Wii question + Holiday Gift Vids

[heidi]

If you were getting three games for a brand new Wii that will be played by kids ranging from 3 to 9 (well, for now; they're getting older each day) what would you get?

---

I also want to make some holiday gifts in the form of vids, but much as I would love to make one for everyone on my flist, they just take too long. So I'll borrow (with a tweak) a concept from something chinawolf posted last year.

Everyone gets to suggest three songs that they think I have - or should have - in my iTunes collection (pretty much anything pop, acoustic or alt from 1980 onward) and choose any character or pairing from the fandoms listed below, or just say "ensemble".

I'll choose the ten that give me the best bunnies, and open it up to a vote next week. The three that win that vote will be the ones I seek to finish by December 31.

Fandoms include: Star Wars (Eps 4, 5, 6), Buffy, Doctor Who (New Series), Torchwood, Chuck, Tomorrow People, Heroes, Supernatural (including preseries for both because I now have enough GG and DA dvds), Harry Potter films, Studio 60, West Wing and Disney (Princess-stuff and Pixar only).

So, what should I do?

---

Gathered from around the flist this morning - things you can do that are In The Holiday Spirit:
Send Pencils to Media Company Moguls in support of the Writers' Strike

Donate to Children in Need or if the form doesn't work, Paypal to paypalpudsey@bbc.co.uk .

Download this small text file to help Erin reach five million downloads so she can qualify for a monetary payout of MegaUploads Rewards program to help her pay for medical treatment.

Comments

[schmoo999.livejournal.com]

What do your kids like? My 6 year old daughter loves this driving game we have for our Wii that has a steering wheel. (You put the controller in it and drive.)

Also we are going to get the new Super Mario Bros. Galaxy which looks cool and my kids also like the Rayman Rabid Rabbits and number 2 is out for the Wii...

oh and my 4 year old wants this cooking game. It looks interesting and something that she could do:)

[genealogygirl.livejournal.com]

We just bought a wii for Christmas for the kids. I think the bundled sports package will keep Harry happy for awhile, but Hannah Montana, High School Musical and Pet Dogz have been bought by various people for Elizabeth.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I've been eyeing the High School Musical one, in part because I think Harry wants to be Zac Efron. What's it like - it's a singing game? Is it basically karaoke?

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

I love your icon!

What's the cooking game? Sounds like something Cate might try to try (with help).

[schmoo999.livejournal.com]

Oh thank you! I am a bit of a Hello!Kitty nut..lol.

anyway here is the Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Majesco-Cooking-Mama-Cook-Off/dp/B000KUHR8S

[isilya]

WiiPlay comes free/bundled with the second Wiimote. WiiSports (also bundled) is also really really good -- it's fun to watch as well.

The Order of the Phoenix is an interesting one -- it doesn't require a lot of dexterity, and you/they might be interested in the sandbox elements. You really get to run around Hogwarts and the feeling of being inside Harry Potter is amazing. They got Dan Rad and some of the other actors for the voice acting, which really adds to the feeling of being inside the movie. However, the game involves an incredible amount of just running around Hogwarts, which is a pretty large area -- up and down the clock towers, down to Hagrid's hut and the thestral breeding grounds, waiting for moving staircases, etc. But it's a good game for kids, it's non-violent, and you can't die. Nor can you fail, if I recall correctly -- you just get opportunities to try again.

Rayman Raving Rabbits I would probably say is a bit hard for younger kids, though who knows -- it challenges me, but younger kids often are better at video games than their elders!

My nephews (six and eight) love the Lego Star Wars franchise, and the game was just released for the Wii.

MySims is a fun, cute game, again with no death or failure situations.

I wouldn't recommend Zelda for now-- the controls are pretty difficult and death and violence are pretty graphic.

What I would recommend is picking up some of the classic controllers (there are two different kinds -- for the Super NES and for the N64) and downloading some of the older, classic games to the console: Donkey Kong Country is a great one, originally released for the Super NES (the sequels are good too). Super Mario 64 is another really great classic game, but of course the classic of all time is Mario Kart 64 (N64). I guarantee your kids will ALL enjoy Mario Kart 64!

The Wii Virtual Console lets you play so many games -- here is the list of games available. They cost, I think, between $5 and $15 dollars each.

[photosinensis.livejournal.com]

Well. There are a lot of awesome games on the Wii, most of them by Nintendo themselves.

Super Paper Mario is totally kid-appropriate, though most of the self-referential humor will be lost on anyone under 21 (or those who weren't exposed to video games until they played Final Fantasy VII on the PlayStation/Halo on the Xbox). Don't worry, the jokes themselves are safe, but mostly deal with the older games in the Mario franchise that younger kids might not have played (though they're all available on the Virtual Console now, so there's really no excuse).

I'm told that Super Mario Galaxy is also a fun, family-friendly game. I've not yet had a chance to play it myself, as I've been busy with school work (and Metroid Prime: Corruption, which is most definitely not kid safe).

Wii Play is a collection of minigames with a similar philosophy to Wii Sports, and is also a worthy contender for any age. As another plus, it comes with another controller (though not a nunchuck). It's great for those with short attention spans and/or a few spare minutes.

I've heard a lot of good about Cooking Mama, as well. Puzzle games, however, are generally not my cup of tea (I prefer longer, more detailed games), unless they involve falling blocks that have to be sorted into lines or something like that.

However, as I've said many times before, the true magic on the Wii is not in the new games, though there are certainly gems amongst those, but on the Virtual Console. Get the kids a few thousand Wii Points (6000 is about equal to a new game these days), and they can have a blast with the truly awesome games from bygone eras. Who knows, after a few hours with Super Mario Bros. and the sequels, they'll more completely enjoy Super Paper Mario. Also, they can have fun with the original open-ended adventure game, The Legend of Zelda. I just played through it again the other day, and no, it hasn't lost its magic.

There's also the entire collection of GameCube games that are entirely playable on the Wii, though a GameCube controller (these can be had for about $15-20) is necessary. Again, my preferences there will fall along the old school Nintendo lines (possibly too much love given to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, which is kid-friendly), but there are a host more kid-friendly suggestions there in the bargain bin at your local game retailer.

[genealogygirl.livejournal.com]

From the looks of it, it appears to be basically karaoke, yeah.

[gmth.livejournal.com]

You've got a lot of good recs for games already so I won't repeat them, but one other fun game that's pretty kid-friendly is Elebits.

[tyniere.livejournal.com]

When we're home from town later, I'm gonna add that file to help Erin to my flist and hopefully some others will post it around too.

As for games, we don't have a Wii so I can't help there, sorry. PS2 would be another story ;)


As for songs...there's one heavily angsty one I like to pimp out to everyone every chance I get, and that is 'When We Recovered' by Toad the Wet Sprokect. It could fit for Heroes, Supernatural, or...well anything really. So angsty. If you'd like, I can upload the file and link it for you if you don't already have it, or can't find it.

[ex-greythist387.livejournal.com]

Super MonkeyBall: Banana Blitz, which is a bit like Marble Madness. (Might be hard for a younger child to manipulate successfully.) Maybe Super Mario Galaxy, which has a cooperative mode.

Virtual console games are a good idea (upthread)--the old Super Mario Bros., Pacman, etc.

I think Rayman's Raving Rabbids might be a bit violent, even as cartoon violence, for someone Cate's age, though a nine-year-old should be fine. It has different submodules, and one involves shooting the rabbits as they pop up....

[phoenixsong]

We got Rayman's Raving Rabbids, and weren't very impressed with it -- we got stuck on one or two of the games on the very first round, and after a day of fighting with the controller it didn't seem worth keeping. We have no plans to get RRR2 at this point.

Wii Play with the second Wiimote, and Wii Sports, I think are both pretty good. lite isn't as impressed with them.

lite is highly recommending Super Mario Party 8, which I would not argue with. It's good for kids and adults, and it changes a bit each time you play.

Elebits would be good for kids, though I'd be hesitant about replay value depending on whether they'd be more focused on the storyline or just zapping the Elebits.

HP:OotP would probably be very good for Harry. It's single player, but it mimics the movie fairly well and visuals are pretty neat. The question would be if he's got the attention span to finish the whole game, since it is very storyline driven, and there are points where you can't proceed unless you complete specific tasks. On the other hand, as someone else pointed out, you can't really "lose" either.

Don't get Zelda: Twilight Princess, unless Harry or Jon really gets into the adventure/task-oriented aspects of OotP.

We also have MySims and Sims 2: Castaway. lite says the same rule would apply to these as to Zelda. MySims could be good for hand/eye coordination, as it mostly involves building and painting houses and furniture to complete specific tasks. I would almost say either Sim game over Zelda, actually, especially with respect to violence. Depending on her coordination, I think Cate might even get into MySims if she likes dollhouses, but it might be a bit old for her just yet.

If they have any rock star aspirations, certainly look into Guitar Hero 3. s:)

[themorningstarr.livejournal.com]

I second these three suggestions. Big Brain Academy is also great, although it'll probably be above Cate's level. But this is a game that even the adults love.

But Mario Party 8 and Wario Ware Smooth Moves are great. They're fun and even my little cousin has played them. The Console comes with Wii Sports, which is still a favorite 'round here.

[wendywoowho.livejournal.com]

"Famous Blue Raincoat"
Mickey in Doctor Who

(because I haven't learned to vid m'self yet, and this SO needs to be made)

[genealogygirl.livejournal.com]

What's the name of this driving game -- do you recall? Thanks! Sounds like something my kids would enjoy.

[schmoo999.livejournal.com]

It is called GT Pro Series. Not real hard, rated E:) Perfect for younger kids.

[genealogygirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!! :)

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

What's the Rabbits game like? I saw it in the store but wasn't sure, for 44$, what it was all about.

And the virtual console looks *brilliant*, wheee.

[isilya]

Rabbits (Rabbids?) is basically a bunch of mini-games -- you're a kind of gladiator character and each level is an arena with either 4 or 6 mini games to pass, I can't remember. Some of the types of mini games are repeated in each level, such as a dancing to a beat. Other ones are first person shooters but with carrot juice, trying to jump rope in time, slamming doors to shut the Rabbids inside their toilets stalls. No mini game is longer than five minutes, if you pass it.

[cedarlibrarian.livejournal.com]

Look I has internet now!!!

Songs for vids:

"Gallows Pole" by Led Zeppelin: here, lyrics here

"In Memory" by Shinedown: here, lyrics here

"Show Me How to Live" by Audioslave: here, lyrics here

They're all angsty. Bet you're surprised. Was there a different one I was supposed to send?

[trinity_clare]

If I knew how to vid, I'd make an actual vid to "White Rabbit".

[deirdre-c.livejournal.com]

How about a Sam/Dean crack vid to "Ain't No Other Man" by Christina Aguilera. \o/

(I'd do it myself, but I've got other stuff I want to work on first and I'm IMPATIENT!! *g* Tell me if you want me to upload the song.)

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Here are some from my imaginary vid playlist:
SPN (almost all would require music editing to make anyone but me happy):
Snow Patrol, Make This Go On Forever (Dean's deal)
Low, Murderer (just a few reasons to be angry at G-d)
Bright Eyes, No One Would Riot for Less (see above)
The Servant, Orchestra (evil Sam!)

Torchwood:
Tunng, The Pioneers (a sense of purpose and a disregard: all the terrible choices they made)

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

Matthew recommends Warioware for the Wii -- it's pretty simple, the humor is geared towards kids, and it's multiplayer. :)

[gwendolyngrace.livejournal.com]

Okay.... here's what I want, and once the Christmas SPN episode airs I bet we'll have enough footage for it: a Mary & Dean vid to "Godspeed" by the Dixie Chicks.

I'm also told that "I Don't Need Anything But You" would make for good crack. Sylar / Mohinder, maybe? or M3?

[sabaceanbabe.livejournal.com]

So how about a crossover vid between Heroes and the Tomorrow People to Lifehouse's Sick Cycle Carousel? I'm more than happy to provide the song, if you don't have it... :)

I'll edit this as I come up with more suggestions. [insert evil laughter here]

ETA: Or you could do a Sylar/Maya dark, sinister, and ironic vid Santana's (with Chad Kroeger) Into the Night. Again, more than happy to provide the tune.

Songs for Chuck!

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

The Kaiser Chiefs 'Oh My God' // U2 'Fast Cars' // Teddybears f/ Mad Cobra 'Cobrastyle' // Prince 'I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man' // Stars 'Take Me to the Riot' // Oasis 'The Importance of Being Idle' // JET 'Get Me Outta Here' // Green Day 'Basket Case' // Ben Folds 'The Secret Life of Morgan Davis'

All here.

[lore]

I think you must use a Finn song of some sort for one, period. *nods solemnly*

"She will have her way" has been in my mind today, and I see you have Buffy listed, as well as Heroes and Disney....

Yes, yes, Finn please. :D

love, lore

[mattador.livejournal.com]

Sadly all my vid ideas involve anime fandoms. That said, I still really think that "Invincible" by OK GO would make one of teh best vids anywhere, when set to pretty much anything. But especially FLCL.

[momebie.livejournal.com]

Vids! I tried not to make them all angst fests. :p

Doctor Who - Evil by Interpol. Doctor/Jack? Or ensemble.

Torchwood - Rootless Tree by Damien Rice. Owen/Gwen, with maybe some Diane.

HP - We are the Boys by Pulp. Ensemble. :)

ETA - If you want the tracks I have them, I'd just have to do it when I got in from work. :)