Nintendo Wii - Ongoing question thread

[Ziggy]

Personally, I'd skip Mario Galaxy 1 and Goldeneye. Galaxy 2 is just a lot better than Galaxy 1, though Galaxy 1 is only 20 bucks new. Goldeneye I thought was just horrible to be honest (no offense to who ever suggested it). Bad controls, no vision, nothing unique about it. If I'm going to play a shooter on the Wii, it'll probably be a railshooter like Dead Space and what not.

I'll agree with you that Galaxy 2 is better than 1, but I don't think you should skip 1. The first one is still a GREAT game, 2 just improved on it. I suggest playing the first one first.

That was me that suggested Goldeneye. Bad controls? What controller did you use for it? If you used anything other than the Classic Controller Pro, I can see why you'd say that. If you were using the CCP, I'll have to disagree with you. The controls were great.

The game is about $20 new on Amazon right now, $37 bundled with the (gold) Classic Controller Pro. Figure the CCP is about $20 by itself, that would mean getting the game for only $17. A bargain if you ask me. And of course, the game could be scored for much less used. Well worth the price of admission, even if it isn't the best game ever.

I will agree with you about Xenoblade's price, I'd have a hard time spending $100 on any game. But seriously, you were let down by the game's graphics? What? Remember, this is a Wii game. This was some of the best graphics we've seen on the Wii. And I definitely disagree that it has a lack of detail. There's a great deal of detail, and the draw distance is fantastic.

[Violent By Design]

I'll agree with you that Galaxy 2 is better than 1, but I don't think you should skip 1. The first one is still a GREAT game, 2 just improved on it. I suggest playing the first one first.

That's the problem, I don't think Galaxy 1 is really a great game. It's fun enough, and I should take back my statement of skipping it. I don't think you should skip Galaxy 1, but I don't see it as a must play. Galaxy 1 is like a 7/10 game to me, while Galaxy 2 would be 10/10 to shed a bit of where I'm coming from.

That was me that suggested Goldeneye. Bad controls? What controller did you use for it? If you used anything other than the Classic Controller Pro, I can see why you'd say that. If you were using the CCP, I'll have to disagree with you. The controls were great.

I played it with the Wii Mote (and I think the Nunchuck), it wasn't good times .
T

I will agree with you about Xenoblade's price, I'd have a hard time spending $100 on any game. But seriously, you were let down by the game's graphics? What? Remember, this is a Wii game. This was some of the best graphics we've seen on the Wii. And I definitely disagree that it has a lack of detail. There's a great deal of detail, and the draw distance is fantastic.

I don't see anything special about its graphics. I think people are just taking back by its open world. Like the same people who say GTA and Skyrim have great graphics when they're not all that fantastic. And yes, I am rating Xenoblades looks as a Wii game, and I still think Skyward Sword looks a lot better.

[Ziggy]

I played it with the Wii Mote (and I think the Nunchuck), it wasn't good times .

Ah, well that's where your problem was. Use the Classic Controller Pro, there's a reason they packaged the game packaged with one.

The original Classic Controller doesn't work very well because of the shoulder button placements. The GCN controller would probably work just as well as the CCP, if you like the GCN controller, save for the fact that it doesn't have enough buttons. You have to hold down a button to change the function of another button. This is too confusing for me.

If you must use the mote+chuck, check out this post for some tips, but I still recommend the CCP.

I don't see anything special about its graphics. I think people are just taking back by its open world. Like the same people who say GTA and Skyrim have great graphics when they're not all that fantastic. And yes, I am rating Xenoblades looks as a Wii game, and I still think Skyward Sword looks a lot better.

Well, I thought the scenery was amazing. Lots of areas with vivid coloring, huge open areas with grass the blows in the wind, amazing draw distance. I'm pretty sure they pushed the limits of what the Wii could do.

I haven't played Skyward Sword yet, although I own it. I actually wanted to play the game badly because of all the screen shots I've seen, the game looks beautiful. The Mario Galaxy games have some of the best Wii graphics, out of the games I have played thus far, but I don't think it'd be fair to compare to Xenoblade since one is going for realism while the other is more cartoonish.

[CRTGAMER]

Is it alright to put the Wii on it's side?

"On its side" as in lying flat horizontally? Yes. And in fact, it might be better to use it this way, as is always the debate with consoles that can be oriented vertically or horizontally.

If so, is there a particular side that's better to put it on?

Yes, the "bottom" of the Wii has four rubber feet. They designed it so that it could be either vertical or horizontal. Lying horizontally, the GCN ports should be on the left side. Looking at the front, the disc slot should be above the power, reset and eject buttons. This is the correct way to orient the console, otherwise the discs will be upside down and you don't want that.

And last, well, any general advice you can think of that you thinks important? Or perhaps and games for the Wii that you think are must plays?

The first thing you should do is get the console online and up to date. I don't know what firmware version came on that model Wii, and it's possible that the user never went online with it. Nintendo has already shut down some Wii services, unfortunately.

All great points! Based on the newer the WiiU default position of sitting flat, maybe the disc reader might last longer in the Wii with the disc in that "natural flat" position? It does make sense since the disc would be evenly weighted flat in the motor hub holder, though centrifugal force of the spinning disc might make this less an issue.

Definitely download all you can while it is still availabe. Opera Internet Browser, any Streaming Video Players and all the free Game Demos. As for games, everyone has their favorites, but load up on these while they are available and cheap. I posted a Wii Thread that might give you insight on some games with undocumented control features.

Wii Guide - http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 63#p418963

[pierrot]

Xenoblade is my least favorite Xeno game story/plot wise, but it was a blast for 80 some hours and has the best JRPG OST I've heard since the SNES/PSX era, hands down. Not even close on that one.

Breath of Fire V, Dragon Quest VIII, Suikoden III, Napple Tale, Elemental Gimmick Gear, Skies of Arcadia, 3D Dot Game Heroes.

[Ziggy]

AH! I forgot about the music in Xenoblade. I love the music, and some of it is now stuck in my head.

[Xeogred]

Xenoblade is my least favorite Xeno game story/plot wise, but it was a blast for 80 some hours and has the best JRPG OST I've heard since the SNES/PSX era, hands down. Not even close on that one.

Breath of Fire V, Dragon Quest VIII, Suikoden III, Napple Tale, Elemental Gimmick Gear, Skies of Arcadia, 3D Dot Game Heroes.

Amazing, but... Mechonis Field just can't be beat for me.

[CavZee]

I loved Xenoblade's music as well. I'm certainly glad I got my copy for $50 when it came out, but I would easily understand if anybody didn't want to pay $80+ for a copy of their own. It is a great game and in my eyes the best console JRPG of the past couple years.

[pierrot]

Xenoblade is my least favorite Xeno game story/plot wise, but it was a blast for 80 some hours and has the best JRPG OST I've heard since the SNES/PSX era, hands down. Not even close on that one.

Breath of Fire V, Dragon Quest VIII, Suikoden III, Napple Tale, Elemental Gimmick Gear, Skies of Arcadia, 3D Dot Game Heroes.

Amazing, but... Mechonis Field just can't be beat for me.

I won't argue that the music in Xenoblade isn't good, although I don't prefer it. (I actually only like the first minute or so of the one you linked because it uses that modal interchange for verse/chorus transitions the way a lot of really crappy J-pop does. I really hate those constructions.) It is generally well done though.

I just think you may have been underselling the scores to other RPGs of the sixth and seventh gen, and overselling the Xenoblade soundtrack, along with the music from SNES RPGs.

@OP - I'm going to agree with others that say Xenoblade isn't worth it. Wait a few years to see if it's going to continue to go crazy, and if it does, then reevaluate. Maybe mod your system. It's simplified to the point where a monkey could do it now. By that time, Wii consoles should be in overabundant supply, anyway, on the off chance you happened to brick yours.

[k.vlaros]

I haven't been posting on Racketboy for a year or so because I've been too busy playing my Wii. I play Wii... well, a lot. As for the orientation, I'm fairly sure that sitting horizontal is the better option, despite the fact that they marketed it with a stand. I think they knew that the cooling was better when sitting horizontal but that the vertical orientation helped the Wii stand out from older consoles and look unique and fresh. All the while an engineer at Nintendo was sweating bullets about an extra 3 C average temp in the vertical position.

I finally beat Xenoblade last month (had it preordered and bought day one) last month with a 99 hour save file. It's a stunningly deep game with a few rough edges but basically it's awesome. My biggest critique would probably the the anime-ish characters. No one can say value for another person, but speaking for myself, knowing what I know now, I would certainly pay the ~$120 for a mint CIB copy. I'd also suggest New Play Control Pikmin, Metriod Trilogy if you can afford it or Metroid 3 if not, New Super Mario Bros and Rhythm Heaven (plus dozens more but as was said, there are such threads already ad infinitum). Plus make sure you're on a component cable if your TV supports it (and set your Wii to 480p if so).