News: Uproar Over Wii Zapper

Posted by Nathan Whincup - Sep 14th 2007 19:50

Parents are outraged over the Wii's new gun shell add-on.

Since the launch of our waggly wonder, the Wii has received next to no negative press from critics and anti-videogaming groups. Jack Thompson even stooped so low as to try and have an offer at an American restaurant removed that promoted the Wii, simply because Manhunt 2 was going to be released on it.

Angered parents have finally found something to pick at however. The upcoming Wii Zapper shell for the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, compatible with games such as Link's Crossbow Training and Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, has been under fire from 'concerned' parents and grandparents who apparently don't see the logic in not having to buy this new add-on for their children.

"Great, this is what we need," wrote one furious parent. "Children with guns learning how to aim and shoot. Then we can sit back and wonder what is happening to our country with kids killing kids......what's next? Could we make it squirt blood, too?" Oh dear. That was quite clearly Peter Kay, everybody.

One grandparent had an interesting proposal. "....Why don't they enclose an application to the NRA (National Rifle Association) in every box as well." Because that would just be silly. "The marketing person who came up with this brain child of an idea should be fired."

"I think it's irresponsible for Wii to come out with a controller that looks like a gun so kids can play games simulating shooting." After all, carrying crossbows about is what all the cool kids are up to nowadays. "What kind of message are we sending as parents when we buy these things for our kids." If you don't want your kids to play it, don't buy the game. Simple as.

A new breed of videogame-hating parents has awoken. And somewhere in Florida, Jack Thompson is laughing...


Source: CVG

[More on Wii Zapper (& Link's Crossbow Training)]

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Comments

Kurtle Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 15:07 || Total Comments: 363
People like this should ACTUALLY be shot for being so retarded.

Especially since it doesn't teach you how to aim at all since it uses the bar.

You don't have to buy this.

And the fact that lil Johnny has been playing these games at the arcade all his life; where you DO realisticly aim.

Parents that blame videogames for lil Johnny, who has 5 possible dads (and they only know that because 5 out of the 12 guys were black), stabbing people in the streets instead of themselves should be gutted and maimed.
Llewdebkram Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 15:17 || Total Comments: 239
So many parents find it impossible to say NO to their kids these days so they expect everyone else to do it for them.
Kurtle Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 15:35 || Total Comments: 363
And then complain when someone else does disipline them...or the kid shoots them.
Mokong Says: 
September 14th, 2007 at 15:54 || Total Comments: 591
Oh holy crap... light gun games have been availible for systems since the NES, the Playstation had tons of light guns games using light guns that looked more like a gun than the zapper.... go into an arcade lately? Time Crisis, Ghost Squad anyone.

And of course, these games will likely have ratings of 15+ THEIR NOT AIMED AT KIDS, and kids are already out there with guns and knives BEFORE this is out... don't go blaming societies problems on one thing
Gizmo Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 16:13 || Total Comments: 68
"People like this should ACTUALLY be shot for being so retarded."

OMG GUN CULTURE IN CHILDREN DUE TO THE WII BAN IT NOW OR LIVES WILL BE LOST
Azmol01 Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 16:18 || Total Comments: 921
Those comments are so fucking retarded you really have to wonder if Jack Thompson paid them to say it.

But just the typical American attitude towards guns, instead of looking at the root cause of gun crime, lets just blame something else to conceal our own stupidity.

And they wonder why the world hates them.
Ninja Mullet Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 16:43 || Total Comments: 58
These parents have obviously never seen Time Crisis or House of the Dead or any other arcade shooter.
Sim1987 Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 17:04 || Total Comments: 53
Lol, yes coz light guns aim like a real gun, you can learn how a real gun will aim from a light gun *note the sarcasm*. It isn't like you can tell it to pull to the right or it has force feedback, even the shape is ungun like. What gun has a big A button on it or a big analogue stick on it.
Solitanze Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 17:10 || Total Comments: 1813
Now this is truly stupid, because as mentioned by previous comments, gun games are readily available, this accessory has no serious resemblence to a gun like others on the market, yet theres all the fuss. They're developing aiming skills with the likes of Wii Play "shooting game" and others, so whats the difference?

Can you imagine if Super Scope released now? "Oh its encourages terrorism" (due to likeless of Rocket Launcher).
GoombaTroopa Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 17:27 || Total Comments: 3
Sigh...here we go again!

OK, look.

A. The technology has already been around. For decades.
B. Game guns are a completely different experience from real guns (ask anyone who's used both).
C. Experience with a game gun will not suddenly make a real gun materialise in your hands.
D. If you're that pissed off about it, DON'T BUY IT. If you're the kind of buffoon that blanketly buys things for your kids and displaces all responsibility from yourself, you probably don't have the slightest clue where your kid is right now.
DarkBigone Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 17:47 || Total Comments: 85
And I bet this are the same parents that buy GTA for their kids as birthday presents...
Davo1250 Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 19:08 || Total Comments: 40
Sounds like they've never stepped foot in an arcade before.

@DarkBigone - i'm with ya on that! Irresponsible to the limits.
Tito Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 19:12 || Total Comments: 73
This is so pathetic, it's not even worth talking about.
Sparko Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 19:43 || Total Comments: 48
While we're at it we might as well ban those toy guns that kids play with, they're nothing but trouble. Clearly children are that easily swayed, all they have to do is play with a fake gun and they're scarred for life.. Seriously, some people overreact to a scary degree.
Mako89 Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 20:33 || Total Comments: 448
This actually goes to show how popular the Wii is. Think about it.. Before, parents probably didn't know or care about video games enough to know about the zapper etc. But this time, the parents are actually playing too.. they're caught up in the Wii... So involved in fact, that anything "controversial" nintendo does will be criticized.
Chyuii Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 20:53 || Total Comments: 155
Mako89, That's just what I was going to say.
You also have to look at the fact that Nintendo is looked at as a kid's System. The last two Gen's and even this Gen. we all have had those arguments with X and P fans who call Nintendo kiddy. So in there eyes this is like Disney putting a machine gun in the hands of Mickey Mouse. Any other company can get away with it easier but not Nintendo.
Nintendo's first party efforts make them forget about the 2nd party efforts. Anyway when Manhunt 2 comes out in American expect to hear more of this.
Chyuii Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 20:57 || Total Comments: 155
Oh I want to add that there are several Disney cartoons where Mickey Mouse has held and used guns with intent to kill. But they don't remember.
Chyuii Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 21:01 || Total Comments: 155
That's why I started killing people because Mickey Mouse made it look so cool.

Say where how much does a good cross bow cost now a days?
OOADDCAMOoWii60DX Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 21:36 || Total Comments: 68
Wot a loada bull crap, did these same parents complain about Duck Hunt?
Mako89 Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 00:35 || Total Comments: 448
Same parents probably played duck hunt
Thatfunkysimian Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 01:28 || Total Comments: 73
stupid stupid stupid! these people need to get an education
AlphaGeneral Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 02:24 || Total Comments: 5
I bet they will get there kids a Super Soaker instead
SuperSonic101 Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 03:54 || Total Comments: 52
Oh that's so funny. How can you winge about a add-on that looks like a gun. BB Guns are more accurate than this and there are tons of other things that make 'Children with guns learning how to aim and shoot'.
Allenator Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 05:38 || Total Comments: 49
What a load of crap if they don't want thier children to use it then just don't buy it for them but don't try and take it away from everyone else.
Nintendo-master2 Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 05:39 || Total Comments: 1533
wow! didn't see that coming! O.O amazing that people are bothered enough to do this.
D_prOdigy Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 06:09 || Total Comments: 1674
I dont usually use language like this - but these twats need to go back to their WI meetings and eat some more custard creams.

As previously mentioned - the argument is so bloody flawed. Light guns have been around for yonks and people dont HAVE to buy the Zapper. The language that some of these "responsible parents" use baffle me. They talk as though they are assuming their ten year old kids are going to get hold of one one of these.

They should stop trying to play the blame game and apppear like fucking saints in what looks like some desperate attempt to get on the Heaven and Earth Show, and take more care of their own kids.
Denmengnash Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 06:13 || Total Comments: 101
Utterly Ridiculous. That's actually made me angry :P

However, I presume 3/4 of the parents complaining will be buying their children Umbrella Chronicles.. then they'll complain they 'need' the Zapper... at least they're only using a joypad to 'kill people'.. *rolls eyes*

To be fair, all Nintendo need to do is stick an 15 or T rating on it.. problem solved, then it's the parents' fault if their kids have it.
Skynyrd Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 06:15 || Total Comments: 73
...and yet apparently their all completely blind to the tousands of light-gun games in the arcades across the world.
And what about the Dreamcast gun for House of the Dead? That actually looked more like a real gun than the Zapper and i don't remember that getting any bad press...i mean the Zapper looks kool, but it doesn't exaclty look like the type of gun a kid could get on the streets.
I think it's quite amusing that Nintendo have gone from kiddy underdog, to market leader with Adult Only games being banned and gun attatchments being dissed.
Nintendo-master2 Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 06:20 || Total Comments: 1533
@ D_prOdigy,
WOOH! O.O never saw that side of u!
Major_tom Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 08:26 || Total Comments: 87
This was kind of inevitable really. Nintendo opens up a new market, getting parents and grandparents to play videogames for the first time. These people don't know anything about the history or existence of light-gun games, so when they hear about the Zapper (which they do only because Nintendo has got them interested in videogames), and they look at the gun culture problem, some of them are going to go ape-shit. Bear in mind that as you get older there's a general trend towards being more reactionary and mistrusting of anything new anyway - hence older people read the Daily Mail. That's not to excuse it, it's just a fact of life. And I'm not blaming Nintendo either - of course they're going to try and open up new markets, they're a buisness, and WE all know light gun games have been around for ages and there's nothing wrong with them. So yeah, that's just the way it is really.
Nelfer320 Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 09:09 || Total Comments: 13
Why am I not surprised? Parents complain so much about these things. Just don't buy them! Besides, there has been a gun model accessory for a very old nintendo console! Anyone familiar with the super scope? I have never heard any complaints for that.
Nabraxan Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 10:46 || Total Comments: 18
Unfortunately for nintendo, this is what happens when you get popular.

If it was sony's playstation 3 at the top of the charts right now they would be getting stick for releasing something similar.

What i don't get is why they have reacted now, when the wii zapper (which looks awful, i might add), was announced last month two months ago?

the gun looks nothing like modern day gun crime guns, and is probably the reason why it was styled that way.

I wish people would show the light guns to these parent, that came out for the original playstation they were actually styled like real guns.

i want to meet some of these people and give them a slap

it's not as if the games that are coming out for it (so far) are that gory or real, you are shooting zombies for christ sakes. Why didn't they kick off about red steel where you could use swords?

This sounds like a story from the daily mail, who always get the wrong end of the moral stick. Morons.
Nabraxan Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 10:54 || Total Comments: 18
This is the original blog

http://blog.nj.com/parentalguidance/2007/09/what_do_we_think_of_wii.html

Of which there are only 69 replies, (since i last checked), and the majority of them defend the zapper, its also funny to read.
Oditri Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 11:01 || Total Comments: 182
You know what? I say ignore these people. To be honest, if these people are so stupid to moan on and on about a computer game, despite doing nothing to actually stop the sales of REAL GUNS, they quite frankly deserve to be shot by their own kids.

Sorry, but the gene pool does need a little chlorine here and there, might as well start with these idiots.
Mako89 Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 12:58 || Total Comments: 448
Yeah apparently there's a right to bear arms and kill each other but god forbid that people aim a piece of plastic at a tv screen. I suppose I'm a pro bowler and a MLB star since I'm good at Wii sports. Oops, I'm late for my interview at the hospital, all that work on Trauma centre should make me a shoe in.. Oh wait till Wii Fit comes out... I'm gonna try out for the Olympic ski jumping team.
Nintendo-Addict Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 14:18 || Total Comments: 130
All this shit is inevitable, a lot of dumbass parents today probably study at "Thompson's School of Retardation". God help us if they played Brain Training, they may even learn to count!
Mako89 Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 15:23 || Total Comments: 448
But there is one credible scientific study that looked at the effect of games on the human brain. One cause for concern was that while the game playing effect on the brain was the same as that of drugs. So in the case of some people, the barrier between reality and fantasy broke down because they were essentially "high." I don't think games will directly cause people to go out become killers but there is some evidence to suggest that perhaps starting at an early age, there might be effects on the brain that might cause problems.
SolidMarth Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 16:25 || Total Comments: 2
I could type a lot here but i guess Einstein was correct when he said: "Only two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And of the first i'm not sure."
Twilightlink Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 16:48 || Total Comments: 139
I loved the sarcy comments made at every opportunity there...best quote...

"After all, carrying crossbows about is what all the cool kids are up to nowadays. "...

Good stuff.
Wengle Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 18:25 || Total Comments: 124
Okay, so holding the Wii Mote aiming it at your screen like a gun is a-okay. Making the Wiimote look a little bit more like a gun is inhumane? ¬_¬
Galogon Says:
September 16th, 2007 at 01:13 || Total Comments: 16
You all missed the real issue here... It's not just about the zapper acting like a 'real gun', the thing is some retarded and naive people like these 'angry parents' still think of Nintendo as a kids-only games company, therefore, think of the Wii as a kids toy. If they see this as curse, meant to destroy their kids' life, then it's just up to them to make sure they won't get a hand on it, just don't blame others for your kids' lousy education.
Btw, in the USA kids reach their adulthood (legally speaking) at the age of 18, yet the age limit that one requires to have access to firearms is 16 years old. Well, if any 'kid' around there really develops interest in guns and stuff like that, nothing will stand on its way of going in a gun's shop and buy one for himself... at the age of 16 that is, and it ain't an adult yet. So why practice with a fake, yet slightly realistic gun, while you can just pick up the real thing on the neighbor's shop?
Point is, stop making these lousy excuses!
Leo Says:
September 16th, 2007 at 01:55 || Total Comments: 92
Har, I'd like to see myself being assaulted by a kid who practiced shooting on a Wii. A skinny kid with glasses who barely has the strenght to pull the trigger all the way =D Your stereotypical kiosk robber, eh?
Dazzi220 Says:
September 16th, 2007 at 03:18 || Total Comments: 67
No doubt american mothers, they fail to understand that the rest of the world does'nt share their fetish for guns, war and world domination.

This is stupidly retarded, america wants to sort out its real gun problem before it stars dictating to the rest of the world what we should be able to be. Not all wii owners are kids, not all of us share american menatlity and are lead by their rediculous media and not all of us want to run around shooting each other all day.

The zapper won't kill u but the millions of guns americans have lying around the house will...oh thats to protect themselves..so thats ok

These idiots honestly think that the plastic zapper is gonna have any effect on there gun culture what so ever? americans need to leave thier country and see what we see, maybe then they'll understand why the world hates them?

rantage
Keithpaz Says:
September 16th, 2007 at 03:26 || Total Comments: 76
wow dont need to comment every thing has been said. just dont buy it.
Oditri Says:
September 16th, 2007 at 06:08 || Total Comments: 182
The problem with removing guns from America comes in it's highest document of law: the Bill of Rights, stating that each and every American citizen has "the right to bear arms".
I'll admit, however, that they perhaps should up the age for acquiring a gun to 18, but then, I can understand, they can't drink until 21, so maybe there's a reason teenagers are holding up stores?

At the end of the day, though, it's a bit of plastic. A bit of plastic which seems (in my opinion), entirely worthless, given that games such as umbrella chronicles and ghost squad don't require that this bit of plastic be attached to the controller. This means that I probably won't be buying it anyway, because 1 less pointless minigame compilation in my collection is a good thing (we all know that link's crossbow training is going to sink to that).
Sariachan Says:
September 16th, 2007 at 18:59 || Total Comments: 375
The problem with removing guns from America is that America makes money doing and selling guns (and other weapons). :(

Anyway, I find it hilarious how some people think that a game is the same as real life. And I get a bit angry for such stupidity, too.
Syxoed Says:
September 17th, 2007 at 05:39 || Total Comments: 297
But you must think that the problem is not "just don't buy it!" per se. If people were to market real guns or cigarettes to kids, the problem wouldn't be "just don't buy them" as a lot of people have been shot even though they have never touched a gun in their life.

Also, parents might have been happy when they first bought the Wii thinking "finally a system with out violence" and then see this.

I'm not saying that they are "right" but I'm just asking you to think about it from people's point of view who perhaps don't think about it from our point of view. Heavens know that I'm not going to shoot someone because of the Wii Zapper..
Seanbo Says:
September 17th, 2007 at 07:51 || Total Comments: 69
i assume "our country" means america - so i hardly care.

guns have been coming out for consoles for years - in fact, the nes came with one. since this is the case, i have two points to make:

1) it would be hypocrytical of parents to deny there children having something they were able to use

2) if so many countries around the world have consoles with light guns, and gun crime is so bad in the states, surely the correlation isn't that children with access to light guns shoot people, but that children with access to america kill people.

they should ban people from living in america - that'd curve gun crime!
Sheikah Says:
September 17th, 2007 at 10:07 || Total Comments: 82
Oh dear lord. Do these parents not know that there are ACTUAL gun attachments for games - ones that actually look like guns and not just an attachment part to a remote?

Such stupidity! These parents are so stupid, I hope for the sake of humankind that they are completely ignored by anyone capable of making decisions.
Alaron Says:
September 17th, 2007 at 12:10 || Total Comments: 2
Don´t fear those who play Counter-Strike. But fear those who play Duckhunt instead.
Solitanze Says:
September 17th, 2007 at 20:15 || Total Comments: 1813
Upset over a plastic MOULD yet freely let their children go to a Walmart store and buy REAL gun(s) over the counter?

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 Wii Zapper (& Link's Crossbow Training) - Click to see game details
Wii Zapper (& Link's Crossbow Training)

System:
Virtual Console

Genre:
Accessory

Developer:
Nintendo

Publisher:
Nintendo

Release Dates:
Out now
Out now
Out now
Out now

Memorycard:
N/A

Multiplayer:
4

Last updated on:
Oct 26th 2007