In 2008, Netflix announced that their services would be available for Microsoft's Xbox 360.  Prior to that, I has no interest in the service.  After trying it out, I was pleasantly surprised.  The Lord created Netflix.....and it was good.  The option to watch pretty much any movie I wanted for about $9 a month plus the ability to download a huge selection of movies to my console?  I was in Heaven.  Over time, the option expanded in functionality.  The options to watch movies with a friend (or three) over Xbox Live was welcome.  So was the option to add movies to your queue without the need for a PC.  Still, without a built in browser, the need for a PC was still there (not EVERY instant movie is available on the 360's list).  On top of that, to view Netflix on the 360, you had to be a member of Xbox Live and you had to have a $50 "Gold Account" (keep in mind that Netflix alone costs at least $72 a year).

So a couple of days ago, I was browsing Netflix.com, looking for potential gems that I hadn't watched yet.  There was a link to a page offering Netflix for the Wii.  I figured, "What the hell?" I requested my free disc.  Well today, that disc arrived.  A few minutes ago, I popped that mandatory motherfucker in.

So, I start my Wii up as normal and click on the "Netflix Channel".  It starts off the same as any other game.  Then, I'm instructed to get the activation code off of the screen and enter it on Netflix.com/Wii.  Quick and painless.  I'm told it would take up to three minutes to activate my Netflix compatible device but, by the time I got back to the Wii, it was already ready to go.  The menu was similar to the one on the 360.  All of the movies that I chose for the 360 were there, ready for me to view.  It seems like the "box art" for the films loaded quite a bit faster, too!  And, since the Wii remote is already more intuitive than using a controller, navigation was a breeze.

I had to pick which movie I would watch for my Wii's maiden voyage into its new life as a movie player.  I figured I'd kick things off with "Full Metal Jacket".  I selected it and was greeted by a loading screen.  It contained the title of the movie and a black bar that filled slowly.  Still, so far, so good.  It loaded slowly but after about two minutes of loading (much longer than the 360) my movie was playing.  The picture quality was far from HD and I doubt that it would upgrade/degrade with the quality of my internet connection, but it was surprisingly good.  I would say that it was a little below the quality of a standard definition channel from DirecTV.  I can deal with that.

One thing that anybody using Netflix on the Wii should do:  MOVE YOUR WII REMOTE FAR AWAY FROM YOU!  I accidentally pressed the "B" button.  That prompted another two minutes of loading as the movie tried to resume where it left off.  A few minutes later, I tried to see if the "plus/minus" buttons would enlarge or shrink the image on screen.  Another two minutes of loading!!  If you watch Netflix on the Wii, it's best to just let the movie play and not touch the Wii Remote at all, unless you need to fast forward or rewind.

So, there you have it.  No frills.  Nothing fancy.  It works.  It's passable.  If you already have Netflix, and you have a Wii, give it a try.  You can't use the Wii to watch DVD's (unless you're one of those custom firmware guys) but the instant streaming movies works.  Honestly, it worked better than I thought it would!  If you have a capable PC or a 360, you may prefer to go those routes (especially the 360 since the quailty is very high and it's on a TV screen) but users of the Wii won't lose out on much.  I'll try some special effects intense movies sometime over the weekend.

7.5/10

Anybody try the PS3 version, yet?

thanks for the info. I had been thinking of netflix for awhile and it at least sounds useable.

I was talking to my brother about it.

I might get it eventually.

I just wish Netflix was available in my country. Or some equivalent service.

What is your connection speed? My movies load in 10 to 20 seconds. Sometimes less.

As for picture quality, it looks absolutely great. I give a slight edge to my cable, but only slight. Keep in mind I'm watching on a SD TV.

So there really isn't one, eh? I am disapppointed by unsurprised by the revelation.

If you like snail mail, there's zip.ca, but nothing I know of if you want online streaming. Next closest thing is the iTunes store.

I got my Wii Netflix disc in the mail this past Wednesday.

It worked better than I thought it would - with adequate picture quality and sound. I get Blu-Ray's via mail from Netflix and I'm really excited for being able to stream so movies via Wii during that turn-around time.

I'd actually give it an 8 out of 10.

Anybody know what Netflix uses to locate your location and determine eligibility? Does it use IP detection? I am not physically located in the US, but I have available to me:
- a US address (which I can use both to receive the disc and for registration purposes)
- a US credit card
- a US Wii

- If initial registration is done through the PC, I even have available to me  a US server that will make it seem i am in the US (this won't work for my Wii connection though).

BUT I am very much totally outside of the US. Could I "fool" Netflix to let me use it?

My load time is about 10 seconds as well. 

Even on a HD tv picture quality is good.  Not DVD quality, but much better than I expected.