Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Lee on December 13, 2008, 09:44:29 PM

Title: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Lee on December 13, 2008, 09:44:29 PM
I was looking at these online tonight and they aren't cheap.  I know about as much about Wii as a pig knows about a helicopter. 
Are they worth it, or will the kids be bored and ignore it in a few months?
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on December 13, 2008, 09:45:33 PM
you'll be pushing kids away so you can play
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: MicroBalrog on December 13, 2008, 09:47:53 PM
The sky is falling, I agree with c&sd.

A modern gaming console is worth days and months of entertainment, for both children and adults. You're not buying a toy for your children, you're buying good-time for everybody in the family.

Multiple APS members own Wiis, apparently they're great fun.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on December 13, 2008, 09:55:51 PM
there some things i look forward to. i got the lil heaten the microphone and the game "city crossing"  she can play with her friends online. we leave in the boonies  the girl 5 houses away is more than a 1/2mile  she can hangout without needing a chauffeur
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Manedwolf on December 13, 2008, 09:57:17 PM
I was looking at these online tonight and they aren't cheap.  I know about as much about Wii as a pig knows about a helicopter. 
Are they worth it, or will the kids be bored and ignore it in a few months?

Should be $250. Target gets more in every few days. Do not pay more than that, otherwise it's just scalpers, and you might not get it anyway from that sort.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Nitrogen on December 13, 2008, 10:08:16 PM
you'll be pushing kids away so you can play

My wife got one for herself.  I play wii tennis on it a lot, I really like it.

There are a LOT of cruddy games for it, and very few good ones.

The wii fit is good if you need some basic fitness training (which I do)

My wife is playing "We Cheer" as I type this.  It's silly as all get out, but it's fun, too.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Lee on December 13, 2008, 10:08:37 PM
I went to two Target stores today and they just laughed at me.  I went online and it looks like most of the major retailers are either sold out, or charging $350 + shipping for the basic set up.  One place had a 'bundle' for $399, and included two controllers, one nanchuck?, and nine games (on two disks).  I started to buy it, but they wanted $70!!!! for shipping UPS ground.  
BTW I didn't find out this was what they wanted until yesterday...or I would of bought it in October. Uhhhg.


Edited to add- my wife wants the fit.  Evidently they are $90 at the places that don't have them and $150 at the places that do.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Manedwolf on December 13, 2008, 10:10:12 PM
I went to two Target stores today and they just laughed at me.  I went online and it looks like most of the major retailers are either sold out, or charging $350 + shipping for the basic set up.  One place had a 'bundle' for $399, and included two controllers, one nanchuck?, and nine games (on two disks).  I started to buy it, but they wanted $70!!!! for shipping UPS ground.  
BTW I didn't find out this was what they wanted until yesterday...or I would of bought it in October. Uhhhg.

They are ripping you off. Do not pay more than $250 for the system, that is the fixed price set by Nintendo, and the "nine games" on that kind of bundle are invariably just horrific shovelware.

Just ask at your local big box, in the electronics area, what day they usually get more in. Be there at that time.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on December 13, 2008, 10:10:27 PM
i got mine off ebay with some extras for 330  had a coupon so it was 297 with shipping
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Lee on December 13, 2008, 10:12:46 PM
Oh G*d.....I might have to go to our....urban Walmart tomorrow....my nightmare of nightmares.  I used to love Walmart when I lived in a small town.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on December 13, 2008, 10:14:23 PM
there are folks unloading em on craigslist for 250 and up
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Manedwolf on December 13, 2008, 10:14:57 PM
Oh G*d.....I might have to go to our....urban Walmart tomorrow....my nightmare of nightmares.  I used to love Walmart when I lived in a small town.

Well. The clerks there seem to be a bit clueless, when I was asking when something might come in. Target, they seemed actually informed, and were able to tell me what day and time FedEx showed up with more systems.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Nitrogen on December 13, 2008, 10:28:19 PM
My wife got hers off of Frys.com for about $300 total, that included shipping and an extra remote.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: mtnbkr on December 13, 2008, 10:47:44 PM
The Wii is the only game system I've tempted to buy (and ended up buying) in the past decade.  I just got back from a Xmas party where most of the folks there were in the 40-70 age bracket.  We had a room full of people playing Bowling on the Wii with my 5yo daughter.  When one person would leave, another would take their place.

Chris
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: RaspberrySurprise on December 13, 2008, 11:49:38 PM
Quote
The clerks there seem to be a bit clueless, when I was asking when something might come in.

That's because they really don't know. Theres no way of finding out when they will show up. They can give you an estimate based on when they ordered some more but for things like game consoles which don't come through the usual supply chain is mostly a guess. I work at Wal-Mart and despise how the merchandise system works with a passion, and I don't even work on the sales floor.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Lee on December 14, 2008, 12:15:40 AM
Quote
My wife got hers off of Frys.com for about $300 total, that included shipping and an extra remote

They were available and $409 5 minutes ago.  They show sold out now.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: KD5NRH on December 14, 2008, 07:32:43 AM
I'm just waititng for them to have some more creative games:
 Wii Wee; the multiplayer virtual peeing for distance challenge
 Wii Mowing; get the kids in practice for spring
 Wii Wank; sort of defeats the purpose of virtual porn, but what the heck
 Wii Housecleaning; not actually a game, just convince the kids the vacuum is a special controller
 Wii Pull Up Your Pants; maybe it'll build a useful habit

Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Jamisjockey on December 14, 2008, 08:46:44 AM
We've got one.  Kids are addicted to Mario Kart.  ES#2 is 3 years old and can manipulate the controls to play.
Our favorite is the bowling.  And the wife has the fit which she enjoys, but doesn't use much.  I like her to do the hula hoop on the fit......
 :angel:
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: K Frame on December 14, 2008, 08:54:28 AM
I got to play MtnAbby on her Wii a few days ago.

First time I've ever played the Wii. Takes a few moments to get the coordination down, but it is a LOT of fun.

Abby smoked me on bowling, including picking up one spare while essentially standing on her head  :O, but I held my own in tennis. She was NOT amused at that.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on December 14, 2008, 08:57:45 AM
She was NOT amused at that

will you have a scar from that? :angel:
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: K Frame on December 14, 2008, 09:03:26 AM
No, oddly enough.

Actually, she hasn't been beating me lately. I think it has something to do with the fact that she's in a public school, and we know the touchy feely "no violence is ever right in any situation" crap that they teach there.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on December 14, 2008, 09:20:22 AM
my kids bought into that too. but shes a chip off the old block  she said if shes gonna get in trouble its gotta be worth it
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Ben on December 14, 2008, 10:55:27 AM
Just got an email notification from Amazon. They have limited Wiis today for $250:

http://www.amazon.com/Wii-nintendo/dp/B0009VXBAQ/ref=pe_23970_10919940_fe_img_1/
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: taurusowner on December 14, 2008, 12:53:16 PM
I thought we were in a depression?  How could people possibly still be thinking about buying video game systems?
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: K Frame on December 14, 2008, 01:34:08 PM
Simple.

Escapism.

During the Great Depression radio was INCREDIBLY popular, especially comedy shows. Radio sales were very brisk all through the 1930s.

Movies were also incredibly popular. Movie houses in most town and cities were routinely packed. Per capita, the Great Depression was one of the highest, if not he highest, periods of movie viewing. The World War II years were also prime movie going times.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: MicroBalrog on December 14, 2008, 01:39:49 PM
This isn't the Great Depression. Yet.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Ben on December 14, 2008, 01:53:40 PM
Quote
I thought we were in a depression?

You certainly can't tell by going to Costco. People (including me) were walking out with multiple LCD TVs in their carts. Some of our politicians would have us believe we're in dire straights. The worst depression we could imagine, if transferred to 70% of the world, would be like Christmas for them. When we can't feed ourselves, that will be a depression.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Lee on December 14, 2008, 03:52:08 PM
Good news - my wife was able to get one at Target today for $250.  Now all I've gotta do is find the Wii FIT to keep myself out of trouble.  Are the shooting games pretty good on Wii?
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Nitrogen on December 14, 2008, 04:49:45 PM
Good news - my wife was able to get one at Target today for $250.  Now all I've gotta do is find the Wii FIT to keep myself out of trouble.  Are the shooting games pretty good on Wii?

The Wii Fit is harder to get than the wii, at least it was for my wife.
No idea on the shooting games.  I might look into that once I have a few extra bucks.  For some reason, I doubt it, but I guess we'll see.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Lee on December 14, 2008, 06:18:26 PM
I just hooked up with a guy on Craig's list for the Fit for $100.  It's all coming together.  Once again -thanks for the comments and suggestions.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Larry Ashcraft on December 14, 2008, 07:03:47 PM
I have almost beaten Medal of Honor, Heroes 2 on the Wii.  Graphics aren't the Wii's strong suit, think early PS2.  But the controls are easy and the game is fun addictive.

My wife wants me to finish the game so we can get back to tennis and bowling.

The bowling game on Wii Sports is EXCELLENT.  I bowled for over 25 years until I couldn't stand the atmosphere any more (averaged around 180, before synthetic lane surfaces and polyurethane balls).  I love the sport though, and the Wii comes as close to real bowling as anything I've ever seen.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Manedwolf on December 14, 2008, 08:12:12 PM
I have almost beaten Medal of Honor, Heroes 2 on the Wii.  Graphics aren't the Wii's strong suit, think early PS2.  But the controls are easy and the game is fun addictive.

Actually, the graphics on the system are very good. That game's graphics are the fault of the team that ported it in a fast and cheap manner.

If you want to see what the system can do, look at Mario Galaxy. Dynamic water with reflections, Pixar-like fur, everything. It's no graphics slouch, and it's WAY better than a PS2...if they program for it.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Paragon on December 15, 2008, 08:59:45 AM
I'm pretty happy with mine.  I've had it for about a year, and just got the Wii Fit a few months ago (and I've even lost about 15 pounds, but the credit doesn't really go to the Wii).  I just picked up Call Of Duty:  World at War which is great fun, espically with the Zapper.  The Zapper also comes with a target shooting game that's pretty fun, as well.  I also just got a snowboarding game that is AWESOME with the Wii Fit board.  My wife is even playing it. 
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: BryanP on December 15, 2008, 01:23:03 PM
Currently I do all my gaming on a PC, but I'm tempted to buy a Wii based on everything I hear.  I have a PS3, but that doesn't count as I only use it as a DVD/Blu-Ray/media streamer.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: K Frame on December 15, 2008, 01:33:35 PM
This isn't the Great Depression. Yet.

Did I say it was?

I was drawing a COMPARISON.

It's also not World War II yet, either.

Jesus... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Manedwolf on December 15, 2008, 01:34:40 PM
Did I say it was?

I was drawing a COMPARISON.

It's also not World War II yet, either.

Jesus... :rolleyes:

It can't be World War II. That one was finished already. We won.

:lol:
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: K Frame on December 15, 2008, 01:35:42 PM
Can't be the Great Depression, either.

We suffered through that one.

We won.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Boomhauer on December 15, 2008, 02:32:11 PM
Holy crap...my great aunt is getting us a Wii...

Sweet. Be nice if we had a TV worth a damn (our only TV is one that's about 20 years old- 20" TV...

Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Manedwolf on December 15, 2008, 02:34:46 PM
Holy crap...my great aunt is getting us a Wii...

Sweet. Be nice if we had a TV worth a damn (our only TV is one that's about 20 years old- 20" TV...

Now that you used those expressions with your avatar, I heard your whole post in Cartman's voice.
Title: Re: Kids want a Wii system for Christmas
Post by: Boomhauer on December 15, 2008, 02:39:55 PM
Now that you used those expressions with your avatar, I heard your whole post in Cartman's voice.

 =D