Well, the family took me to NYC today to see the rehersal for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show (much cheaper than the actual show, although the exact same thing). We got there early, had lunch and, well, someone got to go to the Nintendo World Store
That was me!!!
I got there expecting a HUGE line. There were 3 Wiis set up and maybe 4-6 people waiting to play them. I watched people playing and got to play within 5-10 minutes. It was amazing. Baseball was cool, not too much to control though. Just when to pitch and when to swing the bat (and how hard). Very awesome.
Next I played a round of tennis, the most fun IMO. You move the Wiimite up to toss the ball into the air, like in a real serve. Then, come down like a real serve.
To hit the ball after it is returned to you, you time a forehand/backhand/spike. The tennis guys move automitically. There was NO learning curve at ALL for tennis. When you made contact with the all, you felt a satisfying vibration of the Wiimote.
The, I played a quick round of boxing. You punch with both the Nunchuk and the Wiimote for left and right punching. You can also block by bringing them up to your face and duck left and right. This was also very satisfying, and the speaker in the Wiimote was put to great use. Hitting the other boxer triggerred a sound from the Wiimote. It was done in a semi-3rd person perspective. It was as if the camera was directly behind your boxer's head, but the boxer was transparent and you could see your opponent, but also your own body and gloves, perfectly. VERY smart desgin there.
Now, on to the GFX. They are certainly not eyecandy, but the trees in tennis looked very good IMO and I definitely liked the style (Wiisports was the only title to play). I think it's very unique and makes up for where the system may fall behind others... the GFX department.
The most interesting part: there was a guy, about 25... looked like a typical gamer (you know what I mean, sometimes you know a gamer when you see one, eh?). Anyone, he was bowling. And next to him was a 5 year old girl bowling. She had never played before and neither had he. They weren't playing against each other, but she kicked his ass. I am talking to contest. This guy's buddy was really bad too, but this little girl was GOOD. And she was only about 5.
And THAT is why the Wii will succeed. It is a console for everyone and anyone. Little kids to hardcore gamers to parents (I loved it as much as this little girl did... hell I was content WATCHING people play it). Pick it up and use it. Piece of cake.
Any questions and I will try to answer them as best as I can.
Now, I'm tired, so goodnight.
