I’m a little late reviewing this item, having bought it just over 9 years ago, but having played it again recently, I’m compelled to put some words down about the Wii, as a decade on It’s still a fantastic piece of kit. I’m also conscious that there are still people buying the console for the first time who might appreciate the view of a seasoned user.
I’ve been a gamer since my childhood (I’m now 42), and have owned many different bits of gaming hardware over the years, starting with a Sinclair ZX Spectrum back in the early eighties, through many generations of Sega, Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft consoles since then. Without exception, the progression has always been represented by incremental increases in processing power of each new generation of hardware, with the competition always trying frantically to out-perform each other. Usually the primary indicator of this was graphical capability, with players being blown away by the new levels of realism afforded by bigger, better video chips.
But when Nintendo launched the Wii, it was already behind the latest generation machines from Sony (PS3) and Microsoft (Xbox360) and it was widely known that the Wii simply couldn’t compete in terms of raw power with either of those. In fact, it was dismissed by many as a failure before it was launched, purely on the strength of its inferior hardware. The focus on ‘fun’ through the crossover with physical activity through the motion controllers was written-off as a novelty fad that would soon pass, with many proclaiming the console would only really appeal to the younger generation, and certainly not “real gamers”.
How wrong they were. Nintendo were certainly taking a gamble, but it paid off big time. Not only was the Wii fun, but it engaged a wider demographic than either Microsoft or Sony had ever hoped to court with their consoles. Young children, teenagers, right through middle-aged and elderly players. The versatility offered by the Wiimote controllers to interact with games in a much more subtle and organic way opened the door for a whole host of wonderfully creative games, and even tried and tested genres had a new angle.
The free Wii Sports disc bundled with the Wii gives a great introduction to the potential of the hardware and the motion controllers, with bowling and tennis being a definite favourite for many a rainy family afternoon (or wine-fuelled adults evening!). Then there are games like Cooking Mama. Who would have thought chopping onions would even be a thing on a video-game, let alone it actually being a physically taxing task, and much more fun than in actual real life? Putting an entire recipe together and seeing how well it turns out is an absolute blast, and when in competition with another real player, things get even more fun. Then there’s Trauma Centre, which takes the concept to an altogether more serious (albeit still hilariously fun) level. You take on the role of an upcoming surgeon, carrying out actual surgical procedures on patients, using the Wiimote and Nunchuk controllers to cut the patient open before manipulating various tools to carry out increasingly more complex and sweat-inducing procedures – getting ranked on your performance each time. Titles like these just could not be replicated on the PS3 or Xbox360, for all their technical power.
There are literally hundreds of titles for the Wii that are worth playing. Sure, there are some that are duds, and the Wii versions of the majority of multi-platform games are not a patch on the PS3 or Xbox360 versions of the same game. But the point of owning a Wii is for all the games that do not, and cannot exist on PS3 or Xbox360. Thinking of the Wii as an alternative is all wrong – it’s a completely different proposition. If you already own a PS3/Xbox360, or PS4/Xbox One for that matter, you should have a Wii as well! It’s true that the Wii-U has since been released, and is a fantastic evolution in itself, but the Wii is still a very relevant console in 2016 as it is still such undeniable fun, has such a huge back catalogue of games and peripherals, and is available at a fraction of the price.
Ultimately the Wii was a landmark moment in gaming. One that should be applauded, as a victory for gaming itself, over the mindless pursuit for bigger, faster, stronger hardware. The Wii did, and still does fire the imagination, and is a reminder why Nintendo is so very important to the gaming industry.
Add Extra Protection? Check if this cover meets your needs
3-year product care for a GAMES CONSOLE from £300 to £349.99
from London General Insurance Company Ltd. £25.59
from London General Insurance Company Ltd. £25.59
- From the moment your product’s delivered it will be covered for accidental damage and any mechanical/electrical faults not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Cover is for UK residents who are over 18 years old.
- No added costs when making a claim; no excess to pay or any charges for parts, labour or callout.
- Easy to make a claim by phone or email. If your product can’t be repaired, it will either be replaced or we’ll issue an Amazon e-gift card to the value of a replacement.
- Cancel anytime: Full refund within 45 days if no claim has been made, pro-rated refund thereafter less claim costs.
- For full product description, please read the Insurance Product Information Document and policy terms and conditions by following the link(s) provided. Please note that another insurance product which has different terms might be available on our website when accessed on a laptop or desktop PC.
Added to Basket
An error has occurred while processing your request.
Try again
Add Extra Protection? Check if this cover meets your needs
Added to Basket
An error has occurred while processing your request.
Try again
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Product description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In a nutshell:
As if the idea of five games in one package didn't sound a good enough deal on its own the Wii's best multiplayer compendium comes free with the console.
The lowdown:
Clearly realising that they need to provide some quick and obvious reasons why the Wii Remote is such a good idea Nintendo have packed in this compilation with the console, which includes simple versions of tennis, golf, baseball, bowling and boxing. The four player tennis game is the obvious stand out as you swing the Remote exactly as you would a real tennis racket, with the game seeming to almost magically interpret your movements into the game. All the other games work in a similar way, as you hold the Remote like a golf club or ready it like a baseball bat - you can even use it to gently roll bowling bowls and add some subtle aftertouch. The graphics make be purposefully basic but these are the games to instantly prove why the Wii is going to be such a revolution.
Most exciting moment:
While even Wii Tennis can be played with very minor movements of the Wii Remote the boxing game actively encourages you to act things out properly. You hold up both the Remote and the nunchuck to simulate your two hands and then duck and weave as you switch between trying to pummel your opponent and dodging or blocking their own attacks.
Since you ask:
You can use your own customised Mii Channel character in any of the games for that personal touch. The idea was originally just a joke featuring caricatures of Nintendo's top brass for a press conference, but it proved so popular that Nintendo ensured anyone could make their own character to play with.
The bottom line:
Five of the best games on the Wii and they all come free with the console!-HARRISON DENT
Manufacturer's Description
Nintendo's Wii video game system (pronounced "we") is designed to attract people, regardless of their age or video game experience, to sit down and play together--whether they're in the same room or on different sides of the globe. The system's name reflects this simple idea. It's easily pronounced in a variety of languages, and the distinctive spelling suggests two players side by side. The two Wii features Nintendo thinks will create new levels of gaming community are built-in Wi-Fi access, supported by a new online gaming service, and Wii's intuitive, wireless, motion-sensitive game controller.
 Media bay accepts both Wii and GameCube discs |
As with every new console release, much of the buzz surrounds the specs. The system boasts 512 MB of internal flash memory, two USB 2.0 ports, and a slot for SD memory expansion. Wii's technological heart -- a processing chip developed with IBM and code-named "Broadway" and a graphics chipset from ATI code-named "Hollywood" -- are said to deliver stunning performance. Instead of a tray, Wii uses a single, self-loading media bay that will play both 12-centimeter optical discs used for the new system, as well as Nintendo GameCube discs.
The real revolution in this system, though, is its controller, called the Wii Remote. Shaped like a TV remote, it's been designed to be easily used by beginners and pros alike. Sensors determine the Wii Remote's position is in 3-D space, which means that racing-game steering and a tennis swing, for example, are done through movements of your hand rather than by just your thumbs. What's more, a tiny speaker built into the Wii Remote promises some interactive surround sound experiences. The controller also has a force feedback "Rumble" feature and an expansion port for use with accessories, such as the Nunchuck, which adds an analog thumbstick and trigger buttons. An adapter that fits over the Wii's wee remote will be available for those who prefer the feel of a traditional controller. The Wii Remote communicates via the Bluetooth wireless standard. Up to four remotes can connect to Wii.
|
Wii offers superb backward compatibility -- the cornerstone of Nintendo's all-access approach. This new console will play fan-favourite games from Nintendo's 20-year-old library. The drive is compatible with GameCube discs, and select Nintendo titles from the original NES of the 1980s all the way through the Nintendo 64 will be available through for download through the Virtual Console. As if that weren't enough, the Virtual Console will also make available a few titles from SNES console contemporaries, Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx 16.
Several new titles have been confirmed for Wii, including Super Mario Galaxy, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and Metroid Prime 3 Corruption, as well as Square Enix's Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles.
A number of Wi-Fi-enabled titles are in development that will employ Nintendo's newly-announced wireless gaming service, WiiConnect24. This worldwide network promises Nintendo players a comfortable, inviting environment in which they can gather and compete. The always-on network will deliver game updates and surprises, even when the Wii is powered down. And as you would expect, Wii will be able to communicate with the Nintendo DS mobile gaming system wirelessly.
The Wii console will revolutionise how people play games. But more importantly, it will entice new players into the world of video games by offering a variety of entertainment, information and communication Channels that add value to the console and make it a device that the entire family can enjoy. The Wii Channel Menu will be the first screen shown on the television, as it easily integrates itself as part of peoples everyday lives.
Disc Channel: This channel allows users to play either Wii game discs or the entire library of Nintendo GameCube discs.
Mii Channel: Fun caricatured portraits created in this channel can be used as characters across a variety of Wii software. Portraits can be stored in a users Wii Remote and taken to a friends house to play on another Wii console. Each member of the family can have his or her Wii Remote personalized with a caricature.
Photo Channel: This channel allows users to take digital pictures stored on an SD memory card and display them on their television screens. Users also can manipulate the photos in a variety of fun and creative ways, such as zooming or creating mosaics, puzzles or slide shows. They can draw, add stamps, and copy and paste. They also can change the "mood" of photos by brightening them, converting them to monochrome, inverting the colour or changing them to stark black and white. Users can even add an MP3 tune to their slide shows. It provides a fun and easy outlet for people to edit their digital pictures. Users also can send their pictures to other Wii consoles by attaching a photo to the Wii Message Board.
Forecast Channel: Users who have connected their Wii console to the Internet can access free local weather forecasts just a few seconds after turning on the Wii console. The WiiConnect24 service automatically updates local weather information. Users can view forecasts for cities around the world on a 3-D globe.
News Channel: Users can access breaking news with the touch of a button. When connected to the Internet, the WiiConnect24 service automatically updates this free channel and organizes it in a variety of topical categories. Users can see where news is happening by viewing the location of news stories on a 3-D globe.
Wii Shop Channel: This is where users go to buy Wii Points or redeem them to download classic video games to the Virtual Console. Users also can use points to download the Opera browser used in the Internet Channel.
Internet Channel: This channel dramatically changes the relationship between a users home, the television and the Internet. Users download the Opera browser with Wii Points. Then they can surf the Internet right from the comfort of their couch. They can do quick research while watching a television program ("What was that actors name again?"). Or book travel plans and shop during commercials. The service is compatible with Macromedia Flash.
Wii Message Board: Forget hand-scrawled notes tacked to the refrigerator door. Users can leave messages for other family members on a calendar-based message board. They also can use WiiConnect24 to send messages to people outside the home as well. Even better, people can trade photos and text messages with cell phone users. The service also allows for incoming messages targeted at software, such as a new map or weapon for a game. Games can constantly be updated, thereby extending their playability.
Deals related to this item
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
Top reviews from United Kingdom
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
A triumph of pure gaming over the mindless pursuit of more powerful hardware. The most important console yet of the 21st century
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2016Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 August 2019
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 July 2018
Otherwise good and my son is pleased
Verified Purchase
... little temperamental amd the strap for the remote was DISGUSTING!!
By JVB on 26 July 2018
A little temperamental amd the strap for the remote was DISGUSTING!!! Perhaps advisable to put a clean strap on when selling products even if they are used.By JVB on 26 July 2018
Otherwise good and my son is pleased
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 May 2021
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 April 2017
Verified Purchase
