OT: Getting a Wii...what do I need to get started?

[Epcot Mom]

I have ds 7 and dd 11 plus dh and me. We don't have any game system now so this is our first. There are so many options, we don't know where to start? What do we really need/not need and what are the best 4 or 5 games? Toy Story Mania got me wanting one, but I can't tell if it's really going to be any good or not. Help please!

Epcot Mom

 

[alexb]

Check out this current thread on the boards regarding Wii games:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2340187

 

[Mom loves Disney]

We rented Toy Story Mania this weekend and my husband and kids are still playing it right now. They love this game!! I do too! We borrrowed the Wii from my brother to see if we liked it. It is now on my list for Christmas.

 

[CheshireSmile]

There are several Wii threads floating around, but it's okay to have your own as well if you're not finding the info you need. Buying a system for the first time can certainly be intimidating especially because there is just so much STUFF you can get for them nowadays! I absolutely love my Wii and I'd be glad to give you whatever help I can, I'm just not exactly sure where to start. Are you looking for game suggestions? Or are you not sure what accessories you may need to buy?

Another thread that may help you is this one:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2317693

Several people said the pictures helped them understand a little better what was what.

As far as what you absolutely NEED to have:
1. Wii Console (comes with 1 remote and 1 nunchuk)
2. Extra remotes (if your family wants to play all together you can have up to 4 remotes, but not all games that allow 4 to play have all 4 playing at once, so you can pass a remote off when your turn is done)
3. Extra nunchuks (same rule as how many extra remotes you feel you need)
That is it as far as hardware you absolutely need, and then the fun part is the games of course!

Here's what games I suggest for families:
1. Wii Sports Resort (this game requires the MotionPlus so you will need that accessory for each remote that wants to play this game)
2. Mario Kart Wii
3. Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (only 1 player, but fun for everyone to watch and help the player with the puzzles, or you can alternate players from level to level)
I think these games are great for the whole family to be able to enjoy together. There are also lots of wonderful other games that I'm sure people will be along to suggest that your family would enjoy as well. Please let me know if you have any further questions, I'd be glad to help!

 

[tzolkin]

There isn't too much you really need. I think all that's necessary to get started is the system itself, two remotes, and two nunchucks.

My MIL came to visit and bought us a Wii two years ago for Christmas. The system comes with Wii Sports and you can buy the extra remote with Wii Play. This was enough to get us started. My kids (still) could spend hours making Mii characters, and the Wii Sports and Play were really fun for us to all play together and learn how the system works. We went out a few days after Christmas together and picked out two games.

We now have about 20 games including Wii Fit and Guitar Hero (with the drums and microphone). We've also downloaded several old Nintendo games (if you have wireless you can download games directly onto your Wii). The ones that are used most often are Mario Kart, Wii Fit, Wii Sports, and the downloaded ones (we have Super Mario Bros 1-3 and Tetris). We also have the accessories for the remotes, but really don't use them (one DD likes to use the Mario Kart wheel).

 

[Epcot Mom]

Thanks for the replies. I did a search but somehow didn't turn up the posts you guys linked. I think those will have what I'm looking for. In case anyone looks at this, do you have an opinion on the best 2 or 3 games for us? We have ds7 and dd11 who have nintendo ds and love Mario Kart and Supermario on that but we also love Toy Story Mania so I'm torn.

 

[Pixie Princess]

Thanks for the replies. I did a search but somehow didn't turn up the posts you guys linked. I think those will have what I'm looking for. In case anyone looks at this, do you have an opinion on the best 2 or 3 games for us? We have ds7 and dd11 who have nintendo ds and love Mario Kart and Supermario on that but we also love Toy Story Mania so I'm torn.

I absolutely would consider getting the Band Hero band kit. It is another big expense, so if not for Christmas in the future. I rec'd a Guitar Hero band kit last year for Christmas, and we had SO much fun. I bought the Band Hero game when it came out earlier this month, and the songs on it are more family friendly compared to my other Guitar Hero games. Plus if your DD is a Taylor Swift fan, after some effort, she can "be" Taylor Swift in the game. And with Band Hero you can use your DS to control the lights and stage effects among other things.

Another game to consider is one of the Shaun White snowboarding games. My DD9 loves this game. This game can be played with the Wii Fit balance board, but it isn't necessary. In fact we generally just use the Wii controllers to play. You can play as individuals against each other or as team to earn medals.

 

[DrRae2B]

I second Mario Kart Wii, as well as Smash Brothers. These are great games that can get EVERYONE playing together and having a great time-- my husband's grandparents stay with us occasionally and we always bust out the bowling game-- they have a blast playing with my 3 yr old, and I love that we can all get into having some fun together. Aaaand... my DH and I have this thing going on that when we disagree on an issue, we duke it out on Smash Brothers-- it's a great way to let loose and just plain beat the crap out of each other (and it's a plus for him that I only do it with a video game! Lol).

I think you've made a great choice--- the Wii is definitely worth the money, in my opinion. It's truly one of the best purchases we've made as a family.

Now go buy some games and have fun!!!

 

[bwolfe]

My kids love the "Backyard" games. They come in football and baseball. Also, it's been metioned before, but get the second remote.

 

[SweetPeasMom2]

and the downloaded ones (we have Super Mario Bros 1-3 and Tetris)

Shut Up!!! Please tell me about this. We just discussed getting a Wii for Christmas this year and I'm in the process of researching everything we are going to need to get started. I absolutely love those games you mentioned. Is Dr Mario on there?

 

[thinking a lot]

you can have a look at the list for decent wii games. Enjoy your wii.

 

[DrRae2B]

Shut Up!!! Please tell me about this. We just discussed getting a Wii for Christmas this year and I'm in the process of researching everything we are going to need to get started. I absolutely love those games you mentioned. Is Dr Mario on there?

GO to Nintendo's website and look at Wii Ware. There's a HUGE list of games that are downloadable to the Wii and include all the ones from the good ol' days (and yes, I do think Dr Mario is on there...). My husband put the original Kirby game on there for me (...sigh.... memories..) and he has the old Zelda games and Mario 3 (!!!). It's pretty cool to see our DD3 playing the same games we used to play as kids, too.

 

[tzolkin]

Shut Up!!! Please tell me about this. We just discussed getting a Wii for Christmas this year and I'm in the process of researching everything we are going to need to get started. I absolutely love those games you mentioned. Is Dr Mario on there?

If you have wireless internet, your Wii can connect to it to download the games. You buy Wii points (we just bought them directly with a credit card via the Wii, but you can also get them like a gift card at Walmart/Target/etc). Different games cost different amounts of points to dowload, but I would say they average about 500 points (about $5). They are stored directly on your Wii, so when you turn it on you can just select that game and play.

You can buy the classic style controller to play the old games (some games need it), but the regular Wii remotes work for all the games we have.

If you go to the Nintendo website all the old games are listed under the Virtual Console section.