wii?

[littlemomma]

So, my soon-to-be 8yo really wants a Wii for his birthday. Any tips about this? Is it as simple as going out and buying the box at the store, or is there more to it? This will be our first video game experience, so any advice is much appreciated. Thanks!

[journeymom]

My husband got us one a year and a half ago when they were still flying off the shelves. I imagine they're not moving that fast anymore. He was in Best Buy for something else when they got a shipment of Wiis and he snagged it.

Other than the initial hype, there is nothing special about buying one. Yes, you just go to the store and buy one, like buying a stereo or a tv. Or order it off Amazon.com or what not.

It's still just a game console, like Nintendo or Game Cube or XBox. But it IS exceptional in the way you use it, with the motion sensor hand pieces and its internet capabilities. But I think the best part is that they have more games aimed at adults, or really, any non-12 y.o. boys. I like the Wii Games that came with it. Bowling, tennis, baseball, golf. Those are a lot of fun. And the Wii Fit is a blast, though it requires a separate foot board.

I'm a 40 y.o. mom and I enjoy it.

[Chandar]

They are still flying off the shelves. We got one yesterday, but had to call every single store within 30 miles to find one. I mean all stores like all Targets, all Best Buys etc...

[Kirsten]

Don't spend a bunch of money on extra games. It comes with Wii sports which includes golf, boxing, bowling, tennis, baseball. These are fun and will keep your dc busy. I have heard that sports is actually better than 90% of the games you can buy aftermarket. We do want WiiFit. Oh, and my kids did buy Dance Dance Revolution with the money they made selling toys at our garage sale - that is popular too, but not as much as sports. Sports (what it comes with) is really pretty great. Just start with that.

Oh, and you'll need a basket or something to put all the controllers and stuff in. I found a cute one in my garage sale box that I previously didn't know what to do with.

[shelbean91]

They're still pretty hard to get, but fun.

[flapjack]

I would look at getting Wii Play as well: at least over here, it comes with an additional controller which is nice to have. I quite like Big Brain Academy as well, and love Wii Fit.

[Arduinna]

You might find this thread helpful

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=946515

[laprettygurl]

omg I love my wii!!!!

definately get it! So far i have the wii sports and play, ummmm mariokart, marioparty and mario galaxy. love love love galaxy....

i'm also on the list for the wiifit so about two more months i'll have it.

currently i'm watching youtube on it (you can buy points to dowload stuff.) so far i've gotten the internet channel and super mario world. :

big brain academy is an excellent game as well

walmart usually has them in stock around here...as well as superstore (canadian)

[Freud]

I love love love my wii! I just downloaded the old-school Supermario Brothers 3 and am quite obsessed at the moment!

[lucyem]

We walked into a shipment of wii's a couple of weeks ago and got it. I felt a bit odd as the kid at the store piled on what we needed. It comes with one controler and nunchuck but you need a second controller and nunchuck (both sold apart) to play some games with a friend. We have had a ball with it My son is 6 and my younger one is 3. The 3 yr old can even feel like he is playing. Family bowling nights have begun. We had my mom & her 88 yr old aunt visit and we were all bowling from age 3 to 88.

Last week I walked into a new shipment of Wii Fits. I am now hooked. Both kids can play the little games in it too. My 6 yr old loves the soccer balls you hit with your head while trying to miss the flying pandas and shoes.

Well we are in so deep now we bought Wii Ski. You do not need the balance board with Wii ski, but it is one of the few games available that work with the balance board. Anyway that is so cool. My 6 yr old thinks the Wii ski is the best game. It is probably the highest rated game for the Wii right now. So look into that one for sure. My friends have a Wii and 10 & 7 yr old boys. The boys said Mario Galaxy is the best and that my son would love it in another year. So thats worth looking into. But other then those it does not seem like there is much else worth getting yet. On the other hand between the sports that comes with it and one game anyone will be kept happy for a long time.

I wondered how you would manage to play a traditional video game with the Wii and then I saw you can buy a regular handheld with a wire controller. Otherwise I would imagine it would be tough. But you can get the whole range of traditional video games, but they are not stand up with the controller Wii type games.