Forget relaxation, Norwegian Cruise Line offers up big screen Wii play

If you've been attempting to break into your local multiplex after hours ever since you saw that original Wii-in-a-theater video, here's something that could help put on the right side of the law, while still satisfying those big screen urges. Norwegian Cruise Line has outfitted its newest ship and its whole NCL America fleet with Wii systems galore, including setups for the kids, various public rooms, and that uber-screen in the atrium pictured above. The cruise line will offer up tournaments and other activities, and also says that "Cheering, yelling and high-fives will be highly encouraged." Pah, as if we needed the company of others to enjoy all that glorious square footage.

[TJ @ Mar 30th 2007 3:16PM]

damn, thats a big screen. The only problem is most people will see you get owned by an 8 year old girl. :D

[TheCount @ Mar 30th 2007 3:20PM]

You guys do realize that is a mock up, right?

[kingofwale @ Mar 30th 2007 3:26PM]

isn't it just everybody dream to look like an idiot in front the whole cruise? :D

blowing picture up to giant screen, that's what Wii's build for, using every bit of that 480P graphic output.

[Brent @ Mar 30th 2007 3:28PM]

480p at that screen size is gonna look really crappy.

But I guess cruises are filled with old people, and their vision often isn't that great, so maybe nobody will care.

[McGinley @ Mar 30th 2007 3:33PM]

To use a big screen easily for point and shoot games you'd need to be really far away,which would kinda defeat the purpose of having such a big screen.

But otherwise it'd be fun,if you can deal with the massive pixels.People on cruises probably wouldnt care about the pixelation anyway.

[Farris @ Mar 30th 2007 3:35PM]

Don't get me wrong, I love my Wii, but I have two concerns:

1st... wouldn't the pixels be enormous on the big-screen version?

2nd... where did they get all the danged Wiis, Wiimotes and Nunchucks??? I've been trying to find them for (what seems like) ages!

[dcdivenut @ Mar 30th 2007 11:12PM]

1. Yes, but I don't think that is the point...
2. Business to business purchasing. It is what happens when the CEO of one company gets an idea and calls the CEO of another company.

[Aaron @ Mar 30th 2007 4:49PM]

Hey Farris, I have an extra Wiimote if you want one. Bought a spare but haven't even cracked it open yet.

[7of7 @ Mar 30th 2007 4:02PM]

The Wii is pixelated on a normal TV. I can't imagine how crappy it'd look on a big screen. Combine that with the awkward controls and this is a certain stinker of a plan. Stick with shuffleboard.

[Ray-- @ Mar 30th 2007 4:07PM]

i hope the WiiBar is in the "below the screen" position! lol

[Aaron Rooney @ Mar 30th 2007 4:17PM]

Let me add that it actually did not look bad at all on the huge screen.

[Aaron Rooney @ Mar 30th 2007 4:17PM]

This is NOT a mockup. I was on an NCL cruise 2 weeks ago (NCL Pearl) and saw this. Not many people around playing it though. There are better things to do on the boat.

[Steve at UF @ Mar 30th 2007 4:18PM]

Went on the amazing Pearl 2 weeks ago for spring break! AMAZING!
We actually played in the Wii tournament. However, it was right after we got back on the boat from Cozumel. Too drunk to notice any pixels... or remember too much of what happened. People really got into it though, and the projection screen was HUGE!

[Rat Bastard @ Mar 30th 2007 4:37PM]

Am I the only one that think that looks like a screencap from the Sims? That seated guy is missing his yellow diamond indicating his boredom...

[appleFanboy @ Mar 30th 2007 5:31PM]

I have my Wii hooked up to my 480p projector and it looks great. Its not hi-res, but it is the same as watching any DVD on a big screen.

[jamie martin @ Mar 30th 2007 5:51PM]

nor-wii-gian?

anybody? anybody?

[August @ Mar 30th 2007 6:15PM]

Haha lovin' it!

[GalaXy @ Mar 30th 2007 6:22PM]

Awesome!

[Eric @ Mar 30th 2007 6:12PM]

I was just waiting on public Wii activities. I'm still waiting on the bar with a Wii in it. Hours of drunken fun. It would work...maybe I'll pitch the idea to some local sports bars. Better than boring trivia and pac-man.

[GalaXy @ Mar 30th 2007 6:22PM]

That would be, by far the best and worst idea ever. Regardless, I'd go to those bars.

[GalaXy @ Mar 30th 2007 6:21PM]

I've been anti-cruise for as long as I can remember. I say get me there as fast as possible, but for this, and I mean this alone, I will cruise, to anywhere.

This is amazing. Although, considering it is Norwegian, right in the middle of a Wii bowling tournament, a tidal wave will destroy the motion sensors.

[sleepingwideawake @ Mar 30th 2007 5:44PM]

my parents are goings on that cruise then when they come back they are gonna either kick me out or abondon me

[Harry K @ Mar 30th 2007 7:59PM]

we used to play dreamcast on a screen that big yeah you notice the pixels here and there but you aren't looking for plasma quality its all about playing on the big screen

[drumr @ Apr 1st 2007 1:21AM]

I had a rough experience with Norwegian Cruise Lines a few years back, it was an old 20 year boat (relatively small compared to today's liners) and there was a storm in the gulf of mexico... it was a horrible experience...

i'm sure the Wii would make motion sickness worse too, anyone think so...

say your playing a time mashing game like Rayman, or Guitar Hero (I wish)... seizures anyone?

it's good NCL took the Norwegian Sea off of cruising... they did us all a favor... ohh and 1up for the Wiintegration.

[Aaron @ Apr 1st 2007 10:56PM]

I *just* got off the Pearl on Friday from a 5-day cruise. I did see the Wii bowling on the activity list, but unfortunately I didn't have a chance to actually get there to see it 'live'. That screen is two decks high (7+8). That's exactly where it is situated, that's Mambo's (tex-mex) on the top there, and some kind of I think champagne bar on the bottom that they cleared out the chairs for this. I think they only ran the wii bowling once though, the rest of the time that area is a bar / common area) and not open space.