Nintendo Wii Review

£180Nov 2006

Stuff says 5 Hot Buy

Pure fun in a box. Get some friends round and swing your Wiimote until the early hours

Images

Video review

Stuff magazine Thu, Nov 23 2006, 7:00AM

When Microsoft and Sony were looking into the future, they saw faster, slicker, bigger. When Nintendo peered in, they were giggling uncontrollably and fighting over who was up next. No hi-def graphics, no next-gen video formats and not really any sign of upping the performance of the console – the Wii is all about upping the workrate of us, the gamers. And to that end, crazy motion-sensitive controllers and Nintendo’s staple of quirky, innovative games are fizzing into the arena.

Hands, arms and legs-on
The most unusual thing about the Wii is its wireless controls. The Wiimote is the one you’ll use at all times – a sensor bar is placed under your telly and wired up to the Wii, giving the Wiimote the ability to aim at points on the screen. It also has gyros to sense how it’s being tilted or swung.

For some games, such as the Wii Sports boxing, you’ll need to attach the Nunchuk to the Wiimote and punch with one in each hand. For Zelda, you’ll use the joystick on the Nunchuk for moving around, and the Wiimote for swinging your sword and aiming weapons. A steering wheel is on the way.

In most of the launch titles, the controller is a raving success. In Zelda, firing bows and slingshots is immensely satisfying, while Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz throws up more creative uses such as guiding a monkey-in-a-ball round corners using tilting. Less impressive conversions like Need for Speed Carbon, though, serve as a warning that not all games are suitable for a Wii makeover.

Eye of the beholder
If you’re looking at the graphics and thinking they’re little better than the GameCube’s, you’re right – they’re still standard def and the processing just hasn’t leapt up much. Buy the optional component cable rather than using the bundled composite/Scart connector and you see some improvement, but if you’re after super-sharp images and no slow-down, get an Xbox 360 or PS3.

Caught in the web
Wii can access the internet over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and has a constant connection so you’ll occasionally find a surprise game downloaded. Talking of which, the finest part of the online experience is the ability to download old Sega classics, such as Ecco the Dolphin, Altered Beast and Sonic the Hedgehog. There’s access to the web through an Opera browser, but sadly no games currently do multiplayer online yet – only Japan has that privilege for now.

Still, playing with your mates is more than enough fun for now, and they’ll all be besotted with Nintendo’s slab of lateral thinking after a few games. We never thought it would happen, but a layer of dust has accumulated on our PS3. Now it’s up to Sony and Microsoft to prove that hyper-realistic gaming hasn’t lost its sense of fun.  

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    1 year ago

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  3. rosemood

    1 year ago

    Feeling pretty sh*tty about this whole thing now. Would rather have my money back and look eslewhere or come back when these issues are fixed. Briquette Machine

  4. mikegeary

    1 year ago

    A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and detects movement in three dimensions. Another distinctive feature of the console is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode. 0800 numbers

  5. jinkaz

    1 year ago

    The Nintendo Wii makes use of special motion-sensitive controllers that allow you to swing a sword, throw a punch, or drive a car with a flick of the wrist rather than with the push of a button. kids personalised books

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  13. Jessica81

    1 year ago

    Does wii have a game called Vaginismus ? If so, where do we find it?

  14. Jessica81

    1 year ago

    We found a nintendo-wii at a storage auctions and it worked great! Now we sit in front of the TV all night playing games instead of watching TV. Thanks for changing our lives!

  15. Brookser4

    1 year ago

    For Zelda, you’ll use the joystick on the Nunchuk for moving around, and the Wiimote for swinging your sword and aiming weapons. A steering wheel is on the way. loans for bad credit
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  16. creative

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    Got this for the kids at christmas gone. Had to put it away for weekends as my hubby and I played throught the night!! yes its so addictive!!!
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  24. Brookser4

    1 year ago

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  28. thimbles

    1 year ago

    Its a really great console. It just goes to prove that graphics dont mean anything when it comes to fun gameplay. shabby chic mirrors
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  29. vickychao

    1 year ago

    Nintendo Wii is a great innovation of console game. People not only play ot. They do exercise with it. content unlocking

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  31. petermarco

    1 year ago

    Nintendo Wii was a great brand after all. I know this console is better than the previous nintendo. I hope it will bring us good fortune.
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  32. JeffryJordan

    1 year ago

    People have their own favourites gaming stuff. But this one is also good, it has a good graphics.
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    The graphics is very good and really look like a real 3D animation. That's make people like to have it.
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    1 year ago

    If playing chess or backgammon makes you feel bored you can check out video games. This “Nintendo Wii Review' is for those fans of games who like to know about Nintendo products. The unique thing about this product is that it has wireless controls. In this review there is information on how to use the Nintendo Wii for certain games. You can use the Wii over the Internet and it is stated that it can download old Sega classics.

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  35. gaudenzi90

    1 year ago

    What can I say about this wonderful console? It has been a little revolution with its innovative gameplay system, no wonder it sold like hot cake! I wish Nintendo the best for the upcoming Wii 2, which seems even more innovative than the first (did you see the awesome controller? ;)

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  36. Rothi

    1 year ago

    You know what would be cool? if These games will have this casino like game, where you, for example spin the Roulette wheel or throw the Craps dice. Don't you think it is cool?

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    1 year ago

    This bag looks very cute and very suitable for use by women. I guess I'll buy it as a gift for my girlfriend. Because in my opinion, this bag will look elegant when in use by a beautiful woman. reflective tape

  38. Susancai114

    1 year ago

    The review to it is very good. From it, we can know a lot about the product itself. importing from china

  39. barcoder

    1 year ago

    great fun could not get on with the wired nunchucks and have not found a wireless set that work properly

  40. Damiankiedos

    1 year ago

    great fun but you need motion plus

  41. BGrannyB

    2 years ago

    Played with my son and his partner
    great family fun
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  42. molly57

    2 years ago

    Got one of these last Christmas and only used it briefly. It's sat gathering dust so I must make more use of it.

  43. lara999

    2 years ago

    Got this for the kids at christmas gone. Had to put it away for weekends as my hubby and I played throught the night!! yes its so addictive!!!

  44. tesuhoha

    2 years ago

    I got this for my birthday two years ago

  45. salesadrn

    2 years ago

    Great Fun!

  46. saldom

    2 years ago

    Its good

  47. pootsf

    2 years ago

    Got one, although thinking I might need to upgrade to the MotionPlus.

  48. cathrynanderson...

    2 years ago

    Had to put this away for a while, as it is so addictive!

  49. clh2pls

    2 years ago

    Love ours. Robust and easy to use.

  50. clh2pls

    2 years ago

    Robust piece of kit that is also versatile (with the iplayer). My kids love it and so do I.

  51. AlPal

    2 years ago

    Had my Wii 2 years and still get a lot of entertainment from it and really enjoyable when you have friends around joining in, would recommend it to anyone.

  52. Technophobe

    2 years ago

    It's been out for ages, but I still love it. I play it with my mates & my son and we still have a laugh with it.
    Money well spent.

  53. sonseyface

    2 years ago

    Brings out the competitive side of the whole family. It's how to combine exercise with hospital trips. How we laugh about it later!

  54. daphnemueller

    2 years ago

    have not kept up with the keep fit

  55. lovellj102

    2 years ago

    I got my Wii a few years ago now and at the time it was great however as soon I got my slim Xbox and Kinect I sold my Wii as it just doesnt compete. unless you have a fit board you can play every game sat down like dance games etc.... pointless! the Kinect on the other hand gives you no choice but to get off the sofa and really get involved and work up a sweat! sorry Wii, thanks for what you have done for gaming but YOU LOOSE move over for the big boys!!

  56. dave mcara

    2 years ago

    Great Way to keep fit

  57. dave mcara

    2 years ago

    Great Way to keep fit

  58. surfingjohn

    2 years ago

    The Wii is great. Everyone in the family uses it. The games are designed for everyone to use and can be played in short bursts rather than having to block out a slice to time to progress through levels.

  59. andy01

    2 years ago

    One sure way to get fit

  60. watsoa

    2 years ago

    Can't get on it - my wife loves it.

  61. officer dibble

    2 years ago

    wicked, great family fun and some actual excercise

  62. S WRIGHT

    2 years ago

    Will miss this after I seperate from my hubby - he got custody

  63. brierlj1

    2 years ago

    brilliant.. great fun when friends and family visit, the wii always comes out

  64. FreakyDragon

    2 years ago

    really fancy trying this but it seams quite addictive when you start playing.

  65. markster

    3 years ago

    oh when the console is modded not official. yes it will playback dvd's.

  66. markster

    3 years ago

    well i just love playing Call Of Duty Modern Warfare online. not bad for a console that does not do online games according to the review.

  67. kia kaha

    4 years ago

    Love it. Excellent for the casual gamer, good for the hardcore gamer but perfect for the in between (me)

  68. vgrahame08

    5 years ago

    It's a fun little console in short doses, personally I prefer more depth from my games, and in all honesty I think the motion sensitive thing a bit gimmicky, my five year old loves it though.

  69. markyp1

    5 years ago

    We're lucky enough to have a 360 and a Wii sat under the family TV. The Wii gets by far the more use, and everyone gets involved. It's reliable (the 360 had to be taken back twice for repair / replacement), social (where's that copy of Wii Sports?) and addictive. The lack of eye candy isn't such a big issue - everyone's too busy playing to worry about the lack of photo-realism in water reflections. We've yet to have anyone send the controller flying through a screen. 10/10.

  70. benzo132

    5 years ago

    I got one last christmas and I still cant stop playing it, its well worth the money, even if there is such a shortage.

  71. mikecross

    5 years ago

    Can't get one !

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