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Phyllis Sha Khan lines up her shot with eyes narrowed. She lets her arm swing back gracefully, controller in hand, and hesitates for just a moment. She then lets it fly with a gleeful squeal. The room silences for one second, two seconds. Crash. All but the eight pin fall to the virtual ground; it wobbles briefly, remains upright. Sha Khan frowns momentarily, but the gathered crowd erupts in a hearty cheer and her face lights up. Next time.

Nine frames of Nintendo Wii Bowling later,  Sha Khan scores in with an impressive 155. Not bad for a bowling novice, much less one who's never played a video game before in her life.

"I guess you could say I'm learning a few new things in my old age, because, darling, when you're 84, you go back to your school days," she said, a small smile playing across her face. "School days again..."

A Highbourne Lifecare resident, Sha Khan is currently ranked the eighth top bowler in the Wii Senior's Olympics, a weeklong event which started on Saturday at 10 Lifecare long-term care homes and retirement residences across the GTA. The friendly competition challenges seniors to compete in Wii bowling, tennis and golf - and for the sports fanatics, a triathlon category incorporates scores from all three games.

An intergenerational tournament over the weekend saw five children from the local community come in and team up with the residents in a high-energy event that had seniors and youngsters alike engaging in lively competition, said Highbourne recreation staffer Bozena Balcerek.

"It was such wonderful fun to see them playing. They forgot the age difference and were applauding the seniors and teaching them how to play," she said, noting residents had been practicing for a month before the big event. "It's astonishing how very good they got. At first, the (seniors') age was a fear, but they grasped it so quickly."

Lifecare facilities across the city first purchased the gaming systems - which are distinguished by their wireless controllers that can detect movement and therefore be used as handheld pointing devices - this summer, and have since been utilizing them as a sort of virtual rehab, Balcerek added. So far, it's been successful in drawing out even the most reluctant of participants, if not to join in the fun themselves, then at least to come down and cheer on their neighbours.

"It's really good exercise, letting seniors work on their concentration, stretching, and strengthening of their arms," noted Evelyn MacDonald, Highbourne administrator. "Emotionally and psychologically, too, it's been an instant success. It's an extra, special event for our residents to gather for.

"With the bowling and golf, it's also something they've enjoyed in the past, but haven't been able to do for years. Plus, with the video game aspect, it's something a little new that gives them bragging rights with their kids and grandkids."

At the Highbourne auditorium on Monday, 20 or so residents - some in wheelchairs, some with walkers - gathered to take their best shot in the virtual alley. When not competing themselves, many sat back and urged on their rivals, shouting advice and giving instruction.

"I usually let my son-in-law do all the playing, but this is good fun," Sha Khan said smiling, as she took her seat in the crowd. "Oh yes, honey, it's good fun."