Preview: Wii Sports

In no more than two months time we will be racing home from our local gaming retailer with shiny new Wiis and a nifty free game that comes bundled with every launch console. That game is none other than Wii Sports, a compilation of 5 simple sports gam...

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In no more than two months time we will be racing home from our local gaming retailer with shiny new Wiis and a nifty free game that comes bundled with every launch console. That game is none other than Wii Sports, a compilation of 5 simple sports games. Wii Sports is a welcome bonus to an already complete package and will release this December the 7th in Australia. Wii Sports is developed by Nintendo and promises to deliver a stellar experience for new and old, casual and core gamers. Wii Sports is a compilation of five sports, Tennis, Golf, Bowling, Baseball and Boxing. Wii Sports takes full advantage of the Miis, a feature revealed a couple of weeks ago as a way to create a mini version of yourself or anyone you could imagine on your Wii. This opens gamers up to a broader experience, immersing you further into the game. So what are the five sports games available and how will they play?

Tennis

Tennis seems to be the one getting all the attention. Presented at Nintendos E3 conference earlier this year one lucky fan was given the opportunity to take the stage and take on Nintendos biggest names, Reggie, Miyamoto and Iwata. From what we have seen so far, movement on screen seems to be A.I controlled which leaves you with the simple task of swinging the Wiimote to hit the ball. You can add backspin to your hits by tilting the Wiimote and cast a devastating serve with the right swinging motion.

Up to Four Players.

Golf

This title is as good as the real thing. You set up your aim with the control pad and if you feel like showing off you can have some practice swings. When your shot is set up you simply hold A, draw the Wiimote back like a golf club and let it rip. While what I have seen so far looks a little to basic for my liking with any luck the full version will feature a handful of courses and a full 18 hole game.

One Player.

Baseball

This caps off the original 3. While not a mainstream sport in Australia you would be hard pressed to find someone who hasnt played this at school and is familiar with the basics. You can choose to be the pitcher or batter, or if you have a friend or sibling they can jump in as well to take on whatever role you didnt choose. Much like Tennis a simple swing will suffice to slog the ball across the pitch but it has been noted that the time between your swing and the Mii characters swing is delayed by a second or two. Heres hoping for spot on timing in December.

Up to 2 Players.

Bowling

A sports game that was on the tips of our tongues ever since the idea of the Wii emerged. What could be better than hanging out with three friends and going for a night of bowling where good times are always assured? How about staying at home and doing it on your brand new Wii without the hassle of driving into town. While Im sure it was not Nintendos intent to make us any more anti social this is merely the icing on the cake to an already full title. You adjust your Miis position with the D-pad, correcting for any spin or angles you bowl at. Once youre all set you hold down the B trigger (underside of Wiimote), swing back and then forward, letting go of B to let the ball roll. What I hope to see in this game is a few Nintendo themed lanes and maybe a disco ball because we all know how much fun that is.

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Up to Four Players.

Boxing

Boxing could become the most popular of the compilation if only for the fact you can slug it out with anyone without inflicting any lasting injuries (accidents happen). Boxing is the only Wii Sports game to use the Nunchuck attachment. To play you use the two controllers as if they were your hands, jabbing forward to thrust your Miis fists at the opponent. I predict some sweet revenge with this game and maybe even a much needed workout.

Up to 2 Players.

So what can we expect from Wii Sports? A simple and yet innovative spin on a collection of sporting games we all love to play. The Wii will give us more control over how we play and immerse us into the experience in a way like no other console has done before. Expect Hands On Impressions in November as the Wii begins to emerge down under and a full review mere hours after launch this December.

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Sean Jones

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Sean Jones

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