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Wii Sports is a title that has been intrinsically
linked with Wii since it’s first playable unveiling, at
E3 2006, so it comes as little surprise that Nintendo have
decided to bundle the software package with the console itself for
the UK audience. After several hands-on tasters of the title, most
of our regular readers here at
Electronic Articles will have
already grasped a fair knowledge of the title from our numerous
previews; but now, the final product is available, and every little
secret is simply lying in wait, to be uncovered by any judicious
gamer.
As with an instantaneously intended product such as
Wii Sports, little of the gameplay actually needs much
explanation. A selection of five sports are available, Baseball,
Bowling, Golf, Tennis and Boxing, as well as Training Mini-Games and
a daily fitness regime; the most interesting element of the title.
The title uses only the Remote (with the exception of Boxing) and
each sport plays exactly as you’d expect; Baseball offers you
control over either pitching, or batting with the Remote
representing either the ball or the bat, with Bowling, you swing the
Remote in an arc as you would at an alley, and with Boxing, the left
hand is represented with the Nunchuck Attachment, while the right is
controlled with the Remote.
Of the basic gameplay modes on offer, Boxing and
Baseball are certainly the most credible. Offering the greatest
scope of complexity within the motion commands available, playing
either of these virtual sports is exhilarating and as fulfilling as
any Next-Generation offering on any format currently available, but,
however, are greatly let down by their longevity.
All the games allow for Multi-Player, two-player in
Boxing, four-player in all the others and again, Boxing is the
superior offering. In addition, players can use any Mii’s on their
system as their in-game Character.
The Wii Fitness Mode – a daily fitness regime –
 as
mentioned above, is the most interesting aspect of the title.
Comparative in most aspects to the NintendoDS’s
Dr. Kawashima’s
Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain?, the title provides you
with three Mini-Games chosen from a total of fifteen – unlocked
through the Training Mode Mini-Games – and judging your results in
terms of balance, Stamina and Speed, the title provides you with
your “Wii Fitness Age”, measured from twenty, to eighty.
The quality of the Control Systems differs greatly
between games, with seemingly the sport that most would think
perfectly at home with the Remote, Golf, actually performing the
worst in this respect. Many of the titles actually don’t require the
entirety of the installed motion, instead a suggestion will suffice.
Graphically, Wii Sports isn’t breaking any
moulds. Nintendo have often stated that the graphics don’t
necessarily need to be amazing, as long as they are suited to the
title, and with Wii Sports, they’ve hit-the-nail right on the
head. Simplistic visuals make for a charming and uncomplicated play
environment, and so long as future First-Party Wii-orientated titles
continue to improve on the standard set here there’ll be few
problems. The sound works to similar effect, with many of the Wii
Remote-based sound effects often sounding like that of children’s
toys. However, the fact that the presentation is uncomplicated means
that the title clearly isn’t pushing the Wii hardware, and so is a
poor example of the visual, and aural quality that will be present
on the system.
Wii Sports is a pleasant title, and a worthwhile
offering for Nintendo’s innovative new system. Gifting the basics of
Wii Remote control to players with ease, the title’s seemingly
sister launch release,
Wii Play, maybe a treat that’s close
to unnecessary. However, it does suffer heavily to a brief lifespan,
even given the Wii Fitness Mode, which although draws it’s
similarities, isn’t as enticing as Dr. Kawashima’s Brain
Training: How Old Is You Brain?. The Multi-Player features will
probably offer the greatest appeal months from purchase, however,
considering the package is currently given free with Wii Consoles,
the deal certainly could’ve been a lot less sweet all round. |
