Kids’ Big Gift
Nintendo Wii
It’s pretty well-known that the last generation of console gaming was not a strong one for Nintendo. And come to think of it, the last two "thumbstick ages" have been pretty disappointing for Mario fans, with the N64 and Gamecube both falling strides behind the competition from Sony and Microsoft. The main problems have been a lack of third party support and, in the long-past years of the N64, dated cartridge technology that drove the price of games into the upper stratosphere. It seems that’s all changed however, and by the looks of Nintendo’s new console, the Wii, the company is ready to take back the market it essentially created.
So, what’s so special about it?
The Wii isn’t a graphical powerhouse. Unlike the Microsoft Xbox 360and the Sony Playstation 3, it isn’t built to display blood or intestines at ridiculously high resolutions. In fact, while the competition is devoted to upgrading their devices to take full advantage of the HD age, Nintendo isn’t even offering its games in anything beyond standard 480p. Before you sign off, however, you should be aware of the ultimate purpose behind Nintendo’s new console: fun.
"Oh, come on." Yeah, it sounds pretty corny, even cliché. But, consider some of the features that the Wii boasts, and you’ll quickly understand why it’s being branded as a fun, yet fully functional, next generation system. While Microsoft and Sony jockey for position with amazing graphics, high definition DVD players and sky-high prices, the Nintendo Wii takes the other fork in the road by offering:
Wiimote
Nintendo’s biggest weapon (or gimmick, depending on your opinion) is their remote system, which relies heavily on motion-sensor technology. That means your kids, rather than sitting on the couch pressing buttons and twiddling thumbsticks, will instead be on their feet, waving a little white controller around. Swing a backhand, for example, and your on-screen tennis player will deliver the ball into the opponent’s court. Whether it’s used to wield a sword or balance on a skateboard, the Wiimote is Nintendo’s greatest hope for taking back the console market.
Virtual Console
Although not completely unique from Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade, Nintendo’s Virtual Console might be the ultimate gaming nostalgia library. Pulling from some of the finest (and forgettable) systems from yesteryear, Virtual Console will offer gamers the ability to download older adventures, including the original Mario Bros., Super Mario 64 and Genesis legend, Golden Axe, just to name a few. This could be the option that gets both Dad and son playing the Wii together.
Ok, it rocks. How much does it cost?
Although we’ve classified the Wii as the "Big Gift" for kids, it retails for a pretty reasonable price. Since it doesn’t quite offer the graphical leaps pursued by Microsoft and Sony, the Wii can be purchased for about $249. In some cases, that total might even include a game, such as the ever popular continuation of the Zelda franchise, Twilight Princess.
