Forecast Channel Up and Running!

Until the beta of the Opera Browser for the Wii comes out, I have to find something to get excited for right? I’m on the verge of beating Zelda, I’m burnt out on creating Miis, I can’t watch DVDs, and I can only do so many picture puzzle games. Apparently when I get home from work tonight, I will be greeted with a lovely message on my Wii from Nintendo stating that I can now update my Wii to have the Forecast Channel to play with. From what I can see in the video, there’s enough here to keep me entertained for at least a few weeks. (Or at least until the browser is released December 22nd.) Watch the video and see tell us what you think. More impression of the new feature in the future.

[UPDATE: Ok so the fun of the Forecast channel only lasted me 15 minutes. 8 of those minutes was me in the shower, but hey at least it’s free right?]

 

 

Wii straps breaking? It’s just an ID Ten-T problem!

I keep reading these stories about people breaking their TV’s, punching their significant love ones in the face, or even chattering light fixtures all because of the Nintendo Wii. Are you serious? Are these people just attaching their Wii-motes to their wrist, then proceeding to swing their arms violently as if to say, “Hey! Look at me! I’m a monkey, I’m a monkey!”? How insane do you have to be to break the strap on your Wii-mote?

The fact that Nintendo had to actually go to the public and tell everyone to calm down is just mind-boggling to me. The fact that there’s this website is even more bizarre! I for one will not be getting my strap recalled because it’s never going to break; I hope otherwise I’ll look like an idiot. So to everyone who has damaged their face or electrical appliance with their Wii-mote I have two words for you, CALM DOWN. Games are to be a release from your stressed filled lives, not an excuse to put a hole in your wall or to take a trip to the hospital!

Last Note: ID Ten-T: Write down each letter except use ten numerically instead of with letters. I have had to explain this too many times at work and this is the last.

 

 

My Review of Wii Sports

Everyone buying a Wii this holiday season will receive a free packed in game by the name of Wii Sports. Wii Sports is a title with five mini games including baseball, boxing, tennis, golfing, and bowling. Wii Sports also takes advantage of the Mii characters you create by importing them into the game.
I was one of the few lucky enough to get their Wii early on launch day and up until Thanksgiving Day, I really didn’t play Wii Sports at all. The first time I really got into it was with my family and let me tell you, this game is great with friends and family members to play with. We went through all the games, even Wii Golf, but the one we enjoyed the most was Wii Bowling. The first couple of games were awkward because we were all trying to get use to the controls of the game, but once we picked that up it was smooth sailing from there. My family ended up playing bowling for 4 hours that night! The next day when we were just sitting around watching TV, my Dad picked up the Wii-mote, turned on the console and began to whoop some butt in Wii Boxing. I was happy to see my family enjoying the Wii and it made the purchase of one even more awarding. I’m pretty sure that I can persuade my parents into getting one this Christmas for themselves.

In my eyes, by yourself, Wii Sports is a mediocre game at best. But when you get your friends and family members around playing together, it turns the console into a very emerging and interactive form of entertainment that can be enjoyed by not only hardcore gamers but also casual gamers alike. In other words, GET A Wii!

 

Exciting reviews and thoughts to come in the very near future!

Hi all! The past month has been an exciting month in the game world and in the world of Lawn Of The Month. We have a few surprises in store for the site and we have some pretty sweet reviews including games like Gears of War, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Wii Sports, and we will have an in-depth look at the Wii as a system and quite possibly a revolution. I will also post about my over night stay to get my Wii. Stay tuned to developing insanity.

 

Make Your Own Mii Character Before You Get Your Wii

A reader and designer over at Joystiq has made the Mii Channel of the Wii in flash! Now you have the ability to make your own Mii character before the Wii comes out November 19th, 2006. You won’t be able to do anything with the character but it does let you play around with the options to see what you might look like come the 19th of November. You can play with the Mii creator here. It looks nothing like me but I wanted to have an afro!

Try and create someone famous and post the link in the comment section.

 

The Revolution Is Coming

It’s official, today Nintendo finally announced the release date and price of its’ new Wii Console. The Wii is set for a North American release date of November 19th with a price tag of $250.

So what do you get for $250? A good amount of stuff actually, much more than I was expecting.

• Wii Console
• Wii Remote
• Nunchuck Attachment
• AC Adapter
• Audio/Video Cable
• Sensor Bar
• Sensor Bar Stand
• Wii Console Stand
• Two Batteries
• Wii Sports Game

The Wii Sports title is what catches my eye. From videos shown online it looks pretty sweet. The game allow players to engage in matches of tennis, baseball, golf, bowling and boxing, all of which fully support the Wii’s motion-sensing controller. It is not clear about their scope or size, but the fact that it comes bundled with multiple games (even if they are small) is a huge selling point. Your in-game character seams to be your avatar, which is a 3 dimensional character you can build and customize yourself.

Nintendo is also expecting to have more than 25 unique titles for the Wii by the end of the year. First Party games will retail for $50 and Virtual Console game will cost between $5 and $10. A nice round number of 30 Virtual Console titles will be available at launch. Again, initial impressions are pretty impressive if you ask me. Definitely a huge contrast to Sony’s PS3, scheduled to be released just 2 days before the Wii.

The Console provides several “channels” that allow users to access free news and local weather forecasts, view digital pictures from an SD memory card, an Internet browser and a whole lot more. The Photo Channel lets users make photo albums and slide shows as well as manipulate their images. The Internet Channel also looks very cool. However the Opera Browser will cost a few bucks to download. As long as this is just a one time fee, I can see a lot of people taking advantage of this. (update: Nintendo has announced it will be free until June of 2007)

Anyone even remotely interested in getting a Nintendo Wii should check out this video. It is the official Wii Preview and showcases many of the launch titles and features. I wonder if the white shirt, pants and shoes come standard? 😆

So it’s no secret I am looking forward to the Nintendo Wii. I am pretty surprised in myself actual referring to it as the Wii. I guess typing it isn’t so bad. Still there are a few little things to nit pick just for the hell of it. One thing I noticed was the price of Zelda: Twilight Princess is supposed to be $57, which doesn’t fit with the $50 mark they announced. But hey, I’ll still be getting it. And what happened to the colors? I want a black one, but lately they are all white. The original campaign showed multiple colors. Oh well.

So what games are you all looking forward to? I am, of course, always in the mood for Mario or Zelda. Sticking with the classics, I am also very interested in Metroid (although I havn’t played a Metroid game in 10 years).

I will come up with a nice little top ten list sometime closer to the launch. But I would like to know what everyone else thinks so let us know!

Sources:
Nintendo Wii Official Site
IGN – US Wii Price, Launch Date Revealed
USA Today – Wii game system rolls out on Nov. 19

 

Top 5 Reasons Why I want a Nintendo Revolution

Yes, I know the official name of Nintendo’s new gaming system is the Wii, but I still kind of refuse to call it that for personal reason we won’t get into right now. Anyways, this is my top 5 reasons why I am buying a Revolution whenever Nintendo decides to release it upon the masses. And don’t get it twisted, and by twisted I mean the wrong idea: I am not a fanboy. I love all gaming systems equally. So, let’s just jump in the list:

5. When was the last time Nintendo has put something out that sucked?
With the exception of that micro GBA they put out not to long ago, Nintendo is on top of their game. I own both the Nintendo DS Lite and the Sony PSP and I play my DS way more than I’ll ever play my PSP. Nintendo just knows how to have fun, simple as that. Hell, even the Virtual Boy was awesome to me even if America didn’t agree with me. If Nintendo wants me to wear a helmet and tell me to wave a piece of bread around to enhance my gaming experience, so be it; does it have to be wheat or white?

4. The Wii-Mote looks like fun!
Imagine a controller, a game, and a system that uses your moves and translates them into on screen actions. How can this not be fun? Just give me a game where I have a sword and I’m cutting stuff up with my own actions and I’m sold. I don’t care what it is either: hot dogs, watermelons, bananas and I’m all set. Plus I can also use the controller with a gun holster and use an old school controller for it? Sign me up.

3. Metroid Prime 3
Some people are fond of Zelda and some of Mario. My reason for buying any Nintendo system is Metroid. I’ve played and beat every Metriod game to date except Hunters for the DS….but I’m currently knocking this out too. Samus is probably the only female character….I’ll leave it at that because half of you didn’t even know she was a female. Unless you beat the game in less then 3 hours but that’s a whole different post. But yeah, Metriod Prime 3 Corruption. I can’t wait and I’m definitely getting this game as soon as it comes out.

2. I can get a brand new game system for under $250!
We have no clue how much the Revolution is going to cost but we do know that it’s going to be under $250. Some even speculate that the price could be around $170. I have already went on record by saying that I would gladly pay $400 dollars for this machine. The fact that it’s way less than this price point excites me and drives me to buy one no matter what. I also want to own ever game but that probably won’t happen.

1. I want everything!
Yep, it’s as simple as that. I want the PS3 as well but I’m not a millionaire yet. Once that happens, I’ll have one of those too. Since the Revolution looks like more fun and is a lot cheaper, then that’s the one I’m getting this shopping season. I advise everyone to do the same.