Sure, EA and Sega already have MotionPlus offerings on the market, but everyone knows the real kickoff for MotionPlus is Nintendos first party title: Wii Sports Resort. Weve spent some sweaty days with the product to get a real feel for all 12 games included (each with a few different activities to keep things fresh), and while there are certainly shortcomings to the depth of gameplay per activity, theres no denying that the package will liven up a party and rake in cash by the truckloads for Nintendo. Read on for our full impressions and some action-packed hands-on video.
MotionPlus hardware
To be honest, this is where most of our interest lies. While were happy to play a bit of Wii Sports when the occasion calls for it, weve spent way more hours on our Wii lost in Zelda or Super Mario Galaxy -- were that sort of gamer. So while were happy to traipse around Nintendos ultra-happy Wii Sports Resort wonderland, were much more curious as to how well the technology of MotionPlus holds up, and what it promises for more immersive, engaging experiences.
Overall? Two thumbs up. Sure, its lame that an add-on is necessary -- it wouldve been nice to have all this power the first go round -- but the add-on does the trick and really does offer some impressive motion tracking. The main drawback of the controller is that it occasionally gets slightly off-kilter, at which point its usually smart enough to ask you to re-orient it. Luckily, its easy enough to set the controller face down and let it right itself. Its not perfectly ideal, but its not a big hassle either. Microsoft and Sony will obviously have an advantage for re-orienting, with their camera-based systems, but the added complexity of those systems also means more opportunities for funkiness. At least MotionPlus feels like a known quantity, and doesnt involve any voodoo or know-how to get it back on track (or to set it up in the first place).
We wouldnt say any of the games offered in Wii Sports Resort offer any "true" 1:1 tracking, but of course if you were actually doing something with 1:1 motion, youd probably need a bigger room to play in. Nintendo has struck a good balance between "on-screen responsiveness" and "not smacking your sister in the face." Almost everything feels right, however. Subtle movements and sudden twists all enact a predictable response on-screen and in gameplay -- you feel like youre as much "there" as youd really want to be. Its still possible to play some of the games in "lazy mode," but its certainly more difficult than it was in Wii Sports -- simple flicks wont always do.
The games
This is more a review of the potential of MotionPlus than a review of Wii Sports Resort, and weve already mentioned that were not big minigame fanatics. Those caveats aside, here are a few of our thoughts on the games present:
- Frisbee: We suck at frisbee. We suppose much of that could be the fact that we actually know how to throw a for-realsies frisbee, and this just doesnt feel like throwing a real frisbee. Naturally, the motion-tracking is spot on, but it lacks in the delicacy of release. The disc also doesnt seem to fly quite right -- due to a seeming shortage of physics. Of course, were probably just making excuses for the fact that we suck.
- Power Cruising: Its like Wave Race, but not very fun somehow. The steering is easy enough to grasp, and quite sensitive, but the overall game is simplistic and very boring.
- Swordplay: This is the real winner in our book, especially thanks to the mode where you get to mow down Mii assailants with your mighty plastic sword. The VS. mode is a real blast with a friend, but we had little trouble going pro when up against the computer. We still felt a lack of depth, but at least its a **cathartic lack of depth. We just need a Zelda game and a Star Wars game to implement this exact sword system and well die happy.
- Table Tennis: Another great game and probably offers the best VS. mode outside of swordplay, but it sure is short on options.
- Golf: It adds draw and fade, just like the new Tiger Woods, but overall felt like Wii Sports golf to us.
- Air Sports: The dog fight mode is a blast and a great demonstration of the controller technology, but the gameplay isnt very well designed or balanced.
- Basketball: A nice diversion, but another game lacking in depth. We did enjoy the detailed shooting motion, however, which picks up on aim, timing and even backspin. It felt like all those hours of free throw practice in our backyard finally paid off. Almost. Word of warning, however: a family member managed to break a lightbulb with this one, demonstrating the fact that vertical space is a whole new danger zone in Wii Sports Resort.
- Archery: Another fun control scheme that needs to be instantly transplanted into the next Zelda title, but the actual "game" of trying to get more points gets old pretty fast.
- Cycling: Its a bit of a workout, and theres some camera wonkiness, but it actually provides a lot more depth in gameplay than the other racing titles, thanks to the drafting and pacing aspects.
- Bowling: Its supposed to have slightly more detailed control, but we didnt feel it. Still, Wii Sports bowling really didnt need much refinement.
- Canoeing: Quite a lot of fun for a lap or two, but seems hastily put together.
- Wakeboarding: Doesnt seem like it needs MotionPlus, but its another fun way to spend 15 minutes.
Most of the games unfortunately rely on some innate desire to win high scores, which has held little appeal for us ever since our glorious Tetris days. Sure, you get the right amount of testosterone in the room and everythings a competition, but wed much rather spend our time shooting our friends in the face (virtually, of course) or destroying them in table tennis than showing them how many fake points we can score doing fake tricks over fake wake.
Wrap-up
Like we said before, everybody is going to buy this game. Plus, once you get one MotionPlus add-on (the one thats included in the box), youre just $60 away from buying three more like a crazy person. To be honest, youll get a lot more fun out of the game with one more MotionPlus attachment for head-to-head competitions, but there arent really any scenarios where it helps having four. Thats good news for your wallet, bad news for your impatient friends who didnt come over to watch you shoot pretend airballs. Wii Sports Resorts hits stores on July 26th for $50.
