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Not a Rumor Anymore: Wii and 'Select' Games Are About to Become Less Expensive [UPDATED x2]

Nintendo is readying its own budget line in anticipation of a price drop for the console.


No Caption Provided
UPDATE Part Deux: We can officially nix the "rumor" part of this article. Nintendo has announced that as of May 15th, the Wii system bundle will drop to $149.99 at all major retailers. Additionally, Wii Sports is officially out of the bundle, replaced by Mario Kart Wii and the Wii Steering Wheel. An elaborate mock-up of what the package may look like in real life can be seen directly to the right of this paragraph that you are reading.

Additionally, Nintendo confirmed the legitimacy of the Wii Select line of newly budget-priced titles. The lineup officially includes Animal Crossing: City Folk, Mario Super Sluggers, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and Wii Sports. Evidently, we'll have to wait a little longer for Super Smash Bros. Brawl to drop in price.

UPDATE:
One, Nintendo has since told us they won't comment. No real surprise there.

No Caption Provided
Two, Nintendo World Report apparently has box art for these "Wii Select" games. They look legit!

--

With the exception of the original PlayStation, I've been a fairly notorious early adopter of new console technologies. I'm guessing if you're reading a website like Giant Bomb, one so thoroughly dedicated to the gaming enthusiasts of the world, you probably don't spend a lot of time waiting around to buy your console of choice, either. That said, there are many people who wait years after a system's release to get on board. One need only look at the absurd number of PlayStation 2 systems that sold well after the PlayStation 3's debut for prime evidence.

       Wii Sports: Now in purchasable box!
 Wii Sports: Now in purchasable box!
Of course, one thing that always helps grease the late adopter's wheels a bit is a price drop, and ever since Nintendo's new console announcement came rumbling into legitimacy, people have been bandying about various rumors of a new $149 price for the now suddenly old-feeling system.

Kotaku took the story a step further last night, citing retail sources that proclaimed that, along with the system's slashed price, a new line of "Wii Select" titles would also be dropped to a price point of $19.99. Along the lines of Sony's "Greatest Hits" and Microsoft's "Platinum Hits" collections--not to mention Nintendo's old "Player's Choice" line--the Select line would be made up of particularly noteworthy titles from the console's lifespan. Kotaku states the new line will debut in May, with the initial title run consisting of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Super Sluggers, and Wii Sports.

== TEASER == Hold on, let me record scratch this story to a halt for a moment. Wii Sports? You mean the game that's been packed in with Wii consoles since jump street? Yes, apparently Nintendo plans to take that seminal sports waggler and put it on store shelves all by its lonesome. Replacing Wii Sports in the console package would be Mario Kart Wii. While that might seem odd, think of it this way: If you're a consumer and you want a Wii now, in 2011, what are you more likely to pick up alongside your console for an extra 20 bucks? Mario Kart? Or that Wii Sports game every other Wii owner on the planet currently owns? Right.

For its part, Nintendo isn't currently talking on the subject, possibly in the hopes of keeping some minuscule modicum of info from their upcoming E3 2011 press conference something even vaguely resembling a secret. We've contacted them for more details and will update if we hear anything. At the rate things are popping out ahead of the show, they may have to resort to putting Miyamoto in a Link costume and forcing him to perform a Zelda-themed musical number. Maybe something like this, only sexier?
Alex Navarro on Google+

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alex

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Edited By alex

No Caption Provided
UPDATE Part Deux: We can officially nix the "rumor" part of this article. Nintendo has announced that as of May 15th, the Wii system bundle will drop to $149.99 at all major retailers. Additionally, Wii Sports is officially out of the bundle, replaced by Mario Kart Wii and the Wii Steering Wheel. An elaborate mock-up of what the package may look like in real life can be seen directly to the right of this paragraph that you are reading.

Additionally, Nintendo confirmed the legitimacy of the Wii Select line of newly budget-priced titles. The lineup officially includes Animal Crossing: City Folk, Mario Super Sluggers, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and Wii Sports. Evidently, we'll have to wait a little longer for Super Smash Bros. Brawl to drop in price.

UPDATE:
One, Nintendo has since told us they won't comment. No real surprise there.

No Caption Provided
Two, Nintendo World Report apparently has box art for these "Wii Select" games. They look legit!

--

With the exception of the original PlayStation, I've been a fairly notorious early adopter of new console technologies. I'm guessing if you're reading a website like Giant Bomb, one so thoroughly dedicated to the gaming enthusiasts of the world, you probably don't spend a lot of time waiting around to buy your console of choice, either. That said, there are many people who wait years after a system's release to get on board. One need only look at the absurd number of PlayStation 2 systems that sold well after the PlayStation 3's debut for prime evidence.

       Wii Sports: Now in purchasable box!
 Wii Sports: Now in purchasable box!
Of course, one thing that always helps grease the late adopter's wheels a bit is a price drop, and ever since Nintendo's new console announcement came rumbling into legitimacy, people have been bandying about various rumors of a new $149 price for the now suddenly old-feeling system.

Kotaku took the story a step further last night, citing retail sources that proclaimed that, along with the system's slashed price, a new line of "Wii Select" titles would also be dropped to a price point of $19.99. Along the lines of Sony's "Greatest Hits" and Microsoft's "Platinum Hits" collections--not to mention Nintendo's old "Player's Choice" line--the Select line would be made up of particularly noteworthy titles from the console's lifespan. Kotaku states the new line will debut in May, with the initial title run consisting of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Super Sluggers, and Wii Sports.

== TEASER == Hold on, let me record scratch this story to a halt for a moment. Wii Sports? You mean the game that's been packed in with Wii consoles since jump street? Yes, apparently Nintendo plans to take that seminal sports waggler and put it on store shelves all by its lonesome. Replacing Wii Sports in the console package would be Mario Kart Wii. While that might seem odd, think of it this way: If you're a consumer and you want a Wii now, in 2011, what are you more likely to pick up alongside your console for an extra 20 bucks? Mario Kart? Or that Wii Sports game every other Wii owner on the planet currently owns? Right.

For its part, Nintendo isn't currently talking on the subject, possibly in the hopes of keeping some minuscule modicum of info from their upcoming E3 2011 press conference something even vaguely resembling a secret. We've contacted them for more details and will update if we hear anything. At the rate things are popping out ahead of the show, they may have to resort to putting Miyamoto in a Link costume and forcing him to perform a Zelda-themed musical number. Maybe something like this, only sexier?
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ThePhantomnaut

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Edited By ThePhantomnaut

Well with a new Nintendo console on the way...

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Y2Ken

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Edited By Y2Ken

Still don't know whether I'm convinced to buy one... Might reconsider though. Perhaps my parents will finally get one, they've always considered it but I think it was a little more than my mum could be bothered to spend.

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Roasted

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Edited By Roasted

Yo, wanna buy a Wii for 20$?

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ThePhantomnaut

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Edited By ThePhantomnaut
@Roasted said:
" Yo, wanna buy a Wii for 20$? "
Sounds like an offer a lonely woman can't refuse.
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sparky_buzzsaw

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Edited By sparky_buzzsaw

That's smart.  I still want to pick up Goldeneye and Donkey Kong at some point, and maybe Kirby.

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striderno9

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Edited By striderno9

Wowzers, Nintendo is making aggressive moves, but will it be enough? 

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PrnceOfPwng

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Edited By PrnceOfPwng

Only Nintendo could charge $50 for an launch title still, oh wait gamestop is still charging $50 for king of fighters 12 lol. 

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Daveyo520

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Edited By Daveyo520

So this is the story you were working on.

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RanchLizard

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Edited By RanchLizard

Switching out the Wii Sports for Mario Kart is a smart move

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Th3_James

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Edited By Th3_James

I want to replay Donkey Kong 64 now

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phish09

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Edited By phish09

I'll pick up Brawl and TP on teh cheap.  I played the Gamecube version of Twilight Princess twice, and have never had the drive to play it by waggling my controller in front of my TV, but I'm getting that 5 year Zelda itch again, so it might be time.

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gla55jAw

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Edited By gla55jAw

$149.99? Shit I thought it was already that. I was all ready to finally be on board to buy a Wii for $99 so I can get Smash Brothers and a few others. Not at $150 though, waste of money.

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PerfidiousSinn

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Edited By PerfidiousSinn

It's kind of ridiculous that so many Wii exclusives have stayed full price. 'Wii Select' should've happened a while ago.

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Phoenix87

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Edited By Phoenix87

Take it down to $99 Nintendo, The novelty has worn off for a while now.

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Saga

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Edited By Saga

Nice! Zelda: Twilight Princess is an awesome game. Many, many, many hours of fun

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Contro

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Edited By Contro

It makes a lot of sense, a MK bundle will shift better and a budget range will help that. They need to put some good games in the Wii Select range though, the likes of Galaxy & Co.

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rmanthorp

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Edited By rmanthorp  Moderator

Good night sweet prince.

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Kjellm87

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Edited By Kjellm87

It is kinda odd how time flies.
2006 seems like yesterday.

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Sil3n7

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Edited By Sil3n7

I read all of your stories in your voice Alex. You need to get out of my head.

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Little_Socrates

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Edited By Little_Socrates
@gla55jAw said:
" $149.99? Shit I thought it was already that. I was all ready to finally be on board to buy a Wii for $99 so I can get Smash Brothers and a few others. Not at $150 though, waste of money. "
This, only I have had all the first-party games and care more to play Deadly Creatures, Little King's Story, and their ilk.
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Winternet

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Edited By Winternet

Nintendo is taking the bull by the horns in this pre-E3 period. Microsoft is quiet and Sony has its head full at the moment.

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jozzy

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Edited By jozzy

Hmm, might pick one up for the kids.

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Brenderous

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Edited By Brenderous

I don't think you can get much sexier than that ad.

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Cameron

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Edited By Cameron

It blows my mind that the Super Mario Galaxy games aren't on that list. I am interested in playing both of those games, but there is no way in hell I'm paying full price for a three year old game. I can kind of see why Galaxy 2 is still expensive, but the first one is just insane.

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craigbo180

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Edited By craigbo180

Wii select? I think you better let someone else select because who the hell wants to play mario sluggers? I would be hype for this if they were dropping price on recent games like DK and Kirby.

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MisterMouse

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Edited By MisterMouse

hmm... interesting but I still probably wouldn't by a wii... probably because I don't have a TV.

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jeffk38uk

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Edited By jeffk38uk

A cheap Wii? Maybe I can finally hop onto the train of success that is the Wii Shop.

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captainfish

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Edited By captainfish

Nintendo has done a great job of keeping their 1st party stuff at full price since launch. I wonder how much of the large install base will just pick up this stuff because it's cheap.

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ImmortalSaiyan

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Edited By ImmortalSaiyan

Nintendo never lowers the price of there games. It's crazy.
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Levio

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Edited By Levio

Hmm, even if this doesn't entice people to buy a wii, it could really push some of those older titles.  $20 is cheap enough to get me to buy some of the better games I ignored before.

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BonOrbitz

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Edited By BonOrbitz

I'm glad I held off from picking up Brawl!

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swamplord666

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Edited By swamplord666

hey you know what? I'd buy the wii for under £100 and get the mario games. and maybe monster hunter tri. Sadly that's about it :/

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MikkaQ

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Edited By MikkaQ

Still waiting on the 99$ wii. Not for me, I already got one. But paying any more for it today is a rip. 

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Swifdemon

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"there are many people who wait years after a system's release to get on board"

I got a PS2 in 2009: TruFax. I have been loving it and enjoying every very inexpensive game I can get for it (though there are ridiculously expensive ones, too... I'm looking at you, ZOE2).

I would be the type to be all for this, but I already have a dusty white box by my TV.

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Ellis7x

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Edited By Ellis7x

Mario Kart got a bit more substance than Wii sports, Im sure any other Wii owner in the world will happily let you borrow it if you were so inclined to play

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Claude

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Edited By Claude

Curious to see all the Wii Select games. I've played a shit load of Wii games, but there's a few I've missed. Actually, some of the ones I missed are already less than $20. I need to be a better Wii fan.

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Vonocourt

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Edited By Vonocourt

Probably going to pick up a copy of Twilight Princess just so I don't have to go digging for a GC memory card.

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Shabs

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Edited By Shabs
@Cameron said:
" It blows my mind that the Super Mario Galaxy games aren't on that list. I am interested in playing both of those games, but there is no way in hell I'm paying full price for a three year old game. I can kind of see why Galaxy 2 is still expensive, but the first one is just insane. "
To be fair, those are the best games on the platform and well worth $50.

I wouldn't say that about any other Wii games I've played.
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albedos_shadow

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Edited By albedos_shadow

I can confirm at least the Wii Selects part of the story. I work at Target and we've had the Wii Sports and Twilight Princess rereleases in the new release lockup for about a week. We haven't gotten word of any console price drop, though it's been at $170 for a week or two now.

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Maelstrom

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Edited By Maelstrom

I'll certainly buy the Metroid Prime collection if it falls under this hypothetical program.

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umdesch4

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Edited By umdesch4
@Brenderous:  What about Laura "Flute Link" Intravia. (youtube search, too many matches for me to pick a best one)

I saw her at Video Games Live recently...and that was definitely hot.
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wickedsc3

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Edited By wickedsc3

I was one of those people who bought a ps2 long after ps3 was released.  at $99 i figured i would just pick one up to have it.

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vigorousjammer

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Edited By vigorousjammer
@phish09 said:
" I'll pick up Brawl and TP on teh cheap.  I played the Gamecube version of Twilight Princess twice, and have never had the drive to play it by waggling my controller in front of my TV, but I'm getting that 5 year Zelda itch again, so it might be time. "
I'd say wait for Skyward Sword, duder
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phish09

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Edited By phish09
@Vigorousjammer said:
" @phish09 said:
" I'll pick up Brawl and TP on teh cheap.  I played the Gamecube version of Twilight Princess twice, and have never had the drive to play it by waggling my controller in front of my TV, but I'm getting that 5 year Zelda itch again, so it might be time. "
I'd say wait for Skyward Sword, duder "
But if they keep postponing Skyward Sword like they did Twilight Princess I might have to wait another year at least for that to come out...but you're right...I could just rip through the Gamecube TP again in the mean time.
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BradBrains

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Edited By BradBrains

Smart on nintendo to make wii sports separate but cheap.get every last solar from those late adopters who only want "that bowling game"

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Floppypants

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Edited By Floppypants

Hopefully these price drops might drive the used market into the dirt.  I might bite on a bargain-bin priced New Super Mario Bros Wii.  I know I'll never play it as long as it's $30+.

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JimmyJackJones

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Edited By JimmyJackJones

Wow, actually having to pay for Wii Sports is a terrible thing.  Wii Sports Resort is a game.  Wii Sports is a tech demo.  Ugh, that's pretty scummy, Nintendo.

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Delusibeta

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Edited By Delusibeta

Going to call "lies" on the "Wii Sports 1 to be sold separately" rumour. Here in the UK, pretty much every comes with both Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. Really can't see them back peddling on that (after all, two games are better than one in the layman's opinion).

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microshock

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Edited By microshock

Doesn't anyone remember how excited we were for the Wii? I think people were imagining being Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader swinging around the Wiimote as a lightsaber in real time. Or Harry Potter shooting spells.


Jeez, they really messed that up. I truly regret ever buying a Wii and wish I sold it when it was going for 500 bucks on ebay.