Wii officially $250 on Nov. 19

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 12:00 pm

I'm surprised to see how early the Wii is selling out everywhere, but I was starting to get that feeling yesterday after reading about campers at a bunch of places around the country.

With that in mind, I decided to trek up to the nearby Toys R Us last night since it was one of the few doing a midnight launch. Ended up #110 in line, but I'd guess they had around 200 Wiis for sale last night, so I was in luck. If everyone bought an extra remote+nunchuck, then they probably had 115 nunchucks, so I'm glad I decided to pick up an extra (they only let you buy one).

This thing is tiny! I don't have room in my entertainment center to place it on its side and still access the GameCube "flaps" so it almost looks too small; smaller than my component selecter. I need to make a little stand to put games/controllers under it so it gets higher in the air.

Have only played Wii Sports yet, and I'll echo Sport's desire to see a well-done Fight Night on the system--the boxing is a lot of fun for a shallow game, but I'd say the defensive moves work better than the punches themselves, giving plenty of room for improvement. Seeing your Mii in the ring and watching the CPU Mii crumple to the mat was laugh-out-loud funny (but maybe it was just because it was 1am). Bowling is awesome, definitely my favorite after playing one round of each.

Hopefully I can hit Blockbuster today and sign up for their game plan so I can give Madden, Monkey Ball, and Excite Truck a shot before Thanksgiving. I picked up Trauma Center but am unsure if I'm keeping it since I already have the DS version.

One big gripe so far--I can't get to the Wii Shopping channel because I keep getting an error when trying to agree to the Terms of Use. The strange thing is that when I test the connection, I have no problems. Anyone else having this problem?

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 12:23 pm

I got mine last night and as was said before set up was a breeze. No problem logging into my wireless network, ran the update, etc. Made a few Miis and gave a run through Wii Sports. Tennis and Bowling are definitely the standouts. In Tennis I was able to really change up the velocity on the ball, with lobs and topspin. Bowling is a great reproduction, though the lack of weight to the control does seem strange when you move it forward. Its no bowling ball! Baseball was just okay, but since I don't much care for the sport itself the videogame recreation doesn't excite me. Golf was hard - though you hold the remote like a club it is hard to gauge the power. I was better at it than in real life. Boxing I like, even though it has slightly unresponsive control. Because you are throwing the punches it is very immersive, and that makes the occasional missed punch input more frustrating.

I just put in Zelda this morning. So far it is good, and the controls are impressive. Targeting is no problem, but I haven't gotten the sword yet to test swinging it. I am having a personal issue with it, in that I am left handed and I've always used my left thumb to move. Because I need better control for aiming, I've switched hands and my right thumb is so clumsy as to be laughable. I run into things to say the least. Never realized how little I used my right thumb - even in shooters - with a traditional two stick control. I can't imagine watching me play would be much fun.

I'm very satisfied with my purchase. The control is that different and yet well done.

Plus I was able to get a second controller and nunchuk, so I expect some Punchout-style action to ensue after Thanksgivng dinner.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 12:29 pm

Dave wrote: One big gripe so far--I can't get to the Wii Shopping channel because I keep getting an error when trying to agree to the Terms of Use. The strange thing is that when I test the connection, I have no problems. Anyone else having this problem?

I had no problems last night. I didn't download anything, but it connected fine and I can browse through the selections without any problems. I would not be surprised if they are swamped - the product registration part of their website is flaking out and crashing on me.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 12:40 pm

Ohhh brother. I'm reading about all kinds of hardware and error related issues with system. Fortunately, there is a good warranty.

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 12:56 pm

I forgot about the Miis.... I made one last night and although not exactly sure what it is or what it is for.. I am sure we can share them which seems cool. I just need to get my Wii online.

Anyone downloaded anything yet? I want Mario 64.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:08 pm

Well, no luck for me.

I figured to skip the late night Times Square visit and head up this morning. I stopped by a Best Buy on the way to the subway, about twenty minutes after they opened. They were sold out, and there was no one left around. They seemed to have plenty of accessories. The Toys R Us at Times Square, which Gamespot had reported was stocked with 5,000 units, didn't open until noon. There was a special event for families of the Fire Dept., so it was a bit of a scene outside and hard to tell where the line was. I decided to swing by another BB nearby (no luck there) and grab a little breakfast. I came back to the TrU and the line was huge! Someone official looking told me they had sold 3,000 last night (were open until 4AM), and only had 250 left. So much for 5,000! The line was well over 300, so I came home.

Ah well. I am relatively sure I will be able to get one in the next couple of weeks, but who knows. The place I know in Chinatown told me 'maybe tomorrow, around Noon or 1,' so we'll see about that.

Now I wish I had asked grtwht to grab me one and ship it to me, instead of the other way around! I hope you got one, grtwht!

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:16 pm

Just picked up 2 classic controlers from cc.com for 15 each with free shipping.

w00t!

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:43 pm

Hmm, the remote that came with my Wii is not responding well at all and is jerky as hell and not getting recognized very well. Tried changing the batteries but that didn't help.

The second contoller I bought is working flawlessly though.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 2:13 pm

I've just played some Wii Sports with my girlfriend, and my early impressions are very positive.

We both liked bowling a lot, and had a blast playing Tennis on the same team against the computer. Golf is pretty tough, and Baseball was so-so. Didn't try Boxing because only one nunchuk.

I also got Zelda and COD3, so I'll dig into those as time permits. Overall though I am very impressed with the feel of everything so far, from the interface to the control. Hopefully the fun keeps up!!

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 3:14 pm

I managed to find a WiiMote and a copy of Zelda on the shelves of my local Target, so now I'll be able to give some true-multiplayer impressions once my wife finds time to try it with me.

I haven't opened Zelda yet, but probaby will after football.

So far, my only real complaints are:

1. I need component cables. I want 480p please.

2. There really should be a 'calibration' system for the sensor bar (the sensitivity adjustment makes no sense, but I guess I should read the manual). Since the pointing is all 'relative' to the sensor bar, it clearly adjusts the 'target' based upon whether you select above or below the TV. presumably Nintendo built in about 6-8 inches of uplift (for a bottom sensor). Why not just let us aim at some on screen targets and calibrate the remote to be nearly dead on?

It's perfecty fine for use, don't get me wrong, but I sometimes feel like I get different results depending upon whether I'm sitting or standing, even during games like Tennis. I somehow suspect this has something to do with position relative to the sensor bar. Anyone else notice control being different in Tennis?

Love the system, love the potential. Wish I didn't have to give up 720p HD next-gen visuals to get this kind of gameplay, but you take what you get...

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 3:45 pm

Sport73 wrote: It's perfecty fine for use, don't get me wrong, but I sometimes feel like I get different results depending upon whether I'm sitting or standing, even during games like Tennis. I somehow suspect this has something to do with position relative to the sensor bar. Anyone else notice control being different in Tennis?

So, you're saying there's about 6-8 inches of motion sensitivity over and under the bar? Can it be moved depending on which games/position you are playing?

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 3:46 pm

I'd love to hear some detailed Madden impressions. Does it have features like fantasy drafts and a player editor? Are alternate jerseys included?

I'd also like to hear how deep the gameplay feels. The GC sports games always seemed to feel a little more shallow than the other versions. Can you do all the detailed things like calling audbles, moving the different levels of the defense, etc..?

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:15 pm

fanatic wrote:
Sport73 wrote: It's perfecty fine for use, don't get me wrong, but I sometimes feel like I get different results depending upon whether I'm sitting or standing, even during games like Tennis. I somehow suspect this has something to do with position relative to the sensor bar. Anyone else notice control being different in Tennis?
So, you're saying there's about 6-8 inches of motion sensitivity over and under the bar? Can it be moved depending on which games/position you are playing?

If you put the bar below your TV, the software seems to automatically 'lift' the cursor so that aiming at the center of the TV doesn't equate to aiming at the center of the sensor bar. Instead, aiming directly at the sensor bar is the 'bottom' of the screen.

It's not convenient to move it. As I said, it's certainly MORE THAN PLAYABLE. I just wonder if it's my motions (being different when seated) or that the sensor bar comes into play during games like Tennis (which presumably don't use it).

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:18 pm

matthewk wrote:I'd love to hear some detailed Madden impressions. Does it have features like fantasy drafts and a player editor? Are alternate jerseys included?

I'd also like to hear how deep the gameplay feels. The GC sports games always seemed to feel a little more shallow than the other versions. Can you do all the detailed things like calling audbles, moving the different levels of the defense, etc..?

I know it has a player editor/creater etc. and I believe the fantasy draft option is also included. I haven't noticed alternate jerseys.

To me, it feels exactly like classic Madden for the Xbox (1) or PS2, except that you have to learn to play all over again thanks to the motion controls.

I think it's certainly a 'deep' game.

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:21 pm

From GameDaily BIZ: "Wii won't rock you":

http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=14501

reeche · Post by **reeche** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:30 pm

Kazuya wrote:From GameDaily BIZ: "Wii won't rock you":

http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=14501

Gag....His opinions are as bad as the name of his article imo.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:30 pm

Kazuya wrote:From GameDaily BIZ: "Wii won't rock you":

http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=14501

I think some of those points are valid, others not as much. If Nintendo's making a profit at $250 at launch, why wouldn't they match a price decrease from MS?

Not enough games? That's still TBD. If they can maintain the early install-base advantage over the PS3 for at least a year, publishers would have to think about making a game that costs half as much for a base twice as large. On the other hand, one of my biggest concerns is that the system will have some very deep games (Zelda, Smash Bros., Mario) and a lot of very shallow games (way too many mini-game-based games) with little in between.

Obviously, the graphics could be a major handicap in the very near future.

As Nintendo's said for a while now, they are pinning a lot of their hopes on introducing the system to new audiences. After owning the Wii since midnight, my wife's already played it more than she has my 360.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:13 pm

Dave wrote:As Nintendo's said for a while now, they are pinning a lot of their hopes on introducing the system to new audiences. After owning the Wii since midnight, my wife's already played it more than she has my 360.

My wife is interested in the Wii based on her experience with the DS. She really had no interest in any other games on other systems except for playing Ico with me.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:30 pm

I just played through the first level of COD3, and to be honest I really struggled with the controls. A part of that is simply new-ness, finding where buttons are and whatnot, but it is definitely an adjustment using the remote as a pointer.

The default settings are very sensitive, and I found myself getting disoriented a bit. Then I turned sensitivity way down, which helped a little, but I still feel very clumsy. Granted all the reviews said it takes some getting used to, so I'm still in that period, but this is not the kind of super intuitive experience anybody can pick up and play in 5 minutes.

To be fair, FPS-wise I'm probably better with the remote right now than I was when I first started mouse and keyboard on the PC. However, I was extremely anxious to try a FPS on the remote thinking it would be phenomenal, but the adjustment will be significant. It will probably take some experimenting with the sensitivity, as well as simply learning how to use the remote efficiently.

MUTTS · Post by **MUTTS** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:35 pm

How deep/detailed are the bowling and golf games. What options do you have with equipment/courses. Are they realistic?

Thanks in advance.

Tony

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:42 pm

MUTTS wrote:How deep/detailed are the bowling and golf games. What options do you have with equipment/courses. Are they realistic?

Thanks in advance.

Tony

Super Swing Golf comes out in a few weeks and that is supposed to be a real good golf game.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:51 pm

MUTTS wrote:How deep/detailed are the bowling and golf games. What options do you have with equipment/courses. Are they realistic?

Thanks in advance.

Tony

Wii Golf is extremely simplistic. There's basically no options. 1 course, cpu picks your club. All you do is adjust aim and swing. The challenge is mainly in swinging with the appropriate power and not slicing or hooking your shot.

Haven't tried Boxing yet though.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:59 pm

I'd say bowling is fairly realistic--it captures your release point and spin really well and you control where you stand and the throw angle, but you can't pick a ball weight or anything like that.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 7:59 pm

Analogy about the Wii by CNN gaming columnist Chris Morris that seems to be true, based on impressions here and at OS:

>>>With the Wii, a new type of gaming system has hit the industry. If the Xbox 360 and PS3 are Lamborghinis, the Wii is a Mini Cooper. It will never win a speed race. It will never be the flashiest. But it's something that appeals to people who might not take notice otherwise - and it's a heck of a lot of fun.<<<

Take care,
PK

reeche · Post by **reeche** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 8:15 pm

Zlax45 wrote:
MUTTS wrote:How deep/detailed are the bowling and golf games. What options do you have with equipment/courses. Are they realistic?

Thanks in advance.

Tony
Super Swing Golf comes out in a few weeks and that is supposed to be a real good golf game.

Yep, heard same thing.

And just a side note, it's amazing the resurgence Nintendo products have had on this board. There are more people who own a Wii and DS Lite than PS3 or PSP I would guess. I know that's partly due to availability issues on the PS3 but who would have guessed that a few years ago. Goes to show how price sensitive the video game market can be. This does not bode well for Sony imo.