My New Form of Exercise
Ladies and gentlemen, please meet the new exercise craze in my house:
My daughter’s birthday was back in January, but due to the fact that I’m horribly disorganized and Nintendo is keeping demand alive by not making enough game systems, our Wii just arrived a few days ago. I’ll have you know that this technologically challenged woman put the thing together all by my lonesome and has, officially, been named Best Mom in the World…yet again. 
I justified this purchase based on several factors.
1. Our first game system, a Playstation 2, was bought while my child was but a babe and was more for her father than for her. She never played it until two years ago when we got her the Cars game. She played for a week, then never again. He, by the way, never plays it. It’s a fabulous dust collector (as if my house needs one more of those.)
2. Two Christmases ago, we bought the XBox 360…once again with little forethought and if anyone has an XBox 360, you know that most of the games for this system are aimed at teenage boys, not adolescent girls. She plays ONE game (Star Wars Legos) which is available on other systems. An unwise purchase, but while we got our money’s worth, it was not the best choice for my child.
3. The Wii is cool.
Because I wasn’t willing to camp out in front of Target every Tuesday morning in December to try and win the chance to spend a few hundred bucks on one of the six systems they’d receive from their evil supplier every week before Christmas, I had a chance to see this game in action before I shelled out my own hard-earned cash. My brother has one. Not his kids–he has four (kids, not Wiis)–my brother owns the Wii. He’s a video game junkie and actually looks pretty cool playing Guitar Hero, if I do say so myself. The system impressed me for the sheer physicality of it. I know some games do not require movement, but the ones I’ve seen do.
And I need SOME exercise, right?
I only bought one game–Mario & Sonic at the Olympics. Movement city, people. I just ran a relay race and boy are my arms tired. That’s not a joke waiting for a rim-shot, ladies…my arms are tired!
So this game will make me get a little blood pumping in my life, which is a good thing, yes?
I used to love video games…keeping in mind that I was a kid who owned the very first Atari version of Pong. During my high school years, I distinctly remember going to a place that was a grown-up kid version of Chuck E. Cheese–I think it was called Showtime or Showplace or something? Anyone remember? It was a chain. Anyway, we’d spend entire Friday nights feeding tokens into Frogger and Pac Man and my favorite, Asteroids, eating bad pizza and having a blast.
Before that, it was pinball. I love pinball. I’m still fairly good at pinball. Not as good as I used to be, but pretty good once I’ve got my mojo going.
I rock at Air Hockey.
We talked about board games recently and I tended toward the games that require knowledge. For video games, it’s all about the skill, memory and I believe, physical memory–being able to hit that button when a certain color flashes without having to even register that the color flashed. I have half-way decent hand-eye coordination…or at least, I did…so I always loved those games.
I think the Wii will get much use.
So what video games do you like? Old school or new school? Have you tried the Wii? BTW, if you’ve never played Star Wars Legos…you really should. If for no other reason than to see how Princess Leia puts her hand on her hip when she’s impatient or the way the Gomorrean guards rock out with their battle-axes. Just look at Han Solo giving me a wink. Me thinks the designers had a lot of fun creating that game.
BTW, for all of you who think you’re too old for the Wii, read this.
As for the kitchen…we’re still on schedule. I’ll have some great pictures to post on Friday. Right now everything is covered in Visqueen in preparation for the ceiling being painted sometime today!
MISS PACMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Although I do remember the days of Atari … and the little ball between the two bars on either side of the screen!
Comment by Carly — February 13, 2008 @ 7:02 am
Julie, our family got a Wii recently, and although I’m not typically much for video games (I’m quite terrible at traditional ones, quite honestly), the Wii IS totally fun! Our family loves it, and we do play it often together. The kids have been inspired to try real sports from playing the Wii versions (we’ve now gone real bowling and real mini-golfing). I don’t think that they can do this with their other favorites (Mario Super Galaxy and Lego Star Wars), but it’s a blast anyway!
Can’t wait to see photos of the work happening at your place!!
Comment by Fedora — February 13, 2008 @ 8:48 am
My son has Playstation 2 with Guitar Hero and I love it. I play with him occassionally but that’s the only game he has that I have any interest in playing with him.
Your post took me back. I’m the same age as you, so I was eating bad pizza and playing the same games. But the one that was my favorite was Mach III. It was, obviously, a fighter jet that had to fire bombs and shoot, while being shot at. I watched my friends play it for hours before I played it. By that time I had all the patterns memorized (the bombs and everything came from the exact same spot each time) so the first time I sat down to play I kicked butt! I got farther than any of them did because I didn’t even get blown up until I got to the end point they’d been playing.
I’ve looked around for it a couple of times but nobody has remade a version of it that I wanted to try and play.
Glad you’re enjoying the Wii!!!
Comment by Jodie — February 13, 2008 @ 8:54 am
Back in the day I was a Centipede aficionado — love, love, loved that game. Am still pretty good at it.
For board games, Settlors is my game of choice, although have to have a few people to play. It’s a world building game much like Risk, except better because 1) near the end of the game there are usually a few people who are close to winning and you’re never sure who may win until it is over; 2) it involves negotiating with the other players and can become quite boisterous.
And if you ever get a chance to see the South Park episode that spoofs Guitar Hero it is hi-larious!!
Comment by Kelly R. — February 13, 2008 @ 9:24 am
The Wii does look fun.
I could kick some serious butt in Space Invaders. Used to play it until my hands were numb. And I owned pong too.
I also play a great name of Monopoly and Scrabble.
Comment by Jaci Burton — February 13, 2008 @ 9:45 am
I could play Pacman for hours on the Atari. I finally would have to hand off the controls because my hand would be in such pain. My mom could play even longer than me. I don’t have a Wii, but I love my gameboy ds.
Comment by Liza — February 13, 2008 @ 10:11 am
I have been lobbying hubby for a Wii for a long time. I am not a video game person, but my oldest boy (8 years old) loves computer games and is super good at them (this might get him some exercise and off of You Tube…hubby decided to show him You Tube the other day…..much to my dismay). My 5 year old is lobbying for an xbox, but he could do Star Wars legos on the Wii.
Okay, those icons came from my 5 year old.
Comment by katie — February 13, 2008 @ 10:15 am
I love old school Atari. They re-released a special edition a few years ago, and even though I wanted one, no one took the hint. I love pong and centipede.
I would love a Wii. Daughter has an xbox 360, which she plays a lot. Doesn’t care if the games are boy or girl, although Star Wars is one of her faves along with all the Tony Hawke ones.
I want guitar hero. I want to be Slash. Ok, I want Slash. My inner teenager refuses to grow up.
Comment by ev — February 13, 2008 @ 10:36 am
I loved Atari. My younger brother got it when we were young and we loved it! My daughter wants the Wii. I think I would love it too. Sounds like it’s good exercise.
Can’t wait to see your kitchen pictures.
Comment by Michelle J. in NJ — February 13, 2008 @ 10:39 am
I loved Pong! We got one when they first came out and were all just fascinated…lolol!
Ms Pac Man and Donkey Kong, Asteroids and Frogger were my favorite “video arcade” games. That and I always loved Skee ball. There’s this really cool store near my house that sells stuff just for your home game room and they have a ton of those games & pinball machines & full size skee ball ones. Maybe someday…
We did get a Wii for Christmas and I really enjoyed it. Haven’t tried it enough, tho. But my kids also have PS2 — love Singstar and I was really good at Guitar Hero the one time I tried it, but my hand and wrist got tired really quickly.
My favorite actually is the old Super Nintendo, the original Mario game. We played that thing for HOURS and eventually got it all the way opened up, all the secret levels, etc. Just fun for the whole family.
Then there was Mario Kart. Bruce and I used to play Mario Kart. You there Bruce? (wink wink)
Comment by Leslie — February 13, 2008 @ 10:43 am
Good morning Plotmonkeys and Jungle Babes,
I have never been into video games. I’ve tried playing them before and got bored inside of 5 minutes and just felt like I was wasting a huge amount of time. It just isn’t my thing. Personally, I don’t understand the fascination but I know that it is a HUGE money maker for a lot of companies especially the really violent games. We got a Nintendo for our daughter a few years back and she played it maybe twice. My husband isn’t in to them either. However, his brother and nephew back in NJ are video game fanatics! They love them.
Have a super Wednesday everyone,
Cher
Comment by Cher — February 13, 2008 @ 10:43 am
Julie! I loved Pong! I was the Pong champ! Loved Pacman and Frogger too. And Air Hockey? Forget it. I have to say I rocked too. Still do. You up for a game?
I’m embarassed to say we have all three game systems in my house: PS2, XBox and Wii. I don’t play them much. Love Singstar! Stink at Guitar Hero. But did get a workout like you playing tennis and baseball on the Wii. And it was more fun than I thought it would be.
Comment by Robin — February 13, 2008 @ 11:06 am
My daughters have had their Wii for a little over a year now.
It took three months of going to the store when the trucks came to get our hands on one.
They love it.
Right now I am waiting for a new sensor bar to come in for the Wii. The one time my daughter vaccums the den she eats up the cord to the sensor bar. Thank goodness it only cost $15 to fix (that includes the shipping)
Comment by Gigi — February 13, 2008 @ 11:13 am
Ooooooooo we got a Wii the first christmas they came out. OMG I LOVE IT. Sadly I have to fight my son and his friends for it. This year we finally got an Xbox (color me a teenaged boy I LOVE shooting stuff) and while I love it too the graphics are so good they make me nauseous.
Comment by Amie Stuart — February 13, 2008 @ 11:35 am
Oooooooo and if you get a Wii points card you can download some of the classic Nintendo games to your Wii!!!! I Hart me some Donkey Kong.
Comment by Amie Stuart — February 13, 2008 @ 11:36 am
BTW, just so you guys don’t think I’m a total stick, I do love to play computer games like Free Cell and Spider Solitaire. :-)
Cher
Comment by Cher — February 13, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
I loved Pac Man, Centipede and Donkey Kong! Fun stuff!
Comment by Janelle — February 13, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
I’m here sweetheart and oh I do LOVE Mario Kart. See, everybody says I don’t like to play games. I took that game very seriously. There was a lot at stake during those heated competitions.
Comment by Bruce — February 13, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
I love Air Hockey too. My nieces couldn’t understand why I would beat them when we played. I had to let them know it had been around a long time and I played it at every arcade I’ve ever gone to. Dave & Buster’s has the best games and the one in Nashville always has at least 1 open air hockey table.
Comment by Liza — February 13, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
Have fun with the Wii Julie! Congrats on getting it all hooked up by yourself! I know that feeling when you’ve done it with no help!! Love it!
For myself video games just don’t do it for me! I’ve played a couple of times with a grandkid & of course they beat me big time!! I don’t care!! I’m inept with it!!! 
I do remember that my brother bought my family Pong, the girls were delighted & I did play a little bit but it just isn’t my thing. I’d much rather read. I don’t play games on the computer either!! That said, I did learn to use a mouse by playing Solitare on the computer & I had a program that helped you learn to use a mouse!! I got to do that at work & some of the comments I got from co-workers were so funny cause I could do it on company time!! Lucky me!!
Have a great day everyone. Hi Bruce!
Comment by Donna M — February 13, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
You are never too old for the Wii. We’ve been playing it in this house for over a year now, still addicted.
Comment by Jill S. — February 13, 2008 @ 1:37 pm
I was never good at video games, or at least I didn’t work hard at them. Hand-eye coordination is not my thing but I’d like to try a Wii. It looks like a lot of fun.
Comment by Patricia W — February 13, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
My brother used to have those old game consoles. He had a Colleco Vision. I remember all those games mentioned like Frogger and Donkey Kong. Does anybody remember Pole Position?
Comment by Jane — February 13, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
Oh Leslie, you reminded me of our Nintendo Mario Pinball days!
Son’s game system was hooked up in our bedroom so he could play it and not disturb the whole house (we had 2 other room-mates at the time). Hubby and I got addicted to playing that stupid game before we’d go to bed and we’d be up until 12:00, 1:00 am playing. And like you guys, we were serious about it! There was great pride to be taken in waking up a champion!!! 
Comment by Jodie — February 13, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
My kids saved up their money for *a full year* and bought themselves a Wii over the holidays. Yes, they were two of the lucky ones.
(You wouldn’t believe how the store handled getting only six games in. Six. We paid, all conversation conducted in undertones. They bagged the box in the storeroom, then slid it under the counter to us. I felt like we should be armed carrying the thing out to the car.)
Anyway, twenty-four hours later, my little couch potatoes were moaning and groaning about their sore arms. So I guess they really had something to complain about, huh? (I might have taunted them a little.) I’m terrible at video games, but the rest of my family obsesses over them. Maybe I ought to give it another shot . . .
Comment by Natale Stenzel — February 13, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
Played with a Wii at my Daughters house over Christmas. I had even more fun watching the gyrations of the other players.
Comment by Estella — February 13, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
i LOVE my Wii. I usually bowl, but my favorite game is Smooth Moves. Julie, you MUST get that game. Its so bizarre and fun, and you HAVE to be on your feet and moving!
Comment by Cail — February 13, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
Ooh, Cail…that sounds good! Man, those games aren’t cheap, but I’m going to make a wish list!
I’m glad to know I’m not the only video game junkie around here.
Sorry I haven’t been around much…lots of banging and scraping and such around here today. But the cabinets are in (except for the crown molding…that’s Friday) the old wallpaper is down, the granite is in, the floors are done and all the carpentry-trim work is complete!
Tomorrow is the electrician, the plumber, the painter (just the ceiling and trim…I can’t decide on wall color yet) and … someone else I can’t remember. It’s crazy! But it’s so warm and beautiful…so different from my stark, cramped kitchen. Can’t wait to show ya’ll pictures on Friday!
Comment by Julie Leto — February 13, 2008 @ 7:16 pm
Julie-It was Show Biz Pizza Pace…. Loved it!!!! he Wii is great–bowled until my arm was sore.. Have a great week. :cold:
Comment by Renee B — February 14, 2008 @ 12:16 am
Julie I love the WII!!!! My kids love watching me act the fool, but we have so much fun! We especially love the boxing and bowling!
Although my favorite video game doesn’t give me much exercise….Animal Crossing is tones of fun!
Enjoy!!
Comment by Tina Martinesi — February 14, 2008 @ 12:20 am
Renee, that’s IT! Showbiz! How could I forget?
BTW, someone mentioned Dave & Busters. It’s one of the ten things I miss about living in Atlanta. I loved D&B. Could spend beaucoup bucks there very easily!
Comment by Julie Leto — February 14, 2008 @ 10:22 am
When I was a kid we had Intellivision. That would have been about 1981 or so. I was great at Space Invaders, even had the high score in the family for years. I don’t have any gaming system now. Boo hoo.
Comment by bluecat — February 15, 2008 @ 8:18 am