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Can you sit down to play the Wii? Overweight journalists go hands-on.

bit-tech.net — Two journalists get extended play-time with the Wii and come away underwhelemed with a control system that seems less than revolutionary. What's the point of standing up and being active when you can sit on your butt and substitute button mashes for wrist flicks? Gentlemen, start your flamethrowers.

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  • accesory, on 10/12/2007, -87/+17Overweight or not, who would want to stand up and play for an extended period of time?
    • CAvenger, on 10/12/2007, -10/+101Dance Dance Revolution players.
    • imlikewoe, on 10/12/2007, -27/+7Well....at least until you get to Heavy.
    • Seibei, on 10/12/2007, -36/+6Who CAN play for an extended ammount of time? I know I can't even sit down and play for an hour of anything without having to finish schoolwork.
    • DrToddMD, on 10/12/2007, -23/+13Here's the thing I'm seeing....I dont think this is a system that you'd either 1) play all day and all night....i mean extended hours of Wii Sports? C'mon.. or 2) you wouldnt realize you're playing it for very long if you're doing it with friends.

      I do have a friend who has MS and...*****, after seeing all the videos on the Wii website, he's pretty much ruled out playing half the first party titles, except for Zelda maybe.
    • Doubledown, on 10/12/2007, -14/+52Well, Children will love to be up and running around while playing. Parents will love that because it will get the kids to spend energy. Parents will love the Wii for the downloadable games... Seems like a win/win/win system for families.
    • GuyHitByTruck, on 10/12/2007, -28/+6@Seibei:
      Then you're obviously not a true hardcore gamer. 6 hour stretches are almost a daily habit for me.
      /sarcasm
    • 23r17i05o42n, on 10/12/2007, -59/+11I've been saying this controller was a dumb gimmick from day one. Wii will sell worse than Gamecube. Paying $250 for Gamecube 1.5 is insane.
    • KSUdesigner, on 10/12/2007, -13/+52"6 hour stretches are almost a daily habit for me."

      *****. Get a job.
    • teknotant, on 10/12/2007, -6/+14But some people NEED to stand-up and play for an extended period of time.
    • slipknotrobb, on 10/12/2007, -28/+423r17i05o42n is a dumb *****. I've been saying that he's a gimmick from the start. Why would anyone pay to read his stupid *****?

      If I saw you in public and knew it was you, I'd kick your ass and take a dump on you. You're my new least favorite person.
    • Grimdotdotdot, on 10/12/2007, -9/+18What about people that *can't* actually stand up?
    • JSchwage, on 10/12/2007, -6/+6"Dance Dance Revolution players."

      You got that right! I play DDR at least once a day. So I should feel right at home with the Wii.
    • felchdonkey, on 10/12/2007, -6/+12Wait, GuyHitByTruck just made fun of Seibei because he DOESN'T play video games for 6 hours at a time, and actually gets work done instead?

      That's a little bit like making fun of someone because they can't eat an entire chocolate cake in one sitting, since they have to get ready to out on a date.
    • felchdonkey, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13Grimdotdotdot has a good point, I don't know what the negative diggs are about. If you have a disability that keeps you from standing up, I would hope the Wii can still be as fun. I don't see why it can't be, though - it seems like the actions are all arm-based.
    • Grimdotdotdot, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Bowling might be tricky...
    • falstaff, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7FTA: "Those of you who remain one step ahead of me may suggest that the Wii need not be played standing up. To you I make two points; first, some would suggest that would take away from the fundamental essence of what the Wii is meant to provide. That you're meant to be active, you're meant to be doing silly movements as this is what makes the Wii what it is."

      Wrong. That's what Wii Sports is all about. There are certainly other really active games, but as he says in the very next paragraph, just a flick of the wrist is enough for most. If you want to really get into the game, stand up and be a part of it. If you want a relaxing break from reality, sit back and play some other game. The Wii isn't necessarily about REQUIRING more activity, it's about options, being intuitive, and being fun. If that ends up being 3rd best in the console market, I'll give up all hope in 21st century gamers.
    • KyleMistry, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Right here.

      Strap some weights onto your arms and legs, and you've got yourself one awesome workout. Especially if you're playing Red Steel.
    • karmatic, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Fat people really get on my nerves.
    • bubba9999, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1fat people all secretly hate you.
  • chris9902, on 10/12/2007, -5/+35"Too many journalists are giving out the impression that the Wii will provide an unbelievable, unique experience unlike anything you will have ever played before. That the Wii remote allows for completely dynamic gameplay that will revolutionise the gaming world. These facts are half-truths, based most probably on people spending a small amount of time with the console at a booth at one of the big conventions. When you get down to the nitty gritty of the Wii you find something a bit different from the 360 and PS3, but not drastically as you may have thought/hoped."

    found that part more intresting.
    • Leo55, on 10/12/2007, -18/+9correct me if i am wrong but ain't not changing gaming drastically what Nintendo don't want Wii to do but rather a new way to interact with the games?

      Oh ya, by the time you are playing Zelda, you won't even know that you wasted 6 hours.

      @23r17i05o42n : If you think Wii's gimmicky, look at the PS3's 6 axis thingy. It is a totally half-baked idea. Sony to devs : hey! We got this super 6 axis thing which is just there to make it look like it is a good combo to the Wii. Use it if you want. I can't care less.
    • OMGWTFROFLMAO, on 10/12/2007, -8/+22"No instructions, no tutorial, just jump in and play. It was simple and effective and everyone, including the Nintendo-rep watching us, was chuckling at our efforts. Then we switched and started boxing – a similarly instinctive, though far more tiring game. In this, you had to punch backwards and forwards with both nunchuck and remote, swinging your hands right and left to dodge, moving up and down to duck. Despite each round lasting only a minute the whole process was hugely active, the Nintendo Wii will put paid to Jamie Oliver's plans to go on a crusade about 'Fat kids play games'. The Wii generation will be super fit, super toned athlectic Gods amongst men. Well, maybe not - but at least they won't be fat like this generation."

      So they contradicted their earlier statements. What is it guys? Innovative active gameplay or just an ad on? Make up you rmind
    • b3mus3d, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5I got the impression that you can play how you want -
      you can use small flicks of the wrist if you don't want to go over the top or use too much effort, or more dramatic motions which will hopefully be a lot of fun with others and possibly a bit more immersive.

      It sounds really well done to me. The choice is good.
    • spyrochaete, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7I found some of their criticisms to be directed more at the programming implementation than at the hardware itself. I'm sure programmers are perfectly capable of choosing whether motions should be as "large as life" or minimized in little gestures. Hopefully games will give us the option to choose the one we prefer! That way we could play sitting or standing!
    • oldtimegamer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5This is the exact same issues that these guys stated and everyone flammed.

      http://digg.com/gaming_news/Hands_on_Review_of_the_Wii_and_Launch_Titles

      The truth will be available soon people.
      (PS This story has already been on the frontpage, so no Im not looking for diggs.)
  • joel8x, on 10/12/2007, -8/+53You know what, can they explain why the pictures of themselves playing the Wii in the article feature them with smiles on their faces while playing. Isn't that the point of a game?
    • eexlebots, on 10/12/2007, -12/+57Hipsters can't allow themselves to admit that they enjoy something everyone else likes.
    • spidoman, on 10/12/2007, -13/+29No, the point of a game is to have good enough graphics that you don't pay attention to gameplay. And to be able to sit down and be as sedentary as possible. The premium version of the PS3 has an IV of fat and sugar.
    • jocnnor, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17"At the top you saw the Nintendo produced images, pictures of models enjoying themselves, frolicking around or looking like they are intensely embroiled in a game. Below are pictures of 'real' people, looking overweight, disjointed and ungainly – we're still having fun, albeit of the ugly and humiliating kind."

      They did explain it. His point was not that it wasn't fun, but that it wasn't as dramatic as he was led to believe it would be i.e. they weren't spinning in circles, diving over couches, while swinging their arms frantically. Honestly, that was exactly what I pictured when I thought of the Wii. And actually, I am somewhat relieved. If I want to look insane to those people unfortunate enough to see me through my window, I can just plug in my eye-toy (it was a gift....so stop laughing) and flail around fighting off tiny, jumping ninja men or cleaning invisible windows.

      Wii still sounds fun to me...even if I don't actually have to do a back flip to make Link do one.
    • spyrochaete, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2I had this in mind as well, having already been disappointed by first person shooters played on gamepads. I'm buying the Wii for the unique experience, not so that I can play the same old games with a new controller (with the exception of FPS). Warioware and Trauma Center and Wii Sports sound totally awesome because they are specifically designed to be played in this manner. I don't give a crap about Madden or Tony Hawk or other games that are being ported almost directly from multi-button controllers to the Wiimote.

      Bring on the lightsabers!!!!
    • EComni, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2@joel

      So, um, did you actually *read* the article?
    • cmburns69, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4The point isn't whether or not the system is fun, but whether or not the system will deliver the utterly euphoric experience that is being hyped. They admitted they enjoyed it, but it did not send them to an instant, everlasting digital paradise.

      (They also raised the concern in passing that perhaps it's just a gimmick, and that the fun factor would go away after a couple play sessions)

      EDIT: Apparently, everyone but Joel realized this as well...
    • spyrochaete, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9"The point isn't whether or not the system is fun, but whether or not the system will deliver the utterly euphoric experience that is being hyped."

      Give me a break. That's just marketing. When you see a car on sale for $19,999 are you relieved that it's not in the $20,000 range? Do you think women on their periods ride bikes and go swimming and ride horses when they use Playtex?

      If you've heard anything about the Wii it's been delivered by Nintendo's marketing department. That's what the article author was comparing his own observations to. If their engineers were invited to address the public (props to Sony and their very technical E3 keynotes) there would be a very different brand of mystique hovering in the air about the product. If you take a salesman's words as gospel you're destined for disappointment.

      Sorry to burst your bubble, but products - ALL products - may not be as fantastic as advertised. Read between the lines.

      Batteries not included, some assembly required, must be supervised by an adult, do not place bag over head, for external use only, keep out of reach of young children, may cause redness of eyes, do not use an hour before driving, consult a doctor before regular use.
    • EComni, on 10/12/2007, -7/+1"Give me a break. That's just marketing."

      So, if Sony and Microsoft markets their system to be the end-all be-all of the high-def home theater experience, they're evil. But Nintendo markets their system as a revolution in gaming, "it's just marketing?"

      Please drop the bias, stop rooting for your favorite multinational billion dollar corporation, and at least *try* to be objective.
  • Azur2, on 10/12/2007, -34/+3Just when you think it isn't possible for the wii-hype to get any lamer...

    ...they surprise you.

    Jesus, this is so lame I'm thinking of making sock-puppets to get to mark this article lame five times.
  • GuyHitByTruck, on 10/12/2007, -4/+35These guys are overweight?! Gosh, western society these days!
    • Paroparo, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23I would have to agree. Those guys aren't all that skinny, but sure as heck aren't overweight. Notably so at least.
    • OMGWTFROFLMAO, on 10/12/2007, -3/+39They are overweight by hipster terms, which state that "one must be able to fit into his little sister's jeans in order to be considered cool".
    • felchdonkey, on 10/12/2007, -6/+9They look overweight to me, and I'm not being mean, they said so themselves. I agree they're not fat by American standards (that's a pretty high bar), but they could certainly hit the gym or get out and play some sports.
    • HellifIno, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2Neither of them are fat. Also, neither of them are buff. They both reside in the "normal" range of weight for their body size.

      I was tempted to bury this as inaccurate after seeing the testers (because the title is obviously WRONG!), but I didn't do it. Meh. I'll never use a Wiimote, but I still think it's a cool idea.
    • shakin, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6You are all accustomed to seeing overweight people everyday and now you think they're normal. What we tend to think of as overweight is actually classified as obese. You don't have to be obese to be overweight.

      Google for a BMI calculator and find out if you're overweight.
    • h00paj00, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10I was expecting to see NumaNuma guy sized "Overweight" journalists.
    • ICSU, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5They ain't overweight, just lazy.
    • Adamesq, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I don't know where my comment from yesterday went on this...anyway, like the above said, these guys are not overweight or in shape. If you're skinnier than these guys, save the $250 from the Wii and get a gym membership...invite these guys to go with you, my watch can fit over their biceps - little girlie men :-)
  • danknerd, on 10/12/2007, -21/+10Yeah I see the Wii as more of gimmick, not long standing console.. I think the intial buzz will be good and everyone will like it of course, though in two years it will just be a 'meh' type thing.
    • vokiel, on 10/12/2007, -18/+92 years is optimistic, I'm giving it 6 months of winter and then it'll hit the dusty shelves.
    • EtherGnat, on 10/12/2007, -10/+7Right on, just like the Nintendo DS!

      ...oh, wait.
  • peerk, on 10/12/2007, -15/+3I didn't know Kevin Rose's pen name was Ryan Garside. The glasses don't fool me.
  • dmjarrington, on 10/12/2007, -17/+6haha fat people lose at video games
    • dmjarrington, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2lol. i apologize, that was rude.
  • Lain1k, on 10/12/2007, -5/+28I see Wii as something for my friends and I. We have gotten older and have less time and interest in those 6 hour sessions of hard core gaming. We might pick up the must have games like God of War or Halo but for the most part our gaming revolves around quick and fun party games, mainly gamecube games. Think we have spend more time on SSBM and Mario Kart then any other game.

    Think thats the Wii is going after people who arn't really hardcore gaming, someone that wants to play something fun every so often but doesnt want to spend 400-600$ on it.
    • JustinPM, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1@ Xarou

      The Playstation controller hasn't really changed throughout it's life of gaming, so I would deem the PS1,PS2, and PS3 a "regular" controller. I think by regular, he meant the buttons and direction pad type, which has been the standard in games for years.

      And I seemed to have put this in response to the wrong thread. Awesome. Don't use Digg when you've just woken up, lest you make stupid mistakes.
    • Xarou, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Hey buddy, if you look at the stick controller... and turn it on it's side, you will see the "regular" D-Pad and button combo. And if you want that particular set-up to be the "regular" one, guess who invented it. Nintendo. Guess what, it wasn't regular when they debuted it. They went against the grain and put out something revolutionary. Once again, Nintendo is doing the same thing. And to let you know, the PS controllers have changed. There was no rumble in the PS1 controller but there was in the PS2 controller. And there they just copied Nintendo. If you remember, they had the rumble pack for the N64 controller. So please, inform yourself before you go bashing stuff.
  • underthewether, on 10/12/2007, -26/+10this article completely reinforces why I won't be buying a wii anytime soon. I think it will be great for simple party games, and kids will love it. But for the type of games I like, I'd rather play with a regular controller and have better graphics.
    • Xarou, on 10/12/2007, -9/+32What is a "regular" controller? A joystick? A square one with only the D-pad, Start, Select, A and B buttons? How about rounding the edges and adding the X, Y, R, and L? No no no, let's make it kinda pointy and have a Z button on the back and add a port for a vibration pack? No, that's dumb, let's add two more R and L buttons, get rid of that silly Z button, make it look like a dog bone and put some analog sticks on it? How about we just turn it white and make it futuristic looking and take away the cord all together?

      If you catch what I'm trying to say, there is no such thing as a "regular" controller. All the controllers from Atari to XBox 360 have been different. Do you want to play with a wireless controller? If so, you aren't using a regular controller. Up until now, the standard controller was wired. Where do you define "regular"? It's called innovation. I bet you didn't complain when games went to 3D instead of 2D side scrollers. The video game industry has changed and it will change in the future. I can see in the not so distant future being in VR games. Will you not want to do that? Don't be stagnant, change is good. If they never changed, we'd still be playing Pong.

      There, I'm done. You can dig me down if you want, but you people who complain about Nintendo's innovation being a bad thing disgust me.
    • RandomGuySteve, on 10/12/2007, -8/+1I'm buying a Wii for exactly the cool games and interesting remote. If I want better graphics and a sit down experience all alone in my parents basement, I have my computer rig. PS3 is for chumps. Xbox360 is a PC that doesn't want to admit it.
    • spyrochaete, on 10/12/2007, -8/+4PS* and Xbox* are non-upgradable PCs limited to one control scheme, with limited exceptions. Wii has the right idea from the start because it is cutting edge in a way that won't be surpassed by the PC's raw power in 2 months.
    • 5thfreedom, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4Thank you Xarou. Finally, somebody else that understands.
    • sirsephiroth, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I think you hit the point... The Wii probably doesn't appeal to you because you're not the type of gamer that would sit and play SSB or Mario Kart... I just don't know why everybody is going fanboi about every console... Just buy the one that fits your type of playing and that's enough...

      It's just nonsensical calling any console good or bad, because different people appeal to different stuff... I will be buying a Wii because I'm not the typical Halo-MGS player (even when I like some games like F.E.A.R or stuff like that). If I wanted to appeal to other segment of games, I'll buy the console that has those games... It's just a matter of taste and choice.
  • masona3, on 10/12/2007, -6/+18Fat people, rejoice! You can play the Wii without having to move your lazy ass, after all! Hip hip, hooray! Hip hip, hooray!
    • SkippyDoorknob, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Don't you mean:

      Big hips, Hooray! Big hips, Hooray!
    • KyleMistry, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I'd go more with, "chips chips, hooray! Chips chips, hooray!"
  • mecole21, on 10/12/2007, -6/+9This is exactly what I want... I don't really play video games when I'm alone, but when friends come over we're always playing Madden, Racing Games, Mario sports games, and other various multiplayer games... this system is set up to bring the social aspect of video games that used to be the whole idea back in arcades back into video games....
  • Gustomucho, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4I think there will be great games on the Wii, this is just the "Launch titles", after a couple of months the developers will give the Wiimote a real feel to it.

    I can't wait for a real Wii Tennis game, not an newbie friendly game.

    • spyrochaete, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2Now that Sega and Nintendo are good friends you can be sure they'll develop a Virtua Tennis game!
  • matrixfusion, on 10/12/2007, -3/+12I dunno, I'm a pretty hardcore Nintendo fanboy and I think their biggest concern is my concern, too: the follow-through. But I think that's just an issue of developers and game makers utilizing the controller in all its infinite-possibility glory, that's all. The first wave of games is rarely the best. Even then, there sure are some good games coming out.

    And Twilight Princess is a GC game, plain and simple. Not a Wii game.
    • EComni, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Put me on this bandwagon.

      To expound, this article touched on a real, potential issue the Wii, and it is rooted in Nintendo's basic strategy this next-gen (and with the DS).

      Nintendo wants to market to "casual" gamers. Even more casual than the guy that plays NBA Live and button-mashes with his friend. They want to court an audience of non-gamers like older people, like my mom, and really young people, like my kid cousin. People that don't even play GTA or Zelda, let alone Splinter Cell or Metroid.

      The article brought up charades as the type of games that might be plentiful on the Wii; I'd bring up something a little more tangible: Mario Party. Mario Party was great fun... up to a point. It was simple, easy to get into, good with a number of people in the room, no one's *really* an expert, and it's unbelievably fun. But it doesn't have depth, challenge, or any longevity outside occasional parties. But I'm a hardcore gamer, and it's natural for me to feel that way.

      Conversely, My mom and kid cousin would LOVE Mario Party, and would never complain about the lack of depth, challenge, or longevity, because that's not what they, the casual audience, want in a game. And they shouldn't be forced to, either.

      But I do think a few too many people who ARE hardcore gamers are kinda overlooking this difference, and in fact, the Wii (and I *really* hope I'm wrong) won't be the system for us.

      The problem isn't that the games won't be good. Hell, as said PLENTY of times already, people with not that much freetime or plenty of family are still looking forward to this, so it's even arguable to even say that it even IS a problem.

      The prob... err, issue, is two-parted:

      1) will the system have enough games on it to support EITHER/OR types of gamers, hardcore and casual. Elebits and WarioWare seem great, but I hope to not see a dearth in games like Metroid and Red Steel.
      2) will the system have enough games on it that support BOTH types of gamers. The main game I'm talking about here is Smash Bros. SSB has consistently been both a fun, easily accessible party game and a surprisingly competent fighter that any type of gamer can enjoy. Will other developers (including Nintendo) make games like this that not only can anyone instantly play, but anyone can also play for hours and hours?

      If Nintendo can accomplish even just one of these concerns, I'll instantly become a rabid Nintendo fanboy again.
    • kelbear, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Ecomni just spoke my mind.

      I'm really excited about the Wii, for the hardware. But as for the games, there's only a handful of games that I want. I don't even have a whole bunch of gamer friends to come over and play multiplayer stuff with, I'm pretty much the only guy in my local crew that plays games extensively(We're 22-24).

      I still like the "hardcore" games, and I don't see why the Wii wouldn't be able to support such games. But as for the launch line-up, only a few of them seem to be targetting me. On the horizon I see a few more I'd want, but not enough. I have zero interest in the PS3 and its games, but the Xbox360 has a whole bunch of games coming up that I'd like(Currently it only has a handful like the wii launch line-up).

      I've gotta decide between the two. Xbox360 which is my safe choice, or Wii which has amazing potential.
  • gharding, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3I'm just waiting for an online version of Beirut.
  • eth3l, on 10/12/2007, -18/+4The Wii controler is artarded
  • Nightfall, on 10/12/2007, -5/+8Thats right! It all depends on how much enjoyment you get out of your investment. After spending $300 on the console and accessories, and then plop down $100 for a couple games, will you be satisfied? Will that $400 provide you many hours of enjoyment? Then why not pay for the Wii? I dropped $1500 on my computer and that doesn't include gaming titles I buy. I am on that PC a lot, and I love computer gaming so its a great investment.

    Ok, so these people had fun playing it, but didn't see the long term enjoyment out of the product. Well, thats their viewpoint. I still want to get my hands on a Wii because of the control system. It just looks really cool.

    I just hope I get my investment out of it.
    • Xarou, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5That's a real good point, the computer thing. I've spent thousands in my computer, building it and upgrading it. I find a lot of enjoyment out of it. You just gave me another argument in my bag of Pro-Wii stuff.
    • kelbear, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Yeah, my computer is also decently upgraded.

      There'll be PC ports for some Xbox360 and PS3 games so I'll still get a taste of their libraries eventually, but with the Wii, I'm going to need a Wii to get a bit of the Wii experience. (Thank goodness my roommate has an xbox360 in his room so I can at least go over there to try some of xbox360's exclusives)
  • 83457, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9Wrist flicking versus arm movement CAN be an issue with some party/multiplayer game enjoyment. If you are battling someone in a contest and using realistic large motions while your opponent is beating your with short wrist movements, that sucks. There should be an option to tweak the movement range allowed. A prime example is a boxing game where wrist flicks might have the same affect as realistic punches and movements. There should be an option that can be enabled to allow only realistic movements.
    • TheBritishGuy1, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3See, this is the beauty of the system. If your opponent is using cheap wrist flicks, go ahead, but as I see it, full motions bring out the true fun and purpose of the Wii. When playing with a friend I guess you could set up a "no wrist flicking" type agreement as a kind of unwritten rule to be imposed into the style of game play. All the pieces will fall in place come launch.
    • HellifIno, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3In said fighting game, how about you just punch your friend (IRL) for "cheating" (not using full motions)?

      Seriously, it's a non-issue. People playing will self-balance between the different Wii possibilities for the game in question. They're FRIENDS, after all! "Cheating" will be called out, and a more uniform interaction method will be employed. Worst-case, everybody will devolve to the simplest motions possible. But that will probably only happen when your "friends" are really assholes. ; )
  • ejstacey, on 10/12/2007, -5/+15It's sort of dumb... no matter what people will complain.

    "You can play the games while sitting on the couch. This is lame!"

    "You have to stand up to play the whole time! Who will do that? This is lame!"

    I think Nintendo has taken a good approach. You CAN get really interactive and jump around if you want to. If you want to sit down and have a hardcore gaming session, you can do that too (since it sounds like it's based on wrist flicks). The only problem is you have reporters writing dumb articles about one aspect of it. You can be sure that if Zelda/Trauma Center/whatever requested the jumped around the whole time, they'd be complaining about that too.
  • indirect, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5This is a good unbiased and subjective article. That said I'm still glad I have it pre-ordered & can hardly wait for the 19th of November.
  • CyborgX, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4It makes me feel tired just watching those photos... this gym box ain't for me
    • Xarou, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I think I may have to revoke my original opinion of DDR not being a video game cause it had too much movement in it. I still won't play it, but now I guess it is a video game. If you don't want it for the movement, get it for the retro games. If you bought the same ones on EBay or something like that, you'd be spending way more than what Nintendo wants you to pay for them.
  • fzzzy, on 10/12/2007, -15/+2No wireless. Less space than a Nomad. Lame.
    • boblmartens, on 10/12/2007, -8/+3You not knowing what in the world you are talking about ... lame.
  • gadgetdude, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6No real surprises here, but just confirms why my kids and I will be getting a Wii. One side note, when my little guys (5 and 7 years old) play our gamecube or xbox which are hooked up to a 60" projection screen, they tend to play standing up more than sitting down for some reason... I hadn't really thought about it much before, but I suspect it has lots to do with the same thing the Wii is going for - they just are more immersed in the game that way (they jump around when playing platformer, lean and sway in MarioKart etc.).

    The Wii is going to be a blast for us - just going to have to be careful around each other - they tend to wack into each other by accident enough now - with the Wii it could get pretty nutty! :)
  • Zman0101, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9Being an office worker, who sits at a desk for 8 hours a day, I for one welcome any chance to stand up and get some exercize / be active, and if it can be done while doing something I enjoy, even better! This is a welcome change for me in the videogame world.
    If you think you will get tired from being on your feet playing the Wii, maybe its time to re-evaluate your lifestyle.

    The only problem I see with jumping around as a part of gameplay, is pissing off my neighbors downstairs ;)
  • woodenturkey, on 10/12/2007, -17/+5who cares!!! who cares!!! who cares!!!!

    I dont give a ***** what anyone thinks, why should you. buy what you want, because you want it! fanboys STFU if i want a low rez Wii fuk u, if i want a bulky overpriced PS3 and u dont, well suck ur moms ***** and if i want to waste money a Wonderswan, Gizmodo, 3D0 I dont want to hear your opinion on it. If people cared about your opinion you would not be 38 years old living in your Moms basement.
    • RandomGuySteve, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13Did school let out early?
    • loginname, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6@woodenturkey
      Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
  • felyduw, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Why do people compare the PS3 price out of the box versus Wii + 360 + extra wiimote + extra nunchuk + extra 360 controller?

    I find that somewhat fallacious. People will buy what they want to buy. I want to buy console A and just as long as console A has games I enjoy and I'm able to play them with my family I'm happy.

    Granted, that's what made my dreamcast the best console I ever bought... and look what that turned out eheh.
  • Microdot, on 10/12/2007, -5/+8finally... a realistic viewpoint to the wii. big thumbs up to this guy for not playing into the hype, and being honest and subjective.

    and i find it hilarious that every post so far in this article has been dugg down because they say something even moderately derogatory about the wii. silly stupid fanboys... oh when will you learn?
  • duddles, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7I thought only women sat down to Wii.
    • Soulhuntre, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4ok. that makes the whole stupid name worth while.
  • sinner0423, on 10/12/2007, -6/+6it's different, and that's what will make it sell.

    me and my buddies have already decided the following :

    Wii - New & interesting, even though it could turn in to 'novelty' status quickly. It is something DIFFERENT, not just your typical console with upgraded graphics & bigger hard drive. That alone is worth the investment, or, enough to pique our interest in to at least trying one. Sony & Microsoft don't have this luxury, they're offering the proverbial same ***** in a different box.

    XBox360 - Library of games is somewhat disappointing, we see nothing new or innovative about the system, besides the online aspect, which is just a rehash of what we've been doing on the internet for years. Microsoft knew all the right pieces to take from Mulitplayer gaming, it's not like they aren't new to the internet.

    PS3 - Blu-Ray and an expensive price tag is what comes along with this system. They DO have some great titles coming out, but the price alone makes me think of the Neo-Geo from yesteryear. Controllers without the rumble effect, a DVD drive that doesn't have much exposure to the real world, and a lack of anything new & exciting really doesn't make this appealing to me, at all.

    Given the choices we have this Holiday season, i'd say the Wii will sell simply because it sets itself apart from the rest of the consoles. Gimmicky or not, they will win, but only time will tell who has the balls to stay around for the long run. 1st gen games aren't really that great on any console, so, we'll have to wait a full year or so before we can actually tell who will be crowned the king of the console wars.
  • bootle, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6I have a projector for my home theater. This poses two concerns regarding the wii...

    1. Does the sensor bar have a long enough cable to reach the screen (I keep the electronics on a bookcase behind the couch, with the projector sitting atop it. More seriously

    2. I'm over 6' tall, if I have to stand while playing, my head will cast a shadow on the screen.

    Has anyone heard anything about these concerns?

    Has
    • grahamreeves, on 10/12/2007, -0/+01. It'll be fine
      2. Stand further back?
  • crilen007, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7Please don't screw up Smash Bros...
    Please don't screw up Smash Bros...
    Please don't screw up Smash Bros...
    Please don't screw up Smash Bros...
    • Suspected, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4The original creator of Smash Bros is the one in charge of the Wii's Super Smash Bro, so we shouldn't be disappointed. With that said, he decided to not use the Wiimote's sensor tool for game play. I personally think that it's a wise move on his part. I think the Wii and the Wiimote is great, but just because you can use something does not mean you should. The Wii will have many games and some will be able to perfectly utilize the motion sensor while others will be great for deciding to abstain from using it.
  • canman888, on 10/12/2007, -10/+1Who gives a flying ***** about all those ***** Wii news.... Jeez.... Will you stop submitting them for Pete's sake!!
    • Grimdotdotdot, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8280 people give a flying ***** - so far.
  • kingofthisnight, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I am excited to flail about my living room looking like a complete fool. My friends and I freak out while playing Guitar Hero and just have a blast. I gladly welcome the Wii into my house so I can laugh and enjoy my time playing video games. Hopefully the Wiimote won't suffer the same fate as one of my Guitar Hero controllers. Booze and beating Bark at the Moon on expert is a bad combo. The controller got rockstared on the ground and shattered.
    • spyrochaete, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Your comment reminds me of the recent South Park WoW episode where the kids are so immersed in the little world, sitting in their chairs and clicking and mousing, that they become completely non-expressive and apathetic. Maybe the Wii is the solution to that.
    • kingofthisnight, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1That is what I am saying, screw sitting around and "getting into" a game like WoW. In the case of Guitar Hero and the same with the Wiimote I will be able to put some feeling and energy into playing a game. Instead of pressing some buttons you will actually be acting actions out and essentially playing.
  • MikeUnwired, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3I'd guess that the Wii is more of a baby step in innovation more than a revolutionary change in video games. What it does do is take the gaming action out of the fingers and spread it around the body a bit more. You can certainly stand-up and use more than just your thumb muscles now, but, other than DDR, there's really no reason. I've seen Madden players standing and shaking their controllers in all sorts of directions as their fingers pound at the buttons. Wii put an actual reason in getting off the couch to play other than getting excited.

    I've got carpel tunnel -- not from video game play by the way -- and I'm hoping that spreading the control away from my thumb and fingers will keep my wrists a little looser and my hands from becoming the tingly achy appendages that keep me from enjoying game play with my son. And, maybe with a little practice, I'll be able to actually beat him at something other than chess and Monopoly for once.
    • grahamreeves, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0In terms of the games industry I disagree, I think this is a big step. Publishers are scared to try anything new. Case in point; eye toy, virtua boy, guitar hero, singstar, donkey konga, etc. Anything that is a little "different" or requires some funny accessory comes from first party (nintendo/sony) NOT from a 3rd party publisher. Even if the wii flops, at least nintendo are trying to be different and not just churn out essentially the same games we had on the PS1.
      Obviously this doesn't apply to the branded stuff, zelda, mario, etc which hasn't changed but then, they still need to make money from people who want the same old stuff.
  • PhantomBantam, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Play wii for an hour, then switch to virtual console contra. Is that so hard?
  • TheDarkLordXenu, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Story that says moderately negative things about the Wii? On Digg?

    [Darth Vader]
    Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!
    [/Darth Vader]
    • bubba9999, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Darth Vader doesn't need tags, bitch.

      Darn you George Lucas, for turning Darth Vader into such a wuss.
  • techlinks, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Sounds like a fat lazy un-groomed "reporter" bashing...umm...himself.

    Superficial bastard!
  • whiteguysamurai, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I have no doubt it will be fun, but it's not the revolution Nintendo said it might be (no pun intended), and it wasn't their fault, they had to promote their product.
    But the rabid fan base and the media built it up to the unachievable point, Well no game system under $900 would give you everything people expected from Wii.
    In this day with semi-powerful game consoles, and multi-million dollar development budgets, the Wii is likely to have a snowball's chance in hell of outlasting these other consoles.
    It's just not like it once was, First SNK then sega, now Nintendo is the last of the old gaming giants, and it too will fall.
    It's a shame, but it's inevitable.
    • m00nstone, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Oh dude, you're so wrong. Nintendo is the king of the handheld market and they have been since the original Gameboy. They will survive on those revenues alone.

      The sad truth is, console gaming sucks right now. 360 gaming is just like PS2/xbox 1 gaming with fancier graphics and enhanced online play. Do you actually think the PS3 will be any different.

      Console gaming is way in the dumps and we can only hope that the Wii will be some kind of "revolution".
  • m00nstone, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1That bit where he goes on about having to buy additional controllers sounded like he was just looking for a reason to slam the system.

    Like buyers don't feel compelled to buy additional $50 wireless controllers for their 360. And will do the same after they shell out $600 for a PS3.

    I've heard this argument a few times already, it's pretty lame!
  • tektalk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I don't want a Wii, a lot of people would look stupid if they were caught in a room waving a remote control around frantically. its a humiliating workout and way to entertain yourself, i'm not getting it. it's just my opinion, but id prefer to shoot the ***** out of games sitting down.
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