By Kyle Wilson, '07 | Entertainment Editor

Individual Studies major James Estus tries out the Wii game system. The system is a revolutionary console game play because it can mimic the player’s motions in a variety of games.

Photo by Bryce Stone, '07

Do you like to play video games? If so, go buy a Nintendo Wii right now. Conversely, do you not play video games? If not, go buy a Nintendo Wii right now.

Put simply, the Wii is the thing that you, your mom, you dad, your brother, your sister, and even your crazy uncle who lives in that shed will love to play. It has a wide selection of games, guaranteeing that there is something for everyone. It is easy to pick up and play, some games seemingly tailor made for people who don’t play video games. And for all of the people who have, let’s say, less than ample cash flow, it is a very affordable piece of hardware.

However, what is it that makes it so versatile an entertainment product? Well, for one thing, it does away with the classic controller model. No longer are the actions played out on the screen dictated by a complex series of button presses and thumbstick maneuvers. Instead, Nintendo has opted to give the Wii a wholly new and revolutionary game play style: motion sensitive gaming. The Wii remote, or Wii-mote if you will, tracks arm movement through a sensor bar that you place above or below the TV.

Now, what exactly does this mean in terms of game play? As presented in the pack in game Wii Sports, it offers a brand new style of home video game experience. By swinging your arm like a tennis racket, you can hit the ball on screen. Pitch overhand or underhand in a baseball game. Sink a putt for the win in the privacy of your living room. Try and pick up a strike to make up for that embarrassing gutter ball. Or, using the numcuck Wii-mote attachment, you can lace up your gloves and box your friends, throwing jabs and uppercuts like the best.

Along with fantastic control features, the Wii has a robust set of extras. For one, it is the first Nintendo console to support online game play. Although, to be fair, there are no online compatible games yet, but hopefully there should be some by the end of the year. There is also the unique Forecast, News and Internet Channels, where you can get up to date information on weather, news, and the world around you.

So, basically, you never have to go outside again.

There is also the Virtual Console system, which allows users to download select games from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis and Turbografx-16 from anywhere between five and ten dollars a pop.

And speaking of prices, this should really please you frugal readers. The Wii costs $250. In comparison, the Xbox 360 costs $300 for the Core version and $400 for the Premium version, while the PlayStation 3 costs $500 for the Basic version and a whopping five hundred and ninety nine dollars US for the Premium version. Also, the games in general will be ten dollars cheaper than games for the other two systems, clocking in at around $50.

This all adds up to perhaps the most fun experience I’ve had with a video game in a very long time. Despite the fact that I can control gun and sword movements with a flick of the wrist, despite the fact that I can download Bonk’s Adventure onto my Wii, despite that fact that I won’t break the bank on the machine, one thing above all stands out as a reason that I should recommend it. On New Year’s Eve, my dad and I played a video game with each other for the first time since Bomberman on the original Nintendo console. Watching him bowl the virtual bowling ball and putt the virtual golf ball, it just put a smile on my face. And that is the main reason to get the Wii.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to practice my golf swing.