Buying a gift Wii: recommend me some games

Lanrutcon

I've settled on buying my friend a Wii for his birthday, but I'm not all that familiar with Wii library (since I don't own one myself). Anyone mind saving me the sanity loss of checking out online game reviews by recommending me some Wii titles? My friend loves turn-based strategy, jrpgs and anything with a good story.

Oh, and I need a really corny Wii pun to make when he unwraps the present.

DarkPrimus

If he doesn't like Super Mario Galaxy then he shouldn't be playing the system.

AaronKI

Do you know how he feels about Adventure/Puzzle games? If your friend doesn't absolutely hate them, I would reccomend Zack & Wiki. It's one of the best games on the system right now (besides Mario Galaxy), it does a great job showing off the motion controls, and it's only $40.

Actually, at the moment, it's $32 on Amazon.

Edit: On the Strategy/RPG side of things, there's a Fire Emblem game on the Wii. But I know nothing about JRPGs, so I don't have anything else to say about it. Other than that it seems to be a direct sequel to the GameCube FE.

Lanrutcon

He's big on Adventure/Puzzle. I saw the Fire Emblem, gamespot kinda slagged it tho he missed out on all the GBA fire emblems so I was kinda keen on picking it up. Any opinions on it?

Nekro

Puzzle Quest is on the Wii, isn't it? It's pretty great. To be honest I don't know much about puzzle games for the system, but I can back up Aaronki's claim that Zack and Wiki is amazing. It really feels like a "Wii game" if you get what I mean.

EskimoDave

you're a pretty kick ass friend.

AaronKI

Lanrutcon wrote: »

He's big on Adventure/Puzzle. I saw the Fire Emblem, gamespot kinda slagged it tho he missed out on all the GBA fire emblems so I was kinda keen on picking it up. Any opinions on it?

Wikipedia's "reception" section for Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn might help you until some people who've played it show up. It seems like GameSpot was one of the few places that hated it, and most others gave it a thumbs up.

Anyway, definitely look into Zack & Wiki since he likes Adventure/Puzzle games. And if you decide not to choose it, make sure you at least tell him that it exists. Capcom barely did any advertising for it and left it to die, so most people aren't even aware of it.

Squirrel Rancher

Any self-respecting individial with a Wii needs to get No More Heroes this month.

Alfred J. Kwak

Getting Super Mario Galaxy is pretty much mandatory when picking up a Wii (as is Zelda:TTP, when he hasn't played the GC game yet). And Fire Emblem is the exact kind of game your friend seems to be into.

Xagarath

Metroid Prime 3 should also be mandatory if your friend is not allergic to first-person.

Nekro

Xagarath wrote: »

Metroid Prime 3 should also be mandatory if your friend is not allergic to first-person.

Must buy Prime 3... but must also buy No More Heroes. Decisions, decisions.

Lanrutcon

Xagarath wrote: »

Metroid Prime 3 should also be mandatory if your friend is not allergic to first-person.

er...he almost is. If I show him Unreal Tournament 3 he turns purple and damp kittens emerge from his clothing, rabid and ready for war. Not his kind of thing :P so that Zelda thingy is worth it, eh? *smirk* If he's a Soul Calibur fan...do I get him Soul Calibur Legends? Or is it that bad?

Alfred J. Kwak

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Xagarath wrote: »

Metroid Prime 3 should also be mandatory if your friend is not allergic to first-person.

er...he almost is. If I show him Unreal Tournament 3 he turns purple and damp kittens emerge from his clothing, rabid and ready for war. Not his kind of thing :P so that Zelda thingy is worth it, eh? *smirk* If he's a Soul Calibur fan...do I get him Soul Calibur Legends? Or is it that bad?

From what I heard it's abysmal, definitely avoid it.

And Metroid Prime isn't really so much a straight FPS as an adventure game with FPS controlls. It puts more emphasis on the combat then the previous two games, though.

Sanders

Problem with buying games is you may buy one he thinks that sucks, and once they are opened, it is pretty hard to return them. Go the easier route and buy peripherals. List in order of importance, depending on how much you want to spend on this guy (as you are buying the whole system already)

Wii Play
Extra Nunchuck
256MB Memory Card
Classic Controller
Wii points card
Wii Zapper

Estimated total $160, but that number is pulled from the top of my head.

stealth edit- also, if he doesn't own a Gamecube, you could attempt to track down a GCN controller for him.

Grudge

Rayman Raving Rabbids and Super Mario Galaxy.

TyrantCow

I am so angry I still cannot find a Wii.
I'm going to tell people about that fact, whenever I can.

Lanrutcon

Sanders wrote: »

Problem with buying games is you may buy one he thinks that sucks, and once they are opened, it is pretty hard to return them. Go the easier route and buy peripherals. List in order of importance, depending on how much you want to spend on this guy (as you are buying the whole system already)

Wii Play
Extra Nunchuck
256MB Memory Card
Classic Controller
Wii points card
Wii Zapper

Estimated total $160, but that number is pulled from the top of my head.

stealth edit- also, if he doesn't own a Gamecube, you could attempt to track down a GCN controller for him.

Ok. Um, what do those things do, why is a GC controller the shit and why would any of those be better than some quality titles? :P

HadjiQuest

The Wii Zapper really isn't worth it unless you're big on Zelda, and even then it's kind of debatable.

Nekro

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Sanders wrote: »

Problem with buying games is you may buy one he thinks that sucks, and once they are opened, it is pretty hard to return them. Go the easier route and buy peripherals. List in order of importance, depending on how much you want to spend on this guy (as you are buying the whole system already)

Wii Play
Extra Nunchuck
256MB Memory Card
Classic Controller
Wii points card
Wii Zapper

Estimated total $160, but that number is pulled from the top of my head.

stealth edit- also, if he doesn't own a Gamecube, you could attempt to track down a GCN controller for him.

Ok. Um, what do those things do, why is a GC controller the shit and why would any of those be better than some quality titles? :P

Wii Play is a collection of minigames and an extra controller, you need nunchuks to play most Wii games, the memory card will help with the abysmal storage if he's after any Virtual Console games, the Classic Controller is like an SNES controller (not necessary but very very nice for Virtual Console games; need can be subverted by a GC controller), Wii points are for purchasing channels (kind of like modes for your Wii) and Virtual Console games, and the Wii Zapper is a neat rifle type peripheral for the Wiimote and Nunchuk that comes with Link's Crossbow Training (think Police Training but more fun).

Nekro

HadjiQuest wrote: »

The Wii Zapper really isn't worth it unless you're big on Zelda, and even then it's kind of debatable.

It's a solid shooter with the Zelda tag on it.

Lanrutcon

Nekro wrote: »

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Sanders wrote: »

Problem with buying games is you may buy one he thinks that sucks, and once they are opened, it is pretty hard to return them. Go the easier route and buy peripherals. List in order of importance, depending on how much you want to spend on this guy (as you are buying the whole system already)

Wii Play
Extra Nunchuck
256MB Memory Card
Classic Controller
Wii points card
Wii Zapper

Estimated total $160, but that number is pulled from the top of my head.

stealth edit- also, if he doesn't own a Gamecube, you could attempt to track down a GCN controller for him.

Ok. Um, what do those things do, why is a GC controller the shit and why would any of those be better than some quality titles? :P

Wii Play is a collection of minigames and an extra controller, you need nunchuks to play most Wii games, the memory card will help with the abysmal storage if he's after any Virtual Console games, the Classic Controller is like an SNES controller (not necessary but very very nice for Virtual Console games; need can be subverted by a GC controller), Wii points are for purchasing channels (kind of like modes for your Wii) and Virtual Console games, and the Wii Zapper is a neat rifle type peripheral for the Wiimote and Nunchuk that comes with Link's Crossbow Training (think Police Training but more fun).

Ok. Would he need nunchucks to play Zelda:ttp, for example?

Nekro

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Nekro wrote: »

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Sanders wrote: »

Problem with buying games is you may buy one he thinks that sucks, and once they are opened, it is pretty hard to return them. Go the easier route and buy peripherals. List in order of importance, depending on how much you want to spend on this guy (as you are buying the whole system already)

Wii Play
Extra Nunchuck
256MB Memory Card
Classic Controller
Wii points card
Wii Zapper

Estimated total $160, but that number is pulled from the top of my head.

stealth edit- also, if he doesn't own a Gamecube, you could attempt to track down a GCN controller for him.

Ok. Um, what do those things do, why is a GC controller the shit and why would any of those be better than some quality titles? :P

Wii Play is a collection of minigames and an extra controller, you need nunchuks to play most Wii games, the memory card will help with the abysmal storage if he's after any Virtual Console games, the Classic Controller is like an SNES controller (not necessary but very very nice for Virtual Console games; need can be subverted by a GC controller), Wii points are for purchasing channels (kind of like modes for your Wii) and Virtual Console games, and the Wii Zapper is a neat rifle type peripheral for the Wiimote and Nunchuk that comes with Link's Crossbow Training (think Police Training but more fun).

Ok. Would he need nunchucks to play Zelda:ttp, for example?

Yes. A nunchuk not only adds more motion control capability, but two buttons (C and Z) and an analog stick. He'll need one nunchuk and one Wiimote to play TTP, same with Super Mario Galaxy.

Edit: If you look on the back of the boxes, it shows you what kind of controller you'll need to play. Some only need the Wiimote.

HadjiQuest

Nekro wrote: »

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Nekro wrote: »

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Sanders wrote: »

Problem with buying games is you may buy one he thinks that sucks, and once they are opened, it is pretty hard to return them. Go the easier route and buy peripherals. List in order of importance, depending on how much you want to spend on this guy (as you are buying the whole system already)

Wii Play
Extra Nunchuck
256MB Memory Card
Classic Controller
Wii points card
Wii Zapper

Estimated total $160, but that number is pulled from the top of my head.

stealth edit- also, if he doesn't own a Gamecube, you could attempt to track down a GCN controller for him.

Ok. Um, what do those things do, why is a GC controller the shit and why would any of those be better than some quality titles? :P

Wii Play is a collection of minigames and an extra controller, you need nunchuks to play most Wii games, the memory card will help with the abysmal storage if he's after any Virtual Console games, the Classic Controller is like an SNES controller (not necessary but very very nice for Virtual Console games; need can be subverted by a GC controller), Wii points are for purchasing channels (kind of like modes for your Wii) and Virtual Console games, and the Wii Zapper is a neat rifle type peripheral for the Wiimote and Nunchuk that comes with Link's Crossbow Training (think Police Training but more fun).

Ok. Would he need nunchucks to play Zelda:ttp, for example?

Yes. A nunchuk not only adds more motion control capability, but two buttons (C and Z) and an analog stick. He'll need one nunchuk and one Wiimote to play TTP, same with Super Mario Galaxy.

Edit: If you look on the back of the boxes, it shows you what kind of controller you'll need to play. Some only need the Wiimote.

The Wii comes with 1 nunchuck and one remote.

If you buy a separate, second remote, it does not come with a nunchuck and so you'll need to buy it separately for a second controller.

Nekro

HadjiQuest wrote: »

Nekro wrote: »

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Nekro wrote: »

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Sanders wrote: »

Problem with buying games is you may buy one he thinks that sucks, and once they are opened, it is pretty hard to return them. Go the easier route and buy peripherals. List in order of importance, depending on how much you want to spend on this guy (as you are buying the whole system already)

Wii Play
Extra Nunchuck
256MB Memory Card
Classic Controller
Wii points card
Wii Zapper

Estimated total $160, but that number is pulled from the top of my head.

stealth edit- also, if he doesn't own a Gamecube, you could attempt to track down a GCN controller for him.

Ok. Um, what do those things do, why is a GC controller the shit and why would any of those be better than some quality titles? :P

Wii Play is a collection of minigames and an extra controller, you need nunchuks to play most Wii games, the memory card will help with the abysmal storage if he's after any Virtual Console games, the Classic Controller is like an SNES controller (not necessary but very very nice for Virtual Console games; need can be subverted by a GC controller), Wii points are for purchasing channels (kind of like modes for your Wii) and Virtual Console games, and the Wii Zapper is a neat rifle type peripheral for the Wiimote and Nunchuk that comes with Link's Crossbow Training (think Police Training but more fun).

Ok. Would he need nunchucks to play Zelda:ttp, for example?

Yes. A nunchuk not only adds more motion control capability, but two buttons (C and Z) and an analog stick. He'll need one nunchuk and one Wiimote to play TTP, same with Super Mario Galaxy.

Edit: If you look on the back of the boxes, it shows you what kind of controller you'll need to play. Some only need the Wiimote.

The Wii comes with 1 nunchuck and one remote.

If you buy a separate, second remote, it does not come with a nunchuck and so you'll need to buy it separately for a second controller.

Does it come with a nunchuk? I thought it just had a Wiimote.

KVW

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Oh, and I need a really corny Wii pun to make when he unwraps the present.

"I hope you Wii-ly like it!"

I think my work here is done.

Lanrutcon

I'll make sure when I purchase it, I didn't know about the nunchuck thing. Lord. I'm a PC gamer with mild PS2 jrpg tendancies.

Sanders

Nekro wrote: »

HadjiQuest wrote: »

Nekro wrote: »

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Nekro wrote: »

Lanrutcon wrote: »

Sanders wrote: »

Problem with buying games is you may buy one he thinks that sucks, and once they are opened, it is pretty hard to return them. Go the easier route and buy peripherals. List in order of importance, depending on how much you want to spend on this guy (as you are buying the whole system already)

Wii Play
Extra Nunchuck
256MB Memory Card
Classic Controller
Wii points card
Wii Zapper

Estimated total $160, but that number is pulled from the top of my head.

stealth edit- also, if he doesn't own a Gamecube, you could attempt to track down a GCN controller for him.

Ok. Um, what do those things do, why is a GC controller the shit and why would any of those be better than some quality titles? :P

Wii Play is a collection of minigames and an extra controller, you need nunchuks to play most Wii games, the memory card will help with the abysmal storage if he's after any Virtual Console games, the Classic Controller is like an SNES controller (not necessary but very very nice for Virtual Console games; need can be subverted by a GC controller), Wii points are for purchasing channels (kind of like modes for your Wii) and Virtual Console games, and the Wii Zapper is a neat rifle type peripheral for the Wiimote and Nunchuk that comes with Link's Crossbow Training (think Police Training but more fun).

Ok. Would he need nunchucks to play Zelda:ttp, for example?

Yes. A nunchuk not only adds more motion control capability, but two buttons (C and Z) and an analog stick. He'll need one nunchuk and one Wiimote to play TTP, same with Super Mario Galaxy.

Edit: If you look on the back of the boxes, it shows you what kind of controller you'll need to play. Some only need the Wiimote.

The Wii comes with 1 nunchuck and one remote.

If you buy a separate, second remote, it does not come with a nunchuck and so you'll need to buy it separately for a second controller.

Does it come with a nunchuk? I thought it just had a Wiimote.

EDIT I AM TOTALLY SCREWING UP THIS QUOTE TREE
The system comes with one Wiimote and one nunchuck. Most (not all, but most) will require one of each per player. So if you wanted to play a two player game, you would have to buy another Wiimote and another nunchuck($60 value). Or you could get Wiiplay + nunchuck for $70, but get the 9 more minigames that come with it.

Chances are if you own or want a Wii, you want it for mutiplayer gaming, so an extra set of controllers is highly recommended.
(This reply not directly aimed at Nekro. I got confused who i was quoting.)

Nekro

Just to add a personal aside, I bought the Wii with the intent of getting the Nintendo big releases for myself. Within a week I had purchased three more controllers and nunchuks, as Mario Party 8 was a huge hit with my large family. To this day my non gaming family members have gotten as much use out of it as I have.

Also you may want to get him a Nyko Recharge Station (or two if he's going to have four controllers), as Wiimotes eat up batteries like no tomorrow.

Xaquin

I'd get Zelda, Galaxy, Zack and Wiki, or a charge station

GungHo

I recommend the WiiPlay. He'll want another remote, and it's only $10 more.

RainbowDespair

Are you sure he really wants a Wii? I'm just wondering because if he's just into turn based strategy and JRPGs, there really isn't that much besides Fire Emblem to recommend the system at the moment. You might be better off just picking up a quality PS2 JRPG (Persona 3 would be an excellent choice if he doesn't have it already).

Nekro

RainbowDespair wrote: »

Are you sure he really wants a Wii? I'm just wondering because if he's just into turn based strategy and JRPGs, there really isn't that much besides Fire Emblem to recommend the system at the moment. You might be better off just picking up a quality PS2 JRPG (Persona 3 would be an excellent choice if he doesn't have it already).

Great point. There aren't many games like you described for the Wii. Although I know a new Civ game is coming out for the Wii eventually (Does that count? I've never played one.)

Idx86

Am I stupid for wanting Trauma Center? I won a game (Juiced 2) for the 360 from a local radio station, but I don't have a 360 yet. Will probably not get one for another year or so. I want to trade in Juiced 2 at Gamestop for whatever it's worth and grab the first Trauma Center.

Xaquin

what about BWii?

He may like that.

RainbowDespair

Idx86 wrote: »

Am I stupid for wanting Trauma Center?

Trauma Center was probably the best 1st generation Wii game aside from Zelda so no, I wouldn't say wanting it is stupid.

Nekro

I'm so on the fence with Trauma Center. I want one but I don't know where to start. There's no interconnecting plotline is there? I just kind of want to cut people up.

Lunker

Nekro wrote: »

I'm so on the fence with Trauma Center. I want one but I don't know where to start. There's no interconnecting plotline is there? I just kind of want to cut people up.

I don't think so -- I'm still pretty early in on New Blood (the second Wii game) but it's got an all-new cast. I'd say start with Second Opinion on Wii as it can likely be had for cheap nowadays. And the games are fucking awesome; it's a shame that I haven't played much of New Blood, since I was one of the forum's greatest proponents of it, but I've been buried under so many games from November.

Nekro

Lunker wrote: »

Nekro wrote: »

I'm so on the fence with Trauma Center. I want one but I don't know where to start. There's no interconnecting plotline is there? I just kind of want to cut people up.

I don't think so -- I'm still pretty early in on New Blood (the second Wii game) but it's got an all-new cast. I'd say start with Second Opinion on Wii as it can likely be had for cheap nowadays. And the games are fucking awesome; it's a shame that I haven't played much of New Blood, since I was one of the forum's greatest proponents of it, but I've been buried under so many games from November.

I hear you man, I'm still on Virmire in Mass Effect and haven't finished Assassin's Creed, Zack and Wiki, or Umbrella Chronicles. Thanks for the tip though, I'll find Second Opinion.

Idx86

I popped into GameStop against my better judgment to see what trade in value I could get. $13 for a new copy of the game. Doesn't quite get me to Trauma Center territory. I know it's been well documented here and in other places regarding the piss poor trade-in value, but that was even lower than what I expected.

I think I'll do eBay instead. Maybe Goozex.

CZroe

Score! I just got Super Mario Galaxy and Super Paper Mario at Goodwill for $13 total. Because I already own these and I just sold a Wii this morning, I am suggesting that the buyer get these off me for $25 a piece (I like to pass on much of the savings). She is buying it as a birthday present too (it already included Wii Play + Remote and the crap-stastic Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam that I paid $13 and $5 for ). Perfect presents.

EskimoDave

TyrantCow wrote: »

I am so angry I still cannot find a Wii.
I'm going to tell people about that fact, whenever I can.

I've bought 2 so far. One for me last January and one last Thursday for my sister.