Wii - what would you do?

[Mark]

I finally braved a Wii at this weekend's Alton Meet. Enjoyed it.

Now for the problem. I'm not into serious gaming. I had a PS One for a while and sold it due to disuse. I also had one (and still have) one of those Phillips systems (name escapes me) that fell flat on it's fae. I had a brief desire to get a PS 2 (after a previous meet), but that wore off and I never bothered. I have no interest at all in XBox 360 or PS3, and my PC gaming doesn't extend beyond a very occasional game of Quake 3 (not played in ages), or 'virtual' card games like solitaire.

But, it seems, I'm in the Wii demographic, as I like the 'party' minigames. Don't think things like Zelda would hold much interest though.

I'm getting severe boredom and with work looking like it's going to be full of crap for the forseeable future - we're at the butt end of the development teams right now, but I can't afford to chuck in a well-paid job for the inevitable pay cut that would follow. It might pick up - I hope it does, but given what's happened this week I'm going to be lumped with a lot of work I don't like doing for at least a while.

I therefore find myself in need of entertainment and escapism. I'm sure I can watch DVDs and suchlike, but TV doesn't hold my attention like it used to, when I could sit infront of it for hours on end. I enjoy BD but that tends to be a working-hours thing and dies down in the evenings, so I find myself sitting here pressing F5 lots in the hope that someone, anyone, has posted something. Not good. Not good at all.

So, now for the question - with only about 3 titles (maybe 4) titles I'd consider getting right now, and probably not that many down the road, is it really worth it, or is there something else I should be looking at (visits to the local psychiatric hospital included)? :)

[Feek]

If you'll enjoy playing it and have the money to do it, then go for it. The Wii is a lot of fun!

[Haly]

Personally I'd say if you have to think about it, then it's most likely a short term rush of really wanting something which will inevitably fade shortly after getting it.
From my experiences of buying consoles, I've made that mistake in the past. I bought a gamecube shortly after its release on an impulse because of only a few titles, and basically my peers encouragement, I barely played it after the initial few weeks and ended up selling it. I then rebought one a couple of years later for a lot less because there were more games I wanted for it.
Similar thing with the DS but I didn't sell it b/c my Mum was addicted to Zoo Keeper at the time.

Both of these were because I just liked the idea of being excited with my new purchase for a while, and pretty much just wanted to splash out on something. And of course in both situations there was still that bit of doubt in my mind.

The wii is not cheap if you're planning on buying those games for it too, I'd seriously reconsider if I were in your situation and wait until I'd paid off some off my debts so I had less money worries (as you've voiced a few in other threads). It'll still be there in months to come, as will all the wii players from BD, and there will undoubtedly be better games out then too, and the games you're playing now will be a lot cheaper too. :)

You say yourself that your brief desire for a ps2 went shortly after a meet involving one. Maybe give it a month of no wii, and see if it still appeals?

Also bear in mind that the party games will get repetitive after a while imo if you're playing just on your own. I wouldn't buy a console just for those. Especially not as they're aimed primarily at groups of people and I know I'd be playing them alone, and I assume it would be the same in your case.


Sorry for being the more negative one but seems a shame if you buy it then get bored fast and it just gathers dust.

[Piggymon]

Mark, you have money problems - you've said it yourself in a number of threads recently. Do you really think spending £250 on a console is a good idea right now ? Especially considering your work situation.

We bought one before we could afford it BUT the money is very shortly on it's way to pay for it so it wasn't an issue.

Please make sure you can afford this before you buy it :)

EDIT : If you have the money I would 100% say yes, it's an awesome console which is a lot of fun and most of the games are ones you can play over and over again.

[Nismo]

Normally I would just say that if it takes your fancy, buy one. If you don't like it you could sell it quite easily for close to what you paid.

However from your post it doesn't really sound like sitting (or standing) playing games is something that would do you any good right now :/

[Mark]

Jen, you're right. I'll wait a month, but I need something to take away the boredom, and I don't want it to be being sat on my arse watching TV. I don't think that'll cut it anymore. In truth, I think I now crave company - pet, partner, whichever - but neither are likely on the cards for a while.

PS - I can understand your comments about financial troubles as I've mentioned them in other threads today. It's not trouble as in not being able to afford stuff (it was, but it isn't now). It's more a case of wanting to get it all paid off soonish. I could just pay it off gradually as I'm doing now without any trouble at all thanks to having a bit of good fortune on the stock market, or take the hit up front and get the lot paid off in 9-12 months (which is about 2 years quicker than it would have been). In that respect, £250 is probably about 15 days' difference.

[Morba]

Definitely wait if you need the money for something else, i was in the same position as you and wanted one a lot after trying one (i never believed the hype about how good they would be). The only reason i bought one in the end was due to Tescos having 3 in stock, bought all 3, sold 2 for £260 each, used the money to cover the cost of the 3rd one. I was happy, wife was happy with it, bonus :D

tiger woods will be great, madden looks fun.
im waiting to hear about brian lara 2007, if thats coming to wii it will be a great game to play!

[Matblack]

The Wii is a relatively social console, how much fun will you have playing it when you aren't with others? There are some less social games but you may have issues with them as far as the accuracy needed etc. The social ones will become boring quickly, I honestly think that you'll quickly consign it to a cupboard.

MB

[Mark]

Then, in that case, I need other ideas. :)

[Morba]

Then, in that case, I need other ideas. :)

sign up to a quality porn site?

[Mark]

Nice thought, but despite my egging on in the Smut thread, it's not actually done much for me.

PS - by party games I include things like Wii Sports. I don't have the reactions or co-ordination of a hyperactive five-year-old, but Wii Sports, poker, mental challenges, that sort of stuff, it's all good.

[Morba]

well, dont get wii play (if you get a wii) its complete crap tbh.

[Mark]

Yeah, that one isn't going on the list unless I want a spare Wiimote, and even then it's questionable.

[Haly]

In that respect, £250 is probably about 15 days' difference.

From experience that path's never good :p Keep thinking 'oh it's only soandso, I can cover that much' and suddenly it's a lot more than you think because you keep doing it. I try not to do it anymore but it's easy to fall into the trap.

Also never use games to cover up craving company, it's incredibly unhealthy in the long term and not at all recommended. Again from my experience, mainly during my counterstrike days.

Not sure what to suggest as I don't really know much about your interests. Reading's a good generic one, or learning something new if that appeals.
Otherwise maybe something that means you meet new people? You could incorporate that with learning something new possibly.

[Mark]

Yeah, I know what you mean there. I've always been reclusive though. Going to meets has managed to break that to some extent, but I'm not sure how much further I can take that. The meet thing had the benefit that I could talk to people online first, but that wouldn't be an option elsewhere.

A few years ago I wouldn't have bothered, but having the meets now means I know more what the outside world and meeting people can be like, so I miss it all the more when the meets end.

Anyway, this is the wrong forum for such talk. :)

It is an impluse buy though, so I'll put a stop to that. I can review it in May, which isn't so far away, and that has the benefit that if I get a bonus payment, it'll cover the cost. They'll also be easier to find then.

The question stands, but with a not-so-urgent deadline. :)

[Haly]

Yeah, see how things are in May and how tempted you are still to get one :)
I feel a bit rubbish being the negative one but just don't want to see you waste your money in a rush. :)
Plus you can look forward to when you do buy it if you decide to :D I spent about 2 months doing that with the 360 and it did actually make it a lot more satisfying and exciting because I knew I was certain.

[Mark]

No problem with being negative. I've done a few of these now and there's no harm in people talking me in/out of stuff. T'is what friends (and BD) are for. :)

We'll see what the next two weeks bring at work too. I might find I need Wii Sports and a Mii likeness of my boss to smack the **** out of. ;D

[Matblack]

Yeah, I know what you mean there. I've always been reclusive though. Going to meets has managed to break that to some extent, but I'm not sure how much further I can take that.

Why not, you've come along way, why limit yourself but even suggesting that you can't take it much further, did Edmund Hillary say to Tensing "OK mate were nearly to the top but we've come a long way so we won't bother with the last 100 yards"?

The meet thing had the benefit that I could talk to people online first, but that wouldn't be an option elsewhere

Again why not, there are masses of forums out there some of them with specialist interest areas, some of us have been to meets with other forums why not explore whats available and mix it with something which is going to give you a hobby. It strikes me that at the moment most of your hobbies and interests are quite "solo" if you can find something more social then the two things will jigsaw together quite nicely.


It is an impluse buy though, so I'll put a stop to that. I can review it in May, which isn't so far away, and that has the benefit that if I get a bonus payment, it'll cover the cost. They'll also be easier to find then.

The question stands, but with a not-so-urgent deadline. :)

Very sensible, I stand by the Wii being a very social console, we'll continue to bring ours (or someone else will) to home meets as it presents a very good opertunity to play so you'll get a chance to play socialy at there events.

MB