Gadgets Blog » Wii

For years, Nintendo’s Wii has been the unrivaled leader in motion control technology with its nunchuk-like controllers that followed peoples’ movements and translated them to actions on the screen.

This year, both PlayStation and Microsoft unleashed their version of motion control, and Microsft Kinect for Xbox 360 seems to be leading the pack. Unlike both PlayStation and Wii, Xbox Kinect does not use a controller, instead using a camera to track the movements of the player.

When the player jumps, the character jumps. This controller and camera in one gives players the unique opportunity to have their direct image placed into the game screen, and it even reads clothes and colors and translates it to the screen for chats, etc.

Tech and gadget G4 recently tested this device’s capability to recognize specific clothing, from standard jeans and a T-shirt to a naughty school girl uniform, bikini and even nude. Jeans and even naughty school girl translated to the game, but the digital version of nudity was blocked. Unfortunately, it does not block direct video nudity, even though there are supposed to. That’s something for parents to watch out for.

I have an ongoing FIFA soccer rivalry with my friend Sam. It’s entirely possible, if you were to speak with him, that he would create an elaborate lie in which I lose on a regular basis and that our rivalry consists primarily of him winning. This, of course, would be complete falsehood. I’m the Cristiano Ronaldo of FIFA soccer, whereas Sam, despite his best efforts, plays a lot like Kansas City striker Kei Kamara. FIFA Soccer 2010 was an excellent video game, with polished graphics and great competitive multiplayer. Now, just in time for the World Cup, we get a bonus edition of the game tailored to the international stage.

FIFA soccer games are excellent for a variety of reasons. While a real-life soccer game lasts for 90 minutes, complete with plenty of downtime, FIFA soccer can be enjoyed in six minute halves, making a game last not much longer than 15 minutes. The game play, however, is balanced so that the scores and statistics are realistic. Players move fluidly throughout the pitch, and the level of detail in animation is quite impressive. Players look uncannily like their real counterparts, each boasting statistics in several categories to tailor their playing style as well.

While the World Cup edition of FIFA doesn’t make many drastic changes to the core game play, it does come with a host of content especially for the international tournament. Almost 200 FIFA international teams are presented in the game with their real-world roster. In single-player mode, you can either jump straight into the championship itself, or play through the qualifying matches with any of the players. There’s the option to create your own player and jump into the mix as well, rising to prominence before leading your team to the title round. The commentary as well, provided by Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend, has been expanded, providing insight not only into the game play itself, but also the greater impact upon Cup play.

With the modern era of game consoles, it seems that great innovation and technology unfortunately comes with increases in price as well. While all three systems, the Nintendo Wii, the Xbox 360, and the Playstation 3, have become more affordable as they’ve become older, there has sadly been no corresponding drop in price for the games. A brand new Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 game can cost $60, which is a serious chunk of change (especially for me, being a college student and whatnot). Wii owners are graced with a slightly lower price tag, but even $40 can be expensive for a brand new title. Luckily, today we’ll seek out some great video games available for less than $20, and also include some strategies for finding games on the cheap.

Mass Effect for the Xbox 360 (Rated M for Mature).
This science fiction action game is getting a sequel next week, but that doesn’t mean that the original isn’t still entertaining. Mass Effect combines numerous gaming elements into an engaging complete package. The game has exciting shooting action, space exploration, and a deep involved storyline that is determined largely by the player’s actions. If you’re a role-playing fan, this title will offer hours of action on many diverse and hostile planets. It’s also a great example of how to find games for under $20. If a sequel has come out recently, or is in the works, the original title will often be available for significantly less than its successor. Just because a game is older doesn’t mean it’s less fun to play. After all, other titles like BioShock and Assassin’s Creed thrilled audiences to the point they triggered sequels!

MLB: The Bigs for the Playstation 3 (Rated E for Everyone).
With sports games, there sometimes are minimal improvements from year to year. A classic example is the storied Madden NFL franchise from EA sports. The games look and feel very similar to each other in consecutive years. If you can live without up-to-date rosters, older sports games are often inexpensive compared to their newer brethren. Or, as is the case with MLB: The Bigs, look for sports games that are slightly outside the normal scope of sports titles. Here, the developers took a steroids-be-damned approach to the game, with fast-paced and accessible pitching and batting, oftentimes with bursts of fire errupting from the bats and balls. The result is a game that remains engaging compared to other, simulation type baseball games. For similar alternative sporting games, check out Blitz: The League or Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground.

Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures for the Nintendo Wii (Rated E for Everyone).
While it may seem like a bizarre combination of ideas, the Lego video game series has had some great titles, with the familiar Lego characters enacting all types of familiar adventures in their block-constructed world. The original Lego Indiana Jones title is made less expensive by having a successful sequel out on the market, but this old-school title is a lot of fun for all ages. The quirky level designs and bright colors make this a great game for kids, but gamers of any age will appreciate the recreation of the classic Indiana Jones films. A final great tip is to look for undiscovered, quirky games like this Lego title. These more “underground” games oftentimes fall in price before titles from larger publishers. Other great games like this are Viva Pinata! and titles from the Katamari Damacy series.

Today we’re looking at some great gadgets available at some great prices, which should be a great asset to anyone feeling the post-Holiday crunch. This time of year can be excellent for a smart shopper, as there are plenty of deals to go around. Companies are trying to clear off their shelves for new products, but here at Smarter we have some great items and even better deals.

Great Deals on Game Controllers!
For an avid video gamer, the controller can make all the difference. For the major consoles, there can be a bit of a decision to make, as Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft all have their own official controllers available, whereas third party developers oftentimes have units for significantly less. Alternative game controllers oftentimes boast features that can give huge boosts to the gaming experience. If you’re a PC or Playstation 3 racing fanatic, the Logitech G 25 Force Feedback Wheel provides one of the most realistic driving experiences available at a reasonable price for such a high-end steering wheel. Other great deals include the Thrustmaster Wireless Pad for the Playstation 3. It features a more naturally contoured fit to the hand that is very similar to the Xbox 360 controller. Also, the rubber grips function great during marathon gaming sessions and are a great cure for sweaty palms. If you prefer to stick with brand-name controllers, Nintendo offers a “Classic Controller” for the Wii that has the same shape and button scheme as the classic Super Nintendo controllers, which can be great for games where the Wii Numchuck isn’t a good fit for game play.

Great Deals on Dell Computer Hardware!
One great advantage of owning a PC desktop is the ease with which the hardware components can be upgraded. Instead of throwing down close to $1000 for a brand new machine, it’s straightforward to purchase and install new parts, such as video cards, sound cards, and memory. This extends the longevity of the computer, without the need for an entirely new model. Here at Smarter, we have some great deals right now on Dell hardware, which means it could be the perfect time to upgrade your machine. A Dell memory module is a great way to boost the RAM, giving increased computer speed and performance, while a Dell heatsink and fan can ensure the performance of your CPU, especially important if you opt to overclock your machine. If you’re in the market for a new PC, I strongly recommend looking into available upgrades first! You can save a lot of money by choosing to upgrade your current desktop instead of replacing it.