Nintendo Wii Console (Includes Wii Sports)

I’m a little late reviewing this item, having bought it just over 9 years ago, but having played it again recently, I’m compelled to put some words down about the Wii, as a decade on It’s still a fantastic piece of kit. I’m also conscious that there are still people buying the console for the first time who might appreciate the view of a seasoned user. I’ve been a gamer since my childhood (I’m now 42), and have owned many different bits of gaming hardware over the years, starting with a Sinclair ZX Spectrum back in the early eighties, through many generations of Sega, Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft consoles since then. Without exception, the progression has always been represented by incremental increases in processing power of each new generation of hardware, with the competition always trying frantically to out-perform each other. Usually the primary indicator of this was graphical capability, with players being blown away by the new levels of realism afforded by bigger, better video chips. But when Nintendo launched the Wii, it was already behind the latest generation machines from Sony (PS3) and Microsoft (Xbox360) and it was widely known that the Wii simply couldn’t compete in terms of raw power with either of those. In fact, it was dismissed by many as a failure before it was launched, purely on the strength of its inferior hardware. The focus on ‘fun’ through the crossover with physical activity through the motion controllers was written-off as a novelty fad that would soon pass, with many proclaiming the console would only really appeal to the younger generation, and certainly not “real gamers”. How wrong they were. Nintendo were certainly taking a gamble, but it paid off big time. Not only was the Wii fun, but it engaged a wider demographic than either Microsoft or Sony had ever hoped to court with their consoles. Young children, teenagers, right through middle-aged and elderly players. The versatility offered by the Wiimote controllers to interact with games in a much more subtle and organic way opened the door for a whole host of wonderfully creative games, and even tried and tested genres had a new angle. The free Wii Sports disc bundled with the Wii gives a great introduction to the potential of the hardware and the motion controllers, with bowling and tennis being a definite favourite for many a rainy family afternoon (or wine-fuelled adults evening!). Then there are games like Cooking Mama. Who would have thought chopping onions would even be a thing on a video-game, let alone it actually being a physically taxing task, and much more fun than in actual real life? Putting an entire recipe together and seeing how well it turns out is an absolute blast, and when in competition with another real player, things get even more fun. Then there’s Trauma Centre, which takes the concept to an altogether more serious (albeit still hilariously fun) level. You take on the role of an upcoming surgeon, carrying out actual surgical procedures on patients, using the Wiimote and Nunchuk controllers to cut the patient open before manipulating various tools to carry out increasingly more complex and sweat-inducing procedures – getting ranked on your performance each time. Titles like these just could not be replicated on the PS3 or Xbox360, for all their technical power. There are literally hundreds of titles for the Wii that are worth playing. Sure, there are some that are duds, and the Wii versions of the majority of multi-platform games are not a patch on the PS3 or Xbox360 versions of the same game. But the point of owning a Wii is for all the games that do not, and cannot exist on PS3 or Xbox360. Thinking of the Wii as an alternative is all wrong – it’s a completely different proposition. If you already own a PS3/Xbox360, or PS4/Xbox One for that matter, you should have a Wii as well! It’s true that the Wii-U has since been released, and is a fantastic evolution in itself, but the Wii is still a very relevant console in 2016 as it is still such undeniable fun, has such a huge back catalogue of games and peripherals, and is available at a fraction of the price. Ultimately the Wii was a landmark moment in gaming. One that should be applauded, as a victory for gaming itself, over the mindless pursuit for bigger, faster, stronger hardware. The Wii did, and still does fire the imagination, and is a reminder why Nintendo is so very important to the gaming industry.

Thanks to Amazon, we had a console on 9th December. Resisted the temptation to sell it on EBAY like everybody else seems to be doing so here are my reflections. Beautifully compact and unobtrusive - was very surprised to find no digital output for sound (to play over a surround sound setup)but here is the rub - graphics are very good and more than adequate, stereo/prologic sound is again more than adequate. We don't have the RGB scart lead and even over the standard composite video lead when displayed on a B&O Avant RF, images are crisp and colours vibrant. Set-up is 5 minutes out-of-the box. By far the most impressive thing about the Wii is that everyone - of all ages - wants to play it. No console in our house has ever been used by my wife of her own will, and there she was playing tennis and ignoring the pleas of the wailing kids to have a go. It really attracts 'non-gamers' with the use of simple movements. Give it two to three minutes to get the basic idea of the handheld control and you'll be away. I bought the Console and also ordered 'Play' which comes with an extra controller - I think we'll need all four controllers working over the Christmas period to be honest!!!! I deal in premium audio visual goods for a living and it is strikingly obvious that Ninetendo have struck a good balance with the Wii console - sometimes High Res images and Dolby Digital/7.1 outputs are simply not necessary. My initial impressions are that the console will widen the appeal of gaming and make people prance around like fools enjoying themselves with other 'non-gamers' amongst friends or extended family. We are using the Sports games bundled with the Console and those we are buying effectively for free in 'Play' (for the price of an extra controller which comes with the game)to get used to the console and the new controller which is highly impressive. I can only think that as developers get to grips with the potentials of the new hand-held controllers the games will get more and more impressive and enjopyable. Well done, I think the Wii will take a sizeable chunk of the market share based on my first experiences with the family.

At about 11pm on friday 21st Dec, the wii basic package (just wii sports and console) suddenly came into stock, sold by amazon uk. By 7pm saturday 22nd it had arrived, and was wrapped and sitting waiting for its chance to make a little girls christmas so magical! Am still in awe of the speed that amazon dispatched the order so close to christmas, ok i had to pay for express evening delivery, but it is customer service like that that builds exceptional brand loyalty. What also pleases me is the way amazon have not gone the route that the high street retailers have over christmas and insisted on forcing customers to buy a package of a few games to get their wii, making a basic cost on the high street during december of a minimum of £250, usually much more. Hope they all go bust next year for their greed, and all their staff get jobs at amazon lol. BTW, the wii is fab, much fun for all the family

ITS A SCAM do not buy! Console and disc didn’t work and amazon customer service did nothing to help me but tell me to return. So amazon do not protect you from fraudulent advertising and the seller basically stole £60 off me just to send me a non working game and console

My impressions of the Wii, now I have one, are that it's a design classic. That little white box, about the size of a text book (but suprisingly heavy) has a clean design but hides all manner of flaps covering quite a range of possibilities. I had two worries about the Wii relying so heavily on motion sensitive controllers. One that it would be a bit patchy; it's not the controllers work perfectly and seem to pick up each and every movement fluidly. Second that this was a bit of a gimmick and I would be tired of it after a few hours; that however is not the case, it's just done so well that playing like this just seems to be second nature and the range of motions that can be detected is impressive. The software on the box itself, is as you would expect from Nintendo - simple, functional and very, very well done. Hopefully the great launch that this console has have will encourage more game development for this console (we can hope the they use the "WiiMote" in the way it's intended) but if you only ever end up buying WiiGames and the new Zelda it's still well worth the money. Once again, Nintendo have taken a fresh approach, only this time they've surpassed even their own standards.

The Nintendo Wii was the device that got people up out of their chairs to play computer games. It doesn't have the graphics capability of other gaming devices or even a standard computer, but the Wii remote encourages you to be active when playing games. Hard core gamers will probably not be too keen on it as they are more interested in the high quality graphics; but this is aimed far more at the family friendly market. The system is easy to set-up and use, and can be very enjoyable if you are in a group or on your own. It comes with the Wii Sports games, but others are easily purchased online or even from many supermarkets. I would strongly advise getting some rechargeable batteries for use with the Wii remote as otherwise you'll find that you spend a lot of money replacing standard AA batteries as they seem to last about 4 - 6 weeks depending upon how often you use it. The kit comes with just the one Wii remote; other units can be easily purchased and the system will manage up to 4 devices, allowing 4 players at a time. There are also other accessories to match certain games; "golf clubs", "steering wheels", "tennis rackets" among them. Even the younger children will quickly work out how to use the device and they will absolutely love it; especially if they can beat the adults which seems to happen a lot! But watch out that they don't get too excited and started jumping all over the room and damage things. A great way to spend an evening or a Sunday afternoon when it's wet; or very suitable for children's parties.

I pre-ordered a Wii from another company 7 months ago and have received excuse after excuse for delayed delivery. I was pleasantly suprised to see Amazon selling them on their site and after ordering it on the Friday afternoon it arrived the following morning. I already own a PS3 and 360, however this console offers a whole new type of gaming which will appeal to anybody. It was that popular in our house that everybody took a turn and I am usually the only person who has any interest in gaming. The graphics are perfectly acceptable for the type of games on offer and the inituitive controls have to be experienced. All in all, I am totally satisfied with the console; it looks smart, works brilliantly and its simplicity is the selling point. The downloadable back catalogue had me re-discovering games from my youth and offers something for all age groups. One of the most popular functions in our house was the (currently) free internet browser (opera)which allows internet access much more quickly than waiting to boot your PC. This machine is great - get one quick.

It doesn't really have that 'addictive' quality that some consoles or games have. I think the graphics are a step backwards but the idea behind the controllers is truly genius, although I do question the sensitivity. I am sure that this is something that can be improved upon. The cuddly world of Nintendo lacks longevity for me. I have a DS and similarly the touchy feely world of stroking and cuddling animals wears off pretty quickly. I look at a game like Assassin's Creed (I know, I know, a different market) and I see a game that you could well play for hours. Its a shame because there is no reason why Wii games have to be cuddly, could you imagine a title like grand theft auto on the Wii, if it was done properly? (might be a step too far though, in terms of 'interaction' and violence!) With strong advertising and a unique interface, I think the Wii is selling well. I just hope that some of the titles that flow through to this console don't just ride on this inovation but actually try and innovate themselves. Update 30/11/09 I do still play my Wii and the sensitivity I referred to above is probably improved with the new motion sensor (although some would argue that should have been there to start with). Nintendo are now bundling Wii with the Sports resort title, which I have, so I feel that maybe I was a little harsh with my original 3 stars for the Wii. Having said that, I do still want a PS3 now for the much improved Assasins Creed II....Just watch the games for the Wii, some are truly innovative, some are mediocare ports, whilst some are truly woeful. Do your research!

Muy buena compra. Producto totalmente nuevo. Tiene todo incluido. Funciona a perfección, no tenía que comprar ni adaptor para la tele, se conecto bien con cables de colores. Y eso que tengo TV de últimos. Juego también está muy bien. A instalar consola pide actualizaciones. Todo fenomenal. Mi hijo y yo muy contentos. Creo que incluso juego yo más que el. Gracias.

No game included as stated on box

Prodotto di ottima qualità. Servizio assistenza clienti impeccabile. Efficenza e cordialità. Stra consigliato.

Tout semble ok mais attention, prise UK, penser à acheter un adaptateur en même temps il n'est pas fourni

Ottima console. Consegnata nei tempi previsti e con una assistenza continua e puntuale da parte del rivenditore, sempre molto disponibile. Buona scelta di giochi. Soddisfatta!