david.dakota

IGN have posted direct feed of the Wii Channel interface. Giving a tour of the main channels including a walkthrough of Message channel, Mii Channel, Photo Channel and Disk Channel (beautiful intro...). Its posted here http://uk.media.wii.ign.com/articles/745/745492/vids_1.html but you'll only be able to stream at the moment (unless you have an IGN Insider subscription). While some minimal loadtimes exist for Mii Channel and photo Channel, about 5-10 seconds, the overall menu is simple and intuitive. Accessing Forecast, News and Wii Shop Channels is attempted, with a polite message requesting the Wii is configured. All in all, the Wii Channel interface is simple yet stylish and effective.

I've thrown glasses, mugs and even kicked our shed in due to monkey ball. Do I look forward to doing all that again - you betcha!

Technically inept games journalists most likely. Nintendo are offering costom soundracks in ExiteTruck which is a launch game. Do you really think Nintendo have the shortsightedness to expect gamers to get home, attempt to play ExiteTruck with their own music only to find they'll need to format an SD card and resave their MP3's? I'll be 100% shocked if this is the case.

I'd certainly recommend getting those security settings sorted. It seems a waste to have a wireless router and not actually use it!

Reading various reports, its seems the first wave of First Person Shooters are not nailing the controls 100%. Here's a thought: Could the Nunchuck controller provide horizontal movement? Currently, it seems the nunchuck analogue stick controls forward, backward and sideways movement, with Wii Remote providing horizontal view movement by guiding your Wii-mote/on-screen reticule outside of this box. Now, with the nunchuk containing tilt sensors it could be possible to allow your characters head to be directly controlled by tilting? Obviously tilt left for the screen to pan left, tilt forward to pan down etc. This would leave the analogue stick responsible for body movement/walking and the Wii-mote can be used for direct targeting using the whole screen? This solution obviously depends on the sensitivity of the tilt sensors in the nunchuk. Your thoughts?

Twozzok, i've already spoken to Gameplay (i've pre-ordered there too) and they're not sure of numbers yet - or at least the customer service team have not been made aware. I pre-ordered on the 4 October, and while not guaranteeing i'll receive one, they're optimistic I will. The dispatch date is a simple placeholder and is not guaranteeing you'll get yours on day one. All that said, at this late stage its unlikely Gamplay do not know their allocations. It could be that they're holding back with emails and confirmations to ensure orders are not lost. Personally, i'd recommend anyone ordering with Gameplay to use the online help chat to enquire about allocations - and hopefully that would speed them up with confirmations.

I made the mistake of buying too many launch games for both N64 and Gamecube, so i will be staggering my purchases. On the 8th (or earlier if my online retailer is on the ball or later if my online retailer wishes a knife in the back) I will be taking home: One spangly Wii. One copy of Twilight Princess One WiiPlay (extra remote and a collection of mini games) I may also get either Super Monkey Ball or Red Steel. And several Virtual Console titles. And already, i've too many games! Must be ruthless...

Has anyone on the boards had a good look at the finished hardware? One thing strikes me, looking at various pictures: there doesn't seem to be much room in the GCN Docking Bay to leave a Memory Card in without leaving your flaps open.

Does anyone know if Gameplay have announced their allocations?

He bought the Sky HD for £300 and with this did he get a years free subscription on standard channels, or a years free subscription to the HD channels (and has to pay for his standard subscription)?

The name reminded me of Kuri Kuri Kurin on GBA - wouldnt that make a great update for Wii!

Potty training?! Chuckle!

Basically, as far as i'm aware Nintendo retained only the Donkey Kong license (including any associated characters) and sold Rare lock stock and barrell, including all other franchises created by Rare. Rare & Microsoft can do what they want with all these other characters. I don;t think the fact that Nintendo publishing any titles give them automatic control over any games - for example Conker was published by Nintendo in the US, but by THQ in Europe. A remake then appeared on Xbox. However, to see any Rare's Nintendo backcatalogue on Xbox Live is unlikely to happen. Reason, Nintendo would not allow Microsoft to have a SNES or N64 emulator - meaning each game would need to be reprogrammed for Live, which would take time and resources. I think...?

Is there an improvement in Wii's 480p resolution, when compared to Gamecubes?

I don;t mean lithium recharges - take a look here: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9803954.htm These last 7 times longer in a digital camera - could they work 7 times longer in a Wii-mote?

Lithium batteries are the ones designed for power hungry digital cameras etc. I'm guessing that IF they work in the Wii-mote, they'd increase the playtime, but it depends on whether lithium can be used in equipment designed for alkaline (alkaline can be used in digital cameras...)

I know Nintendo have announced battery life for the Wii-mote, which I beleive are based on Alkaline batteries. Now, does anyone know if you can use lithium batteries in items that should use alkaline?

Hmmm... At this late stage, I can't beleive that Sony could half-inch any more ideas, so if there is another BIG secret, just let it out now.

I've spoken to Gameplay about these prices. The call centre agent said Gameplay are not entirely sure how Play.com have reduced their prices, but they are liaising with Nintendo to reduce them.

Don't worry. The real Steve Irwin Death has not made it to the net yet... that i'm aware of. But here's a spoof: I'm not trying to disrespect Mr Irwin, I actually quite liked him.

I'd rather spend time playing Zelda than tinker with multiple Mii's. I'll attempt to create a Mii to my own likeness.

Does anyone know if the back catalogue of Cube games can be played with the Classic Controller? I'm thinking of offloading my 4 GC controllers to help fund my Wii purchases, but obviously if i'm going to need them for GC games, i'll have to revise my plan!

I'm a bit confused. With all this talk of 480p resolution on launch titles, how do you know if your TV is capable of displaying 480p.

fukudasolokomalakikenanze, you're very wrong. If, and its a big IF, Nintendo do not make a success of the Wii they are unlikely to 'merge' with Microsoft - although MS is constantly looking to buy the company, Nintendo is keen to stay independent, and is infact continuing to re-purchase its own shares to help stop any unwlecome takeover bids.

Would it be that impossible to release an updated 3D headset? Now there's fan-w@nk if you needed it.