21st 2007 by Linda
4. Unfortunately, I'm one of the saps who got skinned on E-bay for a Wii, being unwilling/unable to pitch a tent at some local retailer in the hope of getting a raffle chance at buying a Wii at retail ($250) ... sometime soon. At some point parents with kids who want a Wii for Christmas have to either give up, or throw up their hands, bend over, and pay an E-bay scammer to get one of these *!$% things IN HAND. I guess I was lucky compared to some ... I only had to pay $400 about two weeks ago (plus shipping charges, which generally run from $20 to $40). I watched dozens of basic units (console w/ Wii sports and one controller set only) sell for $500 or more. Now, since the E-bay scammers' feeding frenzy is almost over, the E-bay price is already falling, and the units are selling for $300 to $350, depending on when you're online, and how many auctions are going off at once. Fewer items going off = more bidders on each item = higher price paid per item.
The E-bay scammers have also cleared the retailers' shelves of popular games for the Wii, like Guitar Hero. IF you can find this game anywhere, you'll pay $90 retail. They continue to sell on E-bay for $100 to $130 or so, plus about $20 shipping. Scammers and con artists abound on E-bay at this time of year, so read all individual auction details carefully before you bid (e.g., seller's "feedback" ratings, shipping cost, item location, and description of items included with auction), and happy "Wii-ing."
Posted at 10:21AM on Dec 21st 2007 by mwietstock
5. I bought my daughter a Nintendo 64 years ago and Nintendo had no problems supplying enough units. Evidently they have studied Ebenezer Scrooge and have had a heart removal. I think the term "HEARTLESS BAST*RDS" is appropriate and we are thinking of taking our business elsewhere.
We are fed up with the Managers shrugs at TARGET and SAMS CLUB as they too are only MONEY GRUBBERS and only care about meeting their sales quotas.
It might be a great time to show NINTENDO, TARGET, SAMS CLUB and others that the CONSUMERS are FED UP with heartless MARKETING SCHEMES.
BOYCOTT NINTENDO
Posted at 1:12PM on Dec 21st 2007 by Joseph Leslie
6. I found a wii in October and was hoping the remote went on sale. I looked around online and saw the wii play, ran to walmart and purchased it $44.00. You are giving good advice. Merry Xmas
Posted at 8:57AM on Dec 23rd 2007 by VEE
7. I found several wii consoles for sale at $250 the Sunday before Christmas at a Game Crazy store near our local airport!! The less frequented game stores like that tend to not sell out as quickly. Just a hint. And I am so glad we found it, because everyone in the family LOVES it. We range from 12 to 62, so I highly recommend getting this game. I don't usually like gaming and I play every day. My 12 yr old son loves his xbox but is equally entertained by our wii. So I really think it is the first all around equally enjoyable gaming system since atari. Does anyone remember atari any more??
Posted at 3:32PM on Dec 26th 2007 by Darci
8. I stood on line for the wii. I still have it as no onein my family wanted it. 4 controls and 14 games and a cold later it is still un opened in the closet with the receipt waiting to be returned.
Posted at 9:34PM on Dec 26th 2007 by joe
9. I bought my Wii about 3 months ago on E-Bay for $300 but that was with extras.
Dale
http://pbase.com/bangorphoto
Posted at 4:01AM on Jan 1st 2008 by Dale
10. I do need to ask, what are the better games for the Wii? The only games I have are the ones that came with it.
Thank You!
Dale
http://pbase.com/bangorphoto
Posted at 4:05AM on Jan 1st 2008 by Dale
11. super wiiiiiii... i bought my ps last year, am i will buy wii??? will consider.
Posted at 6:55PM on Jan 11th 2008 by sophia
12. very good advice. but careful when bidding on ebay i heard more scam and ebay try to overcome this problem
Posted at 6:38AM on Jan 15th 2008 by sophia