At MIGS this past week, I had a chance (giggle, giggle) to play the Nintendo Wii. Excite Truck, Wario Ware, Wii Sports, and Twilight Princess were up–full versions, not demos–and I’m happy to say I got my anxious little hands on all four.
Excite Truck was fun, but hard to handle. Wario Ware, with its different hand positions, definitely takes getting used to. But Wii Sports rocks, hard. I played tennis, which was especially fun/strange because you end up flailing. Oh, and did I mention I wacked a Wii girl? Straight in the arm. Apparently video games do cause violence.
As for Twilight Princess, I’ve got to say, I have my doubts. Maybe it’s because I want it to be good so bad. But the “realistic” graphics are looking pretty N64 (except the water effects, which get two thumbs up), and the new controls feel forced. Then again, I played for what, five minutes? Only time–and a review copy–will tell.
So who out there is camping for a Wii?
Bonnie Ruberg is a sex, technology, and video games journalist who contributes regularly to publications like The Economist, Forbes, and The Village Voice. By day she's also a comparative literature PhD student at UC Berkeley, where she studies French, English, gender, sexuality, surrealism and perversion. You can reach her at [her first name and last name, all one big word] AT gmail DOT com.
November 14th, 2006 at 7:31 pm
I am (I hope).
November 15th, 2006 at 9:31 am
That much I know ;).
November 16th, 2006 at 5:38 am
Bonnie,
From what little I know about Wii (and it is VERY little), it doesn’t sound interesting. Explain to someone who is big into mmorpg’s why I should be interested?
November 16th, 2006 at 2:54 pm
I could do a number of jokes about “camping” for a Wii – even a few that didn’t refer to pitching tents and other lame double entendres. But I won’t, because I am going through a period of personal growth. Ah, crap. I almost made it. CRAP!
November 16th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
Hmm, what can it offer to someone who likes social networks, etc… Fun? I mean, I can’t think of anything specifically MMORG-related, but if you’re into that kind of gaming it probably means that graphical isn’t that important to you, and you like to try new things–and both of those are big qualifiers for the Wii.
November 16th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
I’ll definitely be getting up very early Sunday to drive sleepily to my nearest Best Buy.
November 16th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
@100littledolls: let me know how that works for you.
November 16th, 2006 at 8:47 pm
One nice thing about the Wii is the absence of the kind of gale-force fandom stupidity that surrounds the PS3. Not that people aren’t looking forward to Wii, but at least the enthusiasts are not embarrassments to gaming the way many PS3 zealots.
I remember Mom driving me to Sears to pick up a brand-spanking-new Atari VCS in early 1978. I’ve been around for every “console launch” since and have never stood on line, pre-ordered or any such silliness. Looking at this from 30 years’ experience I can honestly say that I don’t feel like I missed out on anything. When you can walk into the store and buy ‘em like a normal person, that’s when I do it. In the meanwhile, there’s no lack of games to play.
I hope those folks enjoy their cold, dank, miserable parking lot vigils while I’m home playing Arkham Horror with friends and sipping hot chocolate.
Oh, one more thing. I don’t know where else on HS to remark on this, so here it goes:
Early video gaming was co-ed, in marked contrast to the microcomputer/home programmer and D&D “scenes.”
The boys’ club did not begin, really, until the Sega Genny and was fostered in large part by deliberate marketing approaches on Sega’s behalf to push that console.
So anyone who tells ya that, well, this has always been a ‘guy thing’ is simply talking out of his ass. It wasn’t like that in the beginning. I was there.
November 17th, 2006 at 4:49 am
Bonnie,
I finally did a little research into Wii, and while the system looks mildly interesting, the available games don’t. No offense, just not my cup of tea.
November 17th, 2006 at 9:36 am
So anyone who tells ya that, well, this has always been a "~guy thing' is simply talking out of his ass.
Thanks. I’ll be sure to tell them you said that!
No offense, just not my cup of tea.
I am personally wounded ;). No worries, I didn’t make it; I just want one. Personally, the promise of Mario Galaxies is all it took to get me hooked.
November 17th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
@ Scott: I’ll probably blog about it. I have no idea really want to expect though–I’ve never tried to buy a system at launch.
@Brain: I think you should write an article about that. With pictures.
November 17th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Pictures from 1978? Now all I need is a Chrono-Cam. :)
November 19th, 2006 at 9:15 am
Personally, the promise of Mario Galaxies is all it took to get me hooked.
Bonnie,
Don’t tell my son. He’s Mario crazy. :P