Nintendo Wii

Wow! The Wii is the Game to get if you are in the market for a gaming console.

I'm from the generation that saw the beginning of the video games and experienced the awe at the big machines that took you beyond your imagination. Then, you have to grow-up, move-on, and leave those childhood loves behind. Or do you? I've seen so many changes in video games and TV style gaming devices and I never thought I would be purchasing one, LOL.

Gaming has come a long way since the 80's. Gone are the days of the old Paddle Tennis on the TV with the huge box taking up the space of the family dog and emitting a green glow as you listen to the plink of the "ball" hitting your "paddle". All as you squeezed in close so the wires could connect to the tube. The Wii is wire free and the graphics are super!

The Wii is more than a video TV game. This is a whole body game. It gets the players moving their arms and jumping every which way. You look silly and don't even care, LOL. You get quite the workout. Your age is not relevant - it can be a one person against computer game or you can bring some friends over. You can duel it out with your sibling or take-on a parent. It's fun for everyone and it's something you can do with your children or just enjoy watching them. If you buy it as a gift - the receiver will LOVE the game and you will LOVE watching them using and enjoying the Wii. What a great way to know your money was well spent.

The game console is very easy to hook up, the set up is also easy. You just need a newer Television that has the audio/visual hook-ups or a VCR set up that has the line in ability.

You can also connect the Wii to the internet in 3 different ways. It has built in wireless ability, you can purchase an adapter to make it Wi-Fi capable, you can wire directly using an adapter (purchased separately).

There are many, many games available for this platform.

The newest version of Wii comes with 5 sports games. I didn't think we would enjoy all of them, but surprisingly they are all fun, and boy do you get a work out, hahahaha. There is also the fitness package you can get with this along with other games like: Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero as well as too many others to name. I was amazed at all that could be done just on this one small system (remember my TV game system was big as our dog, LOL - oh, and it had only one game ROF)

The controllers are easy to use - the system comes with two different types depending on game play, but you use the Wiimote more than the Nunchuk - at least that is what we have found.

One thing we found is you really do want to make sure you have a large enough play area - you really do move around and become slightly unaware of your surroundings at times during play.

Another cool thing is you can build a Mii - a character/player used in game play. You can be the character or build lots of them and be different characters or just have the different characters in play with your favorite character.

We bought this intending for a gift, instead we ended up using before that time and are very happy we did - it's a awesome family game and a great motivator. :)
Smiles and happy gaming!