Community Newsletter: Q&A forum: To Wii or not to Wii? That is the question.

Hello Rhonda,

My quick answer for you would be to purchase the Wii.

If you browse the internet you'll find all sorts of arguments for this question. Your Brother-in-law has a good and valid point however given that your son is 12 years old I believe he falls into the younger category that the Wii caters too.

I'm sure that there are plenty of people that will offer all of the positives and negatives to each system; Ill just touch base with those.

The Xbox 360 while acting as a game console also acts as a DVD player and if upgraded, acts as a HD-DVD player.

The PlayStation 3 also acts as a game console and DVD player however allows playback of Bluray DVD (no upgrade needed)

The Wii offers neither of the above two options


One of the perks to the Wii that isn't usually referenced are the games themselves. There are some great games with virtually no issues to worry about; such as violence, nudity & bloodshed. By the time your son gets old enough where those types of games aren't going to be as influencing there may be a new console available or you can simply look at getting the PS3 or Xbox at that point.

If however you're in the market for a Hi Def DVD player i recommend the Xbox 360 with the HD-DVD add-on. This is really only necessary if you have a larger television that is 720p + capable. If that is available to you i would not hesitate to get the 360 over the PS3.

You would be better off getting a xbox or ps 3 due to the more choice of games. In the long run the Wii will eventually sit on your shelf and collect dust. Your son will lose interst fast with this product. But with either the xbox or ps 3 he wont... Trust me, my boys didnt. Also you can choose the games for them, due to the catagory choice and on each game there is a rating ex. teen, everybody, mature... This is how I choose the right ones for my sons. I know it is a hard choice at first but do your homework first, before buying. It was harding not listening to your sons, wanting this and that, but I had to search online and get info about these products first. So I hope this is helpful.

why not a computer? you can run both the wiiii , nintendo and even ps2 , p.s3 on a computer ..

Rhonda,
My son is graduating college this month (22 yrs old)! Last Christmas he and some friends camped out at BestBuy to get the Wii.

We have had every game system made since Atari and I can say you will not be disapointed. There are not many games out so far, but the best ones are the ones that YOU will want to play. These 22-24yr olds break a sweat boxing! It gets kids & anyone that plays interacting!

It's eveb better if you have a big screen TV & room to play! The entire family can and will want to play with this. New games are comming out, but there are plenty to start with.

Good luck in finding the Wii this late, I am looking for my nephew & they stay sold out!

Curious, have you asked him, or will consider asking him if what he really wants is a Wii and not the other 2 systems? If you get a reply, don't settle for just "yes" or "no". Get some reasons and arguments on why he'd want a Wii and not the other 2 consoles. Just "yes" or "no" sounds like he didn't really look into it or is just going by peer pressure. Ask him if he also looked into the other 2 console systems as well. If it sounds like he knows what he really wants, then go with it. After all, whether if its movies, hobbies, or food, no one will know his video game interests better than himself. However, in the end, there's always the chance he'll get bored with a Wii or realize hes made the wrong choice. AFAIK, it's something children go through. They don't ALWAYS know what they want, and frankly, even adults go through this as well, although I'd imagine it's less so for them. At least this'll be a good lesson for him in high-end consumerism. He's learning more what to expect in terms of the odds-and-ends of a product, what he should look out for next time he researches a video game console, as well as what to look out for before making decisions about relatively expensive purchases. Even though you're buying it for him, hes still getting a lesson there in budgets, as it still counts against his budget of personal items you're willing to buy him in a given time. When he gets older, he can get anything he wants, but now he'll have to spend his own $$, and will be better about that since he'll have first hand experience in prioritizing his wants.

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As for the 3 consoles, I don't own any of them, but I have played all 3 of them. There's no clear winner here. Just 3 groups polarized in 3 different directions, like with many types of products like cell phone service providers and mp3 players. Some go in either or multiple directions, while others refuse to go certain ways. Of the latter, some may find their "blacklisted consoles" are not so bad afterall, but yet others are confirmed that it's just not for them. I grew up on Nintendo from 1986 up to 2001. Later on, I added PC games to the mix. From 2001 to present, I still play vid games from various systems and sources. It do have a thing for Nin, but I will make my in depth coverage to be unbiased. In the end, if you have the $$, you get more than one or all 3 of the. If not, you need to make a choice of which one you want (which is your sons case)

Wii
Good thing with the Wii is you could probably get in on the action as well. The motion sensing is a blast to play. Playing sports games (like Wii Sports and Wii Play) on the wiimote is truly fun. I've also played a game called Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz. It's a collection of mini-games, from the typical real life activities like throwing darts, archery, to the not so familiar like a game where you direct a falling ball to collect as many items as possible by tilting the remote to control platforms. Like a custom, very souped up Plinko game from The Price Is Right if you will. These games that lend themselves to this sort of real life realism work out wonderfully when using the motion controlled wiimote as an interface.

Then there are other games like Zelda Twilight Princess (played through a dungeon at a friend's house) and Super Mario Galaxy (of which I beat several levels at an EB Games). Those games are definately fun and well done, but personally, I would've preferred if they toned down the wiimote interaction. However, I could live with having to shake or swing the wiimote even tho it feels "less necessary" in this case. Using the wiimote to point at the screen to shoot at things does fell natural at least. These kinds of games on the Wii may not have as much appeal to you as above, but I believe you may also get into these as well

It has the reputation of being a "kiddie system". That's part true. All the Nintendo franchises like Mario, Legend Of Zelda, Metroid, Donkey Kong, Star Fox, etc. may attract kids, but the fact that adults are really into them doesnt make the Wii exclusively a kiddie system. Just think of all the adults who enjoy watching movies like Finding Nemo or Harry Potter and enjoy them despite being targeted towards an children audience. On the other hand, Nintendo does have more than a few games of mini-games in its collections, some even like party games. However, I hear Nin's doing a much better job of getting some games that are also better geared towards adults. For example, in this list...
http://www.destructoid.com/top-10-most-promising-wii-games-of-2007-28493.phtml
about half of them are more adult oriented.

Online experience here has some games with multiplayer, but less so than the other 3 systems. Theres also social interaction, checking stuff like news and weather, and the Virtual Console. The VC has a wide library of previous Nintendo games like form n64, Super Nintendo, and NES to download and play. Also have some non Nintendo consoles available like Turbo Graphics 16 and the Sega Genesis. All available at moderate prices. Good alternative to scouring pawn shops and ebay for older games, and having to connect multiple consoles to the TV when one console does most of it.

PlayStation 3
prices have gone down, but it's still the most expensive of the 3. On the plus side, it comes with bluray player, so you're into HD movies, that'll be a plus. As far as game selection goes, PS3 games are more similar to 360 games than Wii games. More games available for online multiplayer gaming. No fee required for that either. While these games are more oriented for adults its certainly possible some of it wont appeal to adults. The games tend to be more graphically realistic, and contain more adult material like sexual content, blood, gore, and adult themes like betrayal, murder, and blackmail. IMHO, it really isnt that much worse than many of todays movies that hes allowed to see at his age.

Xbox 360
cheaper system overall, but if you add the HD-DVD add-on, it comes about even with a PS3. Games like Gears Of War are truly unique with its own atmosphere you wont find anywhere else. Online play is better organized, but theres a $50/yr fee for that. Games here are roughly on par with a PS3. In graphical quality as well as all the adult oriented stuff.

PS3 and 360 notes
-If you don't have a HDTV or won't have one by the time you make a PS3 purchase, it's OK. Just realize while the picture quality for games and HDTV will still be good, it won't be the best.
-While the game types for these 2 systems are similar what sets them a part are the titles and franchises available. That would be left to your son to decide what appeals to him.
-these also have some games for younger audiences as well

OTHER NOTES
-One thing to keep in mind is Wiis are rather difficult to find this holiday season, so you'll want to plan ahead and/or pay something reasonable above the $250 MSRP.

Thats about it. I promised myself I would keep this as concise as possible so Ill stop it at here. I would stick with the Wii unless youre convinced hes QUITE sure he would want something else in the near future. Barring any personal preferences, any of the 3 consoles would really work out fine. If he makes the wrong choice, thats something he needs to deal with, as do we all.

Good luck and happy holidays!

It is the best game system and it gets the children off the couch. It is the most active game system, can you tell we have one. Even my 82yr old mom plays. It really is a lot of fun and we use it a lot.

I'm a father my self and it's very important to keep the deal you made with your son. First of all it helps you keep your promise. Second, your son made the choice (which helps him choose the things he wants!)
Lastly, as a gamer myself, I like the Wii, you can actually get involved with the games your kids play. Your in-law is probably right in a way, but then again that's an older person talking, not a 12 year old.

Another thing to consider, did you know the Wii is only $250? Given that a PS3 is $500, if he does out grow his Wii, I'm sure you could buy a PS3 in the future for $250 when it gets a price cut.

I'm 41, have advanced degrees in science and own a Xbox, Playstation and a Wii. Without question the Wii is the best! Super Mario Galaxy is an amazing game, much more captivating than Halo3!

Like Rhonda, my husband and I were in the same situation. I too was told that the kids would out grow the game. Most video games are mostly geared towards males. I have 2 daughters so it was a delema on what to do. I did a little research and found games that are geared towards girls. We decided to go with the Wii. Now to get one. I quickly found out that this happens to be the hottest Christmas gift this year. Yes there was none to be found. As both my husband and I work, we could never get to the store in the middle of the day to pick one up or stand in line for hours. Fortunately a supplier would put you on the list after you paid in advanced. I signed up and 3 days later when they came into town I received one. Now my hunt continues for the games for the Wii.

LF

My husband and I bought a Wii for our home so our grandchildren could play when they were visiting us. But we play it every week even when the little ones aren't here !! Our youngest daughter, who is 25, and her husband come by and challenge us to bowling, playing tennis, golf, the arcade games, etc.
And we really like it because it gets the kids off their "bottoms" and gets them moving around. Most video games only give your hands and fingers a work-out. My boss' son has a Nintendo and he complains how he sits for hours playing and never gets off the couch !!
We consider it a great investment since it entertains our youngsters from 5 years old, all the way up to us grown-ups(in our late 50's).

Some models of Playstation 3 can play some older playstation 2 games. The Playstation 2 has a very large selection of games

I am a dedicated gamed with a high spec pc who decided to try a Wii, well now i have one and even have Wii parties, I am 40 I have no kids but have various games from the sonic ones to mario, i use it for the internet and play games with people all over the world, when i am not on it my neighbours 10 year old is on it, I find it better to edit pics on it as it does that as well, and I was going to plug in the USB keyboard and type this reply but hey someone is on it, it bridges the generation gap and will not gather dust as it is too flexible, i expect they will even update the firmware soon as it seems to have the flexibility, it picked up my wifi in 5 mins, your kid and you will have a great christmas and contact mer i will give you my wii address and chat don't let the kids down or yourself go get it.

Chris monks just reply to the thread and i will send you my wii address

Rhonda,

I am retired. I have a son at 37 who still plays games. My daughter still plays at 28.

I bought a Wii to get fit. AARP wrote about this. 15 minutes of boxing is great cardio. This is included with the package. And there is more to come from Nintendo.

So choosing the Wii is really good for the whole family.

I am looking forward to early 2008 for an Agatha Christie Wii game. My daughter and I enjoy playing solve the puzzle type games together.

So if your son has the grades, the Wii is totally the right thing to do.

Hope this helps. Kathy

The wii is very interesting and fun when we feel like playing on it. I don't find myself or my family using it, it is in the same entertainment center as all the other systems (I have ALL the other systems.. back to NES)... the kids 3 and 6.. still like the Game Cube the best. Well that and my multi arcade machine emulator.
I have not seen a game for the 360 that would be totally cool for a 12 year old.

Outgrow the wii? Thats just silly. Its a matter of keeping up with the jones'
He will want the latest "prostitute raper" from rock star of course, because his friends want it, because the news and advertising told them to, and it won't be released on the WII. That's not to say he out grew it.. its just different.
The wii doesn't have little kids games and the XBOX360 grown up games. the wii just doesnt have a whole lot of the raping, killing and sex. Most likely because it doesn't lend itself well to first person shooters.

The wii is good fun that the whole family can enjoy and probably the only really responsible next gen game system one could buy for a teen.

My kids bought the Wii on their own after considering the other choices. They worked hard to save the money up and seem quite happy with their choice from what I can tell.

They like the Mario games when friends are over. Have guitar hero and some shoot'um up, role-playing, and other games they play alone or against each other, etc. They really like the Wii controllers (I have fun watching them waving them around, wiggling, etc., too!)

Not something they do daily, but the Wii hasn't sat for weeks at a time either (like the Game Cube unit was).

Kids are 17 & 19 years old and they haven't out grown it a bit.