Maybe getting a Wii -- Any advice?

[deerminator]

The wife and I were talking this would make a good family present from Santa. I see Target has the console, controller, nunchuck and Mario and Zelda games for $140 something. Looks like a good price for a package like that and was considering doing that. Any thoughts on that set-up initially or buying tips? Should I get an extra controller right away so both kids can play at once and for games like baseball and what not. We've never owned a video game system before so any input, no matter how basic would be appreciated.

[Lowblazah]

2nd controller is a must. Great gift idea!

[deerminator]

Thx. The seven year old is getting wise. Last year he asked how Santa could have "made" legos. I responded, well, he didn't, he got some from the lego factory. He bought legos, he responded. Well, no. He stole them! he responded. No, the lego people just give him so many each year because he's Santa. lol. So, this might have to come from us and Santa gets the legos because we've establshed that.

[LwnmwnMan2]

Thx. The seven year old is getting wise. Last year he asked how Santa could have "made" legos. I responded, well, he didn't, he got some from the lego factory. He bought legos, he responded. Well, no. He stole them! he responded. No, the lego people just give him so many each year because he's Santa. lol. So, this might have to come from us and Santa gets the legos because we've establshed that.

You need to teach your kid economics.

The reason that Nintendo gives Santa a Wii to bring to the kids, is there is no money to be made in the console.

The profit margins are in the games and accessories.

Nintendo gives a Wii to Santa for free since they aren't making any money on the console, Santa brings the Wii to Mom and Dad who then have to buy games and accessories which have higher profit magins and then Nintendo makes money.

The kid will be into his 2nd or 3rd year of economics in college before he starts to wonder about Nintendos cost of doing business and how they could even just GIVE Santa the Wii. At that point you explain to him it functions like a door buster at Wal-Mart or Kohls on Black Friday and you'll be home free.

[deerminator]

Ha! I did some reading tonight online and it looks like Nintendo is making a new Wii U next year and so these techie sites say buy a Wii if you must but its on its way out in current form. Who knows. Maybe I will be putting this one off.

[delcecchi]

Ha! I did some reading tonight online and it looks like Nintendo is making a new Wii U next year and so these techie sites say buy a Wii if you must but its on its way out in current form. Who knows. Maybe I will be putting this one off.

In the mean time you will get 140 worth of fun out of it. I think it also streams movies from netflix and maybe other places.

[deerminator]

Yeah, I just dont want to pay $145 plus another $40 and then some more for games and rental for a system that is obsolete in six months. My main concern would be they stop making games for it mid-year and then you're just out if you want to buy or rent any new ones.

[deerminator]

Also, we dropped Netflix. Had streamed it and the 2 Blu Ray plan but with the recent price hikes, no thanks. We can rent 4 new releases for 7 days each week from Cashwise for almost exactly the same price and we don't always do that so we save in the long run.

[bobbymalone]

Thx. The seven year old is getting wise. Last year he asked how Santa could have "made" legos. I responded, well, he didn't, he got some from the lego factory. He bought legos, he responded. Well, no. He stole them! he responded. No, the lego people just give him so many each year because he's Santa. lol. So, this might have to come from us and Santa gets the legos because we've establshed that.

OK wait, wait. I'm confused here... I need to call my parents...

My parents give me carp about how long I was a believer, but the neighborhood kids broke it down for me years previous and I did some snooping once and discovered that santa was apparently hiding things in my parents closet weeks before christmas and then putting them under the tree... I just didn't say anything because I was afraid the santa thing would stop. So who's the fool, mom and dad???

Anyways, tough call on the Wii. My wife and I have one and we love it, but we aren't so much into buying the latest games and playing them nonstop like I was a 7 year old. They could stop making new games next year and I could buy used games for the next decade and be OK.

Also, IMHO the netflix on the Wii just isn't worth the cost if you have an HD TV. It won't be in hi def.

[deerminator]

Good points. I think our 7 year old and 4 year old would be thrilled with anything and not need the latest and greatest games. Heck, thy just like playing Mario Brothers on the Wii at the YMCA. Plus, you have to think there will be a grace period where they'll still keep making new games for that system. Anyway, totally agree on the Netflix. I loved the convenience of streaming movies but the selection wasn't great in terms of newer movies, we'd run into connectivity issues where it wouldn't work or keep stopping and the picture quality was really grainy on some of the older movies. I like my blu ray discs!

[mamohr686]

The only thing I'll add is that you will want your Wii hooked up to your wireless network. If you don't have a router, you my want to put one in your stocking.

Mario cart and punch out are hilarious to watch my kids play. When my 4 and 5 yr old get into an argument sometime we settle it with a game of 2 player punch-out. They can beat the tar out of each other in the digital world and get rid of some steam.

[bobbymalone]

Mario cart and punch out are hilarious to watch my kids play. When my 4 and 5 yr old get into an argument sometime we settle it with a game of 2 player punch-out. They can beat the tar out of each other in the digital world and get rid of some steam.

4 and 5 year olds? My wife and I often settle our arguments with a round of 2 player punch out

and mario cart? waaay tooo much fun.

[deerminator]

Thanks for all the advice. We ended up getting the Wii package with the new Super Mario Bros and Zelda games fo $145, which I thought was a good value. Then, I started realizing about the add-ons as mentioned. $60 for an extra controller and nunchuk. $25 for rechargable battery packs and chargers, etc. The good news is, my wife bought herself a tennis game on clearance for $10. Looking forward to using it with the kids. I know they will be very excited. I keep telling my 7 year old there is no way we'll ever get a video game system. lol.

[delcecchi]

I liked bowling, and the baseball game is fun too. Getting beaten by a 6 year old will keep you humble.

[nofishfisherman]

Thanks for all the advice. We ended up getting the Wii package with the new Super Mario Bros and Zelda games fo $145, which I thought was a good value. Then, I started realizing about the add-ons as mentioned. $60 for an extra controller and nunchuk. $25 for rechargable battery packs and chargers, etc. The good news is, my wife bought herself a tennis game on clearance for $10. Looking forward to using it with the kids. I know they will be very excited. I keep telling my 7 year old there is no way we'll ever get a video game system. lol.

I think everyone will enjoy it. The Wii is great for the non serious gamer who just wants to have some fun. Its also great for when you have guests, most other gaming systems have a large learning curve so if you have friends over they can't really just jump in and start playing right away unless they have the same console at home. With the Wii almost anyone can pick up a controller and be playing in a few minutes.

As for the rechargable batteries and battery charger you may be able to find a deal on the right now. I know I saw them in a black friday ad for pretty cheap. I can't remember where they were at but if you look around you can probably find one on sale.

[deerminator]

Yeah, I saw the 5.99 batteries and charger at My Nerds but wasnt willing to get up early or drive to town or battle crowds to save $15 bucks. My wife had a smart idea for a few items at Target she wanted for gifts for people. She studied the Black Friday ad earlier in the week, went there on Wednesday and bought the stuff and strolled in there Friday night before we went out to dinner and got her price adjustments. No sense in waiting in line at midnight if you can do that!

I was also going to ask if anyone's ever tried the Cabela's Big Game Hunter? They have the 2010 version on clearance for $25 with the older style gun and I have the points to cover it. Thought I might give it a try as Dad's game for the Wii.

[SpecialK]

The tiger woods golf game is another good title and can be played across the internet if you have friends or family with it. A retired friend of mine plays golf with his brothers in Ohio every day and never leaves his family room.