Wii Sports Review
UPPING the stakes in the battle for video game supremacy, Nintendo lays down its aces by pushing the boundaries of gaming further than ever before in its new release.
Following months of delays and speculation, the Japanese game giant had seemingly turned its back on the next generation console race having given Sony and Microsoft a huge head start. The release of Wii Sports, the first game for the Nintendo Wii, changes the market’s outlook as some of the lost ground may just have been clawed back.
Combining five popular sporting activities, Wii Sports allows players to smash, strike, putt, punch and wallop their way to success without setting foot into the changeable English climate. The game is not only an opportunity for video gamers to test out the Wii’s revolutionary control which it has so far kept under wraps but it also provides an insight of the virtual world the pioneering game system may be taking us in the future.
Success in the game centres around the player’s hand eye co-ordination with an individual’s movements accurately recreated by on-screen action. Defeating all-comers allows a player to increase their skill with the aim to become a pro in tennis, golf, boxing, bowling and baseball. An in-game setting also allows for tracking of the player’s fitness and with the aim of realism in mind, a player will have to work as hard to do the right things in their virtual surroundings as they would playing the sport for real.
The carefully selected use of the sports is a masterstroke for the game as there is no confusion over rules of what is required to be a champion in each game. There is still somewhat of a learning curve however but the use of common reliable activities means that this is not too steep and after a few turns you will be putting like Tiger, throwing right hooks like Ali with a forehand as ferocious as Federer.The game’s ease of use is an extremely attractive feature. Although many may be daunted by the prospect of full control over their actions, the game is kind enough to explain at each stage what is required and politely offers prompts if you are struggling with your timing. The simplicity of the game is matched by the basic surroundings of the environments on each game. There is nothing too flashy to distract you and the whole experience puts you at ease with the console and its hidden technological complexities.
The playing experience of computer gaming after putting themselves through the grueling action of Wii Sports is one of unique significance. The sheer novelty value of each moment in control is not only enough to provide hours of fun but also keeps you guessing as to what maybe to come in the future. Five years ago it would have been hard to imagine that fully interactive games would be readily available for the market but this teaser of the Wii’s qualities leaves you in awe of the console’s potential and creates thoughts of ‘what if’ in future years?
Despite its obvious enjoyable playing qualities, the game can be a little be short of depth for the avid player. Without too much trouble each sport can be mastered and such skills present you with the problems of bad habits such as putting too much curl on the ball in bowling and attempting to play shots which the game cannot re-create on the tennis court.
For many the idea of Wii Sports may also be too simplistic, especially for those who have waited months to see exactly what Nintendo’s revolutionary console can do. Many frustrations with the game come from the fact that the system is only programmed to perform the simplest of tasks and many may want it to do more. Only in bowling is exact movement replicated on the screen and even then this is oftenexaggerated. In boxing it is only possible to throw punches from six different angles and in baseball there is very little skill involved in pitching a strike. Understandably but rather regrettably the sports are
essentially far easier on the screen than they are in real life and with no degree of difficult settings or advancement in the skill level of computer generated opponents, the game play, as you progress can become very stagnant.
There is also a large feeling throughout the game that Nintendo still holding back which could frustrate many. Having seen Nintendo lag way behind the ‘super-powers’ of Sony and Microsoft in terms of graphical excellence in their game, this was a true opportunity to show their strength with the release of a new console and even though it does not disappoint in terms of its creativity, the game is small and fairly limited in terms of expansiveness.
This of course an excellent tactic by Nintendo as it means that the makers of PS3 and XBOX 360 now have to find themselves a way to reinvent if they want to stay in touch with the Wii.
Overall ‘Wii Sports’ is a great showing of Nintendo’s new console and the game is perfectly adapted to the system. The game is simple enough to entice a beginner with enough entertainment to ensure that despite targeting the multiplayer market, the single player does not miss out on the fun. The game provides a sneak preview of the kind of advancements in originality that the Wii is capable of and Wii Sports teases users just enough without spoiling future developments. Mastering the game is a lengthy process but takes nothing away from its playability.
For those who are unsure whether of not the Wii is for them, Wii Sports will help make the decision either way and it is a bold show that Nintendo were not totally deluded by building a whole console around motion-sensitive controls.
The game is available from most major electronic retailers priced £19.99.
Following months of delays and speculation, the Japanese game giant had seemingly turned its back on the next generation console race having given Sony and Microsoft a huge head start. The release of Wii Sports, the first game for the Nintendo Wii, changes the market’s outlook as some of the lost ground may just have been clawed back.
Combining five popular sporting activities, Wii Sports allows players to smash, strike, putt, punch and wallop their way to success without setting foot into the changeable English climate. The game is not only an opportunity for video gamers to test out the Wii’s revolutionary control which it has so far kept under wraps but it also provides an insight of the virtual world the pioneering game system may be taking us in the future.
Success in the game centres around the player’s hand eye co-ordination with an individual’s movements accurately recreated by on-screen action. Defeating all-comers allows a player to increase their skill with the aim to become a pro in tennis, golf, boxing, bowling and baseball. An in-game setting also allows for tracking of the player’s fitness and with the aim of realism in mind, a player will have to work as hard to do the right things in their virtual surroundings as they would playing the sport for real.
The carefully selected use of the sports is a masterstroke for the game as there is no confusion over rules of what is required to be a champion in each game. There is still somewhat of a learning curve however but the use of common reliable activities means that this is not too steep and after a few turns you will be putting like Tiger, throwing right hooks like Ali with a forehand as ferocious as Federer.The game’s ease of use is an extremely attractive feature. Although many may be daunted by the prospect of full control over their actions, the game is kind enough to explain at each stage what is required and politely offers prompts if you are struggling with your timing. The simplicity of the game is matched by the basic surroundings of the environments on each game. There is nothing too flashy to distract you and the whole experience puts you at ease with the console and its hidden technological complexities.
The playing experience of computer gaming after putting themselves through the grueling action of Wii Sports is one of unique significance. The sheer novelty value of each moment in control is not only enough to provide hours of fun but also keeps you guessing as to what maybe to come in the future. Five years ago it would have been hard to imagine that fully interactive games would be readily available for the market but this teaser of the Wii’s qualities leaves you in awe of the console’s potential and creates thoughts of ‘what if’ in future years?
Despite its obvious enjoyable playing qualities, the game can be a little be short of depth for the avid player. Without too much trouble each sport can be mastered and such skills present you with the problems of bad habits such as putting too much curl on the ball in bowling and attempting to play shots which the game cannot re-create on the tennis court.
For many the idea of Wii Sports may also be too simplistic, especially for those who have waited months to see exactly what Nintendo’s revolutionary console can do. Many frustrations with the game come from the fact that the system is only programmed to perform the simplest of tasks and many may want it to do more. Only in bowling is exact movement replicated on the screen and even then this is oftenexaggerated. In boxing it is only possible to throw punches from six different angles and in baseball there is very little skill involved in pitching a strike. Understandably but rather regrettably the sports are
essentially far easier on the screen than they are in real life and with no degree of difficult settings or advancement in the skill level of computer generated opponents, the game play, as you progress can become very stagnant.
There is also a large feeling throughout the game that Nintendo still holding back which could frustrate many. Having seen Nintendo lag way behind the ‘super-powers’ of Sony and Microsoft in terms of graphical excellence in their game, this was a true opportunity to show their strength with the release of a new console and even though it does not disappoint in terms of its creativity, the game is small and fairly limited in terms of expansiveness.
This of course an excellent tactic by Nintendo as it means that the makers of PS3 and XBOX 360 now have to find themselves a way to reinvent if they want to stay in touch with the Wii.
Overall ‘Wii Sports’ is a great showing of Nintendo’s new console and the game is perfectly adapted to the system. The game is simple enough to entice a beginner with enough entertainment to ensure that despite targeting the multiplayer market, the single player does not miss out on the fun. The game provides a sneak preview of the kind of advancements in originality that the Wii is capable of and Wii Sports teases users just enough without spoiling future developments. Mastering the game is a lengthy process but takes nothing away from its playability.
For those who are unsure whether of not the Wii is for them, Wii Sports will help make the decision either way and it is a bold show that Nintendo were not totally deluded by building a whole console around motion-sensitive controls.
The game is available from most major electronic retailers priced £19.99.