Wii Discussion Thread

[Gav]

Generally, 60hz is for American TV - with 50hz being for European TV. I understand it's just a different in frame rates, 60hz being slightly higher. Most EU TVs can run 60hz these days I imagine.

[Stomski]

It's more than just the screen refresh. Old games used to use the same clock for output frequency as an in game clock.

This means that the games run slower when forced to 50Hz, by a good 20%!

This has been a problem up until the last few years where manufacturers became aware of the problem. Games like Tekken Tag Tournament on the PS2 (where strict input timings were important for advanced players) suffered massively in PAL regions.

[Dave]

The long version (a good read if you have the time).

The short(ish) version: Games have borders and run slower than their Japanese/North American equivalents. It's a problem we've always had and in the past people got around it by modifying their consoles to output at 60hz.

Over time it's become less of an issue as consoles have either supported 60hz output without tampering or the games have been optimized for 50hz. In was kind of forgotten about until the Virtual Console service launched and--despite the Wii having an option to output 60hz--the majority of VC games are forced into 50hz mode irrespective of how your Wii is setup.

Now I should point out that this means games play at the same speed they did back in the day. However since their original release correct speed options have been available via retro collections. The Sonic collection for the Gamecube allowed you to choose between 50 or 60hz whilst the Zelda collection would ONLY run in 60hz.

Now not all games are affected by this on VC as PC Engine games will run in 60hz mode and most of the import and arcade games too.
Of the rest, some were optimized at the time of release - like the Donkey Kong Country games. Other games have been partially optimised for the VC to remove the borders. The SNK collections support 60hz (when the VC downloads do not) so I'm quite surprised that Nintendo haven't been able to sort something out for Allstars.

[KnightBeat]

!Deal alert!

Game are selling Sonic Colours for 9.99 when bought with Sonic & Mario at the Olympics (£25).

[Stomski]

Personally, they'd have to pay me to get Sonic and Mario at the Olympics into my game collection.

[KnightBeat]

Same here. Sonic & Mario is worse than the joystick waggling games that were around in the 1980s.

[Dave]

Dusted off the balance board for some Wii Fit this morning. I did the test and when my weight was displayed I discovered I'm a fat git.
Shaking my fist in anger at the obviously broken board, I stormed off to find some scales to determine how much I actually weigh.

So I weighed myself and...oh...

Exercise time!

[Dave]

Had Donkey Kong Country Returns for Xmas. I've not played it much yet (only on world 2) but it seems a decent enough game. However having to shake the Wiimote to pound the ground/roll is mucho irritating. It came with Wii and Wiimote stickers which look sexy though the Wiimote ones are slightly too big so I can see them getting knocked off after a while.

Also had Mario Allstars. The extras are slight, so I'm glad I didn't buy it myself but the games remain fun and people have been eager to try them out. I'd also forgotten how enjoyable (non-super) Mario Bros. (included as a Battle Mode in SMB3) can be.

[KnightBeat]

Bargain alert: I bought Metroid: Other M for 9.99 and Sin and Punishment for 14.99 in Game a few days ago.

[Stomski]

Finally got round to playing No More Heroes 2. They've trimmed the game down a lot from the first in that there is no free roaming city to travel around to get to missions. The minigames for earning cash have been rejigged into 8-bit style minigames that are fun, but repetitive. There's no real need to redo them though as the emphasis on money has been taken out too. It's only really good for buying new weapons, paying for the gym minigames to level up and customising your character. Of which there is plenty of for the first 2.

If you get a chance to play either NMH1 or 2, I recommend you do, both are a riot.

[The Doctor]

I've finally had a shot of a Wii. Yeah, years behind. Played the bowling. It was fun.

-Ralph

[Dave]

The ol' Wii Sports remains a great disk to whip out when people come round for quick and simple gaming fun.

[Philip Ayres]

Jonathan now has his own Wii.

Is there any hardware kit he needs for it?

[Stomski]

Rubber grips for the Wiimote? Nunchucks? Classic controller for retro games?

All depends on the game really.

Lightsabre or Republic Trooper gun attachment? These don't enhance gameplay at all and if anything make clunky motion controls even worse, but may be ok for kids.

[Philip Ayres]

Wiimote came with a rubber grip and a Nunchuck.

I was thinking a second Wiimote if he has a friend visit. How long do the batteries last? That worried me as I was putting them in.

Kart is all that he has at the moment but he wants some other Mario games (recomendations?)

[Stomski]

Super Mario Bros 3 on Virtual Console

New Super Mario Bros Wii is standard platform affair, plus up to 4 players so you can take part too!

Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are absolutely amazing games, but the spherical worlds can be confusing and make jumping on enemies tricky.

Super Paper Mario is kind of long and is an RPG not a platformer, so best to avoid.

Super Mario Strikers is a kooky football game, but the mechanic for scoring goals may confuse (more passes=more power/skill)

Mario+Sonic at the Olympic Games? I can't abide games like this, it epitomises all that is wrong with motion control gaming imo, focusing on uncontrolled waggling rather than subtle movements. However, the kids I've seen play it seem to enjoy it, so perhaps worth an investment?

Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is A+++ craziness, but you have gotta be totally on the ball with the nuances/limitations of 1st gen Wii motion controller stuff.

Not Mario related, but Boom Blox is probably worth a look if you can still get it.

Batteries last pretty well, but will run down if the remotes are just left standing around. I use rechargeables and always have a spare set to hand charged up and ready to go. Perhaps get a charging station? Normally they come with battery packs with connectors on the back for charging and double as a stand/equipment tidy.

Definitely get extra Remote+nunchucks.

[Philip Ayres]

Got it hooked up to the net just fine now :-)

[Bogatan]

Batteries will last a good time usually and if you use rechargeable just stick on recharge over night when the start to show as low.

If it didnt come with Wii Sports or sports resort I'd recommend them, very simple games but loads of fun and will get Jonathon use to the wiimotes.

[Stomski]

Urgh, finally started playing Monster Hunter Tri, only to find out Capcom are shutting the online play servers down on April 30th! Doesn't give me much time to get deep into it, alas.

[Philip Ayres]

Grrrr. downloaded Super Mario Bros off Virtual Console and it's refusing to recognise the wiimote

[Philip Ayres]

sorted. J v v v happy

[Stomski]

Anyone have a Classic Controller / Pro they aren't using anymore. I'm in the market for one.

Thanks.

[Philip Ayres]

Jonathan has suddenly decided to play on his Wii again.

Unfortunately one of his favourite games, New Super Mario Bros, has kept failing.

Disc is minimally scratched and has been cleaned several times.

I've already ordered a replacement but can anyone think of another reason why the disc wouldn't load?

[Stomski]

Dirty lens in the drive? How are the other disks working?

[Philip Ayres]

Everything else works fine bar this one disc!