The following is a painfully simple step-by-step guide to connecting a Wii to a projector and setting up a two person bowling game. A Microsoft Word version is available here. This guide assumes that you already know how to turn on your projector.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional techie, nor am I incredibly adept at all things technical (as is evidenced by the wonky way some of my pictures turned out). As such, I am not responsible for anything that may go awry due to the following directions.




You will need all of the items on the left in order to set up a game of Wii bowling using a projector

*Wired Sensor Bar: comes with your Wii and is not ideal to use with a projector.
*Wireless Sensor Bar: is sold seperately, but is ideal to use with a projector

Note: The nunchuks are not needed for a game of bowling.

Not pictured: Wii Sports Disc and projector








STEP ONE:
Plug the Wii's power cord into the Wii and into your outlet

(I recommend a surge protector, because my husband says so. I think the main purpose is because the surge protectors usually have more than one outlet)










STEP TWO:
Plug the Wii's AV cord into the Wii and then plug the 3 color-coded prongs into
the appropriately colored outlets on the projector









**If using a Wireless Sensor Bar, skip to Step Five
STEP THREE:
Plug the Wii's Sensor Bar cord into the appropriate outlet on the Wii

(it is orange in its recessed part, though frankly, each of these
cords can only go in their proper outlet)






STEP FOUR:
Position the Wii's Sensor Bar as close to the screen as you can get it

Note: The sensor bar needs to be at waist level in a set-up like this, and while
this works fine it is not ideal. I highly recommend purchasing a wireless sensor
bar. They average about 20 bucks and are well worth it to clear space for your gaming
area. (See next picture.)







STEP FIVE (Only for those using the Wireless Sensor Bar):
Position the Wireless Sensor Bar below the screen and turn it on.

Note: try to elevate the sensor bar for best results. You may still have to play around
with the Sensor Bar settings, for more detailed instructions, click here.








At this point, turn on your Projector.
STEP SIX and SEVEN
Insert your Wii Sports disc into the Console, which will automatically turn it on.
















Press "A"












Just give it a few seconds - this is just one of the many safety warnings the Wii
gives, in case you are a klutz like me.












Press "A" and "B" at the same time, just like the diagram shows.
When demonstrating this with a new player, I call this "the squeeze"












Move your "hand" over "Bowling" and hit "A"













When selecting the number of players, pay attention to how many wii controllers are highlighted. If it is just one controller, but you choose 2 players, the controller will have
to be passed back and forth between players. Which is fine, but if you have more controllers, simply hit any button on the controller to turn it on (note: don't press the power button on the controller as that will turn the whole console off)

Many of the other Wii Sports games require more than one controller to be turned on.










Now we're in business!!











(A)
When choosing players for your game, you may have some Mii's stored, such as the four on the left (I'm the fetching Mii in blue); however, when playing with a group, you will most likely choose "Guest". Place your "hand" over "Guest" or the Mii you wish to use and press "A".










(B)
These are the "guest" Miis you can choose from. Place your "hand" over the Mii you wish to choose and hit "A".











(C)
Because you aren't using a saved Mii, this message will pop up. Just move
your "hand" over "Yes" and hit "A".








(D)
For this screen, "R" is the default. That means that this player is right-handed or
plans on operating the controller with their right hand. If this is the case, simply select "OK" by placing your "hand" over the "OK" and hitting "A". If you need to change any of the selections to accommodate a lefty, place the "hand" over the appropriate "L" and hit "A". Select "OK" when you are finished.







Once you have completed steps A-D for all of the players, a screen similar to this
one will confirm your players. If everything is okay, move your "hand" to "OK" and hit "A".

If not, you may change one or more of the Mii's by choosing "Change"












Another safety warning. Simply hit "A".

Note: the "A" in the bottom right of the screen is flashing at this point. When that happens,
it means that you can hit "A" instead of selecting anything by moving the "hand".









Before bowling your first frame, you will need to do the "squeeze" again.











This screen lets you know whose turn it is. That player will hit "A" to bowl his/her
frame.

Note: Remember that this "A" will be flashing, letting you know that you just have to hit "A" instead of moving your "hand" and selecting anything.







This is the way I like to demonstrate how to bowl:

First I explain that "B" is what I like to call the "trigger" (this tends to register better with beginners). As I am demonstrating, I say: "Pretend that the controller is the bowling ball and the trigger is your fingers in the hole. So, your starting position is holding the ball (indicate controller) *here* (like the diagram to the left) and your fingers are in the holes (indicate that the trigger is pressed) so press the trigger and hold it. When you bowl, you keep your fingers in the hole until you are ready to let the ball go, so keep the trigger pressed until you are ready to release the ball." Then I demonstrate. "Like this (as I follow through with my bowl I say) hold, hold, hold, and release the trigger (when I release the ball)." Then I demonstrate again (unless by some miracle I get a strike on the first bowl).

The second demonstration explains how to use the arrows and is the shortened version:
"Controller Up. Press the trigger. Hold and Bowl. Release."

Note: Since I am using the first frame to demonstrate - that takes away from player one's play time (unless you are player one). Usually, this isn't a bad thing because I tend to bowl an okay score, but it is worth mentioning that whoever player one is might have to sacrifice their first frame for demonstration purposes.