Metareview: Wii Play
by David Hinkle 
{ Feb 15th 2007 at 1:55PM }
With the release of Wii Play yesterday, many are finding that the compilation of minigames isn't really worth the purchase, finding comfort in the knowledge that at least they got another Wiimote. The critics, however, do not have to worry about such things and take the magnifying glass to the title directly, offering up the following review scores:
- Gamespot (54/100) says that very few of the nine minigames included have much worth: "It's not all bad, but Wii Play doesn't hold up as a stand-alone retail game. Nintendo seems to be aware of that, because the only way you can get Wii Play in North America as of this writing is as a pack-in with a Wii Remote. The continued scarcity of the Wii Remote, and the fact that the Wii Play package is retailing for only $10 more than a remote by itself, makes the game's shortcomings easier to overlook. Regardless of price, Wii Play probably isn't going to hold your attention for long."
- IGN (55/100) thinks that the worth is in the included Wiimote: "As a standalone game, there is no way I could recommend Wii Play. It is simply not worth $50 or, for that matter, even half that. But it's a $10 companion piece to a Wii remote and it does succeed as a technical demo of what Nintendo's new peripheral can do."
- 1UP (68/100) is of the mind that this isn't something gamers will enjoy: "Play is made for people who don't really like games, and if you're someone who really does, that's a problem. Sure, most of these minigames are fun...for about 10 minutes. But hey, maybe your grandma will want to marry it."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
M @ Feb 15th 2007 2:18PM
I think the game is fun regardless. It does lack depth, but I don't think it was created to be taken deeper than what meets the eye. When you play the minigames with another person, it becomes a lot more enjoyable and competitive.
I also do not think it is intended to hold your attention for long amounts of time. Since Wii Play is a mini-game compilation, I tend to play for a little bit and come back and play some more some other time. I think this game sits great for the inexperienced or casual gamer.
bobby @ Feb 20th 2007 5:26PM
i heard the same kind of stuff when Wii Sports came out, but I think a lot of people have been surprised at the true gaming power of the system and that game in particular.
I'd like to see this compared to something like the BK XBox 360 games that have sold millions of copies. Are they worth fifty bucks? No way, but do they pack a solid punch when coupled with a meal deal for another 5 bucks? Hell yes.
I think we're seeing the gaming industry change. I don't want to read reviews of a lot of these Wii games by "seasoned gamers." The whole glory of the Wii system, is that it's not some cool boys' club. It's fun for everyone. Maybe it's time for gaming critics scene to change. More reviews by new gamers and "part-time" gamers.
I definitely fall into the latter category. I keep up with games a little bit, I often have trouble finishing long games, and I've been thoroughly amused and entertained by games like Wii Sports, ExciteTruck, Warioware, and Rayman.
Duane Roelands @ Feb 15th 2007 4:47PM
My children (ages 5 and 3) adore Wii Play. "Charge" and "Laser Hockey" are both huge hits with my 5-year-old. My 3-year-old loves "Shooting Range". Does it hold my attention? No, not really. My kids love it and that makes it worth the purchase price for me. The second remote is a bonus.
It seems obvious that this was originally intended to be the game that shipped with the Wii, given the degree to which the games introduce you to how the controller works. Smartly, Nintendo put Wii Sports in the box with the console and it's driving sales well.
Charles @ Feb 15th 2007 3:08PM
1UP gave the highest score, yet had the harshest things to say about it?
hollowpoint @ Feb 15th 2007 5:32PM
Id say the scores are a bit brutal as wii play(mote' or not) is vastly better than red steel. I myself (and I think everyone else)was waiting for this game simply to get the extra remote and felt the 10 dollar game was well worth it especially in 2player mode the laser hockey and the shooting get really good. Even the really lame ones like fishing and find mii spice right up in multiplayer. But yeah by yourself its a bit tedious. Oh and copies are selling hand over fist evreywhere. So I'd say these score are rather telling of whats wrong in the review world. This game should really be in the top 5 for any wii owner at the moment.
DiRT @ Feb 15th 2007 6:13PM
The thing I want to know is how do they compare it to Wii Sports? I still love Wii Sports and play it "all the time." Is Play considered just as "cheap and shallow" as Wii Sports, or is something about it considerably worse?
Shogan @ Feb 16th 2007 3:21AM
Let me spell this out for anyone curious. The product description is Wii Remote With Wii Play. A Wii Remote costs you $40, so consider this a $10 game.
This game is sorta like Wii Sports, but with non-sports games, and more of them. There's a shooting range (kinda like duck hunt... almost), Find Mii (kinda like Where's Waldo with Mii's), a strange but fun bubble game, Billiards (which while still on the shallow side, possibly deeper than most of the Wii Sports games), Tanks (which is like Combat on the 2600... kinda), Table tennis, which is very simplistic, but still fun, a Pong-type game, a cow racing game, and a quite fun fishing game.
Where I beat all the challenges in the $50 Wario Ware in one evening (yes the whole stupid game), this one is more challenging if you're trying to get Platinum medals on each event. It's also appealing enough that it's sort of a game to play when you're tired from playing Wii Sports, but want something along the same lines, just more relaxed.
Is it worth $50? Definitely not. But if you need or want an extra Wiimote, DEFINITELY get Wii Play if you and your friends enjoyed the simplicity and fun of Wii Sports. It's limited to two-player, which is sad, but it's quite enjoyable.
Stephen @ Feb 19th 2007 9:39AM
honestly, how hard could it have been to put variations to these games?
maybe a game of 8-ball or cut throat in the pool games.
the original duck hunt gameplay...2 ducks fly up, you get 3 shots. dog laughs at you. classic....i hope they can get the wiimote to work with a duck hunt/hogans alley virtual console. cause i was disappointed with wii play...i even sold my disc already for $20.