Wii Impressions and Virtual Console Roundup

So here I am, 5 days into my Wii....and what can I say?

Well, first off I would say the Wii is a huge innovation in interfacing with the console. The first time you turn on the machine, pick up the Wii-mote and see the small hand float across the TV screen, you get a shiver for what is to come. The tactile sensation you get from hovering across a button on screen is subtle, yet pervasive. You start to feel connected to the screen in a way that has never occurred before with any game system.

As for controlling games, the included Wii Sports game gives you a good sense of what can be done with the controller. The controls are responsive like you have never dreamed. I was skeptical that the Wii-mote would not register subtle movements and that I would spend my time in frustration trying to figure out the "right" moves for the different games. Or my worst case scenario would be that I would have to always be off the couch, throwing my arms around in the air like I just don't care....but that is just not the case....although I do find it surprisingly fun to do just that...

Enter The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess....this game is a perfect example of how old-school games can transition to the new-school controller...Link feels attached to you. For example....while you are running through the fields of Hyrule, and you spot an enemy in the distance, simple walk towards him and without thinking of which button to press, you simple wiggle your Wii-mote wrist left to right and Link lets loose a torrent of slashes. Or if you suddenly find yourself surrounded by enemies, wiggle your Nunchuk left to right and Link lets loose with a 360 degree slash that will clear the path. This all starts to feel second nature after a bit of playing...in-fact I don't think I would like to go back to the old way of playing by using buttons to do all of this.

The Wii also has access to the "Will Shop Channel".....which is a classic gamers dream come true. Using pre-purchased Wii Points (~$1 CAD for 80 points), gamers can download a variety of classic games from NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis and TG16...I have personally downloaded Super Mario 64 and Bomberman '93...and so far I am impressed by how well these games are emulated and how easy it was to get them. The games have no enhancements in terms of game play (re. no online multiplayer), but some games, like Mario 64, have better looking textures then the original game....this is not because Nintendo changed anything, rather it is because of the hardware in the Wii just processes the graphics better then the original N64 did.
1Up recently posted a review of all the games available on the Will Virtual Console, so check it out if you are thinking about buying some games.....

As for me, I am sure to be back to give some more information about other features of the Wii once I have played around with them a bit more so stay tuned.

Complete Legend of Zelda Retrospective

Here are the videos from Gametrailer's six-part retrospective on Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series... intriguing to say the least...



[edit: I decided to post the full six-parts as one video that was compiled by someone with way too much time.]

Smash My PS3

It was bound to happen....these guys are infamous for this...and it hurts every time they do it....click the video for the pain!

Halo 3 Pre-Order

Can wait to get your grubbies on Halo 3?....Well Amazon has the answer for you! Amazon.com has now officially started accepting pre-orders for Halo 3 for the Xbox 360....Click the picture to lay down your dollars.

First Halo 3 in-game image from Bungie.net

Bungie has release the first in-game image of Halo 3 and man is it detailed! Click the image for the full size picture!!

PS3 First Game Review IS IN!

And it's not looking good! Gamespot has posted their review of Genji: Days of the Blade, and have given it a dismal review score of "6.4 Fair". Hopefully this is not the way the launch titles are going to pan out, as we all know launch titles can make or break a system.

New Wii Far Cry Vengeance Trailer

Cool vid shows off the control scheme in the new Far Cry: Vengeance game for Nintendo Wii.

Wii on the Production

IGN has posted some pictures of the Nintendo Wii being boxed up on the production line. Looks like the launch is on track for November 19th. Click the picture for more.

Wii Linux?

It would seem that the linux community is at it again, now developing a fully functioning linux distro for the Nintendo Wii. Nothing is available yet but the features they are planning sound great:

Things we can do:

• Surf the Internet (using the control as a mouse pointer)
• Wii Media Extender, Stream moves, music, etc, from a PC to a TV using WiiLi and the Nintendo Wii in the middle. Think Apple iTV for free.
• Write a document with a regular USB keyboard and print it with any USB printer.
• Email and chat with your friends.
• Use an external USB storage device to backup and play your movies, games, mp3's, etc...
• Play old classic games using the MAME console emulator.
• Develop your own programs and games.
• Control WiiLi from your PC using the WiFi connection.
• Use Willi and the Wii as a Network Attached Storage (NAS) by connecting it to an external USB HD.
• Anything you could possibly do with a regular computer.

Head over to their wiki to see what is new.

PS3 Eye Toy Promo Video

Here is a great new video promoting the new Eye Toy functionality on the PS3.

Xbox Live Fall 2006 Update Preview

Over at GameVideos.com there is a nice guided preview of all the updates made to Xbox Live. Watch part 1 and 2 below and head over to gamevideos.com for more great vids. Better yet, if you have an Xbox 360 with Xbox Live, log in now with your gamertag and you should download the updates automatically.

Gears Of War - Review

After months and months of waiting and waiting, Gears of War for the Xbox 360 was released and I finally got to get a hands on experience. I will truthfully say that there is nothing that I have played thus far that can even compare. The really isn't anything bad that can be said about this game. The graphics are the most amazing I've seen, truly showing that the Xbox 360 is a "next gen" console. The game play is flawless and the cut-scenes are immaculate. I can truthfully say that Gears of War is the game to own for all you Xbox 360 gamers.

Rating:
I rate this game a perfect 10 out of 10

Below you will see a small video of what I am talking about.


[video via]