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Hot Holiday Gadgets: The Nintendo Wii
If you're overwhelmed by all the coverage of the Nintendo Wii and need to figure out just what the hell the fuss is all about, let us lay down the important info for you. This week, as it marks the official kickoff of the holiday spending orgy, er, shopping season, I'll be highlighting a hot holiday gadget every afternoon and spelling out just what you need to know about it when you see it on your kid's Christmas list. First up, the Wii.
What it is: The new gaming console from Nintendo.
Why it's cool: The controller, affectionately dubbed the Wiimote, is motion sensing. That means you can control the action on the screen by waving your arms around like a crazy person. Because the console is made by Nintendo, look for familiar names such as Mario and Zelda to be headed its way. Furthermore, you can buy older games from past systems via the Virtual Console.
How much it costs: The list price is $250, but you'll probably want to get an extra Wiimote for it, which will cost you an extra $60 if you get it with the Nunchuck attachment (a joystick you hold in your other hand), and the games are $50 each as well, so a complete setup will set you back $400-$500, depending on how many games you get. If you can't find a Wii in your area, which is very possible due to the high demand, you'll probably pay $350-$400 on eBay for one. But be persistent! New shipments of the Wii are headed to stores all the time, so you should be able to get one if you put some effort in.
By AnarchyRising at 8:44 AM ON 11/22/06
A friend of mine just got a Wii and he said that the commercial where the guy is fighting the ninja with the swords must be totally fake .. he said it is clunky and works much like the Nintendo glove worked on the first NES system (remember the glove! and the movie made from it heh)
By jray at 11:28 PM ON 12/17/07
I think its the most interactive game ever!
By mikekrabb at 1:59 AM ON 12/18/07
This thing is one of the most innovative products ever - totally re-invented gaming!
By rosmiami at 3:07 PM ON 12/18/07
Just the neatest new tech in a long time.
By rosmiami at 3:08 PM ON 12/18/07
Neatest new tech for games in a long time.
By elijah at 1:40 AM ON 12/19/07
please enter me in the contest
By texasguy at 9:51 AM ON 12/19/07
This is the best gaming system around. I have xbox 360 and PS3 and while they are amazing visually, the Wii just has something going for it. It is a lot of fun and that is what matters. I use my Wii way more than anything else. You cannot go wrong with it.
By Trogladite at 4:02 PM ON 12/19/07
A very good console and if the produce a Star Wars game with Light Sabers "look out"
By jimmymex at 10:16 PM ON 12/19/07
I think this device has its flaws, but the simple but healthy physical play invoked by this device is something truly revolutionary and something I hope everyone is racing to improve upon.
By dennis772000 at 8:49 AM ON 12/20/07
love sifi
By Zabman48 at 10:20 AM ON 12/20/07
Number 1
By SACRED at 1:13 PM ON 12/20/07
COOL
By alucard6 at 2:01 PM ON 12/20/07
best of the best...
By suey at 3:13 PM ON 12/20/07
sounds wonderful-one of my native american coworkers has been trying to find one everywhere w/her tribal allottment money she gets. I told her i would try to win one for the kids
By saleea at 8:08 PM ON 12/20/07
Great game system.
By Zgene45 at 8:45 PM ON 12/20/07
Great game system. My son has it and it has great games to play with the grandkids. All 6 of them love to play them with Papa and Mimmy. And Papa and Mimmy are getting pretty good at it.
By Rickety at 9:06 PM ON 12/20/07
All my friends have it.
By carol at 10:06 PM ON 12/20/07
My husband has been looking for one for my son.
Every place he has looked is sold out.
By craigr at 1:52 AM ON 12/21/07
A video game..that you actually do more than move your fingers!
By jesussaves at 2:18 AM ON 12/21/07
wonderful selection thanks
By Flamo at 8:06 PM ON 12/21/07
This system is the most interactive gaming system ever made
By stellina at 5:27 PM ON 12/22/07
Forget the new tech or everything else, finally they have invented something that will make the person using it do a bit of exercise. It seems you must do the action yourself to make it work, at least your not sitting down doing nothing all day. no more fat!
By HIWAYTT3 at 11:08 PM ON 12/22/07
This game would be much better than other video games where the only thing that players get to exercise are their thumbs.
By joeycampbell at 8:42 AM ON 12/23/07
We played this at Thanksgiving at my brother's house, and I'm still in awe at the capabilities of this system! Would love to win one for our family!
By wysockigal at 4:33 PM ON 12/23/07
Getting up off the sofa for some interactive gaming is a great idea. Say goodbye to the couch potato and hello to the WII!
By cera at 4:46 PM ON 12/23/07
i love playing this game
By govener at 9:02 AM ON 12/24/07
love this game system
By govoner at 9:03 AM ON 12/24/07
love the game system, my for kids want it.
By Dale at 11:23 AM ON 12/24/07
Can't find one anywhere. Would love to win one.
By Sherman Y. at 7:03 PM ON 12/25/07
"IF" man is as smart as he claimes to be [and somtimes I *seriously*have my doubts] then this gaming system should really help to make a change in the health of humanity.All future game systems I hope pray and pray will follow suite.They already have the upper part of the body working up a sweat.All they need to do is get the lower part of the torso involved and... "WahLah!!" perfection.Call me fellas,got a couple of ideas a brewin.
By Rob Lee at 7:38 PM ON 12/25/07
Was And Still Is The Hardest Holiday Gift To Find.One And Only Present My Son Wanted So Much For X-Mas.Sorry Son...Try Every Where To Get It For You.
By mystik333 at 9:02 PM ON 12/25/07
couldnt get one for xmas till it was to late
By Battlestar at 12:45 AM ON 12/26/07
The Wii has changed and will continue to change the way we play games. It has been a long time coming, and as most people can agree, it is very hard to happen upon one of these consoles. Proving that it is a technology that many have come to like if not love. It has provoked a new era that is hopefully going to stay.
By RalphBatten at 11:01 AM ON 12/27/07
good
By jenimer at 3:48 PM ON 12/27/07
It's wide appeal to different age groups has been amazing, particularly with the elderly.
By mstraf at 6:18 PM ON 12/27/07
Played one for the first time on x-mas and now I've got to have one! FUN
By LDALEX at 10:31 PM ON 12/27/07
The must have game system of the year!
By LDALEX at 10:33 PM ON 12/27/07
The gotta have game system of the year!
By berrygrl at 1:50 AM ON 12/28/07
Great for everyone!!!
By frank2070100 at 6:47 AM ON 12/28/07
wow it's for real thanks
By lsdb at 11:05 AM ON 12/28/07
this one makes you get up and move and it is fun!
By grampsjr at 2:27 PM ON 12/28/07
saw it at a friends house.cool gadget
By smjealow at 6:00 PM ON 12/28/07
Best fun ever for the whole family
By matrix77 at 1:36 PM ON 12/29/07
Played it for about 10 minutes the first time on Christmas (couldn't get a break for my nieces) Woke up the next morning with my arms sore. Great workout for the upper body. The games were fun also.
By Shellbell at 10:36 PM ON 12/29/07
Gets the kids of the couch to exercise while entertaining the whole family
By roxanne2728 at 11:51 AM ON 12/30/07
I always wanted one.
By autobotx at 9:40 PM ON 12/30/07
Thank God for the wrist strap!!! CRASH %$%^#@!
By Bluemirage at 4:42 AM ON 12/31/07
This is the best gadget of 2007!!!!
By aeongirrl at 11:40 AM ON 12/31/07
well i dunno, it seems that something that makes you actually move around, is going to be great fun. so i give it my approval.
By rhorx33 at 4:00 PM ON 12/31/07
Has to be the most innovative gadget of the year.
By haloman at 9:20 PM ON 12/31/07
The most awesome thing ever I played one I love it
By Linda at 9:11 AM ON 01/01/08
gotta have
By Howard317 at 11:03 PM ON 01/01/08
An Awesome system. It takes gameplay to a new level. It opened up playing video games to people of ALL ages!!
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An Awesome system. It takes gameplay to a new level. It opened up playing video games to people of ALL ages!!...More »