FUNKOMETER RATING: 0

Before I start this review, let me give you a little background.  I started playing games on an atari, I don't remember which model since I was still so young back then.  When the mid 80s came around my brother got a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) for Christmas.  It was the ultimate NES, it had 2 controllers, the light gun, Robby the Robot, and 3 games.  It was awesome.  Sometime later the Super NES came out, and we got one.  Then some time later we got a N64, and history repeated it self when I got a Gamecube.  Now, in 2007 I finally got my hands on a Wii.  What does this all mean?  Well, it means I've had every Nintendo console that's been made (except the Virtua Boy, way to pricey), so I guess you could call me a Nintendo fanboy.  That being said, this review might be a little biased.  Now in addition to being a fanboy, I have to say that despite my many years playing console games, I don't consider myself a "gamer".  These days "gamers" aren't about playing games, they're just about winning.  I like to play games to have fun.  All that being said, let's get to the review. 

The Wii is Nintendo's "next gen" console.  The first thing you'll notice about the Wii is that it's small.  It's about the size of an external CD-ROM drive.  The next thing that'll catch your eye is the funky (George Clinton funky) remote.  There's a bar you have to put either below or on top of your TV for the remote infrared signal (this is how the pointing works).  Most of the games will take advantage of the pointing system and motion sensitive remote, this is what makes things more fun.  It doesn't seem like much but using the remote as a bat, tennis racket, or gun adds a new element to the games that makes you feel more like you're there.  Using the remote like this also makes the learning curve go way down.  I've had people who have never played video games playing and have a great time in less than 5 minutes.  Which brings up my next point, the Wii is really fun at parties, and since it's so small it's easily transported. 

Now graphically, the Xbox360 and PS3 look much better.  If that's all you're looking for, then by all means, get a Xbox360 or PS3 and let those of us that want to have fun playing games get a Wii.  Honestly, if I wanted so much realism in my games, I'd just go out in the real world and do things, and it would look real (since it is real), but I'd rather play a game and have fun.  So far I've had a lot of fun playing the 10 games I have (that's counting WiiSports and WiiPlay), and it was easy for me to afford 10 games since I didn't pay $300 (Xbox360 core, no hard drive and wired remote, I really don't know why anyone would buy this) to $600 (PS3 high end system) for my Wii.  The price tag of $250 is pretty good considering you take it straight home and start playing the included game (WiiSports).  That's right, Nintendo put a game in the console like they did back in the day.  Now one thing the other consoles have on the Wii is that they can play DVDs (HD-DVDs if you're willing to pay for the external drive for the Xbox360) or even Blueray disc. Rumor has it that the Wii can play DVDs or will be able to some day or future ones will be able to, I don't know for sure, but really I don't want my console to play DVDs, I have a DVD player to do that.  Also the Xbox360 and the PS3 can store and play various media (pictures, songs, movies).  The Wii will allow you to view pictures on an SD card and may some day allow music to be played, but again, I didn't get the console to look at pictures or listen to music, I have a computer, CD player, Zune, and Ipod to do that for me.  All the consoles have some kind of online ability, the Wii has built in Wi-Fi.  The Wii can play all your old Gamecube games, you can even use your old Gamecube controllers and memory cards.  In addition to that, Nintendo has built in an online store that you can download games from other old consoles if you're in the mood for some nostalgia gaming. 

The end result: Fun console! Small, easily transported.  Small learning curve. Graphics aren't the best, but the fun factor more than makes up for it.