WWTBAM Bored

We've pretty much decided that my holiday gift will be a Wii and the Zelda game for it. Everywhere I look, though, the console comes as a bundle with a confusing array of extras. I know that several of you already own one. What extras are "essential", as in if I didn't buy them now, I'll want them in the future? For that matter, what games are the best?

GameStop has the basic console and whatever comes with it for $250. Zelda is another $50. I have no idea what other games I would want. We prefer puzzles to fighting, and probably won't take advantage of the online or multiplayer stuff. I might want the Wii Fit system, but that, if I understand it correctly, is a separate purchase anyway.

Suggestions and advise are welcome. I thank you in advance. Now to go back to painting doors.

gsabc wrote:We've pretty much decided that my holiday gift will be a Wii and the Zelda game for it. Everywhere I look, though, the console comes as a bundle with a confusing array of extras. I know that several of you already own one. What extras are "essential", as in if I didn't buy them now, I'll want them in the future? For that matter, what games are the best?

GameStop has the basic console and whatever comes with it for $250. Zelda is another $50. I have no idea what other games I would want. We prefer puzzles to fighting, and probably won't take advantage of the online or multiplayer stuff. I might want the Wii Fit system, but that, if I understand it correctly, is a separate purchase anyway.

Suggestions and advise are welcome. I thank you in advance. Now to go back to painting doors.

I know you said you probably won't take advantage of the multiplayer stuff, but I'd get a second controller, just in case. Those sports games that come with the system (golf, bowling, tennis, baseball) are wonderful. You might also consider rechargeable battery packs, although they aren't strictly necessary.

I'm a HUGE fan of the Guitar Hero franchise, so I recommend the GH Bundle (guitar and game) highly. I also am loving Super Mario Galaxy, although I haven't played it in a while (thanks for reminding me!). I would hightly suggest that you avoid anything with a movie tie-in like the plague. They're thrown-together pieces of crap. I understand Super Mario Kart is really good, but I've never played it.

Have fun!

Most of the "extra" accessories are just that. For instance, there's a crossbow attachment you can buy for use with the Zelda game and others. All it does it give the Wiimote something more approximating the size and shape of a "real" crossbow. It doesn't change the functioning of the game or the Wiimote. It does (I think) give an extra minigame or two to play. There's a lightsaber attachment for the Star Wars games, and so on.

Most Wiis come with one Wiimote, and maybe one Nunchuck. If you ever want the multiplayer experience (other than competing against someone online) you'll want at least two Wiimotes, and maybe more. And if you fall prey to the temptation to download classic Nintendo games (all the way from the 8 bit Nintendo up thru Gamecube), you may need extra controllers, as well.

Most everything that you might want in the future can be added at your convenience. IOW, you won't save anything by buying a bunch of accessories now, or at once. Nintendo keeps the prices pretty stable. I was pleasantly surprised that we haven't needed any additional memory yet.

As for game recommendations, if you like the sports games that come with it, you'll probably love WiiFit. And WiiPlay is pretty fun as well. I like both the Tiger Woods and the Guitar Hero franchises, too. As for puzzle solving, I've heard good things about Brain Academy and the medical simulation game (the name of which I can't currently recall) but I haven't played them.

KT, the only game that we own for the Wii is the one that came with it, Wii Sports, and it is addicting. I especally love Tennis, it's great playing alone or with another person, and for that reason I recommend that you get an additional controller. The Boxing game that is part of Sports needs the Nunchuk (as does the Fitness test), which comes with your 1st controller with the console, but you'd need to buy one with any additional controller, but that would only be if you wanted to box with someone else, so it's not really needed. Sorry if that's confusing, here's m advice, buy another controller, you're going to do it eventually anyway. And enjoy the game, you'll love it. PS: you can also download old games from the Wii website to play, We've got Super Mario 3 and Donkey Kong.

traininvain wrote:KT, the only game that we own for the Wii is the one that came with it, Wii Sports, and it is addicting. I especally love Tennis, it's great playing alone or with another person, and for that reason I recommend that you get an additional controller. The Boxing game that is part of Sports needs the Nunchuk (as does the Fitness test), which comes with your 1st controller with the console, but you'd need to buy one with any additional controller, but that would only be if you wanted to box with someone else, so it's not really needed. Sorry if that's confusing, here's m advice, buy another controller, you're going to do it eventually anyway. And enjoy the game, you'll love it. PS: you can also download old games from the Wii website to play, We've got Super Mario 3 and Donkey Kong.

For the record, it's gsabc who's looking for the advice. I already have one, and love it (and completely agree with your assessment). I'm not real thrilled with Boxing, myself, but the tennis an bowling games will steal hours of your life; remember "Marbles"? This is mucho worse-o).

Yes to the above for Wii Play with the extra remote (2nd nunchuk not included) and Wii Fit. I'll add a plug for Wii Music.

Wii Music lets you use the remote to conduct an orchestra and gives you points based on how you did. There are 60+ instruments and songs to unlock. You can separately record yourself playing melody, harmony, bass, chord, and percussion and put it together for your own video. Youtube search Wii Music or probably any other game to see game play in action.

An older game lots of fun is WarioWare Smooth Moves.

I will encourage that you look at getting multiple Wii remotes. (Maybe the chance to play bowling etc might encourage the happy couple to visit more. )

I really think that you should get the rechargeable remotes rather than the one(s) that come with the basic console, especially if you think that you will be playing every day.

We love Wii Fit. My son loves Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Kart, and Lego Star Wars.

I really enjoy Tiger Woods Golf.

KillerTomato wrote:


For the record, it's gsabc who's looking for the advice. I already have one, and love it (and completely agree with your assessment). I'm not real thrilled with Boxing, myself, but the tennis an bowling games will steal hours of your life; remember "Marbles"? This is mucho worse-o).

Oops! See what happens when you don't read the instruction manual.

The girls love the Wii! We have three controllers for it because of Guitar Hero. The programs that the girls really like include Guitar Hero, Mario Cart (you need steering wheels for this game) and Wii Fit, with the balance board.