WiiSports
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Connecticut hospital jumps on the Wii rehab bandwagon
The mass appeal of the Wii is something we, as well as you, fine reader (seriously, you look good, are you using a new shampoo?) know full well. Retirement communities, rehabilitation centers and now, even some gyms are utilizing it. Heck, we wouldn't be surprised if the console one day cured cancer on its own (probably using Wii Sports).The latest center to take part in the phenomenon is none other than Bridgeport Hospital's Ahlbin Centers Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. There, stroke victim Barbara Everlith is enjoying the wonders of the console, taking part in Wii Sports: Tennis and finding a new and exciting treatment option. Why, in the six weeks since beginning the program, her therapist Courtney Benedetto has said that Barbara has already gained some movement in her left hand. And, it's all thanks to the Wii.[Via Tech.Blorge]
Another retirement community celebrates gaming with Wii
You know full well that senior citizens have been getting their game on with the Wii like crazy folk. Now, at the Briton House Retirement Residence, a short workshop was conducted so that seniors in the retirement community could learn more about the Wii and its health benefits, hopefully putting to rest any apprehensions or apathy these seniors might have had towards not only the Wii, but gaming in general. For some, it seems to have worked.Barbara Foley, 85 years young, says her grand kids all play and often exclaim that it isn't difficult at all. She remained skeptical and decided not to indulge, only later realizing her mistake when the opportunity to play arose at Briton. "I liked it," she exclaimed immediately after playing, further adding "Kids today really know something."Oh, you have no idea the things we know ...
Wii Sports still fun even with Wiimote jackets
NEWS FLASH: Nintendo's hit minigame collection Wii Sports can still be played, even after the addition of a squishy silicone sleeve to the Wii Remote. That's the message that Nintendo hopes to get out with these new videos, which depict normal, everyday families and friends enjoying Wii Sports. The three videos (the top three on the list, with the "new" labels) are all captioned with "Played using the Wii Remote jacket."We know we were worried that making the Wiimote more comfortable to hold would ruin our baseball swing, but this is apparently not the case! We're happy to spread the cheerful news that the remote jacket in no way seems to hamper the ability of these Wii fans to bowl, box, or be shrill.[Via NeoGAF]
Final game of Erickson Sports' Wii Bowling Championship
All good things must eventually come to an end, and with that we bring the final game in the Erickson Sports' Wii Bowling Championship. Following the results of game one and game two, everything was on the line here in game three. And, the results of the final game might surprise you.Congrats to the winners![Thanks Zach!]
New Wii boxes trumpet Wii Sports, hide jackets
A GoNintendo reader who is either a retail employee or a delivery truck robber snapped this picture of the box for the new jacket-included Wii package. On the front, it looks exactly like the old Wii box, which is somewhat of a surprise. Since Nintendo wants so badly for us to use the jackets, we assumed that every Nintendo promotional photo would show a jacketed Wiimote. Nintendo seems to have recognized the importance of their iconic Wiimote design, and put it over the potential danger of suggesting that a Wiimote could ever be used sans jacket. Speaking of iconic, the back of the box (well, we guess it's the back) has been refocused, removing the Wiimote picture (which is, in fact, already totally covered on the other side) and replacing it with a Wii Sports logo and some little screenshots in circles. Just to make sure that everyone knows that Wii Sports is in there. Could this be a precursor to future Wii packages that reflect different included games in their package designs? Probably not-- this is just Nintendo making sure the Wii Sports presence on the package is as big as possible (while still counting as minimalist).
Wii popularity bubble about to burst?
Japanese business paper The Nikkei recently published a piece titled Software Houses Miscalculate Audience, Demand For Wii, wherein author Tomoyuki Kawai cites that many inside sources are not looking to the Wii with such a favorable eye any longer. The big worry is that all of this success the Wii has had has only benefited Nintendo and them alone, with many third-party developers jumping on board only to be left with titles on their hands that failed to sell. It's these development studios that are supposedly not profiting compared to their previous year earnings, the result being a lack of support for the console and no desire to commit to it in the future.The piece goes on to say that a lot of the Wiis picked up by consumers have only started to gather dust (it's unconfirmed if this is the same report we've posted about here earlier).
Wii invades another sitcom
It seems the Wii is the hip new thing for sitcom characters. Actually, the Wii is the hip new thing period, so we guess its latest appearance on CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother is appropriate. And, for two men engaged in the heat of battle to choose an evening of Wii over the adventures that wait in the outside world is something we can identify with. [Via Go Nintendo]
Game 2 of the Erickson Sports Nintendo Wii Bowling Championship
If you caught the first game, then you know what to expect from this video: more senior citizens in he bowling match of their lives. At least, that's how they treat it, as many teams across this great nation throw down for the ultimate prize of glory and respect. There is one thing we can definitely say about a lot of these bowlers, though. They would probably stomp us in some Wii Sports: Bowling.[Thanks, Zach!]
Even Cavemen dig the Wii
You know, we were pretty much dead set on this show being absolute garbage the first time we had seen advertisements. Apparently, it isn't half bad though, because the writers of the show were smart enough to include the best gaming system ever into the show. While we'd probably be more concerned with these prehistoric trio's brain age, we'll settle for their bowling average instead.And, just for the record, there's only one caveman that deserved his own show. We present proof after the break.
Senior citizens see who's the best of the best in Wii Sports: Bowling [update 1]
We love to see people, regardless of their age, enjoy gaming. We even love the spirit of competition. Heck, we love lots of things these days. So, with that in mind, we bring forth this video of the first game being played in the First Annual Erickson Sports Nintendo Wii Bowling Championship. And, like any kind of championship, we're impressed by the presentation of it all. Oh, one other thing: don't mess with Charlie "The Hook" Dierbach. That man looks like he's liable to mess you up.You got served!Update: Wow, me am not good at grammar. Sorry for the mistake in the headline, all is fixed thanks to the keen eye of Miranda.[Thanks, Zach!]
A Mii of a moral dilemma
We're not much for checking out content that isn't directly related to gaming. That's why we're delighted to bring you some content that kind of directly links to gaming, but not so much. A unique comedy program created by two friends, it's got its head in the right place if it has an episode that focuses on the Wii, Oh, and the other shorts were pretty funny, as well.Keep in mind though, they can be NSFW.[Thanks, Sean!]
Wii Sports tops 2007 BAFTA nominees
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced the nominees for its 2007 Video Game Awards. Topping the list with most nominations is Wii Sports with seven, including the Innovation and Best Game categories. There is four-way tie for second most nominations, with Crackdown, Gears of War, Okami and God of War 2 having five nominations apiece.Other best game nominees include BioShock, Crysis, Gears of War, Guitar Hero II and Kane & Lynch. Of those, two titles haven't yet been released. If Crysis and Kane & Lynch somehow get delayed until 2008, will be the eligible for next year's awards, too?There are 15 categories, including Artistic Achievement and Best Story/Characters. Winners will be announced October 23; you can view the full list after the break.
BAFTA noms: battle of the biggies
A number of Wii games are going up against some of the industry's biggest contenders in this year's BAFTA awards. It should make for an interesting award session, because while the Wii is dominating console sales (along with the DS), many people see games like Gears of War as greater achievements. Despite that, Wii Sports leads the pack of nominations, having picked up the greatest number of nominations; the pack-in boasts nods in seven categories, including Gameplay and Multiplayer.It's not the only Wii title to pick up recognition, however; The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Trauma Center: Second Opinion are up for awards, along with a few other games. Check out the full list of nominations after the jump.
Dennis Dyack wonders where Wii will be years from now
A lot of the industry folk are concerned with the longevity of the Wii, the latest of which is Silicon Knights' Dennis Dyack. He understands the console is popular right now, thinks it's hip, but wonders if the system can keep it up in the long run. Dyack seems to think the platform isn't capable of providing deep, rich experiences. We guess he didn't get to try Metroid Prime 3 yet.But, even if the console only provides Wii Sports-like experiences, if it sells well, is that really a problem? We may not like it in quantity, as we're more than happy to sit down (or stand up, rather) every now and then and throw down in Wii Sports, but overall want more meaningful experiences from the system. But, if we're not happy and a billion grandparents are picking up the system for Wii Sports or other quick, mass-appeal titles, is that really a bad thing?
TGS07: Wii Sports wins CESA award
The Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (who're the ones who put on TGS every year) recently dished out some awards for notable titles. Winning their most prestigious award, the Grand award, is none other than Wii Sports. Sadly, Nintendo's game must share the spotlight, as the PSP title Monster Hunter 2: Portable 2nd also won the award.Somehow, we feel like we'll be writing about Wii Sports until the end of time.
Joystiq hands-on: EA Playground (Wii)
When announced, we were concerned that EA Playground would be another mini-game fiesta for the Wii. While it won't be a Rayman-like game with dozens of scenarios, it comes off like Wii Sports in a schoolyard.After about a half-hour of hands-on time with the game, I have high expectations that nearly all of the playground-based sports will be entertaining. Some will even be excellent, although the family-friendly simplicity occasionally makes them boring.%Gallery-3900%
Wii Warm Up: Family time
Since the Wii debuted, we've heard -- and seen -- a lot about nongaming family members getting in on the action. Months later, are your family members still interested? Do you come home to find your grandparents bogarting your system for a round or two of Wii Sports golf? Or has the novelty faded ... at least, until you get new games?
Iwata on lack of Wii Sports sequel
Considering the lengthy conversation between Nintendo president Satoru Iwata and Mother creator Shigesato Itoi over dinner six months ago, we're beginning to wonder if they consumed any actual food at their meal. Where did they find the time? So long as they didn't starve, however, we're glad to be privy to their chat, since so many interesting tidbit have come to light. The latest is on something close to our hearts: Wii Sports.Is Nintendo considering a sequel to the popular pack-in? Maybe, says Iwata, but it's not something that's even in the planning stages at this time. The last thing Nintendo wants to do is take the "easy" way, he says, by slapping together something that's exactly the same, just with different sports featured. Our love for Iwata was renewed in spades as he spoke about the need to do something new rather than to rehash old ground just to make money. If we were feeling snarky, we might bring up a few franchises (like, say Mario Kart ... even though we love it, it tends to be pretty much Mario Kart), but Nintendo has been forging so much new ground lately that we'll let it slide. Some might argue that Nintendo did exactly what Iwata is talking about not doing with the recent Brain Age sequel, but the big man is quick to point out that the director of the titles has been breaking new ground himself: he's responsible for several of the Wii's channels. Iwata did make the point, however, that it 's easier for Nintendo to take this stance right now because they're doing so well. If they weren't, he said, they might scramble to those "easy" sequels and decisions just to keep the boat afloat. We just wish other companies who are also in the black might take a similar line. Sure, the same game with slight tweaks may sell every year, but does it improve or expand the industry? Does it produce better games for everyone? [Via Infendo]
Nintendo and Lexus host Wii Tennis tournament
Nintendo and Lexus hosted an intense Wii Tennis competition in Rockefeller Center yesterday. After competing for three consecutive days, the winner will get a free one year lease on a Lexus IS F and VIP tickets to the US Open finals. In the end, Benjamin Melinger proved to be the most hardcore of this typically not-so-hardcore game, with his heightened reflexes and appropriate attire. The matches, as you can see in the video above, end up being less about careful position of shots, but the ability to flail your arms as quickly as possible. Nintendo once again captured the hearts of the non-gamer, as onlookers couldn't help but be amazed by the spectacle, and wanted to try Wii for themselves.%Gallery-7042%
Enthusiastic Wii Sports session lands actor in ER
The wrist strap can't save you from everything that could possibly go wrong while playing Wii games -- especially if a pesky light fixture just happens to jump in the way while you're getting your tennis on. That's what happened to actor Zachary Levi, star of NBC's upcoming Chuck. He served a little too enthusiastically in Wii Sports tennis, and put his hand through the light with so much force "there were shards of glass in the wall." We can only hope it ended in an ace.Levi's mishap resulted in a trip to the emergency room and fourteen (!) stitches. But hey, at least he didn't sue, like some folks. After all, it's not like Nintendo put the light there. But take it from Levi, and look up before you serve.[Via GoNintendo]
