So I finally caved under pressure and bought a Nintendo Wii. I have been having a lot of fun with the console, so much so, that I’ve been taking time away from my computer gaming at night once the kids are in bed.
If you are in the market, let me make a few things perfectly clear. The guys at Best Buy will try to sell you the following things:
1.) One Nintendo Wii console
2.) One Wii Play (which comes with an extra controller)
3.) One Wii Controller recharging station
4.) An extra Wii Nun chuck.
5.) The extra 2 year warranty
6.) Various other assorted accessories.
Obviously you need #1.
The Wii Play is not as good as they promote it. “Oh, it’s got like, 8 extra games and it comes with a controller for just 20.00 more, instead of paying the 30.00!”
First of all most of the turn based games, you can share on one controller. Don’t spend the extra 50.00 on Wii Play. It’s not worth the controller. The only fun game in the entire thing is the shooting game. The cow racing game is highly amusing although it gets boring rather quickly.
Unless you are going to spring for Excite Truck or Mario Party 8 while you’re there, don’t even bother with the second controller until you’re ready. The Wii controller recharging station was a waste of money and I decided to bring it back. From what the sales guy said, I thought I’d be running out of batteries every day. We’ve had the Wii for over a month now, and haven’t changed the batteries once yet. Save the 30.00 bucks and just buy yourself batteries. It takes up less space, and probably less electricity! 
I bought the 2 year product replacement plan, because I do have young kids. Instead of the 1 year manufacturer’s warranty that automatically comes with the console, Best Buy offers the 2 year warranty that runs concurrently. The significant benefit being that should the Wii break, I walk across the street and they hand me a new one. This includes the controller that comes with the console as well.
So seriously, if you’ve got a limited budget, but want to surprise the loved ones for an upcoming holiday; just get the console. It comes with Wii Sports, and a controller. If you can afford an extra 50.00, spend the money on Mario Party 8. Once you get the extra funds to afford another controller & nun chuck, it’ll be a much better option for you than Wii Play.
Avoid Wii Carnival at all costs unless you have smaller children. If you’re an adult, you’ll find the entire game tedious and boring.
If you’re an adult, Zelda Twilight Princess is teh bomb. I’ve never had to be that coordinated in my life, but I’m managing quite nicely. It’s a lot of fun to actually have to swing your hands for the sword or lock onto and select targets for the boomerang. I will tell you, if you’re not used to two handed play, either on a video game console or via your computer usage, there will be a little bit of a learning curve.
So in a nutshell, the Wii has been fun. The new Metroid will probably be my next purchase, a long with another game that the kids and I can all play.
