Girl Gamer

Nintendo Brings ‘Survival of the Fittest’ to Gaming

By GG-AngelThanatos 1 year, 2 months ago • 0 Comments

Nintendo has always been a survivor – starting as a modest playing card company in 1889 and trying out many business niches from “love hotels” to taxi cabs – never giving up until finally meeting its destiny – gaming. (Insert Heavenly choir singing here)

Since then, the name Nintendo has become synonymous with video games and is currently listed as Japan’s third most valuable company. The Kyoto-based powerhouse believes, like I do, that if you want something go get it. In fact the companies’ name, consisting of three words, “nin,” “ten” and “do,” roughly translates as “leave luck to Heaven.”

It does not surprise me, therefore, to learn that the Gaming Gods in Japan have come up with some rather creative and potentially dangerous ways to interact with their latest contribution to the world – the Wii.

Ah, yes – the Wii. Some gamers are addicted, while others consider it “Video Games for Dummies.” Love it or hate it, there is no denying that when it comes to interacting directly with your game, the Wii has inspired endless possibilities.

Let’s take a look at just a few of the more…err, creative of these possibilities, shall we?

Bowling Ball
Life-sized and designed to look and feel like the real thing, the Wii Bowling Ball from CTA Digital promises to enhance the experience of bowling in-game. They strongly discourage the player from ever, EVER releasing the ball at their TV screen, however. (Dang it!) Fear not, enthusiastic bowlers. Just in case you get carried away, the bowling ball controller comes equipped with a wrist strap. Although it will save your TV, it will not prevent you from clobbering your friend or yourself with it. Virtual band-aids not included.

Wii Fit Balance Board Anti-Slip Foot Massage Pad
After a long day at work or school, there’s nothing better than coming home to unwind with a little gaming. If that gaming includes a workout ala Wii Fit, now you can slip this sucker on and get a relaxing footy massage while you’re at it. This accessory is not particularly weird, but apparently there was a need to make the Balance Board safer for consumers. While protecting your Balance Board from dust and scratches, it will also help prevent klutzes like myself from slipping and impaling ourselves on the next set of controllers…

8-in-1 Weapon Kit
Now we’re talking! Pop that “Pulp Fiction” soundtrack into the stereo and arm yourself to the hilt for video game battle – 3 knives, 1 sword, 1 axe, 1 gun…and only 1 shield. Can we say sibling rivalry? Although I fail to see how 7 items equals 8-in-1, this set of Wii accessories is sure to inspire the age-old parenting style of “survival of the fittest.” Ah, the good old days…

Wii Boxing Gloves
Feel like a pro when you lace up these bad boys. And hey – when you’re done beating the snot out of your video game opponent, you can continue to do so outside the game! These bring a whole new danger to gamer smack-talk…bring it!

Wii Music Pack
Playing a pretend saxophone or violin may not seem too dangerous (depending on how passionate you get, I suppose), but perhaps you should get your little drummer a real kit to vent his or her energy rather than swing these wildly around the family. It’s one thing to play on a drum kit as in Rock Band or Guitar Hero, but just…wherever? I’m just sayin’.

Riiflex
Coming soon, you can pump some iron (or clobber your sibling, as it were) with these weighted controller attachments! Imagine the emergency room possibilities! Hooray!

Now, those are but 6 ways you can become more interactive and bring a sense of real adventure to your Wii experience. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not knocking the Wii in any way; in fact I commend Nintendo for everything they have brought to the industry I love so much.

As the old adage says, “It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eyeball”…and then, hey! Free eyeball!