Digital Home Thoughts: Non-HD Gaming Fun: The Nintendo Wii

Bring on the Games!
One definite bonus about this system is that it comes with games. Anyone who has been into console gaming for a while can remember the good 'ole days when you could buy a system and it came with a game. Sadly this practice stopped several years ago and with the way prices are these days, you're lucky if you can purchase a new console and still have enough money left over to buy a single game. But that is not the case with the Wii. Not only does it come with games, it comes with fun games that really showcase the features of the system. The games I speak of are a compilation of sports games known as "Wii Sports".

The game "Wii Sports" includes: Baseball, Boxing, Bowling, Golf, and Tennis. If you're looking for the latest in High Definition graphics, then the Wii is not for you. But, if you're looking for a unique and fun gaming experience, then the Wii with "Wii Sports" definitely delivers. Whether you're swinging the remote like a bat to knock the ball out of the park or twisting your wrist slightly to put a little spin on your bowling ball and get that strike, the experience is like nothing you would ever expect from a video game. A speaker embedded in the remote adds even more to your fun by putting the sound of returning a serve in tennis or driving a golf ball 300 yards right in your hand. Getting the hang of using the remote and playing these games I found to be very simple. So simple, in fact, that I think I can get the rest of my non-technical family hooked. This is definitely a video game system for the masses.

Conclusions
The Wii is a great little console with a lot going for it. The motion sensing Wii remote adds a depth and realism to games that you just don’t find anywhere else. It was as easy to setup and use as Nintendo advertises. I wish it had support for High Definition graphics because I think that would put this system over the top. Wider support for memory cards would have been a plus also. I really do want a rechargeable battery pack for the Wii remote, but with a cheap $250 price tag and free games included, I can live with buying batteries every now and again. If you're in the market for a new video game system, on a budget, and want something that can appeal to the whole family, then the Nintendo Wii is a must have.

Chris Baxter is an IT Professional and part time Web Designer who resides in North Aurora, Illinois. Playing video games, watching movies, or reading a good book are what occupies his time when he is not fixing computers or trying to get his hands on the latest gadgets.