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This blog can be used as a good beginner's guide to the Wii, but it also has great information for people who are more experienced with the Wii.
For example, you can find the Complete List of Wii Balance Board compatible games in the US.
This Wii blog also has the Top 10 list of Nintendo Wii Wi-Fi Wii games available in the US (Wii games that you can play online with your friends thru your Wii console).
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• What's so special about the Wii / Wii Console?
• What are Wii Fit & Wii Fit Plus?
• Hot Wii games
• Complete list of Wii Fit Balance Board Compatible Games (US)
• Top 10 list of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Wii Games (games can you play online with friends)
• Customizing your Wii gaming system
• Wii Remotes (AKA "Wiimotes") & Wii Motion Plus
• What is a Wii Nunchuk?
• Another Wii Controller -- the "Wii Classic Controller"
• What is Wii Speak?
• Wii Zapper & other recommended Gun Peripherals
• Accessorize your Accessories - with Wii Skin Covers & Decals
What's so special about the Wii / Wii Console?
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Nintendo really outdid themselves when they came up the the unique Wii gaming system. Instead of sitting on your butt passively playing video games you get involed in the action!
What I think makes the Wii so cutting edge is that its controllers (e.g. the Wii Remote, Wii Nunchuk , Wii Fit Balance Board) help to simulate real human body movements which make the experience more fun & realistic! You don't have to be an experienced gamer to enjoy the Wii.
It is fun for young & old alike. In fact, even though this was not Nintendo's original intent, many rehab facilities are even using the Wii to help their patients regain motor control and balance. In fact they have a new term for it -- "Wiihabilitation." It truly is an AMAZING system!
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A lot of people throw around the terms Wii or Wii console & what does that really mean? Well, the "Wii" or "Wii console" is basically a home video game console that you can hook up to a TV screen or video display.
The Wii console is required to play any of the Wii games including the innovative Wii Fit & Wii Fit Plus. So when making your first Wii purchase - the very first thing to get is the Wii console...
When setting up the Wii console for the first time you need to put the sensor bar that comes with the Wii console above or below your TV so that it can detect what you are doing with your Wii Remote & accessories. And you can also hook up your Wii console to the internet and play some games through the internet with friends or make new friends from around the world (online multiplayer video games through Nintendo Wi-Fi connection).
Check out the Top 10 list of Nintendo Wi-Fi connection Wii games.
Just a quick technical note: The Wii console has 2 USB Ports (to connect Wii accessories and for recharging batteries). If you want to expand that number you can purchase a USB Hub to expand the number of USB Ports (Please note: Games like Wii Rock Band already come with a USB Hub since you can use up to 2 guitars, one drum set and a microphone and each need a USB Port to connect to the Wii).
The Wii console comes equiped with a Wii Remote, a wired Wii Nunchuk and the Wii Sports game package (which simulates boxing, bowling, golf, tennis & baseball). But that is where the fun just begins...
Hot Wii Games
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Wii The Beatles: Rock Band (Rated T for Teens) is one of the most popular Wii games this year & makes an awesome birthday gift for Beatles fans! For people who already own Wii Rock Band or Wii Rock Band 2 it is available as Wii The Beatles: Rock Band (software only) since it can be played with all Wii Rock Band and most Wii Guitar Hero controllers and microphones, as well as 'SingStar' and 'Lips' microphones.
Wii The Beatles: Rock Band features an initial song list of more than 40 Beatles hits. You & your friends & family can enjoy singing 3 part vocal harmony -- just like the Beatles! (Wii The Beatles Rock Band supports up to 3 microphones - not included). The Beatles graphics are teriffic with gameplay locations such as Cavern Club, Abbey Road and Shea Stadium! Wii The Beatles supports 2-6 player online multiplayer support as well as engrossing single player modes.
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For those of you who want to save some money Wii The Beatles: Rock Band is also available as Wii The Beatles Special Value Edition which comes with a a Rock Band Guitar, Rock Band Drum Kit, Microphone, Guitar Strap and "The Beatles: Rock Band" software (note these are the original Rock Band music accessories & don't have the added features of the Rock Band 2 accessories, but they are more affordable).
Or, if you want to save money, but use the Wii Rock Band 2 accessories with Wii The Beatles you can purchase Wii The Beatles: Rock Band (software only) & pair it with Wii Rock Band 2 Bundle (Guitar, Drums & Microphone - Game is NOT included).
If you or someone you love is a true Beatle fan you might want to go "all out" & get Wii The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle!
Wii The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle includes 'The Beatles: Rock Band' software for Wii, Höfner bass controller, The Beatles branded 'Rock Band' drums, microphone, microphone stand, & special content.
John Lennon's Rickenbacker 325 Guitar can be purchased separately (see below for picture & link to Amazon.com to purchase or for more info).
Paul McCartney's Höfner bass controller
(included with Wii The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle)
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Ringo Star's Drum Set
(included with Wii The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle)
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John Lennon's Rickenbacker 325 Guitar
Wii The Beatles: Rock Band Guitar
(Sold Separately)
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There are loads of other fun video games that you can purchase for the Wii console including the popular Wii Music video game (which allows you to pretend to play up to 60 different musical instruments - Wii Fit Balance Board compatible).
Imagine jamming on your "air guitar" only you are holding your Wii Remote and Wii Nunchuk and watching a video of your jam session.
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You can use your Wii Fit Balance Board (sold separatedly with the Wii Fit program) to pretend to play drums with your whole body (you use the Wii Fit Balance Board to work as virtual pedals for the bass drum and hi-hat cymbal).
Wii Music is a game that I think kids would really enjoy because it is more about feeling the music and you can let your imagination go wild.
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Another popular Wii game that kids absolutely love is Mario Kart Wii! It comes with one Wii Wheel which holds a Wii Remote (usually sold separately). It is a really cute racing game - you can race as your favorite character or even use your own Mii character. My husband & I were playing it just the other day & it was so much fun! The Wii Wheel made the motion of driving the race car more realistic (although you can play this game with just the Wii Remote).
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You can purchase additional Wii wheels so that you can play together with your friends.
If you want to play this with even more comfort you can buy the Wii Nerf Racing Wheel which has a thick layer of authentic Nerf foam surrounding the "steering wheel." The Wii Nerf Racing Wheel comes in an assortment of colors.
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Wii Fit Plus is the latest edition of the very popular Wii Fit fitness game. It is designed to be used with the Wii Balance Board. You can purchase Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (as a bundle of the Wii Fit Plus video game with the Wii Balance Board) or you can purchase just the Wii Fit video game (for those of you who already own Wii Fit).
The Wii Fit Balance Board can detect even subtle shifts in your balance & when using it with a Wii Fit Balance Board compatible game it gets your whole body involved in the activity & really adds to the experience.
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Click here for the complete list of Wii Balance Board compatible games available in the US.
Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is a popular Wii game & it includes the dance pad. You can purchase up to three more dance pads so that the kids can do head to head competitions.
There are a couple of versions out there - I own Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party, but a popular edition is Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 with Dance Mat. It includes an all new soundtrack with hits from the past 4 decades, all new DDR characters & cool new modes & features including "workout mode."
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The latest edition is Dance Dance Revolution 3: Hottest Party. If you purchase the bundle it includes DDR3 video game & DanceDanceRevolution dance pad floor controller for Wii. It has additional controller compatibility including: Wii Remote/nunchuck & Wii Balance Board (sold separately).
Dance Dance Revolution 3 is more "kid friendly" & includes the new Workout Mode, fun new Story Mode, Kids Modes with much simpler controls and Lesson Mode (DDR School). Game include 2-4 local multiplayer support in versus mode & has 60 song tracks on disc, including major original Latin tracks.
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My nephew got Guitar Hero World Tour for his birthday & he totally loves it! Guitar Hero World Tour uses the cutting-edge "Music Studio" to compose, record, edit & share music. Up to 8 players can get their groove on in "Battle of the Bands" mode.
The music from Guitar Hero World Tour includes tracks from some of the biggest Rock & Roll acts of all time, including Van Halen, Linkin Park, the Eagles, Sublime & more. Guitar Hero World Tour also offers more downloadable music than ever before!
If you or your kids enjoy Guitar Hero, but want to sing & play more pop tunes then you might want to check out the popular Band Hero featuring Taylor Swift.
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Customizing your Wii gaming system
As I stated earlier, the Wii console comes equiped with a Wii Remote, a wired Wii Nunchuk and the Wii Sports games. This allows for one player at a time to use the system.
But it is even more fun to play with your friends, kids, brothers, sisters, grandparents, cousins -- you name it! (In fact my dad who was over 80 years old got a real kick out of teaching my sisters and their kids how to box with the Wii Boxing game that is part of the Wii Sports game package that comes with the Wii console).
So you're gonna have to think about getting some more accessories for your Wii console... (And there are so many Wii games & Wii accessories in a variety of prices that make the Wii a great choice for birthday gifts or Christmas, Hanukkah or holiday gifts!)
Wii Remotes (AKA "Wiimotes") & Wii Motion Plus
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The first thing you'll probably think about is getting some more Wii Remotes (also known as "Wiimotes"). The system will work with up to 4 Wii Remotes (the Wii console already comes with 1 Wii Remote).
The Wii Remote comes with two AA batteries & the battery life is supposed to be excellent. But if you are like me and you want to be "green" & be kind to the environment and use rechargable batteries (while saving on the cost of batteries) they also sell another very useful Wii Accessory -- a Wii Charge Station (Nyko & Intec as well as other manufacturers make Wii Charge Stations that can charge 2 or 4 Wiimotes).
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I own the Wii Charge Station made by Nyko & I have found it to be very reliable and the best way of organizing my Wii accessories). The photo at the top of this page shows my home setup with one Wii Console & two Wii Charge Stations that we use to store and charge our 4 Wii Remotes. Each charge station can charge up to two Wii Remotes at the same time. And it includes twin rechargeable battery packs.
The latest & greatest Wii chargers are induction chargers such as the popular Wii Charge Base Induction Charger made by Nyko & the Wii Energizer Flat Panel 2x Induction Charger. You can recharge up to 2 Wiimotes at a time & leave on their Wii remote silicone sleeves & Wii Motion Plus accessories. The magnetic designs hold the Wii Remotes (& other accessories) in place.
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What is a Wii Nunchuk?
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A Wii Nunchuk is the controller that you use with your left hand (if you are right-handed). It is paired with a Wii Remote that you use with your right hand. With a wired Wii Nunchuk it attaches to the Wii Remote with a wire and the pair then resembles a "nunchuk" (an instrument is used in martial arts). If you are not familiar with the martial arts don't sweat it -- it is just how they named the device.
If you will be playing games that require the use of both hands (e.g. Boxing, Skiing, etc.) then you would need to use a Wii Nunchuk. For games such as bowling it is not necessary to use the Wii Nunchuk.
As I said earlier, the the Wii console comes with one Wii Remote & one wired Wii Nunchuk. But if you want to play multiplayer games you will need to buy additional Wii Remotes (& Wii Nunchuks to pair with each Wii Remote).
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Before you purchase additional Wii Nunchuks you may want to consider getting a wireless Wii Nunchuk or a Wii Wireless Nunchuk Kit. The Wii Wireless Nunchuk Kit is a Wii accessory that fits onto a wired Wii Nunchuk and converts it to be wireless.
The reason that I suggest the wireless Wii Nunchuk or a Wii Wireless Nunchuk Kit is because I found the wired Wii Nunchuk to be a bit inhibiting and actually painful at times. My husband and I love to play the We Ski game which is made by Namco. The We Ski video game requires a Wii Remote and a Wii Nunchuk in order to simulate pushing on ski poles during the game. When the Wii Remote and a Wii Nunchuk are held together with a wire the wire slaps against your legs and can hurt (& I heard other people make similar comments about using a wired Wii Nunchuk with Wii Cheer). That is why we chose to purchase wireless Wii Nunchuks.
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Another Wii Controller -- the "Wii Classic Controller"
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Nintendo makes yet another hand controller called the Wii Classic Controller. The Wii Classic Controller is made to be used with Nintendo's Virtual Console download service. With Nintendo's Virtual Console service, players can download from the internet some of their favorite NES, SNES, N64, NEOGEO, Sega Genesis & TurboGrafx 16 video game titles & enjoy happy memories playing clasic video games from Nintendo's video game archive using their Wii.
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What is Wii Speak?
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The Wii Speak hands-free microphone accessory lets friends in up to four locations around the world chat with one another at no extra cost. You can chat with anyone else who has a Wii conosole with a Wii Speak microphone accessory (using their broadband internet connections) through the Wii Speak Channel (you need their Friends Code just like with the Wi-Fi Connection games).
You can also leave audio messages or send photos (with voice messages or captions) to anyone who has been registered to your Wii Message Board (to their Wii address or an email address for a PC or cell phone).
When you use Wii Speak in a real time conversation, your Mii character appears on your TV screen & mimics your chat.
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Animal Crossing: City Folk uses the Wii Speak microphone (The Wii Speak microphone is usually sold separately, but it can be purchased in a bundle.) The Conduit (Wii) video game (when played in multiplayer mode) also uses the Wii Speak microphone.
Technical note: A compatible internet connection is required to use the Wii Speak Channel & the WiiConnect24 feature must be turned on. To download the Wii Speak Channel, visit the Wii Shop Channel & enter your Wii Download Ticket Number (this is included with your Wii Speak microphone accessory when you purchase it).
The Wii Speak microphone is required to use the Wii Speak Channel (Wii Speak Channel does not currently support any other microphones). And the Wii Speak Channel is a separate program that cannot operate at the same time as another program, such as a game. But games such as Animal Crossing: City Folk uses the Wii Speak microphone in a similar way to the Wii Speak Channel.
Wii Zapper & other recommended Gun Peripherals
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A Wii Zapper is a reasonably priced gun peripheral that joins together your Wii Remote & Wii Nunchuk (sold separately) for better accuracy & more realistic game play. The Wii Zapper can be purchased individually or bundled with Link's Crossbow Training which is a fun & highly rated game that helps train you how to use the Wii Zapper.
Please note that the Wii Zapper is designed to be used with a wired Wii Nunchuk, but my husband modified ours to work with our wireless Wii Nunchuk - He removed 5 screws & took off the gray clip that was interfering with the wireless Nunchuk transmitter & he put a paper spacer underneath the Wii Remote. He then put velcro straps on the Wii Remote & Wii Nunchuk. It only took him about 5 minutes to do the modifications, but he is good with this kind of stuff...
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My husband & I love using our Wii Zappers! We are addicted to Link's Crossbow Training which is modeled after the popular video game The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Links Crossbow Training has games for target practice & also shoot em up games where you are targetting aliens or skeletons. (However the multiplayer mode of Link's Crossbow Training is still one player at a time.)
We played James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace before we got the Wii Zapper (using the Wii Remote & Wii Nunchuk) & it was pretty good, but it was so much more fun to play with the Wii Zapper!
Other Wii games that use the Wii Zapper include Call of Duty: World at War, Ghost Squad & Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles.
Accessorize your Accessories - with Wii Skin Covers & Decals
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What's a Wii Skin? A Wii skin decal sticker is a scratch resistant protective shield made out of high-quality vinyl that simply peel off the skins with no sticky residue.
The Wii Console and most Wii accessories come in a plain white color. So a whole bunch of manufacturers and artists have come up with cool Wii Skins and Wii Decals to protect the Wii Accessories & to enhance their look.
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If you like the Wii skin cover for our Wii console it is the Apocalypse Blue Design.
When purchasing Wii Skins or Wii skin decal stickers they are usually sold in pairs (one to cover and protect one Wii Remote and one for the corresponding Wii Nunchuk). This not only looks great, but it serves the purpose of knowing which Wii Remote is paired with a particular Wii Nunchuk which is especially important when using a wireless Wii Nunchuk.
We chose the skin decal stickers (made from vinyl) over the silicone skin cases not only because we really liked the designs, but we felt that the Wii remotes would fit better into our Wii Charge Station. I did, however chose a silicone skin to cover our Wii Fit balance board (I chose the clear color, but they have a lot of color options out there from which you can chose).
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What are Wii Fit & Wii Fit Plus?
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I have been using Wii Fit for over a year and I love it! And I just bought the new & improved version called Wii Fit Plus. It is very popular in the US & abroad & for good reason. Not only can you get in shape using the system, but you can play some of the other games using the Wii Fit Balance Board that comes bundled with Wii Fit or Wii Fit Plus.
The Wii Fit Balance Board is a device that you stand on and it can detect shifts in your balance if you lean forward, backward, left or right.
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The Wii Balance Board detects these shifts very subtley & whatever game you are playing that is compatible with the Wii Fit Balance Board will react to your shift in your balance. As you learn to control your balance you can accomplish more goals in the game that you are playing.
There are lots of Wii games being created for use with the Wii balance board because it is such an awesome device! In fact, many people buy Wii Fit or Wii Fit Plus just so that they can use the Wii balance board to enhance their fitness & gaming experiences.
Click here for the complete list of Wii Fit Balance Board compatible games available for order or pre-order in the US.
What is it like to use Wii Fit or Wii Fit Plus? Well it takes gaming & exercise to a whole new level because your whole body can get into the activities because of the Wii Fit Balance Board! Wii Fit consists of a series of different kinds of exercise - Yoga, Strength Training, Aerobics, and Balance Games. Initially the program allows you to try short and more simple exercises and as you spend more time and accomplish goals more exercises become available.
The Wii Fit / Wii Fit Plus Balance Games truly feel like mini-games (not exercise!). For example they have slalom skiing, ski jumps, heading a soccer ball, etc. I enjoy the games and feel very motivated to use my Wii Fit since there are incentives built in. It is fun trying to beat your high score (or the high score of another family member). And the Wii Fit allows you to use your Mii character that you can create through the Wii system.
When you first step on the Wii Fit Balance Board you can chose to weigh yourself, determine your BMI (Body Mass Index) & measure your Fit Age. That part is fun, but I have found that depending upon how I score on a particular test that my Wii Fit Age can vary quite a bit.
What I like the most about the Wii Fit is that I am developing a better sense of rhythm, balance & coordination. I feel stronger & notice that I am getting more fit & I have better posture. I love that it is an interactive exercise system. It is fun getting into shape by playing "games." And that the system automatically tracks your progress & that is so important for motivation!
Wii Fit Plus Enhancements
Wii Fit Plus shows you how many calories burned which is a very nice addition & helps keeps you motivated!
Wii Fit Plus has the same set of balance games as Wii Fit (soccer, ski slalom, ski jump, table tilt, tightrope walk, balance bubble, penguin slide, snowboard slalom, & lotus focus). Wii Fit Plus has the same set of aerobics games as Wii Fit. But Wii Fit Plus has additional enhanced games.
Wii Fit Plus' enhanced games are under the "Training Plus" category. The entire list of "Training Plus" games Perfect 10, Island Cycling, Rhythm Kung Fu, Driving Range, Segway Circuit, Bird's-Eye Bull's-Eye, Snowball Fight, Obstacle Course, Tilt City, Rhythm Parade, Big Top Juggling, Skateboard Arena, Table Tilt Plus, Balance Bubble Plus, & Basic Run Plus.
One of many games that are compatible with the Wii Balance Board is We Ski & I think that it is cute, fun & challenging (the latest edition is called We Ski and Snowboard & it has AWESOME graphics!). You can use your Mii character (that you create through your Wii system) & as you tackle challenges the system will give you new virtual ski gear and accessories for your Mii to use in the We Ski game. And you can even go skiing in the daytime or at night (with virtual fireworks and all). Very cool!
We Ski can be used with or without the Wii Fit Balance Board and it is a heck of a lot of fun! (But please note that only one player can play We Ski at a time when using the Wii Fit Balance Board. Up to 4 players can play at once with We Ski by using the Wii Remote and Wii Nunchuk.) I got a good workout on it too, but it was so much fun that it did not feel like exercise.
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Wii Skate It skateboarding game is in high demand (my nephew loves this game!). There is also a snowboarding game called Shaun White: Snowboarding Roadtrip which is highly rated. My sister just got it for me last Christmas & I tell you -- it is quite a workout for your lower body with the Wii Fit balance board! It ain't for sissies...
My sister & her kids actually hung out with & watched Olympic snowboarder Shaun White win the Panasonic Open skateboard vert competition at the Dew Tour in Baltimore -- lucky kids! So my niece & nephews were pretty excited when they heard about Shaun White: Snowboarding Roadtrip & the latest sequel - Shaun White: Snowboarding World Stage...
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Top 10 list of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Wii Games (games can you play online with friends)
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection connects you to other players from across your living room to around the world. If you use the Friends Code you can play with specific people online or you can compete anonymously with others through the internet.
The following is the Top 10 list of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Wii games currently available (to order or pre-order) (last update: Feb 23, 2010):
Please note: The following Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Wii video games should be available to order or pre-order through Amazon.com (makes a great birthday or holiday/Christmas/Hanukkah gift!). Most are offerred at discounted prices through Amazon.com and are eligible for FREE Super Saving Shipping. If you click on the links below you go directly to Amazon.com for more information, reviews and to purchase.
1. Wii Endless Ocean Blue World (Rated E 10+)
2. Wii Excitebots: Trick Racing (Rated E for Everyone)
3. Wii Animal Crossing: City Folk (Rated E for Everyone)
4. Wii Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Rated T for Teen)
5. Wii Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing (Rated E for Everyone)
6. Wii Tatsunoko VS. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars (Rated E 10+)
7. Wii Guitar Hero Van Halen (Rated T for Teen)
8. Wii Resident Evil The Darkside Chronicles (Rated M for Mature)
9. Wii NARUTO Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 (Rated T for Teen)
10. Wii Call of Duty: Modern Warfares: Reflex Edition (Rated M for Mature)
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