Showing posts with label games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label games. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Wii Sports

Wii Sports. Ninetendo: 207. ASIN B00212H6VG.

Summary & Evaluation
Ninetendo has a brilliant marketing department! They included the Wii Sports game with the console and a Wii-mote (remote controller) in a bundle. And Wii Sports is the game that many people associate with the Wii because of the commercials that showed families and friends of all ages off the couch and playing together. Although, Wii Sports doesn't have the truly realistic graphics like the one-sport specific games, it does have the functionality that makes it easy enough that anyone of any age can play.

The Wii Sports game contains following games: baseball, bowling, boxing, golf and tennis. The games can be played almost anywhere, at anytime without taking any consideration to the weather. The games are simple because they are meant to be fun for everyone, and not targeted at only serious gamers—although, gamers do like this too. For example:

  • In boxing, players need only their Wii-mote and nunchuk to mimic the two handed punching of the sport, and it can be played solo or with another player
  • in baseball, you are only pitching the ball and/or batting depending if you're playing against the Wii or another player
  • tennis is merely serving the ball, and then lobbing the ball back and forth with either a backhand or a forehand. Tennis can be played with the system or with four other players
  • golf is best played by using the power meter, the map and the wind monitor, all of which help you get the ball into the hole. Golf can be played alone or with a "foursome" of players
  • and bowling, is maybe the most difficult because of how closely it imitates real life bowling. You have to push the right buttons at the right time to actually throw the ball. This can be a four person game too.


But before you begin to play Wii Sports, a custom-made Mii (a little avatar) must be created. Your Mii file will record your achievements and advancements in skill that take you to new levels. And to add to the level of competition, your Mii can play with other Miis because all of the games feature multiple player options. You can improve your statistics by playing any of the training games that help you play the sports.

Wii Sports isn't meant to replace traditional exercise, but it can be used to bring people together in many different social settings—parties, retirement homes, schools and libraries.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages: all ages

Why I included this game...
Wii Sports is fun and enjoyed by so many people. I like the social aspect of the games.

Graphic from qishan.com. Retrieved from http://www.qisahn.com/nintendo-wii-pre-owned-games-c-2_70/wii-sports-used-p-639 on December 14, 2010.

New Super Mario Bros

New Super Mario Bros. Ninetendo: 2009. ASIN: B002BRZ9G0.

Summary & Evaluation
Mario and his brother, Luigi are back in this Wii game that is very reminiscent of the classic Mario games of the past. It's now a multiplayer game, and the players can choose their character from Mario, Luigi, or one of two Toads. The game steps up the challenge for players because of the many concealed rewards and secret places that offer a lot of replay value. Like the standard Mario games, the point is to make your way through all of the levels while avoiding hindrances and bad guys—and each level gets harder with more secrets and unknown things. To successfully get thru the levels, players need to be very aware of what's going on around them, be fast and anticipate many hazards in the shape of mushrooms and evil Bowzers.

It can be very stressful to play the game in multiplayer mode because one player can be very skilled, while the other is a novice. However, while multiplayer games can be tough, players can also work together to help each other. For example, players can pick each other up to save them from peril. Also, Wii has incorporated the motion abilities of the Wii-motes to tilt see-saws to reach high platforms, or tilt it away to foil their competition. Players who grew up playing Mario, won't be disappointed with this game, and new players will enjoy the challenge.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages: 10+

Why I included this title...
Wii gaming is popular is many libraries, and I can see how using videos games would draw in teens who may not use the library for any other reason.

Graphic from InsaneBear.com. Retrieved from http://www.insanebear.com/986/e3-09-nintendo-announces-the-new-super-mario-bros-wii/ on December 14, 2010.