Point: The case against Wii Play
Anyone who keeps up with sales figures knows that the package has been selling steady ever since it released early last year. Folks see an almost-free game with a Wiimote for only $50 and they immediately think it's a deal. And many can argue that it is, but for this individual, the bundle has no appeal.
The first issue I have with the package is the software. Wii Play as a "game" is like saying a peanut butter sandwich is "a meal." It's lacking. When looking directly at the worth of the software (the games within it), one finds titles that, upon being tried for the first time might come off as mild amusements and "well worth the extra $10," but after several sessions, the truth comes out. These minigames feel like they were never finished.
The mini-games seem half-baked and only offer a diversion for a short amount of time. After giving them a few plays over an hour, I quickly came to my senses that Wii Play is something I didn't want to see happent to the Wii. I didn't want quick slap-togethers of minigames to flood the console. Luckily, that isn't the case, but doesn't save Wii Play from its own flaws.
Also, as a sort of "Wiimote trainer," it's not any kind of introduction to some wider world of Wii wonders that can only be seen through picking up Wii Play and playing it. Wii Play only trains you in how to get bored quickly. Nintendo would have you believe otherwise.
Finally, the comparisons between it and Wii Sports are inevitable. Again, where Wii Play is nothing more than a tech demo with some added polish, Wii Sports stands on its own as a worthwhile experience on the console. The sports games included in that package are, more or less, actually fleshed out and allow you to play for more than 5 minutes. In Wii Sports, you can also enjoy multiplayer gaming, where should you expose a friend to Wii Play you're probably only going to get a smack to the face in response. At least, that's what I'd do.
In the end, it's no doubt going to boil down to what your personal preferences are, but I really don't see the validation of Wii Play. For what this software is (a collection of quick and tedious minigames), I would say the only way I could accept Wii Play was if it were packaged with a Wiimote for free. Until then, my extra $10 will go to more important things. Like lottery tickets.
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| Back | In favor of Wii Play |
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Roto13 @ Mar 27th 2008 11:48AM
Well, I bought it because my husband loves Wii Sports, and he's enjoyed it quite a bit. He's gotten much more than ten dollars worth of play out of Wii Billiards alone. Actually, we both have fun with that one. Much like Wii Sports, the multiplayer makes it fun.
A Petz @ Mar 27th 2008 12:35PM
I personally refuse to buy it since I already own enough wiimotes. I would much rather buy a $10 version of the game sold seperately however nowhere will sell it for that price. Gamestop (for example) sells the game by itself for $29.99 which is WAY overpirced.
Hunter @ Mar 27th 2008 1:00PM
Actualy I like the game. What I do not understand is: Why the hell did the developers not include an overall high score list ? There is only individual highscoring!
P.S.: Somebody could answer me the following question: Is it possible to update WII games ? Is there already an update available for a game ?
ataripunk1084 @ Mar 27th 2008 1:29PM
Hunter = Yes, it is possible to update Wii games. Even though many disagree based on the point of no storage space. Add-ons and updates could verywell be stored on the SD card and just be read from the card itself. If the game doesnt find any sort or update or add-on on the card then it plays normal.
A bit of a stretch but possible.
As for Wii play I love wiiplay. is it a game? yes. It provides interaction with a goal at the end. While not a game with a lot of depth they are still games. I for one enjoy the tank game and like to see how far I can get. My wife and I like to play through each game in contest sometimes aswell.
The main draw and the main factor in this whole ordeal(Which ive just read in an issue of Gameinformer. . . weird) isnt if Wiiplay is a game or not, but why people are buying it. People arnt buying wii play alone, they get the wii-mote PLUS wii play. THAT is the main draw for the game. Everyone who gets a Wii would want to dish out an extra 10 bucks for a few more mini games to play, why not?
The question is, why is it bothering so many people? if the Zapper was something that was needed to play smash brothers brawl and it was packaged the same you would bet that Links Crossbow training would be a no.1 game on a lot of lists, rihgt next to brawl. Why? not cause of the game itself but cause of the zapper.
just my two cents.
Sean @ Mar 27th 2008 1:43PM
First let me say - David Hinkle is a dick. Smack in the face? Is that really how you treat friends?
Wii Play certainly isn't the greatest thing on the Wii but it has it's merits. Air hockey and the shooting range are fun diversions and are a blast to play with other people. But yes, they do wear thin.
But to say that Wii Play is a piss poor tech demo and that Wii Sports is fleshed out? Sorry but Wii Sports is just as bad as Wii Play. There's hardly anything to make Wii Sports anymore worthwhile than Wii Play.
David Hinkle @ Mar 27th 2008 2:41PM
Well, that might explain why I don't have many "friends." :D
As for comparing Wii Sports to Wii Play, come on, buddy! I can actually play every single game in Wii Sports *multiple times.* There are certain things in Wii Play (like the cow racing or the pong variant) that you cannot play more than once. Sorry, but that's just how I feel!
Wii Sports has depth because, with cool things like the daily training and all, it presents you with an opportunity to play it more than once and an incentive for doing so (in this case, the "fitness age" you get to improve on). Wii Play only provides incentive for you to play it once, and that incentive is unlocking the locked games (which suck anyway).
ChaOS @ Mar 27th 2008 4:03PM
I personally like(d) wiiplay. I thought the shooter game was great, and I've enjoyed all the mini games with my friends.
The problem with Wiiplay is it's not a single player game. There is no real depth, because its not a game you ever finish... Its a competitive game, pitting you against your friends, or your own high score. I mean sure, it could have been a lot better, but it could have cost more than $10 too...
All I can say is at the end of the day, I've definitely spent enough time playing it to make it worth the extra $10.
thesimplicity @ Mar 27th 2008 4:07PM
Wait... peanut and butter sandwich? Is that a real thing? Because it sounds... not so delicious.
WhatIsThatThing @ Mar 27th 2008 5:06PM
You mean people don't put butter on their sandwiches?
brbarnhart @ Mar 27th 2008 5:07PM
I enjoy the tank game quite a bit. I have played it a lot on my own and also with friends.
The Duck shooting game is fun to play with friends.
I bought my copy at the same time I bought my Wii and have been very happy with the controller, game, price, etc.
David Hinkle @ Mar 27th 2008 8:09PM
Whoops, typo fixed. Thanks.
justin b. @ Mar 27th 2008 7:35PM
Look, plain and simple, the only reason people bought Wii Play was because remotes were always sold out. No one could play multiplayer because the remotes were snapped up in a hurry, and everyone who bought a wii (and still today) buys it to play some good ol' multiplayer, ESPECIALLY at launch. Plus, the minigame thing was fresh and exciting, and there were Wii Sports and WarioWare that people were raving about. So, if you can't find a remote on its own, you buy some cheap game that comes with it. Simple. Who knows, maybe you might actually enjoy some of Wii Play? Fact is, everyone who plays Wii Play only plays like 3 games. Ever wonder why? Because, friends, the other 6 games are terrible. Is it really a good deal to buy 9 games for $10 and only 3 or 4 are playable? Shouldn't you pay only 5 bucks?
And now, no one buys Wii Play because remotes are available now, or are starting to be. Except the Japanese, but they have all lost their minds and play whatever craptastic minigame comes out for Wii and ignore the good games. I was so angry with them for ignoring No More Heroes and Twilight Princess and buying, like, Mario Party and Lick Grass no Densetu Now!!! (made that one up)
Point is, while people play Wii Sports to this day and enjoy it, few people now play Wii Play, let alone buy it, and the people who do, as pointed out by the earlier commenters, only play Tanks, Billiards or Air Hockey, because the rest of the stuff sucks.