The Nintendo Wii exploded off store shelves when it first launched back in 2006. Is it too late to hop on the Wii bandwagon, or has Nintendo saved you a spot?

Consider this guide our formal advice on whether you should buy a Wii or not, and if you do, which games you should get.

[This post was last updated on June 9 2010 and will be updated if events, news, games, prices or acts of nature cause our opinion to change.]
Should I Buy A Wii Now?

If you don't own a console, Yes. The Wii might be the least powerful of the three current generation consoles, but it has a lot going for it. Along with being the current home to Nintendo classic franchises Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, the Wii has a surprising number of quality third party titles as well. Plus, with low power comes low financial responsibility, and the $199 price tag the system carries is very reasonable, especially considering the console comes packed with both Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, two titles that highlight the console's unique motion controls.

But those unique motion controls won't be all that unique for much longer. Microsoft and Sony both have motion control systems coming out this year, Project Natal for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation Move for the PlayStation 3. If the promise of more active gaming is what is drawing you towards the Wii, you might want to hold off until the smoke clears.
But What If I've Already Got An Xbox 360? Should I Buy One Now?

Yes. If you're in the market for another console and you own an Xbox 360, then the Wii is your best bet. There isn't much overlap between the two consoles' libraries, with many developers delivering completely different versions of Xbox 360 or PS3 games that are also made for the Wii. In terms of motion control, the Wii Remote and Microsoft's Project Natal are dissimilar enough that the consoles will continue to provide unique experiences.
But What If I've Already Got A PlayStation 3? Should I Buy One Now?

No, unless you're a big fan of Nintendo properties like Mario, Metroid, and Zelda. While Microsoft's Project Natal is a different animal altogether, the PlayStation Move controller coming to the PlayStation 3 from Sony can easily serve the same purpose as a Wii remote, which could lead to one console gathering dust as former Wii-centric titles start appearing on the PS3.
What Else Does It Do Besides Gaming?

The Wii is mainly a gaming machine, as evidenced by the fact that it's the only one of the three major consoles that doesn't support DVD playback. Still, there are several other things you can do with your Wii once the gaming is done. Through the console's channel menu you can check the weather anywhere in the world, check out the latest headlines, or browse the internet. Netflix recently came to the Wii as well, allowing owners to watching streaming video by way of a disc loaded into the console. Unlike the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, the Wii does not support high definition streaming.

If I'm Going To Buy A Wii, Which One Should I Get?

The Wii comes in two flavors black and white. There is no difference between the console other than the colors, so it's all a matter of personal preference.
What Are The Best Games On The Wii?

It comes as no surprise to long-time Nintendo fans that the very best games on the system are generally first-party titles. No one knows Nintendo fans and Nintendo hardware like Nintendo, after all. While many companies struggled over how to best utilize the motion controls of the Wii, Nintendo was pumping out games like Super Mario Galaxy and its stellar sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and a new version of the beloved boxing title Punch-Out!!

That's not to say third parties haven't had their fair share of success. Games like Capcom's Zack and Wiki and THQ's De Blob captured the playful spirit of the console while delivering deep gameplay. Some publishers took a gamble on more mature games like Grasshopper Manufacture's bold and racy No More Heroes series and EA's terrifying Dead Space: Extraction.

Recently Nintendo introduced the Wii MotionPlus add-on for the Wii remote, giving players full 1:1 motion control, allowing for unparalleled precision of movement. Two games that make excellent use of the MotionPlus are Nintendo's Wii Sports Resort, currently packed in with new consoles, and Ubisoft's Red Steel 2, a moody mash-up of high-tech and Old West, swords and six-shooters.

And let's not forget WiiWare, Nintendo's downloadable game platform, that's paved the way for amazing indie titles like 2D Boy's puzzling World of Goo and Frontier Developments' amazing, atmospheric LostWinds.

Which Ones Are Worst?

The Wii software library has suffered from the console's mainstream popularity. As millions of new gamers flocked to the Nintendo console, hundreds of small developers crowded retail shelves with games of a quality normally reserved for budget PC titles or web-based Flash games. So the bad news is there are plenty of bad Wii games. For every gem like Zack and Wiki there's a Ninjabread Man and a Cold Stone Creamery: Scoop It Up. The influx of bad games was such that no game-reviewing outlet could possibly keep up with them all, so there are many Wii titles with no online reviews at all. Avoid those.
So I've Bought A Wii...What Should My First Three Games Be?

So you've got a shiny new Wii, and you're done fiddling around with Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. Where to next?

1. Super Mario Galaxy: It isn't a Nintendo console without a Mario game, and while Super Mario Galaxy 2 might come out tops in terms of quality, that means nothing if you've never played the original.

2. Red Steel 2: The first Red Steel was a clunky mess. The second game hones the concept of sword-meets-gun to razor sharpness, thanks in no small part to the Wii MotionPlus accessory. This is what motion control is all about.

3. LostWinds: One of the WiiWare service's first titles, Frontier Developments' LostWinds is a fantastic little platformer that neatly sums up the potential of independent games on the Wii in one downloadable package.

Is the Wii Backwards Compatible?

Not only does the Wii run all of the games from Nintendo's previous console, the Gamecube, the Wii Shop Channel is home to the Virtual Console, where you can spend Wii Points on classic video games from many classic gaming platforms. You'll find Nintendo games for the original Nintendo Entertainment System through the Nintendo 64, Sega Master System and Genesis titles, games for the NEC's TurboGrafx 16, and SNK's Neo Geo consoles. They've even got Commodore 64 PC games up there.
What About Online Multiplayer?

If you're looking for a full-featured online gaming experience, then you might want to look somewhere else. While the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 allow players to meet new people and add them to their friends list on a whim, most online Wii titles require the exchange of system specific Friend Codes in order for two players to interact online. If you've not exchanged codes with another player, you generally can't interact with them outside of the confines of gameplay. It's a very kid-friendly online system that keeps children from being exposed to the creepy strangers and vulgar trash-talk rampant on the more powerful consoles. So you won't have to worry about being called names during online bouts of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. To some, that sucks away all of the fun.
What's Wrong With The Wii?

Other than a software library muddied with shovelware titles and limited online gaming capability, there isn't much to complain about with the Wii. There were some issues with property damage due to flying Wii remotes when the system launched, but Nintendo handled the problem with stronger wrist straps and shock-absorbing rubber Wii remote sleeves. The only real issue a new Wii owner has to be wary of is the soreness resulting from playing some of the consoles more active titles like Wii Sports. If you aren't much for physical activity, you can expect a certain degree of aches and pains as you adjust to this new way of playing. Don't worry, it's a good pain.

Some won't see a problem with this, but the Wii does not play DVD movies. Other consoles do, and we just don't want you mistakenly popping a new movie in your Wii and expecting it to work.

Are There Any Hidden Costs?

The Nintendo Wii comes with everything one player needs to enjoy the console. Getting the most out of the Wii, however, can get a bit expensive.

The console comes packed with a Wii remote, a nunchuk attachment, and a Wii MotionPlus accessory, which some games utilize for more precise motion control. If you plan on playing the console with friends you'll have to invest in additional controller sets. Right now a Wii remote retails for $39.99, and the nunchuk $19.99, so three of each will run you around $180. The MotionPlus accessory runs $19.99, though there are packages with the MotionPlus bundled with a Wii remote for $54.99. Fitness buffs will also want to pick up the Wii Fit Plus bundle packed with the Wii Balance Board for $99.