Wii Bowl | Locals take video game fun to another level

At a friendly neighborhood restaurant, diners mingle over their french fries, chicken fingers and soft drinks, while an enthusiastic crowd of bowlers gathers in the back.

The large screen is playing a television show, but the image will soon be replaced by animated figures tossing bowling balls down a simulated lane.

The Terminators, the Shaggers, the Wiimen, Here for Beer and the Autumn Bombs slap hands and begin their biweekly tournaments of Wii bowling, a game that is slowly edging out darts and pool tables at area bars.
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Dean Pope (left) grimaces after failing to make a 4-10 split during team Wii bowling at Beef 'O' Brady's in Georgetown. Pope is a member of the Zwackers in the 7-team league at the sports bar.

* Gallery Available Wii bowling at area bars

The idea has already caught on in Georgetown, Surfside Beach and Myrtle Beach, where Wii bowlers toss a few during happy hour or participate in leagues - complete with T-shirts and bragging rights.

"I thought it would be a bunch of kids, but it's adults and older people," said Pam Parrott, a member of the Intimidators bowling team at Beef O'Brady's. "There's four people on each team, it's divided between men and women."

The Wii Sports disc includes four basic games - tennis, golf, bowling and baseball.

The bowling game is perfect for the small nooks and crannies available in local bars. The game requires only the swinging of the Wii remote to simulate real bowling.

"This was my husband's idea," said Cindi Welsh, owner of Beef O'Brady's. "We don't do pool tables or dart boards, so he said let's try Wii bowling. We installed a projector so we could do the games."

"Tennis is harder, we felt that Wii bowling would be better," added Shane Powers, the secretary for the Beef O'Brady's games.

Players at Beef O'Brady's swing the remote in arcs that will give them an edge on their opponent.

Being a good bowler with a decent average in real life does not guarantee the same results with the Wii, Powers said.

"I bowl like a professional, but I suck at Wii bowling," said bowler Dean Pope. "It takes a little getting used to. You have to figure out how much wrist to put into it."

At Surfside Live, on U.S. 17 Business in Surfside Beach, the game cranks up each day at happy hour, said player Jen Bouchard.

She started bowling at the bar, but enjoyed the game so much, she bought a Wii console for her home.

Bouchard feels the camaraderie of the game is part of the attraction.

"You're not sitting on your butt, playing a video game," she said. "You have tournaments and you meet different people. It breaks the ice, when people don't know anybody, I love it, it's a lot of fun."

Another attraction of the Wii games is creating a character that looks just like you, Bouchard said.

The game offers the opportunity to pick the right hair and clothing for a designer figure that you can use in every game.

"You can create your own so it looks just like you," she said. "When you turn the Wii on, you can go in and create size, shape, hair.

"She just wears whatever we're wearing."

At Beef O'Brady's, the league season has wrapped up for the next several weeks. The leagues will start a new season in March, totaling the scores and playing for dinner certificates and other small prizes.

The restaurant could begin a league for children this summer, Welsh said.

Meanwhile, the players continue to study their techniques for the remote-control game.

"It's harder than it looks," said John Prevatte. "You think you can just toss it, but you can't."

Wii Safety Rules
To reduce the likelihood of a seizure when playing video games:

Sit or stand as far from the screen as possible.

Play video games on the smallest available television screen.

Do not play if you are tired or need sleep.

Play in a well-lit room.

Take a 10 to 15 minute break every hour.

Playing video games can make your muscles, joints, skin or eyes hurt. Avoid excessive play. Parents should monitor their children for appropriate play.

Take a 10 to 15 minute break every hour, even if you don't think you need it.

If your hands, wrists, arms or eyes become tired or sore while playing, or if you feel symptoms such as tingling, numbness, burning or stiffness, stop and rest for several hours before playing again.

Playing video games can cause motion sickness in some players. If you or your child feel dizzy or nauseous when playing video games, stop playing and rest.

Source-www.nintendo.com source>>>

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