Wii, Oui Oui Oui

Je deteste le "Black Friday". But here we were, on the famous Friday morning when supposedly many stores become profitable for the year, trolling the local shopping fall for sweatshirts and shoes for the kids at reduced prices. Some of the deals are incredible: 30% / 40% / 50%. It's worth queueing in the parking lot or the standing in line at the stores' check-out (never more than 10 minutes). I was also worth checking out some new consumer products.

In the mall, a team from Nintendo was showcasing the Wii. While Sony and Microsoft are adding more and more triangulation power to the Playstation and Xbox, Nintendo stepped out of the arms race. Instead it took a new and innovative approach with the Wii.


The Wii consists of a base station and a wireless game controller. The Wii is motion sensitive. This is where the genius lies. Pretend the Wii is the handle of a tennisracket and you can partake in an interactive tennis game. Or clasp the Wii controller in your fists and throw some punches in the ring. This a great improvement from the multi-button joystick game controllers giving you a cramp in your thumb.

The Wii might not be very sexy to the hardcore gamer, because of the lack in built-in super computer cpu cycles in the base station. Nevertheless, I predict it will be a great hit among the plebs, because people want more interaction with 'The Machine'. Think of the tetris-like dance step games you find in the arcades. And at half the price of a playstation, it is a much easier gift to buy.

My rating on the Wii: 3 x Oui's !

UPDATE 12/07/2006: The improved user interaction now comes with a "Don't poke fork in eye"-sticker.

"Do not let go of the remote during gameplay. For example, in games like Wii Sports Bowling, the ball is thrown by simply releasing the B Button on the remote, not by letting go of the remote. Hold the remote securely and avoid excessive motion during game play. If your hands become moist, stop and dry your hands." -- Nintendo responds to reports of Wii mishaps with a bit of cautionary advice. (from Good Morning Silicon Valley)

Technorati: Nintendo Wii Microsoft Xbox Sony playstation