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Author Topic: Wii and the living room  (Read 4332 times)

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Offline Ilwrath

Re: Wii and the living room
« on: June 02, 2008, 03:42:08 PM »
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However, my friend has a Wii and in the living room and we had a fun round of bowling.
I agree the Wii has more mass appeal than any console in years, probably not since the 80s has there been so much broad appeal of games to so many different people who wouldn't normally have a console.


I think that is really the key.  The Wii connects well with the non-core gamer market.  I've always played video games, so I'm not intimidated by a PS3 or 360 controller.  But my wife hadn't played a video game since the Atari 2600.  She has a brain melt when presented with A-B-X-Y, 2 analog sticks, two analog shoulder bumpers, and two digital shoulder bumpers.  I would, too, had I not played my way through the progression of controller technology.

But, enter the Wii, and that all changes.  It doesn't need a slew of buttons and sticks.  It's more of pointer, really...  That's something she can manage.  So all of a sudden, we have a new family activity for a rainy evening.

I got her to try Mario Kart a few days ago.  Yesterday, she actually waited for me to take the lead before firing her blue shell off.  I think I may have created a monster.  :-(
 

Offline Ilwrath

Re: Wii and the living room
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2008, 03:11:55 PM »
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Yes it's a great party and entertainment machine but it just isn't a serious gaming machine


And that's exactly why it's such a great system for the living room / den.  "Serious gaming machines" stress the single-user play.  The Nintendo's strength is social activities.  Sure, the graphics are not powerful, but how much graphics do you need to have fun?  

Also, I've found the Opera browser on it to be quite handy for looking things up.  Bookmark IMDB, Wikipedia, MovieFone, Local Weather, etc...  Instant on/Instant off reference source.  

And as for open development...  There is a new unofficial homebrew channel you can run on the Wii.  Also, you have the Opera/Flash platform.