Smiley's Tropical Escape

Second Life, Google Earth, and my Nintendo Wii

nobody@vox.com(Smiley) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:27:52 +0900

Most of the time, the Second Life application button sits on my desktop completely untouched. Then, occasionally, I jump in, see what's changed, maybe chat with a few people and then get back out.

And I do almost the same thing with Google Earth.

I think the reason is that I consider both of these programs entertainment, and I primarily try to keep my machine to work related software. I try to push most of my entertainment to the t.v., where I have a DVD player and my Nintendo Wii.

Which got me to thinking - why can't I install SL and GE on my Nintendo as Wii Ware or Wii Channels? This seems like the sort of natural match that geeks and nerds seem to love. I'm sure there is a hack out there, or some version of Wii Linux that would let me install both, but I don't want that. I want legitimate options on my Wii for both pieces of software. Someone get on that. Please?

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

My New Obsession: MarioKart

nobody@vox.com(Smiley) — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:00:55 +0900

Mario Kart for the Nintendo Wii

MarioKart has been on my must-play list since I first had a Nintendo system, way back in my university days. I've played it on the N64, GameCube, DS, and, now, the Wii. And it rocks so hard.

I've been playing somewhat obsessively for the past couple of days (I've had some time off of work) and have been enjoying myself immensely. I've managed to rack up gold cup trophies in 7 of the 8 cups so far, although only at the 50cc level and have to remind myself to shut the machine down after an hour or so and go do something else, less I play all day.

The best part, for me, is that I finally have a game that my wife will sit down and play with me. She finds the wheel easier to use than the crosspad other versions have required, both for steering and for drifting.

I'm rambling. The point is, go get the game. It is awesomeness squared multiplied by awesomeness cubed.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Vox Hunt: I'm A Loyal Customer

nobody@vox.com(Smiley) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:24:23 +0900

Show us a brand to which you're loyal.

Nintendo

Nintendo just seems to be a company done right. Their products are always worth the money, and they treat their customers like people and do their best to make things a good user experience. I am a happy owner of both a Wii and a DS and they, like the GameCube and GameBoy before them, are excellent products.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Wii-shlist

nobody@vox.com(Smiley) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:57:19 +0900

I've had my Wii for about four months now and it is fantastic. The wiimote is fun and easy to use and I've had a lot of fun with Wii Sports; even building my Mii and answering the questiosn in the Everybody Votes Channel is fun. The Wii is a great machine. But it ain't perfect.

Here's my quick list of things I want for my Wii.

Region Free DVD Channel
Access to Virtual Console Games in any language
Indepentent Wii Channels available for video and or third party games
Wii Sports Online
Headset / Microphone support
Podcatcher Channel
Starfox 64 on the Virtual Console
Music Channel (Either from USB Drives or SD Cards)

These things, and more, I'm sure, that I haven't thought of, would turn my machine from a fun on the weekends game station into a far more useful home entertainment system.

Here's hoping.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend