New Jersey Parents React Negatively To Wii Zapper

September 14, 2007
Earlier this week, New Jersey's The Star-Ledger polled the readers of its Parental Guidance blog on what they thought of Nintendo’s forthcoming Wii Zapper, a plastic shell that combines the Wiimote and Nunchuk into a rifle-looking device for use in first-person shooter games. 

The majority of the responses, the paper reports, were highly negative:
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?

Nintendo ought to be fined for introducing to 4-9 years old kids a "toy" that promotes guns. The next thing you know they will include an application to the NRA in the game. Who ever thought up this stupid game ought to be fired. I would NEVER purchase a Nintento product for my grandkids from here on...

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?

While the published responses were uniformly negative toward the Wii Zapper, that may have something to do with how the original question was presented (emphasis The Star-Ledger’s):
Wii announced over the summer that it's coming out the a gun-like remote, so kids can play shooter games, with, well, a shooter.

What do you think about making a wand in the shape of a weapon so play is more realistic?  ...Is it harmful?  ...Will you buy one for your kids?

Even so, not every reader was ready to brandish the pitchforks and light the torches.
...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.....

I think this a really dumb thing to do.. however, as a parent.. i make the choice what comes in my home.. This will not.... Just because it is available doesn't mean we have to buy it.

-Reporting from San Diego, GP Correspondent Andrew Eisen
Buzz It

Comments

@Conejo
Which exit?

This story is very funny. I've never seen a gun that looks like the Wii Zapper. This is from a generation of kids that grew up with capguns. I guess the intial question was too "loaded."

I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!

Heh... Pretty soon "A Christmas Story" will be banned because it promotes guns!

I flat-out refuse to believe that the parents currently complaining about the 'gun-shaped' Zapper never played with gun-like toys themselves. From what I could tell from a quick internet research-skim, water guns have been around since at least the 1960s, while cap guns date back to the 1940s. At least the Zapper isn't *intended* to be pointed at actual humans and fired...

dude.. they sell water guns, nerf guns, and other toy guns out there.... EXCUSE ME? or let's think about it in this manner....... the Zapper was meant for games simulating gun play!

What's more dangerous... using a toy that look slike a gun, or a video game meant to simulate a gun. cmon.. this is just stupid.

When I was a kid, I had a toy every kid has come to love, a nerf gun. I sent round after fake round in the direction of our windows, and of course my brother. I had my own laser tag set that my friends and I ran around the house and yard with. Yet today, after all that "learning how to use guns," I would much sooner get a lawyer or call the police than ever think of using a gun. I played with fake swords as a kid too, and while I think stage combat is awesome, I'm not about to go medieval on anyone's ass when I don't like them.

Parents of today: parenting and raising children involves teaching your children what is acceptable behavior and action, and what isn't. If, after playing with some fake instrument of death and pain, you realize that they become much more violent in general, you, as a parent, are responsible to set them straight. Everyone needs to be taught that when James Bond kills a bad guy, it's only a movie, and there is a big difference between that and real life. So take a reality check. Your kids aren't murderers, and if you just teach them right from wrong as best you can, it's extremely doubtful that they ever will be.

@nightwing2000

On your list, you forgot:

a stick or twig

As a kid, how many of us picked up a fallen stick or twig and played cops and robbers?

Reading the first few comments at the Star Ledger blog is really disturbing. Are parents and grandparents that out of touch with reality? The Wii Zapper being viewed on par with a real gun? Give it a rest. When has anyone seen a gun like that?!?!

I wonder how many of those parents also purchase Star Wars light sabers, SpiderMan web slingers and Pirates of the Caribbean swords for their kids?

Maybe JT is working FOR the robot overlords. :( *shudders*

It is pretty amazing that people jump to the conclusion that Nintendo is immediately going to release games like "187: How to Kill A Cop!" (no thats not a real game). Get real. This isnt contributing to the derogation of society. It is stupid, uniformed people who try to blame everything but their own parenting that seem to be the ones taking us to all new depths of societal low. But god forbid we blame ourselves for anything. I mean the fact that our society as a whole leaves the TV or video games on as a babysitter is not to blame. Oh no, its the people who make the TV shows and games.People need a wake up call. Learn to police your kids and not blame all of the world's troubles on video games.

And as a sidenote, maybe we can talk about how the zapper doesnt even look anything like a real gun. Maybe we can blame candy cigarettes for people smoking. Or how about the gum cigars for people liking cigars. Big League Chew could be blamed for chewing tobacco. IBC Root Beer (since it comes in an actual bottle) for kids wanting to drink beer. Yeah. Lets go overboard everywhere. Seriously, people need to get a life.

Oh, now I get it, Dennis. Any parent who is opposed to kids' rehearsing gun violence with a simuated gun is "brandishing pitchforks and lighting torches."

Are you out of your mind, Dennis? There is a problem with gun violence in this country, and Nintendo is feeding that problem. What a dork.

Jack Thompson

@DavCube

See my response to DragonBomber.

I have other reasons, but people die if I get to angry.

@DavCube

To me only M-Rated games are good (With some acceptions). That is because they are usually the only games that appeal to me.

And, thank you, but I will not be cutting back on the language. It helps vent frustration, which is something that I have a lot of funnily enough.

@ kidfenris

I can only hope this is the case. I want to sport one of those amazing gangster coupes one day. I would rather have it converted to electric or biodiesel than run gas, but in the long run I likely will never own one and am merely dreaming. Cool cars and zoot suits. That's where the danger's at.

@ Blackice

When Nintendo first showed off their new controller, I laughed. I thought it was the dumbest thing in the world. Then I listened to the reason behind the design. Nintendo wanted to break out of the hardcore demographic. They did not want to abandon them, but expand. They designed the remote to look and feel more like the tv remote, something almost everyone feels comfortable using. This allowed people who have never used a game controller before pick it up and feel like they knew what they were doing.

Dispite what you think, Nintendo has done more for video gaming this generation than Sony or MS could have dreamed. They are getting people over 50 interested in gaming.

As for your M rated games argument, Nintendo software has always been about family friendly. That is just the way they are. They have always relied on 3rd party developers to bring in the M rated games. If 3rd party developers didn't underestimate the Wii before launch, there would be more quality M rated games. So don't blaim Nintendo for 3rd party developers not doing their jobs.

I'm more surprised that they didn't flip out over the replica sword and shield for Zelda.

I love how they panic when a game uses a gun like toy, but never when stores sell water guns to kids at like 99 cents, or the super soakers, or nerf guns for that matter.

@Scottland89
Technically all that is is plastic. You just place the Wii-Mote and Nunchaku in the slots. Not a new electronic. It's the same concept for the Wii-Mote steering wheel.

@Nightwng2000

I thought you were talking about the Sega Master System Phaser for a minute. I kept thinking to myself, when did they release a model II Phaser, then a Model III Phaser? I was certainly stumped, then jumped to the logical explanation that you meant Trek. ;) I have had more game guns over the years than I can recall. Odd ones for old classic systems, several types of Zappers, Sega Phaser, the Menacer, the SuperScope, the Lethal Enforcers gun, and a couple others. I never had the Time Crisis compatible ones big on the Dreamcast and Sony PS1, but I think I was spent by then on gun games.

@nightwing2000 --

Slings aren't weapons to be scoffed at. A number of ancient armies had soldiers who were proficient with slings. The sling bullets were carved and sharpened rocks that were most definitely deadly in the hands of someone who knew what they were doing.

Additionally, there was a weapon called a staff sling. It was basically a sling on the end of a three to four foot stick. It was more difficult to use, but it could generate even more velocity.

They were used in King's The Dark Tower series, but (no groaning here) a historical usage was David slaying Goliath. (There was a good History Channel show on this -- I think it was an episode of Ancient Weapons.)

There was another story from New Jersey yesterday regarding a city councilman taking a water gun away from a kid at a swimming pool. If I can find the link again, I'll post it.

Blackice, Leftie,
Only since the PSOne? Someone get that child an Atari 2600, Commodore Vic-20, and an IBM XT!

:D

DragonBomber,
I ruled at Duck Hunt. But then, since I have been near sighted since birth, I've had to sit right in front of the TV to watch it or play games. Kinda takes the fun out of it when you sit so close that you can touch the screen with the gun. So I never got into the light gun craze. S'okay though, I wasn't into that much realism back then anyway. I guess that's why I'm drawn more to the advancement of storytelling than the advancement of graphics and audio.

Nightwing2000
NW2K software

@Blackice

Why exactly are you trying to turn this topic into a nintendo - sony - ms console fanboy war?

I really couldn't give a monkeys which company made the lightgun, the issue here is the clueless people on the "omg! a lightgun for a console? it's turning children into murderers!¬!¬" line of thought

Spa filter is aggressive today... I just cleaned out several comments in this and the Mini-me article...

"Are you out of your mind, Dennis? There is a problem with gun violence in this country, and Nintendo is feeding that problem. What a dork."


And yet you are going after the fake guns, and doing nothing about the fucking REAL guns. What a joke you have become.

"Also, your *total lack of ignorance* on what the 2nd Amendment does is fairly breathtaking."

What a compliment! I wish I knew that much

Asmodeus, If you complete basic english courses, I will not only give you a cookie, but Id love to have an intelligent chat. ok?

Until then, stop slamming people if you can't slam right.

Yours, with greatest hope for all remaining human morality,
Zehn

@IanC

I'm not even going to bother that i'm likely older than you.. Foolish Child..

jack thompson

The only people out of their mind are people who act like gun violence never existed before video games. This article was pedantic tripe just like the crap you spew around. I guess the fact that children starting at age 11 are allowed to use their own real guns for hunting is just beside the point with you. No, only video games and now the Wii Zapper are the only ways that children get introduced to guns. What childish notion you have.

jee a jack thompson post theres something new


ok back to blue dragon

I should stop trying to quantify Thompson's intelligence every time I see one of these paranoid, delusional comments of his...

Every time I think he's hit rock bottom, he finds a way to sink even further into a world of rubber walls and neuroleptics.

What is wrong with these people? These parents never heard of Duck Hunt haven't they?

I played with plastic toy weapons and other imitiations and it didn't make me a killer.

Either the people who are complaining are complete morons (no offense but they are) or a lack of toy history. (from gun darts to BB guns)

Jack, there's also a problem with arrogant, self-important, incompetent lawyers in this country, too...a problem which you are one of the lead contributors to.

But then, when has blatant hypocrisy ever been a problem for you?

Nekowolf: "Now then, I know quite well what the 2nd Amendment does. It gives the right to bear arms in establish militia. However, militia is no longer necessary, considering we now have a full standing army"

But, err, the whole point of the Second Amendment is so that The People and the several States could protect themselves from said standing army should the Federal government ever abuse it. Go read the Federalist papers. Or go read the recent Circuit Court decision in Parker vs. DC.

Anyhoo, if you don't like us having guns, Molon Labe. ;)

ATTENTION PANDALIPS:

Umm, this is New Jersey we're talking about. If anything, the proper troll line would be "godless commie liberals."

Ask your parents to let you out of the closet for once. Or at least ask them for a book or something. Your ignorance is making the anti-gamers look intelligent here..

Just because the Wii has a gun shaped controller doesn't mean it's bad. If it is so, then toy makers should stop making toy guns that produce cute sounds and colorful lights. Besides, not all Wii games are targeted for kids. This is what happens WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK JUST FOR THE SAKE OF IT. Before speaking, you should base it in on facts.

Just because a kid holds a knife doesn't mean he's gonna be a killer.

Great, just what we need, Parents that complain about children playing games made for adults when they should do what they're supposed to...

"What is... Proper parenting? Alex."

By the way, for those of you over-protective, paranoid "parents" sheilding your children from "harmful" material until they're 18, they will have no way to cope with the outside world, filled with violence, sex, drugs, and... Bad parents.

Dun dun dunn!

generic New Jersey joke #28,401

This is why I really hate the wii. Where is the problems with the light guns? Yet the wii is painting the picture that gaming is for kids and kids alone.

I feel the Nintendo will really ruin gaming, and that the most violent game will be allowed to play is cricket, if this keeps up.

Plus doesn't the zapper go against what the wii is about? No peripherals, just the controller? Glad to see that nintendo kept their plan, and not just trying to go for more money.

"introducing to 4-9 years"

Again, adults show their ignorance by claiming video games are just for kids.

"What kind of message are we sending as parents when we buy these things for our kids?"

Don't buy it then. Be a parent for once and just say no to the kid.
does anyone know how much the Zappers are supposed to cost?

1st (hopefully)

I wonder how many of these parents bought their kids a water pistol...

The first Nintendo Zapper came out 20 years ago! I don't recall that particular piece of plastic warping my fragile mind when I was young. I think all of this negativity actually comes from an anti-youth attitude. Children aee not nearly as idiotic and fragile as some would have you believe. I know that children can be impressionable at times, but I think this is pushing it. Next they'll be taking the Nerf guns away...

If they truly think this will train kids in shooting, they have another thing coming. Besides, surely they all had replica guns as children?

Does anyone remember Duck Hunt?

Jesus Christ, a what bunch of freakin' idiots.

....Because none of these kids has ever held a Nerf gun or a Super Soaker.

Hmmm....
Plastic Dart Guns.
"Realistic" plastic machine guns, AK47s, even the "realistic" wodden riffles.
Cap guns.
Paintball guns.
Laser Tag.
Water pistols.
Water soaker rifles.
"Guns" that fire cars.
Guns that shoot Nerf balls.
Guns that shoot... pretty much any "bullet" design (circle, ball, etc).
Plastic bows and arrows.
Toy crossbows.
Plastic lightsabers.
Plastic swords.
Plastic knives.
Plastic battleaxes.
Big foamy "bats" for hitting each other.
Plastic grenades.
Plastic batons.
Rock 'em Sock 'em.
Darts (plastic, velcro, sharp tip, etc).
Etc
Etc
Etc

Nah, only video games have EVER encouraged young children to be violent or how to practice preparing to use long range weapons better.

Nightwng2000
NW2K Software

Some people are so dumb.

the thing with a Nintendo gun, if it is anything like the NES version, is that it teaches kids guns suck. I mean, it is too hard to hit anything so you give up, right?


Or maybe I just can't "aim".

@ Scottland

This zapper is not a peripheral. It is a gun shaped casing that houses the Wiimote and nunchuck(funny no one complains about that name). Resident evil and other M rated games will be using this, but you don't have too.

Nintendo is not trying to sell this as a kids console. They are trying to sell it as a console for everyone, from kids to geriatrics. They will not ruin gaming for everyone. So get a life.

@ Deathnote

$19.99(US)

I don't think the Zapper is actually a controller is it? It's just a plastic snap-in frame that uses the Wii-mote and Nunchuck.

"Nintendo ought to be fined for introducing to 4-9 years old kids a “toy” that promotes guns."
So what about Nerf, Supersoakers, Capguns, BBguns, Air rifles *list goes ever on ever on (a cookie to who knows where that last bit came from)* Do all those companies need to be fined even more for marketing their products exclusively to children?

Anyways, where were people claiming to be worried about "teh childrenz" with the original NES/Famicom that had it's own light-gun controller?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_soaker
Oh no...!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap_gun
Evil is everywhere!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spud_gun
EVERYWHERE!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerf
NOOOOOO!

But you see cap guns are just innocent fun for kids.

With the Wii, the despicable folks at Nintendo are letting children use a massive white plastic thing to shoot at low resolution images of low-polygon terrorist and zombie models on a screen. Or at least at Eledees, that being the only E-rated FPS.

But cap guns let children go outside and enjoy firing replica guns at their friends in real life. Pure wholesome fun.

I remember back when I used to use a gun-like wand to play my games. No harm ever came of it. Except of course when I'd play The Adventures of Bayou Billy, but that's because that game is horrible.

Where is the outrage against other toy guns such as super soakers and lazer tag? They were meant to do the exact same thing that the Wii Zapper is intended.

"Could we make it squirt blood, too?"
One of the most ignorant comments ever.

"I would NEVER purchase a Nintendo product for my grandkids from here on..."
Whoever said this is really overreaching, out of touch, and overly sensitive.

"What kind of message are we sending as parents when we buy these things for our kids?"
I have the perfect answer to that question. If you, the parent, feels uncomfortable to buy the Wii Zapper, then DO NOT buy the peripheral.

The first three quotes in the article a damn good display of ignorance. Kudos to the final two quotes, though.

SELF-EDIT: ...although, admittedly, I'm thinking more about male children than female, and back in those days girls weren't likely to get those kinds of toys. Hrm. But still, they would've been aware of them.

"Great, this is what we need. Children with guns learning how to aim and shoot."

This fool makes a very big stupid point in his second sentence. "Children with guns". Now, I may have this wrong, but as far as I know, the nintendo zapper combined with Wiimote and Nunchuk is not a real gun! I could be mistaken, could someone clarify for me if it fires real bullets?

You could learn to aim with a toy gun I suppose, but to shoot? Compensate for recoil? Reload and maintain a firearm? Don't make me laugh. I had the highest score on Time Crisis 2 at college for 4 years running, but I still don't know how to load a real gun and would be scared out of my wits if I was actually to use one.

"Then we can sit back and wonder what is happening to our country with kids killing kids……what’s next?"

Your kid playing with a wii zapper will not lead to him killing another child. Your kid having mental problems, who is bullied at school, who does not receive the correct attention or treatment and who has access to a REAL firearm? Now that could certainly lead to a lethal scenario. Nothing is "happening to our country". There have been isolated incidents all through modern history of people who have gone crazy and killed multiple people with guns, before and after video games became popular. There will continue to be people who go crazy. The best we can do is try and find ways of better diagnosing or recognising people who may be prone to this and ensuring early treatment or close supervision. The worst we can do is pretend that video games or heavy metal or (insert cultural scapegoat) is responsible for it.

I made a mistake in my first post. I meant to add "Except that the Wii Zapper was not meant to be aimed at humans and is for use with a gaming console. Lazer tag and water guns are meant to be aimed and fired at humans and other living beings."
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Andrew EisenThat article is over five years old, Uncharted. A fun blast from the past though.02/12/2012 - 10:47pm
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DorthLousWill do, my apologies.02/09/2012 - 4:14pm
Andrew EisenI appreciate the heads up but please keep typo alerts to the specific article's comments or PMs.02/09/2012 - 3:33pm

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