The big news around our house is we got a Wii U for Christmas and my kids have been local celebrities because of it. So when Nintendo offered to throw a party in its honor, we were game.
Pun intended.
We’ve had a great time becoming acquainted with our new Wii U GamePad controller and the kids love the fun new games, camera, microphone and the LCD touch screen. I like that the console is Wi-Fi-enabled and supports HD content, Netflix, Hulu+, Amazon Instant Video, etc. Jamie loves the Nintendo TVii where you can input your favorite movies and TV shows and then build a custom TV guide around your preferences. The Wii U GamePad acts as a big, easy-to-read touch screen remote control.
But enough of the logistics and onto the party! Nintendo told us we could invite 20 friends. At first I was stressed we wouldn’t have enough people but turned out we had way too many (there is no middle ground in my world). Nintendo sent two fun and informative “ambassadors” Lauren and Amy to get the party started.
My friend Kristen told me her kids had been counting down for the big event all week. A huge spread of food from Qdoba Mexican Grill + unlimited access to the Wii U? Those kids thought they’d gone to heaven but without the death part.
Of course, being me, there were a few hiccups. We had not yet installed Nintendo Land (which has 12 mini games in a virtual theme park) because Bode has been too busy playing all-things Mario and Kirby. So our lovely ambassadors had to take the time to download the software. And then, right as we were ready to play, the Wii U GamePad died because Bode had forgotten to recharge it, which caused me to joke, “Worst. Wii U. Party. Ever?”
Fortunately, Jamie came to the rescue, plugged it in and our party was finally underway. With so many kids, I figured some would filter in and out but I was wrong. They all sat by, patiently waiting their turn as they went head-to-head in Mario Chase, Animal Cross: Sweet Days and Luigi’s Ghost Mansion (there was a lot of screaming in that one). The kids played asymmetrically: one player had the GamePad and faced off against everyone else with Wii Remotes, a fun new feature. I appreciated that they were playing with each other and not against one another.
But I didn’t bother to point that out for fear they’d be anti-kumbaya.
Following Nintendo Land, our ambassadors switched us over to Sing Party, a karaoke bash on steroids where we chose two teams, took team photos with the GamePad, chose our songs out of their collection, passed off the microphone every few verses to our teammates and a winner was chosen in the end.
The cool guys ran for cover by my gosh, it was hilarious to watch the girls dancing, screaming and laughing as they sang to fan-favorites like “Call me, maybe.”
It’s like we have tweens or something.
The party was a raging success and at the end, our ambassadors gathered us around for a little quiz with prizes. I thought they would hand out stickers or less-inspired swag but they actually awarded our guests with real games and a Yoshi. The grand prize was won by my friend Tina’s daughter Rowan: a Nintendo Sing Party game, complete with the microphone. We had laughed at her as she sang her favorite song, Bieber’s “Baby.” When she won, she clutched it like it was her most prized possession and wouldn’t let anyone hold it. “Do you think she’ll want to sleep with it?” I joked with my friend, Tina. “She already said she was,” she divulged.
It looks like Tina will be buying a Wii U really soon.
Thanks to Nintendo for the fun party!
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 