Wii Impressions: Number 1
We got a Wii.
Yes, for all of you who have been lusting after Nintendo’s most recent addition to the console market, you’ll understand our excitement.
There’s a lot to this little box, and most of it’s been covered elsewhere (here, and here, for instance)…but I’d like to highlight a few of the things that we find particularly cool - and that might take a few different posts.
First, the controllers work like magic. As a long-time fan of video games, I was initially very skeptical about the much-hyped control system of the Wii. I envisioned a somewhat spotty arrangement, with the controls working responsively maybe 80% of the time, depending on your location. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The controls work. Seriously. Play a couple of rounds of Wii Boxing, and you’ll see what I mean. They’re responsive, sensitive, consistent, easy to use, and intuitive. Bravo.
Second, the system is easy to get the hang of (please don’t email me about the dangling participle in that sentence; I’m taking creative license). My wife - who is as much of a gamer as the fruit bowl on our kitchen counter - had no trouble digging into a bowling round. She just grabbed the controller, and started bowling. Just like she was in the bowling alley down the street (but without the shoe spray).
Third, and thank goodness for this one, the system connects to the network wirelessly. This is such a great addition, I can’t even begin to explain my excitement. One of the first things we did after unboxing was start figuring out how to split the CAT-5 signal to the 360 so that it could also feed the Wii. After we’d cleared that hurdle, it became clear that there was nowhere to plug the CAT-5 in…and that’s when we opened the manual. Wireless! Woohoo!
There’s much more to this console, and we’re still forming opinions (read: playing until we’re too sore to play anymore)…so we’ll keep you posted.
In the meantime, consider getting your family a Wii. If this short article hasn’t convinced you, stay tuned for the rest of the series. You’ll want one.