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E3 09: Hands-on with Wii Sports Resort photo

No matter how bored with it you are now, you have to admit that the original Wii Sports (the launch game that was included with the Wii) provided a very memorable experience. Seriously, look back in time before all the "dust off my Wii" jokes and horrific wave of waggle minigame fests. Remember the first time you opened the Wii box, set up the console, and played Wii Sports for the first time? It was a pretty unique, and altogether magical experience, am I right?

With the sequel Wii Sports Resort -- which comes packaged with the much talked about Wii Motion Plus peripheral -- Nintendo is hoping to create a little of that unique gameplay magic once again.

But how does this new collection of motion-controlled sports games play? And is all the hype surrounding the Wii Motion Plus warranted? Hit the jump for my hands-on impressions of Wii Sports Resort.

I know the first thing I say is going to make most of you want to comment right away, but hear me out for a second.

The Wii Motion Plus accessory that plugs into the bottom of the Wii remote is amazing. It truly changes the way Wii games are played and will have you feeling the same excitement and wonder for the Wii as you did the first day you got it.

Now, here is the part where you want to comment and say "it should have been included in the original technology of the Wii remote." To that I ... well, I really don't have anything to say. That comment is completely right. Once you pick up a Wii remote with Wii Motion Plus and genuinely see what it is like to experience 1:1 3D movement you are absolutely correct in wondering why the original controller didn't respond like this.

My only (annoyingly positive) thought is this: I genuinely feel the advanced technology did not exist at the time of the Wii launch (well, at least to Nintendo it didn't). While it sucks to have to use a new accessory to mimic what the Wii should have done in the first place, at least Nintendo is upgrading its own equipment and not just letting us, the players, suffer with inferior technology. Basically, I am just happy that my Wii remote is fancier now. The Wii Motion Plus is an enormous step up in terms of motion control and that is, in the grand scheme of things, a good thing.

Now, on to how this cool new technology worked in relation to Wii Sports Resort.

Wii Sports Resort includes twelve sports events -- a huge step up from the five that were in the original game. And some of these twelve activities actually include sub-events, such as when you choose Frisbee and are approached with the choice of Dog Frisbee or Frisbee Golf. While both control similarly, they are completely different games. Because of these branching events, the total amount of sports in Wii Sports Resort jumps up to over twenty.

To get my impressions explained quicker, I will just focus on a few of the sports I liked the best.

Archery

Archery is probably my favorite of the new sports included in Wii Sports Resort. Basically, you choose a difficulty level, stand in place, and shoot arrows at an increasingly distant target. It sounds simple (and dull), but the actual gameplay is pretty awesome.

To shoot an arrow, you have to hold the Wii remote and nunchuck vertically, right next to each other, in front of you (just like how you would hold a bow and arrow). As you pull back the nunchuck towards your face and hold down the C button, increasing the power of your shot, the aiming circle on the screen gets smaller and smaller. In addition to this, the added motion sensor in the Wii Motion Plus accessory senses each and every little movement of your hands and arms, making the screen shake every time you make a real-life movement. When you are ready to fire, you let go of the C button and the arrow goes flying, accompanied by a very satisfying "woosh."

This event may not show off the Wii Motion Plus peripheral perfectly, but the way you handle shooting the arrows in the game is both super intuitive and very fun.

Basketball

I didn't think I would like basketball, but of the two modes I played, 3-Point Free Throw was the best (the other was an actual 3-on-3 game that involved passing, dribbling, and shooting). In 3-Point Free Throw, your Mii stands at five different positions on the 3-point line and is given five balls to shoot into the basket.

The controls in this game are brilliant. You just simply push B to pick up a ball (you don't even have to hold the button down) and then just gesture the Wiimote into the air just like you would throw a basketball. It is hard to explain without physically having the game to show you, but the Wii Motion Plus accessory is so accurate that you really have to shoot the ball like you would in real-life. There is no more of that lazy, flicking of the wrist cheat you can use in something like the first game's Tennis. If you do that the ball will go out-of-control, You really have to swing the Wii remote in the air, and flick your wrist in the perfect way to get the ball to land in the basket.

The whole experience just feels so fluid and really cool.

Frisbee

I played this sport at last year's E3 (as well as Fencing and Jet Skiing), but it is worth quickly mentioning again. Basically, you grab a Frisbee and throw it towards a target so a ridiculously cute dog can catch it for points. There is not much to it, but, again, throwing the Frisbee is so accurate it is scary.

Fencing

For a true example of Wii Motion Plus's potential, try out Fencing. In the activity, you duel with another player on an elevated platform. By swinging your Wii remote, you have to try to knock the other person off the platform.

What is truly revolutionary about this event is how the sword controls in your hands. You grasp the Wii remote with two hands (no nunchuck needed) and swing it around just like you would a real sword. But I swear, I kid you not, the sword moves in a 3D environment exactly as it does in real-life. And don't think that means just a simple waggle back and forth like so many other Wii games try to get away with. When using the Wii Motion Plus, the sword can be turned, pointed, even moved behind your back or under your legs and the in-game sword will do the exact same thing. Seriously. It is almost fun just to stand there before attacking and just marvel in the fact that the Wii remote and the sword move exactly the same. This perfect motion control can even be used to defend against incoming attacks by holding the sword in just the right place. It is such a cool thing.

Those are my four favorite sports, but all the others are really fun as well. Sky Diving involves moving the Wii remote around, mimicing the movements of the falling Mii on-screen; Kayaking has two players racing each other, using the Wii remote as a paddle, swinging and switching back and forth to row down a river; Jet Skiing uses both the Wii remote and nunchuck as handles of a Waverunner, allowing them to be rotated towards you for acceleration.

Even classic Bowling and Golf return from the original game, this time with new Wii Motion Plus control that makes everything that much more fun and accurate.

Wii Sports Resort is not a "hardcore" game, but it doesn't pretend to be. It is just a really entertaining, technologically impressive, surprisingly pretty party game that offers hours of harmless fun for up to four people. A lot of my friends don't play videogames, but I know they will fall in love with Wii Sports Resort. It is a blast to play and is guaranteed to bring back those nostalgic feelings you once had when the Wii was truly something special.

Based on my hands-on time with the game, I am giving my impressions of Wii Sports Resort an 8.5.*

*This is a ridiculous scoring system and has nothing to do with the final game. I just thought it would be fun to score all the games I play this week based on my hands-on time with them all.


LAUNCH GALLERY (32 IMAGES)
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43 comments | showing # 1 to 43

dangerman's Avatar
dangerman at 06/04/2009 10:48
Wow, sounds ALOT better than I would have expected.
Holiday's Avatar
Holiday at 06/04/2009 10:48
It's actually the classic Wii Golf and bowling with the MotionPlus that I'm most interested in. But can you play Wii Sports online with others?
Justice's Avatar
Justice at 06/04/2009 10:50
"My only (annoyingly positive) thought is this: I genuinely feel the advanced technology did not exist at the time of the Wii launch (well, at least to Nintendo it didn't). While it sucks to have to use a new accessory to mimic what the Wii should have done in the first place, at least Nintendo is upgrading its own equipment and not just letting us, the players, suffer with inferior technology. Basically, I am just happy that my Wii remote is fancier now. The Wii Motion Plus is an enormous step up in terms of motion control and that is, in the grand scheme of things, a good thing."

Well put. Glad to hear it's surpassed expectations, I'll probably pick it up, mainly for the Wii MotionPlus of course.
Secret Cow's Avatar
Secret Cow at 06/04/2009 10:53
The Jet Ski looks kind of like Wave Race, and the skydiving sounds kind of like Pilotwings. Yay.
dangerman's Avatar
dangerman at 06/04/2009 10:54
Also, "I swear, I kid you not, the sword moves in a 3D environment exactly as it does in real-life." has me completely sold on Wii Motion Plus.
Tubatic's Avatar
Tubatic at 06/04/2009 10:54
over 20 games?! oh snap!

Also, I think the cries about this being an add-on peripheral are practically a full of wine and cheese at this point. The add-on comes packaged in half the games that need it so far (only the two tennis games don't have it bundled in). They're practically giving it away!

People will disagree, I know, but I think that's pretty excellent.
valhum's Avatar
valhum at 06/04/2009 10:54
Sounds good. I will get it once it comes out.
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar
GoldenGamerXero at 06/04/2009 10:55
Actually most people believe the reason they didn't include it at first was it would have been to expensive to make/buy at the time so Nintendo would either lose money on wiimote or they would have to up the price. I'm probably going to get two motion+ because I'm probably only going to really use it for 2 player.
PappaDukes's Avatar
PappaDukes at 06/04/2009 10:56
Nice, very nice. I am really looking forward to the Wii motion plus probably a little more than I should be. But hell, Nintendo was the pioneer in the next gen race for motion controlled era so I'm glad it's working out for them.
kauza's Avatar
kauza at 06/04/2009 10:58
This is one of the most helpful previews of Resort that I've seen. Great work!

I have one question: in fencing, how responsive is the "power" with which you swing? That is, if I swing the sword really hard, will it mean a really hard hit on my opponent?
Monodi's Avatar
Monodi at 06/04/2009 11:05
Well stick me in a dress, I think i will get this after all.
megaStryke's Avatar
megaStryke at 06/04/2009 11:10
There is a new Iwata Asks segment where they discuss the Wii Motion Plus. Apparently, this could not have been done at the launch of Wii because gyroscopes were too large and expensive. They've only come down in price recently as more appliances start to include them.
Phoenix Gamma's Avatar
Phoenix Gamma at 06/04/2009 11:10
Already reserved my copy when I got Punch Out. I felt dirty reserving such a silly game, but I'm starting to get really excited for it.

Too bad it only comes with one Motion Control Plus...
Chad Concelmo's Avatar
Chad Concelmo at 06/04/2009 11:12
@kauza,
Actually, that's a really good question. Yes, the power in which you swing totally affects how hard the sword blow is. I am telling you, once you experience how responsive the Wii Motion Plus is you will be blown away. :)
kauza's Avatar
kauza at 06/04/2009 11:17
@Chad: Fantastic. I imagine that scoring a particularly powerful hit upside someone's head for the first time is quite the unforgettable experience. Can't wait to get my hands on this. I have Tiger Woods coming at me next week, and I hope the golfing in that feels as good as everyone says that it does.
megaStryke's Avatar
megaStryke at 06/04/2009 11:20
For Frisbee, you have to hold a button to grab the disc and then let the button go to throw it? Something like that I'm assuming. I can totally see myself letting go of the damn remote, trying to toss the thing.
Chad Concelmo's Avatar
Chad Concelmo at 06/04/2009 11:20
@Phoenix Gamma,
I agree, but they are sold separately for only $19.99, which isn't too bad. Also, if you can wait a few weeks, some other games besides Wii Sports Resort are coming packaged with it (Tiger Woods, Grand Slam Tennis, and, I think, Red Steel 2). :)
Doomsday Forte's Avatar
Doomsday Forte at 06/04/2009 11:22
@megaStryke: Wear your goddamn wrist strap. >:(
megaStryke's Avatar
megaStryke at 06/04/2009 11:31
I do! Doesn't stop the thing from slipping out of your hand when you throw it too hard. You get that "hey, someone is yanking on my wrist" sensation.
KaliKot's Avatar
KaliKot at 06/04/2009 11:32
sounds awesome. Maybe I should stop thinking about selling my wii now? but I think i'll have to try motionplus first
PEICanada7's Avatar
PEICanada7 at 06/04/2009 11:41
Sounds awesome, but I think a lot of people are too wrapped up in Microsofts Natal and Sony's ping pong ball wand thing to realize that Wii Motion Plus is the real deal, and its here right now. People are saying Sony's thing is more precise, but they hadn't even had their hands on the thing yet. So they're going by what they seen on a screen, which yes it looks accurate, but that doesn't make WM+ any less accurate.

By the sounds of all the previews that I read, WM+ is true 1:1, so you can't really get much more accurate, or precise then that. Plus like other have already said, its coming out next week, and is only $20, or cheaper packed in with a game. Lord knows how long we have to wait for Sony, and Microsoft to release their motion camera/wand, and who knows how much they'll end up costing when they finally do come out!
orakio_rob's Avatar
orakio_rob at 06/04/2009 11:43
Could we say that the Wii Motion Plus seems to be able to do all that Natal and Sony's motion controller say they're going to do? Because apart from some differences between the Sony and the Microsoft way of doing things, I was under the impression that they were basically at the same level, while the Wii was way behind.
Chad Concelmo's Avatar
Chad Concelmo at 06/04/2009 11:48
@megaStryke,
Actually, with all the games that involve throwing things (Frisbee, Basketball), you can select "automatic" or "manual" settings. In automatic you only have to tap B once to pick up the item; in manual you have to hold down B and let it go at the right time. It's cool the option is there this time around! :)
gatorsax2010's Avatar
gatorsax2010 at 06/04/2009 11:57
Glad to hear it's what they promised :)
exodus1925's Avatar
exodus1925 at 06/04/2009 12:06
Sounds promising.
PEICanada7's Avatar
PEICanada7 at 06/04/2009 12:10
"Could we say that the Wii Motion Plus seems to be able to do all that Natal and Sony's motion controller say they're going to do? Because apart from some differences between the Sony and the Microsoft way of doing things, I was under the impression that they were basically at the same level, while the Wii was way behind."

Some people from Sony, Microsoft, and certain members on the gaming media would like for us to believe that, but so many other people are reporting otherwise. So I think I'd tend to believe people who have actually played with Wii Motion Plus, over people who are just talking about what they seen on a video, and have never actually played with it themselves.

Microsoft, and Sony talk a good talk, but their stuff is still way off, so will they deliver on everything they're promising? Velocity Girl, Live Anyway, and Digital Lockers all say hello remember me from Microsoft's and Sony E3 Press Conferences of years past?. They always promises us the world, then years go by, and we never see anything about that stuff from them again.
Jakysan's Avatar
Jakysan at 06/04/2009 12:15
Any idea if the golf levels are the same or did they at least give us some new courses?
Cadtalfryn's Avatar
Cadtalfryn at 06/04/2009 12:15
I thought this title was going to suck and was just an added gimmick to sell the peripheral but it looks like its actually a decent game.

So the waverace bit didn't make your top 4? That's the sport I'm anticipating the most and it would be a shame if it wasn't amazing considering who's developing it.
Chronic Logic's Avatar
Chronic Logic at 06/04/2009 12:40
The archery and the fencing sport games seem like the only cool thing to do, everything else looks...less than stellar.
kauza's Avatar
kauza at 06/04/2009 12:42
@Jakysan: As I understand it, there are 18 holes this time around instead of 9, and they're all new. However, I'm not at E3, so I can't confirm that.
pedrovay2003's Avatar
pedrovay2003 at 06/04/2009 13:25
BOWLING AND GOLF OH GOOOOD!

Holy shit, I'll buy it just for that. I STILL play bowling and golf in the original.
L0cky's Avatar
L0cky at 06/04/2009 15:23
i actualy prefered to see bowling and tennis making a comeback instead of golf . dont know anybody thjat actualt played the gold game on the original next to boxing which sucked pretty hard.

maybe golf is more populair in the states.
Projectexodus's Avatar
Projectexodus at 06/04/2009 18:18
Brilliant move of Nintendo to include the device in a Wii Sports game, as it will probably ensure that the WiiMotionPlus userbase becomes colosal. Meaning we'll see more games using it.
NihonTiger90's Avatar
NihonTiger90 at 06/04/2009 20:02
Sounds like I should as Wii Sports Resort to the list of games I'll have to get this summer. Damn, I am going to be broke...
ronnande's Avatar
ronnande at 06/07/2009 21:26
WM+ does now what nadal and sonys wand promises far into the future. I really look forward to this.
goodwin84's Avatar
goodwin84 at 07/24/2009 01:16
STILL play bowling and golf in the original.
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goodwin84's Avatar
goodwin84 at 07/24/2009 01:20
less than stellar.
MS degree | BS degree
kevintechy's Avatar
kevintechy at 07/31/2009 16:35
I like the skydiving the most followed by the boxing. The boxing gives you a workout and you will be sweating hard.
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kevintechy's Avatar
kevintechy at 07/31/2009 16:40
I like the skydiving the most followed by the boxing. The boxing gives you a workout and you will be sweating hard.
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kevintechy's Avatar
kevintechy at 07/31/2009 16:41
I like the skydiving the most followed by the boxing. The boxing gives you a workout and you will be sweating hard.
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