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

[harleyquinn]

DD and DS have Nintendogs and they don't 'care' for them anymore. I put Nintendogs in the same category as Tamagatchis. Maybe the game would be more fun for them (my kids) if they have more friends with it? I think the technology was intriguing to them at first (voice recognition) but they are more into 'gaming'. (I hope this makes sense! )

Harleyquinn - have you played Puzzle Quest? If you like Bejeweled or puzzle games, it is a nice combo of puzzles and gaming. I just beat the game and DS is dying to get his hands on it (there are only 2 memory slots and DD already has one).

Yes, I have my own DS game but no DS.

I definitely think Nintendogs has run its course for most kids, but if a newer DS owner can pick the game up for under $20 it might be worth it. There are others I would buy first though.

YES! I LOVE Puzzle Quest! You beat it? Great job!! I keep just playing the Bejeweled part and not progressing very well. If you like it, you might like the other DQ games. Have you tried any of the Zelda games? DQ is like that, but your character levels up and you use different weapons and armor and stuff. And how about Zookeeper? It's basically bejeweled, but it's one of the few games I still go back and play over and over.

 

[tyedye]

Metroid Prime 3 is rated T and my son who will be 10 soon wants this game. He's familiar with Samus from the Smash Bros games and says that was also a T game and we let him play that. What are the opinions of this game for a 10 yr old?

 

[geetey]

There is a trick to beating Bane in PuzzleQuest but I won't say what it is in case it would ruin the game for someone. What type of character did you select?

Have played Zelda - even the original one on the NES. Great game! The DS version looks pretty cool. The kids are looking into the Drawn to Life (??) game but I have read that is a game geared more for beginners. Any word on that game? DS wants Zelda DS too. Ooooh, how the Christmas grows!

I haven't ever checked Zookeeper! I assumed it was Zoo Tycoon.

 

[tyedye]

Was just reading the description of Game Party and it looks like some of the games on it are on other 'party' games as well.
Play seven of your favorite games: Play Darts, Table Hockey, Shuffle Board and Hoop Shoot, or try your hand at variations of classics like Skii Ball, Ping Cup, and Trivia.

I think skii ball is on Carnival Games and isn't table hockey on Wii Play? Although knowing my kids like I do, they're going to want this for the shuffle board and darts.

Is there somewhere I can print a listing of the games coming out and their dates?

 

[tyedye]

There is a trick to beating Bane in PuzzleQuest but I won't say what it is in case it would ruin the game for someone. What type of character did you select?

Have played Zelda - even the original one on the NES. Great game! The DS version looks pretty cool. The kids are looking into the Drawn to Life (??) game but I have read that is a game geared more for beginners. Any word on that game? DS wants Zelda DS too. Ooooh, how the Christmas grows!

I haven't ever checked Zookeeper! I assumed it was Zoo Tycoon.

I just bought the new Zelda DS game for my youngest, who's bday is in 2 wks! It was on his list and I found it at Costco cheaper than the other stores.

The commercials for Drawn to Life make the game look pretty neat but so far mine haven't asked for it.

If I like playing games like Dr Mario, Tetris etc would I like Planet Puzzle League?

 

[geetey]

Metroid Prime 3 is rated T and my son who will be 10 soon wants this game. He's familiar with Samus from the Smash Bros games and says that was also a T game and we let him play that. What are the opinions of this game for a 10 yr old?

We saw a preview of Metroid at Toys R Us (had to and get the Pokemon download on Saturday) and DS thinks the game looks AWESOME. He is 12 and we don't do T games here either (with few exceptions like Smash Brothers) so he knows he can't get it.

For us, Smash Bros is okay because the T is for the mild violence (it is a fighting/battle game). Killing isn't okay so Metroid won't work because it has a T for animated blood/violence. I like using this site... http://www.esrb.org/index-js.jsp to see why a game got a certain rating, since I think the issue becomes more 'grey' as the kids get older.

Hope that helps in some way.

 

[harleyquinn]

Metroid Prime 3 is rated T and my son who will be 10 soon wants this game. He's familiar with Samus from the Smash Bros games and says that was also a T game and we let him play that. What are the opinions of this game for a 10 yr old?

I think it's only rated T because she uses a gun. It's not bloody or sexual. I wouldn't call it any more violent than Smash Brothers. it's a great game!

There is a trick to beating Bane in PuzzleQuest but I won't say what it is in case it would ruin the game for someone. What type of character did you select?

Have played Zelda - even the original one on the NES. Great game! The DS version looks pretty cool. The kids are looking into the Drawn to Life (??) game but I have read that is a game geared more for beginners. Any word on that game? DS wants Zelda DS too. Ooooh, how the Christmas grows!

I haven't ever checked Zookeeper! I assumed it was Zoo Tycoon.

I think I have a Warrior? I can't remember it's been too long.

You should TOTALLY pick up Phantom Hourglass or Minish Cap. They are really really good. Drawn to Life is getting a lot of press. I can't decide if I like it or not. IGN's review: http://ds.ign.com/articles/819/819153p1.html Definitely buy Zelda first, but if you need another game...

Was just reading the description of Game Party and it looks like some of the games on it are on other 'party' games as well.
Play seven of your favorite games: Play Darts, Table Hockey, Shuffle Board and Hoop Shoot, or try your hand at variations of classics like Skii Ball, Ping Cup, and Trivia.

I think skii ball is on Carnival Games and isn't table hockey on Wii Play? Although knowing my kids like I do, they're going to want this for the shuffle board and darts.

Is there somewhere I can print a listing of the games coming out and their dates?

Yes, ping pong is on Wii Play. Don't know about Carnival games, but I'm sure you are right.

Here's the list of release dates:
http://wii.ign.com/index/release.html

 

[geetey]

I think skii ball is on Carnival Games and isn't table hockey on Wii Play? Although knowing my kids like I do, they're going to want this for the shuffle board and darts.

Can't answer all of your questions but do know that Wii Play has the table hockey.

If I like playing games like Dr Mario, Tetris etc would I like Planet Puzzle League?

Ooooo! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Dr. Mario in 2 player mode. I wish there were a DS version that works like the original NES version!

 

[harleyquinn]

For us, Smash Bros is okay because the T is for the mild violence (it is a fighting/battle game). Killing isn't okay so Metroid won't work because it has a T for animated blood/violence. I like using this site... http://www.esrb.org/index-js.jsp to see why a game got a certain rating, since I think the issue becomes more 'grey' as the kids get older.

Hope that helps in some way.

Whoops! Glad you posted that. How wrong could I be?! lol

I like your killing deliniation. Personally, I'd let my kid play it at 10 after discussing the killing aspect with him, but that's just me. And the animated blood is very minimal compared to other shooters, but that doesn't make it okay for everyone.

Thanks again for posting!

 

[tyedye]

I was trying to order the free jackets for our remote and it says our serial number isn't valid? Did I have to register our system with nintendo in order to order this as I never think I did that.

 

[harleyquinn]

Ooooo! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Dr. Mario in 2 player mode. I wish there were a DS version that works like the original NES version!

How'd I miss that part of the question? I think there's a Dr. Mario on the virtual console...

Planet Puzzle League...another game I know nothing about! lol

Ign gave it a 9! Looks really cool! http://ds.ign.com/articles/793/793768p1.html

 

[harleyquinn]

I was trying to order the free jackets for our remote and it says our serial number isn't valid? Did I have to register our system with nintendo in order to order this as I never think I did that.

I would call Nintendo if I were you. The other thread has a bunch of people saying thay called and had no trouble when the website was giving them problems.

And yes, I think you do need to register the system with Nintendo to do it online, but not over the phone. You should register your system anyway as it gives you an extra 90 days on your warrenty (can't spell that word!! ARG!)

 

[geetey]

Whoops! Glad you posted that. How wrong could I be?! lol

I like your killing deliniation. Personally, I'd let my kid play it at 10 after discussing the killing aspect with him, but that's just me. And the animated blood is very minimal compared to other shooters, but that doesn't make it okay for everyone.

Thanks again for posting!

No problem - thanks for all of the recommendations.

Like I said, things get a lot 'greyer' as the kids get older. My DS could not handle Metroid appropriately at 10 but he is also the kid who was surprised that D batteries hurt when he dropped them on his sister's head. Afterall, Tom & Jerry do stuff like that on TV. I like to know the 'why' for the rating then I can decide what works best for us.

 

[harleyquinn]

Like I said, things get a lot 'greyer' as the kids get older. My DS could not handle Metroid appropriately at 10 but he is also the kid who was surprised that D batteries hurt when he dropped them on his sister's head. Afterall, Tom & Jerry do stuff like that on TV. I like to know the 'why' for the rating then I can decide what works best for us.

It's great to hear someone be so aware of it all. I hear way too many youngsters talking about Halo and Grand Theft Auto!

 

[tyedye]

Thanks for the input, I'm going to pass on the Metroid for now. There are plenty of other games he also wants and we can save those T games when he gets a bit older. I don't like any blood even if it's animated.

I called Nintendo re the jacket and the nice gentleman on the phone asked if I was including the last number in the box in my serial number? If they are getting that many people leave off that number, seems like they need to describe it better on the website.

Although I did see where is was to be 11 numbers and I counted 11 when online but when talking with him and counting I only got 10, oops. My fault. My order is now placed.

 

[left210]

It's great to hear someone be so aware of it all. I hear way too many youngsters talking about Halo and Grand Theft Auto!

Glad to see there are others out there screening their kids too. I had heard that Kingdom Hearts 2 was good on PS2 and saw it on one of those BOGO sales. It was rated 10+ and I noticed it had use of alcohol as one of the reasons. Why in the world would alcohol use be placed in a Disney game?

 

[Terry36]

I just bought a Wii so do I need to order the free jackets for our remote?

 

[geetey]

Glad to see there are others out there screening their kids too. I had heard that Kingdom Hearts 2 was good on PS2 and saw it on one of those BOGO sales. It was rated 10+ and I noticed it had use of alcohol as one of the reasons. Why in the world would alcohol use be placed in a Disney game?

You have me scratching my head here because I have played Kingom Hearts 1 and 2 all of the way through and don't remember alcohol in the game. Of course, I am over 10 too.

I wonder if it was in one of the cut scenes? Hmmm... I know I am going to keep thinking about this until I remember!

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks for the input, I'm going to pass on the Metroid for now. There are plenty of other games he also wants and we can save those T games when he gets a bit older. I don't like any blood even if it's animated.

I called Nintendo re the jacket and the nice gentleman on the phone asked if I was including the last number in the box in my serial number? If they are getting that many people leave off that number, seems like they need to describe it better on the website.

Although I did see where is was to be 11 numbers and I counted 11 when online but when talking with him and counting I only got 10, oops. My fault. My order is now placed.

ITA. There is so much stuff out there that makes the kids grow up too quickly as it is. It's pretty easy to distract them with some other shiny new game! BTW DH loves the Metroid franchise, but can't play the newer games cuz first person shooters (like Halo and just about every other game for the Xbox) make him sick...like motion sickness. They do it to me too.

Glad to see there are others out there screening their kids too. I had heard that Kingdom Hearts 2 was good on PS2 and saw it on one of those BOGO sales. It was rated 10+ and I noticed it had use of alcohol as one of the reasons. Why in the world would alcohol use be placed in a Disney game?

It was because of the Pirates. Since they added a POTC level and that stupid,"Why is the rum always gone?" thing was in the game. Actually, I think the creepy, dark nature of the bad guys in the game is much worse than the Pirates and their Rum. I think the only reason it didn't get a T was there was no blood.

I just bought a Wii so do I need to order the free jackets for our remote?

Give Nintendo a call and they'll take care of you. As far as I know the new systems packed with the jackets are not in stores yet. But I've been wrong a lot today, so better give them a call!

 

[eeyore74]

I was trying to order the free jackets for our remote and it says our serial number isn't valid? Did I have to register our system with nintendo in order to order this as I never think I did that.

When I first did it, I got the invalid thing, too. But I noticed right after the serial number is a number in a box. I added that at the end and it went through fine.

HTH!