WiiSports. Its a pack-in game. Does it really need a review? The answer, is yes. Launch games provide a basis for future comparisons, and good launch games create a standard that second-generation games should endeavor to beat.
There is a reason that WiiSports is a pack-in game, it demonstrates the ‘everyone can play‘ strategy that Nintendo is using. The game consists of five sports, each played by Mii characters. WiiSports also includes a training mode and a daily ‘Wii Fitness’ program.
Graphically, WiiSports breaks no new ground. There is nothing visually impressive about WiiSports graphics, but on the same hand there are no major graphical flaws, and few minor issues. The game is easily played on most televisions, even with multiple players and reasonable distance from the television set. WiiSports does not utilise all of the Wii’s capabilities, and doing so could detract from WiiSports no-loading screen appeal.
You can see your own Mii on the other team
Personalized ‘Mii’ characters, created in the Mii Channel on your Wii, become your WiiSports avatar. Scores for each Mii player are saved, along with an accumulative ‘skill‘ score for each game. User created Mii’s not being used by players, appear in-game as spectators, opponents and team members.
The WiiSports user interface is simple, effective and a pleasure to use. Setting up a game is as simple as using your Wiimote to click a few large, obvious buttons. Its easy to understand for newcomers, fast for experienced WiiSport fans.
The interface is obvious and easy
The use of sound in WiiSports is simplistic but effective. Sounds generally play in menu screens, and at significant events. eg. Completing a boxing match triggers a funky sound, regardless of outcome. The standout sound feature of WiiSports is the Wiimote speaker. During gameplay, the speaker emits action sounds. It is disconcerting at first to use a virtual racket to hit a virtual tennis-ball and hear the ‘Thwonk!‘ of contact. Soon, the effect adds to gameplay, helping to immerse player in the game.
Tennis
Tennis is the most enjoyable WiiSports game
Tennis is the centerpiece of WiiSports. Ignore buttons, don’t worry about the sensor bar. All tennis requires is swinging a backhand or forehand with the Wiimote. The gameplay is simple, but oh so tricky. All you have to do is swing, but just like regular tennis, you can angle the shot to give it a superior placement. You also have to choose the right speed for each shot. Topspin is possible, and highly effective. Tennis is always played doubles, with a ‘front’ and ‘back’ Mii. You control the swings of these Mii’s simultaneously. Tennis is a standing game, and couch play is difficult.
Golf
Golf can be frustratingly simple
While Tennis utilises the Wiimote exactly how you would expect it to, Golf takes a different path. Back-swing is an optional extra, the only real movement that matters in golf is the forward movement. Each shot has a power bar, with distinct markings that also appear on the mini map. [If you hit this hard, your ball will go here]. The game is simple, and often too easy. In the same breath, bad play on one putt can send a score down the drain.
Bowling
You can bowl into other people’s lanes!
Bowling is an unexpected Wii success. The game follows ten-pin rules, and consists of ten rounds of bowling. Several persons can use a single Wiimote to bowl, allowing greater numbers of players than Wiimotes. To bowl, you point the Wiimote to the sky, then pulls the trigger. [B] Then, make the motions of bowling, releasing the trigger when you would ordinarily allow the bowling ball to leave the hand. WiiSports bowling is as exciting as the real thing, and with friends, can substitute the real experience.
Baseball
Nothing to phone home about
Baseball is the one WiiSports letdown. Gameplay is as expected, throwing motions with the Wiimote to pitch, and swinging the Wiimote to bat. The game may have been a downer to myself and others who have played it due to Australia’s general dislike of the sport. In the same hand, the gameplay can be impossible, the fielding AI catches almost every ball that is not carefully placed or a home run. Also, the small, unrealistic motions that a pitcher can make to bowl a 150km/h ball do not compare to the large motions one has to make to get a well timed swing.
Boxing
The Wiinderella Man
Real men fight good. Which is a little depressing seeing my 55-year-old Aunt managed to beat me at WiiSports boxing. Twice. Boxing is the only WiiSports game to use a Nunchuk, and also one of the only WiiSports games that can result in punching a television or roommate. Wiimote is your right hand, Nunchuk is your left hand. You punch, duck and weave by thrusting the controllers forward or side-to-side. Against AI or against friends, each boxing match can turn into an epic ten-minute workout.
If you buy a Wii in the Western world, you receive a copy of WiiSports. You are honestly going to spend more time playing this game than you would ever expect. Its a great way to chill out after a rough day, but also the best way to introduce gaming ‘newbs‘ and veterans alike to the Wii. Enjoyable all around, with addictiveness that will see WiiSports dance around the top spot for most-played Wii game for months to come.
