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Move over Vii: introducing the 7-in-1 console
The latest in the short line of Wii knockoffs, this product is made by the China Shenzhen Firstsing Company Limited and might just be the best of the bunch of knockoffs already on the market. Featuring some stellar 16-bit graphics, it offers everything someone who's too cheap to buy the cheapest real console on the market could want. [Via Engadget]
David Hinkle05.09.2008
Another Wii knockoff arrives to give Vii some competition
The Vii (or Vii 2, for that matter) not really providing all the satisfaction you were craving when you first acquired it? Don't hang your head in shame, dear boy, there's another option for you yet! China Shenzhen Firstsing Company Limited, the same company who provided the totally unnecessary cooling fan for the actual Wii, has produced a 7-in-1 gaming console that -- from here, at least -- looks unbelievably similar to Nintendo's latest machine. Still, this rig provides mind-melting 16-bit graphics, sports games that are "similar to those on the Wii, but more cheaper," a wireless gamepad, a battery-powered designed (uh...) and a sweet gift box just in case you're showering someone with kindness pranking your cubicle-mate. We're not even going to touch the pricing issue, and trust us, neither should you.[Via Zumo Blog, thanks Henrique]
Darren Murph05.09.2008
Vii 2 designed for 'THEM,' now blue
Meet Vii 2, the second generation faux Wii that's been downgraded to a baby blue box reminiscent of the NES – or is that supposed to be a PS3? The new Vii has been formatted for NTSC & PAL standards and now bears several warnings: THIS IS NOT A Wii – it will not play Wii games Vii is a game console designed just for kids and toddlers! Designed with THEM in mind, not the big kids Slower game speeds Included in the box (literally built-in) are the Vii's 11 original classics, like Fry Egg and Come On. New to Vii 2 is an expansion cart packed with 7 all-time favorites, including MaJong 13 and its thrilling sequel, MaJong 16. As always, the Viimote includes a "3 axes G-SENSOR" and "10 different sounds." QwickieDeals is currently selling Vii 2 for $140.
James Ransom-Wiley01.22.2008
PS3 clone is a genuine 'Winner'
Understandably, you've likely gotten tired of hearing about the Chintendo Vii and now yearn for a truly next-gen knockoff. Allow us to bestow that description upon the Phony "Winner," a marvelous new device which not only (and poorly) apes the PlayStation 3's aesthetics, but the Vii's motion-sensing gimmickry -- itself nothing more than Wii mimicry. The repetitive sequence of effortless cloning culminates in a $120 - $150 package offering photo viewing, karaoke, media storage and, amazingly enough, both 2-D and 3-D games.With so many astonishing features, a winner is you if a Winner is what you get. [Via Engadget]
Ludwig Kietzmann01.09.2008
Console wars are over: here is the Winner
The Vii now has some real competition in the knockoffware market. ENG Electric Co., a Taiwanese company, plans to introduce a new console called the Winner, which combines the best aspects of both the PlayStation 3 and the Wii in a package that is less expensive than either. That is, if the best aspect of the PS3 is the shape of the console, and the best aspect of the Wii is the shape of the controller. The Winner boasts karaoke and media-playing functions, and includes an SDHC slot for media storage. Apparently it also features motion-sensing in its Winnermote, and online gameplay capabilities. "Best" of all, ENG plans to push this console in the American and Japanese markets, at a price between $120 and $150. Look for it at mall kiosks soon![Via NeoGAF; Thanks, Anonymouse! ]
JC Fletcher01.08.2008
Winner: Vii meets the PS3 and a new legacy is born
An eager tipster sent in a pic and some info on what appears to be some sort of PS3 clone called "Winner" – think Vii meets PS3. While the Vii concentrated on mimicking (horribly, but still) the Wii's feature set, the Winner is all about mimicking the PS3's myriad media functionalities. That means a photo player, karaoke functions, SDHC for media storage. But it's all about the (really crappy) games, right? Winner is going to be packing 2D and 3D graphics with online and motion sensing features (note the totally not-a-Wiimote controller). How much would you expect to pay for the privilege? Did you say $600? No! Did you say $400? No! How does $120-150 sound? At that bargain basement price, these things are really going to go fast; good thing they're promising 3 million consoles for the Japanese and North American markets.
Christopher Grant01.08.2008
We can make Vii stronger, faster
When the Vii was cracked open and shown for what it was, the joke system became that much more hilarious. But the thing did well enough to warrant a successor, apparently. As we first put eyes on this new and improved version of the original, we were thankful that thing at least looks less like an actual Wii now. Although, the remote has taken on almost the same exact button scheme as that of the Wiimote.
David Hinkle12.21.2007
Keepin it real fake, part CI: the Vii 2
Hot on the heels of the original, massively successful Vii, comes the Vii 2, this time from "Kensington." We're pretty hot on the NES-inspired design and ergonomic, soft-touch Vii-mote, but seriously -- a "porwer" button? Time to start bringing the A-game, guys. Check a few more pics after the break.[Thanks, Anonymouse]
Nilay Patel12.13.2007
Tuesday's hottest video that now has subtitles: Vii commercial
Remember that YouTube video with the adorable kittens that sounded like they were talking to each other, that somebody put fake subtitles on and made hilarious? Well, this is exactly like that, except instead of purrs and meowing, it's Chinese, and it features everybody's favorite console ripoff: The Vii.Witness the abbreviated, faux-subtitled version of the Vii commercial after the break. Then ask yourself: if you owned a Vii, would yours break in a fun way?[Thanks, Ryan]
Scott Jon Siegel12.07.2007Vii would like to be gutted
If it were us, we'd probably think of a much better way to disassemble this thing. Probably with a rock or by dropping it down a large flight of stairs. Sure, it's not the most practical way to see how many hamsters are running around on metal wheels inside the thing, powering its massive processor and other technical whatnot, but it would probably be the most satisfying. Then, we could sit our Wii next to its guts and take a picture, eventually photoshopping in a funny one-liner or something. Oh well ...[Via Codename Revolution]
David Hinkle12.05.2007Engadget rips open the Vii
When the robots revolt and decide to overthrow humanity this is the sort of video that will be part of their propaganda films, convincing the on-the-fence robots that humanity is a plague that needs to be cleansed from the earth. Watch as the Engadget Chinese staffers rip open a helpless Vii (yes, you read that right) and laugh at the puny brain luxuriating in its cavernous digs. You can almost hear the death knell of humanity can't you?Listen, the Vii can't help it that it's but a shabby imitator of the much more popular and (one would gather from the video) powerful Nintendo Wii. Don't you think it's self-conscious enough about that without you guys picking apart (literally) its other faults? ... Whatever. Just don't come crying to us when the metal ones decide to come for you ... and they will.
Justin McElroy12.05.2007Today's Vii-est video: Vii commercial
Are you sick of the Vii yet? Because we're not. We don't really have a clue what's being said in this 4-minute commercial, but it honestly doesn't matter. What matters are the re-used clips of the same girl playing the same game, the Vii's flying wildly through space, and the creepily voyeuristic hand-held camera moments.Additionally, ten Stanley nickels go to the first person who spots the half-second cameo by sister-site Engadget. It's on like Donkey Kong.
Scott Jon Siegel12.04.2007Vii would like to advertise
How hilarious is this Vii thing? We can't believe the unit is even being bought by some people, let alone making enough money to warrant advertising. But, sure enough, here we sit talking about a commercial for the thing. We're kind of tempted to track one down ourselves to see how bad the included games are, but we're worried about providing our credit card number to the company manufacturing these things. Thankfully, other people on the internet aren't as scared as we are.[Via Kotaku]
David Hinkle12.03.2007Everybody point and laugh at the Vii
Remember that ridiculous Wii knock-off from China? Well, up until now we've not seen the thing in action, quietly stowing away all kinds of nightmarish thoughts we cooked up of how the actual thing works into the most darkest recesses of our mind. Now, those nightmares come alive for all to see.Past the break is a much longer video.
David Hinkle11.08.2007
Wii clone being "played" caught on video
Been thinking about investing in a Vii -- the low-rent Chinese knock-off of Nintendo's Wii -- but you're just not sure you want to fork over the cash? Check out this footage of the infamous console in action, delivered by our friends at Engadget Chinese. Just imagine getting together with your whole family for a round of Happy Tennis, Free Craps or Alacrity Golf -- you, grandma and the kids all twitching spasmodically, desperately trying to control the on-screen "action" with the janky Viimote. With playability like this, you'll probably need anger management. Check the video after the break and see what we mean.[Via Joystiq]
Joshua Topolsky11.08.2007Wii clone caught on Vii-deo
Our mutual fiend the Vii, a rather dubious console inspired by Nintendo's Wii, has once again made an appearance on the pages of Engadget Chinese. This time, its motion-sensitive mimicry has been captured on video, truly the best format for illustrating the awkward flailing required to make it through games like Happy Tennis, Free Craps and Alacrity Golf. Given the quality of wares on display, we doubt a player would notice if the controller was suddenly switched with a shovel.Go ahead and click the "read" link for another video (and an inevitably hilarious machine translation).
Ludwig Kietzmann11.08.2007
Vii would like to play Alacrity Golf
Our colleagues over at Engadget Chinese got some exclusive pictures of the Vii, the Chinese game console that bears an entirely coincidental resemblance in name and appearance to some Nintendo thing. Looking sort of like a Wii turned on its side and crammed awkwardly into a tiny stand, the Vii's appearance proves that there were no actual Wii consoles nearby when the engineers/buccaneers in charge were designing the system. Unlike the real Wii, however, the Vii comes in pink-- advantage: Vii.But, as we have all been trained to tell Wii haters, appearances are nothing-- it's the games that count. And, as revealed by NeoGAFfer xfactor, the Vii has things that look like games, at least, all of which star a pair of unidentifiable white animals (goat-bunnies?). The Vii can, of course, play sports games like Alacrity Golf, Happy Tennis and Fantasy Baseball, and the cooking simulation Fry Egg. But it's also got the dancing game Fever Move, the Balloon Fight-esque Bird Knight, and even something ... seal-related called Come On.The 2D graphics in these games show evidence of some small amount of work, which means that these games must be direct copies of some retail games. Or the real games don't look anything like the screenshots. We're guessing we'll never find out, since we don't know any knockoff retailers we can go to for one of these. GameStorp? Check after the break to see the screens, and check out the Engadget Chinese post for more hardware pictures, including festive Viimotes.
JC Fletcher10.13.2007
Wii vs. Vii: Sincere flatterii
Torn between purchasing the latest gaming platform and a poor excuse for a gimmick? Are you worried that the white box beneath your TV might soon grow dirty with dust? Engadget Chinese is here to help, placing the Wii and infamous Vii side by side in a revealing photo gallery. Click, peruse and learn to discern between fun and flimflam! If you still find the choice between Wii and Vii to be high in difficultii, head past the break and examine the latter system's intriguing lineup of games. Happy Tennis, Catch Fish, Free Craps and the gob-smacking Come On should clearly point out which system has the more substantive games.[Via Engadget]
Ludwig Kietzmann10.13.2007
Vii, meet Wii -- the wannabe gets caught in the wild
Just in case you thought this whole Vii thing was one big prank, guess again. Our pals over at Engadget Chinese managed to scrounge up one of these clones and put it toe-to-toe with its idol. Needless to say, Nintendo's unit tends to demand quite a bit more respect, but why not take a look at their gallery and see how the two really stack up.Update:Live video
Darren Murph10.13.2007
Vii games: "free craps" indeed
The Wii reverse-engineering hat trick is now complete. The Vii clone just spat out a whole host of new games ready to slake your need for Happy Tennis and Alacrity Golf. Or maybe Fry Egg is more your style. No worries, plenty of options to choose from -- soon, in fact, judging by the pace of these leaks. Too bad your choice of Miis appears limited to a fluffy bunny or albino rat at this point. %Gallery-8474%[Thanks, Anonymouse]
Thomas Ricker10.11.2007