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Average customer review 
(based on 2135 reviews)
 Amazing
Written by H. Vargas from APO, AP United States
Nov 19, 2006
Just picked this up during the midnight launch at Wal-mart, so far it's 3:45AM PST and I have to say that I'm totally impressed by Nintendo's latest effort though at first the new control may feel foreign after not more than just a few minutes it feels natural incredibly fun and after a little bit you'll never feel like going back to a regular controller again. I asked my cousin who was w/ me during the launch if he'd get a Wii and he said "no", but that all changed as we hooked it up and started playing Wii sports. All of a sudden it went from "no" to "what games are there" etc. Try this and I guarauntee(*sp) that you will be impressed by this revolutionary new system that places gameplay above nice shiny eye candy which unless you've been living under a rock should know by now that that's not what the Wii's all about. I just also wanted to add that I'm not just some Nintendo fanboy trying to butter this system up as I also own a 360 and also plan on owning a PS3 when the right games come out for it, pure and simple I am a gamer and don't care for one particular system over another as long as it has the games to back it up. For those that are skeptical stop doubting this is the real deal and at a price ($250) that can't be beat by any of Nintendo's competitors this is something that will entertain the entire family regardless of age, gender etc. For about $350 I picked up an extra controller set(wii remote and nunchaku)and a copy of Zelda (try getting anywhere near that much w/ any other system). I'll admit that when Nintendo had finally shared its strategy to the world a while back I was skeptical as well until I saw the videos for it and knew from than on that Nintendo was truly onto something great. Another cool note is that if you have a Gamecube controller lying around you can actually use that for playing the library of old school games that come from the Wii shop (which can be purchased w/ Wii points)instead having to go out and buy the new Wii retro controller (nice touch) some old school games can also simply be played w/ the remote. Also unlike the almighty Microsoft point the Wii points are on equal terms w/ the dollar so 100 Wii points equals $1 etc. You can purchase those online in the Wii shop by 1000 point increments(I believe) up to 5000 points. Prices for NES games are 500 points 800 points for Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo games and 1000 points for N64 games. Right now though the library is fairly limited offering no more than a few titles (no more than 5)for each console. The bottomline though is don't miss out on this revolutionary product it is definately worth at least a try before you dismiss it as a clever gimmick and is truly one of the best systems to come out in years(IMO) and a breath of fresh air to the staleness which are controllers.
Additional features include Wi-fi for wireless connection, 4 Gamecube control ports, 2 USB ports, 2 Gamecube memory card slots and extra slots for SD flash cards (doesn't accept anything else like Memorysticks) so you can view your pictures on the Wii for instance.
(518 of 604 people found this review helpful)
 Great fun for everyone, but does need a few improvements
Written by Samantha Elder from Austin, TX USA
Nov 25, 2006
Right when I picked up the controller and began playing this game, I immediately started having fun. The only game I've played on it so far is Wii Sports, and I can't stop! I've had friends over and we play all of the games. Even golf (a sport I suck at) was fun for me! It's really a game for all ages. My 5 year old nephew has played everything and is actually doing better than most of the adults. He has also tried racing games and even my mom has bought a game for herself (that's an accomplishment since she's definitely not the video game type).
My only problems are with the controller. In golf, when you try to lightly tap the ball into the hole, it doesn't work. It just doesn't seem to pick up the movement until you move your hand backwards. That's also a problem (inverting the motion of the controller). Even if you start with your hand positioned exactly as the character's, it can invert the motion, or not even pick it up.
Also with boxing, it really can't seem to pick up the motion very well at all. We figured out the main problem is that we are punching too quickly, but even when slowing down, the controller doesn't always pick up the motion. Also, when trying to block, holding your hands completely together doesn't put your character's arms together. We realized that the only way for the characters to block is by crossing our arms. Nothing is in the way when this happens either, so it's pretty frustrating.
And in bowling, the ball will curve to the left, even when someone is holding their arm completely straight, or even try curving their hand towards the right.
Besides all those minor problems, the Wii really is fun. Everyone has really gotten into the game and made their own characters. (Which is also a fun process).
(121 of 140 people found this review helpful)
Wii is for We
Written by Frank Forrest from Northern California
Nov 24, 2006
Ok, you've seen the advertisements. You've looked at the Xbox 360 and the PS3. Now, you are wondering how the least expensive next gen game console compares to its more expensive competition. Nintendo's Wii not only performs well, it exceeded all of my expectations as far as being a fun game machine.
The Wii is actually a lot smaller than I expected...much smaller than the PS3 or the Xbox 360, and I might add, a lot lighter too. How powerful can such a little game machine be? The answer to this question can be described by what happened on the first day of playing with the Wii...everyone in my household wanted to play with it. This is saying quite a bit as the other members in my family don't play games. I started out with the included game disk called Wii Sports and tried out the bowling game. After a few minutes of play, everyone wanted to try it. Next came the tennis game, the golf game, and boxing game. To put it mildly, the Wii was a hit at my house.
Somehow, Nintendo has decided to not buckle under the pressure of trying to produce a new game machine on steroids that will cost you almost a month's house mortgage payment. What they have elected to do is to provide a game machine that has good graphics, fun game play, and a game console that will not just cater to hard core game people, but will offer everyone else, a game machine that is entertaining, fun to use, and non-threatening. And even if you happen to be a hard core gamer, the Wii should offer you excellent game play too.
The Wii is the surprise of the year. If you are looking for an affordable and fun game console that the whole family can enjoy, try out the Wii, because it really is for "we."
(48 of 53 people found this review helpful)
Will change how people think about video games
Written by Christopher Jaynes from
Nov 20, 2006
I've had my Wii for 24 hours now, and my first impressions are that this system is going to revolutionize video gaming. There are a few things that make the Wii worth buying more so than the XBox 360 or Playstation 3:
-Better value - $[...], comes with a game and a built-in "memory card"
-Better controllers - The Wii remote and nunchuck are a bit pricey, but they are by far the most comfortable, accurate, and intuitive controllers I've ever used.
-Potential for on-line services - The virtual console games are a bit pricey right now, but the potential for Wii channels to grow into something awesome is definitely there. The Wii is the first console I know of that shipped with a built-in set of on-line services, several of which were active the day of release
Now, for the review:
The Wii hardware is small, sleek, stylish, and attractive. It doesn't feel cheap or flimsy, but compact and durable.
The operating system of the Wii is intuitive, clean, and moves pretty quickly. The wireless configuration is easy for anyone familiar with wireless networking. I had it connected to my secured wireless router in just a few minutes.
I can't say enough about how cool the Wii remote is as a controller. Not only is it innovative, and provides whole new ways to think about controlling video games like Wii Sports, it's also a much more comfortable controller to use for traditional games like Zelda. Being able to sit with your shoulders spread and your arms at your sides is a new freedom of movement that I never knew I needed while playing a video game.
Wii sports is also more fun than I expected. Although the interface and games are simple, they are also entertaining. The tennis and golf games borrow a bit of their look and feel from Mario Tennis and Mario Golf, both pretty solid "fun-sports" titles. The bowling game is also particularly fun, especially when played with a friend.
Overall, I don't miss having the enhanced graphics of the PS3 or XBox 360 even a little bit. The games I've played are fun and engaging, the new controller is going to change the world, and the on-line "Wii Channels" show a lot of promise.
I'm really happy I bought this system, and if Nintendo keeps delivering at this level of quality, I don't think I'm going to need any other game systems any time soon.
~Chris
(26 of 27 people found this review helpful)
Clean design, Great gameplay, Lots of potential growth!
Written by Terry W. Mccammon II from Terre Haute, IN USA
Nov 23, 2006
I have to say first off that I am professor that teaches digital media at SMWC.edu (look it up if you want), it wasnt going to be long before I had to pick up the next gen consoles and start really looking at them physically for next semesters classes on interactive design. Ive read the stats for months now, know the pros and cons of all of them, can talk long winded hours on each of them. They all have their strengths. However, standing here, in my living room, roughly 3 days after hooking up the wii next to the other two next gens, and watching the reaction it gets from my friends, their kids, even their wives/husbands... its really hands down as far as which is getting more traffic.
Now we know the graphics arguement. But you really REALLY have to consider this thought process.... what do graphics matter if the game play is no different then it was on the past generation? If there is no difference in response, in condition, then the development is purely surface. A common theory is that we have entered into a stage of development where we dont create new, we simply improve upon the old.
Wii may be an improvement on old concepts, but it is a new. It is not simply wireless remote with tilt response. it is a vast responsive system. It measures speed, and angle, gyration. its connection to the system is very tight. I had my doubts about how responsive it would be.. I was foolish to doubt.
Going back to graphics and game play. The demo disc (wii sports) that was included is a good example of group play. Bowling and golf are very strong titles, offering complex control of your tilt and curve of your remote. In bowling, A friend of mine has a wicked slice and was able to simulate that perfectly by going through the same motions he does when he bowls. Same story with golf.
Tennis and Baseball is about your swing. You dont control the physical movement of your player, done automatically, but it shows the potential. Also your pitch is influence by your throw style as well.
Boxing requires the most response from the control system, and for the most part delivers. In the heat of the fight, you tend to move less controlled, and the remote wont throw a punch unless it is a solid punch/jab, so half-a** punchs dont always register... DONT TAKE THIS the wrong way, its very minor and not often this happens.
Again, the graphics are not PS3/360 level... but why do they need to be. We arent talking atari 4600 or ps1 level here. We are talking crisp graphics that even the ps2 would have balked at. smooth lines, blurs, clean. Its nice and eye pleasing.
Outside the game, you can make your own avatar (mii) for you and your friends, if you have internet, you can set them to wander other systems, and in the end you can even have mii visitors. The virtual console channel (its all set around channels) lets you buy new games from older consoles, so if you have the option, buy the classic controller (it hooks to the remote, so its wireless) too. cost is no more then [..] per game, so enjoy the potential that is supposed to grow weekly (wait and see). More channels like weather, news, and browser, are to be unlocked through january... here's hoping for more.
So, if I didnt own all of them what would I do? Buy the wii first. BEST all around FUN machine. The graphics are pretty, the game play is tight, and the enjoyment certainly lasted a LOT longer then it did on the others. More then this, it fulfilled its promise, people who arent gamers were playing, laughing, and having fun. And then they did something else, they wanted to come back and play it more.
(19 of 19 people found this review helpful)
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