What Type of Nintendo Wii Player Are You?

The Nintendo Wii has given video game lovers that aren't of the hardcore variety a chance to get back into the game playing universe. So many remember the days of old when controllers only had two buttons and a D-pad making things very simple and easy to understand. Even then though, there were complications because some people are just not true gamers. Not that you have to be one to fully appreciate or enjoy video games considering that millions find that world a quick escape and just something to help them relax. The problem is that things have gotten overly complicated taking the fun out of it all for the casual gamer. Nintendo's Wii has brought back simpler times and allows everyone to be a "gamer."

To the average person that doesn't play a lot of video games, the Nintendo Wii looks far too advanced and nowhere near anything they can play or even comprehend. Combined with the nunchuk in hand, the Wii Remote (or Wiimote) has a combined total of nine buttons. Throw that in front of someone like my parents or even my sisters and they're going to look at me like I'm nuts. But the wonderful thing about the Wii is that it brings back the days of old school play on the Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo, and even the original 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Downloading a few games on the cheap will allow you to play your favorites like Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong without having to worry about the complications of newly advanced games and tons of buttons.

All you have to do is turn the Wiimote sideways and TA-DA, you have the original NEW controller that is simple, easy, and brings back tons of memories. Now everyone can play the Wii with its simplicity of movement or with its time traveling back into the nostalgic time period of the eighties.

Now I'm a gamer. Not one of the hardcore online gamers, but I do know how to play all the new technologies and games that require you to use control pads, knobs, eight or 9 buttons, and movement just to have your characters swipe a knife or jump over a cavern. The thing about the Wii's trip back in time is that it reminds me of when I would play games with non-gaming friends or my sisters or parents or cousins that just liked to get in there every once in a while and have fun. Playing some of those old NES games reminded me that there are more classifications in the gamer ladder then just "hardcore" or "casual." With that, try and see which category you fit in when playing some of your favorite video games.

~ Hardcore Gamer - These are the guys and girls that know anything and everything there is to know about video games and how to play them. Participating in tournaments and staying up for two or three day game-a-thons online are nothing new to them because sleep is for the weak. It doesn't matter whether it is on the Nintendo Wii, XBOX 360, Playstation 3, computer, or anything else because they will undoubtedly know what to do.

~ Casual Gamer - Falling into this category is a lot of people in society today. You usually find yourself keeping up with game releases and such, but not in a big way. Sitting by your television isn't all three gaming systems, but just one that you prefer. Every couple days you may throw a game in and play for an hour or two, but other then that, the system collects a bit of dust in between any action. Oh don't get me wrong, you like playing all types of games and it's a lot of fun to you, but it's nothing more then the occasional hobby.

~ Button Masher - These types of game players like to play anything and everything, but they will never take the time to learn how or just can't figure out how to remember how to play any games. Every time a controller finds its way into their hands and the start screen goes away, they start smashing the heck out of the buttons with no rhyme or reason behind it. Buttons are hit over and over again while the control sticks or D-pads are just spun and flicked at random. When all is said and done, their fingers will be all red, sore, and have indentations in them but they sure had fun.

Those they are playing with will often times turn the volume up louder because they can't even hear the action going on thanks to the constant "click-click-click-click" of the buttons being hit at warp speed. It's quite amusing and often times laugh out loud funny to notice that they're simply doing nothing that requires any thought yet they're enjoying the hell out of themselves. The problem is that these are the types of players that often end up doing better then everyone else in the room and no-one can ever really comprehend why.

~ The Complainer - Ever get those people over for a fun night of playing video games and they think they're better then everyone else in the room? Those people usually fall into this category because chances are their skills aren't all they think. Sure they understand the concept of most games and know how to play and can even do pretty good at times, but when things aren't going their way, it's not their fault. Never are they to blame for losing a life or missing a note or whiffing on a nicely thrown fast ball. They'll start to look at their hands and everyone around the room before saying something like, "What's wrong with your controller?" The blame falls solely on defective equipment because they just know that they're "doing things right and hitting the button." Having one of or two of these types of game-players around can be fun at times, but it gets old really fast.

~ The Talker - Kind of like the complainer, but they don't necessarily put blame on controllers or any kind of equipment. Half the time they won't even really put forth the effort to play because they know that all their skill is running their mouths. They'll talk trash and let you know what you're doing wrong and even try to give you tips, but that's close to it. Funny this is that when their tips don't work, they'll insist that you're doing it wrong or just don't know how to do it right. If the time comes and they do finally pick up a controller, chances are they'll lose or do poorly. At that point they'll use some excuse like "this isn't really my game" or "I didn't really feel like playing today anyway." Laugh it off and let them think what they want. Trust me, its easier then getting into an argument with them.

~ The Mover - Most of the time this refers to the overly casual gamer or more so your parents, aunts, uncles, and the like. Put a controller in their hands (preferably the NES or Wiimote turned sideways) and watch them go to work on something like Super Mario Bros. because it works best for them. Also do yourself a favor and back up or maybe sit a seat or two over because you don't want to get hurt.

This group will think that lifting the controller into the air as they hit the button to jump will help or is necessary. Running from the left to the right takes more then a direction pressed and a button pushed in because that controller is going to make its way across their body. You can spot these players from across the room because of their wild movements and also by the wide-open mouth that usually stems from too much concentration. They're trying really hard, but it's just not in the cards for them to be even average game players. Take your time though and find these people because they are a lot of fun to play with.

Gaming has come a long way since the early days of the Atari and even before, but gamers are always going to stay consistent. You're bound to fall into this list somewhere as is everyone you know. Technology will continue to advance and the games will always get more in-depth, better graphics, and overly complicated. But the best thing is that no matter how much the video gaming world changes, the gamers themselves never will.