As mentioned, there are nine minigames on the Wii play disc:
- Shooting Range is like a modern version of Duck Hunt (minus the Animal slaughter theme of the 80's version, although the ducks make a cameo appearance), and shows that while the Wii Remote isn't quite the same as using a light gun, it's possibly better, because the technology allows fire in quicker succession, and doesn't require the screen to flash. The game itself is as fun and varied as any game featuring single shot targets on a static screen could be, with multiple rounds of varying difficulty.
- Find Mii is a great little 'Where's Wally' type game, where the object is to point and click on the right Mii(s) in various crowded situations. A great game for those afraid of the more action-intensive experience.
Less action makes Wife/Girlfriend/Mum play game more! - Table Tennis is a simple version of the sport, requiring the user to simply point where they want the paddle, hitting is automatic. There's still some strategy, as you can whip the pointer in any direction to direct the ball or add spin.
- Pose Mii is another pointer game, where you must match up a posed Mii character to silhouettes in the background, this time taking the rotation of the cursor into account.
- Laser Hockey is a pointer based version of the classic Air Hockey,
- Billiards is a surprisingly in-depth 3D billiards game, where you push the remote forward just like a pool cue to make your shot.
- Fishing is a race to catch the 'featured' fish, using the Remote much like a real fishing pole
- Charge is the world's first cow racing/scarecrow booting sim (translation - racing game with targets to hit) using the Wii remote on it's side as 'handlebars'
- And Tanks, which is a modern version of the classic game Combat.
The purpose of Wii Play is threefold. The first playthough of the game serves as a deliberately paced introduction to the functions of the Wii remote. Initially you are forced to play through all nine games in order as tutorial, and the games are ordered so that each teaches a Wii remote function. The first three, Shooting Range, Find Mii and Table Tennis all teach the player uses of the pointer function - as a gun, a mouse and a hand respectively. Pose Mii and Laser Hockey develop the pointer function by using it's rotational abilities. Billiards and Fishing teach the Remote's 3D space abilities, Charge shows off the tilt abilities, and Tanks is a demonstration of the 'nunchuck plus pointer dual control option'. Once someone has played through each game they will have a strong idea of what the Wii remote can do, and will have a handle on it's abilities as a gaming device.
Simple, but difficult at the same time.
The second purpose of the package is as a set of casual minigames for some quick fun. There is a medal system designed to keep you playing for high scores, and in this way it's a bit like an old arcade, with a bunch of specific-action games that are addictive simply because you get better at them every time you play. Much like the minigame elements included in several DS games (like Super Mario 64 DS and New Super Mario Bros), the games here are novel simply because the control method works so well, and the immediacy let's anyone play with mere seconds.
Thirdly, and likely most importantly long term, are the games multiplayer options. Due to the points based goals of each section, every game is two player enabled (some split screen, some not), and while some work better then others, all are worth a go or three. The gems of the collection are Shooting Range, Table Tennis, Laser Hockey, Billiards and Tanks, primarily because they are well designed multiplayer games and they make confident use of the Wii remote's functions. What's great about Table Tennis is that it's simplicity means the game is only strategy and reflexes, with very little learning curve and simply raw control of the pointer for skill. While Wii Tennis, with it's range of shots and surprisingly deep Tennis gameplay will be the clear preference for more seasoned Wii players in years to come, Table Tennis may be the one that hooks grandma initially. Laser Hockey is probably the hardest game to get a handle on, but is a blast between players who have mastered the Wii Remote, as is the dual control cleverness of Tanks. But the surprising overall highlight is Billiards, because it's just such a complete version of the game. They could take the engine, add in a bunch of options and a career mode, and it would be the only game a Billiards fan would ever need.
Graphically the games are simple but effective. Apart from the realistic 3D of Billiards and the Paper Mario styled Fishing they all fit in with the Wii's menu and Mii channel aesthetic. Sound wise it's the standard polite but nice Nintendo music. The only real complaint about Wii Play is that it lacks depth in the content department. There's absolutely no customisation or training modes of any sort, there's just the nine games in one or two player versions. Simplicity was obviously the point here - you can't even change the number of goals for a win in any of the games. And the presentation, while functional and attractive, is as bare bones as possible – but of course that's the point too. Ultimately, Wii Play could have done with a few more options, and given the content it may have served better built into the system's memory or as a free download from the Wii Shop, simply to save us swapping discs.
Light gun games have never played this smoothly
Wii Play doesn't quite match the wow factor of Wii Sports, primarily because the use of the remote is much more subdued then the phenomenal 'magic wand' control of Wii Tennis, Bowling and Golf and Baseball, and the subtle depth of the former three. It lacks the longevity of it's pack-in brother for this reason, as well as the fact that Wii Sports has the extensive training and fitness modes to keep it alive. However, as another psuedo pack-in game, Wii Play excels at what it sets out to do, and as a package deal with a Wii Remote is a no-brainier purchase for new Wii owners.
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