We Has Wii

I’ve actually got something way cooler than Wii to talk about, but since the news won’t be made public until later to day you’ll all just have to come back and look for a second blog post.

Last week I thought I would go out and be a super guy and get my wife and kid a Wii. The Widget really wanted one and I’ve been trying to get one since before Christmas but the silly things are impossible to find.

Lucky for me though, I’ve made a friend at the local GameStop and he told me that if I came in on such-and-such a day, at such-and-such a time I could probably snag one of the dozen that they go in every few weeks. Of course, given how my luck goes, the UPS guy would be hours late and it would ruin my day.

So of course, the UPS guy was hours late and it sort of ruined my day. 3+ hours is FAR too long to stand around in a video game store. You can’t help but start to loath yourself as you watch the dregs of society lug themselves in to buy the same game over and over again, and realize that on some level you are them, and they are you.

The abrasive mom who bought Call of Duty 4 for her young son. He was maybe 13yrs old I’d guess. Its not that CoD4 is particularly gory, but it is violent and clearly intended for an older audience. I mean look at the website I just linked you to. It suggests that what it contains is not appropriate for all viewers. That ought to be a clue right there I think. And check out this trailer for the game -you can see its a fantastic looking video game, and the mechanics are just wonderful. I love it to pieces. But I wouldn’t let my kid play it.

If there are any parents reading this who just don’t see what the big deal is, because this isn’t any worse than what their kids see on TV, consider this. Television is something that you are a passive observer of but in video games you are an active participant. Study after study has been done showing how all gamers internalize the games we play -and as a gamer I can agree with that. I’m not talking about reports that blame video games for things like Columbine or things like that -that’s a cop out and a half. I’m just saying that there is a BIG difference between watching fake violence and participating in fake violence, and whatever you think your children are not equipped to handle it.

Perhaps you think that we should just disagree and leave it at that. But when the creators of the game post warnings on their own website, I’d say the weight of evidence is in my camp.

Anyway, back to Wii. 3+ hours of wait. I get the thing home, I charge up the controlers, make little avatars for the family and take it for a test run. About 5 minutes into Mario Galaxies I am bored to death and I pop CoD4 in the 360 and start shooting people in the head. Much more fun!

Over all, the Wii is sort of a joke. Yes the games are fun, and yes my wife and child love it, but its not quite a gaming platform -its more like a party game. Its not terribly enjoyable as a solo activity. The graphics are horrific, and 23yrs since the first time I saw him, Mario still makes me want to reach into the television and slap his stupid child molesting mustache off.

Its not a bad platform -its just that the target audience is children. And adults who otherwise don’t play video games. And since I didn’t buy it for myself what the hell am i complaining about? Nothing I guess.

The Widget loves it to pieces, and that’s why I stood around all morning being irritated by other parents and wishing the UPS guy would show up.

-The guy’s at The Pullbox continue to pimp Robo and we really appreciate it!

-Lauren Pettapeice’s really dope Atomic Robo!

RANDOM SPLENDOR

-Flight of the Conchords –Frodo Don’t Wear That Ring.

-Combat Robot Attempts Rebellion Against Masters in Iraq.