We have a Wii. I'm not a gamer at all (we have a PlayStation 2, dance pad and all, and have used it maybe a dozen times), but Nintendo's groundbreaking console is surprisingly fun and addictive. Instead of focusing on horsepower and the latest and greatest graphics, the Wii is perfectly fine with '90s-era arcade imagery. Instead, the Wii focused on its interface. Forget "pads" with fifteen buttons and two joysticks. Once you get started in a Wii game, it's almost all motion.
If you have a Wii, you know what I mean. And if you have a Wii, I want to connect with you.
The Wii can get online (browsing via Opera on your TV is pretty cool), and thus, has a lot of potential for collaborative play. Each Wii console has a "Wii Number," and when two connected Wii machines have each other's numbers registered, they can...
Erm. Well, actually, there isn't much to do at all just yet. I'm sure there will be. But for now, at least your Mii — your customized avatar — can wander around the globe, randomly bumping into other Miis. And I'm smitten enough with this box that Mii mingling is fun enough.
My first Wii friend was Sam. The kids love seeing her Mii pop up in games. And I imagine my Mii turns up quite often at her house, making trouble.
My Wii Number is 4986 9658 9724 4171. I know, it's a mouthful. And registering it on your Wii is only half the story. You need to send me your Wii number so I can register it on my system. So be sure to e-mail me your Wii number or post it in a comment below.
To be sure, there are lots of way to find Wii friends. MapWii.com has created a cool map-based directory of Wii players, including a bunch of Wii players in Hawaii. There's also ShareWii.com, which has a more conventional community setup.
But if you're reading this, you're exactly the kind of cool frood I want to connect with.
So pick up the Wiimote and call Mii. 4986 9658 9724 4171.