A bunch of Wii questions

[BrendaK]

I want to buy my kids a Wii system for Christmas but don't know all that much about them.

What do I need to buy besides the system? I know they come with controllers and something called numchucks (??) Do I need to pick up a few of each of these? Memory chip? (I have a gamecube..is the memory interchangeable?) Rechargable docking station? (do I even need one...how long do batteries last?)

I guess I'm just looking for recommendations on what I should get to start off with. Also my kids are 12, 10 and 4 (all girls). Any great games I should pick up with it?

[jerryhung]

Google around
or Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii

• 1 Wii

• 1 Wiicon strap

• 1 Nunchuck controller

• 1 AC adapter

• 1 AV cable (3 colour one)

• 1 stand

• 1 support plate

• 1 sensor bar

• 1 sensor bar stand

• 2x battery (AA)


My advice: start with Wii Sports, it's a fun game already for kids
Then possibly rent or research on what kind of games your kids may like, before going all out.

Anyway, I have Wii games for sale too (see my signature) :P

[tokajim]

You could also wait for a 20x points day and get it at a Shopper's Drug Mart. That's like 58,000 points I believe which is worth like over 100 dollars in Shopper's products. And up to $150 dollars worth if you wait for a special redemption offer.

[BrendaK]

I don't even know what a sensor bar or a support plate are...I guess I better start researching :p

tokajim...I had no idea that shoppers sold them, that's a really good idea! Can I get them to order one in on one of the double post days? (I live in a small place and have a really small Shoppers, I'm pretty sure they don't carry these on a regular basis)

[skyblue12]

mario party 8 is probably one of the best "group" / party games, MAYBE warioware smooth moves but i'd prefer mario party because your kids might be more familiar with the characters?

[deeplove]

yes i agree researching before you go splurging on games that you might find out your girls doesn't like.

Multiplayer games.. i agree with mario party 8....Rayman is a pretty amusing game. Spongebob may be ok..depends if they think racing when your vehicle can't even go straight is funny (i personally didn't).
Rechargeable batteries or wii battery packs are a MUST (must must). Basically on the main screen it tells you how much battery you have left (full is 3 bars and then drops to 2 and then one..you have almost no time left and itll tell you low on battery). But it also depends how much you play. Say you have 3 sets of controllers I would make sure I have 4 sets of batteries so you don't run out and someone gets unhappy. Or the careful gamer would charge before it runs out (but we're talking about kids here..so i wouldn't rely on that). Component cable is highly recommended (wii graphics are already sub-par.. its best to do whats possible to make it look better).

support plate.. thats the wii stand.. the wii goes in this grey colour stand.

[deeplove]

Google around
or Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii

• 1 Wii

• 1 Wiicon strap

• 1 Nunchuck controller

• 1 AC adapter

• 1 AV cable (3 colour one)

• 1 stand

• 1 support plate

• 1 sensor bar

• 1 sensor bar stand

• 2x battery (AA)


My advice: start with Wii Sports, it's a fun game already for kids
Then possibly rent or research on what kind of games your kids may like, before going all out.

Anyway, I have Wii games for sale too (see my signature) :P

I don't think there's a sensor bar stand?!

[Tiberius]

As a starting point, get the Wii (comes with 1 WiiMote and 1 Nunchuck, and Wii Sports + everything else needed for the Wii to work - obviously) and buy another WiiMote (if you can find it - maybe get the second WiiMote in the WiiPlay bundle so you get the WiiPlay mini-games) and Nunchuk. That will give you 2 WiiMotes and 2 Nunchuks (meaning 2 people can play at once). If you want to get a third or fourth set just in case you get games that allow 3 or 4 people to play at once, that's your choice (but you may want to wait to see if you really need it first?).

Regarding GameCube games, memory, controllers, etc. The games and controllers can plug into the Wii to play the GameCube games. There also is a slot for GameCube memory cards, (the Wii uses SD memory cards for save games - but comes with built in memory that is quite plentiful - you may not even need an SD card for a long time - or you might have one already for a digital camera, etc.).

As far as games go - read game reviews at sights like IGN, etc. Or perhaps your daughters have played games at friends houses and will know which games they like the best already? Off the top of my head I would guess any Mario branded game, Rayman Raving Rabbits, Big Brain Academy, etc. may be good games for young girls?

Regarding batteries - the Wii can chew them up fairly quick if you are playing a lot... maybe you get 24 hours of play time on a set? (very rough estimate) I bought a ton of batteries around Christmas when Duracells were on sale everywhere in 24 packs... so I have a lot on hand to switch out when they are spent. It may be a good idea to invest in some decent rechargeable batteries (enough for however many WiiMotes you get - and maybe some spares so they don't get stuck waiting for batteries to charge). The other option is the WiiMote charging stands, etc... I don't know much about them. There are some discussions about them on this site though. The last option is buying bulk amounts of batteries (from Costco, or anywhere else when they are on sale, etc.)

[skyblue12]

I don't think there's a sensor bar stand?!

the sensor bar doesn't need a stand does it :lol:

[gambit_360]

I don't think there's a sensor bar stand?!

I'm pretty sure there is. It's this small clear plastic stand that raises the sensor bar about an inch higher.

[Cacti]

Make sure this christmas to get your kids a copy of Super Smash Bros Brawl, trust me your kids will love it alot.

[Avatar]

WiiPlay is a must. Reason:You get a Wiimote with the game. Good price. Sooner or later you need one more Wiimote anyway.

[mrbeng]

Well I own like 30 Wii games now and about 20 different accessories for it

Here is what you get right out of the box
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrbeng/301031475/in/set-72157594526650305/

First thing to do is buy extra Wii Mote and Nunchucks
And if you don't want to waste a ton of batteries get this recharger unit. It comes with the charger and 2 rechargable battery.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrbeng/445545693/in/set-72157594526650305/

If your tv set is far from the console, get the wireless sensor bar
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrbeng/449998477/in/set-72157594526650305/

As for games for your girls, I think they will like Wii Sport (which comes with the system), Cooking Mama, Mario Party 8, The Sims, Wii Play, Edibits.
There are tons of accessories for the Wii also (which I didn't photograph together)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrbeng/467567953/in/set-72157594526650305/

Have fun!!

[D-Roc]

mario party 8 is probably one of the best "group" / party games, MAYBE warioware smooth moves but i'd prefer mario party because your kids might be more familiar with the characters?


I agree with Mario Party. My 5 year old loves it. That and WiiPlay. Warioware is stupid and not worth more than the cost of a rental. Even that is stretching it.