New Jersey Parents vs. Wii Zapper
QJ.net reports the New Jersey-based Parental Guidance blog found in their question of the week that "most people" think the Wii Zapper is "a bone-headed idea." Mainly because of responses such as:
"....Why don't they enclose an application to the NRA in every box as well....the marketing person who came up with this brain child of an idea should be fired."
And:
"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. What kind of message are we sending as parents when we buy these things for our kids?"
One reader, who seems to be a Wii gamer (and made the only sensible response in my opinion), stated:
"I grew up with toy guns and also shot a rifle in the sixth grade and never killed anyone....If you don't think it's a good idea, then please, feel free to exercise your right to protest by not purchasing the product....."
What's even better is that apparently, the bloggers posted a photo of the wrong zapper and apologized for it (I unfortunately didn't get to see it). I wonder if they used the wrong photo last week when they asked the question. I also wonder what these concerned parents thought of the NES Zapper, which definitely looked more like a gun than the Wii Zapper, or heaven forbid the bazooka-shaped SNES Super Scope...
What do we think of Wii? [Parental Guidance]
[via QJ.net]
Lazy Panda
Posted to Hot Stuff, Video Games on 16 September 2007
· Comments (4)
Other stuff like this: fake plastic gun control, nintendo, parents, wii zapper
While I do find it amusing that the most family friendly console (and it really, really is)gets the most flack from uptight parents. I also find it disheartening to see how stupid today's parents are.
I grew up with guns in the household and had shot real guns BEFORE I ever laid hands on an NES Zapper. I thought Duck Hunt was fun. But, do you know who really played the hell out of Duck Hunt? My mom and dad. Back in the day, Duck Hunt was the family-friendly application for the NES because it was easy to use for anyone, just like Wii games today. All you had to do was point and click at the ducks, AND it was fun!
But, here is the kicker. My parents aren't retarded. I know, it's a shocker! After reading the comments on QJ.net one would assume all parents are functionally retarded, but it just isn't true. My dad taught me all about the dangers of real guns and when it came to playing with an NES zapper, well we both knew that it was JUST A TOY. I never went around shooting birds (or dogs) and I definitely never took a gun to school.
So, parents, get involved with your kids, teach them things that they need to know and maybe...just maybe one day you will cease to be functionally retarded. Oh, and another thing, the Wii Zapper really doesn't look like a gun at all.
Peace Out.
Do parents parent anymore? It's so frustrating. I've been shooting real guns since I was 3 years old. My Father taught me what they were, what they did and how to use them correctly. I'm really good with a gun and I know how much damage they can do all because of my Father.
Take more than a passing interest in your child and quit expecting everyone else to raise your children.
This guy had it right... "I grew up with toy guns and also shot a rifle in the sixth grade and never killed anyone....If you don't think it's a good idea, then please, feel free to exercise your right to protest by not purchasing the product....."
You know, if you point your index finger, it resembles a gun.
Besides, if your kid is already playing first person shooters, then it's too late to be finicky about the fake guns (and if he buys the games himself, you're giving him too much allowance, and if he's old enough for that allowance, he's probably mature enough to know better).
Well... Wii controllers and accessories are expensive anyway. If you're the one supplying the money, then... just refuse to buy it, preferably on the grounds that it, like the tennis racket peripherals, is not necessary to play the game and is just an opportunity to lose more money. That will just make your kid think you're just cheap instead of really self-righteous.
My little brother had the Zapper on his NES 20 years ago. We all played Duck Hunt to death. The very same zapper on the very same NES was deemed unacceptable for my nieces, one a teenager and the other primary school age, last year.
People grow up and forget what it was like to be kids. Some don't grow up enough to develop critical thinking, and are often manipulated by the media looking for an easy headline. That's all that's going on here.