The Real Reason Wii U Is My Most Anticipated Console Ever

Posted on Wednesday, November 7 @ 13:37:26 Eastern by Anthony Severino

It was Christmas of 1986. A then four-year old me received a gift that would shape my entire life, and eventually, my career: the Nintendo Entertainment System.

I had seen my father play Kaboom! on our Atari 2600 like a champ, but the joystick and the dial on the Atari paddle controller was too much of a barrier for my young, uncoordinated mind. It wasn't until the simplicity and intuitiveness of the NES controller's directional pad and A and B buttons that I could firmly grasp a controller, and dive into a world where my imagination was at play.

As you may have noticed, it had quite the lasting effect on me.

I can also fondly remember hunting down the SNES shortly after it released, thankfully finding one at a local Child World. Remember those? Those are long gone, as is my old SNES. But I'll always have my memories.

In fact, I can remember the exact moment, exact situation, exact sensation I was feeling each time I've bought a new console over the years. I can remember eagerly anticipating their release, reading every issue of my subscription to Electronic Gaming Monthly from cover to cover, learning every bit of information I could ahead of that savory moment when I get to unbox that new console, and breathe in that new console plastic-y smell. Then I'd beg and barrage my parents until they caved and bought it for me. All the way until I could buy them for myself. Then, you'd find me searching the Internet for info, or sleeping outside of retail stores—first in line—to get a new console at launch.

Not much has changed in that sense. I still pay extra close attention to hardware, often disregarding the software to get a better look at the console itself. I couldn't even tell you specifically why, but it's the hardware that I truly love.

What's different now? I'm a father. I'm the one giving the gift of gaming to my child. And while I've already introduced video games to my daughter through her LeapPad, her Nintendo DS, and even my iPad, the Wii U will be her first console launch.

This may seem insignificant—she's only four. But what I saw today in her, was the same feeling that I had as a young child. That sense of wonder, the amazement in her eyes.

I've been telling her that we're going to be getting a new Nintendo system soon for a few weeks now, since she was wondering why I was trading in a bunch of old Wii games and accessories. I explained that it was to make way for the new system. But it wasn't until we walked by a Wii U demo unit in Target today, that it really clicked for her.

The touchscreen on the Wii U GamePad removes a barrier for her like the NES control pad for me. It's exactly why she gravitates to my iPad—touching is intuitive. Even more so than motion controls, and far more than buttons could ever be.

As she took the GamePad in her hands, seemingly massive in comparison to her, her eyes lit up brighter than the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. I caught that moment, and my eyes instantly swelled with the proud tears of a father.

Even then, I don't think I realized just how much this meant to her. Or what it really meant to me. I knew she had been begging me for Burger King, all because she saw a commercial promoting their Wii U-branded toys in their kids meals. And then I caught her playing with my wife using her Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Peach stuffed toys that I had bought her a couple of years back.

She is genuinely anticipating the Wii U. And so am I, more than any console before it. Because I'm eager to share with her the same moments of joy, imagination, fun, and wonder, that I experienced so many years ago when my father gave me my NES.

Tags: Wii U, Nintendo, nes

Comments

Chunibrow
Joined: Mar 2010

Posted: Nov 7th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
This is probably my favourite article from GR so far. I found it quite touching.

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Jonathan_Leack
Joined: Jan 2012

Posted: Nov 7th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
I agree with you but my most anticipated will always be the PlayStation 2.

I've been going to my local Target twice a week to play the Wii U because of withdrawals. Seriously, this console is going to be amazing.

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Jessica_Vazquez
Joined: Sep 2010

Posted: Nov 7th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
The Wii brand has always been successful with family's and I completely agree that the Wii-U is amazing for children. Hardcore gamers might not want to embrace it but that won't stop it from being successful.

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Comment hidden due to low quality. Show Comment.

Ivory_Soul
Joined: Nov 2005

Posted: Nov 7th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Enjoy your 3-5 hour gampad life and 2.5 hour charge time. THAT right there makes me want to not buy the console until they improve that.

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Jonathan_Leack
Joined: Jan 2012

Posted: Nov 7th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Plug it into a wall outlet and enjoy what IS the most sophisticated controller to-date. Oh, and it's ergonomic as hell, too!

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Longo_2_guns
Joined: Jun 2003

Posted: Nov 7th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Yeah, I could see it as being the perfect thing for kids. If I was a father, I'd get one for my kid.

After they earned it, that is. I'd start my kids off the way I started, with 90's platformers, Megaman, and MS-DOS learning games. That way, my kid turns out just like me!

Woah, did anyone else just feel a chill there for a second? Just me?

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THEundying27
Joined: Sep 2012

Posted: Nov 7th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
You just had to be that one person that takes a **** on someone else\'s excitement. Ultra fail!

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elmoreoocyte
Joined: Apr 2012

Posted: Nov 7th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
I remember my consoles as well. I still remember my mom leaving me in our Escort hatchback in July back in '89 (I was 4 too) to pick up my NES from McRae's.

Don't really have a desire though for a new Wii, Xbox, or PS#.

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Alex_Osborn
Joined: Jan 2012

Posted: Nov 7th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Great article. I wish I still had that childlike excitement for a new Nintendo console.

The launch of the GameCube will be forever etched in my mind.

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xDUMPWEEDx
Joined: Jan 2012

Posted: Nov 7th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
The late 80's and all the 90's were a magical time for our generation. Most would consider it the golden era of gaming. With how spoiled kids are these days and just a general unappreciative feeling for everything, it is great to hear that the magical feeling of a new console can still impact a child's life.

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damo_rox619
Joined: Jan 2007

Posted: Nov 7th, 2012 at 9:29 pm
I envy you. I'm only 21 but I would love to be a dad, and what i'm looking forward to the most about being a father is introducing my kids to the video games, music and movies that i've loved throughout my life. I can't wait until my son/daughter plays his/her very first console and I can see that same wonder in their eyes that you saw in your daughters', but most of all, it's that moment on christmas morning when they open that first console present (like how I opened my SEGA Megadrive [Genesis] when I was 5 years old) that i'm looking forward to the most.

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Heath_Hindman
Joined: May 2011

Posted: Nov 8th, 2012 at 6:23 am
This is the Game Revolution Feelgood Read of the Year.

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thedarkstar
Joined: Feb 2011

Posted: Nov 8th, 2012 at 6:45 am
While I agree that the battery life issue needs to be addressed, the sarcastic nature of your comment to a really cool article is not appreciated.

Also, most parents don\'t want their kids playing for more than 2 hours in front of a TV, so your comment has little to no bearing on this article.

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thedarkstar
Joined: Feb 2011

Posted: Nov 8th, 2012 at 6:47 am
The above post was directed to Ivory_Soul. Apologies, it would not let me post a reply.

Also, very cool article. My daughter won't even be 2 yet when the Wii U comes out, so I am now anxiously awaiting the next one!

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spartan317
Joined: Dec 2005

Posted: Nov 8th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Cheers Mr. Severino! As a father I echo your sentiment. Nothing compares to seeing in your child the wonder you once felt.

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