Video Game Reviews

A gaming console that's just not for me. 25%

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 23:28:28 +0000

First of all, I'd like to say that before I review why I'm not fond of the Wii, keep in mind that this is entirely subjective, and if you personally enjoy it, then more power to you.

I remember the Wii coming out back in November of 2006 and like the PS3, I thought to myself “Like I'm gonna buy that thing, that thing is a joke.” However, unlike the PS3, to this day, I still see no desire to buy one. The Wii has beaten the PS3 and the Xbox 360 in sales, mainly for its “revolutionary” motion-controls that require the players to move while playing the games.

MOTION-CONTROLS

Many people have lauded the Nintendo Wii for its motion-control interface that uses a Wii Mote and a Wii Chuck to control movement and actions of your character in the game. This isn't a new idea because Nintendo already dabbled into that concept in the mid-late 80's with the Power Glove, though while the Wii Mote is more reliable than the Power Glove, the novelty of this wears out very quickly for me.

GRAPHICS

While I'm not one to bash games or gaming consoles just because their graphics aren't breathtaking (I still play “old” games like Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, and the 16-bit Sonic games), for a seventh-generation console in competition with the Xbox 360 and the PS3, I expect more out of the Wii. Most of the games support graphics that would be more fitting for the PS2, and I wish most of the games wouldn't look so “cartoony.” Would it kill them to make a console with decent graphics, strong textures, and solid lighting?

GAMES

The Nintendo Wii isn't much appealing to me because of how there's virtually no fun games to play on it (from my point of view). Many of the games for the Wii are sports and fitness games, and I personally don't find much to enjoy about them because if I wanted to get exercise, I'll just go to the gym late at night (I like working out at night). Also, Nintendo isn't doing much to shed the stigma the company has gained from “true gamers” that they only make “kiddie games,” as there's tons of exclusive titles geared mainly for kids. There's some Mature titles like Mad World that are exclusive to the Wii, but Nintendo isn't putting them in the forefront to help squash this stigma, and that the games aren't all that gripping compared to titles like Dead Space or Crysis 2. All of the “flagship” titles that the Wii parades like scholarship students are pretty alienating to adult gamers like myself, mainly the newer Mario games. Back in January of 2009, my brother and his wife bought a Wii with Super Mario Galaxy, and I decided to give SMG a try, and it's like them making the games not look so sugary would make the Nintendo corporation implode upon itself. I miss the N64 days, when Nintendo wasn't afraid to have a good number of games that weren't for kids, like Goldeneye and the Turok games (those were a huge blast).

DIFFERENT AUDIENCE

I'm honestly not trying to sound elitist here, but if you consider yourself a “true” gamer, you're probably not going to find much enjoyment out of the Wii. To prove this, I remember one morning at my past job, slicing and packaging corn ears with one of my co-workers (who was a middle-aged mother of several children), and she was glowing about how “great” the Wii is, and she isn't the gamer-type at all. I even chatted with Wii owners about the console and they agree that it's a console for casual gamers and non-gamers.

FINAL WORD

If you consider yourself a casual gamer or non-gamer and want an electronic device that'll entertain your friends and family during parties, want an electronic exercising interface device, or a console that'll entertain little kids, then you may want a Wii. However, if you consider yourself a gamer, then skip this and go for an Xbox 360, PS3, or a gaming PC (preferably a PS3, or if you have the money, a gaming PC).

Nintendo Wii Quick Tip by TheJohn

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 05:23:29 +0000

Nintendo's new golden child system has that ease and comfort we've come to expect from Nintendo as well as a large and exclusive library of games.

Nintendo Wii Quick Tip by qteepie

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:19:08 +0000

Fun games for all

A New World of Physical Video Gaming

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 20:57:54 +0000

The Nintendo Wii is one of a kind. Developed in an industry that is normally dominated by intense graphics and violent game play, the Wii Fit is a bit of an anomaly. The Wii brings family fun and physical interactivity to the gaming world. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the classic style of game-play too – I've been playing games like Halo and Final Fantasy for years – but there's just something astounding about how simple yet effective the core components of Nintendo's new system are. Not since Nintendo innovated the video game industry for the first time in the early 80's has a system been so revolutionary with such basic features. It's not the graphics or hype that pulls you in, it's how you play the games, and how you operate the system that keeps you coming back for more.

It's the basic movement controls and group play that sucks you in to this incredible system. The Nintendo Wii makes it so easy to do things that you'd never have thought of before – stuff like getting off the couch and actually swinging a fantasy sword or boxing with your spouse without a visit from the police. Thanks to this wonderful system, children are becoming more active, enjoying physical activity again, people are losing weight by playing a video game, and the elderly are even finding a source of strength rehabilitation with sports like bowling or tennis.

Now, the real part of the Wii Experience is through how it’s controlled – with the Wii Remote (or Wiimote). This is the the motion sensitive remote control shaped controller that allows you to interact with the content in a game through motion, buttons, and triggers. The key to the Wiimote is that it is an interactive game controller, which works best while standing up off of the couch. Some games work well while sitting, however you even notice yourself that once you swing the Wiimote, you’ll want to be standing. Games like Wii Sports use sweeping motions and rapid movements to perform on screen actions. These games require that you have room to move around, you just can't pull it off while lounging on your sofa. Trust me, I tried – but I found that after a few minutes, you will find yourself up on your feet if you are really into the games.

There is another addition to the Wiimote that attches with a wire at the bottom called the Nunchuck. This addition to the controller is used in many games that utilize both hands. The Nunchuck is a very simple add-on to the remote that allows you to control items with an analog stick, similar to how a normal controller would operate. Additionally, it operates with motion control – allowing players to do things that require the movement of two different hands – in this case things like boxing, as I mentioned earlier. Also, the fact that the Nunchuck creates a familiar video-game like two-handed controller make it so interesting. We have all found oruselves playing video games with a normal controller, but realizing that we're so into the game that we're moving the controller left and right as we steer our car, or lifting the controller rapidly as we try and make our character jump. It's these natural reactions that make the Wii so comfortable and natural to play, since it's these motions that actually control the game.

There are a ton more add-ons to the Wii that make it so fun, but none as innovative as the Balance Board. The Wii Balance Board comes with games such as Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus. However, it's also used in a growing number of additional Wii Games that use footing and balance as the primary game control. The Wii Balance Board is is a flat board that can measure your weight and determine its distribution. The feature that makes it such a innovative piece of equipment is that it can check that weight distribution in real time, allowing it to maintain a gauge on your balance. This gague is what becomes the primary control in many games and exercises used with the Nintendo Wii.

As you can see, the Wii is a very versatile gaming system that can be used in many ways. With my experience over the last several years playing the Wii, I’ve learned that it has so many different facets of entertainment and fun that help create this unique gaming experience. Here are just some of the other great features of the Nintendo Wii:

Game Tracking – The Wii keeps a calendar of your habits and what games you’ve played. It records what games were played and for how long each day. This is an excellent way to see each day how much time you are exercising with the Wii Fit or for parents to track how much their kids are playing.

Mii – On the Wii, you can create your own avatar using the the Mii channel. This avatar, or Mii, will be a representation of you as a character in a number of games, including the Wii Fit. Creating Miis can be fun in its own way. When I first got the Wii, my friends and I spend hours just creating our Miis.

Classic Game Downloads – On the Wii, you can access the Wii Shop channel to download classic Nintendo, Super Nindendo, even Turbo Grafix and Sega games. This can be whole ton of fun in itself if you are a fan of classic games like I am. Some of the games you can download really bring you back to the good-old days of classic Nintendo such as Mike Tyson’s Punch Out, Excitebike, and the Super Mario Bros. series.

Parties – Not only is the Wii one of the best video game systems for group or party play, but it’s also one of the best forms of party entertainment. There are so many games for the Wii designed just for parties and involving friends.

Family Games – Believe it or not, you will it’s difficult to find a family member who would not like the Wii. Everyone in my family loves playing the Wii, even my parents. These days, it’s hard to get the family together, but with the Nintendo Wii, you will find more and more opportunities to bring the whole family together for some fun. Nintendo has developed so many games that are suitable and fun for all ages.

Overall, the Nintendo Wii has definetely made a huge impact in the video game industry, and the proof is obvious. The Wii has been the best selling video game console in the world since it has been released, and it's still selling incredibly well. I highly recommend that if you are a big fan of video games, espeicially games with friends, you should pick up a Nintendo Wii. You will not be dissapointed.

"Anything slim..."

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:17:15 +0000

The PS3 is getting slimmer and is getting a $100 price tag cut. With that in mind, those who don't own a PS3 just might have some reason to get it. Well, depending on some things. In the end, the hardware is only as good as the software. I've got a pretty detailed review on the Playstation 3 here. So we're mostly going to talk about the PS3 slim and what the difference between the two units is. There isn't exactly a whole lot we can say. But there are certain things we know. When I actually get to check out the PS3 Slim, I'll change the review (and potentially the rating) accordingly.

I'm not too big on the different specs of each system, however. I'm a little more concerned with how good they work with all those specs. In the history of gaming, the best specs has never really determined the winner anyway.

The most obvious aspect of the PS3 slim is that it's slimmer. It's also lighter.

That's quite a world of difference. But it's really nothing like what you got before. You're still not getting a whole lot of the things the PS3 originally launched with in the first place. There will only be two USB ports, but that's not really that big a deal. You'll still be able to charge controllers just fine (though four ports would've been nice considering the four player aspect for some games). Overall, there's not much of a huge difference.

There's 120 GB, however, and eventually yes, this model will be the only one in production. You'll still be able to find other models out there, but they won't be in production much longer. 120GB is still good, though. Especially when you consider that quite a few PS3 require a mandatory installation... and depending on the game it could take up a lot of space (Resident Evil 5 will use 5 GB of space to install). The price is also now at $299.99. This makes it the cheapest PS3 out there. It also means you're probably getting the best bargain in terms of space and price.

At the same time, it's a good bargain, but in some ways it still has some of the same problems that the PS3 had before. The first is that there's still no backwards compatibility. While Backwards Compatibility is something very subjective, it does kind of suck that this is the 7th iteration of the PS3 to be put on the market (that's right, there are SEVEN different PS3's out there) they still haven't put in the backwards compatibility. Only the 20GB, 60GB and that MGS4 Bundle actually have backwards compatibility, and production on all those units stopped a while ago.

Another thing that I'm also a little irritated with is that for a system that pushes for the best in HD, Sony doesn't seem all that interested in making sure that's what people use it for. It broadcast in many different resolutions, but the system will still only come with composite cables and not component. And with composite you can only broadcast in standard. You'll still be able to go widescreen, but it's a shame that Sony would push so much for HD and then force gamers to go out and by component cables to bring out the HD. The 360 actually comes with composite cables right in the box for those who have it. It's a start. But the PS3 does not. That kind of sucks.

Now for the big thing that people are wondering... is it worth buying a PS3 slim if you've got a fat PS3? Well, no. There's really nothing added to it to justify it. In fact, with the exception of a 120GB hard drive... there's nothing so incredibly different about it. In fact, it's pretty much the same old system as before. And if you are disappointed with the hard drive in your PS3 that you have now... well, you can always manually switch up the hard drive.

What about if you don't have a PS3? Well, you're probably better off getting this one than one of the others. On the other hand, it's not like you'll have a choice in the near future anyway. Actually, that might be hasty to say. Within three years Sony has put out seven different PS3 systems. It's possible there might be another slim model released (but at this rate tyou won't get backwards compatibility ever), but for now this is probably the best thing you can do. That's if you're considering getting a PS3. The only instance where you might do it if you've already got one might be if you're a bit sketchy on changing the hard drive in a previous model yourself and you want to upgrade. The price, on the other hand, is a bit more worthwhile than what you paid for previous models.

When I get a good chance to really check this out, I'll update the review and the rating

Innovative... and yet we're still only talking about "Potential"

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:17:14 +0000

The Nintendo Wii is quite revolution in its own right. With all the things it can do, it's hard to say it won't be competition for the market this year. What it boils down to is what you like. If you want a console for some gaming fun, then the Wii is definitely for you, in more ways than one. However, an increasing problem the Wii is suffering from more and more is the lack of quality games. It wouldn't surprise me if many gamers let their Wii sit collecting dust just because good, worthwhile games are so few and far between.

Setting up your Wii is pretty simple stuff. The system comes with the necessary cords a Wii remote and a Nunchuck controller right off the bat. Its a little disappointing it doesn't come with a shell controller as well for the virtual download (if you plan on using it right away), but if you've got Gamecube controllers, you don't have to worry about the shell controller, really. Also to the Nintendo Wii's credit, the Wii remote actually comes with two AA batteries.

As far as what the Wii looks like and how games play, there's a small problem here. The games, do not look nearly as good as a Playstation 3 game or an X360 game. That isn't to say games don't look good, it's just to say it's not as powerful. However, it's obvious what the Wii is made for: Gameplay. This is obvious by its fantastic control granted to it by the Wii remote and the Nunchuck. I've had good experiences so far. The graphics are a small price to pay. Though it should be noted, that a lot of games just haven't realized the potential of the Wii Remote. Some games, even, still require using the old Gamecube Controller. It's one of just many potentials the Wii has, but that isn't being taken advantage of.

First off, if you're one to think that the Wii remote means you'll have to work to play your games, nothing could be further from the truth. You do not, by any means, have to actually stand up to play a game. In fact, you can continue to sit down all you want. The system comes with a motion senser and a stand for the motion sensor. The motion sensor allows you to be up to five meters away from your television. If need be, you can always adjust the sensitivity of the Wii remote to suit what works best for you. It can be a little bit to get used to at first (particularly when you have to type stuff in), but it is surprisingly fluent. The Wii remote can also be used to turn on and off the system, or to reset the game from the system menu. It should be noted, however, that the majority of the games (nearly all of them) don't require you to stand at all. In fact most of them don't even encourage standing.

The Nunchuck attaches to the remote and can easily be removed. In most games, the Nunchuck controls where your characters on screen go. In some games however (such as some of the games on Wii Sports), you don't really need the Nunchuck attatchment. Still, it's good to have because several games actually do depend on the Nunchuck and Wii Remote heavily. The Wii remote truly does take gaming to a whole new level, simply because it makes for more than just simple button mashing. Rather, you actually ARE in control of what goes on. It's unique, and it works. Again, you don't have to work too hard. A simple flick of the wrist is all it takes to get the Wii remote to respond.

Outside of the fun you'll have with this, it's important to note just what else the Wii has going for it. First and foremost, the internet connection, which can easily be set up if you have a Wi-Fi connection (otherwise you'll have to go out and purchase a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB plug in). It works very similar to the Nintendo DS. You don't have to pay to go online, but Nintendo does use the Friend Code system which has been used constantly with Nintendo DS games, which means it's going to be a pain to communicate with people. Also, aside from that, there is a parental control setting for any parents who want to monitor their kids. I have not tinkered with this yet, but it could be useful. Any and all settings can be changed any time you wish.

What's interesting about going online, however, is all the services it provides. Although, as of launch they're not all up and running, it's still pretty interesting to take a look at them all. The first is the Virtual Console, which can be used to purchase some of your old school games from the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis, and TurboGrafix 16. The best part about downloading these classics is that they're cheap, and perfectly emulated. Right now there isn't much availible, but in the coming months Nintendo has stated that there will be plenty more. This means, for any old school gamer out there, that you won't have to pay ridiculous prices for old games (such as Super Mario RPG). These games can be played using the shell controller, but you can also use the Gamecube contoller, and you can also use the Wii Remote for some games (mainly NES titles). Its a pain the system doesn't come with a shell controller though, which means you'll have to pay additional money if you plan on using the virtual download. One other thing to note, however, is that going online isn't something you'll be doing a lot. There's some cool stuff thanks to the virtual console and Wii Ware, it's about the only thing to do. The interface isn't so bad, though, but some of the organization could stand to be better, especially as more and more games are added to the virtual console.

There are also a ton of channels you can explore. First, there's the Mii Channel, which allows you to create what's called a "Mii." A Mii is a virtual character that you'll create. He or she will have the ability to pop up in some of your games, or you can use this Mii to travel to other Wii consoles and communicate with other Wii users. Its pretty interesting, but mostly to see your Mii show up in games such as Wii Sports. You can create more than one Mii which is pretty cool. You could essentially create one for all your friends and family.

Then there's the News Channel, which, of course, gives you the news. More over it gives you headlines and stories from the AP Press. It's not going to be better than the Newspapers or the internet, but it's there. There are also more channels to download as well, though most of them are actually kind of stupid and gimmicky that you won't really care for them. Especially when getting your news or weather forecast is just so much easier when you do it away from your Wii. The main Wii Menu can feel cluttered should you decide to download a lot. In terms of a menu, Nintendo would do well to take some tips from its competition.

Then there's the photo channel. You can use an SD card and upload photos to your Wii and tweak with them. This is a lot of fun to work with, and you can even send photos off to friends who have a Wii console.

There's also a message board up and running as well as a history in the calendar. The Wii will actually tell you what games you've been playing last and for how long you played them. It's really nothing special, but it's nice to see.

The Wii comes built in with a flash memory of about 512 MB. This isn't a whole lot. In fact this is extremely small. And while you can use an SD card for more space... it's actually really sad that you can't load games off the card directly. Most games don't take up that much space, but for those who might find themselves playing a lot, this isn't enough space. This is even worse if you're one who will download a lot of classic games. And as the virtual console presses on, there is a lot more that's worth downloading if your old systems are out of comission or if you missed out on classic games.

The Wii is a great system, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind. While the system isn't as expensive as the PS3, keep in mind that you'll have to buy a memory card at some point, which can be expensive. Also, Wii Remotes and the Nunchuck attachment are sold separately. So if you need to buy other Wii Remotes, you'll have to buy another Nunchuck attachment as well. Its strange that the two aren't sold together. So in the beginning, much like a lot of new gaming systems, it'll burn a whole in your pocket. Also, you'll need a game. Luckily, the first shipment comes packaged with Wii Sports, but you'll need another game besides that. So again, as with buying other systems, it does burn a whole in your financial pocket to get the most of your experience. This is essentially a problem that every video game console suffers from. The Wii suffers a little less by being less expensive, but that doesn't mean you won't be spending money to get more out of it. This differs from one gamer to another, but most might at least want to invest in a second controller.

There are a couple of other things that keep the system from being the all out fantastic experience. The Wii Remote, for starters, takes AA Batteries. A recharagble Wii Remote probably would've been much better. The system also doesn't play CDs or DVDs, but to be honest, this is hardly a problem in this day and age.

I don't like to talk too much about games in my review of video gaming systems. Games should be reviewed separately. But I will talk about the Wii's biggest problem concerning it's games. There are far too many mediocre games on the Wii. The chart to the left reflects this (it's dated in April 2008, and it hasn't changed much). In fact, it's sad to admit, but the best games on the Wii are the games which are made by Nintendo. Certainly Nintendo can design great games for their system, but third parties don't, and they're almost stealing from gamers who aren't that into gaming with an excess of mini-game compilations that are usually broken or not much fun to play. In short, the biggest issue with the Wii is that you'll have one, but you might not be spending much time playing it. It seems as though Nintendo are the only guys who can make a good game for their system. It's actually quite annoying. There's no reason third parties can't step it up, but I somehow don't think they will. It's ridiculous that the last good quality game for the Wii came out a year ago. Certainly some mini-game compilations are fun, but they're just as few and far between as good games. And there are some games that suit the Wii well, such as Resident Evil 4 and Okami... but the problem is that these are not new games and most people who wanted to play them... already have.

In short, those stories about people letting their Wii collect dust because of a lack of good games? They're true stories. The system overall is not a bad system, but it's 2009... the system was released in 2006... and we're sitting here still talking about the "potential" of what it can do. We've come to recognize the potential of the 360 and PS3, and they're still trying new things with those two systems... but for whatever reason there's no want to experiment with what they've got on their hands with the Wii. It's actually ridiculously sad. It's even sadder because it's a good system that is capable of playing great games in a new way. But where are those great games? I happen to enjoy my Wii, but the only time I ever turn it on now is when I get together with friends for a round of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. That isn't to say the other games aren't fun, it's to say that every video game console needs a variety of games to keep the gamer playing it. The Wii doesn't really do this. There are so few good games that it's quite possible you've played all the good ones already.

The Wii is a good system overall, but it's a system we're still talking about potential with. It dropped down with it's Wii Remote and Nunchuck and new way to play, but without a good library of games you won't get nearly as much fun out of it... because Nintendo and Third Parties aren't providng you with that much fun.

The Good

+Backwords compatible with all Gamecube Games, controllers and memory cards
+Virtual download allows for even more backwords compatibility and nostalgia for several gamers
+You can create a "Mii" and meet other Wii owners
+Built in memory with games that don't take up too much space
+Photos, news, weather... the Wii Channels have it all
+Its affordable
+Gamecube Controler can be used to play games on the Virtual Download Station
+You can't deny the power of its motion sensor controller, it really makes playing several games a lot more fun

The Bad

-The system is no where near as powerful as the PS3 or X360
-The Wii remote takes AA batteries, you'll probably run through them quickly, a rechargable battery could've been better
-While the console itself is affordable, it'll still cost you a pretty penny to get the maximum use out of it
-Wii Remotes and Nunchucks are sold separately
-Can't play CDs or DVDs... but is this really a problem in this day and age?
-The lack of games is a serious shot in the foot
-Several of the "channels" offered are filler space
-Severe lack of memory to save games; very bad if you're going to download a lot of virtual console games
-Three years later and we're still talking about "potential"

Family Friendly Console That Gets Everybody Moving

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0000

I've been playing with the Nintendo Wii console for over a year now thanks to some friends of mine who have one. We got one for Christmas this year and finally decided to write a review of it.

Simply put, the Nintendo Wii does things that no gaming console has ever done before. It gets the entire family (and their bodies) in motion. The included "Sports" game is, as many others have stated, a very basic game, but it is very fun. Tennis, Bowling, Baseball, Boxing and Golf are all offered on the game, and each of them requires some level of mobility from the player. In tennis you actually swing the racket. In bowling you actually bowl the ball (and can put a little English on it, too). Baseball allows you to pitch and bat, and you can alter the direction of both with how you move the Wii controller (or by pressing buttons during delivery). The golf game can be just as aggravating as the real thing, and you must vary the strength of your swing to get a good shot. There are also fitness and training options on the game that can give you your "Wii" age.

The most strenuous (and most fun) game on the "Sports" disc has to be boxing. You literally have to bob, weave and juke your way around the ring in order to avoid getting hit by your opponent. As with the other games, your level of skill increases with each match you compete in, win or lose. The Sweet Science has never been much sweeter in a video game such as this one.

Setting up the console was simple. Simply follow the instructions and you'll be fine.

Once you've got the console set up, you can then begin to personalize it. You maneuver through the Wii's menu options via "channels." There's the game channel, which plays games (including GameCube games), as well as the Mii Channel, a weather, news, photo and internet channel. While I have only used the Mii and Game channel, I have had friends tell me that the other channels work very well once they are hooked to your internet connection.

The Mii channel is almost a game in itself. On this channel, you create your individual character that can be used in some Wii games. After creating your character, you are given the option to let it "mingle" in a room with other created characters. Some of these characters will show up as your ally or opponent in games, adding to the "personalization" of the game.

As stated before, having to move around makes this console that much more fun. It gives you a little bit of exercise without making you feel like you're "working out."

Highly personalized, easy to set up and very family friendly thanks to a large number of games that require multiple players to get up and move, the Wii will be a hit in any home. Highly recommended.

We really like our Wii! Fun for the whole family!

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0000

The Wii is a very user-friendly, versatile, and entertaining computer gaming system. It really is much more than a game base -- there are channels so you can check the weather and the news, you can add an internet browser (for a small fee, which was disappointing at first until I realized how small the fee really was ... and since I can't post amounts in a review I'll just say it is about the same as a video rental and less than a movie ticket), and many more options are available. It comes with a very fun set of games (bowling, boxing, tennis, etc.) that make use of the very versatile controllers that are included. Additional games can be downloaded (for a fee) or purchased -- and now you can rent them (or buy them used) at most major video chains.

What I like most about the Wii is that it seems to be designed for family use. This is not just for boys who like shooting aliens. There are lots of activities that make it simple and fun for the whole family, from very young to very old. You create little "Miis" that represent (and look like) you (or not, if you prefer), and they become your character in the games -- we spent a while just creating characters for each member of the family, letting each create their own but making suggestions to each other and laughing at the various options each chose. It is a lot of fun.

With the internet compatibility -- especially if we hook it up to a USB keyboard -- this really becomes like a new household computer. You can check email, browse, buy, anything you like. (If you have a Gmail account you can even do word processing and spread sheets on their website -- so it really becomes just like a new computer.)

There were a few glitches -- we have a DSL internet connection and while we could hook up quickly when we tried to install the upgrade that the system recommended we found that it stalled about 4 times before finally completing the download and completing the upgrade. Something similar happened when we tried to download the internet "channel" (browser). Eventually we got everything working, though.

One more thing that bugs me a bit is that the Wii won't play DVDs. Apparently it is able to do so, from a hardware standpoint, but they haven't installed the software for various reasons (and there is no way to get the software through Nintendo). That is the only reason I might have preferred a Playstation -- which natively plays BluRay and DVDs. I'd like it if I didn't have to switch between my DVD player and the Wii, and could just use the Wii box for both functions. Still, this is a pretty fantastic device, that I'm sure will get a lot of use from my whole family for a very long time.