Wii Play

THE BAD:
-Can get boring on your own
-Some games are a lot more fun then others

SUMMARY:
One of the great things about Wii Play for the Wii is that it is not only casual, but fun, something many casual games lack. Wii Play offers nine well done mini-games based on old classics that never got old. Each mini-game has its own unique style and charm that will keep you coming back for more.

Wii Play can support up to 2 players using two different WiiMotes, and for some games, two Nunchuks. In the start menu you will be asked to hold A and B simultaneously and you will then enter the player choosing menu. In this menu you can add a second player before starting the games and you will also be able to choose to play as any Mii you have created.

After doing so you will enter the main menu of games. Each game has its own symbol and they must be played in order first to unlock each game. On the menu you will notice your Mii in the center of the half-circle list of games. A fun feature you may not know is that you can click various parts of the Mii's body and they will do a certain movement, for instance clicking their left hand will make them wave and poking their face will make them shake their head. Also, in the background you will see various Mii's you have created doing everything from walking, to running, to swimming across the screen. These small cute features combined with the use of Miis is what gives the game such a unique charm.

Now the mini-games in the actual game, in order, are Shooting Range, Find Mii, Table Tennis, Pose Mii, Laser Hockey, Billiards, Fishing, Charge!, and Tanks!. Each game will allow you to collect a medal. By reaching a certain score or level you will unlock either a bronze, silver, or gold medal. Along with that, the game will also keep track of your scores in a high-score like format.

Shooting Range

My Score:
Single Player- 8/10
Multiplayer- 8/10

The best part of shooting range is that it is enjoyable on your own or with a friend. In the game you have to shoot down stand-still and moving targets by aiming the WiiMote at the screen and clicking B and if you get a combo hit of 5 you will receive a bonus. This game is very reminiscent of Duck Hunt for the NES. In every level of the game ducks similar to that of Duck Hunt will fly by the screen and by shooting them you will receive bonus points. You can also here the barking of a dog in some levels.

The game is separated into levels that change as the game progresses. The first consists of shooting colored balloons that will float from the bottom to the top of the screen.

The second level is a target range. In this level targets will appear and then disappear if not shot in a short period of time. Some targets may also have your Mii's face on them, shooting these will lose you points. In multiplayer, if you shoot a target with the other players face on it you will get bonus points.

The third level is a clay shooting round. Small discus like objects, similar to Frisbees, will be thrown into the distance. The closer the targets are to the screen when you shoot them, the more points you will receive, challenging your reaction time.

The fourth level is "keep up the can". Cans will be thrown into the air and your objective is to shoot them, which in return will lift them out of the screen. Each shot will get you more point until eventually the can bursts.

The final level is an alien invasion level. Across a small field there will copies of your Mii standing in a line. Small UFO's will appear and your Mii's will begin to run around in distress. By shooting the UFO's or the special UFO's you will get points. Once all your Mii's are taken, the game will be finished. On multiplayer there will be a mix of your Miis and the second player's Miis.

Find Mii

My Score:
Single Player- 7/10
Multiplayer- 5/10

Find Mii is a find it game that used Mii's as its basis. To play you use the WiiMote to find faces in the crowd and A to pick the one you are looking for.

In single player you will start with 15 seconds and a basic "find 2-alike Mii's". In front of you will stand a small group of Mii's, two of whom look alike. By picking these two you will advance to the next level as well gain 10 seconds to your overall time. The game will have a variety of unique levels including "find the sleepy-heads" and "find the fastest Mii" as well as put them in unique environments including the street, space, escalators, and water. Once time runs out the game will end.

In multiplayer the game is very similar, but has its differences which make the game less enjoyable. Instead of gaining time as you progress you will be given a set time which will not increase at any point in the game. The objective will be the same, to find what is asked for. You will also instead gain points in place of gaining time. The points will be spilt up between each player if you both find one of the two alike, but the first person to find the first look alike will gain more points.

In both formats one of the most interesting parts of the game is the use of Mii's. This entire game is based around Miis. During the game you may find yourself looking for characters you made yourself, making things a lot easier! So the more Miis you have, the better!

Table Tennis

My Score:
Single Player- 4/10
Multiplayer- 5/10

The name describes this game perfectly, just your normal game of Table Tennis, except with a twist. To play all you must do is move the WiiMote around on your side of the table to the direction of the ping-pong ball. The game is very simple and easy to play.

In both single and multiplayer you will play using only a hand around the paddle, no Miis are used to play, but you can see Miis standing around watching.

In single player the objective is to get a high rally. Each time you or your opponent hits the ball you will gain one point towards your rally. As your rally increases two things will happen. One, the ball will get faster and more difficult to hit, and two more Miis will come and watch.

In multiplayer the objective is to get more points then your opponent and is a more traditional game of table tennis. The game play is the same, except one person will have to play on the far side of the table. That makes things more difficult, but as time passes the sides will change.

The game is a bit dull and will leave you with a lot to be desired, but on your own it is a somewhat fun to see more Miis join in on the game.

Pose Mii

My Score:
Single Player- 6/10
Multiplayer- 6/10

Pose Mii is defiantly one of the most unique games in WiiPlay because of its different style of play not really seen in any game before. To play you must twist the WiiMote around to spin the body of your Mii to fit bubbles. Each bubble has its own pose that must be fit and you can change the pose of your Mii by clicking A or B depending on which pose is needed.

In single player, the bubble will come down from the top of the screen and you will have to fit your body inside them to pop them so they do not reach the bottom of the screen. The game has exciting music and fast paced game play and as you get further in, the bubble will come down faster.

In multiplayer, you will play against your opponent to see who can get more points. Not many changes, the rules are still the same; do not let the bubble hit the bottom of the screen.

The funky music combined with the strange backgrounds make the game a bit of headache, but if played in short period of time it can be kind of fun. Be aware though, it might be difficult more little kids to understand because of the confusing controls.

Laser Hockey

My Score:
Single Player- 5/10
Multiplayer- 8/10

Laser Hockey is simplistic fun that requires you to move the WiiMote around the screen to control your bumper and twist the WiiMote to angle it. It’s a very pong-like game, just more futuristic.

In single player your objective is to score on your opponent as many times as possible in a 120 second time limit. It’s not very challenging, but getting the Gold Medal can be a pain.

Multiplayer is very similar except you will be playing against a friend, except the big difference is the level of fun.

The game has lots of bright neon colors that can become annoying after time, but that and the music keep it interesting.

Billiards

My Score:
Single Player- 7/10
Multiplayer- 8/10

Once again, another simple, but effective, game that takes a unique spin on an old favorite. In this game of pool you will use the WiiMote to hit the ball by aiming followed by bringing your arm back and then forward with force to hit the ball. The game reminds me a lot of Golf in WiiSports because of the very specific movements you must make.

In single player, you will be required to sink all the billiard balls in as few shots as possible. The sight of view makes things easier, but moving the pole can be a bit a difficult. Aim and accuracy is everything in this game.

In multiplayer you are required to sink each ball still, but instead depending on what number ball you hit in you will receive that amount of points. Obviously the person with more points wins.

The game is very toned down from the game before it with relaxed music and game play and is really fun for the whole family.

Fishing

My Score:
Single Player- 8/10
Multiplayer- 7/10

Fishing is a very artsy game with yet another unique feel. In the game you hover the WiiMote in the air and move it around above the water and lower the WiiMote to place it in the water. Once you get a bite you must pull back on the WiiMote.

In single player and multiplayer your objective is to get as many points possible by, what other then, catching fish. There will be a bonus fish which will get you more points if you catch that type. Sadly in multiplayer things can sometimes become a bit hectic.

The game is relaxing like the game before it and the colorful paper-like graphics makes it pleasing to the eye. The variety of colorful fish also adds a level of fun and reeling in the "King of the Pond" can also be a nice reward.

Charge!

My Score:
Single Player- 6/10
Multiplayer- 7/10

In Charge! you will hold the WiiMote in its side. You must tilt the WiiMote forward to run faster or back to slow down and also lift it up quickly to jump. Charge! will require you to ride a cow which makes things tons of fun!

In single player you will be required to make it to the farm as fast as possible while knocking over scarecrows and jumping over hurdles for bonus points.

In multiplayer the game play is similar, but the only task is to get as many points as possible.

The calming music matched with fast paced game play is great, and with a friend can be very enjoyable, but alone is quite dull.

Tanks!

Many games safe the best game for last, and in WiiPlay it is exactly the same. Tanks! is a classic game that requires you to move with the Nunchuk, shoot with B, and plant mines with A.

In single player, your objective is to get past all the levels shooting every tank in each. You will have 3 lives, but you will gain more as you progress. As levels go by you will face up against new tanks each with their own abilities and traits. For example, the yellow tank is speedy and plants lots of mines and the green tank is stationary, but shoots bouncing missiles.

In multiplayer you will play with your opponent, but the main objective is kill more tanks then your friend. Unlike single player you will only have once life and once both of you die the game will end, but if only one person dies you will come back the next level.

The game is incredibly fun and the best of bunch. You will often times find yourself screaming to your friend in distress for back-up or laughing when you accidentally get killed by a bouncing missile. Getting through every level is very difficult, but very worthwhile!

Conclusion

WiiPlay is usually packaged along with a WiiMote and defiantly worth the price. The game is fun and will last quite some time if you take advantage of each games features.