Top 5 Nintendo Wii Gifts for Parties and Families

I was sucked into the world of Wii last year at friend's house. Every time she has a party, the Wii comes out and a great time is had by all! Since then, I've enjoyed playing a variety of Wii games with friends and family. Based on my experiences, here are my picks for the most family-friendly and party-friendly Wii games to give this Christmas.

Top 5 Nintendo Wii Gift #1: Rock Band and Beatles Rock Band

Rock Band is a great way for your family to get together and jam without having to learn any music. The basic kit comes with a guitar, drum kit, microphone, and the game itself. Everything is color-coded and you play the instrument based on the color bars that come on the screen. This is a popular game with kids and adults alike - my family will spend hours in the living room playing this game.

One of the hottest updates to this game in 2009 was the release of Beatles Rock Band, which showcases the legacy and various hits of the Fab Four. It's already a hit with all ages, as people can rock out to their favorite tunes by the legendary rock band. Graphics include life-like animation of all four band-members, and their costumes reflect the period of the song that you are rocking to. This is a lot of fun and by far my favorite of the Rock Band Series.

While Beatles Rock Band will work with the basic Rock Band kit, for a limited time you can by the complete Beatles Rock Band kit. The guitars, drums, and microphone are modeled after the actual instruments the band used. For its pure nostalgia value, this is a definite must-have Wii purchase for 2009.

Top 5 Nintendo Wii Gift #2: Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort

One of the most hyped releases in 2009 was Wii Sports Resort, the popular sequel to Wii Sports. Wii Sports Resort focuses on games or activities you would do on a resort vacation. The Nintendo website lists the following games available with this release: Archery, Frisbee®, Basketball, Cycling, Canoeing, Power Cruising, Table Tennis, Air Sports, Bowling, Swordplay, Golf and Wakeboarding.

Wii Sports Resort does not require additional purchases other than the regular Wii remote, however Nintendo does recommend the Wii Motion Plus accessory, which adds more precision to game play movement.

While we haven't played Wii Sports Resort yet, we have played the original Wii Sports at parties. It's fun and ideal for multi-players. Wii Sports Resort looks like it's a good sequel and is top on the wish list for an important person in my life. And yes, Santa will deliver it this Christmas.

Top 5 Nintendo Wii Gift #3: Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus

Wii Fit continues to be one of the hottest must-have items for Wii gamers. The original version includes a balance board and incorporates strength, balance, flexibility, and aerobic exercises. It also gives fitness tests and charts your progress as you burn calories and lost weight. The games are creative and challenging, and it can provide some healthy competition among family members to see who has the youngest Wii Fit age.

The only thing I don't like about the Wii Fit are the snarky comments the game makes when you get weighed or don't do well on a test. I know I'm out of shape, but I don't need a computerized voice asking me if I trip when I walk. After a while, it starts to annoy you and you want to beat that voice into submission by improving. So I guess it's doing its job.

2009 saw the release of Wii Fit Plus, which brings additional challenges and allows users to further customize their workout routine. If you are going to buy the Wii Fit, I recommend buying the protective skin accessory, which helps keep the balance board clean.

Top 5 Nintendo Wii Gift #4: Dance Dance Revolution

This is another party favorite and can accommodate up to four players depending on how many mats you have. My friends and I played this at a Christmas Eve party for hours. It's a great way to get your heart rate going and you save any cover charges you would incur at your local nightclubs. Cocktails are, of course, optional.

Dance Dance Revolution is also a family favorite because everyone can groove to the music. For the youngest music fans, Dance Dance Revolution Disney Grooves was released in early 2009. It features popular Disney songs and is rated E for Everyone.

To play Dance Dance Revolution you will need to buy at least one dance pad. There are generic kinds and ones made especially for Wii; both are available at major gaming retailers.

Top 5 Nintendo Wii Gift #5: NewSuper Mario Brothers

I was little stumped on what game to recommend for this spot so I spoke to the resident Wii expert currently living in my house: my boyfriend's teenage son.

He recommended the new version of New Super Mario Brothers, which is scheduled for release on November 15, 2009. In this updated version, classic and beloved characters are back in full swing. However, this is not your 1980s version. The Wii version will allow simultaneous game play for multiple players. Nintendo says, "Now players can navigate the side-scrolling worlds alone as before or invite up to three others to join them at the same time on the same level at any point in the game for competitive and cooperative multiplayer fun. With the multiplayer mode, the newest installment of the most popular video game franchise is designed to bring yet another type of family entertainment into living rooms and engage groups of friends in fast-paced Super Mario Bros. fun."

I was never a Super Mario Brothers fan (because I stink at the game), but it's a classic game that has been around for decades. This new version is sure to please both new and veteran Wii gamers.

Top 5 Nintendo Wii Gift Bonus Idea: the Wii itself

If you haven't tried Wii yet, and you're looking for the perfect gift the whole family can enjoy, I highly recommend the Wii. The basic unit comes with the Wii Sports games, which include bowling, tennis, golf, and basketball.

The Wii has become a huge part of entertainment for both my family and our friends. It's a great escape from life's stresses and allows us to spend time together without spending money outside our home.

Happy gaming, everyone!

Sources:

Nintendo.com, Games listed by "Biggest Buzz", http://www.nintendo.com/games/guide#qhardware=Wii

Nintendo, New Super Mario Brothers, http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/_7Xvq2MTPeDK5t1BD5VFvc4xWuAqZ0Dv