What do I need to start Gaming programs with the Wii?

[Jess]

I've been looking around online for the Wii and accessories, but it's beginning to confuse me. I want to purchase a Wii and want to play with 4 players at a time. Here are some things that are confusing me:

Do I need 4 remotes and 4 nunchucks? Or can nunchucks act as remotes?

Which games are best and/or more popular and appropriate for library? I'm thinking DDR, Guitar Hero, and MarioKart, on top of the Wii Sports and Wii Play games.

Where can I get the best price?

If anyone has any info, let me know! Thanks!

Jess

[Merry Uk]

Hi Jess,
I'm no expert on the Wii, so I think some others can help you better. You'll need 4 remotes at the very minimum, and it depends on the types of games you'll have if you need nunchucks. For example, you'll need nunchucks to play Super Mario Galaxy or Super Smash Bros Brawl (this I highly recommend, it's a great draw for teen boys). For some of the Wii Sports games and I think some of the Wii Play games, you'll need chucks for those too. Nunchucks cannot function on their own, they need to be attached to a remote.
For MarioKart, you'll probably need to purchase extra wheels for driving, though that's a matter of personal preference. Some people drive better without the wheel (just using the remote) and others do better with the wheel, and then there are others that drive a motorcycle better on the wheel but worse in a car, etc. And then DDR and Guitar Hero (is GH even out for the wii?), you'll need all the extra peripherals for those games too.
As for best price - I'm not sure how it is in your area, but the more appropriate question here is "where can I actually get one?" - it's still sold out and impossible to get around here in CT. Our teen librarian has apparently placed an order through Baker and Taylor for the Wii and all the accessories, but they're out of stock and we have no idea when we'll get them in. My suggestion to you would be to check out all your local stores to see if they even have one in stock. Prices are, for the most part, stable, $249.99 I think for the basic wii system, and your typical $50-60ish for each game...
Hope this helps some. :)

[Jess]

I was thinking of purchasing the Wii from eBay because it is so difficult to find them elsewhere.

After looking at the prices of games, I thought about getting the Wii that comes with Wii Sports and Wii Play, which includes 2 remotes and 2 chucks. Then, I'll purchase 2 extra remotes and chucks, along with MarioKart, which comes with 1 wheel, and will purchase 3 extras.

Do any of the Wii Sports or Wii Play games require nunchucks?

[Merry Uk]

My only issue with eBay is that you could get charged an arm and a leg extra - but it depends on how patient you're willing to be in finding a Wii in a regular retail store...

Only boxing on Wii Sports requires the nunchuck; the other games do not. Wii Play doesn't require nunchuck usage either.

[Jess]

So boxing is just a 2 person game, only needing the 2 nunchucks? Most of them are games where you take a turn, like bowling and the home run one. Tennis can take 4, and I'm guessing some on the Wii Play take four as well?

I've been scouting eBay for a while and I'm pretty sure I can get what I want. I just don't have time to scout the local shops for when they get one in stock. You know?

[Kymberley]

If you buy a Wii System, the standard one comes with the Wii Sports game, a remote/wii-mote and a nunchuk. You will need to purchase 3 more wii-motes and 3 more nunchuks.

However, if you buy the Wii Play game (four player, it comes with another wii-mote (but not a nunchuk, they're not needed for Wii Play games,) it saves you a bit of money there.

If you buy Mario Kart, it comes with the wheel, and everyone else can play with Wii-motes, so you'll automatically have enough for two people to play from the start if you haven't yet purchased the extras, and up to 4 people can play that, too.

The best Wii video game buy, IMHO, for a library, is Wario Ware Smooth Moves. Up to 12 people can play in one of the multi-player modes and you only need one controller for all of the games, and, if memory serves, you only need the nunchuk for the two-player bungee buddy mode, otherwise the nunchuk is not needed.

I'm probably just confusing you by now, but it all makes sense in my head ;)