Nintendo Wii, Good for Doctors, Surgeons, and perhaps, Dentists

Apparently, the Nintendo Wii is not only a best-selling video games console, but also a good warm-up tool for medical surgeons. So the next time you are wheeled into an operating theater (or ER), be sure to look out for the guy, or gal, in scrubs, practicing on Wii Sports.

Here's the article taken from the BBC:

'Wii warm-up' good for surgeons

Playing computer games such as the Nintendo Wii can improve a surgeon's performance in the operating theatre, a US study shows.

Only certain games are effective - those requiring delicate movements.

The fine hand control required to play these games acts as a warm up and hones scalpel skills the Banner Good Samaritan Medical Centre team claim.

Now they are designing Wii software that will accurately simulate surgical procedures, New Scientist reports.

They asked eight trainee surgeons to spend an hour playing the games on a console before performing "virtual reality" surgery on a computer system.

Wii warm-up

Game players scored nearly 50% higher on tool control and overall performance than other trainees.

Marble Mania, in which a ball is guided through a 3D obstacle course - was particularly effective in the study.

Researcher Kanav Kohel explained that the type of game play was crucial.

"You don't gain a lot from swinging an imaginary tennis racket.

"The whole point about surgery is to execute small finely controlled movements with your hands, and that is exactly what you get with the Wii."

The fine control needed to move a virtual marble around a 3D maze is similar to the skills needed to perform keyhole surgery, for example.

Colleague Mark Marshall said the games consoles were cheap enough to be used to train surgeons in poorer countries where cutting-edge virtual reality systems were not available.

The researchers will present their work at the Medicine Meets Virtual Reality conference in California later in January.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7193588.stm

The Last Thing You Need To Lose Weight is a Wii Fit

The very thought of exercising in front of a television, doesn't really appeal to me, what more having a video game which specifically has the player involved in performing steps, yoga and even jogging in front of the TV!

Whatever happened to going outside, exercising and getting some sun? Is the Wii Fit the latest excuse to be spending more time in front of the television? Television has already been blamed for creating couch potatoes and being a contributor to obesity and all its no so nice "perks", like diabetes and hypertension.

Do you need to have more TV in the equation? Sure, some of you might say the success of a fitness program depends on the participant's discipline but hey, this is TV we are talking about. The temptation to kick back after 5 minutes to savour a pack of nachos with the latest episode of CSI would be greater than anything you would find in a park, or in a gym.

If you have problem in maintaining discipline in your exercise regime, a Wii Fit won't help. Get a gym partner or a sparring partner instead. Don't forget to watch the diet as well.

Will our kids be able to play catch with a football or a baseball, or have a backyard badminton match if we were to surrender play time and now exercise time to the television? This is a dangerous precadence as we can kiss our future generations of athletes goodbye.

The TV generation, as a close relative put it succintly, is a weak, pasty bunch with small limbs and poor immune systems, no doubt due to the lack of exercise AND parents' increased reliance on television as a nanny. The last thing this generation needs is more TV.

If you are a parent, don't get your kids a Wii Fit. Take you kids out to the park instead, get them running about, climbing through the jungle gym, play touch football (I'm sounding increasingly American), or even have a game of Frisbee. Set a good example as you don't want your kids to be obese and there's definately no benefit having them spend more time in front of a television.

Where To Buy A Nintendo Wii for Christmas?

One of the most wanted items as a stocking stuffer this season is the Nintendo Wii and as Christmas draws near, stocks are bound to thin due to the mad rush for this popular games console. So if you are giving a Wii or two as a gift, start stocking up early.

So where do you get a Wii? You can try the normal brick and mortar stores or go online. Ebay is an obvious candidate, but I also recommend Play-Asia as well. It's the site where I often purchase my Nintendo DS games.


The Nintendo Wii (which includes Wii Sports) is going for USD 399 at Play-Asia, not inclusive of the shipping fee (click here for details). But regardless of whether you are buying from PA or Ebay, be sure to get the Wii early to avoid disappointment from the lack of stock, or delays in shipping.

Nine Over Ten 9/10 Holiday Season Shopping Guide for Nintendo Wii Owners

Welcome to Nine Over Ten 9/10's 2007 Shopping Guide for the Holiday Season. Looking for a gift for your gamer friend, or someone who is into Japanese anime figurines and collectibles? You just about came to the right place.

Now, if your friend has a Nintendo Wii, he would be like those Playstation 3 guys, complaining about the lack of games, and also the rather expensive price tags of current games. No matter, he should be happy this holiday season as you would be the one buying, not him.

So what should be on your shopping list? Here you go:

• Wii Zapper with Link's Crossbow Training - Nothing better than a whole new way of playing with the Nintendo Wii (as if it doesn't have enough options as it is) with the Wii Zapper. Click here for details.
  
  
• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle - Bring down the house with the latest in the Guitar Hero franchise, now available on the Nintendo Wii. Comes with a wireless Guitar Hero Les Paul Guitar Controller. Click here for details.
  
  
• Super Mario Galaxy - Mario is back in what maybe the best and prettiest Mario game yet. Click here for details.
  
  
• Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - Plunge into one of the best First Person Shooter experience on the Nintendo Wii in the role of Samus Aran with her suit, and her nifty morph ball mode. This is the latest installment of a franchise nearly as old as Nintendo's involvement in home consoles. Click here for details.
  
  
• Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition - Some people I know bought a Gamecube just so they can play the Gamecube version of Resident Evil 4 when it first came out. With its pedigree as a systems mover, RE4 gets its very own Wii Edition with controls featuring the Wiimote and Nunchuk. Click here for details.
  
  
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - Mario, Zelda and Metroid games form a bastion of old school franchises that have become hits in this current generation of video game consoles. A classic and a must have in its own right, click here for purchase details.
  
  
• Mario Party 8 - What's a Wii without a party game or two? Fill in the blanks with the latest edition of Mario Party! Click here for details.

Tired of games? Give your Nintendo Wii-owning friend of yours some accessories!

• TAKU Professional Skinguard
• Designer Remote Power Glove for Wiimote
• Wii Remote Controller Protect Film
• Wii Remote Controller Sheet
• Dust Prevent Silicon Cover Bundle Pack

Another great gift idea would be guide books:

• Super Mario Galaxy Collector's Edition: Prima Official Game Guide - Comes with a signed note from Mr. Shigero Miyamoto
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Collector's Edition (Revised): Prima Official Game Guide - Hardcover with new content!
• You and Wii: Everything You Need to Know - Comes with stickers and whole lot of stuff to do with your Nintendo Wii.
  

Wii Mote Silcon Cover and Fingerprint Guard Film SALE!

Play-Asia is having a super deal for Hori Wii Remote Silicon Covers at just 99 cents each. Also up for sale are Hori Wii Remote Fingerprint Guard Film, also at 99 cents each! Get these items to provide better grip for your Wii-motes and to make it less of a fingerprint magnet! Click on the links for purchase details!

Picross DS - Coming Soon to This Blog

I was talking to a friend last night when he sent me a link to WiiPicross.com, an online version of Picross, especially adapted for play on the Nintendo Wii. So all you Wii users have been clamoring for some Picross action, head over to WiiPicross.

In the mean time, I've ordered a copy of Picross DS from Play-Asia.com for just USD 24.90. Click here for details. Now, if only that Settlers game wasn't out of stock...

I Can Has Cheezburger?

Hehe. LOL. Sorry bout the title. Just couldn't resist. To all of you Wii-owners out there, the cat in the picture below totally understands your feelings if you are feeling stuck at Zelda: Twilight Princess or...Wii Sports.


I can has cheezburger? Fast food ban overs on 19th. Lookingz for walkthroughs? Pwned? No want suxor? See guidez on how buyz guides here.

Full picture credits to http://icanhascheezburger.com