Wii Sports: Epic Fail for the Hardcore
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jul 15, 2008 2:46 PM PDT
58 comments
This week is the big video game trade show of the year. The Electronic Entertainment Expo or E3 as it's commonly referred to. So it made me think that I had to talk about something video games related on AN this week.
I recently got a Nintendo Wii. Many of you know I love gaming as a hobby. It's something I do to relax me. So I'd heard about the Wii and the only game that really interested me on that platform was Wii Sports. I thought it would be cool to have a more interactive way to get involved. Especially for sports game lovers.
So I got a Wii and it was a blast making Miis, which are essentially mini-avatars of you, your family or anyone else that you can think of (everyone from Michael Jackson to Adolf Hitler have been created using this functionality). I had fun making avatars of myself, my wife and my daughter. She also loved seeing herself in a game. But seeing herself in a game would have to wait. The Wii that I got had a Wii Sports disc that was broken. I had to call Nintendo customer service, but they quickly sent me out a new one and in no time, I was playing the game that I got a Wii for.
Wii Sports features golf, tennis, baseball, boxing, and bowling. My favorite is probably tennis, followed by bowling. I don't like baseball. At all. First of all, the harder you throw overhand doesn't necessarily make pitches go any faster. I figured out that if I throw like Chad Bradford (OK, not THAT low), I actually get a 94-95 mph fastball and an 87 mph curve. I can also throw a nasty screwball and I limp on my left leg at times because of two knee surgeries, so I felt like Jim Mecir. I'm just too much of a realist for it, I think. Balls that should be caught and are flubbed are called singles. A long shot that rattles around in right center field is only a double and a guy standing on first NEVER scores on it. Plus, the pitchers who are pitching to you throw ridiculously easy to hit stuff right over the middle of the plate. The multiplayer stuff is fun if you have a second Wiimote. I wasn't expecting Wii Sports to be an accurate representation of baseball, but you can't do a lot of simple baseball things, like field or steal bases. It wouldn't have taken much I think to include this.
That being said, I've bought a few other Wii games and Wii Sports is the best experience I've had with it so far. And the console is definitely more kid friendly than either the PS3 or the 360. My daughter loves the art for the games. She also tries to play some of the Wii Sports games, although the bowling is tough because you have to let go of trigger at the right time, otherwise the character never releases the ball.
If you have young children, a Wii is a good buy. But if you're the main one in the house using games and you want to play a realistic baseball game, go with MLB 08: The Show on PS3. MLB2K8 is not up to snuff.
What's your opinion of a good baseball game out there? And did you like Wii Sports?
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I've played Wii sports on the Wii and wasn't too impressed.
It’s a great idea, but right now it’s well short of anything approaching good.
by OldhamA on Jul 15, 2008 2:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I reccomend
getting MLB 2K8 for the wii. The graphics are somewhat sketchy (the same could be said for every wii game, though) but the gameplay is great. You should rent it first, though. It might not be for some people. IMO, it’s one of the best games for the wii.
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by thecoolest on Jul 15, 2008 2:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I concur.
MLB 2K8 for Wii is outstandingly good.
Ditto Madden 08. The motion sensor just adds another layer altogether. Likewise Bully.
I will say, however, that a lot of ported games from other consoles suck in Wii format. Definitely rent before you buy.
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by Ozzz on Jul 17, 2008 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wii Sports is just meant as a demo to show some of the motion functionality
It was never intended to be a full, complete set of games.
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by Flashfire on Jul 15, 2008 3:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It came free with the console when we got it.
Wii Sports is a great pickup and play game that doesn’t require hours of gameplay. I like doing the fitness test with the 3 random mini-games.
The baseball is more like wiffleball, but I love wiffleball so I enjoyed it.
Have you tried Mario Galaxy?
That’s a great game too.
by TheTypingFiend on Jul 15, 2008 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I've got a number of games that I really like on it
Mario Galaxy
Super Paper Mario
Mario Kart Wii
Okami
Zelda: Twilight Princess
I haven’t even really done much with Metroid Prime yet but I’m still a big gamer.
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by Flashfire on Jul 15, 2008 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Golf
I love golf on the wii. Definately my fave followed by tennis and bowling. Just tried the new Mario Kart, which is fun. It’s pretty tough to not enjoy Mario Kart.
And The Show is awesome on PS3.
It's Rhodes Scholar Night at the Coliseum tonight.
by Scottbass on Jul 15, 2008 3:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm pretty sure the Wii Golf Courses
Are those borrowed from Golf for the NES.
by TheTypingFiend on Jul 15, 2008 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you have the Tiger Woods golf game? That’s a pretty fun one too.
by drmmerchk on Jul 15, 2008 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes they do.
Tiger Woods 09 is coming out in august.
We Love Golf (made by the same company that did Mario Golf) was just released.
------ 84.6% of all statistics are made up.
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by gallopingael on Jul 15, 2008 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, I only play at my buddies house.
And he’s just got the standard sports package. Your question was quite prophetic, I was over there today and told him we should rent Tiger Woods for the Wii to check it out.
The real question, do you like the drums on Rock Band? They’re pretty fun, although alot of drummers I know can’t stand them. Since I’m terrible at drums, they’ve actually helped get my hands a little tighter. I still suck at drums, but I’m a hair better.
It's Rhodes Scholar Night at the Coliseum tonight.
by Scottbass on Jul 16, 2008 2:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a buddy
who bought himself a kit after getting really good with the drums on Rock Band.
by TheTypingFiend on Jul 17, 2008 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Wii is great
For Party games. If you don’t have it, get Dodgeball! It is on an EA multi game pack. I can’t remember what it is called.
If you have 4 WiiMotes it is the most fun I have had with a group playing video games since Mario Cart way back in the day, or Sega Hockey.
It is easy to teach your buddy how to play a Wii game and compete right with you after 2 games. Trying to teach someone MLB: 08 or Madden and then asking them to compete with you is just pointless!
But, I can’t see enjoying any single player games on the Wii for very long. 360 on PS3 have WAY more to offer. I just wish 360 would have more PARTY type games. Can’t they see the success of Rock Band and the like? Yet at E3 all they showed off was Online gaming and hardcore first person shooters.
"I can't wait for tommorrow, cause I get so much cooler every day" - shirt worn by Swish
by Bigtoe on Jul 15, 2008 3:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I've actually heard that Scene It is a ton of fun for the 360
Haven’t picked it up myself because I don’t have a lot of “gaming” friends.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jul 15, 2008 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I actually have that
and it is a lot of fun. My wife and I play it when her parents come over. It is a great game for 4 players, any more gets tough, because teams have to share one buzzer.
But, it is nice to have a “video game” that we can load up and play rather than breaking out the old board games.
"I can't wait for tommorrow, cause I get so much cooler every day" - shirt worn by Swish
by Bigtoe on Jul 15, 2008 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My brother has the Scene It game for his 360 and we played it on New Years. It was a lot of fun… even for my mom who is not a big “gaming” person either (though she does love bowling on the wii haha). Of course my family loves Scene It in general. :)
by drmmerchk on Jul 15, 2008 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dicks in the DLD and Wii up front?
Can 
be far behind?
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Jul 15, 2008 3:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Love my Wii....
Wii sports is fun with a group but of course not realistic…..but the fact that you have to move around and play is just amazing technology. MarioKart is also a blast with ther people (way more fun than I ever thought it would be) and Guitar Hero is fun also. WiiFit is an incredible technology too, but I havent played it enough to know how fun it will be.
For sports games, Gotta be The Show, NCAA Football, NHL..but all on PS3 or xbox, not on the Wii…...The Wii is fun as hell for what it is….but certainly not hardcore.
Bring back Hammer.
by OaktownPower on Jul 15, 2008 3:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
There's an arcade-ish game for Wii called "The Bigs"
Similar to MLB Slugfest, the baseball version of NBA Jam/NFL Blitz/NHL Hitz. Very arcadey and not terribly realistic, but pitching’s more realistic and the game’s more fun than a tech demo. Also, I’ve heard that MLB Power Pros is the best baseball game on Wii…
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by Keith on Jul 15, 2008 3:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess there is a new game called
backyard baseball 09
here is a link to a review from wired.com
http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2008/07/review-backyard.html
"I can't wait for tommorrow, cause I get so much cooler every day" - shirt worn by Swish
by Bigtoe on Jul 15, 2008 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Bigs is fun but defense is basically impossible to get a hang of. It’s fun to play against someone else though and have the score be like 30-28 or something ridiculous like that. Pitching and hitting is fun because you can actually get into it, but the defense sucks enough that I rarely play it.
by drmmerchk on Jul 15, 2008 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keith is right on (as is Instant Replay Umpire below)
MLB Power Pros is a ridiculously fun baseball game for the Wii. The graphics are certainly a bit more cartoon-like (meaning, Blez, that I think Maya would still get a kick out of watching you play it), but the gameplay is remarkably well-executed. The pitcher-batter confrontation is one of the best I’ve seen in a game and the fielding, while a tad awkward initially, is also quite smooth. The game’s also surprisingly deep, with a terrific season mode and a surprisingly immersive create-your-own-player story mode. I would add that I’ve only played the game with either the nunchuck add-on or the classic controller (with the classic controller being my preferred choice) so I can’t say whether it plays well with just the standard Wiimote. Nevertheless, I’d urge you to check it out as I think you would enjoy it a great deal. If you ever wasted away any hours on Baseball Stars for the NES, I have every reason to think that MLB Power Pros would be right up your alley.
Of course, I too still delve into MVP 2005 for the PC on a regular basis. Sweet mother does that game hold up well.
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by Wes7 on Jul 15, 2008 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Power Pros really is a great game. Fry's has it brand new for 19.99.
I had to hide it, because I was wasting all my time playing it. It’s pretty challenging, and extremely deep. There are some issues (you can’t just create a player and give them the stats you want, and trades are hard to figure out), but it’s a whole lot of fun.
I generally bemoan the profusion of Mr Sabermetric Sporks in the Scrabble ranks who don't know the meaning or usage of 50% of the words they use. -monkeyball
by JediLeroy on Jul 15, 2008 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tiger Woods PGA Golf '08
Awesome and addictive Wii game, so much so that I’ve barely gotten my MLB 2K game out of the box. And the character/avatars one can create allow some pretty impressive detail.
Agree with Flashfire above; the Wii sports disc seems relatively primitive in comparison, though I too had a lot of fun making cartoon Miis for myself, and helping my kids make theirs. Plus, my five year old son kicks my butt in bowling.
How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porchlight on?
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 15, 2008 3:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Tiger Woods
I completely agree on Tiger Woods. I picked that up and am having a great time with it. The Wii Sports is great but definitely can get old after a while.
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by Fooch on Jul 15, 2008 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My 7 and 4 year old cousins are AMAZING at Wii bowling.
by drmmerchk on Jul 15, 2008 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wii sports is fun.
My 5 year old is really good at the bowling game. Surprising because he’s limited to playing for 15 minutes per day.
Anyway, not to pimp other stuff, but since Blez did ask about other baseball games:
If anybody (I know thejd44 is) is familiar with Diamond Mind or Baseball Mogul, it’s along the same lines. More customizeable and in depth than Mogul, and more user friendly than Diamond Mine.
It’s honestly the most fun I’ve ever had with a baseball game.
by mikev on Jul 15, 2008 3:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I love that game...
It has all levels of the minors, regular and rue 5 draft, option years, waiver wires …. it’s just a really good game for wannabe GM’s
by El Cerrito Steve on Jul 15, 2008 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still play on Baseball Mogul...
but I also now have a faster computer. (Also, I’m getting sick of the fact that I still have Mogul 04 and the top draftees go straight to the pros. And I don’t know anyone anymore, as it’s 2017.)
Does OOTP still have the old problems? (the really slow, crashing, and the like?) Mogul’s gotten quite a bit better though… then again, I recently switched from Championship Manager to Football Manager and found the two basically to be interchangable.
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on Jul 15, 2008 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
OOTP got bought by Sports Interactive.
The makers of FM. Which decides to crash my computer once in a while.
I’ll give it a shot when I can find the money to buy it.
"The hard... is what makes it great."
by Jjjsixsix on Jul 15, 2008 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just so happens that it's $10 off this week...
So far the performance has gotten a bit better than before. I haven’t had a chance to have a large league set up with a long history yet, however.
I want an A's-Rays ALCS.
by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jul 15, 2008 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm in a 36 team online league.
With 5 full levels of minor leauges.
No issues with the game at all
by mikev on Jul 16, 2008 7:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
OOTP actually split with Sports Interactive last year.
OOTP is it’s own company again.
by mikev on Jul 15, 2008 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love playing Wii sports, esp tennis and bowling
while not quite sober, after last call on a Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Monday/Tuesday, Wednesday/Thursday night …
They are fun to play and anyone can pick them up and be tolerably good at them. That said—they are not for hard core gamers. They are not that fun to play alone and they will not challenge you.
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on Jul 15, 2008 3:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Again, concurring:
I convinced my wife to finally join me on the Wii in bowling… she having never picked up a game bfore in her life, threw six straight strikes, setting a record I can’t beat.
Horrible, horrible existence I now lead..
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by Ozzz on Jul 17, 2008 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wii Sports rocks
It’s not meant to be lifelike or killer, but it’s simply fun. And Blez, if you think they’re serving up fat pitches, it’s because your rating isn’t good enough. Start winning a few games. Get past say… 1100 or 1200, and then you’ll be making new Miis again just to reduce the difficulty. Yes, you still can’t take the extra base or steal or control the outfielders, but you sure will need to concentrate on hitting more.
After maxing out (2000 or so) on the Tennis, I’ve been almost all baseball. Once it gets too repetitive, I build a new Mii and start over. Also, be sure to try the Wii Fitness training, and max out the home run derby or batting practice. Can you go 30 for 30? I’ve never beaten 28.
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by louismg on Jul 15, 2008 4:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
28's tops for me
I always end up fouling off a couple offspeed inside pitches
I generally bemoan the profusion of Mr Sabermetric Sporks in the Scrabble ranks who don't know the meaning or usage of 50% of the words they use. -monkeyball
by JediLeroy on Jul 15, 2008 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still love my MVP baseball 2005 game on my PC. I update rosters at mvpmods.com and have a USB controller that makes it more fun. I drafted a lot of my favorite players and I love the ability to adjust settings so that it’s challenging but still fun.
I wish EA made baseball games still.
by drmmerchk on Jul 15, 2008 4:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
OOTP is like MVP 2005, but without the graphics.
It’s got a MUCH better simulation engine. You can tweak basically everything.
by mikev on Jul 15, 2008 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wii Baseball is the only time I can hit a HR farther than Josh Hamilton
And for that, I love it :D
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by Kimberly on Jul 15, 2008 4:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Tennis and bowling are the best on Wii sports
... the others aren’t worth spending much time on (although boxing can get competitive if you have a partner).
The Wii is obviously not that good for graphics, but I am intrigued at the gameplay on something like Madden, where you make a throwing motion to throw the ball. The party games are a lot of fun too – and it is great when you can get a whole group together playing (I had great session with Rayman Raving Rabbids going recently)
by RickeySteals on Jul 15, 2008 4:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
BEST BASEBALL GAME EVER !! MLB POWER PROS
You can play story mode to make your own character and also play season mode, fantasy draft, etc.
Can’t miss this game, it’s a must have for A’s fans with Wii’s!
by Instant Replay Umpire on Jul 15, 2008 4:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I just got a Wii...
It came with Wii Sports and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. My 2-year-old son loves it when I bowl (although Blez is right about the release—that’ll drive you nuts for a while). I enjoy the tennis and golf very much. I don’t mind the batting practice in baseball…and since I despise boxing I haven’t even tried that.
Admittedly, I spend more time playing Smash Bros. Brawl. I’d like to get Super Mario Galaxy and Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess as well.
I want an A's-Rays ALCS.
by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jul 15, 2008 4:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Galaxy and Twilight Princess are really fun games
by drmmerchk on Jul 15, 2008 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wii Baseball sucks...
Just play “Hitting Home Runs” in practice mode. That is hard! I challenge you to get 10 out of 10 homers or top 5000 feet total!
by whomeverwiz on Jul 15, 2008 5:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Done the 10/10 part
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by Flashfire on Jul 15, 2008 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Done both.
If you go above 5500 feet, you can get a platinum medal. I think my furthest was 630 feet or so.
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by louismg on Jul 15, 2008 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Best MLB Game out there
EA Sports MVP 2005 (for PC).
There is a dedicated moding community that has improved the graphics and corrected rosters/schedules for this season. It is by far the most involved and realistic gameplay out there, and it’s HARD on higher difficulties. Basically you have to execute every pitch perfectly, practice good pitch selection, and mix in balls or you will get SHELLED.
There’s an Owner mode that tracks a franchise for 30 seasons with a stadium you can build out and a Franchise mode that tracks 99 years. Both have a system with three minor leagues and you can play (or quick sim) every game at every level from A to MLB.
Basically, there’s nothing even close to as good out there, and people should boycott the crappy 2k series because they negotiated an exclusive license with MLB, putting EA’s franchise out of business even though it’s much better.
Anyway, that’s my 10 cents.
by nevermoor on Jul 15, 2008 5:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the Wii is the most asinine video game invention ever
Way worse than that power glove thing. I prefer video games as a relaxing activity – something to do after a long day, or a way to pass the time when I’m not in the mood for productivity. I know you can play most of those games without getting up and miming the actual moves to the fullest extent, but I just don’t really see the point in doing more than pressing a few buttons on a controller. I’d rather go outside and hit a few in the batting cages than pretending to hit baseballs in wii sports. I really just don’t “get it.”
Being kid friendly is a bonus, I suppose, but I’m neither a kid nor a parent so that doesn’t really concern me. As far as game selection goes, the system just doesn’t offer anything I’d be interested in playing (except for a few games that are also on another, better, more powerful system).
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jul 15, 2008 8:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
"It's not for you"
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by Flashfire on Jul 15, 2008 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As I prefer not to get punched in the face...
Wii boxing is tremendous fun, and if you go hard enough, one hell of workout.
I’ve lost fifteen pounds since I got my Wii two months ago. Try that on your xbox…
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by Ozzz on Jul 17, 2008 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You could probably accomplish that with all the walking to the mailbox...
...for the RROD-induced shipments.
Nah, I’ve had an Elite for about a year and it’s been just fine.
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by Flashfire on Jul 17, 2008 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another vote for MLB Power Pros
Yeah, it looks cartoony, but like Miis, you can definitely tell who each player is supposed to be. And not just the star players but guys who were relatively unknown when the game came out like Duchscherer (or Ducksurer if you’re Joe Buck).
But beyond the cartoonish look the gameplay is pretty solid, the stats are deep, and the physics are good. Beyond that, there’s a career mode where you have to develop a player through 3 years of college ball which is completely addicting to otaku people and a huge time suck. If you win the college world series, you get to play against a combined AL/NL All Star team in which you will get your butt kicked. Thank God for the mercy rule. Then you can pick up any of the players you’ve developed and put them on the A’s roster or even in AAA.
Can’t really say anything bad about this game: it’s fun, cheap, and better than many of the other games that look more realistic but play like crap. The Bigs was horrible. Got rid of that thing within a month. Pitching was great but fielding was a crap shoot, leaving you pretty frustrated most of the time.
Be prepared to lose a lot of your free time though. And a sequel is coming soon, from what I hear.
"I hope he arouses the fire that's dormant in the innermost recesses of my soul. I plan to face him with the zeal of a challenger." Ichiro on Matsuzaka
by almostreggie on Jul 16, 2008 7:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Wii Sports Baseball
“Plus, the pitchers who are pitching to you throw ridiculously easy to hit stuff right over the middle of the plate.”
FWIW: As you win the difficulty of the game goes up and they start throwing you more balls and hit the corners so you have to ‘recognize the zone’ with increasing accuracy. And the pitchers even throw submarine at times.
http://sonicliving.com
by whaxed on Jul 16, 2008 12:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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by DYNASTYLeagueBaseballMike on Jul 18, 2008 3:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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