[robinsnest005]

Ok- I know that some of you out there must have Wii's. My big guys (12, 10, 7- all boys) want a Wii for Christmas. My husband and I have stood firm about no video stuff in the house, but they have been so persistent that we are considering getting them one. (Am I going to regret this?)
My questions are for those of you who have them-

1-what is needed to start out the system (there are so many packages and price points I am not sure where I would begin) the accessories seem endless....

2-What are some of the best games for my boys ages (I saw they have a StarWars game... I know they would flip for that)

3-Do you recommend the chargers?

4-Do your kids play with it all the time or does it sit around and collect dust?

This is really new territory for me, so ANY advice or information would be great!
Thanks,
Robin

[Mindybeth6]

LOVE THE WII!!!!!! My son is 6 and LOVES it and so do Kris and I!

1-what is needed to start out the system (there are so many packages and price points I am not sure where I would begin) the accessories seem endless....
I don't have an answer to this. I suggest getting at least two controllers though. My dad bought our system for Alec so I am not sure what package he bought but we have a TON of stuff for it.
2-What are some of the best games for my boys ages (I saw they have a StarWars game... I know they would flip for that)
Mario Cart!! It's a little pricey but OMG is it FUN FUN FUN. Seriously. It's a blast. We play it all the time.

3-Do you recommend the chargers?
Yes, yes, YES!!!!!!! It was the first thing we bought after my dad gave it to us. Saves a ton of money on batteries.
4-Do your kids play with it all the time or does it sit around and collect dust?
Yes it gets played. A lot. At least twice a day. I limit how much he plays it though. It is NOT a dust collector!

[carlyincali]

We have a Wii. I only bought it because of the great excersize program game it has, called Wii Fit. Let me tell you though, it is very fun AND is great fun for the family. We ended up buying two more games, and plan to buy more for Christmas for the kids. Talk about quality family time. This is one video game that is fun for the whole family. Movie night is fun, but everyone sits, eats, and watches a movie. what kind of quality family time is that? The Wii really does offer so much more. We laugh so much everytime we play it. It is a great investment. That's my plug.

The Wii system comes with a sports game and one remote & nun chuck, (each player needs their own.) You will have to buy another remote and nun chuck for each player. For games, I would go onto Amazon.com and look up the customer ratings of the top games. that will tell you which ones are the good ones and which ones are the flops.

I know someone who is raffling off a BRAND NEW Wii in order to help payoff their adoption debt. The tickets are super cheap. PM me and I can give you her blog address.

[DPline]

I was just going to post something similar. We bought one the other day (afraid they might be hard to find closer to the holidays) and have it stashed for all three kids for Christmas. But I had no idea about what else we needed and games so I am so glad you asked!

[guatparents2be]

i've been meaning to post this same question, although for me, not for my kid (he's only 2).

looking forward to hearing suggestions as i get super overwhelmed as soon as i start looking into what to buy.

[waitngforastar]

My son loves the Lego games- they have star wars and batman and Indiana Jones, (ok so do I) but they don't make good use of the controllers the way the sports games do. Get the chargers for sure, and at least 2 controllers. you can get by with just the Wii sports game (the covers they sell to make the controllers into tennis rackets and baseball bats are fun but not needed!) We rent games from the library (free!) or from a video store(around $5) first and buy them if we really like them.

[WVUMom418]

We have one, my 22 year old and I are the only 2 in the family that play it. I use the Wii Fit mostly, my son of course is big into Guitar Hero (which requires you purchase the guitar). I would also recommend the steering wheel which you can get for about $10. It make playing games like Mario cart so much more fun.

We have a lot of fun bowling and let me tell you something the boxing game is a real workout. I worked muscles I didn't even know I had.

[kathleenmarie]

We just got one and I have to say I love it. I cant keep my nephews away form it every time they come over. We got the Wii sports and it has bowling, golf, boxing, baceball. We also got a Marios game, a classics vidio game, Are you smarter then a fifth grader, and a few more. We have three remotes and a charger. I want the fit for Christmas! I do not think it will be a dust collector! HAVE FUN!!! You will love it too!!

[kristibk]

WOW, I was glad to see this post since I am thinking about purchasing one as well. My son is 13 and plays PC games and has a Nintendo DS. We hope to be bringing home our 6 year old little girl very soon and thought this would be great for the family. I also am interested in getting the Wii Fit. I also am wondering how much the initial investment will be...$300 - $500??? THis will definately be Christmas for the family.

Keep posting...

[jandc]

great post! Santa has one hidden since August and keeps wondering if it is a good idea. I think it comes with the sports so maybe one of the elves can go get some chargers.

[Clare'sMom]

We love ours!! and yes only my husband and I are the only ones in our house old enough to play it...hehehe... initial investment, about $350. Buy two controls, a charger and a steering wheels for MARIO CART, which you have to get!!! It is so fun! A cheap night "Out" for us.
My older daughter (who is in medical school) bought a game that you do virtual surgery... super fun (kinda gross) I love Wii fit (my thighs would love it if I used it more).....

Will it sit in the corner and collect dust.... Yup, someday...when the newest and greatest thing comes out... just like our X-box, dreamcast, play station, nintendo, game boys and so on.... but we still love it...

Ann

[skiouro]

Yes, Yes Yes, I want one, but my newphew has one and we play it all the time. He brought it over when we had Christmas last year and OMG everyone from my dad who is 60+ to my 4 year old niece played. It was so much fun. I know my bff has one and loves the WiFit and other things. Just she and her husband play as their little one is too little. I think like ohters it would be great for family game night.

[devildogwife]

Love it! My family has enjoyed it and spent so much quality time together. It really is a blast.

[KJones5]

LOVE IT! We just got it a few weeks ago and I bought it and WiiFit. We are not big video game people but my husband and I love it! WiiFit makes excercising fun!!!!! Ours came with bowling, tennis, baseball, golf and boxing.

After our little guys go to bed, my husband and I play the bowling game! It gets us off the couch and gives us something fun to do together!

As far as what the kids would like, I dunno! Ours came with plenty of things to keep us entertained! I know lots of people who love Guitar Hero and Rock Band!

[jphollen]

Everyone in our family has one, so we broke down and got it for the girls for Christmas (I figured they would be hard to find too). The girls love playing it with their uncles on holidays.

It comes with Wii Sports, which is very family friendly. The bummer it only comes with one remote! Those things are around $40 a piece. I found Target Greatland has a nice selection of $20 Wii games (much more reasonable than $49 new releases, we also bought some used ones at Game Stop). We have preteens but still strictly adhere to the consumer ratings on the packing. No violence, no sex, no language...you get the idea. The girls have had a gamecube for a few years and I would much rather watch them play an approved game or play one with them than let them watch some of the stuff on prime time TV.

We got my younger brother the recharging station for Christmas last year. He loves it.