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

[fan_of_small_world]

Hi - I have two quick questions...

The Wii is our very first video game system. My sister bought GC Star Wars game for our DS. When he tried to play it, though, it asked for a memory card to be inserted. I understand that we don't need a "Wii" SD card, and that any brand will do for extra memory for the Wii games. My question is, though, do we need a Game Cube card for the GC games, or will the generic SD card work for that as well?

My second questions is a dumb one...what does D-pad mean?

Thanks so much! This thread has been great for us gaming newbies!

 

[imsayin]

What's the best method of tracking down a Wii? I have called several stores (Target, Best Buy, EB Games, etc.) and they all say they don't know when shipments are coming in. Any advice is appreciated. I thought this would be easier to find after x-mas, I guess not.

 

[harleyquinn]

How do you do this?

It's in the Wii manual. It'll probably explain better than me, but I'll try.

hit the home button on the controller, brings up a menu with an option way at the bottom that says Wii Remote Settings. Click on that to turn off the rumble, lower the volume, or reset the controller (DON'T DO THAT). You can also see how much battery life is left in each Wii-mote by doing this.

 

[harleyquinn]

Hi - I have two quick questions...

The Wii is our very first video game system. My sister bought GC Star Wars game for our DS. When he tried to play it, though, it asked for a memory card to be inserted. I understand that we don't need a "Wii" SD card, and that any brand will do for extra memory for the Wii games. My question is, though, do we need a Game Cube card for the GC games, or will the generic SD card work for that as well?

My second questions is a dumb one...what does D-pad mean?

Thanks so much! This thread has been great for us gaming newbies!

Great question! You must use a GameCube Memory card for Gamecube games. It will not save to the hard drive or an SD card. There is a slot next to the ports for the GC controllers for the GC memory card.

Hopefully you should be able to find old Memory cards at one of your local used game stores for a good price.

The D-pad it the cross shaped button on the Wii-mote. Back in the day before analog sticks, we used it to move around. (NOT a stupid question!)
HTH!

 

[The_Horned_King]

Hi - I have two quick questions...

The Wii is our very first video game system. My sister bought GC Star Wars game for our DS. When he tried to play it, though, it asked for a memory card to be inserted. I understand that we don't need a "Wii" SD card, and that any brand will do for extra memory for the Wii games. My question is, though, do we need a Game Cube card for the GC games, or will the generic SD card work for that as well?

My second questions is a dumb one...what does D-pad mean?

Thanks so much! This thread has been great for us gaming newbies!

I'll just answer the second question as i know my DW is answering the first...the d-pad is the little pad that has 4 directions up, down, left, right. at the top of the wiimote.

 

[harleyquinn]

What's the best method of tracking down a Wii? I have called several stores (Target, Best Buy, EB Games, etc.) and they all say they don't know when shipments are coming in. Any advice is appreciated. I thought this would be easier to find after x-mas, I guess not.

There is a thread on this board called "Any Wii's Out There???" They are usually the first to post about available consoles.

I've seen a few postings that say thay stores are expecting large shipments in the coming weeks.

Many employees are probably getting tired of answering Wii questions and are just telling people they don't know.

This is what i posted in the FAQ at the begining of the thread.

What's the best way to find a Wii?
Most retailers will get shipments of Wiis all week that they will save for Sunday, because that's when their ads with the system in them are released. Pay special attention to Sunday ads that say that the store will guarentee "x consoles per store."

Don't forget your smaller gaming stores like Game Stop and Game Crazy. They will put systems they get durning the week out when they get them, because they usually don't advertise on Sunday.

Just keep calling stores. Maybe late in the week is best?
Good luck!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Thanks harleyquinn and The_Horned_King! As I said before, I'm learning a lot from this thread. Thank you so much for starting it!!!

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks harleyquinn and The_Horned_King! As I said before, I'm learning a lot from this thread. Thank you so much for starting it!!!

Glad we could help!!

Nintendo has always been one of our passions, so we like to pass on the love!

 

[The_Horned_King]

juat bumping incase there are new questions!

 

[cruisnfamily]

I had an unanswered question on one of these nintendo threads...I was waiting for one of you to see it but I'll post again. In the first post harleyquin said something about the system coming with cables but you could buy other cables for $30 or something. My question was why you would want/need other cables?

 

[PlutoPony]

Anyone tried rechargeable batteries in the remote yet? Had to replace batteries for the first time today, so this likes it could be a battery hog! In our experience some things work better with rechargeables than others... any feedback??
TIA!

 

[michboro]

Anyone tried rechargeable batteries in the remote yet? Had to replace batteries for the first time today, so this likes it could be a battery hog! In our experience some things work better with rechargeables than others... any feedback??
TIA!

We've used them for about a week now, and so far no problems.

 

[pkgman]

I had an unanswered question on one of these nintendo threads...I was waiting for one of you to see it but I'll post again. In the first post harleyquin said something about the system coming with cables but you could buy other cables for $30 or something. My question was why you would want/need other cables?

Most likely someone was talking about component cables. They will let you play some games in 480p. Nintendo is selling them directly on their site. They were suppose to be in-stores during December buy didnot make it. Also, there is two third-party (React and Cyclone, i believe) component cables for sell in stores.

I believe that Nintendo under-estimated the demand for most Wii products whick accounts for most shortages of accessories.

 

[pkgman]

Anyone tried rechargeable batteries in the remote yet? Had to replace batteries for the first time today, so this likes it could be a battery hog! In our experience some things work better with rechargeables than others... any feedback??
TIA!

I have used Energizer recharegables since launch with no problems.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Most likely someone was talking about component cables. They will let you play some games in 480p.

Thank you for trying to answer my question. Unfortunately I still have no idea why I would need/want to be in 480p......can somebody please tell me what that is?

 

[harleyquinn]

Thank you for trying to answer my question. Unfortunately I still have no idea why I would need/want to be in 480p......can somebody please tell me what that is?

First of all, do you have an HDTV? If you don't then you don't need them.

The component cables are fancier cables that make the picture have higer resolution and therefore make the game graphics look better.

So if you REALLY want the games to look the best that they can, then you need the Wii Component cables. There are some non-nintendo brands in the stores. And you can get a great price for them on Ebay right now.

We used the Wii for a few weeks before we got the cables and there definitely is a different, especially in Zelda. The picture is brighter and crisper, but unless you REALLY care about graphics, it's not really necessary.

Sorry it took so long for me to answer!! I'll PM you!

 

[harleyquinn]

Anyone tried rechargeable batteries in the remote yet? Had to replace batteries for the first time today, so this likes it could be a battery hog! In our experience some things work better with rechargeables than others... any feedback??
TIA!

We too have been using the recharagables with success.

You can limit the amount of juice it takes if you want to.

You can turn off the rumble feature (this REALLY sucks the battery) and you can also turn down the controller volume which is also supposed to help a little.

To do this just select the "remote settings" button right after you click on any Wii Channel. It's at the bottom and easily missed.

This menu will also show you how much battery life you have left.

 

[mom2rb]

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of the advise in this thread. My kids are having a blast, with Santa's gift. (I get no credit for waiting in the freezing cold overnight at best buy... because of santa magic)..

But, we are very well prepared with great kid friendly games, an extra remote and nunchuck, our classic controller, wii points..

A wonderful Christmas, and we are very well prepared. So, Thanks!

I didn't let Santa have credit for the Wii. Mommy bought the Wii, Santa brought all the little gifts. I know that sounds petty but I wanted credit for the coolest present.

 

[Plantlady]

I didn't let Santa have credit for the Wii. Mommy bought the Wii, Santa brought all the little gifts. I know that sounds petty but I wanted credit for the coolest present.

In 20 years, when my future grandchildren want the coolest new toy on the market, and my boys are complaining to me.. I will get to tell them, that I stood in line for 7 hours, having to pee for the last 6 of them, freezing, to get them the coolest new toy on the market. They will be in awe of my coolness.

For today, it helps fuel the magic of santa. They are getting older (the 10 year old is iffy on Santa). He knows the Wii's aren't in stores, he knows his mom and dad would NEVER spend that much on video games. So, it must be Santa. Another year of magic, was well worth standing outside.

My mother in law thinks I deserve more credit though.

 

[harleyquinn]

Anyone tried rechargeable batteries in the remote yet? Had to replace batteries for the first time today, so this likes it could be a battery hog! In our experience some things work better with rechargeables than others... any feedback??
TIA!

Just so everyone knows, Nintendo's official stance is that you can only use NiMH rechargable batteries and that anything else could kill you controller and void your warrenty.