One of the most important evolution in the short history of video games has just occurred. A new way of playing has been on since the launch of Nintendo’s whole new Wii in November. As millions of people across the world, I felt incredibly amazed testing the new video game console.
My very first experience with it was quite frustrating, though. As often when a new video game console is released, customers have to face the issue of availability. At Christmas time, crowds of parents and teenagers were looking for their own innovative machine. Like many of them, I had to visit several stores before I found one. A lot of people were left disappointed as consoles had been sold out only hours after going on sale in Europe.
So, why is it so sensational ? First, it is significantly less expensive than its rivals by Sony and Microsoft. But above all, the Wii's main selling point is actually its controller - you point it at the screen and it responds to your movements. This is definitely the console's appeal. Remember that a couple of decades ago, the very first home game consoles had built-in controllers!
The new joypad, called Wii Remote, resembles a TV remote control, and allows users to play games through simple physical movements. Up to four remotes can be used at any time. The remote also has a speaker and rumble feature. As a left-handed, I was glad to be given a choice to use my left or right hand to play it.
The first contact was quite pleasant. New users are required to create their own character – called Mii – that they will use every time they will play. Through physical features, such as the colour and the shape of head, eyes and many more, I could create a caricature of myself and my friends. This was a game in itself, and we really had fun together trying to have good caricatures of one another.
Wii Sports is the game included for free in the Wii pack sold in Europe. As its name suggests, it’s a compilation of games taking sports as a base to discover all the potential of the revolutionary joypad. Tennis is a good choice for a start. The rules of the game are quite basic, and it does not require a lot of strength to be played. So I was quickly caught in the game, and every ending match was a frustration. I really got in as I could feel and hear the ball hit the racket every time I sent it back. But the remote strap caused us some trouble ; once my friend had crashed the remote on the closest wall, we noticed that the strap had to be firmly tied to the wrest…
It was even better with baseball ; I didn’t know the rules of that game before I played it on a screen. There is an atmosphere around the game, it is played in a crowded stadium among cheers. Of course, I missed the first balls I was sent. But I quickly understood the rhythm ; I started to score – and I finally became a home runner! The crowd acclaimed me, the screen enlightened, I was caught in the euphoria. I felt like one of these baseball fields heroes in American movies. I was amused, I showed off and even had my left arm trained…
The most amazing game may be boxing. Since both arms need to be used, it requires a second remote called nunchuk. A match lasts a few minutes but it is quite enough to be exhausted. I had never ended playing a video game being out of breath, with my arms hurting! Yet, I was still at home, in socks, in front of a TV set… But boxing is not the best game. It shows the limits of the technology : since the gestures that gamers have to make are rough and jerky, the remote does not work as well as it can be expected. This is quite a disappointment.
The atmosphere is completely different with golf. The greens are made of widespread loud colours, reminding us that Nintendo games are far from being the best in terms of graphics. But nevertheless, all this is relaxing. I didn’t feel stressed, as if I was playing golf under a blue sky among singing birds. There was concentration and amusement at the same time. I was still at home and yet I felt like I came to the green that shiny morning in my Range Rover!
Possibilities with such a remote are large. The atmospheres that are created by each game make it a real drama. You forget whether you are in real life or in something virtual. I don’t like sports very much, even in video games, and yet I was caught in by the Wii. This is just the same for most of players : Nintendo has decided to target those who do not like video games with its new joypad. I could witness it as several of my girl friends enjoyed playing it, too. It really works : this is another revolution!
This feature was originally written for the radio
My very first experience with it was quite frustrating, though. As often when a new video game console is released, customers have to face the issue of availability. At Christmas time, crowds of parents and teenagers were looking for their own innovative machine. Like many of them, I had to visit several stores before I found one. A lot of people were left disappointed as consoles had been sold out only hours after going on sale in Europe.
So, why is it so sensational ? First, it is significantly less expensive than its rivals by Sony and Microsoft. But above all, the Wii's main selling point is actually its controller - you point it at the screen and it responds to your movements. This is definitely the console's appeal. Remember that a couple of decades ago, the very first home game consoles had built-in controllers!
The new joypad, called Wii Remote, resembles a TV remote control, and allows users to play games through simple physical movements. Up to four remotes can be used at any time. The remote also has a speaker and rumble feature. As a left-handed, I was glad to be given a choice to use my left or right hand to play it.
The first contact was quite pleasant. New users are required to create their own character – called Mii – that they will use every time they will play. Through physical features, such as the colour and the shape of head, eyes and many more, I could create a caricature of myself and my friends. This was a game in itself, and we really had fun together trying to have good caricatures of one another.
Wii Sports is the game included for free in the Wii pack sold in Europe. As its name suggests, it’s a compilation of games taking sports as a base to discover all the potential of the revolutionary joypad. Tennis is a good choice for a start. The rules of the game are quite basic, and it does not require a lot of strength to be played. So I was quickly caught in the game, and every ending match was a frustration. I really got in as I could feel and hear the ball hit the racket every time I sent it back. But the remote strap caused us some trouble ; once my friend had crashed the remote on the closest wall, we noticed that the strap had to be firmly tied to the wrest…
It was even better with baseball ; I didn’t know the rules of that game before I played it on a screen. There is an atmosphere around the game, it is played in a crowded stadium among cheers. Of course, I missed the first balls I was sent. But I quickly understood the rhythm ; I started to score – and I finally became a home runner! The crowd acclaimed me, the screen enlightened, I was caught in the euphoria. I felt like one of these baseball fields heroes in American movies. I was amused, I showed off and even had my left arm trained…
The most amazing game may be boxing. Since both arms need to be used, it requires a second remote called nunchuk. A match lasts a few minutes but it is quite enough to be exhausted. I had never ended playing a video game being out of breath, with my arms hurting! Yet, I was still at home, in socks, in front of a TV set… But boxing is not the best game. It shows the limits of the technology : since the gestures that gamers have to make are rough and jerky, the remote does not work as well as it can be expected. This is quite a disappointment.
The atmosphere is completely different with golf. The greens are made of widespread loud colours, reminding us that Nintendo games are far from being the best in terms of graphics. But nevertheless, all this is relaxing. I didn’t feel stressed, as if I was playing golf under a blue sky among singing birds. There was concentration and amusement at the same time. I was still at home and yet I felt like I came to the green that shiny morning in my Range Rover!
Possibilities with such a remote are large. The atmospheres that are created by each game make it a real drama. You forget whether you are in real life or in something virtual. I don’t like sports very much, even in video games, and yet I was caught in by the Wii. This is just the same for most of players : Nintendo has decided to target those who do not like video games with its new joypad. I could witness it as several of my girl friends enjoyed playing it, too. It really works : this is another revolution!
This feature was originally written for the radio
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