initial wii review

So, I bought a Wii this weekend, mostly because after playing with it a lot at Jason’s house, I was immediately hooked. So far I’m really loving the whole experience, but it’s not completely perfect. I’ve only been playing with one for probably a week, total, so my perspective will probably change over time.

I’ve only got one game right now — Wii Sports — but that’s enough to keep me going. I love playing Baseball and Bowling and I even get a little Tennis in now and then. I have zero interest in Golf whatsoever.

The way everything works with the sensors is pretty impressive. Everything seems pretty realistic, especially the pain I get when I swing too hard. Being the geek that I am, I’ve quickly discovered where you can game the system and found a few flaws in the motion control feedback. For instance, in Bowling, if you just fling the Wii remote up in the air as you let the ball go, it will go flying up and actually gain speed when it lands. When you’re really bowling, that would slow the ball down quite a bit. In baseball, it’s a lot easier if you just use one hand and gracefully flick it forward to bat, but I find it much more fun and engaging if you get in the stance and do it right.

Boxing is the only thing I have a problem with as far as responsiveness. The nunchuck controller seems way whacked, as when boxing with my left hand I have to jab kind of up and to the left to get it to even go remotely straight. I’m not sure what’s up with that. I suspect that it might be getting the positioning for the left hand as it is relative to the Wii remote, but I’m not sure. It’s the only game I’ve played that uses it, so it could be something else. When I’m actually boxing though, it seems to be okay — its just when doing training that I can’t punch with it to save my life.

The games are a lot of fun, though. I still can’t wrap my brain around the idea of playing video games standing up and getting so out of breath. I’m a little sore in my arms and stomach, but mostly I feel great for getting some exercise. I’m already getting a lot better. And I love how the game adapts to your skill level. As I improve with Baseball, the pitches get harder and harder.

The only thing I don’t like about the Wii is the UI.  It seems totally confusing at times, and it is definately inconsistent about navigation.  It feels like a different team came up with their own UI rules for each little section, and just cobbled things together.  The navigation for the Messages is different than the Settings is different from the Mii Channel.  Sometimes you can use the buttons to move around, sometimes you can’t, sometimes you get a confirmation when exiting back to the main menu, etc.  It took me a while to figure out just how to add a friend, and it didn’t seem intuitive at all.  I still get confused trying to remember where what is.  It’s not all that bad, but it could use some polish.

Really, though, it seems like Nintendo has totally invented a new category of social gaming, though. Playing on the Wii is fun, but it is absolutely hilarious and engaging playing with someone else right there in the room. It’s just a lot of fun.

I’ve gotta find some more games. I didn’t get Wii Play yet, I’m not sure if I wanna get it or not. I figure I can pick up a used copy for real cheap if I want. I took a look at Wii Fit and it looks really cool, and like it has a lot of stuff that would really help. I’m not a big fan of paying more for all these accessories and peripherals, so I’ll have to think about that one. One thing I like is that the Wii is backwards compatible with the GameCube. I only have two games left, but at least I can still get some if I find something fun.

Anyway, if you wanna send me your Mii and add me as a contact, my console # is 5500 7000 5524 4618. I gotta find some good multiplayer games for online, too. My little sister has one. Gotta stomp her somehow.