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After unsuccessful attempts at Walmart and Target, I finally got my Nintendo Wii from BestBuy early yesterday morning. It is awesome. I’m still waiting for my copy of Zelda to arrive (which has been getting rave reviews ), but the console comes bundled with Wii Sports. The motion sensing controller works really well, and these simple sports games are a blast to play. My arm was actually a little sore after a few hours.

Setting up the console was quick and easy. The interface is easy to use as a PC mouse, and even has a rumble tactile response when you move over buttons. I connected to my wireless router, and browsed for classic games, like the original Zelda and Sonic the Hedgehog. Its all a very nice experience and looks very “Mac-ish”.

Not many other launch games are that appealing to me yet. I’m still waiting for more reviews to come in on certain games. I did purchase Super Monkey Ball, but its 50 mini-games all suck, so I will be getting rid of it soon.

Overall, the console is very slick and the remote-style controls work very well. WiiSports and Zelda are great glimpse of things to come. Nintendo has designed this from the ground up to be accessable by people of all ages and experiences. So even if you have not enjoyed video games in the past, you should try joining in on the fun. Any video game that encourages you to get up out of your chair can’t be all that bad for you.

Nintendo revealed more launch details today on its next console, the Wii. It will be released November 19th for just under $250. It will come with Wii Sports, a collection of sports games like Tennis, Golf, and Baseball. It will also have downloadable “channels” for web surfing, photo sharing, weather checking, and playing classic games.

If you dont know already, the Wii is very different from any other video game machine. The main feature is the controller, which looks like a TV remote. It detects full 3D movement so moving the remote around will correspond with actions in the game. It also functions as a pointer, so most of the interface works like you were using mouse to point and click.

I have always been a huge fan of Nintendo (Don’t tell anyone, but I experimented with some Sega back in the day too). Nintendo practically invented gaming as we know it with the NES and Gameboy. But unlike other gaming companies who generate the same thing year after year, Nintendo continues to innovate, as demonstrated by releasing the Nintendo DS and now the Wii. With the low price, attractive design, and focus on fun/easy to play games, they hope to open the market to new demographics (like your grandma).

I had decided that I no longer wanted to buy any new consoles. I felt that this current generation of games (PS2, XBox, Gamecube) was the peak of 3D gaming (which has not been as fun as the 2D era). Any new consoles would just be an HD rehash of the same ole thing. And looking at the PS3 and XBox360 games, I don’t think I was wrong. Compared to the Wii, the PS3 and XBox360 seem almost outdated now even though they are more powerful (and expensive) machines.

Just when I start to loose interest, Nintendo changes things up to keep me in the game.

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