GENRE
	Party
	DEVELOPER
	Nintendo
	PUBLISHER
	Nintendo
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1-2
	WI-FI ENHANCED
	No
	DS COMPATIBLE
	No
	BUY NOW AT

Wii Play is a collection of nine minigames designed to train Wii virgins on how to use their new toy. It is the sister product to Wii Sports and was launched along side it in every region aside from America. It is also an unusual game to review. On the one hand it is nothing more than a collection of unfulfilling and shallow minigames that have been beaten by a host of other early Wii titles. Yet it is also a game I cannot help but recommend.

visuals

Graphically Wii Play follows in the footsteps of its sporting sister. Much like Wii Sports, you don’t get an accurate representation of what Wii can do, but it is still crisp, charming and attractive in its simplicity. Some of the minigames, such as the cartoonish fishing game and the psychedelic laser hockey, even have their own unique style, which is commendable in itself. Granted this game wouldn’t look out of place on DS and you wouldn’t go showing this off to your PS3 owning friends, but the Mii visuals do their job just fine.

audio

The audio in Wii Play however leaves much to be desired. The overall sound is generic and little use has been made of the Wii remotes in-built speaker. The mini-game music also varies. The techno music in Laser Hockey for example, is extremely catchy, but some levels feature no musical accompaniment and others, such as Billiards, will have you actively reaching for your volume control.

gameplay

Wii Play was built with the intention of training those new to gaming on the various abilities of the Wii remote; and with this in mind, the game is a success. You will soon find yourself twisting, shooting and swinging with the best of them. After a quick play you’ll be ready to tackle all future Wii titles.

Yet a quick play is all you’ll really get from the game. Some may coax you back for more. Billiards has some depth, even if it can be tricky; Charge (a cow-based racing game) can also provide limited entertainment; and Laser Hockey (a futuristic air hockey) is hilarious when two players are involved.

The ultimate experience, though, is the final minigame: Tanks. Here you are presented with a top-down view of a battlefield littered with tanks. You control one of these machines and must destroy the others before they get to you. It is engrossing stuff, especially in multiplayer, and you’ll soon waste hours playing it.

In direct contrast, the other five minigames are barely worth five minutes. Fishing quickly grows tiresome, whereas the remote twisting of Pose Mii and pointing Find Mii are some of the most pointless and dull games ever devised. The Shooting Range is a slower, less exciting version of the game found in Wario Ware: Smooth Moves. Table Tennis is an opportunity to see what Wii Sports Tennis would be like if you controlled the movement and not the bat -- a game devoid of skill or interest. Not even the promise of a bronze, silver, gold or platinum medal will persuade you to have a second go for these five.

multiplayer

Wii Play was built for multiplayer. If you have no intention of playing with a friend, then this isn’t the game for you. Each of the minigames include simultaneous two player action (take note Wario Ware), and you’ll be required to either compete directly with your partner or engage in semi-cooperation. Indeed, Wii Play is all about playing together, which makes the absence of a four player option even more confusing. Certainly Billiards, Table Tennis and Laser Hockey would have no use for four players but the other games, specifically Tanks, are crying out for extra gamers.

overall

Despite all the criticism I have for Wii Play, the game is still a must. The Wii remote that comes bundled with the game raises it out of the disappointing category and into the essential one. Wii Play, like Wii Sports, probably should have been included with the hardware along with the second controller. It would allow you to learn all the tricks of the Wii remote as well as enjoy multiplayer gaming straight out of the box.

Yet Nintendo decided against the added expense, leaving instead a highly attractive optional extra. The game and controller is easily worth what retailers are charging, and the package is an ideal way of getting the Wii message of playing together across to the casual consumer. Wii Play is far more than just a collection of minigames, it is an extension of the console itself and should be the first port of call for all new Wii owners.

6.5/10