Wii Used Games

In order to prove that a console with motion sensor technology can be a fun thing, Nintendo includes the easy to play Wii Sports with every new Wii console shipped. Wii Sports consists of five sports (baseball, tennis, boxing, bowling, golf) that utilize the game consoles motion sensor capabilities and make for fun, if not a little simplified, game play. The package was originally a demo to show off the capabilities of the new Wii remote, and the games still have that demo feel to them. However, despite their simplicity, they are fun games to play for both single and multiple players.

The baseball game focuses mainly on pitching and batting, with all of the outfield work left up to the AI. You swing at the ball by using the Wii remote exactly like a bat, with timing and speed being the things you need to worry about the most. Pitching is a little bit more involved. You need to throw the ball like a true big league pitcher with the speed of your motions determining the overall speed of your pitch. You can use the d-pad beforehand to help with the balls the direction and you can press the A button for a curve, the B button for a screwball, or both buttons for a splitter. The games last three innings and are more fun with two people playing. There is also a homerun derby option.

The tennis game on Wii Sports is about as bare bones as you can get with a sports game, but that does not a make the experience any less fun. You use the remote as a racket and your serve and volley accuracy is determined by the speed and timing of your swing. To start, you flick your remote to toss the ball in the air and then quickly swing it to serve it. While it might be tempting to leap around your living room in pursuit of the ball, it is unnecessary as the computer does all the moving for you, leaving you to concentrate solely on your swing. While there is not too much finesse with this game, timing being just about the only talent you need to have, it is still a fun game to play with others. Also feel free to make loud grunting noises just like your favorite tennis pro does.

Boxing is probably the most physical of all the games that are available with Wii Sports and it’s the only game that requires the use of the nunchuck device. You control the fighter through the remote and nunchuck, controlling the stance as well as the blocking, dodging and punching. To block a incoming punch, you hold the remote and nunchuck directly in front of you. You dodge punches by swaying side-to-side and front to back. You punch your opponent by swinging your fists and aiming your shots high or low. Since you need to flail your arms to get your avatar to punch, this game can end up being a bit exhausting. The controller configuration also makes it hard to feign a uppercut then go for a body shot and there is no ear biting option. .

Bowling is perhaps the most accurately depicted game on Wii Sports. Unlike the shortened versions of tennis, baseball and golf; you actually get to bowl a full ten frames. To bowl, you hold the remote and press down the B –Button then proceed to move it like you would an actual bowling ball, releasing the button as you finish your swing. Like real bowling, the ball motion, speed and spin is determined by the underhand mechanics of the your swing as well as how you twist your wrist. You can compensate for any spin by moving to different parts of the lane. Up to four players can participate in a game and you never end up getting shut out because it happens to be league night.

Golf rounds out the canon of games available on Wii Sports. Like baseball and tennis, your success in the golf game is determined by how well you can swing. The remote acts as all of your clubs from driver to putter, and the quality of your shot is determined by how much control you have over your swing. Swing with hesitation and your ball blips along only a few yards or swing with abandon and slice the sucker. The motion control system works pretty well in the game, but there are of course ways to cheat the system. Despite the swinging involved, the ball control is still determined through a basic power meter. There are a total of nine hole available to play and they range from “straightforward to “interesting”.

Wii Sports is a great game for Nintendo to include with a brand new Wii system if not for any other reason than to show off the systems unique motion detecting capabilities. What it is sacrifices in detail, it makes up for in sheer fun. Fun group play and the ability to use motion are the keys to the Wii’s success and this gaming philosophy is best represented in this game.