By far the most frequent question I get here at GamerDad is:
“What console should I buy for my kids?”

Should You Buy a Nintendo Wii?

Sadly, there’s no easy answer and that’s why, one-by-one, I’m going to be laying out the pros/cons, value, future, advantages and drawbacks for each of the 10 platforms we cover. Yes, 10. There are 10 gaming platforms. Omitted (because we cover 10 platforms) are platforms like the Leapster, Leap Pad, V-Smile, Cel Phone games, and other similar platforms not covered by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). Over the course of the next couple weeks we’ll cover the: Game Boy Advance, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Dual Screen, Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation Portable, and the Computer (whew!).

Parental Controls? Yes

Overview & Features:
The Nintendo Wii is the most exciting gaming systems for family and social play ever released. At the time of this writing, however, most of the brilliance is potential. Nintendo’s revolutionary remote controller translates movement to the screen, letting you hit a tennis ball by swinging your arm and shoot by pointing and pressing a button. While relatively expensive the Wii has a lot going for it. It can play all the GameCube games still on store shelves (warning: you need to buy GameCube controllers for this to work) and their Virtual Console lets you connect your Wii to the Internet to buy classic Nintendo and other classic games, buy a browser for the Internet, and they keep rolling out clever new channels to keep you interested (WiFi is required in your house for it to work, but Nintendo has a USB doohickey that’ll let you accomplish this easily enough). Nintendo is often derided as a “kiddie system” and the charge fits. But Nintendo’s idea of a “kiddie game” is one clever enough for anyone to enjoy. How could we not recommend a system that begs parents to play with their kids and all but requires players stand up and move to control the game?

Other Models?:
No

Drawbacks:
The main drawbacks are that the system requires separate controllers for social play, a separate controller for some Virtual Console titles, and GameCube controllers for GameCube games. This cute little system can really nickel and dime you! The games, at least, are cheaper, but the Wii doesn’t have nearly the graphical muscle its rivals, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have. No HD support either. Watch out for the games too, some are just versions for other systems without a lot of thought put into the Wii controls. The best Wii games tend to be the ones developed specifically to take advantage of the system unique controller.

Kid Factor:
Extremely high. I’ve never seen children as small as 3-years old take to a system this naturally. With extra remotes, the game encourages competitive play and, generally, people who’ve never, ever, played a videogame before can pick this up and have a great time. The Wii is a sea change in gaming. Everyone is invited to the party. I can’t recommend this system enough.

We still like the term “Wii-mote.”

Value & Verdict:
At $249MSRP plus up to $200 more in controller, game, memory card fees, and given that the graphics the Wii puts out put it in line with systems selling for under $100 means buying a Wii shouldn’t be a whim purchase. If you can afford it however, it has the potential to reward you by bringing your family and friends closer together by forcing you to act silly in front of the TV. That’s a lot of value, I think.

Tags: GamerDad 101