Introduction

This isn’t your normal review. I found it very difficult to cover sections like graphics, where each minigame had their own sort of style and so I’ve turned this into more of an overview telling you the good points and bad points of each minigame.

So you’ve already found out that Wii Play is a collection of minigames, which is supposed to train you to work with the Wii remote more easily. Every minigame can be played multiplayer, and that’s really where this game shines. Although in Single Player, it will have you coming back to get a platinum medal on every minigame.

I will cover all of the 9 minigames, which are:

• Shooting Range
• Find Mii
• Table Tennis
• Pose Mii
• Laser Hockey
• Billiards
• Fishing
• Charge
• Tanks

Shooting Range

This is probably the most popular Wii Play minigame, because it has players using the Wii remote like a “gun”, shooting the targets, birds, UFOs and more that popup. Playing this one multiplayer is a whole bunch of fun, fighting over the targets as they pop up on screen, and choosing whether to save your partner’s mii from the UFO. Good times to be had by all.

The goods: Offers a fun time, whether it be Single Player or Multi Player thanks to the 5 different stages, each with their own feel.
The bads: After you’ve gotten a platinum medal, it gets repetitive.

Find Mii

This game has a unique twist on the old “Wheres Wally?” by making you find the Mii that your using, the 2 that are the same, who is moving the fastest etc. Single Player can be annoying, especially on the swimming and elevator levels as you wait for the Miis to come around. Multiplayer can be fun if your really competitive, or really drunk. You either want to play to win, or theres no point as all the levels repeat themselves after a while

The goods: In the dark levels, it’s cool how you control a torch with the Wii remote. Offers different backdrops
The bads: The backdrops aren’t good enough to make each level feel unique.

Table Tennis

Now this game will either hit you as precision gaming, or just plain annoying. It’s like an inverted version of Wii Sports tennis. Instead of controlling the hitting, you control moving the batt around. It hits by itself, and so there takes out strategy. In Single Player, it makes you have to keep a rally of 100, which can be quite hard if your not used to the Wii remote. Multiplayer has you versing a friend. One of you has to have an annoying camera angle of being on the far side, which is not very helpful.

The goods: Can tune in your “precision” skills for the Wii remote
The bads: Gets boring…. fast

Pose Mii

I hate this one. It has you tilting the Wii remote to fit in to the bubbles which go down the screen. It’s not that easy. There are also 3 different moves, and you have to be in the right move to pop the bubble. It can often have you in the wrong move, getting annoyed. Single Player is boring as it’s just you sitting there popping bubbles, but Multi Player is quite fun. Your racing to get the most points, getting in to different moves with out stuffing up. You can even freeze your opponent to capture more bubbles. Can provide a good laugh or two when playing with the right folks.

The goods: Multi Player is a lot of fun
The bads: Single Player is extraordinarily boring and that is why I hate it

Laser Hockey

The neon colours = awesome. The feel of this game is so vibrant and packs a whole bunch of colour. Single Player has you vsing the computer in a pong like environment. The wii remote is REALLY sensitive for this minigame, so only little moves and tilts are needed. Single Players effect of coolness will wear off, but multi player can provide a challenge… Especially when the ball starts zooming around fast and there are particle explosions and SEIZURES. Awesome.

The goods: The colours, the multi player, the AI controlled bot is the right difficulty for learners
The bads: Once you get good, the bot is too easy.

Billiards

Wow, this game looks and feels good. It has you trying to clear the table by hitting the balls into the holes obviously. You move the wii remote back, and shove it forward (like a pool cue) to hit the ball. Single Player has you versing yourself, trying to get a lot of points, and multi player has you playing it against a friend. I find this game better on Single Player, as Multi Player doesn’t provide laughs, and it takes a long time.

The Goods: Can provide a good single player experience
The bads: Multiplayer just doesn’t cut it

Fishing

This game is funner then fishing. Theres this tiny pool with all these paper fish, and you have to catch them. Theres also bonus fish, which are chosen, and if you catch them you get double the points you do usually. Can be quite rewarding once you hit that platinum medal. Multi Player has you racing over the good fish, and the bonus fish, making fishing fast paced. You didn’t think it was possible, but it is… Fishing can be fast paced.

The goods: Single player and multi player are both fun. Cute graphics
The bads: Not enough different fish

Charge

This cow riding game has you jumpin’ hurdles and hitting scarecrows. The Single Player can get you used to games such as Excite Truck or Need for Speed (the basics controls) but that’s about it. It’s easy to score platinum, and it’s easy to full power the whole race. The jumping factor is good. It’s where you quickly lift the controller and the cow jumps. Multi Player is quite boring and not fun, because your just on the same Single Player track (i think) hitting scarecrows and dodging the obstacles. No real multiplayer twist thrown in.

The goods: Single Player can teach you to hold the Wii remote horizontally
The bads: Multiplayer lacks depth

Tanks

I like this title. Very much so. It has you controlling a tank, hunting enemy tanks. It has quite a lot of levels, and can be really enjoyable. This game is also fun multiplayer. I was sitting down with a friend playing multi player, and he accidentally shoots me. We laugh and the next round starts. I hunt him down. Then it turns in to all out war. From Co-op to worst enemies

The goods: Fun fun fun, single player and multi player. The different enemies are cool
The bads: You really need the nunchuk to enjoy this.

Closing Comments

It comes with a free Wii remote, so basically the game is only cheap. It’s good value, and I would advise picking it up.

Final Rating: 7/10