PUBLISHERS: If you want me to review your game just send it to:
Wiiviewer Video Reviews
3755 Avocado Blvd #413
La Mesa, CA 91941
To contact me Email me at: Wiiviewer@aol.com
Updated - 08/04/11
Q: Who are you?
Updated: (08/04/11)
A: I am "The Wiiviewer". I do video reviews of Wii Games. I have been doing it for over three years now, and I have over 250 reviews under my belt. So far I have only been doing it on YouTube and if you want to see them go to:
http://www.youtube.com/wiiviewr
Q: Why isn't this FAQ on YouTube?
A: There isn't a place to put a lengthy FAQ on YouTube.
Q: This FAQ isn't the prettiest to look at. You should make it so all we see is the questions, and we click on the ones to see the answers. Can you please fix it?
Added: (01/02/09)
A: I have no experience working with web-pages, so all of this is new to me. If I could figure out how to do it I would. If you want to help me with that feel free to email me.
Q: Who made your logo/banner?
Added: (07/16/09)
A: It was made by a company called thelogocompany.net. It cost $149 with unlimited revisions. They give you five unique logo designs to work off and you tweak it from there. I love the job they did with my logo/banner.
Q: Who made your outro that you use at the end of your videos?
Added: (04/29/10)
A: That was made by a really talented fan named ParcusiaMU.
Q: Where can I download the songs you use for your intros?
Updated: (08/04/11)
A: I don't know where you can find the version of the song I used in my first intro. That was Strike of a blade by Game Earz. I got it off a now dead free MP3 website.
As my new intro: 8-Bit against the odds by EliteFerrex. Here is the link to that song:
http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/332539
This is the other song that I use from that artist:
http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/310270
As for my new intros...they were made by the fans. So I have no idea where to find the new songs. Sorry.
Q: Why are you doing reviews?
A: This is really a family hobby. My boys are very involved behind the scenes. They often show me what they don't like about a game, or something they found amusing in it. Before I write a review for a game we all get together, to discuss it. Then I take all of there thoughts and my own and mix it into the final review.
Q: Are you married or have a girlfriend that can join in on your reviews?
Added : (08/30/08)
A: Nope. I am not married. It's just me and the boys.
Q: What do you do for a job in real life?
Added: (08/05/10)
A: I manage a 7-Eleven.
Q: I can't believe you don't have more subscribers?! Your really good reviewer.
Updated: (12/30/10)
A: Thanks. Since this is a family project I tend not to advertise. If you found my videos you probably found it by accident...and if you subscribed I want to thank you. When I first started I had very few subscribers, but day by day it gets larger. I am very proud of the small following I have. :)
100 Subscribers - 06/07/08
1000 Subscribers - 11/01/08
5000 Subscribers - 03/21/09
10,000 Subscribers - 09/15/09
25,000 Subscribers - 10/16/10
50,000 Subscribers -
Q: How would you describe your style of reviewing?
Added: (08/08/08)
A: I do straight reviews of games, but instead of just analyzing the games...I will make it more fun by throwing in smarta$$ comments. I feel its makes the reviews more fun to listen to, and to produce.
Q: Who would you say most influenced you to start reviewing games? AVGN? Irate Gamer? ScrewAttack? GameSpot?GameVideos?
Added: (01/01/09)
A: I don't copy from anyone, I try to be completely orginal. If I had to classify how I review games. It would be a mixture of GameSpot and Storm's reviews. I know most of you don't know who that is. He was a video reviewer for a now dead website Wii.TV. I just found out that he is still making reviews on YouTube, so you should check him out. His videos are very entertaining.
http://www.youtube.com/user/StormDainProductions
I like the way he does it, but I don't like the way he is on camera a lot of the time, I thought a mixture of the two would be better.
As for all the reviewers I listed, the only one I never knew about was "The Irate Gamer". I saw a couple of his shows, and they are okay, but I prefer reviewers who don't curse. I do like the AVGN, but I think he would be funnier without the cursing.
Q: Why have you been doing let's play's?
Added: (08/04/11)
A: I have been trying to release two videos a week on my channel. Let's plays are a fun and easy way to do that. It's an experiment I have been trying, and we will see if it is popular enough to keep doing it.
Q: How often do you do live events? Where do you do them?
Added: (08/04/11)
A: I do them at least once a month. You can watch them on my main channel. When a live event is running it will automatically go to it on my main channel when its on.
Q: How old are the LilWiiviewer, and the LittlestWiiviewer?
Added: (08/04/11)
A: They are 11, and 8.
Q: The LilWiiviewer is in a bunch of reviews, but the LittlestWiiviewer is only in a few. Why isn't he in more of them?
Added: (02/22/10)
A: Just like the LilWiiviewer he is only in the reviews he chooses to be in. He just doesn't choose to be in many reviews. He is always welcome.
Q: Why do you give clues instead of just telling us what game you are going to review next?
Added: (02/22/10)
A: I do it for fun. People tend to guess all types of games from my clues so when the video does arrive, you can take satisfaction in the fact you guessed it right.
Q: Your clues are too easy...how about making them a little challenging.
Added: (02/22/10)
A: LOL. I love the arrogance of when I get this question. It's like you are looking down on everyone who didn't get it so easily. I do occasionally make a hard clue, but for the most part I keep at an average difficulty level
Q: What is the WiiviewrUNCUT?
Added: (04/29/10)
A: It's a second channel I use. It's main function is place for me to put in the full versions of my reviews. Often times I tend to cut reviews to keep them family friendly, time, or just because it had a lame joke in it. With this second channel I can show the reviews in the entirety.
You can find that channel by going to: http://youtube.com/wiiviewruncut
Q: Why have you been releasing videos to your main channel that normally would have been on WiiviewrUNCUT?
Added: (08/04/11)
A: To keep up with my at least two videos a week pledge to myself I started posting them there. Plus I don't think most of my subscribers knew about my other channel. I still use my other channel for what I intended it for...full versions of cut reviews.
Q: Why did you stop doing Video FAQS?
Added: (08/04/11)
A: I saw no point in continuing them. I started doing live events and it's basically the same thing...only better.
Q: What advice would you give for anyone wanting to review Wii games or any games in fact on youtube?
Added: (07/16/09)
A: Advice? I have to assume you mean in getting subcribers. Don't give up. A lot of reviewers give up after a few videos when they don't get any attention. It took me over 40 videos before I got over 100 subcribers. It sometimes would take me weeks to get over 1000 views on my videos. If you keep at it good things will happen.
Also, if your going to do video game reviews. DO NOT USE A CAMERA TO FILM YOUR FOOTAGE. Spend the $70 and buy a video capture device. People don't want to see grainy footage from a TV.
Q: Why are all your videos so short? Most of them are only 3 minutes long!
Added: (08/14/08)
A: I tend to do what I would call quick and dirty reviews. I figure most people don't want to sit though a 8-10 minute video...so I try to keep my reviews under 4 minutes.
Q: If your a "Family Friendly" reviewer...why do some of your earlier videos have some harsh language in it?
Added: (02/07/09)
A: I wasn't always a "Family Friendly" reviewer. When I first started I always planned on keeping my reviews targeted at teens. However, three months in I found out my fan base was young kids (6-12), so I changed the way I reviewed games. It worked so well I just kept doing it that way.
Q: Alright...if you are NOW a family friendly reviewer. Why do still curse from time to time?
Added: (02/22/10)
A: It's rare for me to curse in a video and its always bleeped. Most of those videos are "M rated" so kids shouldn't watch them anyways.
Q: What are Snap Judgement reviews?
Added: (08/04/11)
A: It's just a different way of doing reviews. Sometimes you can play a game for 5 minutes and know instantly if it's a good game or not. It's a game that I can't or won't finish.
Q: What are seven problem reviews and why did you stop doing them?
Added: (08/04/11)
A: This was just another way of doing a review. I like to change things up occasionally, so I came up with this idea.
The concept behind them are to take great games and find seven "problems" with the game. They were never supposed to be taken seriously...but fanboys sure hated those reviews. I only did it in two reviews. Resident Evil 4 and Mario Galaxy. I was going to do it in my Lit review, but due to the backlash I got I re-wrote it but you can tell me the style and flow of the review it was going to be a "seven problems" review.
Q: What are "Super Sexy Wii Game Review Time" reviews?
Added: (08/04/11)
A: The idea behind these reviews are to look at the Wii, Wiiware, and VC games out there that I can't believe exist for sale. They are normally adult themed, and totally out of place for the system.
Q: Why don't you use a scoring system like normal reviewers? Did you get that from "Ebert and Roeper?"
Added: (01/01/09)
A: I use a system of Buy/Rent/Skip. Its a simple way to get my message on how good or bad the game is. Is it perfect? No.
No. I didn't get that from E&R. I have no idea when they started doing that. The way it came about was sometimes I didn't have an ending for my videos so I just used a generic "Buy it now." It worked so well, I kept doing it. Now its catchphrase of mine.
Q: Will you do a sub for sub?
Added: (08/14/08)
A: No. I like all my subscribers to be legitimate, and not fake like some channels.
Q: Will you add me to your list of "Other Great Game Reviewers"?
Added: (04/29/10)
A: No. I only put people in there that I actually watch.
Q: Why don't you call yourself the Wiiviewer? Why did you take out the "e" at the end? It's a bit confusing.
Updated: (08/04/11)
A: When I joined YouTube...Wiiviewer was taken so I took the closest thing. To make it easier I have tagged the search engine to find my reviews with "Wiiviewer" as well as "Wiiviewr".
In May of 2008 I just started using the nickname "Wiiviewer" instead of "Wiiviewr", but my channel is still under the Wiiviewr account.
When I became a YouTube partner they gave me the guys account who took "Wiiviewer" account name (he never used it). Since I am already established as on my Wiiviewr account I am going to stick with this one.
Q: I have some fan art for your background. Can you use it?
Added: (01/02/09)
A: Sure, I always take fan art. Try to make sure its no bigger then 256K since youtube has a limit.
Just email me the pictures at Wiiviewer@aol.com. I can't promise I am going to use them. Sorry
Q: What do you do on the computer when you are not working on reviews? Are you on Facebook? WOW? Message boards?
Updated: (08/04/11)
A: No, I am not on Facebook. There is a guy who put up a tribute page for me...which I find very nice. I am also not a big fan of online rpg's so I don't do that either.
If I am just relaxing at home. I will be reading fanfiction on fanfiction.net. This is my account if you really care what my favorite stories are:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/2001801/
I am also a big poster on the IMDB message boards in the Chuck and Leverage boards.
Q: You deleted my comment in your video...what's wrong can't take some criticism?
Updated: (08/08/08)
A: Criticism yes...bad language no. If it was deleted it was by accident (which has only happened twice but I always apologize for doing it), or due to inappropriate comments. I do want to remind you that my kids see what your writing, so please watch your language.
I only have two rules in my videos comments:
1. Do NOT use curse words. (1st Warning, Then Ban)
2. Do NOT attack my children. (Instant Ban)
Q: Why don't you respond me in your video comments area?
Added: (10/04/08)
A: While I do READ every comment...I can't respond to all of them. Even if you ask me to. I just don't have the time, but I respond more often then you would think.
Q: What program do you use to edit?
Updated: (08/08/08)
A: Windows Movie Maker. I have tried a couple others, but right now it does everything I need it to do. I just wish it didn't crash all the time. :)
I have been playing around with Adobe Premiere Elements, and you might see more complex footage that was made with that program.
Q: The quality of your videos is fantastic. What do you use to capture video?
Added: (10/30/10)
A: I use a dazzle platinum video capture device, set to the best quality. Here is a link to buy it.
http://www.amazon.com/Dazzle-Video-Creator-Plus-HD/dp/B00392K4LQ/ref=dp_ob_title_sw
Q: Why if the Wii only puts on 480p resolution at the best do you save it at 720p HD?
Added: (08/04/11)
A: This one is more a technical answer. Windows Movie Maker seems to have a problem with saving full screen widescreen. It will only will only take up half of the screen, instead of expanding it to the size I want. You can see a good deal of my reviews had this problem. I finally found that that if I saved it as HD video it would fix this problem. Sure it makes the file larger, but I think the extra time to upload it worth the quality I see on the screen.
Q: Could you tell us your exact setup on how you record videos?
Added: (08/08/08)
A: I have a 1.6 Duel Core Toshiba Laptop, with a Dazzle video capture device attached to it. I also have a distribution amplifier that keeps the signal from degrading (but this isn't necessary). Below is the link for that:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103065&cp=2032057.2032187.2032188.2032195&parentPage=family
It's as simple as going into the program that comes with the Dazzle, and pushing capture (if you have XP). If you have Vista it's not so simple. You have to go onto Dazzle's website and download the USB drivers for it.
Q: What do you use to record your voice?
Updated: (08/04/11)
A: In my first 25 videos I was using a USB headset microphone made by Microsoft. I never liked the way it sounded so I invested in a better microphone. I found a podcasting kit at best buy and it works perfectly. It's XLR Microphone, with an adaptor to plug it in to a USB slot. It's fantastic! The link below is the one I use, but if you type in podcasting kit into amazon's searches you can find a few to choose from.
http://www.amazon.com/Soundtech-STUSBPOD300-LightSnake-Podcasting-Kit/dp/B000H7O9ZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1218742837&sr=1-1
After 225 videos I finally switched from the Lightsnake XLR to USB because I was replacing those cords twice a year. In my latest reviews I have been using the Blue Yeti Microphone. It seems to work well. Here is the link to that:
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Yeti-USB-Microphone/dp/B002VA464S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312520624&sr=8-1weeblylink_new_window
I also do MOST of my recording in my closet, it helps in keeping the bass in my voice (what little there is). The only time I don't record in my closet is when the LilWiiviewer and I do a review together. When we record together we just sit at a table and pass the microphone back and forth.
Q: What kind of a camera do you use?
Added: (08/04/11)
A: My first videos used a Panasonic VHS-C camcorder...but I effectively destroyed it when I did that roll down the hill in my Barbie Horse Adventure review.
I went out a splurged on a really nice camera...It is a Canon G2. It uses DV-TAPE. Unfortunately when I was filming the David the Dancer joke in my Michael Jackson: The Experience review the camera fell over and front of it broke. I am still using it, as it still works but I need to start looking for another camera.
Q: What is the process on making reviews?
Added (08/05/10)
A: It all depends on the game. I usually do things like this.
- Release a video
- Take one or two days off
- Talk to my kids about the game, and see what they thought.
- Write a script of the game I played earlier (one day)
- Re-write script, then record (one day)
- Edit audio (one to two days)
- Edit the video, and release the video (one day)
- Repeat...
Sometimes I get in the zone and I do things faster, but normally that's how I do it.
Q: How many video's do you do a week?
Updated: (08/04/11)
A: I am trying to release at least two videos a week. Normally it's one review, and one misc video (let's play, live event recording, deleted scenes)
Q: When do you normally release videos?
Updated: (02/22/10)
A: When I feel like it. So stop asking. :)
Q: How do you choose the games your going to review?
A: Suggestions, Personal Tastes, Random Chance.
Q: So you take Suggestions?
Updated: (12/29/08)
A: Absolutely!
Q: Why won't you do my Suggestion?
Added: (10/04/08)
A: Please understand, I sometimes get 20-30 suggestions a day. I can't possibly do all of them. I just don't have the time.
Q: Are you ever going to review a Gamecube game?
Updated: (08/04/11)
A: No. I have enough games to play. I don't see the need to review games that are five to six years old.
The LilWiiviewer wants to try and make his own review so he wants to review some Gamecube games. I'm not sure how many he will do, but his reviews will be the only time you will see Gamecube review on my channel.
Q: Do you own all the games you review?
Updated: (02/22/10)
A: No. I would be broke if I did. I do own every VC game I review. I own about 100 Wii Games, and I have ended up buying games I rented due to there greatness.
Q: Do you own any other systems?
Added: (07/16/09)
A: If you mean next-gen systems then no. I don't own a Playstation 3 or an Xbox360. I do have five DS's but most of them are broken.
Q: Where do you rent your games?
Added (01/01/09)
A: Gamefly. I spend over $30 a month on a subscription there. It lets me keep three games out at a time. You can find it by going to www.gamefly.com.
Q: Your tending to review games that most people won't buy. Why don't you review game like Zelda?
Updated: (01/01/09)
A: I don't like to review games that EVERYONE is going to buy, and EVERYONE has already reviewed. I like to review games that you may have not heard of and want to know if its a good game.
If you look at my top watched videos you will see most of them are games that most people don't know about or there are no reviews for them. I try to fill a niche.
Q: What is your problem? Why do you hate Startropics so much?
Updated: (07/16/09)
A: I don't hate Startropics, I just don't like it. It was okay for the time, but it hasn't aged well. I have taken a second look at the game if you want to watch it. I address all the complaints I have got about my previous review. Below is the link to that video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szw4fNAkrNo
Q: Your totally wrong on Kirby's Adventure. That's a fun game. Can you please revisit that review?
Updated: (02/22/10)
A: I did revisit the review here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoKAt6g8JLk
Q: What happened to that revisit to Animal Crossing and the Wii Speak?
Added: (08/05/10)
A: The LilWiiviewer accidently broke the Animal Crossing disk about three months in so I stopped playing (obviously). I just never replaced it.
As for the Wii Speak...I was very disappointed in it. To the extent that I didn't even want to do a review on it.
Q: Your top 10 of 2008 best list is crazy. You put "The Price is Right" and "African Safari" above Mario Galaxy! You also totally left out Mario Kart Wii!
Added: (12/29/08)
A: I want to remind you that its MY personal opinion on which games were the most fun for ME to play this year. I played Mario Galaxy a lot last year, and when it came time for me to review it I didn't enjoy it as much. I did enjoy AS and PiR more then Mario Galaxy, but if you would have asked me last year then it would have been a different story.
As for Mario Kart Wii. It was #11 on my list, as I am not a racing fan. I did enjoy the game though, just not enough to put it in the top 10. If you watch my two top 10 best/worst videos in the beginning when I am introducing the videos there are clips in the background. Those are my 15-11 picks in order, I just don't tell anyone that. Its more of a hidden suprise.
Q: In your Petz: Crazy Monkeyz review you kind of lose it at the end, and start laughing hysterically. Was that real? Also, why do you emphases the Z's go much in the Petz reviews?
Added: (01/01/09)
A: Yes, it was real. I was recording my Sonic and the Secret Rings review when the LilWiiviewer asked me what I thought of Petz: Crazy Monkeys. I told him then I said, "I wonder how much it costs?". The orginal rant was about three times longer but I edited it for time.
I always emphases Z's in any game that puts them in since its so ridiculous that they do that. I am just mocking them when try to sound hip, fresh, and whack. :)
Q: Your an idiot. You can't pronounce anything. You are constantly struggling with Japanese names, when all you have to do is search YouTube for a clip of the correct way to say it.
Added: (01/01/09)
A: I am a huge anime fan, so I KNOW how to say a lot of the Japanese names I struggle with. Its just a running joke I do, and the way I usually do it, you can normally tell I'm joking.
Q: The way you rip on game publishers sometimes have they ever contacted you about it?
Updated: (02/22/10)
A: No. I have had contact with four publishers. TaleTale (Strong Bad), and Wayforward Technologies (Lit), Ubisoft, and Mastiff (Deer Drive). They were all very nice.
TaleTale I only heard from them because YouTube flagged my video for having some of their content on my review. I wrote to them and they said it was fine and not to worry.
WayForward Technolgies it was a little more intresting. I was in the message board for Lit on GameFaqs when the creator of the game came in to talk to us. He answered a few questions of mine about the game itself, and said he watched my review of the game. He took the video in the lighthearted way I presented it, which I was happy about.
Ubisoft when they contacted me it was a bit of a suprise. They wrote to me on my wiiviewer@aol.com account. They told me how they apperated me for reviewing games that usually don't get real attention (Gold's Gym: Cardio Workout). I wrote back and thanked them for compliment (but I was secretly thinking; "They must not have watched my Petz Crazy Monkeyz review." LOL).
A few weeks later I got another email from them. This time it was from the creator of "Gold's Gym: Cardio Workout". She was also thanking me for the attention to her game.
Mastiff also contacted me though my Wiiviewer@aol.com account. They just thanked me for doing the review.
Q: How does the "Viewers Choice Week" work?
Added: (10/22/09)
A: Easy. I give you a list of ten games. You choose two from the list and the two with the top votes will be reviewed. Just leave your vote on the comment area on my main YouTube page, or send me a private message. Please only vote once, if I see multiple votes from an account I will just throw them out.
Q: Why can't we choose our own games to vote for during that week?
Added: (10/22/09)
A: I have to have the video for the games that win. So, the list is based on games I have already played, and or have in my possession. The game's on my list are always games that people have suggested, so they aren't just random games thrown together.
Q: The games I chose didn't win...are you still going to review those other games?
Added: (10/22/09)
A: The answer is maybe. Some games only make the list because of requests, and while I may have the game I might never review it for various reasons.
Q: How often do you do "Viewer's Choice Weeks"?
Added: (02/22/10)
A: Twice a year. Usually May/June and Nov/Dec.
Q: How many "Viewer's Choice Weeks" have you done? What games won in the past?
Updated: (08/04/11)
A: Eight
#1 - Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 & Ninjabread Man.
#2 - Cooking Mama: World Kitchen & Sonic and The Secret Rings.
#3 - Kirby 64 & StarFox 64 *VC SPECIAL EDITION*
#4 - Punch Out!! & Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings.
#5 - New Super Mario Brothers Wii and Lego Indiana Jones 2.
#6 - Super Paper Mario and Sonic & Sega's All-Star Racing.
#7 - Sonic Colors and Top 10 Favorite Review Moments.
#8 - Super Smash Brothers and Top 10 Moments With My Kids.
Q: I enjoy your battle videos? How often do you do those?
Added (08/05/10)
A: I will try to do it at least twice a year, and I will keep the same format as before. You guys pick the games, and the categories. It's more fun for me to be surprised what games are going to be matched up and having to decide them on the crazy catagories you guys come up with.
Q: I have a question for this FAQ. Where can I email you that question?
A: FAQ@wiiviewer.com.
