Official Wii/DS Q/A thread. FAQ in first post! Game reviews in second post!

[tyedye]

I just looked up Madden 09 and the Wii version is rated higher than the PS2, 8.6 to 7. What would you do in this case? Is a 1.6 higher rating worth $5? $10? $15? Not having really played these, I am somewhat clueless.

 

[The_Horned_King]

Hey,not a new owner but I have a ?

Our 2nd remote will not sync with any two or more player games
but it works for the Wii sports we got with the Wii...

Hows that ?

Thanks

Not sure why it would be doing that...you should simply turn it on and it should auto sync. Perhaps try to completely resyncing the wii mote for the system or if all else fails you can go into the wiimote menu (by pausing the system) and sync it each time you turn it on.

Did you set with one time sync when you first used it?

Any personal experience with Sega Superstar Tennis or Thrillsville for the Wii? My girls love playing wii sports tennis and they have goofy personalities so I think they might like the tennis one but it gets mixed reviews. They are 9 and 6.

My 9 yr old daughter has wanted Thrillsville for a long time (on any platform!) and I found it black friday for $15. Can you just build and then "ride" roller coasters or do you have to build and maintain an amusement park to do that? Is it an annoying game to control with the Wii Remote?

No personal experience with either game sorry, what I cnan tell you is Sega Superstar tennis is supposed to be fun but a little on the challangeing side. I have also heard however that it does not play nearly as well as wiisports tennis.

Not sure on thrillville but it it's made at all like Rollercoaster tycoon(for the pc) then it has a sadbox option where you can simply build and ride no maintnance needed. For $15 even if it's a dud it's not a big hit in the wallet.

I just looked up Madden 09 and the Wii version is rated higher than the PS2, 8.6 to 7. What would you do in this case? Is a 1.6 higher rating worth $5? $10? $15? Not having really played these, I am somewhat clueless.

Correct me if I am wrong but didn't your son prefer the traditional controls of NCAA/madden to the Wiimote controls?

If I'm remembering it right then in your personal case I would say go for the Ps2 version.

Im my opinion the Wiimote controls are far superior so much so that I have a hard time even attempting to play madden09 on the Xbox360. It's just not natural enough to me anymore. So Im my judgement the extra mony for the wii version is well worth it....but here you have to go with what your son prefers.

About the arguement of weither wii games are worth the extra cost over the same game on say the ps2...it all depends on the game. With a game like Madden or Okami where the maker took the time and made the motion control a focus of developement the game is usually far superior to the ps2 brother game.

However on other games the controls seems to have been and after thought and thats not good!! Game like this were made to siply cash in on the popularity of the wii...we Game geeks like to call this type of game Shovelware(or port). Simply meaning it's crap.

So this arguement has to be made on a per game basis...I'll always be glad to give you the hardcore gamers view of these game.

hope this helps everyone.

 

[tyedye]

Correct me if I am wrong but didn't your son prefer the traditional controls of NCAA/madden to the Wiimote controls?

If I'm remembering it right then in your personal case I would say go for the Ps2 version.

Im my opinion the Wiimote controls are far superior so much so that I have a hard time even attempting to play madden09 on the Xbox360. It's just not natural enough to me anymore. So Im my judgement the extra mony for the wii version is well worth it....but here you have to go with what your son prefers.

You're right. For Madden 08 he wasn't liking using the wiimote. However for Madden 09 on the Wii you can play it with the classic controller so there shouldn't be as much difference. For NBA Live 08 on the wii it was real easy and wasn't challenging enough (but if it's too challenging they don't like that either---kids you'll see one day). I don't remember what they said about Fifa. So for Madden we could get the wii version then that would free up the PS2 for my other son to play. I also think that the Wii version of Madden has some other feature(s) that are not included on the PS2 version, however I got the ps2 on sale for $22, the wii version was $44 so we'll have to see how the spending goes, we may keep the ps2 version. I don't even remember if I actually got madden for the wii, I need to check.

What do you think about Lego Batman (ign score 7.7 for every platform except DS an 8) and Lego Indy (ign score 8 for every platform)? I think there is a $20 price diff for Batman so I'd go with the cheaper one, for Indy I think the diff is closer to $5.

Star Wars Forced Unleashed scored 7.2-7.3 for PS2&3, 360 and then a 7.8 for the wii. The ps2 game is $12 less than the wii version, the wii game is $10 less than the ps3/360. So it all adds up and makes the buying difficult to know which one to get.

As far as Thrillville and Sega Tennis, we haven't played them but my costco had them for $10.99 after a $5 off coupon. Thrillville got a 7.8 wii rating from ign so for even $15 it's prob worth it, on the DS though it scored 4.5. Sega tennis scored 6.2 and it said it fell between virtual tennis and Mario Tennis.

 

[harleyquinn]

What do you think about Lego Batman (ign score 7.7 for every platform except DS an 8) and Lego Indy (ign score 8 for every platform)? I think there is a $20 price diff for Batman so I'd go with the cheaper one, for Indy I think the diff is closer to $5.

Star Wars Forced Unleashed scored 7.2-7.3 for PS2&3, 360 and then a 7.8 for the wii. The ps2 game is $12 less than the wii version, the wii game is $10 less than the ps3/360. So it all adds up and makes the buying difficult to know which one to get.

As far as Thrillville and Sega Tennis, we haven't played them but my costco had them for $10.99 after a $5 off coupon. Thrillville got a 7.8 wii rating from ign so for even $15 it's prob worth it, on the DS though it scored 4.5. Sega tennis scored 6.2 and it said it fell between virtual tennis and Mario Tennis.

For the Lego games, I would go with the cheapest. The graphics are very similar and the gameplay is exactly the same no matter what.

SW I would probably go with the Wii, because the big appeal for that game on the Wii is using the Wiimote as a lightsaber. I think it's why IGN gave it a higher score and I think it's worth that price difference.

I think Thrillville is definitely worth that price! I would only get Sega Tennis if the kids REALLY like wii sports tennis or you really need another game.

 

[tyedye]

So glad you said you'd get the SW Forced Unleashed for the Wii cause I bought it back when TRU had the B2G1 offer. Since then I've seen all the games at sale prices but together I think I still paid less.

By the way all my boys (incl. DH) are liking Zack & Wiki and they all try to get thru stuff talking it out. Although because of this game I learned that my one son likes games only to a be a little challenging and if it's too much work he's doesn't like it as much, he's more into the fun of it. But then this is the same kid who if it's too hard, puts it aside and goes back to it a few months later. He told me that when he's older he's smarter so he can get thru more of it then.

Still looking for info on the DS game Club Penguin.

Anyone have Touchmaster for the DS?

 

[mookie]

Anyone have or seen Balloon Pop? I know it's a pretty simplistic game, but I was thinking of giving it to my middle son, whos 3 and Loooves watching his sister play wii. Could this be something they could play together?

 

[mookie]

Still looking for info on the DS game Club Penguin.

Anyone have Touchmaster for the DS?

Just got dd a DS for Christmas. Plan on getting her Club Penguin. Don't know much about it, but from what I have heard, it is exactly the same as the online game, so if you google it, you should be able to find it and check it out.

 

[tink2dw]

WoW!! 194 pages and 2 years later and a little Budget Board Pixie Dust, I bought Wii on Amazon.com for $245. Plus we bought the games we wanted
Carnival Miniature Golf
Rock Band just the Guitar
Mario Kart
Wii Play w/remote

 

[miatamel]

Hi. I'm on dialup and going thru various sites reading reviews and checking prices is killing me on my time restraints, so can the resident gaming expert help me, please?!

Got a Wii last Christmas and haven't updated games since, so we are due. here's what I am thinking about, if you could give me opinions or advice, it would be GREAT.

Hubby: MarioKart (he has one truck racing game and loved it) and I'm guessing I need to buy the wheels. One or two? And which ones? I saw on amazon there are pink, blue, turbo, etc. Is one better than the other? And is this a good game pick?

DD7 1/2: Become a Star Wars fan, due to boy cousins. Thinking of a Star Wars game (she has a DS one) plus lightsabers, but lightsabers seem to be getting bad reviews. And which game would be appropriate for this age? There seem to be several...she's not a worldly 7 yr old (we don't have cable) so don't want anything overly violent-ish...and are the sabers ok?

DD5: Thinking of We Cheer with the pom poms. She's my girly girl--or what about the DDR? TOo advanced? She would not enjoy Star Wars with sister, so need something for her...

Family: The samba game? But the maraca attachments are getting great reviews?

Also: wanted to update their DS games. DD7 would like one of the Brain games but I can't figure out if any of them are ok for this age or are they geared for older kids? If it's too hard, she might not pick it back up. She's in gifted at school, but still.....they all say E for everyone for that might still not include the younger students. Also, is Guitar Hero too much for a 7 yr old? She couldn't do the Wii version.

Any comments would be great!
THanks...

 

[paula70]

DD's getting wii for xmas. Already bought the extra wiimote (w/Wii Play) but still need to buy the extra nunchuck and an extra wheel for Mario kart.

Here's my question, the back of the games show which controller to use but what if the back shows the wiimote and the nunchuck? Does that mean that you can use either? Should one work better than the other?

For example I bought Wii play, Mario Kart and Mario and sonic olympics. Do I need the extra nunchuck right away for those games or can it wait? Just watching my money (fly right out the window! ). I for sure need to buy the extra wheel for Mario Kart right?

Just want to make sure my DD's have all the stuff they need to play xmas morn.

TIA!

 

[mdrob214]

Hi. I'm on dialup and going thru various sites reading reviews and checking prices is killing me on my time restraints, so can the resident gaming expert help me, please?!

Got a Wii last Christmas and haven't updated games since, so we are due. here's what I am thinking about, if you could give me opinions or advice, it would be GREAT.

Hubby: MarioKart (he has one truck racing game and loved it) and I'm guessing I need to buy the wheels. One or two? And which ones? I saw on amazon there are pink, blue, turbo, etc. Is one better than the other? And is this a good game pick?

DD7 1/2: Become a Star Wars fan, due to boy cousins. Thinking of a Star Wars game (she has a DS one) plus lightsabers, but lightsabers seem to be getting bad reviews. And which game would be appropriate for this age? There seem to be several...she's not a worldly 7 yr old (we don't have cable) so don't want anything overly violent-ish...and are the sabers ok?

DD5: Thinking of We Cheer with the pom poms. She's my girly girl--or what about the DDR? TOo advanced? She would not enjoy Star Wars with sister, so need something for her...

Family: The samba game? But the maraca attachments are getting great reviews?

Also: wanted to update their DS games. DD7 would like one of the Brain games but I can't figure out if any of them are ok for this age or are they geared for older kids? If it's too hard, she might not pick it back up. She's in gifted at school, but still.....they all say E for everyone for that might still not include the younger students. Also, is Guitar Hero too much for a 7 yr old? She couldn't do the Wii version.

Any comments would be great!
THanks...

DS11 loves MarioKart. We don't have it but he's played at friends' homes.

I recommend Lego Star Wars for a 7 yo. We have that for both wii and PS2. He likes them both and still plays even though he's completed the game.

We have DDR for PS2 and don't know how different it is on the wii. I think a 5yo might find it frustrating. I know that our elem. school PE does DDR for a week or so each year--all grades. I have a girl but she's far from a girly-girl so I am no help there. Good luck.

 

[zumbergc]

someone asked about needing the extra numchuck.

You need a wiimote and nunchuck if you want to play, wii sports boxing. Boxing required both remotes, and if you want to play against each other, need both.

 

[awoltoday]

DD's getting wii for xmas. Already bought the extra wiimote (w/Wii Play) but still need to buy the extra nunchuck and an extra wheel for Mario kart.

Here's my question, the back of the games show which controller to use but what if the back shows the wiimote and the nunchuck? Does that mean that you can use either? Should one work better than the other?

For example I bought Wii play, Mario Kart and Mario and sonic olympics. Do I need the extra nunchuck right away for those games or can it wait? Just watching my money (fly right out the window! ). I for sure need to buy the extra wheel for Mario Kart right?

Just want to make sure my DD's have all the stuff they need to play xmas morn.

TIA!

You don't really need the wheel for Mario Kart. We rented it and didn't have a wheel. It plays just fine without it. You know the wheel just holds the wiimote and is not an actual controller?

As for the nunchuk... the nunchuk plugs into the wiimote, so I don't think you can use it without the wiimote. Now, some games, like Mario & Sonic Olympics, will play with or without the nunchuk. But, I really preferred using the nunchuk with the olympics because the motions using the nunchuk seemed more natural to me than just bouncing a wiimote up and down.

 

[Pluto_fan]

WoW!! 194 pages and 2 years later and a little Budget Board Pixie Dust, I bought Wii on Amazon.com for $245. Plus we bought the games we wanted
Carnival Miniature Golf
Rock Band just the Guitar
Mario Kart
Wii Play w/remote

Congrats!
May I ask what your secret was? The prices I'm seeing are ~$100 higher! Or should I read all 194 pages?
Thanks!

 

[paula70]

You don't really need the wheel for Mario Kart. We rented it and didn't have a wheel. It plays just fine without it. You know the wheel just holds the wiimote and is not an actual controller?

Actually, did not know that!

As for the nunchuk... the nunchuk plugs into the wiimote, so I don't think you can use it without the wiimote. Now, some games, like Mario & Sonic Olympics, will play with or without the nunchuk. But, I really preferred using the nunchuk with the olympics because the motions using the nunchuk seemed more natural to me than just bouncing a wiimote up and down.

Thanks for the reply! So, second nunchuck for sure and extra wheel, not so much. Do you think it would be easier/more fun for my DD's 11 and 8 to use the wheel instead of the Wiimote? They are brand new to any kind of 'gaming'.

Another stupid question...

Do most of the games come w/ instructions? For example, does it tell you how to use the remote to control the actions? Because we are so new to this video game thing, I'm afraid it'll be over our heads!?

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks for the reply! So, second nunchuck for sure and extra wheel, not so much. Do you think it would be easier/more fun for my DD's 11 and 8 to use the wheel instead of the Wiimote? They are brand new to any kind of 'gaming'.

Another stupid question...

Do most of the games come w/ instructions? For example, does it tell you how to use the remote to control the actions? Because we are so new to this video game thing, I'm afraid it'll be over our heads!?

The wheel is cool, but not a necessity. It's just as easy either way, a little more fun with the wheel.

Yes, all of the games come with instructions and just about all I have played have tutorials in the game to help you. No worries there. It's very easy to pick up and play.

 

[harleyquinn]

Hubby: MarioKart (he has one truck racing game and loved it) and I'm guessing I need to buy the wheels. One or two? And which ones? I saw on amazon there are pink, blue, turbo, etc. Is one better than the other? And is this a good game pick?

You don't need to buy the wheel. They are cool, but just an accessory.
DD7 1/2: Become a Star Wars fan, due to boy cousins. Thinking of a Star Wars game (she has a DS one) plus lightsabers, but lightsabers seem to be getting bad reviews. And which game would be appropriate for this age? There seem to be several...she's not a worldly 7 yr old (we don't have cable) so don't want anything overly violent-ish...and are the sabers ok?
The only one I would recommend for that age is Lego Star Wars. It's super fun and not violent. You don't need a lightsaber attachment for it.

DD5: Thinking of We Cheer with the pom poms. She's my girly girl--or what about the DDR? TOo advanced? She would not enjoy Star Wars with sister, so need something for her...

Uggggh Wii Cheer, ack. You might be suprised to see that she might really enjoy Lego Star Wars. I think DDR is probably too much--cost wise and for a 5 yo, not that she couldn't do it, but I just don't know.

Family: The samba game? But the maraca attachments are getting great reviews?
I haven't tried that one and really can't help too much. If you want a family game there are definitely better ones out there...maybe others have more suggestions.

Also: wanted to update their DS games. DD7 would like one of the Brain games but I can't figure out if any of them are ok for this age or are they geared for older kids? If it's too hard, she might not pick it back up. She's in gifted at school, but still.....they all say E for everyone for that might still not include the younger students. Also, is Guitar Hero too much for a 7 yr old? She couldn't do the Wii version.
I think just about all of the Brain games would be fine. They are usually made up of very simple math problems and it's about doing them over and over to get better scores. Sounds horrible, but its actually a lot of fun. If she couldn't do the full guitar version of GH, then i would stay away from the DS version, you still have to press the buttons, just like the Wii version.
Any comments would be great!
THanks...

Hope this helps!

 

[Laurabearz]

I really think my girls would like one of the cheer programs but I can't decide between the two...

We Cheer... http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/wecheer/index.html

We Cheer's vidoe http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/wecheer/video/6189399/we-cheer-gameplay-movie-1

All Star Cheer Squad http://www.gamespot.com/wii/sports/...m_clk=gssimilargames&tag=similargames;title;1

38:00 into this vidoe shows gameplay http://www.gamespot.com/wii/sports/...6198517/on-the-spot--10-02-08?tag=videos;sd;1

I think my daughters would prefer the look the the We Cheer, but could follow along with All Star better...

Sigh
I am still not sure which I will get...

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Congrats to HarleyQuinn and Horned King on your upcoming release!

Does anyone have any info on Star Wars Unleashed? My DS8 loves LEGO Star Wars. I know Unleashed is rated T, but why? Would it really be inappropriate for an 8 year old? TIA

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I am a Wii newbie. We don't even have it yet. DD made a decision to buy Wii for my DGS10. Now she can't find it. So just wondering what we are in for here. Is it still so hard to find like in previous years? Anyone know who seems to have it in stock more often than other places?

Thanks a bunch!