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Posts tagged wii
Wii 2 on the way? Don’t worry.
19 months ago
Rumor has it that the Wii 2 is on its way. With reports of Wii system prices dropping to $169.99 at select retailers as well as other bundles of information flying off of the blogs of video game websites (“it’ll be fast! it’ll have pretty graphics! it is coming in June!) it’s easy to get caught up in the fever and think that this is the end of the Wii for you library collection and/or programming.
Are we looking at the past?
Well, don’t worry.
The Wii has a strong library of 968 games (as of December 2010) with more to be released in the near future. The total number of systems that have been shipped is 84 million, making it Nintendo’s biggest home video game system to date. Chances are that the people using your library will continue to use their Wii systems for their gaming entertainment for years to come, so providing them with games to enjoy is still a solid strategy for library video game collections.
When it comes to video game programming, I myself believe that you can’t go wrong with a Wii system and a library full of patrons. Most, if not all, of the 4 player games for the system have an insanely high replay value which will keep players having fun. The biggest complaint that will most likely come when the next generation Nintendo system is released is that the Wii is “old and that we want to play something new”. What do I say to that? I say give them options. When the next generation of video games come around, libraries will have to invest the time and money into obtaining these systems and learning about them and what they offer our patrons. But that doesn’t mean that we should just give up on the Wii. Use it as you have always been using it for programs. The games speak for themselves…they are enjoyable and full of entertainment, so let them do the talking.
Let the kids say “Wii!”
010 months ago
From over at Mental Floss:
Good news for all the parents out there who are worried about their kids not exercising enough. A new study by researchers at Brigham Young University and University of Massachusetts has shown that kids who play 10 minutes of active videogames, like Wii Boxing or Dance Dance Revolution, get exercise that’s just as stimulating as a three-mile walk on a treadmill. This is particularly good for kids who live in cities where playing outside is either dangerous or unpractical. Better still, the kids most at risk for obesity enjoy playing games even more than their lower-BMI counterparts.
Of course, the benefits only work if the child is playing an active title that uses the full range of motion from the Wii, Move or Kinnect systems. You can’t just sit around all day playing Angry Birds or Super Mario Galaxy and still expect to get any health benefits.
The Best Snow Day Ever
11 year ago
Finn not only enjoyed the snow, but also really dug Kirby's Epic Yarn
On Wednesday January 12, 2011, Portland, ME got walloped with snow. It wasn’t the biggest snowstorm the town has ever seen, but it did shut everything down. Part of that shutdown was the call I got at 7:00am saying that the library was closed. While I was bummed that our patrons couldn’t get into our building on a snowy day to relax and unwind, I was a bit giddy inside knowing that I got to spend the day with my family.
Two days before, I had borrowed Kirby’s Epic Yarn from my library. It was my favorite game of 2010 even though I didn’t get to spend too much time with it. This time around, I set my goal on completing the whole thing….with some help. Teaching your two year old about video games and all the talk around that has been swirling around in my head long before 8BitLibrary existed. Some will say it’s good, some will say it’s bad. I try to listen to both sides of the story and take a balanced approach. My son Finn and I have played Beatles Rock Band quite a bit before taking on Kirby’s Epic Yarn, but it was just for a moment or two. I’d play 2-3 songs on the bass guitar while Finn drummed along. He picked up some tunes from the game which he can be heard singing (with great alternate Finn lyrics) at the top of his lungs in our apartment almost everyday (EX: BE! SEA! OCTOPUS’ GARDEN! SHAVE!).
Kirby’s Epic Yarn, on the other hand, wasn’t going to be a 15-20 minute thing. I approached playing this game as a story time between myself and Finn. I’d do the playing (unless of course, he wanted to) and as the cut scenes were occurring I’d read them to him. I’d point out interesting things happening on the screen and try to craft an on the fly Kirby narrative as I played the game. I used Kirby’s apartment as a place where Finn and I could experiment with him getting the hang of the controls. We dabbled in placing our found items in the house. Finn wasn’t too interested in this and instead really got into it when I was playing the game. We gave names to some characters and locales in FinnSpeak©.
All in all, I had a blast playing Kirby’s Epic Yarn and I think Finn has a new found love for Kirby as a character. While I can’t see a practice like this being adopted for story times in a public library setting (prove me wrong, please!), for one on one interaction with a child it is a great way to both teach them about video games and get some story time in there as well.
REVIEW: Super Mario All-Stars: Limited Edition
01 year ago
WHAT? To celebrate Mario’s 25th birthday, Nintendo has cobbled together this collection of Mario history. The package includes a direct port of the Super Nintendo game Super Mario All Stars (which includes Super Mario Brothers 1-2-3 and the Lost Levels), a music CD of musical selections and sound FX from the Mario catalog, and a small book with Mario artwork and insight from the creators.
WHY? Libraries should be purchasing this game for the simple fact that it gives patrons who own the Nintendo Wii a chance to enjoy 4 wonderful games. The only other way to get these games is to download them through the Wii shop channel. The addition of a music CD and history booklet also adds to the appeal of this package and will give patrons a good example of the rich (and still greatly underappreciated IMHO) history of video games.
My biggest beef with this set is that IT COULD’VE BEEN SO MUCH BETTER. Add Super Mario World into the mix as well as more cuts from Mario’s musical history and right there is a better package. Oh well. That’s just coming from a hardcore Mario fan like me. Your patrons won’t notice the difference.
WHO? Anyone with a Wii and an interesting in discovering their video gaming roots should check this out. It also might be a good purchase for educators looking to use Super Mario in the classroom (HINT HINT PLUG PLUG CLICK ME)
Check Mii
11 year ago
One simple way to add some fun to your Wii Sports, Sports Resort and other Wii gaming is to add celebrity or character Mii’s.
The Check Mii Out channel is a free downloadable channel. There are Wii artisan contests to create character Mii’s (Marie Antoiniette, someone who loves plants). You can download these Mii’s to your system, and then when students/you play, they appear.
You can also choose from the Top 50 Popular Mii’s.
On my home system, I still get a kick when I am bowling and Chuck Norris or Batman is watching. Or if I run on Wii Fit, and pass Snoop Dogg. A friend created all the Lost characters, and playing Wii baseball, I had Sawyer pitching to Kate and Claire in the outfield.
Of course, allowing your regulars to customize their own Mii for playing can be great too.
Just a few minutes of time every few months can add just a little extra to your Wii experiences! 
#libgaming (Topic: June 16, 2010: Best of E3)
01 year ago
#libgaming will discuss the following topic today at 4pm EST on Twitter
How will E3′s announcements this week affect your future gaming-in-libraries decisions?
I understand that you may not have had time to keep up with the E3 announcements. You can catch up: 1up.com’s Microsoft E3 presentation coverage, gamepro.com’s Nintendo E3 presentation highlights, gamespot.com’s full Sony E3 presentation video.
@8bitlibrary on Twitter tweeted highlights of all three press conference while they were happening, so be sure to follow us to stay up-to-date with the latest news in gaming.
And don’t worry, as our discussion reveals itself, much bigger issues than E3 2010 will be raised!
Review: Cave Story
31 year ago
by JustinLibrarian
in review
WHAT? Side scrolling adventure is back on the Wii with Cave Story, a title that I’m giving the term “Epic Side Scrolling Adventure” to because, well, it is just that.
(Side scrolling, BTW, is a term used to identify games that move left to right on a two-dimensional plane. A good example of this would be the original Super Mario Bros.)
WHY? Side scrolling is a genre that, while still popular in some circles, has lost out in terms of mass appeal to 3D gaming and better technology. It’s a bit sad to me because without side scrolling games, video gaming may not be as popular as it is right now. Cave Story is a beautiful game that may just bring the side scroller back into the limelight. Full of depth, action, and originality, this is an excellent title to introduce the gamers in your library to. At the same time, it’s also quite a simple game that anyone can enjoy it.
WHO? Put on your salesperson hat. Time to sell this game to the gamers at your gaming program at your library. They’ll be better gamers for knowing this title. Highly recommended.
For more information on this excellent title, please visit http://www.cavestory.com/
Review: Netflix for the Wii
41 year ago
by JustinLibrarian
in review
WHAT? It’s finally here. Instant streaming from Netflix for the Nintendo Wii. Netflix subscribers can use their Wii now to stream movies, tv shows, and more directly to their Wii console.
WHY? The XBox got Netflix streaming in 2008. PS3 came next in 2009. Us poor lonely Wii owners have had to wait (yes, I only own a Wii. Boo on me) quite some time. But it is finally here and boy oh boy it is wonderful. The navigation screens are easily managed and the Wiimote works like a charm. The bad? There isn’t a search option that I can find and it doesn’t support HD. Not that I’m complaining though. Having a library worth of movies, tv shows, and documentaries at the flick of my Wiimote has made me a happy camper.
WHO? If you haven’t signed up for Netflix and you own a Wii, this may be the time to do so. With this service and your local library, why would you need to own any DVDs anymore? I mean, really? You’ll see me at my local store trading in my collection soon.
8BitLibrary.com: The Video Game
71 year ago
COMING THIS SUMMER TO A NINTENDO WII NEAR YOU.
You’ve read the blog.
Now play the blog.
8BITLIBRARY.COM: THE VIDEO GAME features everything you want in a game. Action. Mystery. Puzzles. One on One Fighting. Co-Op Online Play. Blogging. All wrapped into one game.
Select your favorite 8BitLibrarian and take them on a journey of a lifetime. Help Librarian JP gain respect for Pokemon in the Education World! Join Justin The Librarian as he tattoos every librarian he can find! Feed the world with Andy Woodworth and his endless supply of Ben and Jerry’s! Join in on Laverne’s quest to be the #1 gaming and comic geek of all time! Erin needs your help…becoming a librarian! Join Craig as he just walks around in Second Life! The fun never stops in this one of kind video game for the Nintendo Wii.
Featuring 33 levels of non-stop entertainment, all ages will enjoy this title. Online, 4 player, or solo…8BITLIBRARY.COM: THE VIDEO GAME is a load of fun for you and your family!
This is your chance to life the dream that we all have: BECOME AN 8BITLIBRARIAN!
COMING SUMMER 2010 TO THE NINTENDO WII.