Video Game Deep Focus: Wii Games

By now, most of us have grown up with the Nintendo Wii system. Released in 2006, the Wii was Nintendo’s next home video game console designed to supersede the GameCube system. Everyone remembers the Wii Sports titles but also included were others such as "Wii Play," "Wii Music," "Wii Fit Plus," "Wii Chess" and "Wii Party."

The first game in the Wii video game series was "Wii Sports," released alongside the Wii console. "Wii Sports" only had five playable sports: bowling, golf, tennis, baseball and boxing. Out of the games in the Wii series, it is the most famous and is still one of the best-selling games ever.

In 2009, it was succeeded by "Wii Sports Resort," taking place on Wuhu Island, a luxurious spot where the Mii people reside, and that would include many new activities such as swordplay, table tennis, wakeboarding, frisbee, disc golf, archery, air sports and more. "Wii Sports" would be remade for the WiiU console (titled "Wii Sports Club") several years later for high definition. The "Wii Sports" entries are the most predominant entries in the series, and that is because they are indeed the best of the bunch.

Another notable entry in the Wii series was "Wii Fit," better known by its extension, "Wii Fit Plus." The only real discernible difference between "Wii Fit" and "Wii Fit Plus" is that the latter has fifteen more games than "Wii Fit" as well as six new yoga activities.

Shigeru Miyamoto, the game director at Nintendo, decided to enhance the original after there were complaints that users stopped playing the game too easily. More customers bought the newer version anyway.

As demonstrated by the title, "Wii Fit Plus" served to “get families exercising together” and used the Wii Balance Board console to complete the games and yoga activities.

Additionally, you could even use the Wii Balance Board console to weigh your cat or dog, though pets were noticeably absent during gameplay (do not try to force a cat to exercise). Notable games included "Tightrope Walk" (never made it across), "Tilt City," "Obstacle Course," "Skateboard Arena," "Rhythm Boxing," "Island Cycling" and many more. A sequel for the system, "Wii Fit U," was released in 2013, transferring most of the same material from the previous game.

There were also some lesser-known games that either failed to make an impact or weren’t as prominent as others. "Wii Play" was released in 2006 and consisted of nine mini-games, including "Cow Riding," "Shooting Range," "Find Mii," "Laser Hockey," "Billiards," "Pose Mii" and more. Though, once you unlock the selection of games, that’s it.

There’s no update to unlock more, and gamers are left to play the same thing over and over again, which is partly why "Wii Play" isn’t as enjoyable as other entries. It received a sequel, "Wii Play: Motion," in 2013, but it was overlooked due to the Wii U being introduced 2 months prior.

There was also "Wii Party," which was basically "Mario Party" but with Miis instead. Like "Mario Party," Miis are sent around a game board and play mini-games on occasion. It is also rumored that rejected mini-games from "Mario Party 8" were brought over to "Wii Party." A sequel to that was released for the Wii U in 2013.

There was also "Wii Chess," which was a game that did not even include the Miis. "Wii Chess" is very forgettable, and honestly, nobody remembers this one anyway. There was also no follow-up to this one...because duh.

The game was not even released in America and was exclusively in Japan. Even then, it was criticized for its bland visuals. To be fair, who was going to buy a physical Wii game that only included chess?

Lastly, there was also the underrated "Wii Music," a game that tends to get overlooked among the other entries. Rather than focus on individual activities and mini-games (although there are a few), "Wii Music" emphasizes musical exercises with over fifty instruments (including a singing dog-suit) and allows the player to even create music videos and album covers of their choosing. Just bashing around obnoxiously on a drum set with no regard for tempo or rhythmic consistency is fun in its own right.

The player usually undergoes a few lessons instructed by Sebastian Tute, a Mii composer that looks just like a Muppet (a Muppet or a Mii, anybody?), before partaking in the musical endeavors of the game. Sure, it is not like "Wii Sports" or "Wii Fit Plus," but it’s still worth the extra space on your shelf.

Like "Wii Chess," there was no sequel, although a karaoke game called "Wii Karaoke U" was released on the Wii U as a musical game but was never released in America and was discontinued in 2017 due to the eShop closing in Europe.

Overall, the Wii series is one of the best game series from Nintendo, almost good enough to rival the "Mario" games. The games have been popular enough that Wuhu Island has been included as a level on both "Mario Kart" and "Super Smash Bros," and Miis have also transferred over to both titles as playable characters. Also, "Wii Sports" is just awesome, period. "Nintendo Switch Sports" is good, but it has much to learn from if it wants to be as enjoyable.

Ranking of main games from best to worst:

1. "Wii Sports" (one of the best games of all time)

2. "Wii Sports Resort" (nice companion to the original but also stands on its own)
   

3. "Wii Fit Plus" (yes, that means you have to get off the couch)

4. "Wii Music" (don’t you... forget about me)

5. "Wii Party" (good, but would rather play regular Mario Party, to be honest)

6. "Wii Play" (fine for about an hour, then it’s time for something else)

7. "Wii Chess" (what was even the point? Just get out a regular chess board)

Logan M. Sharp is a fourth-year studying film production. To contact him, please email lxs5590@psu.edu.