Wii Sports is a title that has been intrinsically linked with Wii since it’s first playable unveiling, at E3 2006, so it comes as little surprise that Nintendo have decided to bundle the software package with the console itself for the UK audience. After several hands-on tasters of the title, most of our regular readers here at Electronic Theatre will have already grasped a fair knowledge of the title from our numerous previews; but now, the final product is available, and every little secret is simply lying in wait, to be uncovered by any judicious gamer.

            As with an instantaneously intended product such as Wii Sports, little of the gameplay actually needs much explanation. A selection of five sports are available, Baseball, Bowling, Golf, Tennis and Boxing, as well as Training Mini-Games and a daily fitness regime; the most interesting element of the title. The title uses only the Remote (with the exception of Boxing) and each sport plays exactly as you’d expect; Baseball offers you control over either pitching, or batting with the Remote representing either the ball or the bat, with Bowling, you swing the Remote in an arc as you would at an alley, and with Boxing, the left hand is represented with the Nunchuck Attachment, while the right is controlled with the Remote.

            Of the basic gameplay modes on offer, Boxing and Baseball are certainly the most credible. Offering the greatest scope of complexity within the motion commands available, playing either of these virtual sports is exhilarating and as fulfilling as any Next-Generation offering on any format currently available, but, however, are greatly let down by their longevity.

            All the games allow for Multi-Player, two-player in Boxing, four-player in all the others and again, Boxing is the superior offering. In addition, players can use any Mii’s on their system as their in-game Character.

            The Wii Fitness Mode – a daily fitness regime – as mentioned above, is the most interesting aspect of the title. Comparative in most aspects to the NintendoDS’s Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain?, the title provides you with three Mini-Games chosen from a total of fifteen – unlocked through the Training Mode Mini-Games – and judging your results in terms of balance, Stamina and Speed, the title provides you with your “Wii Fitness Age”, measured from twenty, to eighty.

            The quality of the Control Systems differs greatly between games, with seemingly the sport that most would think perfectly at home with the Remote, Golf, actually performing the worst in this respect. Many of the titles actually don’t require the entirety of the installed motion, instead a suggestion will suffice.

            Graphically, Wii Sports isn’t breaking any moulds. Nintendo have often stated that the graphics don’t necessarily need to be amazing, as long as they are suited to the title, and with Wii Sports, they’ve hit-the-nail right on the head. Simplistic visuals make for a charming and uncomplicated play environment, and so long as future First-Party Wii-orientated titles continue to improve on the standard set here there’ll be few problems. The sound works to similar effect, with many of the Wii Remote-based sound effects often sounding like that of children’s toys. However, the fact that the presentation is uncomplicated means that the title clearly isn’t pushing the Wii hardware, and so is a poor example of the visual, and aural quality that will be present on the system.

            Wii Sports is a pleasant title, and a worthwhile offering for Nintendo’s innovative new system. Gifting the basics of Wii Remote control to players with ease, the title’s seemingly sister launch release, Wii Play, maybe a treat that’s close to unnecessary. However, it does suffer heavily to a brief lifespan, even given the Wii Fitness Mode, which although draws it’s similarities, isn’t as enticing as Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training: How Old Is You Brain?. The Multi-Player features will probably offer the greatest appeal months from purchase, however, considering the package is currently given free with Wii Consoles, the deal certainly could’ve been a lot less sweet all round.

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