This Counts as a Geo-Oddity, Right?

That’s how I’ve been rationalizing it, anyway. Santa brought the kids a wii for Christmas this year. Normally I’m not a videogamer, far from it as a matter of fact. However, we got one little game that is quite addictive for a geo-geek like myself. They call it “Island Flyover” and it comes bundled with the wii Sports Resort disk.

wii Sports Resort - Air Sports - Island Flyover. Screen shot; fair use of copyright image

It’s really basic which is probably why I’ve enjoyed it. The only point of the activity as far as I can tell is to fly all around the island and find as many attractions as possible. There’s no violence or competition or unnerving situations, just flying around. I’ve been flying through every bit of odd topography in the game. Those include sandy beaches, along cliffsides, buzzing the treetops, through lava tubes and into the caldera of an active volcano.

I’ve spent way too much time with this after the kids have gone to bed. So much for the projects I had lined up for my web pages over the holidays. Fortunately I can tell I’m already growing tired of it. So I’ll probably end up putting the game controller away for another couple of decades momentarily.


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3 responses to “This Counts as a Geo-Oddity, Right?”

  1. Miguel Avatar

    Too bad you’re getting bored with it already! Did you find all 80 spots? It took me a week or so of play (maybe a few sessions a day).

    When I finished, I took a screenshot and uploaded it:

    http://menino.com/wp/2009/08/10/wii-sports-resort-island-flyover-map/

    Most of the game is indeed very non-violent and appropriate for kids of all ages. Even the dogfight mode doesn’t have you shooting anything other than balloons.

    However, the swordplay stuff is pretty intense. My 3-year-old goes completely whacko with it.

    Love your blog, it’s one of the first ones I read in my newsreader every day.

    Miguel in Prince Rupert BC!

    1. Twelve Mile Circle Avatar

      I’m up to 68 points as of yesterday evening and I’ll stick it out until I finish it, then retire. My relentless need to “count things” will force me to complete it. I finally figured out that the guide plane can be spotted by shooting flares, so that’s helping. I think your 3-year-old and my 4-year-old probably subscribe to the same school of swordplay: flail madly and randomly until there’s nothing left to whack. This includes moves that involve rolling around on the floor, running into the adjoining room, and trash-talking his older brother.

      Oh, just took a quick look at your website: I thought Santa only got cookies and beer at my house! I think he got a Belgian-style ale from a Saranac trail mix box if I remember correctly. We told the boys that Santa gets tired of milk at every house so it’s OK for us to mix it up a bit.

  2. mike Avatar
    mike

    wouldn’t it be great if someone could port Google Earth to the Wii?

    I have a 3D mouse for my desktop, the SpaceNavigator, and well, there’s no better way to navigate Google Earth. Worth the $50.

    Now with game console becoming so advanced, why couldn’t someone figure a way to get it going as an app? The Wii uses a wireless connection to the internet as it is, and the controllers would be perfect for 3D navigation.

    Just a thought…..

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