Turns Out, this Thread is NOT about bad parenting in the US. Discuss about... IDK...

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

We received responses to our Question of the Week about the new gun-like remote wand that Wii is planning to unveil for its first-person shooter games.

Most people think it's a bone-headed idea.

"Great, this is what we need. 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" one reader commented

A "very concerned grandparent" wrote:
"....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."

Another reader commented, "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?"

Not everyone felt the weapon-like remotes were a bad idea. A Wii fan wrote,
"....I really hope that those people out there who believe that a gun-shaped remote will turn every kid that touches one into a homicidal maniac, don't ruin the fun for us Wii-playing adults who can handle the reality. 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....."

Comment on the article:

http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2007/09/13/wii-zapper-creates-a-ruckus/

Some people will complain about anything.

We here at Wii Fanboy may have mixed feelings about the Wii Zapper, but there's one thing that we're pretty sure none of us has thought about: its potential in training children to becoming ultimate killing machines. Apparently, however, that's exactly what some people are thinking upon seeing different versions of the lightgun-like setup. The New Jersey Star-Ledger's Parental Guidance blog's most recent Question of the Week centered around the attachment, and it seems to have some folks alarmed. One commenter said, "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?"

What we didn't see was any mention of previous lightguns -- like, say, the one for the NES -- or laser tag, or paintball, or any other item that might involve simulated gunplay. Instead, we see a lot of mention of children and guns, and while we don't know the rating yet on the accessory's pack-in title, Link's Crossbow Training, the other games slated for use with the Wii Zapper are (or probably will be) rated Teen or Mature. Last time we checked, that meant they weren't for children.

We know it's hard for some people to separate the idea of video games and children, but considering the vast (and ever-increasing) number of adult gamers, we can only hope that eventually, the outspoken, uneducated nongaming minority will realize that not all video games and accessories are for kids. We might also add the neither the NES zapper nor the existence of paintball have thus far destroyed the world, but we'll keep an eye for signs of the apocalypse.

Who's more likely to use a gun to kill someone?

This boy, who plays with the Wii Zapper everyday...

Or...

This guy, who never plays videogames at all.

This is so true. Just look back at 1985 when they released the NES Zapper. That's the main reason there was that whole Nintendo Gamer Shooting Spree that has lasted for the last two decades.

Not to mention the fact that this might encourage grandparents to shoot their grandkids. It's gonna be a bloodbath.

Wait....so some parents critisized the zapper....because if they will buy it for their kids, then that will make them (the parents) look bad? Is this a joke? Aren't games that use the zapper suitable for teenagers over 14 years of age? Or maybe even mature, just like for the RE series? Are these parents actually saying that they'll buy games that are rated unsuitable for their kids?

this is why i hate average americans. They are such total stupid pieces of......ARRGGGHHH. I can't even laugh at this. It's beyond being funny, it's only pitiful :(

@Wojitas,

Exactly. 100% agreed.

Wonder miyamoto would say, hes all anti adultish games.

Nintendo acknowledges that certain people like violent games.  I think Miyamoto, though, would make a squirt gun game or have it shoot puffs of whipped cream.  He's silly.

BTW, aside from MOH: heroes 2, Resident Evil and that sega fps that's coming up, are there any games that were said to make use of the wii zapper?

^Nothing that I know about.