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

[harleyquinn]

I finally stumbled across a wii at Target today and I am so excited!!! I would appreciate it if someone could help with a few questions. The system is for my 3 DSs and I need to figure out what I MUST get. As far as games, it is just going to be the Sports that comes with it and Battle Revolution at this point. Will any of these be 3 player, or will I just need 1 extra controller? Will I need an additional nunchuck? Do the remotes go through a lot of batteries? Is the charger dock a good idea? I paid 29.99 for a 3 year extended warranty. Was that wise, or should I return it? Is there anything else I really should purchase?

Also, a DS question...do I need anything for that? I see a ton of "starter" kits and am wondering if any of these accessories are really needed?

Thanks!

Wii Sports is four player game. So if you want them all to play at the same time, you need wii-motes for all of them. They only all need nunchucks in order to box (I think you only need two of them total), so I wouldn't make that a priority at this point.

The wii-motes go through batteries like water. Yes, I think that the NYCO charger dock is a good idea. Either that or a set of rechargeable batteries, but I prefer the charger station. I can only recommend the Nyco one though. A lot of the others have horrible reviews.

I don't believe in buying warranties for video game systems, especially the Wii. Nintendo has fantastic costumer service and they make very high quality systems.

Ok I have to say I went to Target today and asked the kid that was working there what else we might need. He was not NEARLY as helpful as you and your dh have been harleyquinn!
We have the Wii, WiiPlay, Big Brain and Warioware.

he said we needed at least one more nuMchuck (LOL nuM) the accesory pack and several other things. I knew from reading this thread that we wer epretty well good to go!
Wanted to say thanks I think you saved me about $200

I think you might want to pcik up a second nunchuck at some point, but it's not a necessity unless you want to box.

but as I always say, look at the back of the box!! It will tell you what you need to play.

(Thanks for the praise! )

I'm getting so excited about our Wii!! We're going to Florida for Christmas but are celebrating Hanukah at home (8 crazy nights) and at my parents house on a Saturday. I still have to talk to DH but I'd like to bring the wii to my mom's to open as that night's gift. She bought some stuff for it so it makes sense to have it there AND we can play on their big TV!

But should we take it to Florida with us? Will it fit in the safe at Disney? Will my BIL be upset if we don't bring it to his house afterward?

It definitely will not fit in the safe. Maybe out of the box, but it'll be a stretch just for the main system. Those safes are SMALL.

Are you flying? I would be worried about what weird things happen with airport scanners. You might be able to leave it at the check in desk or something. I would call your hotel.

 

[harleyquinn]

For those looking for a High School Musical review we decided to open ours on turkey day since all of the kids were here. It was definately a hit with the 12, 9, 6, 4 crowd of both boys and girls. I don't think it would have a long lasting appeal though for the older ones. My girls are 6, 4 and they love to sing with it and they will probably be happy with it for a long time. There really isn't much too it but singing along. There is a quick play where you pick a song and sing and it rates you based on pitch, tempo etc. Then there is a sequence play where it start from the beginning of movie one and moves through to movie 2. What appeals to my 4 year old is unlocking new outfits and scenery.

It was worth it for the rare opportunity of all of the kids being together which is rare for our family. I would definitely look for it on sale if you are going to buy it!!! Oh also a disappointment that the older kids noticed is that it isn't the original cast members doing the singing. They were bummed about that.

Thank you so much for posting this! I bet it'll help a lot of people!

 

[harleyquinn]

Question about players guides.

DS12 has never used or owned a players guide before but whenever he plays Metroid for the gamecube he's always googling walkthroughs online. Santa is bringing Metroid 3 for the Wii and I thought maybe he'd like a players guide for that game. I can't find an official nintendo one though, only a prima guide. Are these any good? Will it be similar to the info he finds in these online walkthroughs?

I use strategy guides WAY more than DH does, so I thought I would just add my thoughts.

I usually prefer the Prima guides, because Nintendo has a tendency to skip some tricky things. I can't tell you how many times I've yelled at my guide, "And I'm supposed to do x HOW?!" They have gotten better recently though.

I wouldn't hesitate to pick up a Prima guide, they're great and a different experience from using Gamefaqs (which can be cumbersome and annoying).

Online walkthroughs are written by people who have played the game. Prima and Nintendo guides are written by professionals, so they flow much better and are better at helping you with certain situations. The thing I love to do sometimes is use a little of both. Especially for complicated Role Playing Games like Final Fantasy in order to see different strategies from different people.

I love me some strategy guides!

 

[cruisnfamily]

I use strategy guides WAY more than DH does, so I thought I would just add my thoughts.

I usually prefer the Prima guides, because Nintendo has a tendency to skip some tricky things. I can't tell you how many times I've yelled at my guide, "And I'm supposed to do x HOW?!" They have gotten better recently though.

I wouldn't hesitate to pick up a Prima guide, they're great and a different experience from using Gamefaqs (which can be cumbersome and annoying).

Online walkthroughs are written by people who have played the game. Prima and Nintendo guides are written by professionals, so they flow much better and are better at helping you with certain situations. The thing I love to do sometimes is use a little of both. Especially for complicated Role Playing Games like Final Fantasy in order to see different strategies from different people.

I love me some strategy guides!

Thanks! I ordered it! I guess nintendo doesn't have one for Metroid 3 and I didn't know (since we never bought one before) if it was ok to buy an "unofficial" guide.

For most games DS doesn't use anything, he just plays. He did use a bit of the online walkthrough for some part of Zelda where he was stumped and now he's been using the online walkthrough a lot on his older copy of metroid. He just can't seem to get through Metroid on his own at all.

He's never owned a players guide/strategy guide for any game so I thought it might be a good Christmas item to go along with Metroid 3 for the Wii. Hopefully he likes it!

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks! I ordered it! I guess nintendo doesn't have one for Metroid 3 and I didn't know (since we never bought one before) if it was ok to buy an "unofficial" guide.

For most games DS doesn't use anything, he just plays. He did use a bit of the online walkthrough for some part of Zelda where he was stumped and now he's been using the online walkthrough a lot on his older copy of metroid. He just can't seem to get through Metroid on his own at all.

He's never owned a players guide/strategy guide for any game so I thought it might be a good Christmas item to go along with Metroid 3 for the Wii. Hopefully he likes it!

Sounds good to me. DH doesn't like to use guides as he thinks it takes away from the game and figuring it out yourself. But for me, if I get stuck I'm likely to quite playing rather than just stare at it until it comes to me (lol). Think of it this way, strat guides are great reading practice too. The teach you to use indexes and using pictures with text.

 

[Gillian]

It definitely will not fit in the safe. Maybe out of the box, but it'll be a stretch just for the main system. Those safes are SMALL.

Are you flying? I would be worried about what weird things happen with airport scanners. You might be able to leave it at the check in desk or something. I would call your hotel.

Thanks! We're driving and will be down for a while. At first I was thinking we could bring it to Sarasota, leave it at BILs, go to Disney, then go back to Sarasota to pick it up/celebrate Christmas, but now I don't think we'll have time before wdw.

It's going to be hard, but I think we'll leave it home. Maybe we can bring the gamecube, we have a nice case for it. Our little nephews will like that and maybe DH will finally finish Zelda.

 

[geetey]

I need some DS help please! I saw a sale ad for Contra on DS. Anyone know if this is based on the original NES Contra or Super Contra? DH would flip to be able to play that on another system! Thanks!!

 

[kellia]

Help, I am confused about the dance pads for the Wii and Hottest Dance Party. I've asked at Game Stop and TRU and no one know anything about them, especially now since they are sold out!

What is the difference between the dance pads? Do you have to use only the ones for the Wii with it? Are they wireless and the Game Cube ones have a cord, is that the difference? If you get the Game Cube ones, can you still have 4 of them hooked up at the same time? Where is the best place, brand to get?

Thanks so much!! Since it looks like I'll have to get them online, I want to make sure I get the right thing.

 

[HayGan]

Are the games with Wii play the only ones where 4 people can play at once? I am considering getting 2 more controllers for our (so 4 in total) but I don't know if I should or not. The only other games I think we could possible need them for are Mario Party 8 and Carnival Games

 

[harleyquinn]

I need some DS help please! I saw a sale ad for Contra on DS. Anyone know if this is based on the original NES Contra or Super Contra? DH would flip to be able to play that on another system! Thanks!!

I'm pretty sure it's a completely new Contra game, not a port of either of the old ones. Here's IGN's review--it explains exactly where the game falls (and they liked it!) http://ds.ign.com/articles/834/834843p1.html

Help, I am confused about the dance pads for the Wii and Hottest Dance Party. I've asked at Game Stop and TRU and no one know anything about them, especially now since they are sold out!

What is the difference between the dance pads? Do you have to use only the ones for the Wii with it? Are they wireless and the Game Cube ones have a cord, is that the difference? If you get the Game Cube ones, can you still have 4 of them hooked up at the same time? Where is the best place, brand to get?

Thanks so much!! Since it looks like I'll have to get them online, I want to make sure I get the right thing.

You have to use pads that say they work with the Wii. I believe they have to be specifically designed JUST for the Wii, so PS2 ones won't work. But I'm not 100% sure.

The GC do have a cord, I don't know about the Wii ones. Yes, you can hook up 4 of the GC ones, but you'd have to have a HUGE space for it, bc of the cords.

I honestly can't answer your last question. As far as I know they are sold out of nearly every where. Nintendo is always the best brand to go with if they make one, Mad Catz and Nyko are usually good third parties. You probably can find reviews for most of them on Amazon or Gamestop.com.

The pads are always terribly hard to find. I wish I could be more helpful!

Are the games with Wii play the only ones where 4 people can play at once? I am considering getting 2 more controllers for our (so 4 in total) but I don't know if I should or not. The only other games I think we could possible need them for are Mario Party 8 and Carnival Games

I think Rayman 2 can use 4. And MP8 and Carnival do. I'm pretty sure Sonic V Mario Olympics does. I know there are at least a few more, but I don't have any of them. I wouldn't buy the extra remotes until you buy a game that needs them. Look on the back of the box.

 

[TnTWalter]

on $29.99 or less ....

Meijer currently has a promo when you spend $75 in general merchandise AND buy a gift card you get $10 off instantly at checkout.

So good deal if have games you want.

Trish

 

[harleyquinn]

on $29.99 or less ....

Meijer currently has a promo when you spend $75 in general merchandise AND buy a gift card you get $10 off instantly at checkout.

So good deal if have games you want.

Trish

Thanks for the info!

 

[idofabric]

I went into our local Wal-Marts ( 3 in the area within 15 miles...), and asked the humor question of the day...
"Got any Wii s in?"
I was told my all 3 that they are gettin in shippments at least 3 days a week, and it is between 9am and 2-3ish pm. And to call and they will let me know on the phone...
So I have checked for the last 4 days... and the only day I DID NOT check was yesterday- they got in 9 of them between 2-3pm and they didn't all sell befor 6pm yesterday!!!

So I am going to recall each day several times a day and hope for the best. I am kinda glad I didn't score one, cause it sounds like it gonna cost me $$$ to get everything the kids would like...

BTW- I asked at walmart and they said that every store in the US will be getting them in like the local ones are... so it is really the luck of the draw....

hope this helps someone....

 

[Madaboutthemouse]

I was in Best Buy this afternoon and one of the workers said that the Wii would be in their Sunday ad. I don't know if that will help anyone or not, but thought I'd pass it along.

Also, the dance pad that comes bundled with DDR Hottest Party does have a cord. For the way my Wii is set up in my family room, it makes using the hand controls a bit awkward. JMHO though.

Thanks for this thread, the info is great!

 

[harleyquinn]

Also, the dance pad that comes bundled with DDR Hottest Party does have a cord. For the way my Wii is set up in my family room, it makes using the hand controls a bit awkward. JMHO though.

Thanks for this thread, the info is great!

Thanks for that tidbit! I had wondered if it had a cord.

Look I don't know everything!

 

[kellia]

Oh, thanks for letting me know! The guy at GameStop said that thse were wireless. So, are there any wireless dance pads? Who makes those?

 

[harleyquinn]

I went to Amazon and just searched Wii Dance pad. It came up with a bunch of results, but it doesn't look like any of them are wireless.

I didn't have time to look through all of it, so give it a shot. Let us know if you find anything, please!

(I'll see if DH knows anything.)

 

[harleyquinn]

I took this off of an Amazon review:

The included gamepad stays in place much better than the Nintendo gamepad that was made for DDR: Mario Party Mix, but if you have one of those, they work fine with the game if you can tolerate their tendency to migrate. However, you will need a lot of room in the living room if you plan to hook up more than one pad. In fact, I don't know if you can logistically arrange 4 pads without extension cords because the hand motions can get wild and potentially dangerous.

I can attest to the 'movement' of the old Mario DDR pad. It was constantly sliding everywhere. It wasn't that big of a deal, but 4 players would be nuts.

 

[harleyquinn]

Okay last stab. I went to google and searched wireless Wii dance pad and everything that came up that was wireless was NOT for the Wii.

This site has like every brand I've ever seen:

http://hartsunlimited.stores.yahoo.net/ddrhopaforwi.html

 

[turning40withMickey]

I lucked into a Wii on Black Friday, my most exciting BF ever! We have a gamecube and I am wondering how that works, playing the games from Gamecube on the Wii?
I picked up three Wii games at TRU, guitar hero 3 with the guitar, cooking mama, and monster truck jam or something like that. I have been reading through this lengthy thread and enjoying it, but havent' happened on the gamecube connection yet. Are the gamecube games interactive like the made for Wii ones?