Then came the Nintendo Wii – and suddenly, it all changed – and even people who didn’t normally like video games were suddenly picking up controllers and playing along.

What’s the charm of the Wii? Well, the graphics aren’t as intense and the storylines of the games aren’t as complicated as they are on other gaming systems. But where the charm lies is in the interactive nature of the Wii.

After all, there aren’t any other gaming systems, really, in which you become the central part  of the action. When you’re playing a baseball game, you’re swinging the controller to simulate a bat. Bowling involves actual bowling-like moves, as does golfing.

And what other video game system offers games like Wii Fit and  Jenny McCarthy’s Your Shape, which not only allow you to work out in the comfort and privacy of your own home, but actually reports factors such as your weight, fitness level and much more?

The differences between Wii and other video games have led the machines to be highly in demand for adults as well as children. And is there any wonder?

Last Christmas, inquiries on IMshopping for the Wii grew by the day. The machines were in short supply, and shoppers were using all avenues to find them for themselves and their children.

Since that time, the Wii has become more available, but the prices have remained steady.

While most visitors to IMshopping are interested in getting the best buy for the Wii, naturally, Nintendo sets its prices on the game console, just like other video game companies do. Currently, bundles start at about $200, but can cost more if there are video games included.

Games for the Wii, which are really a great deal of fun, range from the fitness games to the oh-so-fun Mario games, and much more. They generally cost about $50, but prices do drop after the games are on the market for a while.

So why not make family game night more fun than it ever was, and maybe make yourself more fit than you’ve been in years?

The Nintendo Wii is unique from other next-generation consoles in the way they are played. Most systems utilize an almost standard type of controllers with a directional pad (up, down, left, right) on one side, a few buttons on the other (titled A, B, X, etc), and maybe a joystick or 2. With any other console, you would plug your controller directly to the system, review the commands given to each button, and then play. The Nintendo Wii’s “controller” is a wireless remote (referred to as a “Wiimote”). It is shaped very similarly to your television remote and acts similarly too. It is different in that many games require the Wiimote be moved or maneuvered in a certain manner in order to complete a command. For instance, if you wanted to slash an object with a sword, you would make a swiping motion with your hand. Or if you wanted to bowl, you would take your regular bowling form, set, and follow-through in order to toss the ball (just like real bowling!). There are even games that incorporate a weight-sensitive platform that allows users to ski or to mimic workout routines of certain games. No other console today adds this type of functionality to their system, making the Nintendo Wii truly special.

The consumers agree. When compared to other top video game consoles the Nintendo Wii takes the cake in sales. In some countries, such as Japan, it boasts a sales margin ratio of 6:1.

It was originally a bold move for Nintendo to make: releasing a console that lacks in computer power what others do not. But it was a bold move that paid off. The unique game play has changed the face of what video game consoles are supposed to be, breaking the proverbial mold. It is the next step into the theoretic world of virtual reality. Don’t think so? Throw a bowling ball down the virtual alley and tell me it’s not revolutionary.

In a stroke of modern day hilarity, there is actually a series of websites called WiiTracker.com. I don’t know who hosts these websites, or why they would want to, but the sites are up and running for the benefit of those frantic shoppers in search of the holy grail of gaming systems: the Wii Console. The websites typically have the prefix of WiiTracker, then their personal domain name, then the dot com. If you Google Wii Tracker, you will come up with a list of several to choose from. Some are more closely monitored and more routinely updated than others, so while a site such as this does not prevent the shopper from having to compare notes, it does cut down on much of the legwork.

The premise of Nintendo Wii Tracker is that there is continuously a shortage of Wii consoles at the holiday time of the year, so these websites are set up to aid the shopper in finding a Wii locally, in stock, and at the best price possible. Most Wii Tracker sites include links to Amazon.com, Ebay.com and NintendoShopper.com. NintendoShopper.com is useful in itself, as it is a blog site where gamers post alerts on the latest gaming rumormill news, and generally help each other out with issues regarding gaming.

Nintendo Wii Tracker is really useful during the holiday season, in particular, when Nintendo is making public announcements that it has fallen short, once again, in production demands. The Wii Tracker websites contain postings of which local retail stores have a Wii Console in stock, and also where you purchase online. A word of caution: some of the sites do not include dates of last update. In one case I had to read almost the entire tirade against Nintendo posted by the website host before I could really tell if the site was referring to this Christmas season or last Christmas season.

Hopefully, with resources like Wii Tracker available, Santa will manage to make everyone on his “nice” list happy this season. Happy hunting!

Wii Starter Bundles come in a variety of gamestyles, but all include the Wii console unit, one standard Wii wireless controller, Wii Sports (this is the standard game with every Wii purchase, no matter which bundle you select), the Wii game that is specialized to the bundle you selected and a specialized remote for enhanced gameplay with that video game. Ranging in price from $390 to $500, the Wii Starter Bundles are actually less expensive than purchasing the components separately.

Wii Standard Starter Bundle – Available for about $520
This is the original Starter Bundle available for Wii, and does a great job appealing to all kinds of gamers and drawing in new fans to the gaming world.
In addition to the Wii Console, the pack includes the Wii Sports game, Alien Syndrome, Showtime Boxing, M & M’s Kart Racing, Chicken Shoot, Balls of Fury, Super Mario Galaxy, a Nunchuck Controller, a Wii Remote and a 1 GB Memory Card.

Wii Action Starter Bundle – Available for about $520
In addition to the Wii Console, the Wii Action Starter Bundle comes with Wii Madden 07, Wii World Series of Poker and Wii Super Monkey Ball. Also included are an Extra Wii Nunchuk Controller, a Wii Remote Controller, and a 1GB Sandisk Memory Card.

Wii Sports Starter Bundle – Available for about $385
For the sports fan, this Wii Starter Bundle includes, the Nintendo Wii Console, an A/V Cable, a Wii Stand, the Wii Sports game, a Nunchuk Controller and a Wii Remote. Also included is an extra Wii Nunchuk Controller, a1GB Sandisk Memory Card and the Wii Madden 07 game.

Upon release the Nintendo Wii retail price was $250.00. In most markets it still runs for that same price. The reason being is that other next-generation systems released at similar times were priced over double the price of the Nintendo Wii. Over time, these consoles have been forced to dramatically alter their pricing. And even with these alterations the Nintendo Wii retail price is still the most affordable.

What you get for your 250 bones is what makes the system so exceptional. A lot of other consoles would have you purchase their system, and then in order to get the full experience you would have to buy several more components and accessories in order to run the system to its potential. Not the Wii. No unnecessary hardware need be purchased for this system. It comes with a “Wiimote” (the Wii’s wireless controller, shaped like a television remote) allowing immediate play of your favorite games. The Wii is also backwards compatible. This allows playing of your favorite Nintendo Gamecube games as well. In addition, the system allows for up to 4 controllers to be plugged in, so you can use your old generation system’s controllers. How cool is that?

The Wii also has fantastic selection of games. Right off the bat you get a sports type game, which is included with your purchase of a Wii (a $30 – $40 game that comes with $250 Nintendo Wii retail price? A steal.). After that there are classic adventure games to get, fantastic sport titles, notable first person shooters, and a plethora of others that meet the desire of every gamer. Even games that would usually be rudimentary have an added twist to them thanks to the use of Nintendo’s Wiimote.

Overall, you’re getting some great bang for your buck. Especially when compared to the exaggerated prices of overrated features on similar systems. The Nintendo Wii retail price started out at $250, hundreds of dollars cheaper than the competitor. Even now, 2 years later, it’s at least $100 cheaper than the competitor.

The biggest decision you’ll make when it comes to video game consoles is the price, luckily this one is a no-brainer.

You’ll notice as you begin to research the extensive line of Wii console products and accessories, that the games can be purchased in “bundles”, which consist of the Wii console, one standard Wii wireless controller, Wii Sports (standard game with every Wii purchase, no matter which bundle you select), the Wii game that is specialized to the bundle you selected and a specialized remote for enhanced gameplay with that video game.

The Wii Family Bundle is a great way to start your family off with this elaborate gaming system. Extremely versatile in game play, this bundle incorporates everything you need to entice every member of your family into discovering the world of Wii. For a price ranging from $385 to $500, as the system sells out closer to the holidays, the Wii Family Bundle includes:
Nintendo Wii Console, Wii Sports (tennis, baseball, bowling, golf, and boxing), one Wii Remote with Jacket, Wii Nunchuck , Tiger Woods 08 PGA Tour game, Mario Strikers: Charged game, MySims game, a Wii Sensor Bar, the AV Cable and a power cord.

The Wii Sports games, included in the Wii Family Bundle, are played using the standard Wii remote and are really enjoyable for everyone in the family – including the elderly members who seem to love the bowling!

The Tiger Woods 08 PGA Tour game, included in the Wii Family Bundle, can be played in several ways: if you want to stand while you play, you press B and then swing the remote like a golf club; if you prefer sitting down, you press B as you flick the remote in any direction; or, again sitting down, you can use the analog stick on the Nunchuk to swing.

The Mario Strikers: Charged game, included in the Wii Family Bundle, is a multiplayer game that can also be played online. Using the standard controller, this typically Mario-crazy game is a face paced blast for the whole family.

Considering the cost of the individual games, at about $30 each, the Wii Family Bundle price is a really good deal. And when considering the varying range of types of games involved, there is sure to be something there for every member of the family.

Anyway, now we come to realize that constant gaming means constant battery replacement. Gamers have conducted their own clinical research and have estimated between 15 and 28 hours of play is what you get from the Wii Remote on a standard set of batteries. So, enter the next phase of Nintendo gaming device accessories to purchase: The Nintendo Wii Charger for the Wii Remote.

All sarcasm aside, purchasing a recharger for the remote is really the most economical way to deal with this. A set of rechargeable batteries in the WiiMote will recharge in 4 hours and provide 15 hours of play time. And, of course the upside is that you recharge over and over again. The recharging docks are fairly inexpensive, and there are several on the market.

The standard Wii Remote Charger will charge one Wii remote by plugging a USB cable from the unit to your computer or Wii system. For about $12.00 at Nextag.com, the unit comes with the recharging base, one rechargeable battery and the USB cable.

A definite upgrade in Nintendo Wii Chargers, but without breaking the bank, is the Dreamgear Wii DGWII-1053 Quad Dock Charger. This unit costs between $26 and $39, according to Nextag.com, and will charge up to four Wii remotes simultaneously, with the Wii console on or off, in only 4 hours. Each remote will then provide 15 hours of play time, and the system includes 4 rechargable batteries.

If solving two problems with one solution appeals to you, take a look at the Intec Dual Charge Station and Turbo Cooler for Nintendo Wii. This unit is a docking base for both the Wii remotes as well as the Wii console, and features a turbo cooling fan built into the base to prolong the life of the internal components of your Wii gaming system. Priced at around $30, this system only allows recharging of two remotes at one time, but is well worth the effort in maintaining the overall console system.

It could be just the stimulus package you need!

Ready for a Holiday Bailout?

Enter the $5,000 Holidays on Us Contest at IMshopping.

It could be just the stimulus package you need!

With the persistent gloom of a spiraling economy, negative media and talk of recession, you, like most others are probably thinking it is not going to be one of the brighter Christmas seasons. The opportunity to turn that gloom around and be a smart Santa is in your hands. Take a moment to look at our holiday stimulus package and it could be you to walk away with a $5,000 shopping money spree by entering the Holidays on Us Contest to turn those blues into sunny skies.

Any smart Santa would jump at the chance to use a $5,000 shopping spree to take care of all of their Christmas shopping needs. If you had the chance, products would you lean towards? In an instant you could be the one who walks out with the Holidays on Us Contest $5,000 shopping spree, so think about how you would use it.

One way to go would be kitchen ware and house décor. New cookware and appliances could change your entire image of your kitchen and how much time you want to spend in it. There are endless gift basket ideas in this type of shopping area as well. When looking for gifts for people who you aren’t quite sure of their needs, something simple and cute can easily be thrown together in a home décor store. Anyone could be happy with some gourmet hot chocolate, a few fancy cookbooks and a new set of stylish kitchen towels and hot pads.

The kitchen isn’t the only place to use your $5,000 shopping spree on. If you know someone’s style, there are endless living area accessories to shop for including unique picture frames, mirrors, pillow throws, centerpiece bowls, book ends or lamps and fixtures. If you are a smart Santa and you know someone who likes to be outdoors when the weather is nice, there are certainly some deals on patio furniture, grills, grilling utensils and even outdoor dinnerware sets in summer patterns and colors.

Don’t spend any additional time thinking about what you can’t afford. Enter to win the Holidays on Us Contest and be a smart Santa for everyone on your list. Then your toughest decision will be which color of dinnerware you want to choose or what size crock pot you think someone needs while spending your $5,000 shopping spree. What are you waiting for, the shelves are stocked and waiting for smart Santa’s to prepare for this year’s holiday season!

First and foremost is the main controller for the Wii: the “Wiimote”. Shaped like a remote control that you would use for your television, the Wiimote is certainly an original design for a console controller. In order to use the Wiimote, you set up a sensor that it comes with either above or below your television. After that, you’re all set to use it, simply point and press the buttons to play! Certain games require turning the remote sideways to use, but overall it’s fun to use and easy to get used to.

In addition to the Wiimote there is a device called the “Nunchuk”. It is not a weapon, but rather a connectible joystick for your offhand. This accessory is ideal first person shooters, enabling you to control the movement of your character with the Nunchuk and attacks or operations with your Wiimote. Several games may require the Nunchuk making it an extremely useful and almost necessary Nintendo Wii accessory.

But perhaps you have moved on from first person shooters and would like to venture into the world of auto racing. If this is the case then there are 2 more must-have accessories. First is the Nintendo Wii Wheel. Shaped like the steering wheel from your car, the objective of this tool is simple: to steer. What makes the Wii Wheel especially useful is that in order to operate it, you simply plug your entire Wiimote into it. The 2 accessories form one unit, enabling easy steering and smooth handling.

The Wii Wheel is not the only plug-in-and-use accessory for the Wii. The wireless guitar for the Wii requires the Wiimote plugged in. As does the baseball bat, golf club, and tennis racket that are sure to enhance your sporting desires. But, best of all, you can plug your wiimote into the hilt of a Wii Glow Saber and it becomes a brightly colored sword!

As far as accessories for Wii, the list goes on. The wiimote was the building block enabling the construction of a population of accessories not before seen. From wireless controllers, to platforms enabling workout sessions or skiing, the Nintendo Wii delivers it all in the world of accessories.

The Nintendo Wii Console hit the marketplace in 2006, just before Christmastime, and held a whopping price tag at around $450. Fortunately, the pricing has now come down, and you can buy a Nintendo Wii Console for around $250 which will include a Wii Console, one Wii remote, a nunchuk attachment, standard composite cables, a power adapter, a stand and a copy of Wii Sports.
The system, complete with four ports for controllers and two slots for memory cards, is backward-compatible to all Nintendo GameCube games, therefore providing even more versatility.

Regarding Internet Connection Capability: the system communicates wirelessly with the Internet via IEEE 802.11 or a Wii LAN Adapter. Wii can also connect wirelessly with Nintendo DS.

Not content to continue on the path of standard console video gaming systems, Nintendo has produced new styles of play, complete with specialized controller, for certain activities on the Wii Console. For example, jamming with Guitar Hero includes a small-ish scale guitar that the standard controller will plug in to. The Wii Fit exercise system comes with a Balancing Board, which is a rubber ball set in the middle of a flatboard which you stand, and balance, on to operate the “game”. Mario Kart – my personal favorite – comes with a steering wheel, into which the standard controller plugs, for more realistic gameplay.

Of course, if all of the specialized controllers seem a bit out of price range for this holiday season, all of the Nintendo Wii Console games can be played using the standard controller. The specialized controllers are simply an accessory, made to continue the fascination the gaming public has with Nintendo, who never seems to run out of innovative ideas to take gaming up a notch.