Burning Wii Questions

[Echolocating]

I'd like to get a Wii (I hear Nintendo still makes them) and need some game suggestions for a non-gamer wife and a 3-year-old son. I have my choices of Resident Evil 4, Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime 3, and Zak & Wiki... (maybe Mario Galaxy, but honestly, that plumber has never impressed me) but what games are there that my wife and I can play together, that she can play alone, that all three of us can play together, or even he can play alone?

My son is just starting to get into video games. I'd say he's an intermediate user on his Smart Cycle. He can't read yet (he must have her genes... I kid) so I have to show him everything and he remembers what I show him... usually. I'd like a game where you can't really die and he can just goof around and explore... maybe learn?

My wife surprised me when she took to the DS' Brain Age (mostly the sudoku part), Clubhouse Games (mahjong and bowling) and Puzzle Quest.

From what little I know of the Wii's line up, Elebits seems like a good game for him and I'm not sure what else. For her, I think Puzzle Quest is better as a portable game so no need to buy that one again, unless there's something really awesome, above and beyond what the DS version offered. She likes to organize things and nag me... is there a game where she can virtually do that?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Thryn7686]

My roommate/best friend has been completely anti-gaming her entire life, so when I brought home Super Paper Mario it was quite the surprise to find her playing it more than I was. The side-scrolling nature of it makes the game pretty simple to pick up, the 3D flipping keeps it interesting, and the game is just so random you'll be laughing the whole time. I highly suggest it.

As for your son, Endless Ocean might be worth a look-see. The whole game is simply based on you swimming around an ocean, forever. Lots of exploring and what-not, and not a whole lot of dying.

And that list of "choices" you have... I'd pick up all of them. I've played them all start to finish, and they're some of the best I played in 2007.

 

[Virgil]

Other than Wii Sports, you can also look at Wii Play, which is basically like an expanded Wii Sports. It was sold as a package with an extra Wiimote when I bought mine, which was convenient. I also hear that Rayman: Raving Rabbids is also a lot of fun.

Honestly, I don't play mine very much - maybe once every few months. Mostly because my tastes seem pretty similar to yours, and I find more games I want to play on the Xbox.

 

[Eudaemonian]

I'll second to recommendation of Wii Play, if they're still available. When they first came out, they were difficult to come upon, and I don't know if they continued producing them. Essentially, a second Wii-mote with some bonus games.

Most are kind of ho-hum, but the tank one at the end is suprisingly addictive. My friend's non-gamer roommate was found on the couch in the morning after having stayed up to play until he could beat it.

 

[Echolocating]

I'll definitely look into Super Paper Mario for her. I probably should have mentioned that when she was younger, she and her friends played Donkey Kong Country (SNES) to unhealthy levels. They'd all take turns, as one was them was always better at certain parts than the others. She absolutely loved that game (more so for the comradery, I'm sure)... virtual console, here I come!

But seriously, she's played (and I mean enjoyed) probably 5 video games in her lifetime. (I'm sure Pong was one of them.)

Endless Ocean looks a bit sophisticated for him (from what I can gather), but I don't mind doing any of the "hard parts" so he can have fun and cruise around. That's how we play together right now with his Smart Cycle. However, if I can actually be engaged by the game, I'm sure he'll benefit even more from it... except the parts when we fight over the controller. Definitely worth a rental, I think.

I've heard a lot of good things about Wii Sports. That one comes with the console, right? I'll definitely hunt around for Wii Play then, especially if it comes with the extra controller. That sounds perfect for my son and wife; simple and easy to get into games.

Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 is out, but some people seem to be saying that the original is better. Would it be safe to say the first one would be the one worth looking into?

-----

Honestly, I don't play mine very much - maybe once every few months. Mostly because my tastes seem pretty similar to yours, and I find more games I want to play on the Xbox.

I know I'd buy a 360 in a heartbeat, but I just don't have the time to sit down without interruptions and play really involving games. I need something that's easy to pick up and play... and just as easy to put back down. The DS has been a savior for me, in that regard. But, I went and did something stupid... I bought a new 42" widescreen LCD... and now you know where my brain's at. ;-)

 

[Nordstrom]

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games is good for casual gaming. My wife likes playing it when we go over to my friends' place. Most of the sports have simple controls that kids can latch onto easily (our kids love it). It's a really active game.

 

[Wildcard6]

My 6 year old son LOVES Rayman Ravening Rabbids, both #1 and #2 (he hasn't played the original since we got the sequel at Christmas.) The first one is probably better, overall, but the party-game options are better in the sequel, and I like those sorts of games.

Mario Party 8 is also a good choice for younger players as you can set the game to only play the easy games. Also, the game's so random even the youngest players may end up winning with a few lucky dice rolls.

 

[Melaisis]

Burning Wii Questions

I'm sure you can get tablets for that.

Hurhurhur.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games?

 

[-Javelin-]

If your wee is burning, go see the doctor.
(lolololol)
I've not got a wii myself but of the games i have played i would also recommend mario and sonic olympics, very simple and easy, but pretty addicting and fun.

 

[Mr_Spectre]

Ware ware smooth moves, best family friendly and party game available. Its difficult to pick up on at first but once you get the hang of it, its a game that seems to get everyone in its wake excited.

 

[FavouredEnemy]

Burning Wii Questions

Douse in petrol in an open area outside, and light safely from a distance.

 

[slyder35]

I have a 3 year old daughter and the ONLY game she wants me to play is Super Mario Galaxy. It's quick, colorful, exciting, and she can help me by collecting "star bits" by just waving her Wiimote at the TV (you need 2 wiimotes for this function). She just adores every bit of it, and the ingenius level design makes it just as much fun for the adult playing. There's no 'killing' involved, it's more inferred, so not detrimental in that sense.

I own ALOT of games and I honestly couldn't recommend any game for a 3yr old over SMG to be honest.

 

[Eudaemonian]

I have to agree about the star bits. And hey, it's not just for three year olds. When I'm so burned out that I don't even feel like actually gaming, I can sit on my couch and be "star bits *****" for my friend. And occasionally click on his character to make him die.

Can't complain...

 

[Arkfeller]

My 6 year old son LOVES Rayman Ravening Rabbids, both #1 and #2 (he hasn't played the original since we got the sequel at Christmas.) The first one is probably better, overall, but the party-game options are better in the sequel, and I like those sorts of games.

Mario Party 8 is also a good choice for younger players as you can set the game to only play the easy games. Also, the game's so random even the youngest players may end up winning with a few lucky dice rolls.

Rayman is very child-friendly, and picks up after a bit. However, it can be a bit nasty sometimes. Mario Party isn't bad, either. Wii Play is the best bet for your son, because it actually teaches Wii Remote techniques.

 

[HoWithABow]

I would agree with other's said, except for super paper mario. The 3d function of the game is very visually lacking. It seems like the developer spent 95% of their time and funds on the 2d and only 2% on the 3d aspect and the remaining 3% on food. Other than that the game would not bode well in my opinion with young children. Mostly because there is a retarded amount of text. Hell I'm 20 years old and I can't even stand it. All the characters do is yap their mouths off all game. At times you just want to tell them to shut up so you can actually play the game. The final small reason why the game is a little on the down side is because there is actually one level in the game that is weird. Yahtzee mentioned it in his review before. In this stage you actually have to WORK. You get in a hamster wheel and run for about 30-45 minutes for money to pay another character off. If you haven't seen his review I highly suggest it. He does a great job wrapping up what I just said there.

Anyways I have a question of my own for other wii owners out there. Has any other owners out there had a visual bug come up during games where they see small clear blocks on their screen? They almost look like what a tv screen looks like when it has windex on it. So far it occurs horribly in twilight princess, and very rarely in galaxy. Strangely enough it doesn't happen at all when I put in my old smash brothers melle game.

 

[Echolocating]

I would agree with other's said, except for super paper mario. [...] Other than that the game would not bode well in my opinion with young children.

Yeah, I would definitely rent it first, of course... but, in defense of the person who recommended it, it was suggested as a possibility for my wife.

Based on people's recommendations, I picked up Wii Play with that extra remote today. Can't argue with the price on that one. Thanks, guys! Nice timing too, because it seems to be in really low supply around here (perhaps discontinued?)... of course, I still haven't tracked down a Wii console yet. Elusive little things.

I'll be sure to check out Mario Party, as well. Is there a mode on that thing where you can just play the mini-games by themselves?

I had no idea about that star collecting feature in Mario Galaxy. That's very cool! Thanks!

 

[Lightbulb]

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games is good for casual gaming. My wife likes playing it when we go over to my friends' place. Most of the sports have simple controls that kids can latch onto easily (our kids love it). It's a really active game.

Debatable...

I really threw my shoulder out over Christmas at my GF sisters house... Too competative it guess...

 

[Terramax]

Monkey Ball Banana Blitz!

You get a simple, addictive full game coupled with about 30 minigames. Sure, some of these minigames are in other Wii games, but they're represented better in MB.

DON'T buy Mario & Sonic Olympic. This game was horrid. Horrid, horrid, horrid. I can't believe my mum picked this up for my sister. I tell my mother to contact me first before buying a game as I like to think I can advise on the best.

... so she chooses M & S Olympic ; ;

If you're going to get a game with minigames, better to make it something like Mario Party 8. At least that way winning the minigames count for something.