Coming back to the waggle party! Rebought a Wii.

[OldJadedGamer]

As some of you know cause I've posted about it before but I had a launch Wii and sold it to a soccer mom when the iron was still hot 2-3 years ago and got $450 out of it near Xmas. It was just collecting dust at the time. Well, I recently decided it was time to add the system back to the fold so bought a used system off a friend (also, previous launch unit).

He gave me a few games with it, component cables, couple of wiimotes, wavebirds, and a zapper all for about $150 bucks! Great deal... and good friend. Picked up WiiFit and a balance board at a garage sale over the weekend for $40 bucks together.

I'm getting back into all the older games that I missed out on by selling it. Now there is a huge backlog for that system I gotta start going through and first up to bat is Super Mario Galaxy. It's been a while since I've gone adventuring with this chubby little guy and it feels like going back home. I got that Mario 64 vibe going on and I'm actually canceling plans with friends just to get more play time in... it's pretty addictive.

Also, a dead genre has been reborn for me and that is the arcade light gun games. Man, oh man is House of the Dead: Overkill one of the funniest games I've played in a long time. I got Ghost Recon too and I heard that is really fun so looking forward to digging in.

[Widgetcraft]

Well, Super Mario Galaxy is easily the best game on the Wii. There are also both No More Heroes games, but those can be a bit clunky (still worth playing). I'm sure someone else can help you with finding the good stuff.

Personally, I installed the Homebrew Channel on mine last night :p

[OldJadedGamer]

Well, Super Mario Galaxy is easily the best game on the Wii. There are also both No More Heroes games, but those can be a bit clunky (still worth playing). I'm sure someone else can help you with finding the good stuff.

Personally, I installed the Homebrew Channel on mine last night :p

Oh, forgot about No More Heroes. I'll have to ask around if my buddies have that one.

[Adam Blue]

Dead Space: Extraction. People knock these games around here until they actually play them.

Ghost Squad
Cave Story on WiiWare
NSMB Wii
Wii Sports Resort

[mightbe]

Dead Space: Extraction. People knock these games around here until they actually play them.

Ghost Squad
Cave Story on WiiWare
NSMB Wii
Wii Sports Resort

I'm with Adam here. If you like arcadey light gun games, DS:E is the best one ever. Ghost squad is a good translation.

The only one on his list that I don't love is Cave Story as it's free on the PC.

[danhoo]

I'm going back through a few Wii backlogged titles now -- Little King's Story, Boy and his Blob and Muramasa are all good so far.

[Urizen]

Wiiware's a solid platform apart from Virtual Console.

Lost Winds
Lost Winds 2
NyxQuest
Dr. Mario Online
World of Goo
ExciteBike Rally
Doc Louis' Punch-Out!!
Gradius Rebirth
Castlevania Rebirth
Contra Rebirth
...off the top of my head.

I know OJG has an infamous 'no demo, no buy' policy, but maybe you've got friends who already own the best games. Totally worth giving a try.

As for disc games, I'd add Zack and Wiki, Boom Blox and Mario Party (if you host parties), Gold's Gym Cardio if you're into the fitness angle.

Super Paper Mario is a great budget title. Red Steel 2 deserves to be on list. MadWorld can be had for $9 and is worth more for the audio alone. Also, there are a bunch of GC titles if you never played them.

[OldJadedGamer]

Dead Space: Extraction. People knock these games around here until they actually play them.

Ghost Squad
Cave Story on WiiWare
NSMB Wii
Wii Sports Resort

I'll pick up Dead Space soon. Ghost Squad I have and waiting till I finish Overkill. NSMB's is on my list and I'm waiting on Sports Resort until more games need the motion plus thing.

I'm going back through a few Wii backlogged titles now -- Little King's Story, Boy and his Blob and Muramasa are all good so far.

I heard good things about Little King's Story.


Wiiware's a solid platform apart from Virtual Console.

I know OJG has an infamous 'no demo, no buy' policy, but maybe you've got friends who already own the best games. Totally worth giving a try.

As for disc games, I'd add Zack and Wiki, Boom Blox and Mario Party (if you host parties), Gold's Gym Cardio if you're into the fitness angle.

Super Paper Mario is a great budget title. Red Steel 2 deserves to be on list. MadWorld can be had for $9 and is worth more for the audio alone. Also, there are a bunch of GC titles if you never played them.

I actually am very... very anti-wiiware since when you buy it the sale is tied to the machine and not the user. With PS3 and 360 you can log into your account and download it a million times no matter what machine you are on but with the Wiiware you lose it if you lose the machine. I don't want to support this at all.

Oh, and I picked up Billy Hatcher and the Virtual Egg. Never played that one before and looking forward to a good ol' non-Sonic Sonic Team title.

[Ravenlock]

I'm really, really liking Red Steel 2 (http://erraticgamer.squarespace.com/blog/2010/3/24/im-pretty-sure-red-steel-2-is-something-special.html), for reasons you can read about at that link. I know the first game got bad press - some very deserved - but the sequel deserves your attention IMO.

[Urizen]

I actually am very... very anti-wiiware since when you buy it the sale is tied to the machine and not the user. I don't want to support this at all.

Oh, and I picked up Billy Hatcher and the Virtual Egg. Never played that one before and looking forward to a good ol' non-Sonic Sonic Team title.

Fair enough on the first point. Billy Hatcher has its moments. Frustrating and repetitive at times, but definitely deserved more attention than it got.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I'm really, really liking Red Steel 2 (http://erraticgamer.squarespace.com/blog/2010/3/24/im-pretty-sure-red-steel-2-is-something-special.html), for reasons you can read about at that link. I know the first game got bad press - some very deserved - but the sequel deserves your attention IMO.

Gah, I don't have the $$ for it right now - but when I played Red Steel, I said "The sequel to this game could be amazing".

[Troggles]

I recommend picking up Madworld. You should be able to find it on the cheap now and it's just a good time.

[Ravenlock]

Gah, I don't have the $$ for it right now - but when I played Red Steel, I said "The sequel to this game could be amazing".

Yup. I struggled not to say in that writeup "this is the game I've waited for since I first saw ads for the Wii in 2006", because I haven't played enough of it to say that. But I can say that when we all saw the original Red Steel ads and thought about how amazing it would be, what they've done with the sequel is a hell of a lot closer to that potential than what the original game provided.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Yup. I struggled not to say in that writeup "this is the game I've waited for since I first saw ads for the Wii in 2006", because I haven't played enough of it to say that. But I can say that when we all saw the original Red Steel ads and thought about how amazing it would be, what they've done with the sequel is a hell of a lot closer to that potential than what the original game provided.

The original had one pretty good section when you were in that insane guy's madhouse place.

Then of course there was the end with the slew of boring ninja fights.

[Adam Blue]

I'm also Anti-WiiWare for the same reason. I hope they figure out something soon or can guarantee me that I can switch the games to a newer console.

Same with DSi.

[OldJadedGamer]

I recommend picking up Madworld. You should be able to find it on the cheap now and it's just a good time.

This is one of the best things I'm finding about Wii games... they can be had for soooooooooo cheap right now. But man... I know the shovelware thing is a joke here and there but going to Best Buy and really looking at the game selection for the Wii right after the 360 and PS3 aisles and there really is a bunch of garbage for the system.

[Mike Kelehan]

I'm also Anti-WiiWare for the same reason. I hope they figure out something soon or can guarantee me that I can switch the games to a newer console.

Same with DSi.

At first, that didn't bother me, but now, I just don't buy any WiiWare and DSiWare games for just that reason. Particularly for the DSi, since I'll be upgrading that at some point this year.

[Gorvi]

Pick up the Metroid Prime Collection if you can find it if you're even remotely interested, Nintendo for some reason decided that it only needed to make it for a limited time and it'll probably be pretty tough to get in a few months.

[Doctor Setebos]

Muramasa: the Demon Blade is a must-have for excellent side-scrolling ninja action. The rest of my recommendations have been mentioned.

[Ravenlock]

I guess a more thorough recommendations list is warranted beyond Red Steel 2.

Provided without comment (more details upon request, some of them have already been said but I might as well add support):


Twilight Princess
de Blob
Zack & Wiki
The Godfather: Blackhand Edition
SSX Blur
Mario Kart
Smash Bros Brawl
Wii Sports Resort
Call of Duty: World at War if not played on another system already
Boom Blox Bash Party
Excite Bots
Dokapon Kingdom
Ghost Squad
Metroid Prime 3 or the MP collection if you can find it
Okami
Williams Pinball Hall of Fame
Punch-Out
Tiger Woods 10
Dead Space Extraction
Muramasa

There is a lot of shovelware on the system, true, but there's also quite a few gems. I'm glad it's not my only system, but I'm also really glad I have it.

[Mike Kelehan]

Twilight Princess
de Blob
Zack & Wiki
The Godfather: Blackhand Edition
SSX Blur
Mario Kart
Smash Bros Brawl
Wii Sports Resort
Call of Duty: World at War if not played on another system already
Boom Blox Bash Party
Excite Bots
Dokapon Kingdom
Ghost Squad
Metroid Prime 3 or the MP collection if you can find it
Okami
Williams Pinball Hall of Fame
Punch-Out
Tiger Woods 10
Dead Space Extraction
Muramasa



Couple things to point out about that (great) list. First, Dokapon Kingdom is a ton of fun, if and only if you've got at least two friends who are into hardcore fight/magic/item/run JRPGs. It's like a mixture of Mario Party, Monopoly, and Dragon Warrior 1.

Second, if you have a PS3 or 360, you want to get Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection there instead of the Wii. Improved physics, HD tables (which is very important for these games; you'll be sitting right up to the TV), and it adds three new tables. These new tables are from the late 90s, with dot matrix displays and professional voice acting. A young Tina Fey voiced a few characters in Medieval Madness, which may be the best pinball machine of all time.

[Ravenlock]

Those are both perfectly fair qualifications. Though I would point out that my wife who has never played any other RPG at all LOVES Dokapon Kingdom.

[Ondo]

Okami
I strongly recommend getting the PS2 version instead - the fucking assholes at Capcom cut the staff credits from the Wii version. That's not even remotely acceptable, IMO.

The director, Hideki Kamiya, blogged about his disappointment with this here (http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=16464768311).

[Ravenlock]

Would require having a PS2. ;) But also a fair point.

[OldJadedGamer]

Would require having a PS2. ;) But also a fair point.

Or a PS3 that has BC. My PS2 broke a long time ago and all I get are disc read errors so I'll pick up the Wii version.

Second, if you have a PS3 or 360, you want to get Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection there instead of the Wii. Improved physics, HD tables (which is very important for these games; you'll be sitting right up to the TV), and it adds three new tables. These new tables are from the late 90s, with dot matrix displays and professional voice acting. A young Tina Fey voiced a few characters in Medieval Madness, which may be the best pinball machine of all time.

I want the Williams game but I'll get it for 360 for the HD and achievements. I'm only going to buy Wii exclusive games.

Pick up the Metroid Prime Collection if you can find it if you're even remotely interested, Nintendo for some reason decided that it only needed to make it for a limited time and it'll probably be pretty tough to get in a few months.

I have to say that I've never been a fan of the 3D Metroids... way too much back tracking to the point where it bored me into stop playing.

I guess a more thorough recommendations list is warranted beyond Red Steel 2.

Provided without comment (more details upon request, some of them have already been said but I might as well add support):

[LIST]
Twilight Princess

I hated the Wii controls on Twilight Princess so I'm going to pick up the GameCube version and play it like it was meant to be played when they made it! With a Wavebird!

[Gorvi]

I have to say that I've never been a fan of the 3D Metroids... way too much back tracking to the point where it bored me into stop playing.
So all Metroid games then? :p

[Ravenlock]

I hated the Wii controls on Twilight Princess so I'm going to pick up the GameCube version and play it like it was meant to be played when they made it! With a Wavebird!

Really? I liked the Wii controls for Twilight Princess a lot. I never want to aim a slingshot or a bow with a twiddly analog stick ever. again.

[Gorvi]

Really? I liked the Wii controls for Twilight Princess a lot. I never want to aim a slingshot or a bow with a twiddly analog stick ever. again.
It's a trade off, overall I liked the Wii controls, but the sword swinging got old after a while and pulling off the 360 sword swing was a pain that I never felt I could do reliably. But yes, being able to aim the bow like that was great and well worth it.

[OldJadedGamer]

Really? I liked the Wii controls for Twilight Princess a lot. I never want to aim a slingshot or a bow with a twiddly analog stick ever. again.

I had a launch system and it was the first game I played outside of WiiSports so maybe my judgment was tainted at the time because it was my first real Wii game.

But the controls always felt tacked on to me because it was added in so late in development. I will always see Twilight Princess as a GameCube game and kind of want to play it that way, old school with a regular controller.

Even Mario Galaxy as fun as it is seems like a tech demo for the Wiimote.

[Gorvi]

Mario Galaxy barely uses the Wiimote specific stuff from what I remember, aside from a few minigame type things and collecting those little multicolored stars.

As for Zelda, the Wii version does have two other benefits: 480p and native widescreen.

[OldJadedGamer]

Mario Galaxy barely uses the Wiimote specific stuff from what I remember, aside from a few minigame type things and collecting those little multicolored stars.

As for Zelda, the Wii version does have two other benefits: 480p and native widescreen.

Looks like your memory isn't what it used to be old man. There are constant gimmick tricks with the Wiimote when playing Galaxy and the GameCube Twilight Princess supports 480p as well.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I strongly recommend getting the PS2 version instead - the fucking assholes at Capcom cut the staff credits from the Wii version. That's not even remotely acceptable, IMO.


Just look them up online, nothing about consumer action will change Capcom's behavior.

[TheFlyingOrc]

But the controls always felt tacked on to me because it was added in so late in development. I will always see Twilight Princess as a GameCube game and kind of want to play it that way, old school with a regular controller.

Aiming was much better. Swordfighting was worse.



Even Mario Galaxy as fun as it is seems like a tech demo for the Wiimote.
Balderdash! You spent maybe 10-15% of the game doing things that absolutely required the Wiimote.

[OldJadedGamer]

Balderdash! You spent maybe 10-15% of the game doing things that absolutely required the Wiimote.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the whole game is like that but it's filled with "ok, now let's do this quick tech demo and hold the wand straight in the air". Those parts just seemed tacked on to me and those have been the low points of my playtime so far.

[Kelegacy]

My wife wanted Wii Fit back in January so I bought another Wii. Sold mine back in 2008 I think after a few months owning it. Didn't like it at all.

But now I'm starting to accumulate more games for it and find myself playing it more now. I love quirky and niche games like those that used to show up on just the PS2 during that era, so I'm starting to build my collection. So far I've got:

Opoona (JRPG that feels a lot like Earthbound and I love it)
Rune Factory Frontier
Mad World
Mercury Meltdown Revolution
de Blob
Zack and Wiki

I haven't even received most of them yet but I ordered some this past weekend and they should be here soon. Opoona really woke me up and made me realize how fun the Wii can be (it doesn't have waggle, so that's a big bonus). I plan on getting many more games soon, like Muramasa, Little King's Story and today I might grab Elebits if it's in stock. I think a store near me is selling it for $10 along with some other games.

Problem is, I sold a ton of GC games not long ago thinking I'd never play them or the Wii again. Then I bought a Wii and lament getting rid of a lot of them. Oh well.

I love games without waggle becaues I can sit there on the couch, relaxed, and play comfortably. I've never been so relaxed as when I played Opoona over the weekend. Both hands laying on the couch beside me, nunchuck in one had, wand in the other, and playing so peacefully. The game is wonderful to control, and there is no need for the A/B buttons because it can be controlled all with the nunchuck if you choose, but with both devices it makes for a much more comfortable setup.

Controllers of the future should be split in half in such a manner, without a cable, to allow for the same thing. Without waggle preferably, but a man can dream.

[Gorvi]

Looks like your memory isn't what it used to be old man. There are constant gimmick tricks with the Wiimote when playing Galaxy and the GameCube Twilight Princess supports 480p as well.
They were ancillary though, the vast majority of the gameplay controlled in a pretty traditional manner. Those portions that did use the motion and pointer were pretty fun, I don't recall having a problem with them, but I generally enjoy the motion controls..

Are you sure on TP on the GC being 480p? It could be, it may just be the widescreen thing I was thinking of.

[LarsenNET]

Are you sure on TP on the GC being 480p? It could be, it may just be the widescreen thing I was thinking of.

It's 480p. Widescreen in Wii only.

[Doctor Setebos]

Opoona (JRPG that feels a lot like Earthbound and I love it)
Rune Factory Frontier
Mad World
Mercury Meltdown Revolution
de Blob
Zack and WikiLet me know what you think of Rune Factory Frontier. I've had that sitting in my Goozex "hold" queue for a long while and haven't yet pulled the trigger. I wasn't particularly a fan of the one Rune Factory DS game I played (I think it was the first), but I heard the Wii one was actually much better.

[Kelegacy]

Let me know what you think of Rune Factory Frontier. I've had that sitting in my Goozex "hold" queue for a long while and haven't yet pulled the trigger. I wasn't particularly a fan of the one Rune Factory DS game I played (I think it was the first), but I heard the Wii one was actually much better.

Sure will. The reviews are what sold me on it. I didn't mind Harvest Moon back in the SNES days (I quite liked it) but I'm glad they decided to mix it up a bit. Should be here by the end of this week, I hope.

[Stoke]

They were ancillary though, the vast majority of the gameplay controlled in a pretty traditional manner. Those portions that did use the motion and pointer were pretty fun, I don't recall having a problem with them, but I generally enjoy the motion controls..

Are you sure on TP on the GC being 480p? It could be, it may just be the widescreen thing I was thinking of.

Galaxy had you waggle to do damn near everything. Waggle to kill this guy, waggle to kill that guy, waggle to blast off to another world. It seems trivial but for someone with two messed up wrists the game was unplayable. If it could be played with a Gamecube controller it might have been my favorite Mario.

[OldJadedGamer]

Galaxy had you waggle to do damn near everything. Waggle to kill this guy, waggle to kill that guy, waggle to blast off to another world. It seems trivial but for someone with two messed up wrists the game was unplayable. If it could be played with a Gamecube controller it might have been my favorite Mario.

I was playing it the other night and had to keep spinning to attack people and my roommate said "dude, it looks like you're jerking off"

[Kelegacy]

I was playing it the other night and had to keep spinning to attack people and my roommate said "dude, it looks like you're jerking off"

I usually keep a Wiimote in one of my hands whenever I jerk off, so if my wife says, "Are you jerking off!?" I can just say I'm playing Wii.

[OldJadedGamer]

Ok, no joke here but the more I play Super Mario Galaxy... the more I'm drawn into it. It's a really good game. After Sunshine on the GameCube I was turned off with the series but SMG has totally redeemed it.

[Kelegacy]

Ok, no joke here but the more I play Super Mario Galaxy... the more I'm drawn into it. It's a really good game. After Sunshine on the GameCube I was turned off with the series but SMG has totally redeemed it.

I thought Sunshine was the worst Mario ever.

I still hate waggle like hell. I was playing de Blob today and you have to swing the stick to jump. Oh, don't make it easy and just let me press A or anything...

[danhoo]

I still hate waggle like hell. I was playing de Blob today and you have to swing the stick to jump. Oh, don't make it easy and just let me press A or anything...

It was for this very reason that I stopped playing de Blob. The game was fine, but I could not stand waggle-to-jump after a while.

[score]

It was for this very reason that I stopped playing de Blob. The game was fine, but I could not stand waggle-to-jump after a while.

If there's one thing I hope they change in a sequel is mapping jump to a button (though you do get used to it).

I'd also recommend picking up:

Deadly Creatures
Cursed Mountain
Silent Hill

I think they are all bargin bin fodder at the moment - well worth it for the price.

[Kelegacy]

Cursed Mountain is $10 new at Gamestop. I was going to get it but the reviews stated the controls were unresponsive and pretty bad. That's why I hate the fucking waggle.

[Widgetcraft]

Ok, no joke here but the more I play Super Mario Galaxy... the more I'm drawn into it. It's a really good game. After Sunshine on the GameCube I was turned off with the series but SMG has totally redeemed it.

Yeah, Galaxy is one of my favorite games of this generation; probably one of my favorite games ever. It just seems to hit all of the right buttons with me, though I agree that the waggle was unnecessary.

[score]

Cursed Mountain is $10 new at Gamestop. I was going to get it but the reviews stated the controls were unresponsive and pretty bad. That's why I hate the fucking waggle.

I enjoyed it - warts and all. It had great atmosphere - very creepy.

One other recommendation - If you like Street Fighter checkout Tatsunoko Vs Capcom. No waggle. Just awesome fighting. More importanly - Ryu and Chunli look like what they're meant to. Not sure of its bargain bin status though.

[Urizen]

I enjoyed it - warts and all. It had great atmosphere - very creepy.

One other recommendation - If you like Street Fighter checkout Tatsunoko Vs Capcom. No waggle. Just awesome fighting. More importanly - Ryu and Chunli look like what they're meant to. Not sure of its bargain bin status though.

Worth it at full price. Totally and completely. Worth it. Best 2D fighter in a long ass time.

[Adam Blue]

I know it's normal to hate on Sonic games without playing them, but people should play Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity. It's not easy, it's like Wipeout with more strategy involved (playing as air, power, or flight, riding the wind, upgrades, ect.). And it's almost like an action-racing game too.

[Adam Blue]

I've just started playing The Conduit...and it is awesome. It uses a classic health system, and I think the controls are perfect.