WiiWare

[ChadTower]

Looks like it finally has a release date.

I'm looking forward to Wii Fit.  Anyone else?

[somunny]

While I find it to be an interesting concept, it would seem that this periphreal's novelty could wear thin pretty quick.  Especially when marketed as a fitness device.  I would think that the average American is fickle at best when it comes to physical activity.

However, if the capabilities of the "board" are used, and seem to be perfectly suited for games skate, surf and snowboarding related, it could definitely bring a whole new level of immersion.

I haven't really seen much footage of the board and game in action so I'm not exactly sure what it can do, performance-wise.

[ChadTower]

See, I actually enjoy physical games like that.  I have little interest in skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, etc on a console.  If I were going to try them I'd actually want to try them.

Maybe I'm a little odd like that.  I love achievables in oddball games like Wii Fit.  I'm nearly obsessed with getting at least gold medals and a pro status in every sport and minigame in Wii Sports and Wii Play.

[ahofle]

From the videos I've seen, WiiFit looks incredibly lame.  Bunch of stupid games where you balance, lean and perform yoga type moves.  Even my wife was disappointed when she saw the video.  A DDR game would probably give you 10 times the cardio workout as that thing.



 

[somunny]

See, I actually enjoy physical games like that.  I have little interest in skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, etc on a console.  If I were going to try them I'd actually want to try them.

Maybe I'm a little odd like that.  I love achievables in oddball games like Wii Fit.  I'm nearly obsessed with getting at least gold medals and a pro status in every sport and minigame in Wii Sports and Wii Play.

I can relate what you're saying as I love the achievement system on the 360 (as non-physical as they get).  But, as you said, you may be an oddity in the fact that games like that can hold your attention for long periods of time.  

You sound like a perfectionist.  Most people are happy with the Bronze and then trade the game in, thinking they've "beaten" it.  I'm playing Tiger Woods 2008 right now and will play the mini-games over and over until I get the gold medal.  Some people call it OCD, others say brain-damage.  

WiiWare sounds pretty interesting as I've seen some pretty cool original games come out of XBLA and would expect the same from Nintendo.

[ChadTower]

A DDR game would probably give you 10 times the cardio workout as that thing.

It's not a cardio tool.  Yoga is about strength and flexibility more than cardio.  Besides, it is supposed to have jogging.   

[patrickl]

I'm looking forward to it too. I'm a bit afraid the excercises will be a bit of a letdown though. I hope it's not some "cartoony" kids experience again.

[ahofle]

What I'd really like to see is a 'boxing trainer' or some other type of cardio/strength workout that uses dual wiimotes: jump rope, punching bags, jumping jacks, etc.

[hypernova]

The way I figure it, Fit won't come out for another two months at least.  And Mario Kart?  No US release date...those two dates are for Japan and Europe.  Why would Nintendo release their next big franchise game so close to the Smash release???

I'd say another half year for Kart.  At least.  I've yet to see a major game on these new systems release on the first announced date, barring Zelda:TP.  Especially Nintendo.  I'm not sure they understand what a release date means anymore.

[ChadTower]

Episodic gaming coming to WiiWare.   I like that idea if the price for each episode is reasonable.

[knave]

Best thing about WiiWare is that it allows third party creativity to make some games.  Who knows what sort of cool stuff is possible with the Wiimote.  Granted there will be a ton of crap too but some good indie titles will bubble to the top.

[RTSDaddy2]

I personally can't hardly wait for WiiWare or Wii Fit. And now that I FINALLY have employment again (my "temp"job until the new school year starts begins on 3/27),  and our tax rebates, maybe I can actually take $50 and spend it on myself.

[SNAAKE]

I think its lame..SUCH a stupid gimick. you need to workout then HIT THE FREAKIN GYM AND DO IT RIGHT !

[shmokes]

Well . . . it may be lame, but if it is it's not for the reason you suggest.   What you're saying could obviously be said of a great many videogames.  If you want to drive cars, just go drive one.  Why would you look like a moron playing DDR when you can just hit the freaking club and do it right?  Rock Band is a helluva waste of time when you could actually LEARN to play an instrument.  Why play Grand Theft Auto when you can just plug a dozen or so innocent pedestrians for no reason, then drag some poor ho out of her car and beat her to death with a baseball bat, then steal her car and start running people over?     Okay . . . maybe you really really need a videogame for that last one.

Anyway, I'm cautiously optimistic about Wii Fit.  It admittedly looks lame, but it seems like a lot of people in the gaming press, who have actually used it, are really excited about it.  And it's flying off shelves in Japan like nobody's business.  And it's Nintendo, a company that can make Animal Crossing and Nintendogs and Big Brain games brilliant instead of absolutely retarded (which is exactly how you would expect them to turn out if someone ran the ideas by you before the games were made). 

[ChadTower]

I don't know, man.  When I wanted to blow someone's chest out with a plasma rifle and then hump their face, I didn't need a videogame for it.  I did it right.

[knave]

The main benifit of WiiFit is that if folks are going to play games they might as well have some fun and get a little exercise. (very little)

Playing the Wii really doesn't burn all that many calories but at least you move.  It promotes the idea that moving is fun.  Do it on a rainy day, with your kids whatever. Either way you should still go to the Gym.  It's not a substitute just a way to make gaming fun and a little more active.

[RTSDaddy2]

Having tried a Wii Sports exercise program, how much exercise one gets may depend on how much EFFORT one puts into it as well.  I grant you, it's no gym workout, but this will get you breathing hard:

For 30 minutes a day I did:

1)15 minutes of boxing (moving feet,  ducking, punching, continuously)

2) 10 minutes of baseball - but here's the kicker...I would shift my weight back and forth as I waited to bat (shuffle step), and as soon as I hit the ball, I ran the bases (in place) as hard as I could with my character.  When pitching, I kept a shuffle step going as well.

3) Cooldown: either 5 minutes of bowling or golf. I would still move my feet, but much slower as I worked to earn an effective cool down.

Over a two week period, I lost two pounds. Wasn't much, but for myself, someone  who's hardly ever exercised once since they forced me to take PE, it was a start.  I moved on to better things (South beach diet, I've lost 25 pounds, and tennis). but at least the Wii showed me that if I chose things I liked, exercise could be fun.  I know that's a really, really sad commentary on my life, but it is what it is.

Don't be too quick to rule it out; it may be again that it is what you make it.  If you're going to be lazy and stand there and halfway do it, then no, you may not see benefits.  If, however, you're going to work your behind off, there may be some benefit to it.

[ChadTower]

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as King announced for WiiWare.

[Samstag]

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as King announced for WiiWare.

I hope the game is at least half as long as the title.

[patrickl]

Looks quite childish again.

[ChadTower]

I'm looking forward to it too. I'm a bit afraid the excercises will be a bit of a letdown though. I hope it's not some "cartoony" kids experience again.

My Weight Loss Coach for the DS.

I wonder if these two apps will be integrated somehow.

[ChadTower]

Today is WiiWare's launch date in Japan... I'm definitely interested in initial reviews once they start coming out.  I'm already seeing references to microtransactions in the FF game, which would make it $15 to start and then you have to keep spending to get the rest of the content.


EDIT:  poking around for WiiWare reviews I found this note that Sega Master System titles are coming to the VC.  Cool.