Thinking about getting a Wii - Idiot's guide please

[duffybeatmetoit]

I have decided that a Wii might be useful as DD (5) enjoys playing on it at PILs/on playdates at other houses. May even do some fitness stuff myself. It's all a bit of a mystery to me so could someone let me know (assuming I'm going to get Wii Fit plus dancing stuff):

what is the basic kit I need?
do you buy the handheld stuff separately to the software?
do you need extras if you expect dd + friend to be using it simultaneously?
where's the best/cheapest place to get it from?

Many thanks

[katecreate]

I'd go with eBay, you can pick them up quite cheaply nowadays. There's lots of joblots on there with all the wires, controllers with a few games too.

I've just discovered you can use Lovefilm on the Wii too which is a plus.

[PedroPonyLikesCrisps]

The Wii U has just come out which is fully compatible with all Wii games and controllers. However, it all depends on your budget.

To answer your questions, if you buy the Wii new, you get the console, one wireless controller with nunchuck (so that's the bit that looks like a remote and the bit which plugs into it with a joystick on), the sensor bar which goes on the telly, cable for connecting to the telly and a power lead. If you buy a 'bundle' pack you may get a game as well.

In terms of extras for playing with friends, you'll need to buy a second controller and depending on the game, a second nunchuck controller too.

[duffybeatmetoit]

Thanks everyone. I don't have an ebay account but looking at ebay there didn't seem to be a huge difference between prices on there and on Amazon. Presumably if there is a newer model coming out the older ones will be on offer to get rid of them? I'm not sure about buying second hand software - are the discs likely to be scratched and not work so well?

Pedro - So if I was to buy the Wii fit plus which comes with the balance board like this [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wii-Fit-Plus-Balance-Board/dp/B002BSA3EM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360081039&sr=8-1%5D-&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 would it have everything I need to start me off or would I need a console and all the other bits you mentioned?

[PedroPonyLikesCrisps]

That is just the balance board. You'd need the console too.

[Hechan]

Look into second-hand for extra controllers, I just bought a new Wii for Xmas, it came with console, one controller/nunchuck and 2 games in a bundle for 130 euro. The full price for just one extra controller/nunchuck was a mindboggling extra 65 euro but I got one used for 12 quid.