Motherfest: To Wii or not to Wii

My sister and I grew up playing Atari 2600, and after hours and hours (and hours) of play, we mastered games like Frogger, Q-Bert, Pitfall!, Ms. Pac Man, E.T. and Donkey Kong.

My parents didn't limit the amount of time we spent with a joystick in our hand but, in all honesty, I don't think my extreme video game exposure affected me adversely. To this day, I am very socially interactive. I read a lot. I don't own -- nor have I ever owned -- a video game system as an adult.

But that might change now that I played Wii.

Last weekend I had my first Wii experience. I bowled a couple of games and played baseball, and I had no idea the games are so physically involved -- or that they are so much fun. Plus, the next day, I actually felt like I worked out my arms from all of the batting practice.

All of that said, when I became a parent, I decided early on that my sons would not have video game systems. I based this decision on the fact that so many modern games are violent and because I wanted my kids to spend as little time in front of a television screen as possible.

But I admit that the Wii has it merits and, consequently, it's challenging my philosophies. The system would be particularly fun during the winter, when playing outside isn't always an option. Plus, it teaches hand-eye coordination and team spirit.

While playing Wii, I liked how interactive I was with my friends. Just like at a real bowling alley, we high-fived after strikes and spares, chatted amongst ourselves when it wasn't our turn and in general I didn't feel as "sucked in" by the video game as I thought I would. I suppose this would be different if I were playing one of the games by myself.

I know my kids would love playing this, but I'm still not ready to fork over the $300 or more to buy one. There are so many other expenses that would come first -- like finally dropping the $100 to repair my stupid headlight which was smashed out in a hit-and-run while I innocently shopped at Pick 'n' Save -- but if I ever found myself with "extra money" (which is almost an oxymoron these days) I just might get one.

I know, I know: it's a slippery slope. A Wii today might mean another system in a couple of years that's less active. But is Wii golf really the gateway to killing cyber hookers? I don't think so, but then again, I might be so blinded by the sheer thought of owning the Wii Fit -- which I have now thoroughly researched -- that I'm willing to make hypocritical concessions.

But maybe I'm OK with being a hypocrite once in a while. Aren't we all?