Wii Play

A small collection of mini-games.

Platform: Wii

Genre: Party

Cost: $50

Wii Play is a collection of games that in supposed to introduce you to the wiimote. They cover a good amount of games that have been wanted, and can get pretty wacky with the ideas.

Shooting Range

This is a simple, yet fun, mini-game. It’s the game one starts out with, and for good reason; the gameplay is extremely simple: aim and shoot. There is a reference to the old game Duck Hunt for NES. By shooting ducks that occasionally fly across, one gets 10 points, which is the highest you can get at a time. You shoot balloons, targets, discs, cans, and UFOs! It is compatible with two people. One player can also use two wiimotes for a double shootout! Rating: 4.5/5

Find Mii

This is the second game and is very simple. It will give you a challenge such as “find the odd one out.” For that a player will find the Mii that is not doing the same as everyone else. It does get more interesting when one must find the fastest swimmer, or three of a kind on escalators. A favorite of many as far as this game goes. Rating: 5/5

Table Tennis

Table Tennis is one the more annoying mini-games. In single player, one must survive 100 rallies, which is moire than enough to make most people tear their hair out, because after it gets going, the ball speeds up! In multiplayer it is much nicer, needing 11 points to win. The only problem is the annoyance of being on the back side of the court and sometimes a point will be given when nobody understands why. Rating: 3/5

Pose Mii

Pose Mii is both annoying to play and explain to new players. First, you have to aim your wiimote so your Mii fits in the bubbles falling, before they fall all the way. But there’s more! You also must rotate the wiimote to fit the Mii-hole. And if that wasn’t confusing enough, you must press A and B to change poses in order to fit the pose! It is very often when someone will lose their whole progress due to pressing A instead of B. Rating: 1/5

Laser Hockey

Laser Hockey is a lot like the game air hockey. You aim the wiimote at the screen and move your laser stick around. Plus, you can rotate the wiimote to hit the puck at different angles. In single player, it can be irritating, because you must beat the computer within the time limit. In two player it is first to score 8. Many people enjoy it once they figure it out. Also, pressing A and B simultaneously at the countdown will yield you a round paddle. Rating: 3/5

Billiards

Ah. . . the game of pool on the Wii. Everyone expected this mini-game to surface. I personally cannot get this game to work well, and most other people I know cannot either. Anyhow, once you catch on and get good, it can be relaxing and enjoyable. If not, you at least can hit a Mii in the face with a pool stick. Rating: 1.5/5

Fishing

Fishing is far from relaxing or slow paced. There are small fish that take points away. Then there are medium and large fish. There are also crazier fish yield around 1,000 points! Of course, there is always a “wanted fish” that yields double the points it normally does. In two player, this feature can make everything real tense and competitive. The big fish are always always wanted once they appear. Rating: 3.5/5

Charge!

Charge! Involves riding a cow. It is not a race, but a contest to knock down scarecrows. Hitting one gives 1 point. Hitting all in a group gives an extra 5. Hitting a moving one is also 5 points. In single player, you get a bonus point for each second remaining, usually around 20. In two player, there is no end, just a time limit. The controls are surprisingly easy, and this is another fun game. Rating: 5/5

Tanks!

Tanks! finally introduces a player to the all-important nunchuk! In single player you ride around the screen shooting enemies without being shot. It starts easy, but the enemies can get insanely powerful and fast by level 8. In two player, the players compete while working together. If both of the players die in a round, it’s over. If one beats it, the other is revived. The goal is to kill more than your partner. Of course, most people get angry if you shoot them, even though it’s the goal of the game.

Overview

Rating: 3/5

Wii Play offers a variety of mini-games. Some of them are too annoying to bother with, and after getting gold medals on everything, this game is left to two player. Only recommended for the people who need the wiimote it comes with.