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.