Mario Kart Wii Cheats, Codes, Hints, Tips

Hint: Dodging Red and Green Shells

Here are good techniques to dodge red and green turtle shells while racing.

To dodge red shells, put a banana behind you, by either dropping it there or holding it there. When the red shell collides with the banana, its effects will be nullified, allowing you to proceed with the race unhindered.

To dodge green shells, use the same technique as listed for the red shell above if the shell is coming straight at you or is bounced off a wall. In other situations, use the three-shell weapon. Red or blue shells will protect you from the green shells in these situations.

Hint: Everyone Plays the Same Character
If you and your friends want to play as the same character in splitscreen multiplayer, try the following.

First, one person should select and then deselect the character everyone wants to play as. The next player should select and then deselect the same character. Repeat as needed for as many players as you have playing. Then, go back one screen, reselect the character selection screen, and all players should have their icons on the same preselected character.

Hint: Dodging Blue Shells
A good technique to utilize when trying to dodge blue shells targeted at you when you’re in first place is to use any type of mushroom. Specifically, use the mushroom when the blue shell begins to rise over you to avoid its blast. Timing is the key!

Hint: Wi-Fi Stars

You can add stars to your profile name while Wi-Fi racing. You can do so by completing Grand Prix races with a certain rank. A one-star profile means you’ve earned a one star ranking on all Grand Prix races. A two-star profile means you’ve earned a two star ranking on all Grand Prix races. A three-star profile means you’ve earned a three star ranking on all Grand Prix races.

Unlockable: B-Dasher (Medium Kart)
To unlock the medium kart called B-Dasher, you have to unlock all twenty-four expert staff ghost data entries. Below are the times needed to unlock them.

Bowser's Castle         | 03:04.836   | 02.55.017   | 02.42.098

Coconut Mall            | 02:30.764   | 02.24.788   | 02.13.333

Daisy Circuit           | 01:56.822   | 01.48.791   | 01.41.362

DK's Snowboard Cross    | 02:34.693   | 02.24.725   | 02.17.546

Dry Dry Ruins           | 02:30.949   | 02.21.681   | 02.14.286

DS Delfino Square       | 02:41.807   | 02.33.107   | 02.24.169

DS Desert Hills         | 02:10.233   | 02.01.141   | 01.52.686

DS Peach Gardens        | 02:34.894   | 02.29.006   | 02.16.777

DS Yoshi Falls          | 01:16.461   | 01.12.901   | 01.09.175

GBA Bowser Castle 3     | 02:58.304   | 02.50.637   | 02.39.391

GBA Shy Guy Beach       | 01:45.568   | 01.39.255   | 01.32.867

GCN DK Mountain         | 02:57.744   | 02.50.248   | 02.38.130

GCN Mario Circuit       | 01:59.771   | 01.55.267   | 01.49.939

GCN Peach Beach         | 01:34.233   | 01.30.698   | 01.23.140

GCN Waluigi Stadium     | 02:32.882   | 02.24.645   | 02.12.367

Grumble Volcano         | 02:28.237   | 02.19.524   | 02.11.852

Koopa Cape              | 03:03.022   | 02.54.897   | 02.41.370

Luigi Circuit           | 01:29.670   | 01:24.957   | 01:19.419

Maple Treeway           | 02:58.633   | 02.50.229   | 02.37.812

Mario Circuit           | 01:44.777   | 01.39.183   | 01.33.702

Moo Moo Meadows         | 01:37.856   | 01.33.571   | 01.25.909

Moonview Highway        | 02:16.802   | 02.07.016   | 02.04.163

Mushroom Gorge          | 02:16.110   | 02.05.494   | 02.01.011

N64 Bowser's Castle     | 03:19.323   | 03.06.723   | 02.55.933

N64 DK's Jungle Parkway | 02:58.264   | 02.49.028   | 02.37.782

N64 Mario Raceway       | 02:14.799   | 02.07.915   | 01.59.053

N64 Sherbet Land        | 02:48.651   | 02.37.784   | 02.28.356

Rainbow Road            | 03:05.895   | 02.59.293   | 02.44.734

SNES Ghost Valley 2     | 01:06.595   | 01.03.752   | 00.58.907

SNES Mario Circuit 3    | 01:38.880   | 01.34.828   | 01.26.659

Toad's Factory          | 02:22.480   | 02.12.784   | 02.05.593

Wario's Gold Mine       | 02:19.583   | 02.14.932   | 02.04.800

Unlockable: Gold-Colored Steering Wheel

If you utilize the steering wheel that comes with the game extensively (or even exclusively) instead of using the Wii controller or a GameCube controller, you'll find a gold-colored steering wheel icon next to your name when you play online.

Hint: Avoiding POWs

Getting attacked with a POW can be a bummer, but if you flick upward your steering wheel or Wii remote, you can avoid it. You will spin around, and you will lose your currently-equipped item, but you won't slow down and will avoid the devastating result of being struck with a POW.

Unlockable: Characters

To unlock the characters listed below, fulfill the requirements listed.

• Baby Daisy - Earn at least a one star ranking in each 50cc Wii Grand Prix cup races
• Baby Luigi - Unlock eight Expert Staff ghost data in Time Trial mode
• Birdo - Defeat 250 people in online racing, or play Time Trial mode on sixteen different courses
• Bowser Jr. - Earn at least a one star ranking in each 100cc Retro Grand Prix cup races
• Daisy - Win the 150cc Special Cup
• Diddy Kong - Win the 50cc Lightning Cup
• Dry Bones - Win the 100cc Leaf Cup
• Dry Bowser - Earn at least a one star ranking in each 150cc Wii Grand Prix cups
• Funky Kong - Unlock four Expert Staff ghost data in Time Trial mode
• King Boo - Win the 50cc Star Cup
• Mii (Outfit A) - To play as the Mii associated with your profile, win the 100cc Special Cup
• Mii (Outfit B) - To play as the Mii associated with your profile in a different outfit, play through and complete all thirty-two time trials
• Rosalina - Have a Super Mario Galaxy save on your Wii
• Toadette - Play Time Trial Mode on all thirty-two courses

Addition by FireBlade64

Unlockable: Large Karts

To unlock the large karts listed below, fulfill the requirements listed.

• Aero Glider - Earn at least a one star ranking in each 150cc Retro Grand Prix races
• Dragonetti - Win the 150cc Lightning Cup
• Piranha Prowler - Win the 50cc Special Cup

Addition from mr caspartt

Unlockable: Large Bikes

To unlock the large bikes listed below, fulfill the requirements listed.

• Phantom - Win the Mirror Leaf Cup
• Torpedo - Unlock twelve Expert Staff ghost data in Time Trial mode
• Twinkle Star - Win the 100cc Star Cup

Addition by mr caspartt

Unlockable: Alternate Title Screen

To unlock an alternate title screen that will be shown when the game is started up, win each and every cup available in the game.

Unlockable: Victory Photos

To unlock both victory photos available in the game (which is basically a shot of your Mii with various characters), you have to fulfill two requirements. To unlock the first photo (which is of your Mii with Mario and Peach), earn a trophy in every cup for each class available. To unlock the second photo (which is of your Mii with each racer in the game), win each and every Grand Prix cup available in the game.

Unlockable: Small Karts

To unlock the small karts listed below, fulfill the requirements listed.

• Blue Falcon - Win the Mirror Lightning Cup
• Cheep Charger - Earn at least a one star ranking in all 50cc Retro Cup races
• Rally Romper - In Time Trial mode, unlock the expert staff ghost data record
  

Unlockable: Small Bikes

To unlock the small bikes listed below, fulfill the requirements listed.

• Bubble Bike - Win the Mirror Leaf Cup
• Quacker - Win the 150cc Star Cup
  

Unlockable: Mirror Class

To unlock the Mirror Class, win all of the available 150cc Cups in the game.

Unlockable: Medium Karts

To unlock the medium karts listed below, fulfill the requirements listed.

• Royal Racer - Win the 150cc Leaf Cup
• Turbo Blooper - Win the 50cc Leaf Cup
  

Unlockable: Medium Bikes

To unlock the medium bikes listed below, fulfill the requirements listed.

• Dolphin Dasher - Win the Mirror Star Cup
• Nitrocycle - Attain at least a one star ranking in all 100cc Wii Grand Prix cup races
• Rapide - Win the 100cc Lightning Cup
  

Unlockable: Karts on 100cc Cup Races

To unlock the ability to drive karts in 100cc cup races, earn all of the trophies on each 100cc cup race.

Unlockable: Cups

To unlock the cups listed below, fulfill the requirements listed. Keep in mind that the requirements are the same for each CC type on the circuits listed.

• Leaf Cup - Earn trophies in the Shell Cup and Banana Cup
• Lightning Cup - Earn a trophy in Leaf Cup
• Special Cup - Earn a trophy in Star Cup
• Star Cup - Earn trophies in the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup
  

Unlockable: Bikes on 50cc Cup Races

To unlock the ability to drive bikes in 50cc cup races, earn all of the trophies on each 50cc cup race.

FAQs & WALKTHROUGHS

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10 Most Popular Wii Games

Wii Play (with remote)
Price: $44.99
What it is: A collection of mini-games, in the spirit of "Wii Sports," the "Wii Play" package showcases the gesture controls of the Wii remote. It includes billiards, ping pong, a shooting gallery, laser hockey (a cousin to air hockey), Find Mii (like the classic Where's Waldo? games), Pose Mii (mimic a pose by rotating the remote), fishing, cow riding and tank battles. It also includes an extra Wii remote.

Who it is for: People who want a second controller for the Wii. The games are not all that fun or interesting when compared to its "Sports"-themed counterpart, but they do show off what the console can do. And since the bundle is only $10 more than a stand-alone controller, it is actually a steal.

Mario Kart
Price: $49.99
What it is: A battle royale racing game. The colorful cast of Nintendo characters speed through a creative set of circuits inspired by Mario's past. It is far from serious--players collect weaponry (shoot shells, shrink racers or drop slippery banana peels) that they can use to impede the competition. Gamers can steer using the motion-sensing controls (and an included wheel peripheral) or by using a traditional controller set up.

Who it is for: Everyone. "Mario Kart" is one of the few games both easy and entertaining enough for just about everyone. The weapons system, which gives racers at the back of the pack more powerful armaments, lets players of all skill levels keep up with their more experienced rivals. The motion-sensing controls, which mimic real driving, make the game more accessible for folks who are not glued to their controllers.

Super Smash Bros: Brawl
Price: $49.99
What is it: A fighter's free for all. "Smash Bros." invites icons from the Nintendo universe (and a few special guests) to battle it out in a gladiatorial contest. The arenas tend to feature multiple layers and moving parts. Each character has its own set of super powers that skilled players can use to decimate the competitors. And, of course, there are gag weapons (like summoning Pokemon) that can be deployed if mere punching and kicking isn't doing the trick.

Who it is for: Folks looking for a quick, easy-to-play fighting game. Most should be able to battle competently just by mashing away at buttons. Those who take the time to master the systems will have an advantage. It probably will not be a big hit with elders, but it is one of the must-own titles in a Wii library for any serious game player.

Wii Fit
Price: $89.99
What it is: An exercise platform. "Wii Fit" is bundled with a glorified bathroom scale known as the balance board. Along with detecting poundage, it can also tell how weight is distributed--so it knows if you're standing on one leg. The game itself charts both weight and body mass index. "Wii Fit" also hosts a slew of aerobic, strength and balance games designed to help you tone your body. A typical "Wii Fit" workout might include hula hooping, squatting, sit ups and downward dogs.

Who it is for: Gamers looking for some motivation to get off the couch and move around. The physically fit won't work up a sweat performing its accoutrement of exercises, but the "Wii Fit" collection is a good starting place for anyone without a regular fitness program. The progress charting does act as a motivational tool--particularly when a talking balance board admonishes you for gaining an extra pound or two.

Super Mario Galaxy
Price: $46.99
What it is: Mario's first Wii adventure. Instead of tromping through palace sewer systems, Mario takes his hopping- and coin-collecting acrobatics to outer space. He'll run through a host of planets in his eternal effort to save Princess Peach.

Who it is for: Anyone who enjoys Mario games: running, jumping and stomping on goombas. The controls can be a wee tricky for new game players, but it is one of the essential titles to own for the console.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Price: $49.99 (game only)
Price: $89.99 (with guitar controller)
What it is: The third iteration of the now infamous living room rock band simulator. Like its predecessors, "Legend of Rock" has players furiously tapping out songs on plastic guitars. It also has a competitive battle mode where players can fling distractions at their opponents by successfully nailing a series of notes. The soundtrack includes hits from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer.

Who it is for: Wannabe rock stars. "Guitar Hero" ranks up there with the Wii in terms of products that have vastly expanded the game- playing audience. Coordination can be tricky, but most people should get the hang of strumming away at plastic keys after a few tries.

Mario Party 8
Price: $49.99
What it is: A virtual board game. "Mario Party" is a long-standing franchise that replicates the feel of playing Monopoly but does it on your TV. The main difference is that instead of buying real estate, you're competing against your friends in one of 65 mini-games. Winning the game is a matter of collecting the most stars (instead of cash).

Who it is for: Folks looking for a virtual board game that the whole family can enjoy. "Mario Party" can be a lot of fun--helped out by its wide range of mini-competitions that often flex your motion control. "Mario Party" veterans, however, will quickly tire of it because the game reuses a lot of material from prior games.

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Price: $46.99
What it is: The story of an adolescent hero who must rid the land of evil and--hopefully--save the Princess Zelda in the process. Your adventures will send you to all corners--often via horseback--of a sprawling kingdom. You'll fight monsters, shoot arrows, solve environmental puzzles and creep through dungeons. Oh, and the hero, Link, has a slight wolf problem that forces him to slink around the world incognito half of the time.

Who it is for: Adventurers. "Legend of Zelda" is another staple of the Wii. Every serious game player should own a copy. Controls are advanced, making it difficult for your mom to play, but you do get to wave the Wii remote around like a sword.

Mario And Sonic: Olympic Games
Price: $46.99
What it is: Mario the Plumber and Sonic the Hedgehog team up to celebrate the summer Olympics. They, and a host of familiar Nintendo faces, compete in sprints, swimming trampoline, archery and 20 other events.

Who it is for: Folks looking for a game to play with others. The collection of Olympic events make interesting use of the Wii's waggle controls. Besides, there's nothing like seeing the bulging Mario take home the gold in this series of mini-games.

Wii Zapper With Link's Crossbow Training
Price: $17.99
What it is: A short shooting game packaged with the Wii Zapper. Join Link, the hero of "Zelda," as he roams throughout the land of Hyrule shooting targets and enemies. The game is short, but fun.

Who it is for: "Zelda" fans and people who want to shoot stuff. You probably would not want to pay for "Crossbow Training" on its own, but it is a good deal when bundled with the Wii Zapper. If you're a fan of either Link or those old light-gun games, the title is worth picking up.

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How To Have Wii Fun

Advice for new Wii owners about what to play.

Sorry to spoil Santa's secret, but at least 2 million of you will wake up during the holidays to discover you're the proud owner of a shiny new Wii. During November, Nintendo sold an unprecedented number of consoles, reports the NPD Group, driving the total population of Wiis in the U.S. to 15.4 million. Nintendo's waggle-controlled consoles are now owned by some 20% of the U.S. population.

And of course you want a Wii; it is only the hottest holiday wish-list item since Hypercolor tees. And with the Wii's widespread appeal--bringing family members of all ages together for bouts of virtual tennis or bowling--its an easy gift everyone will enjoy. Kids want to be blasting away at on-screen targets with the Wii Zapper. Friends want to share their "Animal Crossing" experiences, live, over the Internet with the chat-capable Wii Speak. We all want to design our own Mii so we can watch its body inflate and deflate as we progress through "Wii Fit's" workout regimen.

In Pictures: 10 Top Games For The Wii

It is not just the console, though, whose sales are soaring. The past two years have been a Battle Royale of sorts as consumers have stalked UPS delivery trucks and harassed GameStop (nyse: GME - news - people ) employees in the hopes of snagging an all-too-scarce Wii. With the steady influx of new owners, every old Wii game is new again. Unlike most videogames that, at best, have a three-month retail shelf life, six-month old Wii games still top the monthly best-sellers lists.

Personal trainer "Wii Fit," which was released last May, sold 697,000 copies this November. "Wii Play" is over a year old, but sold almost 800,000 units last month--rivaling sales of Microsoft's (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) Xbox 360. The six-month old "Mario Kart" sold over 600,000 copies. Conversely, the new "Guitar Hero: World Tour" sold less than half a million copies on the Wii.

"We are seeing a new paradigm where titles such as 'Wii Play' continue to perform in the top 10 month after month," says Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales and marketing. "With so many new consumers discovering videogames, these titles are something they haven't experienced." Even "Wii Music," which had disappointing sales at launch, is "picking up steam," Dunaway says. That means Nintendo (other-otc: NTDOY.PK - news - people ) games are no longer constrained to the narrow "launch window" demand curve that the industry thought governed most videogame sales. And it puts Nintendo in the position of trying to craft new retail strategies to ensure its games remain visible amidst all the new titles popping out for the Wii.

That explosion of games creates something of a dilemma for new Wii owners. Some 306 games were released for the Wii console in 2008 compared to 264 for the Xbox 360 and 201 for the PlayStation 3, according to EEDAR's GamePulse database. This glut of content--much of which isn't very good--makes buying a Wii game a leap of faith. Publishers want to capitalize on the growing audience of Wii gamers, but few outside of Nintendo have learned how to make a good Wii game. The average review score for games on the console is 62 out of 100.

The Wii's two-year old library is already 827 games strong. But many wary consumers are sticking to Nintendo-made products. The company is responsible for the 10 best-selling games on the console--they're good games and safe buys. But there are gems hiding amidst the glut of me-too Wii software.

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What Your Wii Needs (Nintendo Wii Components)

Wii Charge Station
Price: $24.99
No matter what, your controllers are going to need a place to refuel. A charging station is the handiest way to make sure the juice keeps flowing.

Wii Classic Controller
Price: $17.99
The Wii remote's gesture controls are revolutionary, but they don't do squat for anyone who wants to play Nintendo's back catalog of games. So whether you're downloading old Nintendo 64 titles or playing your GameCube games, the Classic makes controlling your games a little bit easier.

Wii Fit
Price: $169.99
The game that helped the Wii soar in popularity, Wii Fit includes both software and a pressure sensitive balance board. Consider it your gym away from the gym.

Wii Fit Starter Kit
Price: $29.99
Using your Wii in the basement? Or do your kids leave crumbs in front of the TV? You might consider this combination of yoga mat and sleeve. Sure, it might be more consumer-friendly to sell these as a package with the board, but that's commerce for you. (If you don't need the mat, you can get a board cover separately for $19.99).

Nyko Wii Perfect Shot Gun
Price: $12.99
It may be just a fancy way to hold your Wii remote, but for gamers who want to mimic playing the light gun games of yore, Nyko's Perfect Shot is a much better solution than Nintendo's own Zapper, which suffers from an odd ergonomic design and a squishy trigger.

Wii Dual Glow Sabers
Price: $19.99
OK, we'll admit it: To anyone who's hoped to use the Force, the idea of a Wii light saber is cool. At the same time, we wouldn't recommend you go into battle with the Dark Side wielding this plastic.

Wii Wireless Sensor Bar
Price: $14.99
Lucky you: You have a big, wall mounted flat-panel screen for displaying all the Wii action. But if you're going to have a good connection to that set, you need a wireless sensor bar that will let you play as much as 25 away from the screen and console, all without wires that could trip you up (or ruin your chic decor). Read the instructions on this one, though: It will turn off your games after two hours to save battery life unless you let it know you're still in play.

Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit
Price: $189.99
To start your music jam, you'd be better off grabbing the software and musical gear made by Activision. This kit includes both the software, access to more than 80 songs, a drum kit, microphone and guitar. Rock on.

Wii Nerf Racing Wheel
Price: $13.45
Sure, it's just a hunk of plastic to hold your Wii remote, but it is a boon for gamers new to the "Mario Kart" franchise. It levels the playing field. Experienced Karters prefer using an advanced control scheme, but the wheel lets anyone pick up a controller and drive--just like they would a car.

Wii Speak Microphone
Price: $26.99
Have you ever wanted to virtually reach out and talk to someone? Well, now you can. Nintendo has long resisted adding voice chat to its online-enabled games. But now that "Animal Crossing: City Folk" is out in stores, your whole family can sync up with friends across the country and chat living room to living room while playing games.

Wii Component Video Cable
Price: $29.99
The Wii is not a graphical power house, so Nintendo has skipped including hi-def hookups with its console. If you want the best possible picture on your snazzy HDTV, you're going to want to spree for component video cables--otherwise your picture is going to look a wee fuzzy.

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Why You Need Wii Accessories

The Nintendo Wii is good. Accessories make it great.

Mom bought you an Atari when you were a kid. Now you've decided to return the favor and buy her a Wii.

Clever. Not only does this thing boast games your Mom will love--hey, you can't even get "Gears Of War" on this thing--it gives Mom the tools she needs to make Grandma time a hit, every time.

Plus stashing the family console at Mom's house means you can splurge on a few accessories for the gang, without turning the kids into spoiled video game junkies. And the Wii's group-friendly games means Mom can always join in the fun.

Other consoles have long sported eccentric accessories, of course. Steel Battalion, for the Xbox included a yard-wide game controller complete with foot pedals, a gear-shift and an eject button. PC games sport options that are even more outlandish. Aviation enthusiasts, for example, can buy everything from a simple stick and rudder for their virtual planes to elaborate plastic cockpits. It doesn't get much geekier.

The Wii's best accessories, however, are different because they build on the original Wiimote controller's motion-sensitivity to make videogames about much more than mashing buttons and wiggling joysticks. In fact, combining family-friendly games with motion sensitive controls has turned a once geeky pastime inside out.

Take the Wii Fit. The kit includes a balance board that allows adults to master basic yoga, track their weight and improve their balance. And it makes other games, like the "Wii Ski" a blast not just to play, but at parties where you can watch your friends try to shimmy their way down virtual ski slows.

Other accessories let you snap the Wiimote into a hunk of plastic to better suit a variety of games. Sure, the Wii Nerf Racing Wheel is just a wheel-shaped piece of plastic. But admit it--being able to twist and turn the controller like a wheel as you scoot through the virtual streets on your Wii Kart makes the game tons more fun.

In fact, it's easy to buy one small gizmo at a time, using the Wii as the starting point for a funhouse that will keep anyone entertained. There's even a virtual light saber. The Wii Dual Glow Sabers are the perfect combination of fun and ridiculousness. Plus they're only $14.99 for a pair.

Of you can go for the big bang, buying a big box full of stuff that will turn any living room into a real fun house. Take the $189.99 Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit. This kit includes a drum kit, a microphone and a guitar. It's the perfect multi-generational party game.

Of course, if you're into old school button-mashing gaming you can do that, too. It's an especially attractive option because much of Nintendo's library of classic games is available on the Wii, letting you hunker down, grab the Blockhead wireless controller--modeled on the old-school controller for the Nintendo Cube--and veg out. Not a bad plan when Grandma takes off with the kids for a while.

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Console Wars: Who Won '08?

Nintendo sails, Microsoft trails, Sony ails. No software? No problem.

Despite early predictions that 2008 would be the year Sony regained momentum in the bitter video game console wars, it turned out to be false hope. Industry leader Nintendo stayed ahead of the pack all year, thoroughly dominating both the home console and handheld hardware markets with their Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS systems, respectively.

According to NPD Group, Nintendo flat-out owned the all-important month of November by selling over 2 million Wiis, better than twice as much as the next closest competitor, Microsoft's Xbox 360 (836,000). And at over 1.5 million DS systems sold, Nintendo tripled the output of Sony's PSP (421,000). While those numbers weren't nearly that high through most of 2008, the general order -- Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony -- held strong throughout.

But this was hardly a banner year for Nintendo in terms of software. The biggest games -- Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii and of course Wii Fit -- came relatively early in the year, and their biggest holiday release, Wii Music, has been labeled something of a dud. Miffed that the company was focusing too heavily on catering to its relatively new mass-market audience, the usually loyal Nintendo fans complained about a lack of core games. Meanwhile, Microsoft and Sony enjoyed a wealth of blockbuster games all year long, including top-sellers Grand Theft Auto IV and Fallout 3. So how did Nintendo compete, much less lead the way?

By finding a new niche, of course. While gamers lament the deluge of cheaply made games (dubbed "shovelware") aimed at capitalizing on the Wii's mainstream popularity, many of those titles speak to their broad audience and support the company's new directive. Nintendo knows on which side its bread is currently being buttered, and while Microsoft and Sony battle for the hearts and minds of the core gamers, Nintendo is content getting their moms to play, too. And their moms often have a lot more money.

Microsoft, on the other hand, found itself in second place by keeping its eyes on the prize: core gamers willing to shell out for great downloadable content. The recently released "New Xbox Experience" system update has nearly tripled sales over Xbox Live Arcade, while huge releases like Gears of War 2 and Fable II cemented their status as the go-to console for most gamers.

As the newest kid on the block, Microsoft is less concerned with catching Nintendo than they are with kicking Sony's butt, which is pretty much exactly what they're doing. Take, for instance, the November NPD numbers for Activision's best-selling first-person shooter, Call of Duty: World at War. The 360 version of the game sold an impressive 1.4 million copies -- over twice that of the PS3 version (597,000). It's hard to play catch up when you're getting beaten that badly.

As for Sony, well, they just can't catch a break. The company scored a major coup when Blu-ray officially trounced HD-DVD in the hi-def format war, but few believe the technology will catch on with consumers. Strong sales of big-time exclusive Metal Gear Solid 4 were promising, but the troubled launch of their 'Home' network coupled with relatively weak holiday sales (only Resistance 2 cracked the Top 10 list in November, all the way back at number 9) cramped their style. The once-promising PSP is getting whomped by both the DS and Apple's surging iPhone. Did a witch cast a spell on these guys or what?

Hopefully next year will bode better for the one-time king of the consoles, but for now, they'll have to get used to the view from the back of the pack.

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Nintendo Wii Review

The good: Revolutionary controller design offers unique motion-sensitive gameplay options; built-in Wi-Fi delivers free online services and gameplay; Virtual Console has major nostalgia appeal; compatible with all GameCube games and controllers; built-in SD slot for storage and photo viewing; includes Wii Sports game; most affordable home game console.

The bad: Controller eats batteries and takes some time to get used to; online gaming and community features hobbled by horrible "friends code" system; nunchuk controller sold separately; lacks the advanced HD graphics and surround sound found on the Xbox 360 and the PS3; requires a wired receiver unit placed near the TV to interface with wireless controllers; can't play CDs or DVDs.

The bottom line: It lacks the graphical prowess and rich media features of the Xbox 360 and the PS3, but the Nintendo Wii's combination of unique motion-sensitive controllers and emphasis on fun gameplay make the ultra-affordable console hard to resist.

Specifications: Product Description: Nintendo Wii - Game console ; Form Factor: Desktop; Media Type: Nintendo GAMECUBE disc , Nintendo Wii disc

Price range: $329.95

Complete Specification:

• Manufacturer: Nintendo
• Part Number:45496880019

General

• Name Nintendo Wii
• Type Game console
• Form Factor Desktop
• Height 1.75 in
• Weight 3.84 lbs

Game Console

• Color Support Color
• Media Type Nintendo Wii disc, Nintendo GAMECUBE disc

Processor

• Type IBM PowerPC
• Instruction Set RISC

Memory / Storage

• RAM Installed ( Max ) 512 MB

Video

• Video Output ATI Hollywood

Input Device

• Type Joystick , Remote control
• Connectivity Technology Wired , Wireless
• Features Motion sensor , Rumble feedback , Built-in speaker

Connections

• Connector Type ( 4 pin USB Type A ) , 4 x Game controller , Component video output , Composite video output , S-Video output , 2 x USB
• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 Nintendo GameCube Memory Card , 1 SD Memory Card

Miscellaneous

• Included Accessories Wireless controller

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Rent Nintendo Wii games from Gametart!

Gametart, the UK's largest games rental company, has launched its new Nintendo Wii games rental service.

"We all saw it at Christmas. Everyone was desperate for a Wii. And even more than normal, it became every mother’s worst nightmare to hear their child say, “mummy, I need a Wii!”

A couple of months have now passed and it’s no longer unusual for people to happily have a Wii in their living room. But just as you think the excitement has died down and that there is no more Wii left to come out – Gametart, the UK’s largest games rental service releases some more!"

Rob Savin, Marketing Manager at Gametart says, “The Wii has made a massive impact on gamers. Games rental offers people to explore its potential without having to shell out lots of cash for different games.”

games xtreme have also teamed up with Gametart to offer our readers 2 weeks of FREE gaming, so why not head on over to Gametart and grab yourself some free gaming while it lasts! All you have to do is type "XTREME" into the promo code box on Gametart to get started!

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Rent Nintendo Wii Console

The Basics
GameFly is by far the largest online video game rental service. If you are looking to rent games for Nintendo Wii or any other new system GameFly will have the largest selection of games. This guide will explain the variety of plans that you have to choose from and answer questions you may have.

What plans are there to choose from?
New users have two plans to choose from. The most popular plan allows you to rent an unlimited number of games and have two games out at a time starting at $12.95 for the first month and $22.95 a month after that. If that’s a little more than you want to spend right off the bat you can start off with a plan that allows you to rent an unlimited number of games and have one game out at a time at $8.95 for the first month and$15.95 thereafter. Decide based on your own gaming habits whether being able to have two games at once is worth the extra few bucks to you.

Can I try GameFly for free?
Sure, you can rent two games for a free 10 day trial.

Once I’ve chosen a plan, how does renting games online work?
You simply choose the games that you want GameFly to send you and they are sent to your house with free shipping. When you are done with a game, simply send it back and GameFly will send you another game. You can make a list of games that you want to rent so that GameFly will automatically send you the next game on your list after you return one of your games.

How many titles does GameFly have? On what systems?
GameFly has over 5,000 titles with an enormous selection for Nintendo DS, Wii, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Xbox, GameCube, and Game Boy Advance.

What if I like one of the games and want to buy it?
Use the “Keep It” feature to buy any games that you like. GameFly will send you the original manual and case free of charge.

I still have questions!
Just check out the GameFly FAQ for more answers.

Where do I sign up?
Click through into GameFly's registration page.

Can I give a GameFly subscription as a gift?
Sure, you can give a friend or family member a GameFly Gift Certificate.

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Why The Nintendo Remote Wii Has Revolutionary Capabilities

Nintendo Company, Limited, one of the largest video game corporations in the world, is finally expanding its place in the video gaming industry with the addition of its revolutionary video game console, the Nintendo Wii.

This game console hits the world market just recently, but has gained praises and titles from millions of video game fanatics. It is said to be so potent not only for modernizing the graphic capability of Nintendo video games, but also for making great adjustments in the way the gamers play the games. One of the most powerful Nintendo tools that make all these things possible is the Nintendo Wii controller.

The Nintendo Remote Wii comes in a remote-like form with revolutionary capabilities. It was designed by Nintendo specifically to fulfill certain requirements deemed by the company as important.

The controller basically has wireless connectivity features, and was designed with a touch of sophistication and approachability. And, nicknamed as Revolution, the Wii controller is revolutionary.

The sophistication and approachability in The Nintendo Remote Wii are given much emphasis to mean one thing; the Wii controller is easy to use, yet it allows the gamers to play their own game preferences with a sense of complexity. I bet this is also the reason that the Nintendo Wii is perfect not only for kids, but also for adult gamers.

The Wii contoller boasts a powerful technology that is highly capable of detecting motions. It is this feature basically which makes the controller capable of putting the gamer right in the game. Yes, with the Nintendo Wii controller, you can play the games much like that in real life.

For instance, if you will be playing golf, which is included in Wii Sports, you need to hold the controller and swing it to hit the ball as if you are playing real life golf.

Further worth noting is the fact that The Nintendo Remote Wii is highly capable of sending signals to its sensor even if you are standing at a distance of about 30 feet from the Wii's sensor bar. According to several reviews, this is what makes the Nintendo Wii a three dimensional video game console.

If you want to play an exciting game where you have the freedom to control the movements of your characters, the Nintendo controller can do it for you. You can use it in a way you are playing an actual, real sport.

With all such capabilities and features, The Nintendo Remote Wii is considered throughout the video game industry as the most important element of Wii.

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Nintendo Wii Console in stock at Pixmania

Maybe not the cheapest but they do have it in stock at least!

With its revolutionary remote control and innovative new games, the Wii console is taking over the gaming industry in leaps and bounds. The remote control: The Wii remote control is highly intuitive. Up to four different Wii controllers can be connected to the console at any one time. Both the remote control and the Nunchuk are able to detect a player’s movements, and they can be used together or separately. The Wii remote control (or Wiimote) also has a built-in loudspeaker.

For futher information go to:
http://www.feedmedeals.co.uk/hot-deal/nintendo-wii-console-stock-pixmania

http://www.gotnintendowii.com Buy a Cheap Wii in Stock at the best prices. Everyone wants to know where to buy a Cheap Nintendo Wii in Stock. The good news is you can buy a Wii console in stock, cheap Wii accessories, Wii downloads and more everyday.

Wii in Stock - Where to Buy a Nintendo Wii in Stock - The most amazing bloopers are here

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Finding Wii Consoles in Stock When Buying Online

While shopping locally may be more immediately rewarding, there are many benefits to shopping for your products online. When you want to find a system for less, then finding Wii consoles in stock on a discount site may be an option that can save you well over a hundred dollars, especially if you are looking for special accessories and games to play.

Check for Legitimate Sites
As with all products, it is very important that when you are looking for your product that you do a simple search to see if there have been any complaints about the customer service. While even good websites may have one or two complaints, a poor one will have several and can end up costing you more money than you save.

You can always consider using a credit card or an online payment service to pay for your goods, so that if you do happen to choose the wrong site you will have some kind of customer protection. For example, if you pay using a credit card, and the product arrives damaged, you can file a dispute if the site will not help you fix the problem.

Find the Right Price
Just because you find Wii consoles in stock does not mean that you have found the best price for the product. There are many different websites that offer discounted goods, but you may want to choose one that does not sell used products, since re-selling may reduce the warranty on the product. Competitive pricing ensures that you will receive a quality product for less, and that you will be able to use the warranty on the product that you buy. Since this system can cost several hundred dollars, a warranty is simply a must have in the case of accidental damage or malfunction.

Finding What You Want
If you want to save on shipping costs, then buying all of your accessories with the main system is the way to go. It may take a few stops to find an online dealer that has everything that you want, but it will be time well spent when you can save a little on shipping costs.

What If I Cannot Find What I Need?
If you cannot find Wii consoles in stock at the vendor that you want to use, then you may want to ask them if they have a back order system, and if so how long it is. A back order list can be extremely long, so you will not want to use a vendor that cannot supply your game within a short period of time. The customer service center of the website can help you find exactly what you want, or they may even be able to refer you to a website that does have the system.

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