While Sony and Microsoft have gone for grunt and multimedia extravagance on their next-gen consoles, Nintendo has gone down a different path. The Nintendo Wii, which was launched in Australia today (7 December), is certainly much less powerful a box than the Xbox 360 or the upcoming PlayStation 3. But it does feature an innovative new control system which aims to take the complexity out of playing and bring on-gamers into the fold. Has Nintendo succeeded?
The Wii is much smaller than a 360.
Design
Those expecting their next-generation games consoles to be big and bulky (a la the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3) will be more than surprised when they see the Wii in the flesh. The console is smaller -- much smaller -- than either the 360 or the PS3. Although not as petite as a slimline PS2, the Wii is compact and discreet enough to be a nice fit in most living room situations. Just like the 360, the Wii can either be stored flat or on its side. Nintendo have provided a special grey stand for those wanting to store their Wii sitting up -- this stand lets the Wii sit on an attractive angle.
The unit itself is available only in pearl white in Australia. The smooth exterior of the Wii looks quite appealing, and is overall a much better finish than the off-white the Xbox 360 comes in. Most of the unit's surface is clutter-free. The front of the Wii features the disc loading slot, which glows a nice shade of blue when inserting or removing discs. The top of the unit (top when you have the Wii stored on its side, that is) features a power and reset button, while the bottom has an eject button. Along its edge is a discreet panel which can be lifted open to reveal the Wii's SD card slot and Wii remote sync button.
Along the top edge of the unit are another two panels that hide one of the Wii's best features -- full GameCube backwards compatibility. The first panel hides four slots for GameCube controllers, while the second features two GameCube memory card slots. The back of the unit is similarly clean, with only a power, AV Multi-Out and sensor bar slot present.
While we're on the topic of sensors, the Wii's main point of differentiation from its next-gen competitors is its wireless controls. Instead of the typical controllers you usually find with game systems, the Wii's main method of interaction is via rectangular-shaped wireless devices which look remarkably like remote controls for TVs, DVDs or other home entertainment devices. These remotes share the similar pearly white finish of the console itself, and feature only a few buttons. At the top is a power button, and just below it is a four-way control pad. Below that are a large opaque A button and three buttons for volume and main menu access. The other features of the remote control are two more game control buttons, a small speaker and four blue indicator lights which indicate which number controller that particular remote is (the Wii can have up to four remotes synched to it at once). At the back of the remote is a large trigger-like Z button, while the bottom houses a removable casing for the remote's two AA batteries.
The remote will be all you'll need to control basic navigation and some games with the Wii, but for many other titles an extra attachment is needed. The 'nunchuck' attachment comes pre-packaged with every Wii, and is connected to the bottom of the wireless remote via a short cable. The nunchuck itself is pearl white (once again), and is shaped like a small, curved club. A small joystick adorns the top of the nunchuk, while two buttons can be found along its top edge.
Wireless connectivity between the controllers and the console is neat, but unlike the 360's built-in wireless sensors, the Wii's more sophisticated system requires an external sensor bar to be placed near your TV or screen. The sensor bar itself is a thin, long and black piece of plastic which can be discreetly placed on top of a television or at the bottom of an entertainment unit. The cable that connects the sensor bar to the Wii, however, is rather thin and flimsy. Care will be needed to ensure you don't accidentally rip the cable.
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dallywally
04/10/2008, 12:36 PM
rating
10/10
It would have to be the nintendo consule ever. I used one at my brother's place and it was so much fun. I am going to get my kids one for christmas this year, it is excellent value for money and Big W have excellent prices on consules.
Pros: Excellent for any age group to use.
Cons: Apparently you have to have batteries constantly on recharge for it.
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MChief360,.,
26/09/2008, 01:40 PM
rating
5/10
the games on this game were too, if you get what i mean, childish.. i mean it was okay when alot of people come over, but when ur by urself its kinda crap, thats when the 360 really shines, great singleplayer with all games. the wii gets boring and old fast, not worth it.
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Phil
26/08/2008, 07:14 PM
rating
10/10
i bought a nintendo wii when they first came out and so far it's been awesome everyone wants to come over just to play it and to that guy that said it's not for shooter game type people, well i say they'd love it, i mean who doesn't want to pretend that there holding a real gun instead of just clicking buttons to move the aimer. by the way the price is great, the graphics is sweet and they are just an all round awesome console.
Pros: -wii mote sensing
-games
-graphics
-attachable accessories
-and everything else
Cons: -absolutly nuttin
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kadochump
14/07/2008, 01:10 PM
rating
9/10
I love my Wii, and with the right selection of games, any1 will love theirs.
Pros: Games are fun -- RE4, SSBB, Zelda Twilight Princess.
Motion sensor
Cheap as chips
Cons: alot of bad games
No HD capabilities
Internet channel is to be bought
No DVD
Controllers eat my batteries
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Daniel rox
24/06/2008, 12:01 PM
rating
10/10
absolutly brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pros: evrything
Cons: none to list
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bowling games
14/06/2008, 05:32 PM
rating
9/10
Wii is not just a gaming console, it's a reason to get together with your friends and family and play today's hottest games.
Pros: Light weight device.
Good games.
Cons: batteries problem, some time.
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Shorty1245
12/04/2008, 01:58 PM
rating
9/10
The wii is a great little unit. It will provide hours of fun. Some of the games are a little kiddish but some of the games are great. The wii is great for people of all ages and if you have some of your friends over, it makes a nice finish. The online play isn't that great, but it works some of the time. All in all, for $270, it worth it.
Pros: -Gets you active instead of a couch potatoe
-You get more involved in a certain sense.
-Great for family and friends
-If you need back-up memory, you can use a SD card, the same ones for cameras
-There are too many pros to list, but here is just a few
Cons: -kinda uses batteries fast
-if you're too close to the sensor bar, it doesn't work great
-not too many more cons
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metalgod666
30/03/2008, 05:56 AM
rating
6/10
The wii has prove succesful only because it was cheaper at first than the 360 and the Ps3 but is only an expensive toy with old formulas of earlier versions of Nintendo's consoles.
Pros: Could be fun at first and for family and kids coul be geat at small periods of time.
Cons: Expesive than a 360?No way Im going to buy one.The lack of buttons is simply ri-di-cu-los.Not much progresion about graphics and tech capability.Gets old fast.
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muzt3k
26/03/2008, 12:55 AM
rating
8/10
I expected more but it's still a great console. Worth the money, got this for Christmas.
Pros: gets you moving and active
exercise
great for parties
detects your movement
updates
add new channels on your wii
great looking blue light
good looking box
remotes come with straps
you can get protection for the remotes
create your own mii's
news, internet and weather
many more...
Cons: remotes eat your batteries
most games are pretty crappy
not for shooter game fans
internet costs 500pts ($5)
crappy graphics
gets boring after a while
sensors are annoying
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game cheats
22/03/2008, 08:32 AM
rating
9/10
Best Console ever i used. No other console have this feature or fun. i realy recommend this for you.
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