Nintendo Wii debut for UK gamers

TheHowling · 08-12-2006, 00:13

Nintendo's Wii videogames console goes on sale at midnight on Thursday to UK gamers with all pre-orders snapped up.

More than four million Wiis are being shipped globally

Gamers started queuing outside HMV on Oxford Street in London on Tuesday and Nintendo expects the console to sell out on day one.

More than four million Wiis will be shipped globally this year but there are no specific figures for the UK.

The release comes as Nintendo advises gamers to be more careful when using its new motion-sensitive controller.

The firm has sent an e-mail to customers with further advice on how to use the console's controller.

"Hold the remote securely and avoid excessive motion during game play. If your hands become moist, stop and dry your hands," the company recommended.

Nintendo is taking a different approach to rivals Sony and Microsoft - focusing on casual games and fun, family titles.

Remote control

The console costs £179 and includes a motion-sensitive controller shaped like a remote control.

The so-called Wiimote can be jabbed, swung, waved and turned to imitate a range of real-life motions that are represented on screen.

A clickable guide to the Wii
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6155664.stm

Nintendo hopes that simplifying the control system will make games consoles less intimidating to non-gamers and more accessible and immersive for hardened players.

Woolworths gaming boss Gerry Berkley said: "The Nintendo Wii is already a runaway success and we expect tomorrow to be the busiest day of the year for gaming."

Gamers who have not pre-ordered a machine are unlikely to find many on sale in UK shops on Friday morning.

Warning

Jason Legg, head of events at HMV, warned that many games fans who had not pre-ordered their consoles could be disappointed.

Gamers are queuing in London

"There will be a very, very slim chance of picking one up on Friday morning," he said.

Rob Lowe, UK product manager for Wii, said: "There is a good chance it will sell out on Friday.

"Judging by the feedback we have had from the retailers I would say you would be lucky to get one on Saturday," he said.

Response to the Nintendo Wii's release has been very positive among consumers and journalists.

Nintendo's different approach to gaming has won over many people and the launch has been generally problem-free - in contrast to Sony's PlayStation 3 launch which was hit by chronic stock shortages and reports of early teething problems.

'Too flimsy'

Many blogs have reported that the Wiimote strap is too flimsy and there are accounts of the remote flying out of hands and crashing into TV screens.

Nintendo has warned people to be careful

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said of the problems: "We are investigating."

He added: "Some people are getting a lot more excited than we'd expected.

"We need to better communicate to people how to deal with Wii as a new form of entertainment."

Nintendo also cautioned players to stay at least three feet away from the TV and to make sure people and objects were safely outside their range of motion.

Last week, Nintendo America chief Reggie Fils-Aime told Reuters news agency that many gamers were using big, sweeping motions where smaller ones would do.

"We literally have consumers letting go of the remote like you do a bowling ball. You can't do that." Fils-Aime said of a bowling game in its Wii Sports title.

Wedgy · 08-12-2006, 00:33

And once again

WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be gone for the weekend folks, cya on monday

TheHowling · 08-12-2006, 00:46

have a great weekend

Sacred · 08-12-2006, 01:51

I'm getting quite excited by the Wii, not been this excited about a games console for ages probably not since the N64! Nintendo really do know how to create hype for their consoles although not sure what heppend with the GC (still bought one mind!).
Have fun playing on your Wii this weekend, and should you get time to pull yourself away from Zelda it would be great to know how it plays (and if its another "remake" like the last one >_<' )

Detomah · 08-12-2006, 02:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wedgy

And once again

WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be gone for the weekend folks, cya on monday

I know this is probably asking a lot, but with you being the number one TF gaming team person and all that, get your camera out and do a mini journal style thread about your Wii experience, from the moment it turns up at your door, to you sitting playing the thing, via unpacking, plugging in cables and the likes.

It would be a bit of a good article to cover.

Wedgy · 08-12-2006, 03:08

Will do, expect something by the evening

Minus · 08-12-2006, 07:09

im about to go to game and get mine woooooooooooooooooooooooooot

emma roids · 08-12-2006, 08:52

ok im a 36year old fat bloke and i was up sooo early this morning like a 12 year old at christmas

just hope mine doesent turn up while im doin the school run

Minus · 08-12-2006, 08:57

i just picked mine up

cost me over 300 in total i got that much stuff

Nemesis · 08-12-2006, 09:15

Wii Will Rock You!

edit: meh cant make the video run *shrug*
edit:but i can. wedgy

08-12-2006, 00:13	#1 (permalink)
Name & Title TheHowling Horrors anew Avatar Karma Pu292.02	Nintendo Wii debut for UK gamers Nintendo's Wii videogames console goes on sale at midnight on Thursday to UK gamers with all pre-orders snapped up. More than four million Wiis are being shipped globally Gamers started queuing outside HMV on Oxford Street in London on Tuesday and Nintendo expects the console to sell out on day one. More than four million Wiis will be shipped globally this year but there are no specific figures for the UK. The release comes as Nintendo advises gamers to be more careful when using its new motion-sensitive controller. The firm has sent an e-mail to customers with further advice on how to use the console's controller. "Hold the remote securely and avoid excessive motion during game play. If your hands become moist, stop and dry your hands," the company recommended. Nintendo is taking a different approach to rivals Sony and Microsoft - focusing on casual games and fun, family titles. Remote control The console costs £179 and includes a motion-sensitive controller shaped like a remote control. The so-called Wiimote can be jabbed, swung, waved and turned to imitate a range of real-life motions that are represented on screen. A clickable guide to the Wii http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6155664.stm Nintendo hopes that simplifying the control system will make games consoles less intimidating to non-gamers and more accessible and immersive for hardened players. Woolworths gaming boss Gerry Berkley said: "The Nintendo Wii is already a runaway success and we expect tomorrow to be the busiest day of the year for gaming." Gamers who have not pre-ordered a machine are unlikely to find many on sale in UK shops on Friday morning. Warning Jason Legg, head of events at HMV, warned that many games fans who had not pre-ordered their consoles could be disappointed. Gamers are queuing in London "There will be a very, very slim chance of picking one up on Friday morning," he said. Rob Lowe, UK product manager for Wii, said: "There is a good chance it will sell out on Friday. "Judging by the feedback we have had from the retailers I would say you would be lucky to get one on Saturday," he said. Response to the Nintendo Wii's release has been very positive among consumers and journalists. Nintendo's different approach to gaming has won over many people and the launch has been generally problem-free - in contrast to Sony's PlayStation 3 launch which was hit by chronic stock shortages and reports of early teething problems. 'Too flimsy' Many blogs have reported that the Wiimote strap is too flimsy and there are accounts of the remote flying out of hands and crashing into TV screens. Nintendo has warned people to be careful Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said of the problems: "We are investigating." He added: "Some people are getting a lot more excited than we'd expected. "We need to better communicate to people how to deal with Wii as a new form of entertainment." Nintendo also cautioned players to stay at least three feet away from the TV and to make sure people and objects were safely outside their range of motion. Last week, Nintendo America chief Reggie Fils-Aime told Reuters news agency that many gamers were using big, sweeping motions where smaller ones would do. "We literally have consumers letting go of the remote like you do a bowling ball. You can't do that." Fils-Aime said of a bowling game in its Wii Sports title.
	TheHowling's Sig: NRevivalI The Howling is Getting Louder 6The UprisingM PartTimeSlayer of Pests :dbwish: :drag:
Tools

08-12-2006, 00:33	#2 (permalink)
Name & Title Wedgy ^__^ Avatar Mood Karma Pu14,706.31	And once again WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be gone for the weekend folks, cya on monday Attached Thumbnails
Name & Title Wedgy ^__^ Avatar Mood Karma Pu14,706.31	Wedgy's Sig:
Tools

08-12-2006, 00:46	#3 (permalink)
Name & Title TheHowling Horrors anew Avatar Karma Pu292.02	have a great weekend
	TheHowling's Sig: NRevivalI The Howling is Getting Louder 6The UprisingM PartTimeSlayer of Pests :dbwish: :drag:
Tools

08-12-2006, 01:51	#4 (permalink)
Name & Title Sacred Full Member Avatar Karma Pu2,858.10	I'm getting quite excited by the Wii, not been this excited about a games console for ages probably not since the N64! Nintendo really do know how to create hype for their consoles although not sure what heppend with the GC (still bought one mind!). Have fun playing on your Wii this weekend, and should you get time to pull yourself away from Zelda it would be great to know how it plays (and if its another "remake" like the last one >_<' )
Name & Title Sacred Full Member Avatar Karma Pu2,858.10	Sacred's Sig: - Sacred - "Prozac, helping emo kids smile since 1988"
Tools

08-12-2006, 03:08	#6 (permalink)
Name & Title Wedgy ^__^ Avatar Mood Karma Pu14,706.31	Will do, expect something by the evening
Name & Title Wedgy ^__^ Avatar Mood Karma Pu14,706.31	Wedgy's Sig:
Tools

08-12-2006, 07:09	#7 (permalink)
Name & Title Minus ... Karma Pu0	im about to go to game and get mine woooooooooooooooooooooooooot
Name & Title Minus ... Karma Pu0
Tools

08-12-2006, 08:52	#8 (permalink)
Name & Title emma roids dab some cream on. Avatar Mood Karma Pu17,378.42 Critters My Critters	ok im a 36year old fat bloke and i was up sooo early this morning like a 12 year old at christmas just hope mine doesent turn up while im doin the school run
	emma roids's Sig:click this link, build my city. thanks When we grew up and went to school There were certain teachers who would Hurt the children in any way they could By pouring their derision Upon anything we did And exposing every weakness However carefully hidden by the kids But in the town, it was well known When they got home at night, their fat and Psychopathic wives would thrash them Within inches of their lives. awww bless em oblivion imperial tower jump
Tools

08-12-2006, 08:57	#9 (permalink)
Name & Title Minus ... Karma Pu0	i just picked mine up cost me over 300 in total i got that much stuff
Name & Title Minus ... Karma Pu0
Tools