Behold the power of Wii

[PawnOfFate]

I have one sitting in my lap right now... being unwrapped.

Let me recant the tale of my Wii...

It started last night, at 9pm when I called the Wal Mart to see if there was a line of people. No line.

10 pm, no line.

11 pm, no line

12 am, no line. So I figure it's safe to go to bed, wake up around 8ish and call again.

8 am, no line.

9 am, no line.

10:43 am, I have my Fiance call.. and she gets someone with intelligence and lets her know that people have been waiting outside since 9pm... when I made the first call.

I dashed to my car and got down to the wal mart at 11:13. I waited in line for 13 hours to get my hands on this thing. They told us there were 15 units and I was number 14. Lucky.

Of course, they "found" 5 more units and some guys wound up showing up 5 minutes before sale time... and got one.

Was it worth it? Definately.

Now if you don't mind... I'm going to go play some Wii Bowling before bed.

-WiiFate

[Krypto]

I ended up checking in at Walmart early to see how things were, and to my surprise, there was a very large turnout. I ended up waiting about 10 hours in line, was number 26 of 29, but definitely worth it. Soooo much fun. :D


Edit: Tennis FTW.

[Seraphim]

Yay for 20th in line out of 26, midnight EST launch.

Why am I posting at 4:33 est?

BECAUSE MONKEY BALL IS GOD

Internet channel not avaliable yet :(

[Poison]

*sigh*
One more month of waiting for me...

[Astartus]

Not one month, only 18 days.

And yes, I heard that some channels (for example the weather channel) won't be up until christmas or so. But if I want to check the weather, I would look out the window (and burn to ashes from the bright burning thing up there)

[Cold Quake]

Spent five hours waiting in 15 degree weather with wind kicking up in the last hour, and I say this with the utmost sincerity:

Totally worth it!

[MajorMarvel]

My brother is on the way home with his Wii right now. I figure if I wanna play Wii, I can play his(Much like he plays my XBOX360) So technically I got a Wii with Zelda and Monkey Ball

[PawnOfFate]

Tennis is SO much fun! It's crazy!!!

I only picked up Zelda... but I havent tried it yet, I wanted to wait till this morning...

[Astartus]

Can you play the Tennis online or just local multiplayer?
Cause I heard a rumor that you could generate some sort of global Friendcode. Like on the Nintendo DS, where you could generate a friendcode for each game to play together online.

Is there such an option for the Wii? One code to rule them all (I mean for all games)?
Want to play bowling against some of you guys (or maybe even Tennis) when I get a Wii.

[PawnOfFate]

its not online... but it is multiplayer... and you can load your Mii (little character thingie) of yourself into your wii-mote and bring it over to a friends house, load it onto his Mii channel and it keeps tabs like that.

But we can all Smash online ;)

[Poison]

And we will, once it's out!
But as Fate just told me, you need the LAN adapter to go online and it won't be out till who knows when. How can they do that to me! I have a cable router, I don't want wireless... But I need to get Mario 64!
Can someone tell me how the Wii goes online? Do you have to configure it to your network or could I possibly use someone else's wireless (here in the house)?

Oh, also: Has someone already bought and used Wii points? Does it say anywhere if they can only be used with a US Wii or something like that? Cause if Wii points don't have some kind of regional restriction, I'll import a bundle (turns out much cheaper).

[Astartus]

I'm not totally sure about the LAN-connection, but as the thing has 2 USB ports, it might be possible to hook it up to your PC and use your PC's connection (or maybe hook it up directly to your router via USB). But as I said I'm not sure if this would work.

But a good idea with the Wii points. Buy points worth 20$ put pay only 16€. Hope this works. You could make up a whole buisness out of it.

[Kinetix]

I don't think USB can transfer network data.

[PawnOfFate]

compusa has a wireless router for 10 dollars (50 - 40 mail in rebates) ... i picked it up and got my wii system updates... :)

[Poison]

But a good idea with the Wii points. Buy points worth 20$ put pay only 16€. Hope this works. You could make up a whole buisness out of it. If it works, there's a special Japanese combo pack of a classic controller and 5000 points for roughly 50$ which I can only suggest.

[Kid Ferret_]

*sigh* I doubt I'll be getting one soon, but I can just go and play my friends. :chuckle:

[PawnOfFate]

You're all welcome to come play mine down here in tallahassee :)

[Moon Jump]

Got to Nintendo World around 5:30, the line was already around the block, people at the front got there on Thursday...why, I do not know. Two news crews were there interviewing folks. The store opened at 6, and people who preordered went upstairs and the others were taken inside a few at a time downstairs.

We were on the line for around 2-3 hours till a worker started to ask folks if they had preorders. My friend and I showed the guy our receipts and followed five other people to the inside of the store. I've NEVER seen so many angry faces staring back at me in my life. I've even heard one person grumble, "I got here at four in the morning and their cutting in line!" I almost turned around and said, I preordered this back in September, bitch! :cool:

We got inside and saw the downstairs set up with Wii's ready to go in a Nintendo World Store bag and little mini Yoshi and Mario toys for all. Upstairs were we went was set up nice.

From my Cell Phone camera.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/Yuckmud/Wiis.jpg

Yes, those are ALL Wii's! They had even more in the backroom. They had three bins stuffed with Classic Controllers, Wii-Motes and Nunchucks. I watched workers take one of each, even three of everything!

They did a nice job displaying all the games, naturally , they had a fuckton of Zelda. Happy Feet looked like it had the most in the stack..they also had both of the third party racers that came with the wheel attachment. I got Rayman, for the multiplayer and Zelda..DUH!!

(Copied and Pasted from the Press Start Comic Site. Bab is my friend Gerard, and The Cap'n is my other friend Yusuf.)

As many of you may already know, the Wii keeps track of how long you play, after we left the Cap'n's apartment, we had racked up only three hours. I was stupid and went to the online updater. Big mistake, it was REALLY slow and didn't really add anything. I was hoping that the Opera browser would be an update and I could check out our site on the TV, but no luck.

First game we booted up was Wii Sports, we skipped the Mii's and Bab and I went right for Boxing. The control was very sketchy. I had the voice of Mickey from Rocky yelling in my head, "THE BODY! THE BODY!! HIT EM' AHH! YOU'RE A BUM!!" I kept trying to swing for body blows and I'd just hit air.

We didn't have room in The Capn's apartment to try Bowling or Golf, so we tried Tennis. It worked really good, I just need to see if you can make the little Mii's run faster. It was hard to get the return serve because my Mii wouldn't run fast enough.

Next game we put on was Rayman, and lo and behold you NEED to play the game to unlock all the mini games in order to play them with your friends. So I'm going to have to play more of it. The mini games in Rayman are great. The game's got a great sense of humor to it. The "Rabbids" are really hilarious. I want to collect them all! I'll get into more of this when I unlock more and see what the game has to offer. The mini games are a lot of fun and the "On the Rails" shooter stages are really fun too.

Of course we had to put Zelda on. I've been waiting for this for a LONG time and I know you were too. Now don't worry about any spoilers, because we spent an HOUR AND A HALF, trying to FISH.. Yes..fishing held us up for that long and I still don't have a sword. We had to hit up GameFaq's and thankfully a user explained how to work the fishing rod because the instructions aren't that clear.

[Vendel]

You wii people...seriously.

If I want to enjoy myself waveing something at the TV ill put in a porn......it cost alot less to ;)

[Kinetix]

Cost a lot less to what?

[coldcut]

You wii people...seriously.

If I want to enjoy myself waveing something at the TV ill put in a porn......it cost alot less to ;)

But will it take up as much of your time?

[8 Ball]

You're all welcome to come play mine down here in tallahassee :)


I ain't touching your Wii...no matter how many times you ask.

..Well someone had to say it :P.

[The Mystic]

I sat in line for 24 hours at Wal-Mart to get my Wii. Yes it was worth it.

At least I was in a nice climate-controlled store where I could buy anything I needed, but at times it was boring as HELL!

I'm loving it so far even though I've mainly played Wii Sports, it's really fun with friends especially if you have a Mii that looks eerily like you. For me, bowling is really fun (especially the Power Throws training mode. Hurling a ball at 100+ pins :) ) and golf is cool too.

I also got Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. It's cool, but it takes a long time to get used to the controls since it is so different from the normal way to control games.

[Enlightened One]

This business of this Wii looks interesting, but I am not sure I want to spend money on it yet. I will wait for a while for increased availability and perhaps a price drop eventually...

[Graphite]

Like I said, I'm not buying one for a while and get my hands on a demo so..... I was at the mall yesterday and desided to stop in eb and gamestop to see if they had demos running. They had the machine up but get this.... NO controllers! Nintendo sent them a bunch of systems with out the controllers to hook it up. Thats the big deal everyone wants to know about and no dice. Way to go Nintendo.

:rolleyes:

[Grae Knight]

This thread.....wow

[Solos]

Like I said, I'm not buying one for a while and get my hands on a demo so..... I was at the mall yesterday and desided to stop in eb and gamestop to see if they had demos running. They had the machine up but get this.... NO controllers! Nintendo sent them a bunch of systems with out the controllers to hook it up. Thats the big deal everyone wants to know about and no dice. Way to go Nintendo.

:rolleyes:

I know what you mean. I saw a couple on display a week or two back. I had a sudden urge to reach out and grab them when noone was looking, I just wanted to know what they felt like.

[RedSwitchblade]

I work in retail, I know what happens there. Sony offers a 4.5 inch handheld computer, the Sony UX. People wanted to know what that looked like and felt like too, but it was impossible to secure. We had the product for several weeks before we had a mountable display for it so it wouldnt get stolen.

Either their merchandising crew didn't get the mounting brackets for the controllers, or didn't install them thinking it didn't matter. It happens

[Graphite]

Well, I um keep telling myself that I a um don't care cause I'm ya know no longer a fan boy and um on my way out as a um gamer. Yeah.... that sounded convincing.
:notme:

[Blackbat]

This thread.....wow

No kidding. I can't imagine waiting multiple hours in line to get a gaming console. Just blows my mind.

[Grae Knight]

I once waited 2 hours to get a picture of myself with Jenna Jameson topless :).

Ms. Jameson was topless not I

[thebluecanary]

I once stood in line 2 hours to meet Red Green.... well, it was fun for me anyway.

[Xielos]

I once waited 2 hours to get a picture of myself with Jenna Jameson topless :).

Ms. Jameson was topless not I

We demand proof.

[MaligneFamily]

Err guys how do you secure motion sensor wireless controllers? Nunchucks no less?

[Xielos]

With a steel cable and a clamp?

[Astartus]

Yeah, proof.

I once waited in line 3 hours just for a ceremonial opening of a Games Workshop store.
All the kiddies around me were standing and I was the only one with one of those small 3-legged camping seats.

Might be a nice idea for the 8th December. Store opens up at 9.30am. First train arrives at 6.30am . Hmm 3 hours waiting, hopefully it doesn't snow or so.

[MajorMarvel]

you know what? after some hands on with my brothers Nintendo Wii, I gotta quote a famous horse
"No Sir, I dont like it"
Not a fan of the controler really. For one it reminds me of those real lame virtual sports games they show on TV. Like they got the Star Wars Lightsaber one and all that. They arent that good. Secondly theres the fact that in real life, I am not a real gracefull person, and the games I played required alot of movement(Like Super Monkey Ball and Wii Sports). In the end I was bumbling around and It reminded me of the reasons why I cant DDR. Point and Click is good but the other stuff. Meh. Thirdly, ever try to draw a picture in paint using a Mouse? yeah. feels like that.
So No Wii for me. If it requires the sensor stuff, No thank you.

[Seadevil]

you know what? after some hands on with my brothers Nintendo Wii, I gotta quote a famous horse
"No Sir, I dont like it"
Not a fan of the controler really. For one it reminds me of those real lame virtual sports games they show on TV. Like they got the Star Wars Lightsaber one and all that. They arent that good. Secondly theres the fact that in real life, I am not a real gracefull person, and the games I played required alot of movement(Like Super Monkey Ball and Wii Sports). In the end I was bumbling around and It reminded me of the reasons why I cant DDR. Point and Click is good but the other stuff. Meh. Thirdly, ever try to draw a picture in paint using a Mouse? yeah. feels like that.
So No Wii for me. If it requires the sensor stuff, No thank you.

You know they're making a regular controller for it too, right? A 'retro' controller I think they're calling it. You can use GameCube Controllers too, from what I understand.

[MajorMarvel]

You know they're making a regular controller for it too, right? A 'retro' controller I think they're calling it. You can use GameCube Controllers too, from what I understand.

those are out, but not all games are wiimote optional

[iggy880]

Well, my local Best Buy told me, pre-trip, that they should have them at least till mid afternoon on launch day. I want one for X-mas so my parents will probably find one when it is restocked in like a week or two. My brother's roommate however, was up for like 48 hours and has done nothing but try to get back those hours of sleep, play, and go to class.

[Moon Jump]

Unless you have gift cards,I'd say forget Best Buy, Circuit City and any other tech places. Target and Wal-Mart got the most systems per stores. Toys R Us should be getting more of them soon.

[Blackbat]

Best Buy has screwed me over more times than I care to recall.

In the famous words of Christian Otholm, "To hell with them, and their mothers."

[Poison]

Has anyone bought Wii point cards now? Could you check if it says something on it about regional codes or not being able to use that Us card on non-US Wiis?

[Astartus]

If it works, there's a special Japanese combo pack of a classic controller and 5000 points for roughly 50$ which I can only suggest.

Can you point me to the link of the shop, please?

Also Poison, maybe check This Forum Thread (http://www.nintendo2000.de/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=19011) for some common questions and answers regarding the Wii in general.

[Poison]

Sure, here you go:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-10u-49-en-70-1mwm.html
A great shop, I've ordered there several times. I can recommend it.
And thanks for the forum link, I read an FAQ already, but maybe I find something new.

[Moon Jump]

Sure, here you go:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-10u-49-en-70-1mwm.html
A great shop, I've ordered there several times. I can recommend it.
And thanks for the forum link, I read an FAQ already, but maybe I find something new.

Play Asia's a great site I use them all the time. Whenever you order they send you stickers and a 5 dollar off coupon for your next purchase. Sucks the one I had expired, because I wanted to get Jump! Ultimate Stars.

The 58 bucks and free controller might be a good deal. The controllers themselves cost 25-20 in store. My folks are none too pleased that I asked for another controller, but my Dad keep wanting to VS me in a game of Tennis so it looks like I'll have to ask for one.

[The Icy One]

Does the Jap controller and points all work on the US version? I might have to order that myself when I get a Wii.

[Poison]

That's what I've been asking. :p
Someone who buys Wii points should look on the packing if it says anything about regional codes or restrictions, "can only be used with an American Wii" or something like that.

[Astartus]

The thing that bothrs me with this bundle is, that it says "Compatible With Nintendo Wii - Japan" so there might be some sort of regional restriction. And a bit down it says "Version: Japan".
Most likely there will be different companies handling the payment and the codes will have some regional code in them. Same as the CoH US codes don't work for CoH EU and vice versa.

Although I hope there might be a possibility for this to work. The bundle with an additional Remote Control simply looks too tempting for that price.

[PawnOfFate]

If you register your Wii at my.nintendo.com it extends the warranty by 90 days. :D

[Moon Jump]

Controllers will work with the system no matter what region their from. I've got Japanese controllers for my GameCube and for my Dreamcast and they all work. The only thing I'm wondering is if the Wii points card will work. Not sure if you have to punch a code in on the back of the card or what, but I'd wait for a review from somebody before you take the plunge.

PS, Fate! Send me your Mii!

[The Icy One]

..I think I'm gonna go stand in line around 4:30AM for ToysRUs opening at 5AM on Black Friday, I don't really want to.. but it seems that if you don't all the available stock goes straight to Ebay and I don't want to pay those prices for the cheapest console release out right now, makes no sense. *prepares warm clothes*

[The Widowed]

Since when do they call the Friday after Thanksgiving "Black Friday"? And, for that matter, why? O_o

[Solario]

It's the first day of Christmas Shopping and has thus been dubed Black Friday because it's the busiest day of the year.

And yeah, Happy Smallpox-Blankets-for-Indians-Day everyone.

[RedSwitchblade]

Since when do they call the Friday after Thanksgiving "Black Friday"? And, for that matter, why? O_o

Always have. "Black" any day is usually termed for a specific day in which a disaster occurs. If you work retail like I do, this day is catastrophic as you watch the throngs of Christmas shoppers fight, bite, punch, kick, and run around like selfish children looking for a $200 laptop or $5 flash drive. Honestly, working tonight (CompUSA is open 9-midnight Thanksgiving night) really makes me loathe humanity and their materialistic "needs". I think the name for the day is appropriate. It's the day human makes a disaster out of being civilized.

[Malibu Sally]

Since when do they call the Friday after Thanksgiving "Black Friday"? And, for that matter, why? O_o
Because retailers can gauge how well they will do during the Christmas shopping season based on their business that day. Since so many retailers depend on the Christmas season for their annual profits, the day after Thanksgiving is called "Black Friday" because it is the day they can tell if they will be "in the black" for the year or not.

[PawnOfFate]

Well, it's known as black friday, but it wasn't the busiest shopping day of the year... December 23rd was (day after thanksgiving wasn't even top 5, it was #6)

...

Yeah I need to stop reading obscure news at work.

[Malibu Sally]

Well, it's known as black friday, but it wasn't the busiest shopping day of the year... December 23rd was (day after thanksgiving wasn't even top 5, it was #6
Never said it was. I said that the retailers can gauge how well they will do for the Christmas season based on their performance on that day.

[PawnOfFate]

I was in response to Solario ;)

Don't make me ship you further north... it's cold enough in florida as is! *shiver*

[Solario]

I said that. Might have been wrong. Didn't bother to double-check anything. :)

[Malibu Sally]

Don't make me ship you further north... it's cold enough in florida as is! *shiver*
Tell me about it. It dropped to the mid forties last night. I thought I was going to die.

[iggy880]

..I think I'm gonna go stand in line around 4:30AM for ToysRUs opening at 5AM on Black Friday, I don't really want to.. but it seems that if you don't all the available stock goes straight to Ebay and I don't want to pay those prices for the cheapest console release out right now, makes no sense. *prepares warm clothes*

Wait, are they on sale at Toys R' Us tommorrow?

[Moon Jump]

SOME stores might have Wii's tomorrow. Some folks said they were holding them for the Black Friday rush. But the stores should be getting in their second shipments soon.

My friend wasn't lucky. Turns out his Wii has a hardware problem, when you go to update your system, something will mess up and you can't go online. You have to call Nintendo up, they send you a prepaid box with an extra Wii, and you have to wait up to 10 days to get a new one back. Sucks, but how else are you going to play Smash online?

[Astartus]

Oh yeah, heard of the updating issue. Big bug Nintendo had there. Not as dire, in my opinion, as the not-playing-PS2-games-on-the-new-PS3 as you still could play normal games and simply not online (as far as I know). But a big bug nonetheless.
Hopefully Nintendo of Europe won't have the bug when the Wii launches here in .... *drumroll* ... 14 days *sigh*

[The Icy One]

Oh well.. a sucessful day of failure. I went to five stores with no luck, however my little sister now has a TMX Elmo ready for Christmas. Not a complete waste I guess.. but I really wanted to play with the Wiimote.

[Astartus]

I hope you all had a happy turkey day. I did, especially with them (http://youtube.com/watch?v=DeCBMOZbe2U) making me spit water on my monitor.

[Malibu Sally]

I hope you all had a happy turkey day. I did, especially with them (http://youtube.com/watch?v=DeCBMOZbe2U) making me spit water on my monitor.
What the hell was THAT? And aren't you in Germany? O_o

[Astartus]

Yes, but it was still Thanksgiving, wasn't it? Actiually not in Germany but in the US. And it was a nice day nonetheless.

And the THING is a rabbit. I hope you watch all those other interesting facts about bunnies?

[Kinetix]

My arms and back were a bit sore after 3 hours of on-and-off wii boxing at school. Some kid who plays DnD all day in the cafeteria tried and pulled a muslce in his arm. :chuckle:

So who's pulled a muscle or has had a small injury so far?

[Krypto]

Heh, my arm's a little sore after bowling all day. :p

[Kinetix]

That's not from the bowling.

[Kinetix]

Tell me about it. It dropped to the mid forties last night. I thought I was going to die.

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/4581/1124061457lo8.jpg
Ahhh, a nice warm middle of the day. :p

[Malibu Sally]

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/4581/1124061457lo8.jpg
Ahhh, a nice warm middle of the day. :p
No, warm is mid 80's. I guess 45 is sweltering to you igloo dwellers up north. :P

[Krypto]

Mid 80s is way too hot.

[The Widowed]

No, warm is mid 80's. I guess 45 is sweltering to you igloo dwellers up north. :P
And I guess you Pumicites down south don't start breaking a sweat until the temperatures reach triple digits, eh? :P

[PawnOfFate]

It's not hot till that thermometer peaks 100, you got that right.

Anything below 70 is jacket weather.

[Xielos]

It's not hot till that thermometer peaks 100, you got that right.

Anything below 70 is jacket weather.

QFT

But the worst thing about Florida isn't just the temperature, its that one day is hitting 98F, and the next day its below 70. Wreaks havoc on your immune system, as well as your car. I went through a car battery in 3 months last winter.

[The Widowed]

Between that and all the hurricanes, it astounds me that anyone would want to live in Florida at all.

...

You guys aren't just living down there so you can search for Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth, are you? O_o

[PawnOfFate]

Who Told You?!!?!?!

[The Widowed]

The ghost of Ponce de Leon did.

He says "Give it up. The whole thing's just an urban legend." :P

[Malibu Sally]

Between that and all the hurricanes, it astounds me that anyone would want to live in Florida at all.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'd rather have a dozen hurricanes than one blizzard. :P

[PawnOfFate]

mmm Surfing, Beaches and hotties. *points at sally*

[Xielos]

If you live on the coast. I'm in Orlando, the theme park hellhole

[Heather]

*hears blizzard*
<_<
>_>

where!?

oh oh oh me please!

I can't wait for ski season to get in full effect, I'm dieing to get back on a snowboard.

[Bitter Babe]

No blizzard's please, all snow stay out of New England for now, I'm not ready for it yet.

[Heather]

How about a deal? You wish for it to snow 17 or so feet in the mountains and I'll wish for it to not snow in residential areas for the entire winter? Deal?

[Xielos]

It was snowing about 10 miles north of Orlando, in Ocala earlier this week.

[Heather]

I was snowing about 10 miles north of Orlando, in Ocala earlier this week.

Does this have anything to do with Columbians, cash, and a coke habit?

[Xielos]

uh....wha? It was actualy snowing.

[The Widowed]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'd rather have a dozen hurricanes than one blizzard. :P
Blizzards don't exactly have a reputation for ripping the roofs (rooves?) off of houses, flipping cars and drenching everything with 20-foot waves. Blizzards just spew snow all over the place, heap snow up against your front door and blind you. Sure, they also freeze people to death...which, as the many faces of Death go, is a lot more preventable than, say, getting blasted off the street and thrown into the stratosphere by 100 MPH winds.

Blizzard, please. :P

[Heather]

I was snowing...

thats what I read :D and I was kidding...

[Malibu Sally]

Blizzards don't exactly have a reputation for ripping the roofs (rooves?) off of houses, flipping cars and drenching everything with 20-foot waves. Blizzards just spew snow all over the place, heap snow up against your front door and blind you. Sure, they also freeze people to death...which, as the many faces of Death go, is a lot more preventable than, say, getting blasted off the street and thrown into the stratosphere by 100 MPH winds.

Blizzard, please. :P
Oh please.... like people are having street parties in the middle of a hurricane. And at least a hurricane does not dump forty feet of FROZEN WATER on the roof, causing it to collapse. :P

[Kinetix]

No, it just rips the roof off and floods the whole house.

[Malibu Sally]

No, it just rips the roof off and floods the whole house.
Which is still better than being entombed in a deep freeze.

[Meltman]

What's wrong with Blizzards (http://www.blizzardfanclub.com/)? They're upsidedownright good!

[The Widowed]

I don't know why I'm advocating blizzards when I live in the friggin' Midwest. I only lived in Montana for three years...which was long enough, I guess. :think:

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Force of Nature Championship, a three-way battle for supremacy among Earth's mightiest meteorological phenomena!

In this corner, from the icy reaches of the Northwest, with sustained wind speeds of 25 MPH or higher, falling snow or sleet, visibility under 5⁄8 of a mile and a wind chill of less than −25 °C (−13 °F) in excess of three hours...

http://coh.tritonius.com/WBlizzard.jpg

...A BLIZZARD!

In that corner, from the steamy shores of the Southeast, with sustained wind speeds of 74 MPH or higher, a relatively calm center from 10 to 50 miles across and a pronounced difficulty in leaving the ocean due to the thermodynamic forces involved...

http://coh.tritonius.com/WHurricane.jpg

...A HURRICANE!

And in the other corner, from the windy plains of the Midwest, with sustained wind speeds around 110 MPH (and occasionally approaching 300 MPH), a funnel ranging between 250 feet and 1.2 miles across and a winding path of destruction up to 50 miles long (or perhaps even longer)...

http://coh.tritonius.com/WTornado.jpg

...A TORNADO!


Round one...FIGHT! :singdance

[Malibu Sally]

What's wrong with Blizzards (http://www.blizzardfanclub.com/)? They're upsidedownright good!
But not as yummy as a Hurricane (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05265/575514.stm) :cool:

[The Widowed]

Heh heh...I believe I've stunned the thread with my massive three-way battle of apocalyptic proportions. :D

If anyone needs me, I'll be in the other corner, rooting for the tornado. :singdance

http://coh.tritonius.com/TornadoFunnel1.jpg

http://coh.tritonius.com/TornadoFunnel2.jpg

[Malibu Sally]

Are we restricted to just weather phenomena? If not, I'll see your tornado and raise you one volcano. :P
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/Pinatubo/Pinatubo91_eruption_plume_06-12-91_med.jpg

[Kinetix]

Montana doesn't count as the Northwest. Northwest is Washington, Oregon, Victoria BC and Idaho if we don't forget them.

[The Widowed]

Montana doesn't count as the Northwest.
Sez who? I always heard "Northwest" as including Montana and Idaho when I lived there. Once you get to the Dakotas, you leave the Northwest and enter the Just Plain North. :p

[The Icy One]

Blizzards f'ing rule!

In other news, I someone offered me a Wii for 300$.. so.. I guess 50$ over ain't to bad..

[Kinetix]

Sez who? I always heard "Northwest" as including Montana and Idaho when I lived there. Once you get to the Dakotas, you leave the Northwest and enter the Just Plain North. :p

I've never even heard Montana mentioned in the category. Maybe they're trying to include themselves with nobody noticing. :p

[PawnOfFate]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9136575504838642038

hahahahahahaha

[Krypto]

Heh...that one's hella old. :P

[PawnOfFate]

I've never seen it before... makes me laugh a lot :)

[Graphite]

I got my hands on a demo over the thanksgiving weekend. The controller feels very small, light, and I feel like I'm going to break the thing. Very sensitive and I never quite got the hang of excite truck. Fun time though, original experience, and silly me enjoyed the challenge of trying to figure out how to play. I'll keep looking into this wii as time passes.

[Moon Jump]

Sure, here you go:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-10u-49-en-70-1mwm.html
A great shop, I've ordered there several times. I can recommend it.
And thanks for the forum link, I read an FAQ already, but maybe I find something new.

DO NOT BUY THIS!

Play-Asia just reported that Japanese Wii points will not work with an American system. They tested it in a video and they get an error saying the card is not valid.

[Dr Jack Wolfe]

http://videogames.yahoo.com/ongoingfeature?eid=494785&page=0

apparently ducking is a required Wii skill :oi:

[Poison]

DO NOT BUY THIS!

Play-Asia just reported that Japanese Wii points will not work with an American system. They tested it in a video and they get an error saying the card is not valid.
Thanks for the info, MJ. I just checked on their page as well, you can read it under
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-17-71-bn-74-19i-49-en.html

Considering the prices and that the EU virtual console line-up will be ridiculous compared to the Japanese or American (a lot of game were never published in the EU, including Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG and others), I'll have to seriously consider getting a US Wii after all.

[Astartus]

Remember, that you won't be able to buy and use EU Wii-Points.
What voltage does the US Wii use? And what about foreign games, were they playable (e.g Jap. Games on a US Wii)?

[Moon Jump]

Japan gets the system this weekend and you guys in Europe get it in two weeks so we'll all have to see. They say that the "Freeloader" won't let you play Japanese games, but the Action Replay will. Unless somebody makes a Wii version of the freeloader that will let you play games from other regions you won't be able to import.

As far as voltage goes, I have no idea. I'm also pissed about how they worked the Virtual Console. Japan got so many GOOD games. I wish they'd let you download games from all regions.

I have to send Nintendo an Email today regarding the S-Video cables. Nintendo.com still doesn't offer them, yet I can order the cables from Play-Asia. Figures, Japan gets it and America doesn't.

[Poison]

I have enough possibilities to get American points. Be it to order them (shipping is almost zero due to the weight) or asking someone to buy them and email me the codes. And they'll turn out cheaper than buying them here, as mentioned before. Games can be easily imported and the Freeloader should do the rest.

The US might be getting less games than Japan, but the EU is screwed. As mentioned, classics like Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy 6 (US FF3) weren't even released here. Mortal Kombat might not make an appearance due to age restriction reasons. And all those cool, classic beat'em ups...

The Wii releases today in a week in Europe (Dec 8th), so that's relatively soon. I think I'll try to wait till then, so all import prices nomalize. Play-Asia is selling their US Wiis for 499$ and Japanese ones for 399$. It's obviously a rip-off, but they're still sold out... I won't pay more than those normal 250$ though.

To use an American console in Europe, you need a transformator (?), since they use 110V opposed to our 220-224V. The Gamecube and PS2 each used about 45W, so no big trafo needed, but the PS3 obviously uses 380W... Wii should be around Gamecube usage, possibly a bit more (55W).
Look for a "Spannungsumwandler mit Trafo", Astartus. Also, you'll need to make sure your TV can play the NTSC signal. Newer 100MHz models should be okay though.

[Meltman]

Ok, after much digging, found this from a very recent (few days ago) article:

I have just checked with Nintendo’s customer support whether the Wii is, in fact, region locked or not. The Nintendo support team sent the following reply:

The Wii will not play games from Japan or America as their TV system, NTSC, is not compatible with ours. This has always been the case with Nintendo consoles and has nothing to do the accepted term of ‘Region Locking’.

This sounded promising, but I decided to ask them to clarify:

So besides the TV standard, the consoles are compatible?

What if I do not hook the Wii console up to a non-TV screen, for example to a computer’s LCD screen? Mine has composite and svideo-in. Or does this actually depend on differences in the hardware and/or software? I surely would hope this is not the case.

The Nintendo Wii Support team promptly replied to this:

The Wii will be built to play the games from the area which it will be used in. So a UK Wii will only play European games oh and Australian games as they are on PAL as well. The USA Wii will play their games and Japanese games as they are NTSC.

So it’s the official answer: Wii is not region locked, but the hardware will not support a different TV format. They did evade my question whether or not output to a non-tv would make any difference, but I seriously doubt this is the case.

So yeah, I'd get the US version, then you can play Japanese games too. (At least the Wii ones, with something to decode the games themselves, which I'm sure will be released.)

[Astartus]

So I will get an EU one, cause I don't want to import each and every game. *sigh*
Just hope that they finally release Super Mario RPG and/or Chrono Trigger in the EU.

[razoras]

If those games aren't purchasable on their little online feature in the future, I'd be alarmed and confused.

[Astartus]

So, just came back from Hamburg where the "Wii will move" Demo tour stopped by for a day. Got into the small line (just around 15 persons) to get into the bus and test out Wii Sport and/or Wii Play.
When I entered, I got a sheet, displaying some of the coming game titles and an instruction on how to set the Wii up. I had to sit down on a couch and could watch some guys also sitting on teh couch play a demo version of "Zelda". Fishing seems to be a time waste like in real life.
Then they young ladies there called us in pairs to play one of the two games.
Sadly I only got to play Wii play twice (Cowrace one time, and Shooting Range the second time), but it was fun.
The controllers are surprisingly heavy, but fit nicely in my hands. The game controls where quite easy, although I really had problems with aiming during the shooter game.

Can't wait to see more...

[Moon Jump]

Nice to see you liked it Astartus. I have to keep telling people you can hear stories all day about how other people like or dislike the Wii. Unless you try it yourself it doesn't mean jack because everybody thinks differently about it.

I hear A LOT of people saying how they could never play Zelda with the remote, and why bother when the cube version's coming out. But I'll tell you, after playing it with the wiimote, I wouldn't play it with the normal controller. It's that much of a difference.

It's the same thing that happened with the DS. Everybody yelled GIMMICK!!! But once they tried it, and companies figured out they could make awesome games on it, you never heard that again. Hopefully the same will be for the Wii. Companies will figure out new and different ways to make games with better controllers rather then just pushing graphics.

[Gold Rush]

There might be a possible recall for the Wii; I've heard a bit on TV and supposedly there is one website out in cyberspace devoted to this topic made by Wii owners.

Basically, people have been playing their Wii's so enthusiastically, the wrist-strap cords that you tie onto the contoller breaks after vigorous usage. The string is much too skinny. People have reported Wii remotes slipping out of their hands, breaking windows, lamps, and TV screens. A few heads of onlookers and nearby pets may also have been reported as inadvertent targets.

So, the recall is not truly hardware based, but it is "hardware" based. Basically, be careful with your remotes and use your own thicker/stronger string/cords to wrap your remotes around your wrists. :)

Here is but one link :

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/wii/wiis-faulty-controller-straps-217028.php

========================================

Gold Rush

(Actually, this could make the old controller gloves more collectible. I know Target put out a special Mario and Zelda glove.)

[Astartus]

I don't think that you have to send in your whole Wii console, as this seems to be a problem Wiimote related.

And I don't understand the players. They weren't meant to throw their Wiimote through the air, just hanging on their Wristbands. It is meant to be held in the hand.

[Kinetix]

Sweaty hands though..

[Moon Jump]

My friend sent in his Wii already. There was a problem with a few of them when you ran the updater and it would shut off the Wi-Fi forever. They sent him a brand new one then he gave them the broken one. Only problem is they can't transfer the saved game data so he has to start Twilight Princess over.

But even with a mess up like that I think that they came through nicely. As far as the straps breaking, I haven't had a problem with them yet. If I notice my hands start to sweat I take a little break and dry my hand and Wiimote so I won't toss it through the television.

[Gold Rush]

Sweaty hands though..

I don't think it is just sweaty hands. Some folks can get excited, maybe loosen their grip in mid-swing. Drunken debauchery can also cause one to be clumsy and not grip tightly. Laughing out loud may also make one lose their grip, especially with giggling children. :)

Anyway, it's an easy fix for one to do, unless someone wants Nintendo to rebate or fix their purchases, which seems like the way-of-the-world atm. :( Like I said, heavier string can be gotten quite easily.

==========================================

Gold Rush

[Astartus]

In the following debate of the mentioned incident, many have also suggested, to get the rubber gloves, that are avaible for the Wiimote. Once, for getting a better grip and second to distinguish the different remotes.

[Gold Rush]

In the following debate of the mentioned incident, many have also suggested, to get the rubber gloves, that are avaible for the Wiimote. Once, for getting a better grip and second to distinguish the different remotes.

Oh, definitely. The rubber gloves (condoms?) do help.

Wish I could get my hands on the special Zelda and Mario ones (pun intended :shinner: ). But I have some glow in the dark ones, so that helps in a dimly lit room. :shinner: The colors are a definite help; I kinda wonder why the only colored plastic on a Wiiremote is white, but the gloves do help in telling them apart.

Also, they can be hard to "peel off" if you are changing the batteries...or if you forget to program them for your Wii (which I did :p ).

==========================================

Gold Rush

[Astartus]

Man, the Wii sold out in whole england in about 12 hours. They had around 50.000 consoles, so this is a console each second.

So, I know that Moon Jump and PawnOfFate have a console. But what about Gold Rush? Sounds like you have one, so post your f**** freind code in the other thread ;)
I need more Mii's in my parade.

[Poison]

I had no luck so far in getting one, but I'm not stressing out. Most Wiis seem to end up on eBay here anyway and you won't find any under 399€ (opposed to the regular price of 249€). Some even go up to 500€. (100€ are approx. 132$)
I'll just play it as cool as I can and wait until after Christmas, although shops have been announcing that they won't get new Wiis before January.

[Astartus]

Must...get...Rayman...plus ..more..Wiimotes

Rayman Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB9Ru6vf0RU&eurl=)

Poison, should I hold out an eye ony Wii's in the outback stores?

[The Mystic]

I just got Rayman a couple days ago. I was a little disappointed with the number of mini-games, but there's enough fun in it. With the games, often there will be one that is the same as another but just has a new element thrown in, and it's counted as a new game. For example they showed the cow milking one: there's the first one where you just pump your hands, then there is a second where you pump your hands then have to point and press A when the bucket fills to dump it... and that's counted as a "different" mini-game. Also those music ones (which are addictive to me), there's only 6 or 7 songs and each has an easy mode and a harder mode, but that counts as about 15 of those "70+" advertised mini-games.

[Poison]

Thanks, Ast, but I think it'd end up being pretty expenssive sending a Wii around.
Considering mini games, I'd keep my eyes on Wario Wares. Great stuff there.

[Poison]

I'm really considering getting this strap (once I got my Wii...)

http://www.infinitpower.com/phpbb/album_pic.php?pic_id=198&sid=a57353e1ec6f431222754ef20220e672

[Meltman]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/12/15 :chuckle:

[Moon Jump]

ROFFLECOPTERS!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PkRDYDdy5s)

[Valcarde]

I just got Rayman a couple days ago. I was a little disappointed with the number of mini-games, but there's enough fun in it. With the games, often there will be one that is the same as another but just has a new element thrown in, and it's counted as a new game. For example they showed the cow milking one: there's the first one where you just pump your hands, then there is a second where you pump your hands then have to point and press A when the bucket fills to dump it... and that's counted as a "different" mini-game. Also those music ones (which are addictive to me), there's only 6 or 7 songs and each has an easy mode and a harder mode, but that counts as about 15 of those "70+" advertised mini-games.

Eh...
I have the PS2 version of Rabbids (Roomate gave it to me for Xmas as I wouldn't stop playing the 'YAAHHHHHH' sound off the website for a while.. thsoe bunnies crack me up!) I'm enjoying the game thoroughly. Only games I have a problem with are the ones where you have to move the left and right sticks up and down in opposite time to each other to get good speed...

And the 'DDR" minigame rules. >_>

[Black Razor]

Zelda is my current addiction ... its passing the time till the 18th (when I get wings for Morrigan who I really want to play) nicely.

[Astartus]

Zelda is my current addiction ... its passing the time till the 18th (when I get wings for Morrigan who I really want to play) nicely.

So you say that you also have a Wii? Or do oyu have the GameCube version?

[Poison]

If you have a Wii, post your Wii friend code in this thread, BR:
http://www.cohguru.com/forum/showthread.php?p=198745

[Valcarde]

As far as Rayman: Raving Rabids is concerned..

Bunnies are a little bit metal. (http://www.airmusic.eu/?q=audio/download/1807/Dark+Iron+-+Rayman+4+-+Dark+Iron+Bunnies.mp3)

[NibblerJr]

Woke up at 5 today to get a Wii at Best Buy.


Didn't get one.

[Istasi]

Got a Wii as an early Christmas present.

Within four hours of getting it, I managed to slam my hand into the stone wall while playing tennis, knocked my brother over while boxing, and, here's the kicker, broke one of the wiimotes while bowling. As I swung forward, the tip of the wiimote nailed my cell phone which was resting in my pocket. Cell phone is fine, but the wiimote only senses 2-dimensional movement, nothing towards and away from the TV.

Also got the dreaded 110213 error when I attempted to hit up WiiConnect24, so I'll get the unit replaced eventually, but I really don't feel like dealing with it until after Christmas.

[PawnOfFate]

Wow, Istasi... you know they were serious on the warning about not having people or objects nearby?

:-D

[Moon Jump]

Also got the dreaded 110213 error when I attempted to hit up WiiConnect24, so I'll get the unit replaced eventually, but I really don't feel like dealing with it until after Christmas.

Let them know ASAP. They will send you out a brand new Wii next day air. My friend's system had that problem and they shipped it out the next day. You just put the old broken Wii into the box and ship it off.

Please know you can't take any saved data with you from Wii to Wii, even if you have a memory stick.

[NibblerJr]

Well that's great, none of the Best Buys are sure if they're getting a shipment in tommorow...*sigh*

[PawnOfFate]

I just got my Forecast and Internet channels. Yay!

[Krypto]

Please know you can't take any saved data with you from Wii to Wii, even if you have a memory stick.

Why not?

[Moon Jump]

Beats the hell outa me. My friend had to stop playing Zelda and load up some mii's onto his Controller because he couldn't transfer them.

In other news of coolness...

Wii! In theaters, NOW!

Wii Sports in a Movie Theater! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzfJUHVrWhshttp://)

[Valcarde]

<--------- You have that yet, MJ?




-And Stuff

[Moon Jump]

I picked up Raving Rabbids when I got the system. When they first had the game to try at Nintendo World I got the store record on the cow toss game.

I really like the minigames. It sucks that some just done work. Bunnies are Hartless to pigs is a pain in the add and I can NEVER PASS IT!!

Can't wait for Christmas when I get my extra controller so I can play it with my niece.

[Valcarde]

I have the PS2 version. It seems like they fixed the bugs in the Wii version when they made the PS2 version. For instance, the bug with 'Bunnies have natural rythm' isn't in game, and everything seems to be working okay.

Thus far, I'm enjoying the DDR-themed games the most. That and the 'bunnies rarely leave their burrows'. My girlfriend adores Super-Bunny.

[Poison]

I got the Wii internet yesterday, too.
And I made my Wii crash. Wanna see? Visit www.cuteoverload.com...

[Cold Quake]

This post brought to you by the Wii Internet Channel. :p

[Astartus]

More stuff to overload your Wii: http://www.wiikitty.com/

edit: So Quake, you also have a Wii, or what? Why don't you post your code on the other thread then? I have only filled up my adressbook by 7 pages, 13 more pages need to be filled.

[Cold Quake]

I'll post it soon (hopefully with a reliable connection to go along with it).

[Solario]

The little sons of wiitches only sent 1400 to the country, despite initially being promised 6000, so I won't have one for quite some time. Which sort of sucks because my mom already bought me Red Steel.

[Tarkenchi]

I cant find a Wii anywhere it appears, Oh well. Guess California eats wii's, kinda hoping the demand will drop after Christmas so i can snag one :)

[The Icy One]

I really need a wireless router.

[Astartus]

The little sons of wiitches only sent 1400 to the country, despite initially being promised 6000, so I won't have one for quite some time. Which sort of sucks because my mom already bought me Red Steel.

If you are close to the German border, maybe try to get a german wii. The handbooks and instructions are multi-lingual, and the wii system can be set to every european language. As it seems the Wii might be in stock in many tech stores (Media Markt and Saturn)

[Solario]

I thought about it, but it's still a four hour drive and boat trip. Which is sort of unconvinient for someone who doesn't have a license.

[Astartus]

That's why I said if your close to the border. But a 4 hour drive sucks. But I will keep my eyes open around here, maybe I find some boxes and we can make a deal or so (but I won't promise).

[Solario]

It's cool, they'll hopefully getting some new ones soon. Thanks though!

[NibblerJr]

I cant find a Wii anywhere it appears, Oh well. Guess California eats wii's, kinda hoping the demand will drop after Christmas so i can snag one :)


Tell me about it. I don't think ANY Wii's have gotten on the shelves in the US...

I'm camping out next opportunity I can get. My mom's paying for it as my christmas present. :D

[NibblerJr]

Got my Wii. :) Posting from it now.

[Astartus]

Congratulation and welcome to the wonderful world of Wii.

Don't forget to post your Wii-Friend code in the Wii Friend Code Thread (http://www.cohguru.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8631)

Wii will rule the world!

[Istasi]

Well my replacement Wii (first one neutered by the 110213 error) is coming on Tuesday. Hoo-ah.

[iggy880]

I played a Wii tonight(babysitting, and I made $50 at the same time, woot) anyways, it was like playing Gears of War and Viva Pinata for the first time, and dare I say your first Gears curb stomp? Anyways, that was at least for most of the time, and the rest was still amazing. I only played Rayman Raving Rabbids and some Wii sports, and while I sucked at most of the sports(except boxing) I think that Rayman is one of the greatest games ever, I mean some were hard or dull, but so many of those mini games are beyond classic....anyways, that is about it....thought I should share.

[Moon Jump]

Mother doesn't wear her Wii-Mote Strap, hits uncle's arm, hilarity ensues. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjtUAgbTv4Y)

[Astartus]

Man, I can't stop playing zelda. This game so damn cool.

This week there is some "20% discount" event in many stores in germany, but sadly, all the big ones don't have good Wii games. Just the stupid movie-licence shit. This really sucks

[Poison]

Zelda is indeed awesome. I have collected all bugs, but only 38 Poes... :( And I just found the last owl statue (not wanting to give too much away).

[Kid Ferret_]

Finally got my Wii today, and I love it. Get to finally play those two Wii games I got for Christmas!

*joins the Wii-dom*

[Poison]

Post your Wii friend code! Add all of us! Send us your Mii!

[Gold Rush]

Okay, Silly question, but I "heard" there was a Virus or danger with the firmware or somesuch that can shut down a Wii. Anyone had any problems with their Wii connecting to the Internet lately?

I am expecting (and hoping) for a resounding "no". So I can send you folks my Wii code as well. :D

==================================================

Gold Rush

[Poison]

Nope, nothing here.

[Astartus]

I haven't had any such issues yet. The only things I have encountered so far was a unresponding Wiimote (which happens from time to time) or a game not loading properly. but all these errors could simply be fixed with cutting the power suply for some seconds.

I also haven't heard of any viruses yet, but this might be a problem in the future. But currently I just wait patiently for "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past" for the Virtual Console to come out in Germany.

[PawnOfFate]

No problems here... I've downloaded 3 Virtual Console games... have my Mii on "mingle" and even send emails to people :)

((Oh, and you can totally look at porn in the Internet channel... not that I've done such a thing...:P))

[Moon Jump]

The "Virus" your talking about is a problem with some Wii's, my friend had the problem.

When you go to run the updater, you will get an error and you won't be able to connect to the internet to send mail, use the shop channel, ect. This is a problem in a few scattered Wii's, but I think they have been getting down to it.

If you have this problem, you have to call up Nintendo and they'll send you a brand new Wii and you just put your old on in the box and send it out. What sucks is you can't transfer your saved data.

(didn't I mention this before?)

[Astartus]

Check out this awesome mod: multicolored player indicators (http://www.wiimotemods.com/wiimote-led-mod/) and illuminated A-Button (http://www.wiimotemods.com/wiimote-a-button-backlight/).

Sounds easy to do, and isn't that expensive (except maybe shipping for me poor european).

maybe I'll try my hand on this one, as it really looks great.