My husband and I have decided to purchase a Wii for X-mas this year, but when we started looking around it seems there are may different choices, packages, etc. We have three kids, ages 2-4-6 so obviously we'd like to get games that they could enjoy as they get older. I like the fitness idea. Does anyone have any suggestions? We'd like to get the most bang for our buck. Is it better to get a package? Should you buy everything separate? Any advice would be appreciated.
My kids are 4, 6 and 8....just a couple years ahead you. :)
They love Super Mario. I think this is a good deal. No only do you get the console but you get a game, the wheel and controllers. Plus cash back.
Hi D.,
We bought one last Christmas on Overstock.com. It came all inclusive with the sports package and we've had tons of fun with it. You will probably need to buy another wand (don't remember what they are called) as ours only came with one and some games do require more than one wand when you play with others. For your kids' age group, I've heard the Mario Bros games are really fun. Our daughter is a Scooby Doo fan so we purchased a couple of those games and they are a little challenging but your 6 yo could probably handle it. Donkey Kong is a fun one, too. The 2 and 4 yos would probably enjoy bowling, which comes w/ the sports package :)
If you get any Wii, purchase Cosmic Family. It is a GREAT game for your children's ages which will help teach them how to manipulate the controller and cursor on the screen. This is a skill they will need to develop for the Wii. Its also a cute story line and easy to follow for the little ones. There's a sweet surprise when they complete all the tasks.
I would recommend the white Wii. That is the one that comes with Wii Sports Resort. (Make sure you get sports resort, regular Wii sports isnt as good) It has a lot of great games for the entire family.
Mario comes with the red Wii. We LOVE that game, but the little ones might not be as into it.
We find that we need 2 Wii controllers and 2 nunchucks to play easily and without having to share.
I picked up Wii fit on craigslist for about $40. Once you get the main console, you can add to it depending on what your interests are.
If Grandma and Grandpa are looking for gift ideas, ask for GameStop gift cards, or batteries. (You'll put them to good use!)
The plain package (game console, one nunchuk and one controller) usually come in the box with A game. Different times of year and different stores will sometimes have different games included. In years past, Target has often had buy __ and __ # of games and get a $20 Target gift card, or some other combination along those lines.
You WILL need/want to have 2 sets of controllers (meaning 2 controller and 2 nunchuks). Ideally, you will want to have the balance board. Quite a lot of the sporting games that actually make you get up and move require the balance board. The balance board usually comes with a game included in its box also. So check both 'packages' out to make sure you are not getting the same game in each package (main console package and balance board package).
And buy the bulk packages of AA batteries.
As far as the "accessories" like the wheel for Mariokart and such.... they aren't really necessary. I have one kid who prefers playing WITH the wheel and one who prefers a controller withOUT the wheel. Many of the other accessories are like that too... not necessary--but perhaps preferred by certain players.
I watch for certain games to have "incentives" attached to them---like buy this one get _____ (often a gift card for that store, or a discount on another game if purchased at the same time). Or I shop GameStop for used ones.
I don't know if you are a black Friday shopper,but I just saw that Walmart is going to have a cool looking blue wii for $99 on black Friday. :)
Good luck! My kids love their wii.
The deals are going to be awesome for Wii this year because they are making the way for the new Wii coming out. Its just a diff controller, not much else. You can get the package deal that usually comes with a game, wii plus wii remote and nunchuck. Seeing as you have a large family you will need to buy extra remots. My advice, these never go on sale. If you ever see them on sale while shopping, even if 3-5 dollars, buy it. They will never be on sale again!! Your family will enjoy the games that it comes with wii sports and wii sports resorts. Mario Kart and The new super mario bros is always a hit. Cooking mama is great( i have a girl). Target gave a 50 gc last year with their package. I personally would never do Walmart on Black Friday but that deal seems to be the best. Thanksgiving day will also have sales! Good Luck!
EVERYONE, can do the fitness Wii package and ours also came with the sports games.
We have that.
From when our kids were about 2 years old - 6 years old.
It is fun. My kids enjoy it and we can use it too.
Oh be sure to get a "balance board." It is used for the fitness package and other games. And get another controller too, so that 2 people can play at the same time.
It only comes with one wii remote and one nunchuck. You'll need at least 2 of each. I'd buy the system new as it regularly comes ( I like the warranty and nintendo has great customer service). Then, buy the controls and games used at gamestop or on craigslist. We are 28, 33, and 10 and like to play Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, Super Mario Bros., Super Paper Mario (very challenging game), Zelda, Mario Kart, and the sports resort.
I would look on Craigslist. There are plenty of people who make the investment on a gaming system only to find out that they don't use it. We bought our PS3 and 2 guitar hero games with accessories for $300 (retail of it all would have easily been $800+). And depending on what you find you only might have to get some additional games and those can be bought at Game Stop if you want used or new.
We did this last year for Christmas, and Target and Walmart both offered packages that included Wii Sports. It included 2 remotes. Keep checking your local ads for those stores for their deals this year. Or try craiglist - tons of wii gaming systems are listed on there all the time.
Actually in your case I would recommend the XBox360 with Kinect. Kinect games MAKE you move in order to work the game. Wii does have several sports games but you can easily sit on the couch and play them. With Kinect you HAVE to move.
Also with Wii, even for the games that say they are for everyone, my 5y has trouble figuring out how they work. She can't read so someone has to stay there and help her.
