Back in 2006, when Nintendo launched their Wii console, it represented something of a departure from the gaming industry norm. Although this market segment is very used to rapid change, the Nintendo Wii was still a major innovation. Instead of following the normal trend of producing a more powerful, faster console with enhanced graphics, the Wii brought a whole new dimension to game play as a result of its innovative control system.
The Wii utilises hand held, wireless, motion sensitive controllers, which have the ability to detect motion and acceleration in every direction. Instead of using a conventional D-pad or joystick, Wii players point, gesture and swing the remote control – called the Wii-mote. The result of this is a much more intuitive interactivity with the game which is not found on other consoles.
Learning to play games on the Wii is so simple that even adults can do it. If you are in doubt about what to do just wave your arms about a little more vigorously and see what happens. That is probably one of the reasons why the Wii’s appeal covers a much wider age range than many other consoles.
Playing games on the Wii certainly involves a lot more movement than the typical console or computer game. The Wii ships with “Wii Sports” included – and “Wii Sports Resort” is now available – and this is a great platform for showing off just how radically different the Wii control system is. There are five different games included in Wii Sports – tennis, boxing, baseball, golf and bowling. These are perfect for demonstrating how to use the Wii controller to its best effect. Wii Sports Resort includes an additional 12 sports based games, such as sword fighting, table tennis and canoeing. Again, these all use the Wii-mote’s motion sensitivity very well.
The games that are included with the Wii are excellent. They will keep you amused for a long time – and because they are the types of games which don’t have an ending you will probably return to them again and again. As long as you have a couple of friends of family members who fancy a game of golf or bowling you can keep on enjoying these games again and again.
Of course, there is a huge selection of games that you can buy for the Wii. Sonic and Super Mario are always very popular and Wii Fit has turned out to be a massive hit for Nintendo. The freedom to workout in the comfort of your own living room without the need for any costly exercise equipment is a big plus point for many people. Other than your Wii console, all that you need is a Wii Fit balance board and the Wii Fit software itself. These are a lot less expensive than joining a gym. The Wii can also be used as your very own personal trainer – tracking and recording your progress.
You will often find the Wii in the living room of family homes rather than tucked away in teenage bedrooms – the normal habitat of the games console. A lot of the Wii games are best enjoyed when played as part of a group. You can play against the computer if you wish – but the Wii does seem to be a more sociable console than some others. That could be one of the reasons why Nintendo’s recently released black Wii console has been such a big hit. Maybe it blends into the average living room decor a little better than the standard off-white version.
Check out the black Wii for yourself and see how it compares with the new slim version of the PS3 game console from Sony.