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Nintendo Wii Console (Includes Wii Sports)
Technical Details
- Includes Wii Sports (bowling, boxing, baseball, tennis and golf)
- Also includes: one wireless Wii Remote and one Nunchuk
- Plays two disc formats in a single, self-loading media bay
- Features a processing chip from IBM and a graphics chip from ATI
- Completely backward compatible, all the way to the NES of the 1980s
- Built-in Wi-Fi access for easy connection to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection gaming service
- Online Wii Channel for news, weather, photo viewing, message boards and more
- Supports up to 4 GameCube controllers
- SD card slot
- Fully compatible with GameCube games
- Comes with A/V cable and UK power adapter
Product details
- Delivery Restrictions: Available for delivery to the UK and most countries in Europe.
- ASIN: B0007UATDG
- Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 cm ; 3.6 Kg
Amazon.co.uk Review - Wii
Sports 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.
Five of the best games on the Wii and they all come free with the console!-HARRISON DENT
Product 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. 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.Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews New-gen levels the playing field!,
Fun: OK, so it's not a "serious" gaming machine. If I want to play Call Of Duty 3, I'll play it on my Xbox 360. If I want HD graphics, and an online multiplayer experience, then ditto. But sometimes, you know the times, when all you want to do is have some fun, there is nothing like the Wii. The greatest thing about it, is of course, the control system, which completely levels the playing field, and rightly so. I'm a semi-serious gamer, but when I first played Wii Bowling with my 4-year old daughter, she kicked my ass. I had to learn how to bowl. When it came to Tennis, I had to time my swing, apply power, spin, loft, instead of "pressing A". When it came to Baseball, I had to perfect fastballs, pitching speed, time my swing, get the angle of the bat right. And this was just from playing 3 of the 5 Wii Sports games. It's fun! Anyone can play! Anyone can be good at it, most are bad! More importantly, it brings the room together! Everyone wants to play this thing, people see it and want to have a go. How many video games consoles can you say that about? Apart from the superb retail games (Wii Play and Warioware are highly recommended by the way), the Wii Shop channel allows you to download great games from Nintendo and Sega's past. So far I have bought Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr, Sonic, Altered Beast, Super Mario Brothers, Mario Kart 64 and Golden Axe, all games I loved as a child. I love the Xbox Live Arcade, but it's very hit and miss. The Wii Shop Channel is hit after hit. We have found the Weather Channel extremely useful on numerous occasions, especially for 5-day forecasts. The News Channel is particularly informative and well presented. The Internet Channel is excellent, and saves us having to boot up the laptop or PC for quick enquiries. The Photo Channel is fun, if a little shallow (but it's all about fun, remember...) Lastly, we come to the Mii Channel, which is one of the most addictive pastimes going. Creating Mii's will soon take over the world, I am sure of it. I have created everyone I know, they are all there, meandering around my Mii plaza, bumping into each other, each one exaggerated in their own special ways, and the fact that they pop up in and around your games is a great touch. FYI, I have now taken to creating famous people, which is kind of odd... My John Lennon is particularly impressive It's not going to set the world on fire when it comes to graphics, but if you want a superb, fun, addictive, thoroughly enjoyable experience, that EVERYONE will love, then trust me, get one of these! (If you can of course...) |
Revolution? Revelation!, | By | Benchimus (England) - See all my reviews |
Fun:
My brother-in-law got one at launch, and initially I was sceptical as to whether it was worth being 'bleeding edge'. I couldn't have been more wrong. I don't have any particular allegiance to a console brand, but I do admire excellent execution of hardware and software.
In my opinion, if you're looking for state-of-the-art graphics, you're probably best plumping for a top-spec gaming PC. But if you want something that will change the way you interact with a game, then it would be worth checking out the Wii.
I would never have thought that I would see my mother-in-law enjoying herself playing a video game; PC, Playstation and Xbox games are typically targetted at boys (young and old). The suppliedWii Sports is designed to get you used to the Wii remote, but is excellent in itself.
TheWiiis very compact and seems well made and sits nicely (even upright) on the bottom shelf of my TV stand. At the moment it is available only in an Apple Mac-like white, but I remember seeing promotional material of a version in black; and as 'black is back', I think it's only a matter of time before a black version becomes available (the PS3 is in black, as will be the soon-to-be-released Xbox 360 Elite). I think Nintendo will do the whole thing that they did with the DS handheld, i.e. launch in one colour, then release other colourways.
The Wii remote and nunchuk are also supplied (in white) and also seem to be well made. It shouldn't matter if you are left- or right- handed: considerately, the Wii remote isn't handedness-biased. You definitely must use the wrist strap, unless you want to see the remote flying into your TV screen/furniture/partner/dog/cat/etc after a vigorous throwing action. There were some initial concerns with the nylon lanyard of the wrist strap being too thin and flimsy, but I had reassurance from Nintendo Customer Service that there shouldn't be any problems as long as the strap is used in accordance with the instructions (anyway, because it's so hard to get hold of a console, when/if you do, you're likely to get the 'upgraded' strap supplied).
For multiplayer games you will need up to 3 additional sets of Wii remotes and nunchuks (which at RRP is almost as much as the console itself!). I bought another set of controllers for 2 player games with my better half, and those instances when we get together with my brother-in-law.
There are a good selection of games available for the Wii, and a number of soon-to-be-released Mario titles. But I challenge you to not load up Wii Sports every now and again for a quick game of tennis!
