Wii Sports
In its most brilliant move, Nintendo has decided to package Wii Sports with the console. Having played Wii Sports at E3, I could tell right away that this game’s overly simplified control scheme would get old in a day. But, it’s a great way to show off the console and its abilities. I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks that even with 5 games in 1, Wii Sports isn’t worth $50. Not only does including a game make the console price that much more appealing, Wii Sports is a great way to get other family members into the Wii. We all know 15 year old Timmy is going to buy a Wii, but when grandpa sees how easy it is to play Tennis, and that poor little Timmy is playing by himself, he won’t be able to help but join in the fun.

Accessory Prices
Here’s where I think Nintendo went overboard. The price point for the Wiimote has been set at $39.99. While slightly more expensive than the already overpriced Gamecube controller, I think that it makes sense, considering the 101 things the controller can do. But, when I heard that if you want a nunchuck, it’s going to cost you an extra $19.99, that’s when it got personal. That’s like going into a deli, ordering a turkey sandwich, getting a plate with nothing but turkey, and having the guy tell you “Oh, you wanted BREAD? Well that’ll cost you an extra $5.”

By packaging the Wiimote and the nunchuck together with the console, they are in effect admitting that both are required to make use of the system. To have to spend $59.99 on each extra controller set is outrageous. Nintendo has been claiming from the very beginning that their strategy is to make this a system for the entire family, but if you want your entire family to play, it’s going to cost you a whopping $180. When buying three controllers is almost as expensive as buying the console, you know something’s not kosher (continuing the deli analogy).

And let’s not forget the classic controller. God forbid you are one of Nintendo’s previously untapped markets that they’re so concerned with targeting (sorry, I went to business school) and you don’t already own a Gamecube. Now you’ll have to spend ANOTHER $19.99 on the classic controller shell. So if you want your entire family to be able to play any Wii game, it’s going to cost you an extra $240! For shame Nintendo….for shame.

Wii Channels It doesn’t take a Brain Age player to have seen this one coming. “Our controller already looks like a TV remote, why don’t we make our interface look like TV! It’s GENIUS” Very good Nintendo (*pats on head). Each game/web browser/virtual console/anything else Nintendo decides to shove in our faces is displayed as its own channel on the main screen. Simply point at a channel and click, and you are instantly playing a game, surfing the web, watching the news, etc. There really isn’t much else to say other than that this looks like a great interface.