Wii General Discussion

[Omnis]

If the Wii is going to be white, I want a clear stand. I think the silver only looks good with the black.

 

[DuckRacer]

Some photos showing close-ups of game boxes with discs...

http://wii.ign.com/articles/744/744777p1.html

 

[Wolfe]

Hooray? I don't know if that's the kind of thing that warrants its own article. I really hope the discs come in more colors than blue, though. I wouldn't mind monochrome discs (a la the Gamecube), but only blue would be too much.

 

[DuckRacer]

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/12/wii-console-manual-reveals-its-secrets/

Wii console manual reveals its secrets
Posted Nov 12th 2006 1:45PM by Kyle Orland
Filed under: Nintendo Wii
Since all four of us can't play Zelda at the same time, we passed the Wii-less hours by poring over the 69 page "systems and settings" manual that came with the Wii (not to be confused with the 105-page, trilingual "system setup" manual that's also included). Here are some of the odd and/or interesting things we noticed.

"Up to 100 Miis can stay in your Mii Plaza." (pg. 11)

"The Photo Channel can display a maximum of approximately 1,000 photos. If your SD card has more than 1,000 photos, remove the card from the Wii console and remove or reorganize your photos in your camera, cell phone or computer." (pg. 15)

"You can not save or overwrite photos or videos on the SD card." (pg. 20)

"Any of the options in Fun! mode [doodles, etc. -Ed.] can be applied to individual frames of a video." (pg. 21)
The photo channel supports JPGs of up to 8192x8192 resolution and QuickTime files of up to 848x480. (pg. 22)
MP3 audio is listed under supported formats. After quite a bit of searching, we figured out how this feature works, but we didn't like what we found (more later.)

"NOTE: Your use of the Wii Shop Channel is subject to your acceptance of the Wii Users Agreement, the Wii Privacy Policy and the Wii Code of Conduct. Copies of the most updated versions of these agreements may be found at support.nintendo.com. [not yet - Ed.]" (pg. 24)

"NOTE: Some Virtual Console games can only be played with a Classic Controller. (sold separately) [this seems to contradict previous confirmation that Gamecube controllers would work on all Virtual Console games -Ed.]" (pg. 25)

"Software downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel is licensed to you, not sold" (pg. 25)

"NOTE: The calendar displays dates from January 2000 to December 2035." (pg. 31)

"NOTE: You will not be able to send photos from your Wii console to the PC/cell phone user." (pg. 36)

"NOTE: The Wii console uses a 24 hour clock. For example, 1:00 pm is displayed as 13:00 pm" (pg. 42)
The parental control features "does NOT control access to Nintendo GameCube games" (pg. 46)

"If you use the messaging features of the Wii console, you need to understand that Nintendo may monitor your use and share certain information (i) as required by law, (ii) where necessary to protect the company, its customers or its employees, (iii) as necessary to provide the services. [Big Brother is watching -Ed.]" (pg. 47)

"NOTE: The initial recommended distance for using the Wii Remote Pointer is 3 to 8 feet from the sensor bar ... Also note that the influence of direct sunlight and various light sources can make the Pointer operation less optimal. [Oh really... -Ed.]" (pg. 50)
By formatting the Wii Shop Channel from the Wii's system menu, you clear all "records of your transactions and rights to download software." (pg. 61)

"NOTE: You should format your Wii Shop Channel data first, then your Wii System Memory, prior to selling or otherwise transferring your Wii console to any third party." (pg. 61)

"NOTE: Adjusting the speaker and Rumble settings will affect all Wii remotes currently connected to the Wii console. [I hope everyone likes the same settings. -Ed.]" (pg. 63)

 

[DuckRacer]

Well, it looks like the Wii will get DVD playback...

Wii gets DVD playback...in 2007
DVD-player manufacturer jumps gun on Nintendo announcement, says enhanced Wii due in "latter half of 2007."

By Tim Surette, GameSpot
Posted Nov 13, 2006 4:45 pm PT
When Nintendo dished out its final specifications for the Wii, there seemed to be one glaring omission--DVD playback. With the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 touting built-in multimedia players, the Wii seemed to be only next-generation console unable to provide movie playback.

Now, less than a week before the Wii is even on shelves for the first time, it appears that those final specifications weren't so final after all. After weeks of speculation and Internet reports, it has been confirmed that the Wii will eventually get DVD playback.

Sonic Solutions, makers of the popular Roxio CD- and DVD-burning software, today announced that it has been chosen by Nintendo to provide "high-quality DVD movie viewing to a future version" of the Wii. Sonic Solutions says the new version of the Wii is expected in "the latter half of 2007."

When asked for comment, a representative from Nintendo confirmed the statement from Sonic Studios.

Nintendo has yet to make a formal announcement about the new Wii, and has not indicated whether DVD playback is part of a console redesign.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6161611.html

Not necessary, or even wanted, but whatever.

 

[a6m5]

Not necessary, or even wanted, but whatever.

Agreed.

Who cares?. This is not year 2000. Unless they are talking about adding a Blu-ray or HD DVD, it'll be pretty much useless. Most homes already have multiple DVD players in the household.

If there was a gaming console that could have used a DVD playback feature, it was GameCube. Too late.

 

[Tornado]

I'm sure it will be the first thing to go when Nintendo downsizes the Wii 2-3 years from now, as by then it will probably be useless. Either way, if I wanted a console that could play DVD's, I would haul my DVD player out of my room and put the Wii on top of it.

 

[YSSMAN]

...Well I think having a DVD player certainly is somewhat important. Not everyone has one yet (surprising, I know!), and if they are buying a new console, why not package it in there? It doesn't add to the price, the only downside being that you've got to wait, wait a long time. You look at someone like my youngest (half) brother, who just turned six in October, and having a DVD player would be something good for him. He would be able to watch his Spongebob DVDs in his room instead of in the living room (not that I really care, I love Spongebob!).

To me, it wouldn't be as important. I've got the PS2, XBOX, 360, and the PC to play DVDs. Not to mention that Mom wants a DVD/VHS player for her room, and that I'm looking to buy a new DVD/5.1 Surround package. Me? I don't need it. My (half) brother? It would be a good thing...

 

[Wolfe]

DVD playback would have been kinda nice if it were included with the first Wii. This "redesign in 2007 will have it" crap just tells me that Nintendo has been toying with the idea forever, waited too long, and then changed their mind after Wii production had already begun.

If they could have stopped being so indecisive, then they wouldn't have had to make a dumb-looking move like this.

 

[GT4_Rule]

Nice addition, but it doesn't carry that "ohhh" factor anymore. Well, why not include it, since it will no doubt enhance the product.

 

[Zrow]

I played a Wii today at Electronics Boutique. The new controller was interesting, and what I thought was interesting was how the pointer worked when a game wasn't being a played. If you line up the controller with the middle of the TV screen, the cursor doesn't move to the middle of the screen with it.

That said, it's not hard to aim the cursor at all. Maybe I was using it wrong; guess we'll see Friday.

 

[FoolKiller]

So is the DVD playback ability a hardware or software difference? Will it be a downloadable upgrade for those who buy one now?

 

[DuckRacer]

So is the DVD playback ability a hardware or software difference? Will it be a downloadable upgrade for those who buy one now?

It'll be a hardware one.

 

[YSSMAN]

...I watched the video review of the Wii on DL.TV today, and I'm pretty much sold on one. I don't know how soon it will be before I buy it, probably going to be a while, but I'm sure I'll have one within the next six months. The game outlook isn't promising, I'll openly admit that, but the possibilities of the console are exciting to me. Plus, I can steal all of my younger brother's Game Cube things and finally get through Mario Sunshine and Metroid Prime myself...

 

[FoolKiller]

I've been sold on it as well.

I typically buy my Playstation and then get other systems down the road but since Gran Turismo is my main Playstation game and GT5 is a long way off I haven't had much desire for a PS3 at the current prices. My wife, trying to find something to get me for Christmas, asked if I wanted a Wii and I decided to see what my co-worker was excited about. After looking into it I realize that it seems to be something I would definitely enjoy and is apparently going to be mine for Christmas.


EDIT: One of my wife's friends was saying yesterday that she was going on Wal*Mart's Web site at midnight last night (Thursday night/Friday morning) to get a Wii. That wasn't a possibility was it? Was Wal*Mart doing some kind of presale or did she just get confused with the PS3 (a large possibility knowing this woman)?

 

[Zrow]

I'm not even sure what's going on with the Wii release - granted, I haven't been paying too much attention, but I thought it was supposed to be today or tomorrow, right?

In any case, I want one too. The games right now aren't really whats attracting me to it it, besides Zelda I guess, but it's just its potential. I want it to do well, because I like the idea of its controller. Plus, Super Smash Brothers Brawl? Done.

I hope they make a new Mario Baseball.

 

[FoolKiller]

I'm not even sure what's going on with the Wii release - granted, I haven't been paying too much attention, but I thought it was supposed to be today or tomorrow, right?

In any case, I want one too. The games right now aren't really whats attracting me to it it, besides Zelda I guess, but it's just its potential. I want it to do well, because I like the idea of its controller. Plus, Super Smash Brothers Brawl? Done.

I hope they make a new Mario Baseball.

My friend preordered and he isn't supposed to get his until Sunday, the 19th.

I watched the Madden tutorial videos on gamevideos.com and that sold me. This might be a system that my dad can play sports games with me on and not throw controller yelling about too many buttons.

I'm actually looking at the Wii as a different experience from the PS3 and Xbox just because of all the different ways it can work with games.

 

[Zrow]

I forgot about Madden! Yes, Madden's gonna be killer. The passing motion will be a huge improvement.

I just wish there was a console coming out that allowed you to attach a keyboard and mouse for FPS's. I know PC gaming blah blah blah but honestly, that gets so expensive and I use a Mac anyway.

 

[FoolKiller]

I forgot about Madden! Yes, Madden's gonna be killer. The passing motion will be a huge improvement.

I just wish there was a console coming out that allowed you to attach a keyboard and mouse for FPS's. I know PC gaming blah blah blah but honestly, that gets so expensive and I use a Mac anyway.

Get the Wii Zapper attachment and you might as well be using a light gun. That would work much better than a mouse.

 

[DuckRacer]

I'm not even sure what's going on with the Wii release - granted, I haven't been paying too much attention, but I thought it was supposed to be today or tomorrow, right?

In any case, I want one too. The games right now aren't really whats attracting me to it it, besides Zelda I guess, but it's just its potential. I want it to do well, because I like the idea of its controller. Plus, Super Smash Brothers Brawl? Done.

I hope they make a new Mario Baseball.

The Wii will be released on the 19th. And practically every single Target will be getting at least 50 of them on launch (mine will get more than a hundred because is a Target Greatland), and since Sunday is church day, it should be possible to walk in and buy one.

Get the Wii Zapper attachment and you might as well be using a light gun. That would work much better than a mouse.

That attachment is only a prototype.

 

[Jump_Ace]

Got my pre order and I will pick up my Wii on Midnight Sat and say goodbye to GT for a while, prolly until GT5 comes out, or I finish Zelda and Red Steel...

jump_ace

 

[DuckRacer]

Well, I went to GameStop and played ExiteTruck on the Wii, and...

It rocks. Definitely going to pick it up with my Wii on Sunday morning. 👍

 

[Omnis]

Yes, excitetruck on the Wii is pretty sweet.

 

[Zrow]

You guys think so? I didn't like it too much. 'Course I'm a GT fan, but still... it was waay too loose for me. Actually, I'm not sure if it was the controller movement that I didn't like or just the actual game.

 

[Omnis]

The real reason to get one is for Zelda, though. 9.5 on ign, yo.

 

[DuckRacer]

Wow. We already have flash games for the Wii. And they're Wii-mote compatible.

 

[Wolfe]

Wow. We already have flash games for the Wii. And they're Wii-mote compatible.

Neat, but the Internet Channel isn't even available yet...or is that only for me?

 

[FoolKiller]

Well, my wife and I tried seeing if we coudl get in line at a Wal-Mart Saturday night, but no luck. They only had 30 and the line was longer than that. Meh, we went home and had lots of drinks instead.

That attachment is only a prototype.

But I am hopeful that it will come with Duck Hunt or Wii Play the way the wheel is with GT Pro Series. If not I am sure someone will release a third party kind of thing, kind of like this sports package.
Joytech Accesory Line

I just hope that golf club extends.

Neat, but the Internet Channel isn't even available yet...or is that only for me?

I've heard this from others. Consider yourself lucky, my co-worker spent half the day getting his online.

He is also sore from playing Wii Sports and Madden all day. Have you gotten sore yet?


And then for anyone who already has one; I would love a report on actual battery life and what type of batteries would be best (lithium-ion rechargeable vs disposeable, etc), or if one of the recharge stations might be a good purchase. It's just something about the wireless controllers that has been bothering me for the Wii.

 

[Wolfe]

I've heard this from others. Consider yourself lucky, my co-worker spent half the day getting his online.

I often have to reset my router's wireless channel just to get it to work, but that only happens after the Wii/router sit for a while without interacting, and the wireless in my house has always been unreliable.

He is also sore from playing Wii Sports and Madden all day. Have you gotten sore yet?

Heh. Yeah, Wii Sports can be a workout.

And then for anyone who already has one; I would love a report on actual battery life and what type of batteries would be best (lithium-ion rechargeable vs disposeable, etc), or if one of the recharge stations might be a good purchase. It's just something about the wireless controllers that has been bothering me for the Wii.

Nothing to report yet. My Wii has been played for the better part of Sunday and much of this evening, with no signs of weak batteries. Judging from Nintendo's handhelds, most notably the DS and GBA SP/Micro, which have lit-up screens and lots of processor calculations to make, the Wiimote's batteries should last a really long time.

 

[FoolKiller]

IHeh. Yeah, Wii Sports can be a workout.

Sounds like if I get my Wii at Christmas I will be cancelling my gym membership.

Funny story, apparently my boss and his wife settled a dispute with Wii Boxing. This cannot be a healthy relationship.

Nothing to report yet. My Wii has been played for the better part of Sunday and much of this evening, with no signs of weak batteries. Judging from Nintendo's handhelds, most notably the DS and GBA SP/Micro, which have lit-up screens and lots of processor calculations to make, the Wiimote's batteries should last a really long time.

That's good. I'm just curous if an extra set of rechargeables or just a pack of disposables would be sufficient. Sounds like disposables would work.