Good Games for the Wii?

Jürgen Hubert · 19th August 2008, 11:47 AM

I'll probably buy a Wii in the near future - mainly for the fitness aspect (I do go walking and swimming a lot, but my crazy work schedule doesn't permit me to regularly go to a fitness studio even if there was one nearby). So I was wondering what kinds of games for the Wii others here would recommend (apart from Wii Sports and Wii Fit, of course).

I'm especially interested in action games where you have to move a lot, and quickly - both for the fitness aspect, and because I don't have such games on my PC (which I mainly use for 4X games and which doesn't have the right hardware anyway).

GlassJaw · 19th August 2008, 04:22 PM

Go running outside - no gym or membership required.

Then buy a 360 for a better selection of games.

fba827 · 19th August 2008, 04:40 PM

Is there a particular style / genre you like?

Action games made specifically for the wii won't have lower body movement but they have lots of shoulder to wrist movement.

Examples:
Metroid prime corruption has a lot of shoulder and wrist movement as you try and pull off maneuvers (raise/lower for aiming, and swing/twisting as you manipulate on-screen items and switches)

Star wars: force unleashed (to be released in a month) has sword swing motions and lots of wrist rotations since some movements require the controllers to be in certain positions

Marvel Ultimate Alliance (as as metroid)

But for full body movement, really, wii fit if your best bet. I believe there are a couple other games that are being released for use with the wii fit board (i vaguely recall one that will mimic surfing?) so something that requires the board will actually be your best full body motion activity... the rest will never require lower body movement, just shoulder-to-finger movements.

Jürgen Hubert · 19th August 2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlassJaw

Go running outside - no gym or membership required.

This would be difficult because I (a) live in the middle of a mid-size city with no interrupted trails nearby and (b) I'm sufficiently overweight (BMI 39) that lots of jogging would probably damage my joints in the long run.

For exercising my legs, I go walking and swimming. It's exercising my arms that I'm primarily interested in here. Any leg movement should be of the slow and steady variety instead of jumping around.

GlassJaw · 19th August 2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jürgen Hubert

This would be difficult because I (a) live in the middle of a mid-size city with no interrupted trails nearby and (b) I'm sufficiently overweight (BMI 39) that lots of jogging would probably damage my joints in the long run.

Start slow by walking and then running in small intervals.

I never run in a gym, on a treadmill, or on trails. I live in a mid-sized city as well all my running is outside.

Quote:

For exercising my legs, I go walking and swimming. It's exercising my arms that I'm primarily interested in here. Any leg movement should be of the slow and steady variety instead of jumping around.

Get some small hand weights and use then a few times a week. High reps, low weight. Just simple curls, shoulder presses, etc.

It doesn't take much at all. A little goes a long way. If you do equal party cardio, weights, and good eating habits, you will see results results quickly.

Edit: My point is that if you are looking at the Wii for the "fitness" aspect only, I'd probably pass. You are better off getting your exercise elsewhere. Plus, a common complaint I've heard from people I know that have a Wii is that "uniqueness" the wears off rather soon. And once that happens, it doesn't have the strong library of titles like the other consoles do.

Welverin · 19th August 2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlassJaw

Then buy a 360 for a better selection of games.

And higher mortality rate!

Calico_Jack73 · 20th August 2008, 01:52 PM

Okay... back to the OP's original question. He didn't ask about gym memberships or running on trails, he asked about good Wii games.

I like Guitar Hero 3 and Metroid Prime: Corruption. The motion sensing controller and nunchuck in my opinion makes Metroid FAR more engaging than Halo or any other FPS on a console. Even opening certain doors adds to it when you have to reach out, turn a handle, and then pull the handle out. Very immersive!

Felon · 20th August 2008, 05:24 PM

The thing about the Wii is, it's got a revolutionary concept at its foundation, but the follow-through is pretty lousy because there just aren't a lot of great games being released for it. They got off to a good start with Metroid Prime, Zelda Twilight Princess, and Super Mario Galaxy, but most of the rest of the stuff out is designed to be shallow party game novelties.

If you want to get it just for trying out the Wii Fit, then that's basically a $350 investment in exercise.

Got high hopes for Force Unleashed. Not sure whether I'll get the 360 version (for the achievements) or the Wii version (for the immersive controls).

Amellia · 20th August 2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jürgen Hubert

This would be difficult because I (a) live in the middle of a mid-size city with no interrupted trails nearby and (b) I'm sufficiently overweight (BMI 39) that lots of jogging would probably damage my joints in the long run.

For exercising my legs, I go walking and swimming. It's exercising my arms that I'm primarily interested in here. Any leg movement should be of the slow and steady variety instead of jumping around.

I really recommend NHL 2K9 when it comes out Sept. 10. It's a sports game to begin with, so it's really active, and you can do all the moves in the game (slap shots, passing, goal tending, etc.) with the wii remote and the nunchuk. There's also fighting in game, also done with the wii remote, and apparently a zamboni minigame that I've yet to see, but sounds pretty hilarious. I'm not even really a hockey fan, but the game looks fun, a lot more intuitive than 2K8 on the 360, which had just a lot of controls to memorize. Do you do sports games ever?

Bront · 21st August 2008, 10:14 AM

Zelda seems to not have been mentioned yet. Not tons of movement, but there is some.

Super Monkey Ball has some minigames that can realy work you up, and Warrio Ware is a lot of movement including jumping and hula-hooping.

There's a Ski game that uses the balance board that might work as well, but I havne't played it yet (or anything with the Balance Board). However, SSX: Blur has a lot of motion to it. I usually have to stand up to play and find I'll break a sweat when I play.

Bront · 21st August 2008, 10:17 AM

Jürgen Hubert · 26th August 2008, 01:20 PM

Well, I got it yesterday, and so far I like it. Especially the boxing game seems good for working up a sweat, though I'm a bit hazy about the best overall game strategy other than just widely swinging the remotes...

Tennis also works since you have to move your arm fairly often. Golf is too placid for my tastes. I haven't tried bowling or baseball yet.

Amellia · 26th August 2008, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jürgen Hubert

Well, I got it yesterday, and so far I like it. Especially the boxing game seems good for working up a sweat, though I'm a bit hazy about the best overall game strategy other than just widely swinging the remotes...

Tennis also works since you have to move your arm fairly often. Golf is too placid for my tastes. I haven't tried bowling or baseball yet.

Seriously, man:

You Tube

Felon · 27th August 2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jürgen Hubert

Well, I got it yesterday, and so far I like it. Especially the boxing game seems good for working up a sweat, though I'm a bit hazy about the best overall game strategy other than just widely swinging the remotes...

Tennis also works since you have to move your arm fairly often. Golf is too placid for my tastes. I haven't tried bowling or baseball yet.

Congrats on the new material acquisition. I got the Wii Fit last Friday and have become painfully aware of how much physical endurance I've allowed to slip away.

Btw, there's a new WiiWare game called Helix that is specifically designed for providing an upper-body workout: http://wiinintendo.net/2008/07/22/wi...iler-released/

And on a personal note of exultation, the TurboGrafix classic Books of Ys parts I & II has just been released for the virtual console.

Jürgen Hubert · 27th August 2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felon

Congrats on the new material acquisition. I got the Wii Fit last Friday and have become painfully aware of how much physical endurance I've allowed to slip away.

Don't I know it. Normally swimming 1 kilometer at the local swimming hall wouldn't cause aching arm muscles, but playing Wii Sports in addition to that seems to have been a bit much.

I'm still having some technical problems with the Wii - since I don't have a television, I'm playing it on a flatscreen monitor and had to import a special converter all the way from China to convert the AV signal to a VGA signal the monitor can understand. And since I'm still missing some additional cables, I'm currently only getting a monochrome image. But I have high hopes that I will solve this problem soon.

Shalimar · 28th August 2008, 05:58 PM

Beyond just the Force Unleashed, they are also coming out with Clone Wars Lightsaber Battles for the wii. That definitely sounds like a must buy. You can play through all the lightsaber duels in Clone Wars or go head to head using a variety of Jedi and Sith.

Bront · 29th August 2008, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jürgen Hubert

Don't I know it. Normally swimming 1 kilometer at the local swimming hall wouldn't cause aching arm muscles, but playing Wii Sports in addition to that seems to have been a bit much.

I'm still having some technical problems with the Wii - since I don't have a television, I'm playing it on a flatscreen monitor and had to import a special converter all the way from China to convert the AV signal to a VGA signal the monitor can understand. And since I'm still missing some additional cables, I'm currently only getting a monochrome image. But I have high hopes that I will solve this problem soon.

Wouldn't it have been better to have gotten a cheap TV?

Baseball is a good workout, though Pitching can be hard on your arm if you go too overboard.

Bowling has a lot of movement if you step as you throw like you normaly bowl.

Felon · 29th August 2008, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bront

Wouldn't it have been better to have gotten a cheap TV?

Yeah, what's the deal with having some elaborate setup when TV's can be had cheaply?

Jürgen Hubert · 29th August 2008, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felon

Yeah, what's the deal with having some elaborate setup when TV's can be had cheaply?

I'm beginning to have second thoughts about that as my setup is becoming more and more expensive.

Still, I do have a rather nice 22" monitor, and if I bought a television I would have to start paying GEZ fees for it - and not paying them has become a point of pride with me after all the letters from that particular institution (any German will know what I mean...).

Mustrum_Ridcully · 30th August 2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jürgen Hubert

I'm beginning to have second thoughts about that as my setup is becoming more and more expensive.

Still, I do have a rather nice 22" monitor, and if I bought a television I would have to start paying GEZ fees for it - and not paying them has become a point of pride with me after all the letters from that particular institution (any German will know what I mean...).

Your GEZ free times are over anyway, if you've got a computer that is (even merely theoretically) internet capable. I think even the Wii would qualify for that.