Perspectives on game consoles – Part 1

Even now as the holiday season winds to a close, I still get bombarded with the million question routine churned out by frantic parents trying to placate their demanding children: "Which video game console is the BEST?" This of course, is a silly question in some ways, because comparing consoles to one another is like comparing apples to oranges to bananas. Each of them offers a unique entertainment experience to fit your different entertainment needs. What you may see as the best console out there may all depend on what kind of experience you are looking for. Let's take a look at the three biggest players in the gaming market, and the current and next-gen gaming consoles which are available for you to buy.

Let's start with the classic that everyone is familiar with, Nintendo. Who could forget the nostalgia of their very first Nintendo Entertainment system, ready to offer you hours of Mario, Link, Donkey Kong and much, much more. Nintendo has grown up since it's arcade beginnings, moving from 2D to 3D with the N64, and improving upon that with the current-gen GameCube. If you are looking for family-friendly fun with lots of classic nostalgia games for kids of all ages, then the GameCube is it. This is the only console upon which you will find Mario games of any type (except, of course, for Nintendo's handheld systems) as well as the Legend of Zelda, and Metroid Prime. Nintendo is well-known for putting their consoles and games through extensive testing and retesting, ensuring that you have a console which is hardy enough to stand being dropped by your toddler, as well as ensuring that your games will run virtually problem-free. In addition, if you are looking for a console which offers a good deal of games which are appropriate for younger children, the library of E and T rated games dwarfs the few titles with an M rating. This console is quickly becoming harder to find new, as Nintendo is slowing down production now that the Wii has been released, but you can still find this console used (and sometimes new) at your local video game store.

Moving on to Nintendo's "next-gen" console, you have the Nintendo Wii. Not truly considered a next-gen console due to the fact that the console does not display in high definition the way the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 do, this little console still has a lot of punch packed in it's sleek white casing. The Wii's hook is that it offers new game interactivity through wireless controllers unlike any the

Guitar Hero 3 cheats for Wii – Part 2

Guitar Hero III, Legends of Rock for Wii. It is a very fun game and thankfully there are some easy to use cheats with it!

You enter cheats by going to the 'Options' screen, then the 'Cheats' screen. Next scroll down to 'Enter Cheats' and hit the Green guitar button. Once you finish entering the cheat, press the 'Start' button on the guitar.

Remember to strum the frets during every note and cord as if you were playing a song.

Also, the letters in parentheses are chords, and you hold down all the colored buttons at the same time.

G=Green, R=Red, Y=Yellow, B=Blue, O=Orange.

Air Guitar Cheat

(BY) (GY) (GY) (RB) (RB) (RY) (RY) (BY) (GY) (GY) (RB) (RB) (RY) (RY) (GY) (GY) (RY) (RY)

The Guitar Hero cheat, Air Guitar, is a cheat that makes your guitar in the game disappear.

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Easy Expert Cheat

(GR) (GY) (YB) (RB) (BO) (YO) (RY) (RB)

This cheat does not work in Career mode.

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Hyperspeed

O B O Y O B O Y

There are five Hyperspeed levels. Press Green on the Hyperspeed option at the "Cheats" menu to choose them.

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Large Gems

G R G Y G B G O G B G Y G R G (GR) (RY) (GR) (YB) (GR) (BO) (GR) (YB) (GR) (RY) (GR) (GY)

Makes the notes huge!

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No Fail

(GR) B (GR) (GY) B (GY) (RY) O (RY) (GY) Y (GY) (GR)

This cheat does not work in Career Mode.

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Performance Mode

(RY) (RB) (RO) (RB) (RY) (GB) (RY) (RB)

Play without the fretboard.

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Precision Mode

(GR) (GR) (GR) (RY) (RY) (RB) (RB) (YB) (YO) (YO) (GR) (GR) (GR) (RY) (RY) (RB) (RB) (YB) (YO) (YO)

Hit the notes perfectly, or they will not register.

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Unlock all songs in Quick Play

(YO) (RB) (RO) (GB) (RY) (YO) (RY) (RB) (GY) (GY) (YB) (YB) (YO) (YO) (YB) Y R (RY) R Y O

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Unlock Everything

(GRBO) (GRYB) (GRYO) (GYBO) (GRYB) (RYBO) (GRYB) (GYBO) (GRYB) (GRYO) (GRYO) (GRYB) (GRYO)

No sound plays when you finish entering this cheat.

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Also to unlock, 'Through the Fire and the Flames' by Dragonforce; beat the game in any level on Career mode.

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Buy all the characters and bass/guitars in the Shop.

Unlockable Characters

Lou : Beat the Boss Battle; The Devil Went Down To Georgia, and buy for $15,000

Slash: Beat the boss Battle, and buy for $10,000

Tom Morello: Beat the Boss Battle, and buy for $10,000

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Unlockable: Additional Bass/Guitars

Bat Guitar: Five Star every song in Career Mode on Easy

Beach Life Bass: Beat Co-Op on Hard

El Jefe Guitar: 5-star all songs in Expert mode.

Jolly Roger Guitar: Five Star every song in Career Mode on Medium

Moon Shot Guitar: Beat Career Mode on Easy

Nemesis 13 Guitar: Beat Co-Op Career Mode on any difficulty

Neversoft Eyeball Guitar: 5 Star Every Song in Co-Op Mode on Expert

Neversoft Skateboard Guitar: 5 star every song on Expert Co-Op Career

Pendulaxe: Beat Co-Op Career on Expert

Radioactive: Beat Co-op Career mode on Hard

Risk Assessment Guitar: Complete Expert mode.

Rojimbo Guitar: Beat Career Mode on Hard

Saint George Guitar: Beat Career Mode on Medium

Tiki Bass : Beat Co-Op on Easy

Tiki Guitar: 5* every song in career on hard mode

In praise of the Nintendo Wii – Part 1

Wii is your perfect alternative for those couch potatoes who just can't seem to get motivated and get out of the house to their local gym. It's interactive capabilities and the benefits to improving your physical fitness have far exceeded anyone's expectations of a video game console

For those of you who haven't heard, the Wii is the fifth home video game console released by Nintendo. The console is the direct successor to the Nintendo GameCube. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader audience than that of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation.

The cool thing about the Wii is the fact that it's interactive and boy do I mean "active". You simply plug it up to the television just as you would any other game console. Then you place this little box that detects your motion on top of the television. This allows you (with the use of a hand held remote) to simulate the movements of the game characters or their opponents on screen.

You can play golf, tennis, baseball, football or even go a couple of rounds with some pretty mean heavyweights in the boxing ring.

After purchasing one for my oldest son's birthday, we set it up and watched our two sons go to work.

It looked like such fun, my husband and I decided to try it out.

I played tennis and he lived out his dream of becoming Sugar Ray Leonard!

We were both sweating profusely and out of breath in no time. It still never dawned on us that we were actually getting a workout.

The mind has a funny way of doing that to you. When something is fun and seemingly effortless it isn't viewed as work. How could something that was so much fun be as grueling as a day at the gym?

It wasn't until I read an article recently that stated playing some of the games available with the Wii burn just as many calories as actually participating in the sport or activity in real life.

Lately, there have been so many iniatives targeted at getting kids out of the house and outside to play until the Wii is a welcomed addition for parents who can't seem to tear their kids away from the television without the aid of a friendly wrecking ball.

The game has been such a hit as far as fitness is concerned that Nintendo has recently developed games specifically with fitness in mind. Wii Fit gets everyone pumped up about making enjoyable physical activities a part of their daily routines. Wii Fit even tracks users' progress, which lets people see how they have improved while challenging them to better their scores and stay motivated to keep going.

If you haven't tried it, what are you waiting for. Wii is where it's at!

How to Make Most Out of Your Wii Fit

 

There is no doubt that Nintendo Wii Fit blends fun with exercising in the best way. With more than forty types of excellent activities it has become one of the best gaming consoles in the world. The gaming and exercising tool makes you feel fit all the time even If you play it once a day regularly. Wii Fit has really brought a new world of “Exergaming”.

Wii Balance Board comes along with Wii Fit as a wirless board where in you have to perform various activities in tandem with the onscreen activities. To make the most out of your Wii Fit you need to consider in mind that the maximum weight on Wii Balance board doesn’t surpass the 136 kg limit.

Also one must regularly check the BMI that stands for Body Mass Index. Balance Board measures weight evaluation based on a ratio of weight to height quite brilliantly. Try to accept the challenges thrown by the on screen activities and perform them in tandem with good accuracy. This depends upon the surface you are playing Wii Fit. Generally it is recommended that Wii-Fit must be played on hard, flat wooden floors while carpet turns out to be a poor surface for scales and also for Wii-Fit which sometimes even results in an inaccurate reading.

If your belly is grown up a bit more the need is requirement of more patience as building a perfect fitness does takes time. Regular balance tests must be done to have a consistent track of your Wii Fitness Age.

The magic of Nintendo Wii Fit continues along with Nintendo Wii Console and this can be seen as it continues to enthral new audiences.

Exercise Answer Brought to you by the Nintendo Console Wii

Wii consoles are being used in sports centers and even seniors homes for warmup and a means of personal activity. The Wii Console is bridging generations in it's different uses and playability.

Congratulations should be given to Nintendo Console Wii.

Video Game consoles have long been employed to keep families amused. As each new platform is brought out, the quality of play along with stunning visuals always improve. The introduction of the Wii Console has caused a paradigm shift in in video game console technology.

With video games being as popular as they are, it was not surprising that people were starting to gain weight through just sitting around all day. So the clever people behind the Nintendo Wii came up with a very clever solution.

The Console Wii Can Aid Your Fitness. Using The Console Wii Is The Answer To Sedentary Video Game Players.

The Wii console has created a paradigm shift in the methods of enjoying a video game. With a specialised remote, you have to literally act out the actions within a game. If playing tennis for instance you will have to use the Wii remote control and swing your arm back as if you had a tennis racket. You would then proceed to hit the Wii tennis ball that you can see on the monitor. It keeps you fit and is a lot more fun to play and that is why it has been a big hit with gamers worldwide.

Now not all of the games are designed with fitness in mind. Only the games such as tennis, golf, bowling etc., are the ones that can assist you in losing weight or maintaining a good level of fitness Wii video games like Super Mario are ones that you should not rely on in relation to helping you burn energy as they are like regular games that you sit on a chair and play with very little body movement.

You can get an amazing workout going on with the Wii console tennis game. Testing has shown that in 30 minutes, you might burn up upwards of 100 calories. You can compete with the most competitive players, or just play longer to burn even more energy For adults, children, even seniors, the Wii console games provide an opportunity to reach a suitable level of fitness while playing.

There is a real problem in this day and age with children and obesity. Therefore by providing them a Wii console for them to play with, you can really help to make them a lot fitter. Long gone are the days when playing on a computer console meant lazing around for hours on end. Now you can stay active, have fun and stay dry on a rainy afternoon! Can it get any better than that?

Most experts state that you need 30 minutes of exercise to have an impact on your fitness You can find a comparable level of exercise to playing tennis, jogging or biking, by playing an intense 30-45 minute game of Wii console tennis.

Video game reviews: Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) – Part 1

One of the most hotly anticipated games for the Wii, Super Smash Bros. Brawl did not disappoint. With early hype on the additions of Solid Snake and Sonic the Hedgehog to the characters list, it was actually the things that weren't changed that make the game a winner in my eyes. For fans of the Gamecube version, Super Smash Bros. still boasts one of the most fun multi-player systems every created. It's a paradox of simple moves while chaos whirls around competitors. Still, the game is not perfect and needs fine tuning in future versions.

THE HITS

- The new solo adventure mode is interesting in its duality, going from platformer to fighter and back again. The story is simple and interesting, even though none of the characters speak. I wish it was longer, but only because it's a great time. It can be played with one or two players and it hearkens me back to a time of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Simpsons in the arcade.

- Using Kirby still feels like cheating, but there are other characters that can balance him out, like Metaknight. Besides, Kirby is the absolute hero of adventure mode.

- Super Smash Bros. still boasts addicting skill challenges, addicting in themselves, like smash the targets, survival mode, and the home run contest. They have added an additional mini-game, Boss Battles, which has its moments while letting you relive the adventure mode.

- The items that are available, including the baseball bat, the donkey kong hammer, various bombs and pokeballs, are still great, but they are overshadowed by orbs that unlock character moves. When one appears, there is a mad scramble to smash the orb, rather than fight, giving the game a hectic nature. These orbs make it so that no fight is really ever over. In addition to the orbs, there are special items that unleash a Nintendo buddy to help out. From dark Sonic to Mac from Punchout! to Waluigi, the helpers are random and varied.

- All the character additions are fantastic. Though Sonic and Solid Snake were the most exciting, I believe them to be overshadowed by others. Metaknight gives the user an evil Kirby to manipulate. Ike becomes a veritable force for fans of Marth in the past game. Wario adds comic relief and a powerful character.

THE MISSES

- Solid Snake was over-hyped and missed the mark. Most of his fighting is hitting and running away, never the style of Smash Bros. Yes, his bombs and arsenal fit the character, but it has

Which video game system should you buy? – Part 3

A new generation has started,

A new competitive gaming environment is born

And with the birth of possible the three greatest consoles ever made!

Or is it?

Where has gaming revolution taken us now, to the break of gaming perfection or forward towards a visually established console family that depends on its quality graphics to stay in the market?

Let's firstly look at Microsoft's XBOX 360 and how it establishes its self in the current gaming market. After several problems upon its release, the XBOX has final got its self sorted and jumped into the market with a wide selection of games. After the last generation of consoles kicked with the Playstation 2, the GAMEcube and XBOX, Microsoft has done its best to come up with an inerter vive new console that appeals to both young and old clientele. Microsoft has always been one of the leading game producing companies in the world, so why stop there? This time there going for gold with a console that offers fantastic graphics with extremely exciting and popular games. The XBOX 360 is without a doubt the best console for game play that is out at the moment. Mixed with a sleek new design, wireless controllers and the extremely indictable bonus of XBOW live, this console is best suited for someone who wants to be blow away by fast pace games and num fingers.

Nintendo WII, I don't know about the name but as a console it simply ROCKS!

When the idea for the WII first came about, people thought that Nintendo were taking the Michael. A few years down the line it has become a global phenomenon, getting fat kids off there seats and getting them up bouncing around the room like a man attacked by bees. It may not have the best graphics or a wide selection of released games at the moment but it offers something completely different to every other console ever made, family fun that gets you fit. After playing on almost every WII game that has been released so far, I can say that without a doubt that every single game can entertain even if its not your cup of tea. A black mark on this seemingly untouchable console is that each pad costs near on 60 each and die a very quick death if owned by an hardcore gamer. So if your looking for a console that provides real life action, mixed it a variety of graphic mediums and styles, the WII will be waiting.

And finally, we come to the daddy of the console world,

The Playstation 3.

Years ago people though that Sony were mad! Jumping into the gaming industry when already

Console reviews: The Nintendo Wii – Part 10

I am younger than I look...

At least according to my Wii Fitness age on Wii Sports. Just the other day I actually got younger.

The Wii console is brilliant for its interactibility. Now the 38% of America's youth that border on obesity have a reason to put down the twinkies and cheesy poofs and drop a few pounds while playing video games!

The Nintendo Wii offers fun for the whole family. I never thought I would see my grandmother playing a Video game, turns out Wiis are a hit in Nursing Homes. Instead of lobbing a 14 pound bowling ball down a lane on Field trip Tuesdays, the elderly can strap on a fourteen ounce Wii remote and have the time of their life every day of the week.

My co-workers, who don't own a game system, now do. They love the interactive nature of the new system, and enjoy watching their kids work out some of their excessive energy or a normally "dumbing" object that is a TV.

Wii strong points:

1. Interactive - first main stream gaming system to highly integrate movement from the user.

2. Cheap(er) - less expensive then the other options currently available at $400 or $600 a pop.

3. Adaptability - can you say Zelda sword and shield, or how about a Wii remote gun.

Wii-eak points:

1. Resolution - 480p is not that incredible, perhaps how they keep it cheaper though (what's with the new HD cables they are selling for this system anyhow?)

2. Dashboard - so you've got a ton of potential for new Wii channels and interactive gaming communities, why not give us fans something more to play with?

3. Shooter Games - haven't enjoyed a good shooter game yet because the aim mechanism in the controller makes it near impossible to mimic the feel of a real gun.

All in all I give the console an 8 out of 10. Nice work Nintendo.

Nintendo Wii Fit Bundle : a First Impression Review

Well, I've finally decided to get it. A few days ago, I finally made the difficult decision of purchasing the Nintendo Wii Fit Bundle. Alright I admit it, it's not really that difficult because I got it at a real bargain. When I received the package in the mail, I couldn't contain my excitement. After all, the Nintendo Wii Fit is the latest innovative games and workout machine out in the market today!

What's In The Nintendo Wii Fit Bundle?

As I unpack my Nintendo Wii Fit bundle package anxiously, I notice that there are quite a number of items included. There's the Nintendo Wii game console, the Wii Fit Balance Board and a peripheral of accessories such as the console stand, remote for the games console, nunchuck, AV adapter & cables. Included with the balance board is a disc of software which contains activities or exercises such as the yoga, body balance, muscle building and aerobic exercises and routines.

My Wii game console also came with 5 Wii Sports games for Tennis, Bowling, Baseball, Golf and Boxing. Now, you'll need the Wii game console before you can make use of Wii Fit system. When I was first planning my purchase, I noticed that there were many packages selling at rock bottom prices all over the web. But beware, most of them don't include the Wii game console! You may end up paying more if you buy them separately. If you don't have the Wii game console, the more economic choice will be the Wii Fit bundle as retailers tend to package them at a more attractive price.

My Workout Experience On the Nintendo Wii Fit

After I setup the Wii Fit system, I started working out on it with a heart rate monitor strapped on my wrist. It took a while for me to get used to the menu navigation though frankly, they're pretty user friendly. It may take some time off the workout time but I'm sure that can be minimized once I get more familiar with the system.

What I've noticed was, some of the activities didn't gave me as good a workout as I expected. The soccer heading game was a disappointment and didn't even raise my heart rate above the minimum. And when I compared my statistics across activities such as the Yoga, Strength Training, Aerobic and Balance, the aerobic section stood out.

My favourite by far was the Hula Hoop game. As I tried to balance myself, keeping all the hoops in the air while catching some more, my heart beat was raised to 172bpm. Not only was it a good workout, it was pretty fun and enjoyable.

Perhaps you may be asking "So, do you think the Nintendo Wii Fit is a good way to lose weight?". Personally I don't think the Wii Fit can really help to lose much weight given the nature of the activities involved. Maybe a pound or two a week. But I'm sure they'll be quite effective in another department of your life.

Lifestyle and fun.

Game Cheats

When I see my children and grandchildren sit in front of computer or television screens for hours on end, I wonder if this can be good for them. Although it seems to me it teaches them good hand to eye coordination.

I know some of the games are very violent but I’m not talking about the violent ones for Nintendo, Xbox or Playstations. That’s a whole new story.

Some of these children can’t sit for 30 minutes reading a book or doing their homework but put an Nintendo, Play station, Xbox or Wii control in their hands and they are there for hours

When my children were smaller I worried about them sitting too close to the television for hours, ruining their eyes. I guess that comes from not being raised with a television. We played outdoors, walked everywhere and invented ways to stay busy. Then along came Sony, Panasonic, Magnavox and RCA with televisions and houses being air conditioned and there went the outside play.

In this new age of electronics which seems to boggle the minds of us older generation, I wonder if we are not a little jealous. How much easier it would have been to run our businesses with cell phones and computers.

When I went online to www.wordtracker.com and put in the key words electronic games. I was appalled at what came up: People wanted cheat sheets for Nintendo, Xbox, Playstation2 and Wii games. The top ones were “ps 2 game cheats” with a count of 14602 hits in 24 hours, ‘game cheats for ps2’with 17042 hits in 24 hours, “playstation2 game cheats” with 4858 and “games cheat” with 3898 in 24 hours.

What is this teaching our children? I want to win but I don’t want to cheat doing it. Maybe the children of today don’t think this is cheating but just smart tactics since every one can copy the cheat sheets off the internet and all have the same advantage. Maybe it is not cheating and I am just over reacting. As I read thru one of the sheets it seemed complicated to remember all of this in a fast pace game. But on the bright side “games play” came in with 21377 in a 24 hour period, “play game” with 8078, “play games” with 4102 and “games” with 7949 in a 24 hour period.

I guess time will tell the effects of all these electronic video games, but one thing for sure it certainly keeps the brain dusted off and active.

How Nintendo Revolutionized Gaming

Consoles and games have been around for almost two decades now; they are probably one of the fastest growing industries in the world. But saying this, who has really given us the innovative ideas to the gaming world? I can honestly say that it has to be Nintendo.

Nintendo have been on a downfall for years now, with outdated consoles, that just could not meet there superior competition. This being said, when Nintendo unveiled the Wii, it was not only loved by the critics but also adored by the audience who could not get enough of it.

Nintendo's slump began after the major success of there Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Just as the next generation of consoles began releasing CDs instead of cartridges, Nintendo decided to stick to the cartridges, ignoring warnings of a major market loss. As Sony's success grew, Nintendo's faded and it looked as though it was the last nail in the coffin, when they released the Nintendo GameCube, this console just could not compete with the Playstation 2 and the Xbox.

Nintendo have somehow found a way to bring them selves back to life and begin conquering again. One of the most unique aspects of there new generation console, the Nintendo Wii is the way in which games are actually played. Instead of the usual boomerang shaped controllers, the Nintendo Wii uses a motion sensor controller, which can manipulate movements in games. As well as a games console, the Wii can also be used as a fitness base. Games such as Wii Tennis will give you a great workout, as you will be running around the room trying to hit the ball.

As Nintendo's presence is now at an all time high, it looks as if its major competitors are falling behind such as the PS3 and the Xbox 360. But they are slowly recognizing this new gaming revolution and introducing wireless controllers to there players. PS3 who also discontinued the rumble control have re released this, as they now genuinely believe that users want to be part of the experience.

So what does this hold for the future of gaming? Well as the user generated bubble grows online, so does ability to create user specific game consoles. People want to be in the action, they don't just want to stare into a screen for hours on end. The gaming world is changing at a tremendous speed and Nintendo are there right from the beginning.

Does the unique control method for the Nintendo Wii make it a niche gaming system? – Part 2

I am afraid that I will have to agree that the Nintendo Wii is a niche gaming system.

Let's face it, a truly hardcore gamer is beyond brand loyalty these days and is going to get whichever system offers them their favorite games. As a result I know more than a few people who routinely pick up every new system as soon as they come available just so they can stay on the front line of the "Gaming Generation."

Now since this market is already covered, what niche is the Nintendo Wii trying to fill? Well given the large number of family friendly games featuring cute characters with an emphasis on physical, group activities available for play on the Wii, I am very confident in suggesting that this system is marketed heavily to an adult female (likely a parent with young children) demographic.

Frankly, I think this is a wonderful strategy. Kids are going to play video games anyways, so getting them a system that will make them get off their butts and work up a sweat is a brilliant idea. And I know it also appeals to women, because my wife hated video games until she played the Wii. I personally enjoy playing the Wii with friends and family as well. For a little while, anyways.

What can I say? I am an old school gamer. One who cut my teeth by dedicating hours at a time in front of my TV set, trying to master the deft finger manoeuvrings required to get my "Red Contra Soldier" to successfully clear the battlefield. This level of concentration did not allow for any arm waving and control-pad-gesturing to get the 8-Bit creation to the promised land. It required, sweat, Doritos, 7-11 grape Slurpees and rigid digital manipulation with my elbows firmly tucked into my sides.

But that's me.

My Mom loves the Wii. Playing bowling. Beating my Dad in a boxing match. Having the option to exercise at home with the ingenious "Wii Fit". Just this past New Year's Eve at a friend's house there were round robin tournaments for the ever popular "Wabbits" game. For those not familiar, this game involves ridiculously cute furry mammals performing a variety of mundane tasks at your arm-gyrating command. These tasks include, but are not limited to: brushing teeth, shaving, using environmentally friendly aerosol antiperspirant and so on. Watching grown women and men laugh uproariously as they failed to get their "Wabbits" to complete these tasks successfully was truly more enjoyable than playing the game for me.

And that's why I know this Wii is a niche product. For every hardcore gamer who loves MMO games, playing with dozens of different people at any one time from around the world, there are dozens of people who barely play video games at all. The Wii puts the fun back in video games, and makes people who've never been able to spell "Nintendo" want to buy one desperately so they can play with their friends.

Have fun!

Video game reviews: The BIGS (Wii)

The BIGS is the first official MLB baseball title for Nintendo's Wii console. Is it a hit or a miss? Depends who you ask...

By virtue of the fact that it is currently the only MLB supported title on the Wii, it sold very well. When there is no competition, you can expect a title to sell itself. The advertising promised exciting, power-play driven baseball, with amazing pitches, incredible field catches, and stadium-smashing home run hits. The game is certainly capable of providing those experiences, but there's always a catch.

Making the transition from analog stick to Wii-mote control, baseball seems like a natural fit to the Wii's control scheme. Swing a bat? Check. Throw a pitch? Gotcha. All of this was pioneered in Wii Sports, showing that pitching and batting can be done in a way that feels natural. Fielding and running bases, however, was left out of Wii Sports, which makes The BIGS the first baseball game to explore how to handle these baseball fundamentals. Unfortunately, it seems that 2kSports chose a different scheme than what would seem natural.

The training modes amount to a series of minigames that you only get to play for a set amount of time before moving on to the next. This results in a rushed tutorial and a push towards playing awfully in your first game. Sure, you can go back afterwards and play them individually for any length of time, but baseball should feel natural on the Wii, and not involve having to relearn all of the techniques every time the player sits down to play.

Perhaps the most overlooked idea in the control scheme is one that contributes to the "broken tv screen" phenomenon from the Wii's early launch days. When throwing a ball at anytime in The BIGS (in-fielding, out-fielding, pitching), you hold down the A button, flick the remote, and release the A button at the end of your flick. It takes a real timing to get it down, but the basic motion when done correctly encourages you to remove your thumb from the remote at the height of its motion, resulting in less grip and more likely the remote will slip out of the hand. While you don't need to flick the remote very hard (except when pitching, it seems), the possibility of the remote slipping out of your hands during a key play is very high. There's no need to speculate what could happen during exciting games with friends.

The rosters are there, the stadiums are larger-than-life, and everything has been given a solid BIGtime feel. Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the learning curve of the controls and couldn't trust myself to not let go of the Wii-mote during play, so this one went back to the gamestore for credit. I'll stick with my MLB '07: The Show for PS2 for now, and wait until the developers figure out how best to utilize the Wii's motion sensing controls.

Your mileage may vary. See if you can wrangle a free rental or in-store trial before you buy, and maybe you'll be able to get further than I could with this.

Final rating: I'll wait for the next one, thanks! In the meantime...

Nintendo Wii and Wii Sports – Good for fitness in children?

The Nintendo Wii it seems, puts pay to the concerns in recent years over the inactivity in children due to their interest in video games consoles. The Wii console really sets itself apart from the rest with its revolutionary motion sensitive controller, which actually requires movement in order to play the games.

The Nintendo Wii comes with the game Wii Sports, which includes tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing. In tennis you will be swinging the remote as if it were a tennis racket and flicking it up to toss the ball into the air with a quick swing to serve just like the real thing. The other Wii Sports games work in a similar way simulating controller movements for like movements onscreen. Boxing however is the only Wii Sports game that uses the nunchuk attachment and is the most physically exhausting game of them all. In order to hit your opponent in the head or body, you will have to aim high or low with your swings.

There are three different activities with each game. In training mode, you will participate in random challenges, after which you will be assigned a fitness age, based on your performance. Sound familiar? The Nintendo DS game, Brain Training comes to mind...a physical version perhaps?

The important thing here is that gamers are becoming more physically active without even realising it - you could say it has a 'kill two birds with one stone' effect, combining video game play with physical activity. Given this 'physical' nature of the Wii game play, I wouldn't be suprised if parents rushed out to buy the Nintendo Wii console just to get their kids off the sofa!

Another great thing about the Nintendo Wii is that it appeals not only to children and teens but to adults too, so its something the whole family can enjoy.

Could the Nintendo Wii revolutionize the way we play video games in the future? It will be interesting to see what Nintendo's competitors come up with next - this could be a tough one to beat!

Super Hero Games for the Nintendo Wii – Part 1

Super heroes have been around for a very long time in the form of comic books and action figures. They have found their way to the big screen and even to the world of video games. They are timeless and they never seem to go out of style. It seems in this world of good and evil there is always room for one more super hero to come along and save the day.

If you love super heroes you will be very excited to discover that there are plenty of Nintendo Wii games that fit into this category. The have wonderful effects so you can feel like you are a part of the game. You can bring the characters to life instead of just moving them around. You will likely get lost in the action that is going on.

One of the newest ones out there is Spiderman 3. Set in the city of New York, Spiderman is out there trying to save the day anyway he can. What is very original about this version of the game is that you can go with the regular suit or the black one that Spiderman wears in the movie. When Spiderman is wearing the black suit he is stronger and faster. Yet we all know there are ways in which that suit consumes him so you better be ready for them in the game.

There are complete storylines from the movie that you can play through if you wish to do so. If not, you will have the option to create your own scenes along the way. With this particular super hero game for the Wii you aren’t just trying to save others; you are trying to save Spiderman from himself as well. Will your desire for power be too much and lead to your own destruction? Will not using the black suit though mean you aren’t powerful enough at times to defeat the enemies? There are plenty of cool effects and plenty of great features found in this game that you will be quite impressed with.

If destruction is more your style the Incredible Hulk game may be what you are interested in. He is huge and green and can get very angry when things don’t go his way. Even though the Hulk is attempting to be helpful he leaves a mess every where he goes. You may be having a great time destroying everything in your path but you need to be careful. The more you destroy the more forces will be coming to take you out. That could mean your game ends before you have gotten to explore very much out there.

The game portrays the Incredible Hulk as more of a human than a cartoon version. In fact if you have see the newly released movie then you will understand that there is a connection between the two. It is no accident that this newly released Wii game came out around the same time as the movie hit theatres. Most people agree that they like this humanist form of the Hulk much better.

There is also Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law. With this particular super hero game Harvey has to solve some tough cases. Are you up to the task of helping him do so? There are some that are relatively easy to solve and others that are going to take a great deal of concentration on your part. You can have a great time with this Wii game as well as enjoying sharpening your thinking skills.

The legacy of super heroes lives on with the many Nintendo Wii games. If you have a couple of favorites you can choose those games to play. It can be fun to be a part of those games instead of just reading about that super hero or watching them on TV. Nintendo has done a terrific job of bringing these images to life for people to really get into the game.

Wii Fit and weight loss possibilities – Part 5

3 months ago I caught sight of myself by accident in a shop mirror and I was once again filled with a mixture of horror and sadness. Admittedly I had given birth 6 months previously but being short of stature I was not wearing the baby weight at all well. As a former UK size 8/10, I barely recognised myself as a very pear-shaped size 16.

Two years before I had been living, working and partying in London, going to the gym at least once a week and belly dancing three nights a week. I suppose I had been in quite good form. Now I was residing in Rome with my Italian husband and son, which is undeniably exotic and exciting. However in some ways I was a shadow of my former self. It had been a very difficult pregnancy the majority of which I had passed festering in bed.

In theory I had already been "on a diet" for 2 months but this is not a straightforward undertaking for a person who feels exhausted, spends all day at home and eats through frustration. I had a wardrobe full of cute clothes that I had no hope of squeezing into and was existing in elasticated trousers. It was the height of the Italian bikini season and next to my husband's tanned, toned beach-babe friends I felt like a big English frump who had let herself go. "I need Wii Fit", I suddenly announced to my husband, as it seemed like the fun, kick up the bottom that I needed.

It took a few weeks to actually obtain Wii Fit in Italy and we paid the equivalent of 100 to procure it on-line. However just over 2months later, I have lost 1 stone 4 lbs, fit into at least half my old clothes again and can often be found running semi naked in front of the television. I honestly never expected this result and have every intention of continuing the good work. I have 7lbs to lose to get back to my pre pregnancy weight.

Perhaps more than the actual exercises themselves, I think Wii Fit has awoken a dormant sense of discipline, energy and ambition that was lurking within me. Certainly, in terms of a really good workout it cannot compare with going to the gym, or going for a real run but at least it gets you up and moving. I have by now discovered which activities result in my being out of breath and sweaty. There is absolutely nothing here that could not be done at home without the existence of the game, but for some reason I find that the timers on the games and the little mii (personal avatar) on the screen offer real encouragement to keep going. There is already a little monotony creeping in

Video game reviews: We Cheer (Wii)

I resisted buying a gaming console for many years. I figured I got enough gaming pleasure from my personal computer without having to spend hundreds of dollars more on a console. That all changed when the Wii came out. With it's unique motion-sensing controller, fitness games become possible and the sports games I once sneered at actually became fun.

We Cheer by Namco Bandai is a perfect example of one of these 'get off the couch' games. Here, you play the captain of a cheerleading squad trying to win a cheerleading competition.

To play, you hold your Wii remotes the same way you would hold pom-poms. Lines indicating the direction you have to move your controllers will appear on the screen along with a star. You'll move your controllers in time with the star that travels along those lines. That sounds confusing but, if you follow the motions of the cheerleader onscreen, it's easy to understand while you're playing.

There are three different modes in We Cheer. In Championship mode, you progress through different stages. As you clear the initial songs available to you, more songs are unlocked. Once you've cleared a song in normal mode, a hard mode is unlocked. Cheer Off mode is basically multiplayer mode. Two to four people can try to beat each other in a dance off. Though there's no penalty for failing, a single player can also learn the cheer routine of a particular song without the pressure of Championship mode here. While I'm not crazy about Workout Mode as an actual aerobic workout, it works great as a tutorial since the moves are much more simple and repetitive than the dance routines.

You can customize your character, the four other squad members, and how they're dressed. Though there's no Mii support, you can pick from a variety of characters for yourself and your squad. Also, as you clear various songs in Championship and Workout mode, new squad members will volunteer to join your team and different uniforms will become available to the squad.

One nice feature of the game is that the player uses two Wii remotes instead of the nunchuk. Performing most of the cheers requires full motion of both arms and the cord between a Wii remote and a nunchuk would restrict movement. You can use just one remote but, honestly, using two feels more realistic.

The only criticism I have of We Cheer is the loading and dialogue screens. They appear before and after every song. While it only takes a few seconds to skip through the dialogue screens and wait for the game to load, it becomes annoying after you play through a song a few times.

Considering its theme, it's not surprising that We Cheer is obviously marketed at young girls. The graphics feature cute cartoon characters and peppy pop and dance music. The (sometimes annoying) dialogue is what you'd expect from a stereotypical teen cheerleader. Being a 35 year-old female, I have to admit that I feel a bit silly playing it. I can only imagine how most teenage boys would react to the thought. But, if you can get over the silly stereotypes, We Cheer is one of the best sports games I've come across on the Wii.

9/10 stars

A look at the most popular video game console systems – Part 7

Not that long ago buying a video game console was relatively simple. Your options were limited and the end products, although produced by differing companies, were relatively similar. But these days, buying a video game console can be like trying to buy a car and just like a car finding the right system for you and your family can be a little tricky. Here are some things to keep in mind.

First, there are three major companies producing gaming consoles today. They are Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. Now this may seem like a minor piece of information but knowing these three companies is actually very helpful because they all have slightly different target audiences.

Sony Computer Entertainment produces the Playstation and Playstation Portable brand of gaming consoles. Until the first Playstation arrived in America in 1995, gamers did not think of of Sony when it came to games. Times have changed. The Sony Playstation 3 (PS3) is the most recent addition to the Playstation line of consoles and although it has a hefty starting price (399 USD) sales of the system have rebounded strongly in 2008. Sony's goal with the PS3 was not only to introduce a powerful gaming machine but also a powerful multimedia device. The PS3 will play new format Blu-Ray HD DVDs as well as standard DVDs, can be used to store and play music and photographs, and utilizes a wireless (or wired) Internet connection to download movie trailers, game demos, as well as allow on-line gameplay.

Sony's marketing seems to take aim at the late teen to late twenties crowd of gamers as well as multi media aficionados looking for a bargain priced Blu-Ray player. Many of the games released for the PS3 carry a M (Mature) rating and were intended for an audience of 18 or older. Although the PS3 is arguably the most powerful gaming console available as well as a a great multi media hub, it would not be the right fit for a younger audience.

Nintendo is the company that most thirty-something Americans relate to video games and thanks to the release of the Nintendo Wii in 2006 - Nintendo once again has the "it" item. Anyone who has shopped for a Wii can tell you, they are still almost impossible to find. The Wii, while graphically weak in comparison to either Sony or Microsoft's consoles, is a great value at 249.99 USD and a lot of fun to play. Utilizing very responsive motion control, the Wii allows players to really participate in their games. Want to play golf? While your going

Has Wii Started A Gaming Revolution

Remember the days when you used to sit in front of the computer and bash away at the keys playing the latest game. When game consoles first came along the excitement about he future of gaming was well lets say less than enthusiastic. At the time no one ever imagined how far gaming would go and how big it would become.

When the Nintendo first arrived in the shops the games were pretty basic and basically mimicked the games available to play in the arcades. As the game console evolved the gaming ideas became more unique and games were being developed for the abilities of the game consoles themselves rather than porting the latest arcade game into a console were it didn't always translate that well.

With the release of the Nintendo Wii a whole new family gaming experience was born. Rather than going for the latest wow graphics and sound they concentrated on fun and playability. If you were having fun playing a game that was fun then it wouldn't matter too much if the graphics were not life like. In fact the cartoon graphics of many of the Wii games makes it more endearing.

As the Wii developed a whole new generation got into gaming including the parents and even grandparents who would have never considered playing games. The Wii provided more challenging and competitive multi player games where the fun was that you were playing against each other. This whole interactive idea of families spending time together soon caught on.

Soon after Nintendo released the Wii Fit. The Wii Fit built on the already established family gaming aspect of the Wii but addressed the other major concern about games consoles. Thee was growing concern that out children were becoming more sedentary and not getting the exercise they would if they were playing outside.

The Wii Fit added a whole new sporting and fitness aspect to the games where you had to use your whole body to play the games. The idea was that you would be getting exercise without realising it. The Wii Fit has become a hit and has also attracted more girls onto the gaming market with more games that would be more appealing to women.

You can now get Wii Fit accessories for your Nintendo Wii that allows you to play many different games such as skiing, yoga, hula hoops and many other sporting and exercise based games. More games are being developed all the time including games that are less sports based but still require the same level of physical activity to play.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl cheats (Wii)

If you're the gamer who enters a firefight loaded with infinite ammo and invulnerability cheat codes, then you're in for a surprise: Super Smash Brothers Brawl doesn't have any traditional cheat codes. There's not a single controller input for infinite health or extra power, no way to warp to stages or start with many more lives than your opponent.

But that still doesn't mean you can't cheat.

Brawl is all about epic multiplayer battling, and every character is armed with a kit and kaboodle of ugly tricks for winning like a damned crook. Some call it underhanded, but I say mercy is for the weak. Manly smash players adapt and improvise even through the toughest of battles, and only true warriors will win with the odds against them. Master these dastardly tactics, and you'll be serving up knock-outs like hamburgers at the county fair.

TACTIC UNO: Master the Arena

Every Smash Brothers map is dripping with unique hazards. While all characters are equally prone to being tossed off the ledge and beaten into off-screen oblivion, knowing the topography of the arena makes your job a lot easier. Throwing (or outright beating) foes into damaging lava waves, spikes, or riptides makes their recovery a bigger chore, allowing you more opportunity to finish the job. Most maps have nonplayer hazards anyone manipulate, like the damned catapult-flinger on the Wind Waker ship, the waves of rising acid on Brinstar, and the Koopas or Crabs on the Super Mario Brothers level, which provide terrific horizontal knock back in an perfectly limited vertical environment. And tossing a baddie into an angry Donkey Kong on 72m is sure end with violent hilarity.

Since these hazards cycle during the matchand can hurt you as well as they hurt the other guyget to know every arena and the perfect times to abuse these tricks. If you know that ten seconds from now a good opportunity for an assisted asskicking will present itself, set up and use it.

TACTIC DOS: Long Range Softening.

Each Brawl fighter has a wide variety of attacks, and there are few characters without some sort of projectile. While they vary in situational effectiveness, they're dynamite on a proper set up, or just causing confusion or harassment. Plenty of these make your opponent "flinch" when hit, stopping their movement animation in a hurry and with faster projectiles you can continue the relentless assault nearly un-phased. Some projectiles, such as Fox's lazer blaster, are very fast, weak,

You Can Lose Weight With Wii Fit! I Did!

Nintendo's Wii Fit took America by storm in May 2008. There are still storages of this game. It was a marketing success, as they appealed to the adults. They accepted the challenge and have purchased the system and Wii Fit by the bucket loads.

Many Senior Citizen organizations have been using this with elder folks to limber up their joints, and to make them more agile. Many sites like Wired and 4colorrebillion.com have had their journalists proclaim that they have lost weight with this system.

At 48 years of age I not a gamer by any stretch of the imagination. Sitting for hours and twiddling my thumbs is not my idea of doing anything productive. The Wii system is the only gaming system that appeals to me, because of the sports games. I can stand up and swing the Wii Remote like it is a golf club, in the Tiger Wood Golf game. I can move the remote like I am really fishing, in the game called Hooked, is exciting. I am currently playing Wii Ski because I can stand on the Wii Balance Board and move my arms and my body like I am really skiing.

Ok, back to Wii Fit. I have gone from 258 lbs down to 240 lbs in the 2 1/2 months that I have been using it to lose weight. Even though the game has several different modules, ie, yoga, strength training, aerobics and balance games, I mostly use the aerobics - the jogging in particular for my weight loss. I will also use the yoga for my warm up, and cool down period
You should always stretch before your undertake any form of exercise. I can burn 780 in an hour of jogging on the spot.

With our intemperate weather here in the northeast, I am looking forward to doing something during the winter.

Oh, before you undertake any exercise, make sure that you discuss it with your doctor.

Video game reviews: Super Paper Mario (Wii)

Super Paper Mario (Wii, Intelligent Systems/Nintendo. Rated E "For Everyone")

I'd like to start this review by saying that I very much enjoyed the previous game in this series, "Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door" (AKA "Paper Mario 2"). I'm not sure if this would make my review of this particular game biased or not, but I suppose it should be mentioned.

The basic plot of the game is fairly simple: A villain named Count Bleck has kidnapped Princess Peach and forced her to marry Bowser, because their marriage is apparently a key component in a ritual to awaken the Chaos Heart, which creates a tear in the fabric of reality that threatens to destroy everything. The only thing that can stop this is the legendary hero, clad in blue and red. (There's also something about a mustache, but I don't know how to fit it into a single sentence description.) Naturally, this description leads those searching for this legendary hero to recruit Mario. And so begins Mario's latest adventure, as he searches for eight Pure Hearts to counteract the Chaos Heart. Along the way, he eventually recruits Peach, Bowser, and Luigi, as well as several things called "Pixls", which grant him abilities necessary to keep the game moving.

Early in the game, Mario also gains the ability to flip the perspective from 2D to 3D, and it becomes perhaps the most used ability in the game.

Anyway, Super Paper Mario is a fun game with a good story and hilarious characters and dialogue. The controls are a bit old-school, as you hold the Wii Remote sideways and use it like an NES controller unless you're doing something that requires pointing it at the screen (And there are some things that require this).

Just to recap:

Pros:

+ Old-school Mario fun!

+ That perspective flip ability is fun to mess around with.

+ The characters and story are hilariously well-written.

Cons:

- Some puzzles are annoyingly difficult until you realize how obvious the solution is...

- I can't really think of anything else I don't like about this game.

I totally recommend this game to anyone who has a Wii.

Personal fitness 2009: Trends, equipment, new directions – Part 3

Personal fitness trends are rapidly changing in society today. Not only are the ways in which we obtain this; but also what methods are used. Personal fitness was something people desired for more of a look, than for health purposes. It the recent months, society has noticed they have a need for a healthier life style. There are articles telling us, we are an obese nation compared to others, our life expectancy is shorter then it was in our grandparent's day, our children are more overweight then ever, and even our restaurants are changing their menus to help or to keep getting our dollars.

The economy has had a big impact on the current trends in fitness. One current trend is actually fun to do and it is creating quite frenzy with all age groups. The video game industry is coming out on top with Nintendo's new Wii Fit. It has a scale you actually stand on to exercise. You choose your goals from weight loss, to upper body strength, core body strength or cardio fitness or flexibility. You are able to choose the length of your program and how often. The training sessions features Yoga, Pilates, Kickboxing, Cardio fitness, Strength Training, Flexibility, and Weight Loss Routine. During the workout, you can pause the action and watch the model demonstrate exactly how a move is done correctly. The benefits are: You can do it in the comfort of your home, there are no clumsy machines to deal with and it's FUN.

The cost of the Wii fitness game, console included is around $480.00 or if you already have the gaming system, you can get the fitness game for about $50.00.

Jump Roping is also climbing in ratings for a fast favorite. It is a powerful workout set to music, which generates you, moving. Professional boxers for athletic conditioning and enhancement have long used jump roping as part of their exercising. A fast paced, powerful training tones the body. It predominantly helps sculpture the calves, hips, quads, thighs, and the upper body. Benefits: It can equal about 450 calories every ten minutes depending on what your weight is. It also can be done in the comfort of your home, eliminating gym dues.

There are several videos available on line from $19.00 to $24.00 and jump ropes are around $3 to $4 at most stores.

Zumba is a Latin fitness workout strengthening endurance, balance and agility. The reason for its popularity is due to T.V. programs like Dancing With The Stars.Benefits: It is packed with exciting low impact calorie-consuming moves everyone can do. It also can be done in the comforts of your home, no bulky machines to store away. It is affordable for most budgets.

The video can be ordered for about $19.00.

Another video favorite is called Yogo Booty Ballet which is said to be a yoga, booty sculpting, dance that will make you feel strong, confident, and beautiful! The workouts are yoga fun, helping you to lose weight and sculpting long, lean muscles.The benefits: It can be done at home. It is something you can invite a friend to do with you. The cost is affordable. It also teaches you dance steps.

The costs of this video are around $53.00, which includes the shipping cost.

Indoor cycling along with treadmills is still widely used but is dropping in popularity due to the cost and the bulkiness of the machines. They run from about $480.00 to upwards of $2500.00 depending on which one you choose.Benefits: Helps provide a good cardio work out while losing weight. Easy to use, can be done at home.

The trend seems to be moving away from gyms and fitness clubs because of the cost and the ability to make one's self go. People are looking for ways to have fun while exercising and ways to set goals and keep them, thus exercising in the comforts of home.

Best video games of 2008 – Part 2

Wii

The wii is an awesome system I know many people are interested in getting one. I know a lot of other people are stuck like a bird in a cage to their Xbox but I personally own both systems and rate the Xbox a 91/2 and I rate the wii a good 10. I say that because when I was little I always wanted to play on an interactive game system with awesome games. That is what the wii gave to me. The wii is my childhood dream. I would give this to anyone who loves to play games. If you have a family who is active or wants to become active, this is the system for you. If you are a family who wants a wii to be lazy and play games then you better get up, change and get ready to get active.

Wii Sports

Wii sports comes with wii it is an excellent game. For anyone looking to get a child or grand child a wii make sure it comes with wii sports. After I got the wii sports with my wii I located a different one. So what did I do duh I bought it. The wii sports that comes with the wii has a list of games that consists of: bowling, boxing, golf, baseball and my personal favorite tennis. Now don't get me wrong the others are good but my favorite just so happens to be tennis. Now the second wii sports that does not come with the wii is called wii play, its list of games consists of pool, pin pong, and many other great games I recommend both of these to any wii buyer or owner. don't forget a wii makes a great birthday, Christmas or anytime gift for someone you love.

Raw vs. Smackdown 08

If you have a wii, I strongly recommend this game for any WWE fan, as well as any wrestling fan. This is no sit down and rest game. You not only get to play as the superstar of your choice, but you get to use all of his wrestling moves. You move your Wii remote around and punch and uppercut as if the opponent is right in front of you. They tell us not to do any of the stunts at home, but they never said we couldn't do them with Wii. As a word of advice, I have also tried Raw Vs Smackdown for Nintendo DS, and do not recommend it considering the fact that with your stylus you get to click on 1 of 3 moves which is LAME.

Mii Channel

The Mii channel for wii works great. It allows you to make a personal avatar or character to fit your facial profile. It allows you in some games to play as you not someone else. Not just outside the television screen but inside too. I am pretty sure it comes with all wii consoles and if yours has it don't hesitate to make your playmate to match your facial features. This is an awesome program. If you own a wii and have used it I know you know what I mean. If you don't have a wii and are thinking of getting one, before you start to play a game make your Mii. If you have a wii and have not used it then I urge you to next time as soon as you turn on your game to make your Mii. Any fan of wii playing should have a Mii so get yours today. I think this program is very easy to use. All you have to do is go through different eyes, noses, hair, head shapes and other facial features.

Christmas 2007 gift ideas: Hottest party video games

Long past are the days of blissful yet ignorant days of pong and pac-man, and whilst we hold memories of these first-born video games in a warm embrace, we eagerly look towards the future of technology, and the companies responsible for it, to satisfy our need for instant entertainment. One of these companies, which goes by the name of Nintendo, has cornered the market of entertaining the masses.

Such party games as Mario Party 8 astound both video game investigators and veteran players alike with its exceptional graphics and amazingly addicting mini-games which puts the newfound Wii controller and its capabilities to the test. While the usual lack of originality is expected as Nintendo makes its greatest effort to milk this series of games dry, it still manages to make old new again, and retains the freshness of a brand new video game franchise, with a little help from the Wii and its unique controllers of course.

Another party game that thrills those of all ages would be Wario Ware: Smooth Moves. This game is the master of mini-games as it discreetly yet effectively gives you a rundown of how to play while throwing mini-game after mini-game at you. This game truly ventures to all potential capabilities of the Wii wireless controller as you panic to beat your opponents by doing everything from flapping your arms as a bird to wielding your Wii controller as a sword. Although it's strong point is multi-player, the single player mode can be seen as very well done. As the mini-games get harder and more entertaining, we also see the cast of characters emerge and evolve as icing on the cake of party game perfection.

With such games as these, you cannot go wrong. Unless, of course, you fear all contact with other people and have distaste for humor and just plain fun. And the catch, none of these games have an age limit, or content ill fit for the whole family.

Video game reviews: Wii Fit (Wii)

Nintendo revolutionized the gaming industry, when they created an interactive game, which has players using their feet, rather than their fingers. It was an idea geared toward getting gamers to exercise while having fun. That was twenty years ago, when Nintendo unleashed a foot pad. The idea never really caught on. Now, Nintendo is trying it again, with the balance board, and the accompanying game, "Wii Fit."

First, a review of the hardware. The board itself is a wonderfully responsive piece of machinery. The ability to detect minor shifts in balance, pressure, and weight, are uncanny. As individual games load, there is a green dot on the screen that represents your center of balance. Just watching the dot move as you sway is an experience, the first time one sees it.

The game itself has some very precipitous highs, but it also has some very low lows. For starters, every day, players can perform a "body test," which gives body mass index, weight, and something known as your, "Wii Fit Age." This age is calculated based on the results of a few short diagnostic mini-games. While this is nice for keeping track of your fitness progress, the bulk of the game is in the "training" section, which is broken up into: Yoga Poses, Strength Training, Aerobic Exercises, and Balance Exercises.

The Yoga poses are relatively simple, and do not take long to perform. These are ideal for players who only have a few minutes to play. Some exercises do not use the balance board. The ones that do, score players on how well balance is maintained. Realistically, though, players will not care about their Yoga scores

The Strength Training Exercises are similar to the Yoga poses, the major difference being the focus on repetitive muscle building exercises, rather than stretching and posture.

Aerobic Exercises can be split into two groups: Mini-games, and Running. These mini-games are designed to get your blood flowing. The hula-hooping is fun, as is the cardio-boxing challenge. The step aerobics are surprisingly fun, though you don't want anyone to watch you doing it. The running is sort of boring, but is no less boring than real life running. It's a good way to rack up some minutes for unlocking more games and poses.

The Balance Games are what takes Wii Fit from a useful exercise tool, to a deserved top-selling game. Each game uses different levels and areas of balance and concentration. A few of them are boring, but most are exciting, albeit frustrating at times. The soccer heading game is one of the most fun, laugh-inducing games I've ever played.

The game is fun on its own, but if you already own a Wii, you will want one of these anyway, as games are coming out which are balance board compatible, and having that tool brings gaming to a whole new level of enjoyment.

Fitness for the plus

If you are big and beautiful, the words regular exercise' no doubt fill you with horror. But don't despair, exercise needn't mean an expensive gym membership, competing in the fashion stakes with a stick-thin model in a Versace leotard, or pounding the roads for several hours a week.

Research has shown that just 10 to 30 minutes a day of an activity that raises your heartbeat is beneficial to your health - and this activity is just as effective in 5 or 10-minute bursts. Note the word 'activity' rather than 'exercise'. You don't, unless you want to, have to go jogging or join an aerobics class. You don't , unless you want, have to get into a swimsuit in front of all the other moms at the local swimming-pool. You don't, unless you want to, take part in any kind of organised sport.

There are lots of fun activities that count as 'exercise'. Here are some suggestions for some short bursts of activity:

* Get up and boogie! Put on your favorite upbeat music and start dancing. Dance your way through three or four songs and you've notched up 10 minutes or so.

* Walk, walk, walk: Take comfortable shoes or trainers with you whenever you can. Then if there's the chance of a brisk, short walk, you can take it. Park your car a few minutes walk away from work. If you need a loaf of break, walk to the shop. If you have a coffee break but don't want a drink, get outside and walk round the block. Don't send the office junior to deliver a letter to the other side of the office, get up and do it yourself. Don't take the lift, walk up the stairs.

* Get gardening: Weeding, digging, raking leaves and mowing the lawn are all activities that raise the heartbeat. The fresh air will do you good too!

* Play with your children: Go on a bike ride with them, play a ball game, join in an exercise or dance Wii game. Take them out for a hike in the country.

* Buy or make a skipping rope: Skipping is good for the heart, bones, flexibility and co-ordination. Remember some of those moves you did as a kid? Feet together, step skipping, cross your arms have fun!

* On your bike: You don't have to brave the traffic or the pouring rain. Get a stationary bike and pedal it while you watch television or listen to music.

* Clean up: Throw our heart and soul into the housework. Put on some stirring music and scrub the floor. Hoover the whole house, clear out some cupboards, get dusting and polishing. It all uses up calories.

Now you've got the idea, make your own list and you'll soon notch up those 30 minutes or so a day.

Safecracker is a Nintendo Wii Game That Will Exercise Your Brain

There has been quite a bit of buzz about the Nintendo Wii Fit which is exercise for your body. However, this home gaming console also offers some fabulous games that will exercise your mind. One of them is called SafeCracker. If you are determined to win the game without reviewing any of the cheats it is going to take you quite a while to accomplish this goal.

Make sure you have a memory card ready so you can save the word you have done. There is just no way you are going to complete this particular Wii game in one setting. It doesn’t matter if you have all day to do it either! Safecracker involves a mansion with 35 safes located in various locations throughout it.

If you love to solve puzzles and to play video games, then Safecracker for the Nintendo Wii may be just what you are looking for. You can move it along at a pace you are comfortable with. This game is going to be challenging though and it is going to exercise your mind. However, it will also provide you with hours of fun in a way you may not have experienced before with any video game you have played.

There are several levels for Safecracker so you can start out with the easier ones and work your way up. Make sure you read the directions though for all of the tips you can get. You don’t want to miss out on important clues throughout the game. Nintendo is keeping quite a lid on what the screens will be like for the game. What is known is that there will be tons of rooms in the mansion to go through.

It is highly anticipated that consumers will be extremely happy with this game though. In fact it is one of the most anticipated games for the end of 2008. This game is geared more for the adult age groups even though it will likely have a rating of E for Everyone. This is due to the fact that it won’t have any violence or other factors that can warrant a stricter rating.

The game of Safecracker itself isn’t new, just to the Nintendo world. So if you want to get a head start you can take a look around online to see what it is all about. You are encouraged though to stay away from the cheats for now. That can take some of the fun and excitement out of the game. It is recommended that you try it all on your own first. Of course not all consumers will feel this way and so that is a personal decision for you to make.

The anticipation for this particular game is already at a huge height. It won’t be offered by Nintendo until October of 2008. This means when the weather turns colder you can snuggle up inside and play the game. Maybe the fact that the snow is falling outside and it is dark so early won’t bother you as much when you have something else to focus on. Playing video games on the Wii can help you occupy your time until the warmer weather comes along and you can spend more time outside.

The estimated purchase price for the game is about $30 and it should be a very good investment. If you enjoy playing games and figuring out puzzles then Safecracker can be a very interesting game for you to play on the Wii. It certainly isn’t a game for those that want fast action and fast results though. This is a slower paced game for someone with some patience and plenty of logic. If you have played Safecracker on other gaming consoles than chances are you are eagerly awaiting the arrival of it for the Nintendo Wii. The time will go by faster than you think though as October is just around the corner.

Which video game console is better: PlayStation 3 or Wii? – Part 26

People have always said to me what would you rather have a PS3 or a Nintendo Wii and i always have to think for a minute but i always end up saying the Wii. Seeing as i have both and have extensively played both of them , the Wii is better and is a magical piece of Gaming technology and has some Incredible Games. But the PS3 will always have more people buying it because the ps3 has just been awaited for , for so long and it is a lot more well known around the world.But the Simple Matter is the Wii is a better Gaming Console and is more Family Freindly. On the other hand the PS3 is a magnificent Console for men and Women alike and is the most advanced of its kind in internet Gaming and the Games on it are too good too describe. So the PS3 is a brilliant Console and you can talk to people on it during games and the Internet browser is as good as on a Computer . I suppose you can get updates on a PS3 and you can't get them on a Wii . If you want an all out Gaming system you would have a PS3 but if you wanted something exclusive and cool you would go for the Wii. And the New Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is an un-real game and all my friends bought it.

Now the Wii has special sensors specially developed by nintendo and they Were at it for ages. The Wii can be played online but its not as good as the PS3. And the Wii can be played better in a Family and it's cheaper than than the PS3 . The Fact is that the PS3 is not better than the Wii the Wii is better . Um sorry about this but this is my first Article and i can't think of anything else so i will have to extend it by saying alot of stuff that does not make a bit of sense at all . Liverpool Football Club are the best and are always the best in FIFA Games and Up the Deise......................... .............................. .............................. .............................. .............................. .............................. .............................. .............................. .............................. .............................. ......... my favourite game ever is Gran Turismo5 Prologue and if anyone has it can they send me a comment at DylanC2k8@hotmail.com for cheats Because it really is a Brilliant Game.......................... .............................. .............................. .............................. ..........

The Hottest Place for Xbox and Pc Games

When it comes to video games, game cheats, consoles, PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox and a lot more, World Users can provide you with the most affordable lists online.  There’s a large market for video games and the best website where you can get the hottest video games for the best gaming consoles is at World Users.

 

One of the most popular video game consoles is Xbox from Microsoft.  Some of the best console games are played on an Xbox. At World Users, not only can you find the various popular Xbox games at a good deal, you can also find Xbox consoles and other components at a good deal from other Xbox owners. The consoles listed at World Users are in mint condition. Otherwise, they wouldn’t make it in the list.

 

If you are more into PC gaming, there are numerous PC games listed in World Users. For different types of PC games, there also corresponding games ported in Xbox. The PC games in World Users are best suited for the most updated Windows version, which is Windows Vista. Whatever it is you are having, worlduser can be of assistance

 

World Users provides the links to the best and cheapest Xbox games and PC games.  This practically eliminates spending so much time surfing the Internet looking for your preferred video games.  At World Users, the search is simplified into a one-stop shop for video games suited for PC and other platforms.  Once you have entered the portals of the site, it is easily navigable using search friendly tools.  

 

Finding the best deals on World Users is as easy as pie.  You can easily find Xbox and other video console games without the complications you would sometimes find on the Internet.  It will be such a waste of precious time and money to do all the hard work yourself. World Users gives you a run-down of the latest models and versions regarding Xbox and any other video games as well as PC games.  Apart from that, the site has already categorized the games based on popularity such as everything you need on World of Warcraft, God of War, and Crysis. Everything is organized with the best selection and the most affordable systems in the market. 

 

The stunning and impressive rise of the popularity of the Xbox is attributed to the numerous Xbox games showcasing stunning visual effects and gameplay. People who have a PC or two at home normally plays a game or two.  No matter how old or young you are, there is an Xbox and PC game that is right for you. There is no better place to look for games at a good deal than at World Users.

 

So when you are caught in a catch-22, go to World Users.  Don’t get sidetracked with the daunting responsibility of finding out where to buy and what to buy.  If you want high quality games you will surely need high quality systems.  There is a wide variety you can choose from at World Users.  You can even find Wii games and video console, and Nintendo video console and games.

 

What makes a great game: Graphics or gameplay?

I guess I would have to say Gameplay is more important for a few reasons. First of all, I believe graphics are a great part of a game. I personally am a graphics addict, looking out for games with the best graphics so far. However, I wouldn't actually buy the game unless I found out that it actually is a GOOD game. Even the video game review system seems to favor gameplay over graphics.

Although graphics can make a game better or worse, most of what makes a game better or worse is gameplay. There are many games out there that have below-average graphics but everyone loves. For example, let's say that these two games are released on the same day and both are equally hyped in the gaming community. One has amazing graphics but has a low quality of gameplay, the other has below-average visuals but has a wonderful gameplay system. If consumers didn't know about either game's quality of gameplay, on the first day of sales the one with better graphics will probably sell more than the other. However, after those first day sales, word of mouth will start impacting both games. Although the first game has better graphics, a majority of people will tell their friends that it is not worth buying due to its poor gameplay. On the other hand, the other game will start picking up in sales when first-day customers tell their friends how fun the game was. In the end, the second, more fun, game wins in terms of sales, showing that gameplay is a very important role in achieving good sales.

Games with great gameplay have an amazing ability to generate positive word-of-mouth sales. The fun factor the game has will cause you to want to tell your friends and maybe even invite them over to join you, so you can both play the game together. While the two (or more) of you are happily playing a game that is simply fun, the other game you bought with amazing visuals but poor gameplay just sits there, unused and unmentioned by you to your friends.

A very good real-life example over gameplay beats graphics are the many games on Xbox Live Arcade and many of the games on the Nintendo Wii. On XBLA, recently a game called Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 was released. It had wonderful sales, poised to be the best-selling XBLA game released so far. How were its graphics: two-dimensional and although it had pretty neat-looking effects, it still was pretty mediocre. Gameplay: Wonderful! I myself downloaded the game and my usually anti-gaming mother actually sat down, played the game, and loved it! On the Wii, games like Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii, along with many others, are achieving amazing sales despite the fact that the graphics are similar to games that were released in the early-PS2 era. These games are simply fun and their sales and word-of-mouth show it.

Like I said, earlier, I love games with good graphics, but I wouldn't making a purchasing decision solely based on a game's graphics. In video game reviews, great graphics could improve the score, say, 1 out of a possible ten points. Around seven or eight of the remaining points depend on the gameplay. Although I would prefer a game with both good graphics AND great gameplay, if I had to make the choice between either/or, I would pick gameplay. After that decision, you'll find me having a great time with my friends in front of my Xbox 360.

Personal fitness 2009: Trends, equipment, new directions – Part 4

In a time where obesity is at an all time high and fast food has replaced family dinners, is the new year a new start for the unhealthy? With so much attention on the growing epidemic of obesity, it seems that several organizations are using 2009 as the start of a fitness trend. Will these new trends move us to a more fit and healthy community? It seems so. From Wii incorporating exercise and fun in gaming to the growing number of fitness boot camps, it seems getting healthy is now in style.

Boot Camp Style Workouts

According to the American Council of Exercise, boot camp style workouts which became popular in 2008, will remain extremely popular because they provide a complete workout that is fun and challenging. Up to 600 calories can be burned during these boot camp sessions. Sessions include a great cardiovascular workout and incorporate pushups, squats and lunges for muscle fitness benefits.

A week at an exercise camp ranges from $500 to over $7,000 for an all-inclusive vacation with spa and salon services, shopping, guided tours and workshops.

Budget-Friendly Workouts

It is no surprise with the economy in such a crisis that everyone is going for lower cost alternatives. It is predicted that gym memberships will decrease by nearly 50% during 2009. People are likely to use other resources including home gym equipment, stairs, bleachers, public hiking trails and other resources around them in order to stay fit while cutting costs.

For free workouts, people are using everything from a nearby stairwell to hiking trails at their local parks. It doesn't have to cost money to get a workout and get fit. Even if you are unable to spend money on equipment, you are able to exercise and focus on becoming a healthier you.

Dance Fitness Programs

Dance based classes are a hot trend for 2009. Shows such as Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance may have contributed to the rise of Bollywood, Ballroom, Afro-Cuban and other exotic dance style fitness classes.

Several dance workout dvd's are on the market for 2009. For less than $20, you can start this fitness program and dance your way to a healthier, trimmer body. From hip hop to disco, there are several dvd choices available. Order online for delivery to your home and get started right away.

Wii Fit and Other Technology Based Fitness

The trend of technology based fitness and exergaming is expected to grow in 2009. Interactive video games provide fitness benefits, making exercise fun.

For

Video games marketed at young children: Too much, too soon?

As an avid video gamer, and hard-core supporter of the rights involved for all partys, I have to say that I do see far too much advertising directed at young children. Let's face it, any gamer with half a brain knows that it's the responisbilty of the parents or gaurdians to tell their children that, no, it's not okay to go out steal a car, gun down the police, chainsaw their friends and devour the corpses.

But we also know that kids are going to at the very least ATTEMPT to do whatever they want to do, despite their parents best efforts. Right, I'm not talking about the stupid parents that are out there that buy an Xbox 360 for their 8 year old and then let it babysit them while they go out for a night of binge drinking. And no, I don't have any kids but I'm the eldest of four brothers, and the majority of my friends are married with families of their own. I'm calling it like I see it. I'm talking about the GOOD parents that actually monitor what their children are playing and watching on television. What are they supposed to do when their child's gaming magazine has an advertisment for Gears of War right next to a article previewing a wholesome family Wii game? Is the parent supposed to change the channel every time a commercial airs featuring Grand Theft Auto VI during an episode of Teen Titans? This arguement goes all the way back to Joe Camel. If kids can identify it as a video game, they're going to want to play it.

And how many Adult gamers want to take the mature games out of the hands of the kids? I can tell you I do, and not only because they emulate their heros. Seriously, do you want your child to develop an attitude like Family Guy's Peter Griffen, or repeat half the dialoge they hear come out of Gears Of War's Marcus Pheonix?

No, I don't want them to play the mature games because the little buggers annoy me to no end! Do you know how difficult it is to communicate with your teamates in an online ranked match of...well ANYTHING, when someone's larva is screaming "OLEYOLEYOLEYOLEYOOOOOOOOHHHH" into his microphone? We have enough "mature" players who perform that kind of malicious nonsense, without getting the tweens involved.

Frankly, there's enough trash talking in in the online play of any video game that if you're going to let your child play it you might as well go ahead and enlist them in the US Navy while you're at it, because if he or she repeats anything they hear ME say when I start trash-talking, they're going to peel the paint off your walls. And I consider myself tame.

The fact of the matter is, children want to be treated like adults, for whatever reason, and adults want to retain their youth. So somewhere in there, the game publishers who want to get their games to their target demographic of "mature" gamers need to find the happy medium of advertising to the adults while skirting the awareness of the little children.

So who's to blame? THe publishers, for buying advertising space where it shouldn't be? The commercial artists who design the advertisment? Or perhaps the magazine editors and network directors who place the advertisments where they fit rather than attempting to understand the content? Maybe all of them. But if the cigerette companies can figure it out - and granted, that is debateable in and of itself- then the gaming industry can too.

Welcome to mainstream marketing guys.

Nintendo Release of the Wii Fit

A Nintendo release of a new game that comes out with a truly amazing game that all ages will enjoy. They have created the experience of a lifetime when it comes to video games. A nintendo release called the Wii Fit.  The Nintendo release of the wiifit was highly anticipated, and met with great Nintendo Success. So good, it has been difficult to keep Nintendo stock of the popular board game, Wii Fit.

The Wii Fit is a truly a complete interactive video game that plays along with a "balance board". The balance board is a completely new type of video game controller that was developed especially for the Nintendo Wii. This video game controller sits on a flat surface such as on the floor, and the player will need to stand on top of it and balance themselves. Each player will create their character or profile just by some input of personal information regarding height, weight, age, hair color, and other details, and the Wii Fit board game will suggest a fitness program.

The Nintendo Wii Fit, then, becomes more than a simple game, but now it works as an effective exercise program, or just like your own personal trainer suggesting fun and family friendly exercise programs that anyone and everyone can participate in and enjoy, no matter how young or old.

Start getting into shape today. With the Nintendo release of the Wii Fit, start losing some weight, and most imporatantly...enjoy the Nintendo Wi Fit. Get yours while ther is Nintendo stock of the wiifit.

The future generation of video game consoles

In the world today we have so many consoles, like the PS3, Nintendo Wii and the XBox 360.

The technology is brilliant and many people are buying them worldwide and are enjoying them, furthermore the consoles these days do more than playing games, they can play videos, surf the net and play music.

But there are future consoles to come out like the PS4 but what might be in the console, will people enjoy it like the existing consoles. One of the features I would like on a console is that you can create and edit your work so you can play and work in one place, moreover it would be a great hit if it had a feature like that, because it spreads to a wider audience meaning more people would buy the actual console.

The future consoles, will most probably make the game look realistic but the PS3 and XBOX 360 have already done that, for example NFS Undercover, the graphics looks realistic and looks like the real world.

However, there is one problem with the PS3, it is that sometimes it overheats, so on the PS4 they should make it less likely to overheat in the future.

Technology is advancing everyday and the consoles are one way of showing it, like the graphics, hard disk and all the features, in the past it all used to be black and white and you could only play games, then it moved on and there was colours but it was all pixels. But today it is all smooth and everything looks real.

There is another problem, the price, when the PS3 came out it was nearly 300 but if there is a new console, how much will it cost. It might be a failure if no-one buys it, but the console might be good but people might not be able to afford it even middle classes people.

However, although the price was high on the PS3 more than 16 million got sold however more than 20 million Xbox 360's got sold round the world but the Nintendo Wii was the most popular and it is going to be more popular with the wii fit which was introduced this year (2008).

I think that gaming has become something in the everyday life and everyone enjoys, even young and old people enjoy it (because of the Nintendo Wii). Nearly everyone talks about it, in school, work or on the street.

The future of gaming will be extraordinary and it will make the real life come to the screen, people from young to old will be playing and talking. Sometimes it brings family and friends more closer together. Consoles arent just for gaming anymore, it is more.

Game reviews: Wii Sports – Part 3

Wii Sports may come in the same box as the Wii itself, but don't think that that means that it is a pathetic "hand-out" game. In fact, Wii Sports can actually be an extremely fun game that can whittle away those long, boring hours of the weekend.

A lot of kids these days are obese. This is a major issue. Whether Nintendo knew this or not, the Wii is helping combat it. Sure, swinging your arm to return a digital tennis ball across court may not be the best kind of exercise, but it's better than kids just sitting on their butts working out only their fingers.

All in all, Wii Sports is what the name implies. A sports game, but this isn't like your average sports game. Most sports games focus on one sport and the whole game is building your career in that sport. Wii Sports on the other hand, is a compilation of several different sports. Wii Sports includes bowling, boxing, tennis, baseball and golf.

Boxing is the only game that really requires both hands (you can use both hands for baseball and golf, but it isn't really necessary). In this game you plug in the nun-chuck controller and hold that in your non-dominant hand while you hold the Wii remote in your dominant hand. To punch you jab your hand forward.

There's more to do than just play against the computer though. There are challenges that can provide hours of fun. The game gives you an objective and you try to get points. Try to beat your high score every time. More than that, you can get bronze, silver and gold medals. Trying to get all gold metals will take you a good while.

There is also a feature called fitness where you will be presented with three of your unlocked exercises. After you have completed the exercises it will give you a Wii fitness age judging you on speed, stamina and balance. Try to gt a Wii fitness age of 20 which is the best.

Happy playing!

Wii Fit and weight loss possibilities – Part 1

Since the initial announcement, Wii Fit has created an enormous buzz throughout entertainment and media. It is considered the first of its kind, a video game designed to help you lose weight and it is focused on this task by having you take part in a series of balance, aerobic and muscle exercises. You will also have access to twelve different Yoga poses, some more strenuous than others.

The majority of these exercises are performed on the Wii Balance Board, a device which is sensitive to both pressure and position. When the game starts, an on screen avatar will ask you to stand on the board to measure your Body Mass Index (BMI), which is based on age, height and weight. Once you've been measured, the game will tell you if you are underweight, ideal, overweight or obese based on the information it has received. It will even tell you which leg you tend to favor, based on how much you've moved during the measuring period!

You can set yourself a goal for how much weight you'd like to lose or gain, and the period of time you'd like to reach that target. The game will then create a graph from the starting point and show how you've developed over time, occasionally commenting on your progress and whether it is happy with how you're getting on.

But, the burning question is does it work?

Based on my own experience with Wii Fit, I have lost weight.

After firing the game up on Friday April 25th, and measuring my own BMI, I was told that I am ever so slightly overweight. This came as a slight surprise to me. I do not regularly workout, nor am I particularly careful with what I eat, but I do know my limits, and do try to keep active in some shape or form. Nonetheless, the game did inspire me to do more and I plunged right in, taking care to pick something from each category which suited both my strengths and weaknesses. By Monday morning, I'd lost four pounds.

Nintendo stress that Wii Fit will not help you to lose weight by itself, and that independent dieting, and activity are also essential. But they encourage you to give it a try as it can definitely help! After my time spent with Wii Fit, I can certainly re-enforce their claim.

For me, this game has also served as an introduction to Yoga. I've heard so many wonderful things on Yoga and how it has helped people with their posture, flexibility and overall relaxation, but I'd never much credited it. After playing this game, it has not only given me further interest, but I find it is the exercise I do predominantly over all others. I can even feel slight changes to my movements and less strain on certain parts of my body than before.

But aside from Yoga, the game does cater for all types of weight and fitness, giving something for everyone. Included in the activities are press-ups, hula-hooping, lunges, shadow boxing and island jogging. There is even the opportunity to go ski-jumping!

The package isn't cheap at 69.99 (An additional 179.99 if you do not own a Nintendo Wii), but with that purchase comes a personal virtual trainer that is as committed to helping you lose weight, as you are. While it is certainly not the last word in fitness, Wii Fit is a great motivational tool that can sow the seeds to a richer, healthier existence and comes highly recommended.

Comparing the PSP and the DS

In the handheld console market, there are only two main contenders; the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP. To compare them both would be an injustice, I feel, because they serve two very different markets. This can be seen from both of the games released for both platforms and the actual design of each console.

The DS' design consists of two screens: the touch screen and an "upper" screen that is usually used by games to reflect your progress in the touch screen. The DS also tends to have more whimsical games, like Lock's Quest, Cooking Mama, Trauma Center and the World Ends with You, which makes extensive and very creative use of the stylus.

The PSP on the other hand, has the traditional four control buttons and directional pad you'd get from a normal Playstation controller (hence the official name "Playstation Portable"), not forgetting the extra Left and Right buttons. You can find favourites on the PSP such as Final Fantasy, Dissidia, and Star Ocean, which makes good use of the controls but even better controls of the PSP graphics, which are much better and realistic than the DS' own dated graphics.

The PSP has often been lauded for being an entertainment machine; it's supposed to allow you to watch movies, listen to music, and let you get online easily (the PSP has built-in WiFi capabilities). It also has Skype (to be downloaded manually), allowing you to make phone calls with your PSP.

The DS certainly seems like a very poor cousin when you consider the superficial differences; with dated graphics, limited wireless connectivity and watching movies or listening to music on it would certainly seem like a pain after the beauty of the PSP.

However, the numbers speak for themselves. Sales of the DS has often outpaced those of the PSP. In some parts of the world, the DS even outsells the home console Wii, made by the same parent company.

So, DS or PSP?

I say re-examine what you're going to use it for. If you're a mobile person who likes watching movies and music on the go, then get a PSP. If you just want to while away the time, then get a DS.

Did I mention that the DS can read e-books with the help of a home brew application? The home brew community (people who make applications for various consoles but are not affliated to any game companies) is rather active, and they've turned the DS into a pretty good organiser and IRC client, among others. Personally, I own a DS, and I wouldn't give it up for a PSP.

Nintendo Wii Fit Exercise Game

The Nintendo Wii Fit is a video game that has been developed to be used along with the Nintendo Wii Console. The idea behind the product apart from having fun is to encourage exercise and better health. The Wii Fit can change your exercise style, how you balance your body, your movements etc. The idea is that the whole family or you and your friends can be involved in getting fit together.

Integral to the Wii Fit is the Wii Balance Board. The Balance Board is an innovative peripheral for the Wii that's simple, fun, and a great way to get you off of the couch and into the action. Using software embedded in the game the Wii Balance Board can measure your weight and centre of gravity and can also calculate your body mass index if your height is provided. The
Nintendo Wii Fit has more than 40 different activities across four areas of training: yoga, strength training, aerobics, and balance games. The activities provide a core workout, emphasizing controlled movements to avoid over exertion.

Nintendo Wii Fit has its own channel on the Wii menu which allows its players to compare their fitness and chart their progress on a daily basis. Wii Fit measures a players fitness data and keeps track of your "Wii Fitness Age" through a body test on the basis of the result of the players current age, weight, and athletic ability performance. You can also use the charting feature to enter details of other activities allowing you to monitor your performance in other sports.

The Nintendo Wii Fit is available from Techfocus (www.techfocus.co.uk)

Personal fitness 2009: Trends, equipment, new directions

The trend in personal fitness for this year seems to stem from video games. Yes, you read that correctly. Video games once associated with couch potatoes, have been given a physical fitness makeover. The genius corporation behind this cutting edge technology is none other than, Nintendo. Nintendo is a Japanese company. The Japanese are known for being very health conscious people. And they have figured a way to get the public off the couch and into shape while being hip and fun.

Nintendo Wii Game System

This game system is nothing like the original Nintendo. It is very physical. Wii video games such as tennis, bowling, and fishing will actually make your whole body sore. Picture if you will, a video game that requires physical force in order to achieve success. When you play baseball, you actually play baseball. Okay so maybe you don't have to run the bases, but you definately have to maneuver your arms as though you were hitting an actual baseball. Try playing Wii Sports for a whole hour. What a workout. You will build muscle in such a new and fun way. This system sells for $249.99 plus tax and is available nationwide.

Nintendo Wii Fit Balance Board

The Nintendo Wii Fit Balance Board is quite affordable. It is priced at $89.99 plus tax. This product can be found at a wide range of stores across the country. However, due to it's popularity, it seems to sell out quite fast. In order to use the Wii Fit, you must own a Nintendo Wii system. If you compare the price of owning a Nintendo Wii system and the Wii Fit to having a gym membership or owning an Elliptical Machine or Treadmill, you actually save money. The Wii Fit Balance Board includes all of the necessary equipment to begin your workout regime. This includes a personal trainer. Imagine having your own virtual personal trainer right there in your living room. It sounds like something only the rich and famous can afford.

Nintendo Wii Fit Fitness Programs

The Wii Fit Balance Board includes it's very own fitness program. The activities and workouts in the original program include balance games, yoga, aerobics, and strength training. You can ski, hoola hoop, or even walk the tight rope. There are 40 activities to choose from. It's not only fun for all ages, but it's exercise too. You can have your cake and eat it too; as exercise has never been thought of as fun before. This physical fitness trend is definately family friendly. Not only can mom or dad do it, but so can grandma and grandpa. My husband and

Is the Wii Fit Good for Video Games?

Generally, when we think of good aerobic activity, the kind that experts agree leads to a healthier lifestyle, we don’t think of video games. However, with the recent release of the Wii Fit (for the, ahem- Wii), everything we know may be wrong.

 

First of all, let me make it clear that you wont ever (EVER) get as good of a workout from a video game as you would in a gym with motivated people all around you. That’s not to say that the Wii Fit isn’t a good idea, it’s just not designed to give you a great workout. The Wii Fit is designed to sell, and to do that, it needs to be fun. The game (yes, it’s a game) is certainly fun on many levels, getting 80% reviews on average from gamerankings.com.

 

The problem I see with the Wii Fit is that it is trying to combine two things into one that really shouldn’t be mixed, in my opinion. It is trying to combine video games, a typically un-aerobic activity that is certainly fun, with exercise, a healthy activity that isn’t generally fun.

 

Right when it was released, I was thinking that the video game reviewers would bash it as being cheesy and not fun at all. I also thought health experts would criticize it as being a terrible workout, and really a cop-out.

 

Man, was I ever wrong. Game reviewers generally liked the Wii Fit, and health experts, while not recommending it as an awesome workout, definitely accepted it as a decent attempt.

 

The point I am really trying to make here is that if you play video games a lot, and are thinking of starting to exercise, don’t get the Wii Fit. You will find yourself ‘cheating’ a lot at the games, and you won’t get more than a halfway-decent workout. You would be much more successful if you strapped on some running shoes and went for a jog. No, I know its not going to be fun, that’s my point! At the same time, people who exercise a lot and have never played a video game, skip the Wii Fit. You will definitely have a bad opinion of video games if the Wii Fit is the first one you play.

Safety and the Nintendo Wii

Playing video games is to be fun and so most people don’t associate safety with it. Yet the makers of the Nintendo Wii have issued some safety warnings for their products. It doesn’t mean they at they are a threat to the well being of those playing such games. However, Nintendo does want to be responsible and let the various safety concerns be known. That way both children and adults can benefit from what is has to offer as much as possible.

Research has shown that a small percentage of the population can experience seizures due to playing various types of video games. This is due to the combination of the graphics that flash on the screen in front of them. This can occur very suddenly even for individuals who have always seemed to be very healthy. It doesn’t matter how old the individual is either.

It is believed these are most likely to occur when the individual is sitting very close to the TV screen. It is also more common when a big screen TV is being used instead of a smaller one. Try to move as far back from the screen as possible while playing. Sitting there for hours can also trigger these seizures to occur as well. Limit the time that children are exposed to them without a break.

There are also some other types of health concerns to watch out for. Even if the individual doesn’t have a seizure they may be affected from the exposure. Severe headaches, twitching eyes, blurred vision, and convulsions should all be taken very seriously. If you are prone to motion sickness you may experience similar feelings playing the Nintendo Wii due to the rapid movements on the screen with some games.

Some people spend hours and hours each day playing the Nintendo Wii games. There is no doubt they can become quite addictive due to the fun and the challenges that they offer. However, there are plenty of motions that have to be repeated again and again in order to play these games for such long periods of time. This can result in pain in the fingers, hands, and wrists.

These problems can be avoided by limiting the amount of time a person plays the Nintendo Wii each day. Some people will experience early warning signs including numbness in these areas or burning sensations. It is best to stop playing at that time and take a very long break so that it doesn’t persist.

While many of the games for the Nintendo Wii are interactive, you need to survey your area first. You need to make sure you have sufficient room to complete the movements. You don’t want to injure yourself by bumping into objects or other people. Make sure your movements won’t cause anything to fall off of shelves or the walls onto you either.

Individuals who participate in such interactive Wii games need to make sure they are physically fit enough to do so. A person can easily pull a muscle or cause other harm if they aren’t ready for particular movements. Stretching before and after engaging in these games can also help to reduce the risk of injuries. Those with heart problems need to ask their doctor before they participate in these types of games.

For the most part you will find playing the Nintendo Wii to be fun and not a problem at all. However, it is very important to be aware of the various safety issues that could present themselves. Limiting the amount of time a person plays such games at one time seems to be a very good way to prevent many of them from happening.

If problems due occur make sure you seek medical attention. These problems that arise while playing the Nintendo Wii could be an early warning of a more severe medical condition. A full assessment by a medical professional can help to ensure it is kept under control.

Perspectives on game consoles

The Xbox 360 has been a very dominant force in the next generation of gaming consoles. More power than the lovable Nintendo Wii, more affordable than the Playstation 3, and a competitive games list make it a no brainier to own. I do believe that from the launch to the announcement of the "Xbox 360 Elite" that there a few thing they would have thought through better.

Beyond the price of the now three systems, I think that is the first flaw. It was bad enough to have two systems but three. I believe that the Premium unit should replace the core unit due to the direction in Xbox/Windows Live and digital distribution. The price point should be dropped by the Christmas shopping season to at leased match the current core and premium consoles.

In all the improvements, Microsoft forgot one thing. They need to expand to gamers like Nintendo did with the Wii. They made a system that seemed affordable compared to the original launch of the Playstation 2 and Xbox but lost potential customers that are on a budget. It is not fare to assume that if the product is great they will buy it. Full backwards compatibility on both machines would have given the incentive for people that can barely purchase the core system a chance to make a quicker decision on having an Xbox 360 and a bargain bin game from a used video game store. What is the point of have a system with no game? The system usually is the most expensive purchase in gaming. Saving up for a game is easier. If it were me, I would not want my customers to second guess the purchase of price of system and game unless it is included like the Wii with "Wii Sports".

Memory is a problem that I do not think was thought through well enough. It is starting to look like an after thought. I can over look the old memory cards not begin compatible with the new system but with the way the media is being used from day one of the 360's life storage problems were obvious to happen. The future was supposed to be Xbox Marketplace. Download this and that with only a 20GB hard drive, if you have one. This unit needed a 60GB hard drive at least. Microsoft may have been able to go a little smaller if the memory cards used a more universal source. The use of secure digital media cards over traditionally small sized memory cards was big mistake. Transfer of data like pictures and music would have been a lot easier and like the Wii and PS3 have adopted. Saves and backup storage would have been no problem. Memory cards seem to be constantly growing in size to fit the demand of the users.

On the plus, this system has a killer lineup of games only almost matched by the Wii and reminiscent of the PS2. The graphics and awesome with or without an HDMI port and has me wishing I was still gaming like a teenager.

Avoid winter weight gain

The long, cold winter can be an extremely difficult time for exercise. Who can blame us? It is cold outside, and people do not want to brave the elements or have to bundle up and drive somewhere to exercise. So, we snuggle up in a cozy chair. We brew a hot beverage, and we grab a plate or bowl of snacks. A good book and a roaring fire complete the ensemble and fitness is long forgotten. Granted, most people do not have the time to regularly indulge in these interludes, but during a long winter they can become frequent enough to become a habit.

One way to avoid this sedentary lifestyle is to stay active in the house. Purchasing exercise equipment can help, but it can be a bulky addition to a cramped household. In addition, it still requires discipline. That exercise bike won't pedal itself. The recent release of the Wii Fit by Nintendo is an interesting way to keep the weight off at home, as users participate in stretching, yoga, and other exercises. This can be a fun alternative for those who enjoy a quick workout during a busy day.

Another way to keep the weight off during the winter months is to join a fitness club, or make it a point to get there on a regular basis if a membership is already in place. The weather may not be friendly for outdoor exercise, but the friendly confines of the gym can be an effective methodology for staying active. Granted, it can be a hassle to get to the gym in poor weather, but those who want to maintain their weight must be disciplined. Therefore, getting to the gym 3-5 times per week is a wonderful way to fight the desire to hibernate in the winter.

Of course, exercise is most effective when intake is held in check. Therefore, people have to be aware of the holiday consumables and have a plan of attack. Curling up with a good book is fine, but avoid the snacks and sip on a bottle of water instead of hot chocolate. Also, people should be careful about holiday parties and gatherings. They should have a plan before they arrive, so that the little morsel here and there does not add up to a heavy evening of overeating. Finally, we seem to have a societal habit of putting snacks and treats out in public spaces during the holiday. They can act like an appetite magnet, as they draw us in and compel us to grab a "little something" every time we walk by. Therefore, put the food away so that at least the person has to intentionally seek it out if they are going to consume.

The biggest part of maintaining weight is keeping to the routine of the warmer months. Granted, weather does play a factor and it can be a hassle to get out and stay active. In addition, people must remember that they can "feel" different during the winter months. Therefore, mental drive and preparation are a key part of fitness during the winter. Techniques are helpful, but motivation must still come from within if people are going to maintain their weight during the busy holiday season.

Wii Fit and weight loss possibilities – Part 3

Any one that owns a Wii knows that it is a very physical gaming console. There are few games that require no movement, and even with those you are not merely sitting with your fingers pressing buttons. The Nintendo Wii is not your classic video game system. Without the Wii Fit platform, you will find yourself jumping, boxing, flailing your arms about (and hitting your nephew in the head in the process...), and moving quite erratically. But, it is extremely fun. Thus, when you do advance to the Wii fit, you assume that you are already prepared for the extreme physical endurance that is expected with the fitness craze. Now, swinging a Wii remote like a tennis racket is one thing, but bending and stretching your body like a pretzel while trying to keep your balance as the board measures your center of balance is an entirely different thing altogether. This thing is not for the faint of heart.

I had been looking for one for months (for they are usually sold out and on back order at nearly every retail outlet that you visit), so when I finally found it, i snatched it up rather quickly. That was a week ago, and I have already used it eight times. I am addicted. Even when I stood on the board to register and configure my wii fit age, and my BMI (Body Mass Index), and my Wii fit deemed me obese (yes, obese, it was quite a blow...) I was thinking about how amazing and fun the little machine was. I am not a person that engages in alot of physical activity. I am busy with a full time job, and full time college courses, so when I get a chance to relax, I tend to enjoy it. Now, all I want to do is play the Wii fit! It is so fun, and it gives me such a workout that I actually feel rewarded after playing my video games for hours. Half dead, but rewarded.

There are several reasons that I think that the Wii fit holds great potential for losing weight. First of all, it keeps a record of the amount of time that you use it. You can see how many minutes that you have done each time that you use it, and there is a graph that shows you how you have progressed (or haven't progressed in some cases). It records your weight, your BMI, and your balance. Secondly, the wii fit tells you how you have done each exercise. It measures how you distribute your weight when you are doing yoga poses, and it also measures your ability to maintain your posture and your balance. While performing some activities, it actually shows you a circle or rectangles that measure your movements so that you

The most anticipated video games of 2008

Summer is just around the corner and kids will be out of school soon. What is there to do for fun? Video games! With gas prices on the rise, a great way to keep kids and adults of all ages busy this year is good old fashion video games. Let me tell you we have come a long way from Frogger and Pac-Man, and were not talking Ms. Pac-Man either. There are some great games out on the market today in many different formats. So what are the most anticipated games of the year for 2008?

The debut of Wii Sports got us up and moving last November. Nintendo continues to put the fun in exercise with their release of Wii Fit. It is not as much a video game as a workout, but just as exciting. This game is scheduled for US release on May 14, 2008.

Set to be released this summer is the fifth installment of the Namco Soul fighting series, Soul Calibur IV. This game will be available for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 systems. At last, the game will be available for competitive play online. Soul Calibur IV will feature five new characters: bonus characters Angol Fear and Scheherazade, Darth Vader, a guest character on the PlayStation 3 version, the guest character on the Xbox 360 version is Yoda; there is also a new character by the name of Hilde.

The go-kart style of racing in Mario Kart for Nintendo Wii is sure to please the young and young-at-heart alike. As of now, there have been seven installments of this game with the eighth coming this year.

How could we survive without more Grand Theft Auto? The series has not changed much in the past, but the look of its ninth title, GTA IV is quite refreshing. This will be the first in the series to feature the RAGE game engine like the one in Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis. The thieving begins on April 29, 2008, for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

If you like Burnout Revenge, you are sure to love Burnout Paradise for PS3 and Xbox 360. The graphics are some of the best. This game is set in an open world with no waiting for loading times and no lobbies or game menus. One of the best features is the incorporation of the Gun N' Roses hit, Paradise City. The newest Burnout installment was released in January.

Bring on more Wii. In the third installment of the Super Smash Bros. series, for the first time, the game will feature third-party characters. Developed by Sora, Super Smash Bros. is a crossover fighting game that emphasizes on ring outs as opposed to knockouts. Brawl is the first to support battles online with

Humor: Always wear your Wii remote wrist strap! – Part 2

We were very pleased and excited when we purchased our Nintendo Wii . We couldn't wait to get home and open the box and explore all the wonder and fun that is the Wii . When I say "We", I mean my husband, who is a far more enthusiastic game fan than myself.

He finally gets the box open and tosses away the instructions like any typical man would do and proceeded plug in his new Wii into his brand new flat screen high definition television. It was going to be absolutely awesome and beyond anything he'd ever done before.

I suppose when he saw the controller and decided it needed batteries he either overlooked the wrist strap or just thought it was for hanging on the wall for later use. He was gearing up for his first Wii fitness test that is included on the Wii Sports game that comes with the console. We were about to reveal his real age through baseball, tennis, and bowling. Baseball was a blast and he managed to hit more than the balls pitched to him. Tennis was just fantastic in the way that it resembled real life tennis. He hit ball after ball, all the while the wrist strap flying in the wind. Finally, it was time to bowl. After a couple of strikes I think he began to get more and more excited because he kept throwing the "ball" harder and harder. At last, the inevitable happened. The remote flew out of his hand and right into the top of his new TV. There was a nice scratch on the top of the screen and a lovely dent on top of the TV. I couldn't believe it. I yelled at him "WHY do you think it comes with a wrist strap? NOW you get to play on a damaged television!"

Well, that all blew over and the next day I decided to play and see for myself how old this Wii thought I was judging by my athletic skills. I stood in front of the TV (which we got rid of the scratch, by the way) with the fan blowing a cool breeze behind me. It was fun I must say. I made it all the way to bowling and after a few rolls of the ball I dropped the controller due to failure to wear my wrist strap. The controller made it all the way to the ground and my fingers made it all the way to the fan. I was terrified to look at my hand because I just KNEW I had sliced my fingers. Luckily I escaped with all of my digits, and from then on we both decided we would wear our wrist straps no matter how goofy we felt doing it.

It is always important to wear your wrist strap while playing the Wii for your safety, the safety of others, and the safety of anything else in your house!

Video game reviews: Mario Kart Wii (Wii)

Mario Kart Wii is the latest in the racing series by Nintendo featuring Mario and friends with all new courses and racing vehicles while also feturing several classics fans of the series are sure to recognize. This Racing game is groundbreaking in several ways and brings a new experience to the track worthy of the "Mario Kart" title. The game fetures a new control scheme solely available to the wii, the "Wii Wheel" which emulates the driving experience by allowing the player to guide the onscreen vehicle by tilting and turning the wheel-shaped controller. This experience is quite fun in itself, however, nintendo also offers alternate driving options including the Gamecube controller and Wii classic controller. When it comes to the actual racing nobody should be disappointed as their are several characters to choose from with varying skills and weight classes, many more of which are unlockable in the game ending at a grand total of 26 unique playable characters including the players uniquely designed Mii character. The players then have the option to choose a vehicle, either a kart or a bike, depending on the character's weight class and personal preference, each kart and bike offers a range of stats designed to fit different racers' preferences. One other important detail is transmission type, automatic or manual, which determines how the kart reacts allowing the player more control over the vehicle by drifting and using the mini-turbo which is highly reccomended for all but the most novice players. This tiem around players have 8 cups total, each with four tracks, to race on, four of the eight which are unlockable. The 32 courses include 16 new levels exclusive to the game and 16 older tracks which fans may remember from past Mario Kart titles. Apart from an incredibly large one player trial of player skill the game offers extensive online and multiplayer playing options. Needless to say this newest addition to the Mario Kart series is sure to challenge MK veterans and novices alike. If the incredible challenges of the single player and multiplayer racing modes aren't enough you can test your skills in battle mode and the time trials, which also offers an online ranking to see how you compare to other racers worldwide. The challenges don't end there either, online tournaments arrive at two per month to further challenge racers to push there limits teaching you to become the best you can be by pushing your limits as you challenge the records of rivals worldwide to become the best a Mario Kart Wii.

Current options on the Wii as a Media center

The Nintendo Wii is not the media center that the Xbox360 or Playstation 3 is. In fact, I would hesitate to compare it to last generation Xbox and Playstation machines. This is not to suggest that the Wii has no value in terms of multi-media.

More than Ninety-nine per cent of video-game console owners acquired these machines for the purposes of playing video games. Any extras are just gravy. From that regard, the Nintentdo Wii can hold its own. (This is assuming that its users focus more on game play enjoyability, and less on graphics.) There are dozens of games from every imaginable genre, and plenty of unique ways to play them. In short, the Nintendo Wii IS a valid video-gaming option.

Another popular option on the Wii, is its internet capability. Users can connect to the internet via wireless networks, or by hardwiring the Wii to a modem. The browser is a free download, which is nice, however, using it, especially with the Wii remote, is not very effective. It is nice to have as it IS a way to get online, but users will only use it as a last resort.

Users with digital cameras can use the Wii as a means to display those images in a larger format. There is a port on the console which allows the uploading from several digital formats. These photos can then be viewed individually or as slide shows through the "Wii Photo Channel."

Unfortunately for its owners, the Nintendo Wii is lacking the most sought after secondary ability of video-game consoles. There is no DVD or Blu-Ray playing ability. Nor is there even a way to play CDs. Creative users will play movies from online sites, or use internet radio. This, however, is a round about means to do something the competitors have built in.

Where the Wii makes up for this failure as a media center, is in its capabilities as an exercise center. Even the bare minimum console package comes with Wii sports, where 3 out of 5 games are active enough to cause players to sweat. If at home, interactive exercise is a priority, one can purchase the Wii Fit, and any number of Balance Board compatible games and exercise programs. The Wii Fit alone can give the body a pretty inclusive work out. Other balance board compatible games tend to trick players into exercising. Ten minutes on some of these games will cause players to loser a layer. Thirty minutes can lead to exhaustion.

If in the market for an all inclusive media center, one should look toward either of the two major competitors for the Nintendo Wii. If looking for a means to do many things with a console, and one that can easily become a party favorite, there is nothing better.

Guitar Hero 3 cheats for Wii – Part 4

Guitars Hero 3 Legends of Rock is the fourth release in the series by Red Octane that has become one of the favorite music video games of the young and old. Instead of using a typical video game controller, you hold a replica of a Les Paul Gibson guitar as you play your way through the game and try to match the notes as they scroll across the television. Hit the notes at the right time and you will be on your way to rock stardom. Miss the notes and you will be under a hail of boos from the crowd, along with hearing the music squelch through the speaker on the guitar controller.

When you are playing through the collection of 70 plus songs, you are able to choose to compete in a battle or career mode, where you have to out perform the devil to see who will keep your soul. Here are a few cheats to help you keep your soul and conquer Guitar Hero 3. When looking over these cheats, the first thing you need to remember the following controller key code; R means red, G means green, Y means yellow, B means blue, and O means orange. When you see two notes inside parentheses, which means it is a chord ad they must be strummed at the same time. In order to enter the listed cheats, you will need to enter the Options Menu, and then select the Cheats option.

If you ever played the air guitar while you listened to your favorite song, then this cheat is for you. In order to make the guitar invisible while your play, enter the following cheat. (BY) (GY) (GY) (RB) (RB) (RY) (RY) (BY) (GY) (GY) (RB) (RB) (RY) (RY) (GY) (GY) (RY) (RY).

Looking to play all of the songs in the music collection for Guitar Hero 3 and not patient enough to wade through every aspect of the game? Here is the cheat code to use that will unlock all songs in the game. (YO) (RB) (RO) (GB) (RY) (YO) (RY) (RB) (GY) (GY) (YB) (YB) (YO) (YO) (YB) Y R (RY) R Y O. It is best to save this cheat code for when you create a new band, this way you can save any money you would have to spend on purchasing the rights to the song.

Things a little slow for you? Here is the hyper speed cheat code for Guitar Hero 3. O B O Y O B O Y. Maybe you are looking to increase the size of the gems on the screen. Enter this code to make them larger. G R G Y G B G O G B G Y G R G (GR) (RY) (GR) (YB) (GR) (BO) (GR) (YB) (GR) (RY) (GR) (GY).

Want to take the easy way out on Guitar Hero 3 and become an expert. Enter the following code for the Easy Expert cheat. (GR) (GY) (YB) (RB) (BO) (YO) (RY) (RB).

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