Sunny writes...

Mario Party 8 seems to be getting very low review scores...

:(

From what was going to be a definate buy to... i dont know! maybe ill just get rayman rabbits II

user 87847 writes...

I'll probably still get it because i've only ever played the origianl mario party so i guess it's gonna be an improvement on that.

I'm thinking the same thing :)

Sunny writes...

Mario Party 8 seems to be getting very low review scores...


Gamepro gave it 4.5/5
Gametrailers gave it 8.3/10
Yahoo Games gave it 4/5

JBLight writes...

I think Nintendo is loosing the talent of what makes a good game.

Wait until they finish releasing the last of the gamecube games that they held off to release on Wii. Then we might see something good for a change.

HaloHunter writes...

Gamepro gave it 4.5/5Gametrailers gave it 8.3/10Yahoo Games gave it 4/5

IMHO i don't think these are really trustworthy sources.

JBLight writes...

I think Nintendo is loosing the talent of what makes a good game.

Your basing this on Mario Party 8's reviews?

Mario Party was never a good franchise.

is don is good? writes...

just wait for super smash and mario cart :D

that's what i'm waiting for ;)

is there any news on a possibility of usb keyboard drivers? even homebrew (if the WP admins would allow discussion of such a topic)?

jimjim writes...

Your basing this on Mario Party 8's reviews?

Mario Party was never a good franchise.

Paper Mario was a shocker, too.

JBLight writes...

Paper Mario was a shocker, too.

It was? I haven't played it personally, but all the accounts I have heard were very positive.

jimjim writes...

It was? I haven't played it personally, but all the accounts I have heard were very positive.

Yes its a great game, although I havent been able to play it much, only upto level 3-4...

Guybrush Threepwood writes...

Still waiting for a game that actually uses the Wii for what it was made for (and be fun). Wii Sports is still the only game to do it IMO.

Yeah I agree, the rest mostly feel tacked on and could easily be done on the gamecube (gfx included)...

Boogie writes...

Double checking here, but if you have a blue tooth device (mobile etc) can you hook it up to the wii and send photos to it?

Not through bluetooth but if you have an sd card with the pictures on it then you can just put that in instead.

Pele writes...

I was going to pick up a wii from DJs tomorrow partly with some visa rewards vouchers for $399 but I noticed most places seem to sell the wii for less than that. The best Ive seen is $374 from EB, does anyone out there know if DJs will price match at all?

No idea, but at the moment Big W is selling the regular Wii bundle (incl. wii sports) + Spiderman 3 Game for $388. So if you sell the SP3 game on eBay immediatley (which you should) at about $40-60, that will give you a brand new Wii console for $330!

Jayp2p writes...

hey guys, i was wondering if anybody knows where i can purchase the Gecko SD adapter in melbourne aside from ebay.

Thanks

WiiKey are selling their own derivative. You maybe able to ask them where to get.

Note the SD Gecko doesn't work as a game save card, as games don't seem to be able to save to the SD Card in them. It only works for special GC programs.

JBLight writes...

Paper Mario was a shocker, too.

Paper Mario was great!! Thousand year old door is one of my favorite games for the GC. I intend to buy the original paper mario along with F-Zero X when they appear on the VC this month.

Ezz writes...

hey guys i was wondering if anybody has hooked up their nintendo wii by using the vga cable like the one shown here:


I've seen these cables. This will allow you to hook up your Wii to your Monitor or TV using a VGA cable. Be aware however, that the resolution will be either 640x480 or 480p, no higher.

Hence, it will look quite horrible on a LCD monitor and I think its better to use component for a TV.

HaloHunter writes...

I've seen these cables. This will allow you to hook up your Wii to your Monitor or TV using a VGA cable. Be aware however, that the resolution will be either 640x480 or 480p, no higher.

Hence, it will look quite horrible on a LCD monitor and I think its better to use component for a TV.

Thanks

The reason i was interested in this cable is due to the fact that my plasma has used up all component ports. I know you can buy switches but i'm not really interested in that.

Another question, would that VGA cable happen to produce better picture than the regular composite plugs?

Ezz writes...

Another question, would that VGA cable happen to produce better picture than the regular composite plugs?

Technically it should. But since there is no official Nintendo VGA cable, I think there will be no difference in quality in comparison to component.

The Wii is capable of running in 480i (480 lines interlaced) or 480p (480 lines progressive). In resolution terms 480i/p is 640x480 which is essentially standard definition. So if you were to connect a VGA cable to a monitor or TV, you will get 640x480.

I once thought of buying an upscaler that will allow me to use the Wii in HD but its too expensive. Budget upscalers cost around $400 and the proper ones cost over $1000.

Pele writes...

Is it possible to buy wiisports on its own? I can buy a new wii for $320 maybe less but it's missing the game and I was wondering where I could get a copy and for how much.

Only in Japan or on eBay.

Pele writes...

Oh Is component the best connection for LCD TVs, my friends in Japan were only using composite with their LCD but the image seemed ok.

Component is definitely the best. I noticed a huge difference in quality when I switched to it from composite.

Richie writes...

money.cnn.com/magazines/...remote/index.htm

where are those prices coming from?

I'd like to buy an accelerometer for USD2.50 - isn't it twice that at jaycar? and the analog - digital converter for it, how is that USD0.50?

sir_hc writes...

where are those prices coming from?

They are only estimates, dare I say its probably even less. Remember, you get a nice discount for bulk.

Example, 1 million Wii packs, which have 1 wiimote and 1 nunchuk, equals 2 million accelerometers, thats a lot of accelerometers there, just for 1 million units.

Richie writes...

They are only estimates, dare I say its probably even less. Remember, you get a nice discount for bulk.

hmm yeah and i guess jaycar has to make a profit...

Ezz writes...

Another question, would that VGA cable happen to produce better picture than the regular composite plugs?

Hell yes.

Pele writes...

Oh Is component the best connection for LCD TVs, my friends in Japan were only using composite with their LCD but the image seemed ok.

Yes, Component is MUCH better than Composite. Colours dont bleed into eachother and you get crisp edges.

Onthe flip side, the extra sharpness it brings will definitely start to show up the low resolution of 640x480 that the Wii uses. (eg jaggies)

But allround, component is MUCH better to look at than Composite.

HaloHunter writes...

Technically it should. But since there is no official Nintendo VGA cable, I think there will be no difference in quality in comparison to component

He was asking what VGA compared to Composite would be like, not Component.

I once thought of buying an upscaler that will allow me to use the Wii in HD but its too expensive. Budget upscalers cost around $400 and the proper ones cost over $1000.

Whats the point, the Wii is still onyl spitting out 640x480, no amount of upscaling trickery is going fix this.

sir_hc writes...

does 480p mean 640x480? i don't understand the whole p, i thing

480i means interlaced. This means, the screen will draw itself like this: the first field of screen drawing it will draw line 1, line 3, line 5 and so on so it fills the screen. So lets say, it draws an image like venetian blinds.

Then on the next pass, it will draw line 2, line 4, line 6 etc. so yet another venetian blind effect.

that's why the image tends to flicker, because its alternating between each entire screen really quickly so horiztonal lines tend to flicker between each line etc.

480p means progressive, so the screen is drawn entirely in one hit (line1, line2, line3 etc) every 60 times per second. There's no venetian blind effect of alternating, its nice and solid. (well, as much as 60Hz can be anyway). This requires component cabling (YUV, or RGB/VGA), as it requires more bandwidth and a TV capable of progressive display - generally HD TV.

sir_hc writes...

hmm yeah and i guess jaycar has to make a profit...

Yup, and Jaycar has quite high markups too. I have lots of friends working there and the amount staff pay for items (usually cost price + 10-20%) almost always ends up to being around half price to 70% of the cost.

Richie writes...

So, we could be seeing a wiimote microphone extension similar to the nunchuk in the near future. Bring on Singstar :-)

EA's game 'Boogie' has already been confirmed to be having a microphone :-)

shaunf writes...

Another question, would that VGA cable happen to produce better picture than the regular composite plugs?

Has anyone:
a) Bought these for the Wii
b) If so, where from and how much
c) Does it come with a sound cable to connect to an amp?

Cheers

Parties SUCK writes...

When is the best time to buy the wii? Is there likely to be a price drop anytime soon?

Now or in the next 6 months once the big titles hit like Smash Bros, Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3. Of course, if you haven't played RE4 then get that when it comes out to. There won't be a price drop anytime soon. They may throw in a freebie of some kind around christmas but that's it IMO.

Also does wii sports still come with it?

Yes and you and others will love it - for a week or two. You need another game though to mix it up. I still play Wii Sports though.

markhd writes...

Has anyone:
a) Bought these for the Wii
b) If so, where from and how much
c) Does it come with a sound cable to connect to an amp?

Cheers

I should caution that the D cable isnt the same as a D-sub cable for connecting with a monitor. You should check this very carefully, the ebay link on the previous page was a D cable which hooks into the Jap domestic TVs.

nirito writes...

You should check this very carefully, the ebay link on the previous page was a D cable which hooks into the Jap domestic TVs.

yep, thats correct. Nothing to do with VGA.

I had a quick look for this so called Wii to VGA cable too, i dont think it even exists??

About the closest there is, is Wii-->RGB-SCART. Again, it's not VGA but similar. Then there'd be RGB-SCART to VGA converters, but i dont think this kinda stuff is cheap because its more than just passing signals through direct wiring.

m0o writes...

wii for a 360 whim me if anyone is interested.

You mean you've got a 360 and you want to swap it for a wii? Normally people are doing the other way around (swapping a wii for a 360)? Just out of curiosity why do you want to swap?

tim the stud writes...

Does anyone know if the nintendo wii will only rake certain sd cards or will it ecept up to 8 gd cards

Maximum size of SD cards is 4GB and even then they aren't compatible with all device since the SD spec only covered 2GB cards.

More than 4GB and you're talking SDHC territory and those will not work in SD devices which the Wii is.

Pele writes...

Oh I'm still after a copy of Wii sports, if anyone has one available please whim me.
(My console was $300 at DJs because the game was missing)

Ummm, you should check with Dj, it should come in the box. I am not aware of any changes nintendo has made in the wii package.

ED: Just reread your post, I am so stupid.

Pele writes...

Finally got myself a wii and I have a question
Of the resolution settings, what is better 480i at 60Hz or 576i at 50Hz?

480i has a higher refresh rate, so appears more stable.

In all the Wii games, have a read of the DVD cover or manual inside, they all describe that 480i is the better mode to have the Wii in, rather than 576i. 576i is for TVs that handle PAL only, and not the PAL60 mode that the 480i actually is.

Of course when you get component cables, use 480p - assuming your LCD TV is in fact capable of progressive display - if its HD then yes it will, if its SD then maybe not!

whoisthatguy writes...

yep, its $69

img518.imageshack.us/img...1494largekv8.jpg

On the right the price for Mortal Kombat Armageddon is cut out. Can you tell me how much JB Hifi is planning to sell it for?

Rukna writes...

On the right the price for Mortal Kombat Armageddon is cut out. Can you tell me how much JB Hifi is planning to sell it for?

I am going to guess $79 by juding the first number.

Junkrock writes...

*cries* i preordered strikers for $85 :(

where from? you should take it back and demand your money back (even in the form of store credit)!

Rukna writes...

On the right the price for Mortal Kombat Armageddon is cut out. Can you tell me how much JB Hifi is planning to sell it for?

$79 @ JB Hifi - Available 14th June

Price is also posted in the sticky Hardware/Software Price watching thread =)

Junkrock writes...

from ezydvd

vooks had a preorder 'special'

Yeh same here Junkrock

And I was told I will receive it TODAY!!!. Nothing in the post yet and no-one knocking at my door.

Damn and here I was thinking JB would be selling it at a similar price but $14 less.

Dante writes...

So... rumour has it that there might be a Wii hard drive coming out. I'm keen, my Wii's nearly full up of VC games already. Anyone else interested?

Where you hear this from? Would be good but how would they connect it?

abcd writes...

Would be good but how would they connect it?

There's a usb port on the back of the Wii.

abcd writes...

Where you hear this from? Would be good but how would they connect it?

There is two USB slots at the back of the Wii.

Shakow writes...

Can you put the VC games on SD cards?

Correct me if I'm wrong somebody, I think you can store the VC games on an SD card but you can't run them from it.The game would have to be in the Wii system memory to actually run it.

mick1681 writes...

There's a usb port on the back of the Wii.

nirito writes...

There is two USB slots at the back of the Wii.

Oh crap, probably should of got up and looked at the back of my Wii before asking stupid questions :)

mick1681 writes...

Correct me if I'm wrong somebody, I think you can store the VC games on an SD card but you can't run them from it.The game would have to be in the Wii system memory to actually run it.

true, you can do that

abcd writes...

Picked up Strikers today from Gametraders, awesome game, going to be alot of fun. Little to no lag online.

What's your internet speed? Hopefully 512 will be sufficient.

abcd writes...

Picked up Strikers today from Gametraders, awesome game, going to be alot of fun. Little to no lag online.

Can you play random people or is it friend code specific?

RaZoRBlad3 writes...

What's your internet speed? Hopefully 512 will be sufficient.

Mines 1.5mb, plays fine.

nirito writes...

Can you play random people or is it friend code specific?

Either, you can choose ranked and it will pick a random player or you can play one of your friends if you have them added.

mick1681 writes...

Damn! A Wii + Mario Strikers for $388? That's a great deal for anyone who hasn't picked up a Wii. $69 for Mario Strikers is a great price to.

Agreed, RRP$500 for only $388 is a fantastic deal.

Pele writes...

knows a fix.

Update your wii to the latest version.

rhysxanthis writes...

knows a fix. Update your wii to the latest version.

I'm pretty sure the console did that when I first plugged it in a couple of days ago.

Pele writes...

I can't get a signal wth the virtual games using a component cable, composite works fine and component works fine with all wii games.

See this thread.
www.wiichat.com/nintendo...nsole-games.html
It's a common problem with quite a few VC games which N have not fixed as yet.
No more VC games for me until they get their act together.

jimjim writes...

Dragonball 3
- Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 will hit Australia on November 6th for RRP$99.95

Can't wait for that even though i haven't finished 2 yet!