Nintendo Wii

[Spearmint]

Went and bought a Nintendo Wii yesterday, and to say the graphics are a disappointment is an understatement. Reading some of the threads in this forum (should’ve done that before we bought the unit); I’m not the only one that has the same opinion. Anyway I’ll venture out and buy a component cable today and see if that makes much of an improvement.

Was very disappointed with the availability of the units and games selection at some of the major retailers we visited while looking to pick up a unit. Now I know why most stores have the PS3 on demo, as it makes you think all these new consoles have similar graphics, especially when some of the games are across all platforms.

I was telling the wife yesterday that we can get Guitar Hero III for the Wii (I’ve seen it and played at a couple of places on the PS3) but couldn’t find it at any of the stores, only for the Xbox360 and PS3. It must have been karma that we couldn’t find it, because IMO the graphics and sound would have been a disappointment.

Don’t get me wrong the concept of the Wii is brilliant, and for the few games we bought I found them relatively easy to get some sort of coordinated movement happening so at least I could play them. We bought the Wii for two reasons, one was because we were told how much easier many of the games are to master compared to PS3 and Xbox360 (this is for non gamers), also because the wife likes Mario bros, which BTW was sold out in all the stores we went to so as yet haven’t got any of them, and secondly to help keep out Grandson occupied when he visits.

Anyway I’ve no doubt that we’ll end up investing in a PS3 prior to Christmas, as I don’t see this keeping our 9 year old grandson occupied for too long.

[jayweb]

Went and bought a Nintendo Wii yesterday, and to say the graphics are a disappointment is an understatement. Reading some of the threads in this forum (should’ve done that before we bought the unit); I’m not the only one that has the same opinion. Anyway I’ll venture out and buy a component cable today and see if that makes much of an improvement.

Was very disappointed with the availability of the units and games selection at some of the major retailers we visited while looking to pick up a unit. Now I know why most stores have the PS3 on demo, as it makes you think all these new consoles have similar graphics, especially when some of the games are across all platforms.

I was telling the wife yesterday that we can get Guitar Hero III for the Wii (I’ve seen it and played at a couple of places on the PS3) but couldn’t find it at any of the stores, only for the Xbox360 and PS3. It must have been karma that we couldn’t find it, because IMO the graphics and sound would have been a disappointment.

Don’t get me wrong the concept of the Wii is brilliant, and for the few games we bought I found them relatively easy to get some sort of coordinated movement happening so at least I could play them. We bought the Wii for two reasons, one was because we were told how much easier many of the games are to master compared to PS3 and Xbox360 (this is for non gamers), also because the wife likes Mario bros, which BTW was sold out in all the stores we went to so as yet haven’t got any of them, and secondly to help keep out Grandson occupied when he visits.

Anyway I’ve no doubt that we’ll end up investing in a PS3 prior to Christmas, as I don’t see this keeping our 9 year old grandson occupied for too long.

Spearmint,

As someone who has all three consoles (and plenty of others) the Wii is all about games. It is, hands down, the most user friendly games system out there.

It has some poor games and some games that are excellent, take Wii Sports for example, this is a game that gets people excited, no button combos, no learning, just pick up the controllers and swing your arms.

My wife and her girlfriends have no interest in computer games, but love the Wii. My niece and nephew were too young when I got it do the buttons on PS2, but could play Wii, so can my father who is nearly 60 and has never played a console, it is great to get the whole family involved.

Yes the graphics aren't PS3 and 360 standard, but they are better than PS2 and Xbox.

Games aren't about watching the graphics, they are about playing, if you buy a "games" machine for the graphics, you will be very disappointed, games are about playability which the Wii has in spades.

Try the "auction website" to find some games, the reason why you have struggled to find them is because the console is that good for everyone, not just hardcore gamers.

And before anyone has a rant at me, I love all my consoles, but to write the Wii off over graphics is a mistake, give it a chance I promise you wont be disappointed.

Cheers, have fun, J.

[Spearmint]

Spearmint,

As someone who has all three consoles (and plenty of others) the Wii is all about games. It is, hands down, the most user friendly games system out there.

It has some poor games and some games that are excellent, take Wii Sports for example, this is a game that gets people excited, no button combos, no learning, just pick up the controllers and swing your arms.

My wife and her girlfriends have no interest in computer games, but love the Wii. My niece and nephew were too young when I got it do the buttons on PS2, but could play Wii, so can my father who is nearly 60 and has never played a console, it is great to get the whole family involved.

Yes the graphics aren't PS3 and 360 standard, but they are better than PS2 and Xbox.

Games aren't about watching the graphics, they are about playing, if you buy a "games" machine for the graphics, you will be very disappointed, games are about playability which the Wii has in spades.

Try the "auction website" to find some games, the reason why you have struggled to find them is because the console is that good for everyone, not just hardcore gamers.

And before anyone has a rant at me, I love all my consoles, but to write the Wii off over graphics is a mistake, give it a chance I promise you wont be disappointed.

Cheers, have fun, J.

Hey Jayweb,

Wow thanks for the great informative reply…

And yes it was the playability factor plus Mario Bros that was our first and foremost consideration when we bought the unit. I’m not a gamer person, and you’re correct the usability of the Wii is great and easy to get something happening in a short time. The Sports pack is great; I must admit I had a few hours of fun and exercise with that last night. I can’t believe how good a workout we both got from playing some of the games.

I guess where I’m coming from with this thread was in this day and age with higher res screens, DVD, and game consoles, plus high res sound, I was expecting similar results out of the Nintendo, don’t get me wrong the concept is brilliant, and for non gamers especially it’s a great way to have fun, and exercise along the way.

[3daysofrain]

DEFINATELY grab the component cables asap. They do make a vast improvement. You will find the thing with Nintendo is that their products are always hard to get hold of. So get used to hunting for games you want.

If you thinking of a next-gen console to add later, if its purely for games then Id recommend a 360 over PS3. The 360 has WAAY more games and a great catalog of titles that can be found under $50. It would be money better spent. If your wanting Blueray then obviously a PS3 would have to be considered. But its kinda in the same boat as Wii with games. Except overpriced

[Spearmint]

Thanks 3daysofrain, I’ll keep that in mind.

[jayweb]

Hey Jayweb,

Wow thanks for the great informative reply…

And yes it was the playability factor plus Mario Bros that was our first and foremost consideration when we bought the unit. I’m not a gamer person, and you’re correct the usability of the Wii is great and easy to get something happening in a short time. The Sports pack is great; I must admit I had a few hours of fun and exercise with that last night. I can’t believe how good a workout we both got from playing some of the games.

I guess where I’m coming from with this thread was in this day and age with higher res screens, DVD, and game consoles, plus high res sound, I was expecting similar results out of the Nintendo, don’t get me wrong the concept is brilliant, and for non gamers especially it’s a great way to have fun, and exercise along the way.

Cool, I just didnt want you to discard it over the graphics, try a component cable, cant hurt. Glad you had some fun, it really is a good little system.

Cheers, J.

[the_wonderchild]

back to the age-old debate in console games on whether graphics are important.

I've certainly had a go at the Wii and found its entertainment value to lie within the innovative/creative department. You'll be hard pressed to find something similar on another console, but having said that, its novelty does start to wear off after a while (perhaps why some Wii owners also own another console). As stated, it's also much more user-friendly than the PS3 and 360, both of which i own for very distinctly different reasons (the former for Blu-Ray only; the latter for hardcore gaming).

I really enjoyed Super Mario Galaxy; might have to wait for that one to come back into stock.

[myrantz]

To Wii's credit, the games load very fast.. You don't get distracted by a noisy console, and it's a good console if you want to take a 30 minute break...

If your joys are affected by the PQ, Wii prob isn't the right console for you.. It's a console designed for people to have fun, it's not a eye candy producer...

It's a good console, too bad for the lack of quality games (game devs only makes eye candy)... My next game prob will be boom blox (or something, by SS)...

[Spearmint]

back to the age-old debate in console games on whether graphics are important.

~SNIP~

IMO in this day and age graphics and audio are becoming a high priority on people’s requirements, plus the reducing costs of processing power and memory, and the fact that some of the games are available across several formats, I guess I expected better from it.

How much extra would it have cost Nintendo to incorporate higher res graphics and better audio, but kept the same playability?

To Wii's credit, the games load very fast.. You don't get distracted by a noisy console, and it's a good console if you want to take a 30 minute break...

If your joys are affected by the PQ, Wii prob isn't the right console for you.. It's a console designed for people to have fun, it's not a eye candy producer...

It's a good console, too bad for the lack of quality games (game devs only makes eye candy)... My next game prob will be boom blox (or something, by SS)...

I fully agree with the load times, and quietness of the unit.

I do enjoy the playability, especially the sports, having a ball with the golf, but on a 60” screen it does show up its shortfalls. I’m heading off in a minute to buy a component cable, so that might make things a tad better.

[myrantz]

IMO in this day and age graphics and audio are becoming a high priority on people’s requirements, plus the reducing costs of processing power and memory, and the fact that some of the games are available across several formats, I guess I expected better from it.

How much extra would it have cost Nintendo to incorporate higher res graphics and better audio, but kept the same playability?

Not much I reckon.. They just made a punt in thinking high end graphics and audio isn't necessary.... Bear in mind they're not chasing after the PS3 and 360 market, they're gone back to the roots to attract people into gaming.

I fully agree with the load times, and quietness of the unit.

I do enjoy the playability, especially the sports, having a ball with the golf, but on a 60” screen it does show up its shortfalls. I’m heading off in a minute to buy a component cable, so that might make things a tad better.

I don't think you'd be satisfied with the results of a component cable. The Wii games are either 480p or 576i, and with very low polygon counts. No doubt the output will be better with a component cable (more bandwidth), but it's not the miracle answer your looking for.

[Spearmint]

I picked up a component cable and a Mario game on special at Big W, the images are much better on my screen now, especially the text, I had a bit of trouble with the small text prior.

I realise the graphics aren’t going to change but they’re a lot smoother now, less jaggier and much easier on the eyes.

[the_wonderchild]

Each to their own and I see myself as a 'hardcore gamer' and fanatic for anything HD, but still to this day do i prefer an 'ugly' videogame that emphasies gameplay over sensory finesse.

I have several of the latest and greatest HD showpiece games, but they still hold nothing over a quality game with gameplay like Zelda:OoT, that is about as deep a gaming experience as one could have had.

[jayweb]

Each to their own and I see myself as a 'hardcore gamer' and fanatic for anything HD, but still to this day do i prefer an 'ugly' videogame that emphasies gameplay over sensory finesse.

Couldnt agree more, well said.

For me it begins and ends with Wonderboy, perfection in a platformer!!!!

[the_wonderchild]

well, for me it actually began with the great Super Metroid on SNES, then moved on from there. The direction they've taken that game recently has disgusted me personally, and one of the few games to reinvent the wheel recently in my opinion has been Portal, and look how short and visually unappealing that is.

[The__J__Factor]

People are always like "the wii is about games" "omg the wii is so fun" "who cares about graphics" ects

but the games a crap, shallow at best. wiis selling point is the whole motion sensor stuff and it took me about 23secs to get over swinging my arms for something to move slightly how i wanted it to move .

How many times can you sit there and do the same thing over and over again, there is no depth to wii games. It just trivial small exercises to use the remote.

There is more i hate about the wii, like tiny HD and lack of being a multimedia machine.

If Nintendo really wanted to impress me, they should have made this pre N64.

[GraveDilute]

As an owner of both a PS3 and a Wii I have to agree with the comments about playability versus graphics.

There are quite frankly a lot of crap titles for the Wii and this, combined with shortages of the games worth buying makes the buying experience a little hit and miss. I thoroughly recommend Super Mario Galaxy or Super Paper Mario for the Wii, both push the platform experience in new ways.

I think that Nintendo were aiming for a console which wouldn't alienate the vast majority of people out there who don't own a HD screen, who don't understand the differences in the PQ, who don't own a surround sound setup, who have never been a gamer, who see people who play games as teenagers or sad people who don't get out much....and you have to say by their phenomenal sales that the idea has been a success.

You only have to look at a forum such as this to spot the xbox and playstation fanboys and I'm sure Nintendo are hoping to build that kind of fan base again for when they do release their HD "next gen" console which will satisfy those after playability and wow factor graphics.

[Louie]

Also in the Nintendo's favour IMO is the multiplayer ability of it. You can have a few mates round and get into the games, at any age. My younger brother gets a few mates over for olympics/wii sports, my parents have had their friends around to play it, and I'm the same, it is something that anyone can be good at easily, whereas other platforms really take a little while to become 'good' or 'competent' at, and the multiplayer is usually online. For a party/offline multiplayer console the Wii really takes the cake, it's simple to use and the big factor is it is cheap to buy in the beginning (before adding multiple games, 3rd and 4th controllers etc). It will never take the place of my PS3, but parents will prefer it over other consoles because the kids are moving and using energy, rather then sitting on the couch like mindless zombies.

And most importantly, the games are fun when there's a few people to play with. On your own, the games that I've played get boring quick, with others to compete against it is a lot more fun.

[djOS]

I picked up a component cable and a Mario game on special at Big W, the images are much better on my screen now, especially the text, I had a bit of trouble with the small text prior.

I realise the graphics aren’t going to change but they’re a lot smoother now, less jaggier and much easier on the eyes.

You might be surprised at how good the graphics are when a bit of TLC is applied; case in point Mario Galaxy and Wii Mario Kart both look superb in 480p (the best res imo as you wont have the interlacing issues caused by the Wii @ 576i).

[RabidWolve]

Has anyone used their A/V receiver to upscale the wii to 720p or 1080p?

[myrantz]

You might be surprised at how good the graphics are when a bit of TLC is applied; case in point Mario Galaxy and Wii Mario Kart both look superb in 480p (the best res imo as you wont have the interlacing issues caused by the Wii @ 576i).

For my case I actually have to set the Wii to 576i and display it on my TV (crap LG TV with DCDi)... If I set it to 480p, games like POP is totally unplayable....

In general, I find what's written at the back of the game cover don't count.. Some may have a EDTV logo but look utterly crap in EDTV mode. I only turn on EDTV mode for Nintendo games.

Has anyone used their A/V receiver to upscale the wii to 720p or 1080p?

There's a thread somewhere about pple doing that to the Zelda game (using Realta chip I think)... Google for it... I want to do that too, but my TV don't have HDMI and my amp refuse to do it... I don't think it'd matter for my amp though, as it still uses DCDi for video processing.

[ascl]

If you are using a flat panel (LCD or Plasma) it will be upscaling to its native res anyway (of course it may do a crappy job of it). Even with a dedicated scaler, its not going to make a huge difference... the Wii's graphics are limited. But.. I think thats okay. My biggest complaint with the Wii is there is a lot of crappy games. The potential is high, but very few games are really making use of it.

Boom Blox is one of the few games I have really enjoyed on the Wii... and, of course, with a game like that, who cares what the graphics are like? They are bright and colorful and have a nice artistic style.

(For the record, I own all 3 of this gen's consoles).

[myrantz]

If you are using a flat panel (LCD or Plasma) it will be upscaling to its native res anyway (of course it may do a crappy job of it). Even with a dedicated scaler, its not going to make a huge difference... the Wii's graphics are limited. But.. I think thats okay. My biggest complaint with the Wii is there is a lot of crappy games. The potential is high, but very few games are really making use of it.

Boom Blox is one of the few games I have really enjoyed on the Wii... and, of course, with a game like that, who cares what the graphics are like? They are bright and colorful and have a nice artistic style.

(For the record, I own all 3 of this gen's consoles).

No denying abt the crappy games.... Man the game devs should give this console more respect, or get more movie directors to become game directors.... For this console it's best to rent first buy later...

There's really positive reviews about Boom Blox, might be next on my list..... Should I rent it first or buy it outright? That's the question.... lol..

People like to compare Wii with the 360 and PS3... There is only a few things wrong the Wii

1) Still so expensive and no significant price drop

2) Crap crap games with only a hand full of gems

3) No SDHC support

4) Pathetic onboard memory

[attilathepun]

Why do the people who use the "graphics mean nothing compared to gameplay" argument not chime in with "picture quality means nothing compared to writing/acting quality" in the blu-ray threads?

Graphics (and sound) are one of the factors which adds to the enjoyment of the game. Pretty graphics can't rescue bad gameplay, but likewise, nice gameplay can be brought down by crap graphics.

I understand the appeal of the Wii - especially for non-gamers, but it veers towards novelty value after awhile IMO. There is only so much Wii sports you can play.

Mario is apparently great (I have seen it but not played) but unfotunately 3rd party titles just don't sell so developers have largely ignored the Wii, despite its massive sales figures. If it doesn't have Mario, Link (Zelda) or Samus (Metroid) in it, nobody buys it.

For your grandson, I think he will have a ball. For you, it sounds like a PS3 (or 360) would be a better option.

[myrantz]

Why do the people who use the "graphics mean nothing compared to gameplay" argument not chime in with "picture quality means nothing compared to writing/acting quality" in the blu-ray threads?

Graphics (and sound) are one of the factors which adds to the enjoyment of the game. Pretty graphics can't rescue bad gameplay, but likewise, nice gameplay can be brought down by crap graphics.

I understand the appeal of the Wii - especially for non-gamers, but it veers towards novelty value after awhile IMO. There is only so much Wii sports you can play.

Mario is apparently great (I have seen it but not played) but unfotunately 3rd party titles just don't sell so developers have largely ignored the Wii, despite its massive sales figures. If it doesn't have Mario, Link (Zelda) or Samus (Metroid) in it, nobody buys it.

For your grandson, I think he will have a ball. For you, it sounds like a PS3 (or 360) would be a better option.

If you like movies.. Here's an analogy:

A movie with very bad actors and scripts can be saved with a little nudity... Eye candy in games is like nudity or explosions in the movies.. Sometimes people overlook the poor qualities because of the nudity and pyrotechs. You can think of 360 and PS3 as Hollywood blockbusters. Nudity and explosions looks better in HD.

Wii is like a B movie. Once in a while gems floats up... Low budget creations that often don't work... But when it works, it relys on the basics and little else..

Wii is old school. That's why kids and oldies enjoy it so much because it revives the forgotten days of pong, tetris, asteroids and PacMan (i.e. the spirit of gaming)...

[Chris Stewart]

The thing that put me off buying a wii is the fact you have to use that stupid controller. I just want to pick up a control and play mario or mario kart. I dont want to have to hold and swirl the thing around like some harry potter wand.