Nintendo has had a place in my heart since receiving the NES for Christmas as a child. Fast-forward to 2006, and I couldn’t help but be amazed at the innovative Nintendo Wii system. Yes, it’s been over 15 years since the system first found its way into homes worldwide, but I’m still playing it regularly and won’t stop anytime soon.
Still Relevant Even Today
Gaming consoles have come a long way. But, the Wii was so different than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Instead of focusing on hardcore gamers, Nintendo took a new approach: casual gamers and families. Suddenly, this was a system everyone of all ages could sit or stand up and play.
By focusing on a such a larger market, people who had never played video games before were suddenly excited to battle it out with friends and family over a game of Wii Sports.
Other systems have tried to mimic the Wii controllers, giving players a wireless way to control games, simply by moving around. Instead of just sitting, it felt more like actually swinging a golf club, hitting a baseball, or dancing to a favorite song.
Sure, the Wii U and Nintendo Switch have released since then. But let’s just agree to skip the Wii U. The Switch, which I also own, is amazing, but it feels much like a more compact Wii, with some upgrades, versus a complete replacement.
Good to know: the Sony PlayStation 5 is one of the best modern gaming consoles.
Wii Sports Can’t Be Beat
Like millions of others, I couldn’t find a Nintendo Wii for months. I was still on the fence about buying one until two things happened. First, I played Guitar Hero on Xbox 360 with a friend. Second, I tried out Wii Sports at a local Best Buy. I needed a Wii.
I had never played a video game that was so interactive. Instead of just sitting on my butt controlling a character, I was the character. I was up moving around, pitching balls, bowling, boxing like the most incompetent Rocky ever. Even my parents, who hadn’t played video games in years, were hooked as well.
Personally, I had never seen a gaming console bring people together so much. Unique controllers that were surprisingly accurate, an affordable price, and Wii Sports all made the Wii the most impressive system of the time.
Sure, it wasn’t perfect and had glitches, but so does every gaming console. But the collection of party, sports, and dance games that get people up and moving made this unassuming system a mass market success. I still have mine set up in my entertainment center to play anytime I need a laugh and stress relief.
Yes, I thoroughly enjoy my Nintendo Switch, but some of the Wii games are still better. And yes, Wii Sports blows Switch Sports out of the water.
Can’t stop playing? find out about more than a dozen retro gaming consoles to explore.
Pick Up and Play With Ease
I’m not a hardcore gamer. You won’t find me with an endless collection of first-person shooters, strategy games, or in-depth RPGs. Instead, I want something I can pick up and play in minutes. I don’t always have time to spend hours gaming. With the Wii, I can shoot arrows at a target, learn some dance steps, paddle a canoe, race around, and even become some of my favorite Mario characters for 5 to 10 minutes at a time.
I love that even classic games like Zelda got in on the Wii controller fun. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword had you swinging the controller, versus just pushing a button to swing a sword.
I think that’s why the Nintendo Switch is so popular. It’s brought back the joy of the Wii for those who never got to own a Wii, or their system just wore out. With any luck, my Nintendo Wii will last for years to come, or at least until I finally master a perfect 300 in Wii Bowling.
Playing for Fun
If you can’t find a Wii for sale, the Nintendo Switch is the next best thing. Start with some of the best overall Switch games, or try these Switch apps instead. You can even stick with just Mario games. If you just love retro gaming in general, try these retro gaming emulators for Linux.
All screenshots and images by Crystal Crowder.
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