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Original poster

I'm a Wii virgin - please tell me which games and plastic bits will make DS (8) happy and facilitate wii team play

15 replies

worriermum · 13/12/2011 07:11

I've resisted the technology as long as I can but I am finally buckling: I'm getting DS a wii for his 8th birthday (on Jan 7). DP is working in another country Sad and DS is an only, so I am buying the wii in desperation. I'm looking for something I can play with DS, and that - hopefully- he can play with friends, rather than play it as they watch, bored, or play against them (fiercely competitive DS so competitive games often end in tears).

I'm not in the UK, and the wii special deals here come bundled with a choice of either:

  • wii sports resort
  • wii party
  • wii mario kart (with wheel).
So my first question is which of those packages would be best for DS and me ? And then which other games should I get for him ? AGain, I am hoping to encourage cooperative play as much as possible, but do also need to be realistic about DS being an only child with a busy mum...

Ta in advance - all advice will be gratefully received

OP posts:
HurricaneBawbag · 13/12/2011 07:17

Marion kart is good, and they original wii sports has some fun games too. If he is fiercely competitive you'll need to make sure and get the sleeve to cover the controller and use the wrist strap just incase he has a strop and flings it at the tv or the ground!

HurricaneBawbag · 13/12/2011 07:20

I know you didn't ask but the xbox 360 with kinect is prob far better than the wii for his age, he will probably get bored of the wii. we have both and ds 7 plays with kinect more when his pals are over. Far superior graphics and technology. You also don't need to worry about controllers flying anywhere because it doesn't use one!

inchoccyheaven · 13/12/2011 12:33

Get the mario kart or wii party bundle and then get the other game because they are both great. Apart from the steering wheel I wouldn't bother buying any of the other plastic things you can put the remote in as we have found them more of a hinderance than a help.

My boys are 9 and 11 and still enjoy playing on the wii and wii party and mario kart are what we all play together .

Original poster
worriermum · 13/12/2011 20:08

Sorry, I lost my wi-fi connection for a while. Thank you for that information - very useful. hurricane I just cant face the extra expense just yet, but it is helpful (if depressing!) to hear that the wii might have a limited life span.

Would appreciate any input on other wii games.

OP posts:
betterwhenthesunshines · 13/12/2011 20:21

Lego Star Wars has also gone down very well in this house with 9yr old. I wouldn't worry too much about it being out of date too soon. The Wii is good fun - I bet you'll be happy playing MarioKart and Wii sports. It is worth having 2 handsets, ideally with 2 motion plus sensors ( the things you need to plug in at the bottom of the handsets for some games). Although we only have one motion + sensor and have to take turns, I am going to get another for Christmas so that al the games they play can be for 2 people at a time.

betterwhenthesunshines · 13/12/2011 20:22

By the way, you don't need the motion + thingy with MarioKart, just with some of the games on Sports Resort.

theITgirl · 13/12/2011 20:22

The problem with those games is that they are all competitive. But Wii Party especially is lots of smaller games that are over quickly so if he loses one the next one he might win.
The lego games that you play together are good, as you are both on the same side. DS loves them and has Harry Potter, Star Wars and Indiana Jones. They can also be played by a single player.
BTW DS is 10 and the wii is still going strong, it is what nearly all of his friends have which is handy because when they come over they can bring their wii remotes with them to allow for extra players.

mediawhore · 14/12/2011 12:06

Mario Kart is brilliant and loved by all ages and genders.

Make sure you have 2 (maybe 3) steering wheels and controllers - so you can all play as a family when your husband is back.

Guitar Hero is a good extra game to get. Again great for all ages and genders!

Original poster
worriermum · 14/12/2011 18:49

Thank you all, taking notes here. Anyone else have any advice for me ?

OP posts:
JjandtheBean · 14/12/2011 18:53

Deffinatly 2 or more controllers, amazon is good for picking them up reasonably, a friend got wii remote and nunchuck for £17 on there.

Mario carts ace, as is wii party and wii sports.

We also like rayman rabid rabids very good fun, lots of mini games, team games and good daft kid humour.

betterwhenthesunshines · 14/12/2011 23:19

You only need one steering wheel for the remte to clip into for the younger ones. Anyone age 8+ can just use the remote to steer, but my six yr old needed the wheel!

I like DeBlob! Non-competitive - you bounce around colouring a town in different colours and the music builds as you colour...

An0therName · 15/12/2011 10:46

another one lego star wars - brilliant game - and 2 remotes with motion plus
we like just dance here as well

ImpYCelynAndTheIvy · 15/12/2011 11:05

Love Mario Kart here. And it's not played with by children, just me and DH and friends Blush And we love the wheels, but they are a gimmick.

Also the Mario and Sonic at the the Olympics games are good. If you buy him the wii now he could maybe save up and get the London 2012 game nearer the actual olympics.

Original poster
worriermum · 15/12/2011 20:23

I was eyeing the Just Dance. Would it be fun for me, never mind DS ? And which Just DAnce is best , 1,2 or 3 ?

OP posts:
inchoccyheaven · 15/12/2011 23:42

Yes yes to Just Dance Grin I have 1 and 2 and prefer 2. Is great fun on own or with others, be prepared to get sweaty if you really get into it Xmas Grin

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