Wii Hands-On by TIME

Wii Hands-On by TIME

TIME magazine was given a sneak preview of a few Nintendo Wii titles and the writers seems enchanted by the device and the level of interaction it offers.

Guided by Nintendo's Miyamoto-san, the lucky TIME writer had a chance to try and therefore confirm for us, the Wii Warioware title which includes dozens of mini games which range from fly-swatting to food preparation and hula dancing. The writer was greatly impressed by the level of immersion and interactivity offered by the new controller although we have to admit that there may be more to the experience than he is telling us.

The next game tested is Legend of Zelda title, Twilight Princess which the writer describes as moody and designed, specifically, around the new controller. In the game you get to use the new device from anything from sword-fighting to fishing. Then it's on to a Tennis title which proves the controller is sensitive enough to use for forehands, backhands and even lob shots.

John Schappert, a senior VP at Electronic Arts also confirmed that the company's Madden Football franchise will make a Wii appearance and will utilise the new controller making throwing a pass, in-game, an exciting experience.

The overall impression is that Nintendo has changed the gaming experience with Wii and may even have made gaming, God forbid, a more physical experience. Nintendo's Satoru Iwata concludes the feature by explaining why Nintendo refused to listen to its customers when developing its new console, ...Wii was unimaginable for them and because it was unimaginable, they could not say that they wanted it. If you are simply listening to requests from the customer, you can satisfy their needs, but you can never surprise them. Sony and Microsoft make daily-necessity kinds of things. They have to listen to the needs of the customers and try to comply with their requests. That kind of approach has been deeply ingrained in their minds.