Simple, intuitive and fun are buzzwords that have been shoved in our face ever since Nintendo announced the Wii, but I can't really think of any better words to describe my experience with Nintendo's distinctive tennis game. Sure, it's just a tennis game, but it's one that requires you to wave an imaginary racket in the hopes of hitting a clump of polygons representing a ball. I wouldn't say that the game is more immersive or realistic for it, as it still feels like a very laid back and simple session of whacking a ball back and forth. The controller is very reactive to your motions, and I quickly felt confident regarding the location of my virtual racket within 3D space. It didn't take long for me to start balancing on one foot and grunting like a pro each time I waved the wiimote.
The only thing that seems confusing about the game, at least initially, is that it doesn't seem to allow you to control the movement of your character on the tennis court itself. My character seemed to gravitate towards the ball on his own, positioning himself just within reach of the ball hurtling across the net. Still, I found that the simplicity merely added to the fun and lightheartedness of what was essentially two grown men waving invisible rackets around. Great stuff.
{ May 10th 2006 at 3:00PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jewzilla @ May 10th 2006 3:00PM
I really tried not to buy into the hype, but... forget it. Wii have given in to Nintendo.
jaemz @ May 10th 2006 3:08PM
I will be open minded and try these games when it comes out, but I can't help but feel the 'dumbed down' and 'easy' approach is going to get old, and quick.
A diehard gamer can not get by on wii alone...
gsus @ May 10th 2006 3:08PM
The Wii games look really sweet, but it seems as though accidental violence is a definite possibility, especially with the 4 guys on 1 couch scenario that comes up so often. Can you control it with little flicks of the wrist in order to prevent an elbow to the mouth?
Vince @ May 10th 2006 3:08PM
One for the moms at christmas then.
Simple, pick up and play games are great, but I'm sure we all want a version that requires more skill, or you'll be batting it back and forth indefinately trying to score a point.
Scott @ May 10th 2006 3:08PM
Quit talking about Tennis and tell us about ZELDA!!!
Also, did you guys get to play with the light gun announced for the new Duck Hunt or that controller with the two analog sticks on it? I'd be curious as to how that works out plugging into the Wiimote.
Paul @ May 10th 2006 3:10PM
Wii sports is kind of worthless. I'm just saying, it had better be a pack in game.
Stripped down Tennis where you can't move your character. Stripped down baseball that is just a home run derby. Stripped down golf.
Why would anyone buy this? Sure the new controller will be fun, but consider this: Super Monkey Ball is going to have all of these. Super Monkey Ball has a Tennis, stripped down baseball, and Golf minigame. I bet in their tennis game you can actually move your character, and probably use the Wii controller for swinging. I bet ther golf game is a full course, maybe even two, and I bet it will use the Wii to its full ability.
And then you take that, you add that it will most definitely have better graphics, plus it will have about 10 more minigames on top of that, and the FULL MONKEY BALL GAME.
Who in their right minds would buy the Wii sports game over that? And what the hell is Nintendo thinking releasing such a small, crappy looking title, especially when there will be one that is obviously superior in every way at laucnh?
So unless 'Wii Sports' comes with the system, it is worthless next to Super Monkey Ball.
JD @ May 10th 2006 3:12PM
I think this could be a big seller for Nintendo. I've found console golfing games are a good entry point for non-gamers. (not too many buttons to push, slower round-robin style, etc.) I'm confused why this golf is only 1-player.
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/10/wii-firt-party-titles-new-franchises/
It got me thinking though, how many people's living rooms are large enough to have 4 people swinging imaginary tennis rackets? Better start moving the fragiles now.
burnt_secondary @ May 10th 2006 3:13PM
I'm interested on how Nintendo is planning on handling the movement of characters in games like this. I don't think it's an impossible task, I'm just interested in how they are planning on handling it.
Some games can easily just connect the analog attachment to the wand which will control the character but in a game like this, (one that requires a lot of arm movement for the wand) I don't think will adapt well to it. This seems like a cool tech demo but I don't think it will really make it as a full fledged game.
VGGEN Andrew @ May 10th 2006 3:13PM
Ah, I was wondering how player movement would work - in all the media I've seen for the game, the players (the living players, not their game counterparts) only have the freehand Wii remote. I suppose that's okay, though, I guess it adds more to the pick-up and play aspect of the system, appealing to all ages and all.
Still, I kind of hope that there will be more advanced options, one that lets more experienced players connect the Nanchuk and move themselves around...just for a little extra challenge, you know?
Will @ May 10th 2006 3:14PM
"I will be open minded and try these games when it comes out, but I can't help but feel the 'dumbed down' and 'easy' approach is going to get old, and quick."
Pretty much my thoughts exactly. If all the Wii sports games are going to be are stripped down experiences of what it's like to actually play tennis, why bother? I'll just go play tennis.
At least games like Top Spin allow me to imagine that I'm much better than I really am and I can get caught up in that. There's not nearly that appeal for this tennis game.
jaemz @ May 10th 2006 3:14PM
http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/09/commentary/game_over/e3_wii_games/index.htm
littleWiiWii @ May 10th 2006 3:21PM
come on guys - let you imagination run free - just picture a strip poker game with Princess Toadstool using Wii. O yes, Princess Toadstool.
sandro @ May 10th 2006 3:23PM
Nintendo should quit the console wars and become a Sega like company. ( but keep the handheld market)
Ciao,
gameclu @ May 10th 2006 3:23PM
I really doubt that just because Wii Sports is dumbed down, that all sport games for the wii will also be dumbed down.
Sam @ May 10th 2006 3:25PM
#5 - I doubt this game is going to be a $60 release - Most likely included with the console or a budget release, maybe 20 or so dollars
Tucker @ May 10th 2006 3:25PM
"Reactive," yes, but nobody seems to be able to answer two very important questions:
1) Just how much effort does it take to register a movement? "Flailing arms wildly," as described in the live blog of the event, does not seem a very practical way to play any game.
2) There's "reactive," which could be as simple as "console registers movement, initiate automatic swing sequence #2" and then there's "reactive," which SHOULD mean "wiistick moved one inch from x,y,z to x,y,z, initiate ten pixel movement from screen position x,y,z to x,y,z."
Master 0f None @ May 10th 2006 3:26PM
Wii wants it, my precious. Oh yes, wii do.
iceatcs @ May 10th 2006 3:27PM
Damn, 4 people in one room. I might have to take my Wii and televison outside.
I'm wonder if is it possible to have 2 televisons support or more? Cos I'm really hate split screen.
VaultedCeilings @ May 10th 2006 3:27PM
You guys are missing the point talking about "fully featured" sports titles. Don't critique this game for not having that, as that isn't Nintendo's goal. There will be Top Spins and Maddens in the future (in fact one of those two is a launch title) that will use the Wii - mote some way or another (I hear that Madden uses it quite a lot) but this set of sports games isn't trying to compete with the Maddens or Top Spins of the world. Comparisons, therefore, are pointless.
sean @ May 10th 2006 3:28PM
i can't believe people are judging every as-of-yet created wii sports game based on 3 nintendo created sports games that are obviously intended as a showcase for the "everyone can play it" aspect of wii. The controller has an attachment and multiple buttons that I'm sure someone will put to use, and soon. It's not like, "There can only be one basball game for wii, ever."
Control-wise, it may seem like an alien setup, but so did the gamepad after my atari joystick. Imagine a 10 input controller being introduced NES era...we'd be like wtf, how am I supposed to keep track of that many things at once? (something that is commonly said today)... I'm looking forward to the simple as well as the complex possibilities with the wii.
bv @ May 10th 2006 3:29PM
They stoles it from us, those dirty filthy plumbersesss:
http://www.xavix.com/products/tennis.htm
http://www.xavix.com/products/golf.htm
http://www.xavix.com/products/baseball.htm
Chuck Norris @ May 10th 2006 3:34PM
Wii has some attraction because of its motion sensor controllers but I really don't see the point of playing sports by pretending to wave your controller as if you are playing the real sports... just go outside and play tennis...
Only thing I can see Wii controller being useful is to play FPS games where we don't have to be frustrated anymore with the analog stick(s) nonsense...
If Nintendo is trying to amaze people with those dumb waving sticks, they better think again.
Sure, I will buy Wii for my 3-year-old nephew but my other 5-year-old nephew will think its stupid and gonna want to play my PS3.
Cirrus @ May 10th 2006 3:37PM
VaultedCeilings hit it on the head, of course you'll get the true sports games eventually (EA have a separate divison just for the conversion of Wii games)
I doubt i would buy this separately but if it were bundled along with the console- i would definately have fun with it. I wonder is this will have WiiConnect24 functionality? I doubt it, but im willing to bet all the realism sports games definately will. ;)
I don't think i saw anyone at the Nintendo Conference using the nunchuck add on for this which i am glad for, will be interesting to see the different single-chuk games they can make for the Wii. The movement system sounds easy for beginners to understand, allowing beginners to jump in easily.
~Cirrus
Apreche @ May 10th 2006 3:41PM
They should bundle Wii Sports with the Wii. Back in the NES days they bundled Duck Hunt with the Zapper. They bundled Track + Field with the Power Pad. They bundled that crap game with the Power Glove. They bundled that collection with the Super Scope. They've always bundled simple games with new peripherals to teach people how to use them. That's why Windows had Solitaire, to teach DOS users to manage the mouse. Wii should come with Wii Sports for free.
Beth @ May 10th 2006 3:48PM
8. - Zelda accomplishes movement and weaponry movement. It is possible, just not the point for a beginner game meant to attract new audiences.
Matt @ May 10th 2006 3:49PM
To the guy who talks about how he can just go play real tennis, but this will be good for FPS, why dont you just go out and shoot people in the real world, become a CIA operative and masturbate endlessly to the visual immersion of the real world until you catch a real bullet to your head. The Wii is supposed to be fun!
The New Revelation @ May 10th 2006 3:50PM
haha, your players run to the ball by themselves? All you do is swing? Granted, the hard part of tennis is actually properly hitting the ball... but, hmm, interesting.
Though I like how the Joystiq'er almost seemed that it was charming that he was a grown man waving a stick around, heh.
I wonder what's more fun, Virtua Tennis, or Wii Tennis.
PayTheMan @ May 10th 2006 3:52PM
@ Everyone who say's "might as well play the real thing outside"
Video game tennis can be fun and amusing. IRL tennis is tiring and boring.
nootau @ May 10th 2006 3:55PM
Sheesh, these are party games, just like Mario party, Smash brothers or dance dance revolution, etc, there isnt suppose to be much depth. You are suppose to be drinkin' with your buddies, and having a good time being silly. Or have play around with your kids because its raining outside...sheesh..the end. Wii serious gamers will have other games from first and third parties to play with. Calm Down!
"There is No 'I' in 'Wii'......oh wait..."
Eliytres @ May 10th 2006 3:55PM
The point in Wii Sports (simple graphics, simple gameplay) is to try to make these games easy to learn and fun games for those who aren't pro players, or haven't even played before. I could easily imagine someone older person who is not interested in gaming get to try this game and even like it.
You just can't get someone who hasn't played at all any sports/console games interested for example Top Spin tennis game: "here, press this button make to a hard smash, this button here makes a lob, and by holding this button down while pushing this button gives a spin to the ball, and use this trigger to hit the ball and this stick here controls your player on the field and..." In that point they are already so confused that they smash the buttons randomly couple of minutes losing all the time and then they quit playing that game. For good.
I bet there will be dozens of more realistic tennis and other sports games for Wii which will keep hardcore gamers happy. This kind of game just proves what Nintendo has been saying: they want bigger audience to get interested in gaming, not just hardcore gamers. I myself as a hardcore gamer am not gonna pay more than 20$ for this game, but I'm sure there are lots of people who are willing to give this game a chance.
idioteraser @ May 10th 2006 3:56PM
Did you people not listen to the press conferance? Wii sports is three games in one with the possiblity of more being added to it. It's a pack in with the Wii to show nongamers an easy way to get into the system.
Nongamers get scared of modern sports titles with their flashy fake corpse people.
Also it's a retro look at the old first NES sports titles. You know where you had no name teams and no name players but people had tons of fun with them?
People think about what the press conferance was aiming for. It was to make you think about the gameplay possiblities not eye candy. People are getting bored with graphics very fast these days. Lots of 360 owners who spent a grand on the system now have it in their closets.
idioteraser @ May 10th 2006 3:59PM
Btw it's not split screen. You just have to watch the ball. Watch the press conferance the winner they picked got up and immediatly mastered the simple game.
That is why they had the winner play that game to show anybody can get the hang of the controller. More complex games will take a while to master but a simple game shouldn't be complicated to pick up however for nongamers a simple game on a game pad can be intimadting.
Also it was to show off the multiplayer aspect and how four people can have a load of fun.
jabbertrack @ May 10th 2006 4:02PM
So you basically buy a Wii in case you have a family reunion at your house... then all your moron family members can think they are great at video games because they can swing a controller.
Sold
Steve @ May 10th 2006 4:04PM
"I really don't see the point of playing sports by pretending to wave your controller as if you are playing the real sports... just go outside and play tennis..."
Just off the top of my head: 1) This is PERFECT for families. A simple game such as this means that, for example, parents can play with their kids and actually have a competitive game (not possible until the kid is, what, in their teens in real life?). Plus it'd help establish at least the fundamental movements of the game for when the kids start playing for real. 2) Those who can't get to a tennis court for whatever reason (living in the city centre or deep in the countryside for instance). 3) Having a group of friends round and wanting something that EVERYONE can play and have fun with, not just the gaming geek crowd (see Guitar Hero or Singster for examples).
Julio Nobrega @ May 10th 2006 4:15PM
@21, and others
You can also play paintball instead of FPS, but why do we sit down and play games?
Because there's always something different, a different experience, and we shouldn't forget about time constraints.
My dad and his brother are 200km apart. They can't play tennis together! So, is Wii tennis, over the internet, the same thing? Of course not, but it's what they can do. 30 minutes before dinner, turn on the console, grab a beer and curse each other.
*And* if it comes with ranks, titles, animated victory moves... it's a bonus.
People don't always do the "real stuff" because it's either impossible or very difficult.
Sam @ May 10th 2006 4:15PM
Eliytres is exactly right, i tried getting my dad to play pro evolution (he's the reason im into computer game's, i played his snes:) and after explaining to him that X was used for pass when you had the ball, tackle when you didnt he just aimlessly pushed buttons and got bored after 30 seconds.
Nintendo are on the right track - Red steel, metroid prime and zelda to keep us happy at launch while still bringing in new gamers with games like wii sports
This console appeals to the masses with releases like this while keeping there loyal fans at heart with zelda etc
Slashbunny @ May 10th 2006 4:20PM
Wait a second. I'll be honest and say I haven't played any Tennis games since.... That Mario tennis game for the virtual boy. Now, tell me, what is a "complex" or "advanced" Tennis game nowadays? From my understanding, it is the ability to move the character around and each button performs a different action. Holding the button would do a stronger version of that action.
So why is this less complex? The Wii controller is acting like a real tennis racket here. If you swing harder or softer, thats how hard it hits. Backhands and other tennis moves are executed by actually USING the Wii controller like a racket. You can put spin on the ball and do everything else you could if you were actually playing tennis. And yet some people are saying this is a "dumbed down" version of tennis? Are you INSANE? This is the most realistic tennis game EVER MADE. You cannot make gameplay more realistic than this with current technology.
Ok, ok, I will give you that since you can't move, that does take a bit away from the game. But I think the "real racket" MORE than makes up for it. By far. But, I would imagine that if enough people point this out, it would be trivial for them to add the nunchuck as an OPTIONAL device for moving your player around. But really, the full simulation of the racket is beyond amazing. Also the table tennis game for Wii (in one of the Wii trailers) will be great based on this same principle. You are in full control of the paddle. Rockstar should port their upcoming table tennis game to Wii if they knew what was good for em! :)
I just can't fathom how exact simulation of a tennis racket in your hands is "dumbed down". This could have amazing reply value both for gaming newbs and pros. Shit, we could see Wii Tennis competitions at CPL and LAN parties because of the dynamics of it. Usuaully competitive games need to be very complex to allow for great differences in skill between players. With this new controller Wii Tennis makes it easy for anyone to understand and play, but because of complete simulation of the racket, it allows for drastic differences in skill levels, great for competition. Now just add optional nunchuck movement and it's golden. =)
icantdrawanime @ May 10th 2006 4:25PM
i can definitely see my dad trying to kick my ass at this game.
and failing miserably >=)
SuicideNinja @ May 10th 2006 4:30PM
"I really don't see the point of playing sports by pretending to wave your controller as if you are playing the real sports... just go outside and play tennis..."
What if you can't go outside? What if it is below freezing temperatures outside? There are quite a few places that have Winter, you know. Not to mention some people couldn't hit a tennis ball/baseball/golf ball in real life if they wanted to.
Anyway, I found myself really wanting to try this. I don't even like tennis. Actually, I dislike about any sport that involves moving a ball back and forth on a field or court. However, I can totally see myself playing this one. And a golf game would be sweet.
As for "making it too easy", I'm sure developers will add options to play some of these games "normally" with the controller shell, the remote sideways, or a Gamecube controller. Naturally, it would depend on the nature of the game.
As my non-gamer room mate said, "It looks like they are making gaming fun again, just like in the old days..."
Tucker @ May 10th 2006 4:43PM
Slashbunny, wait until you play it before going off the deep end calling this an "exact simulation of a tennis racquet." Does it take into account the pitch and angle? What about ball physics?
You're being pretty absurd by claiming a shitty little pack-in tennis game to be "OMFG BEST. TENNIS. GAME. EVARRRR" without even touching it.
Threnody @ May 10th 2006 5:07PM
The "why plan Nintendogs when you can get a real puppy" trolls have converted into "why play the Wii when you can go do it in real life" trolls. So if you play video game tennis by pressing a button it's somehow more valid than a motion-sensitive wand that emulates a racket?
godspiral @ May 10th 2006 5:34PM
If I get a wii, I will definitely get this game too. Because it will be a sports game my whole family has fun with.
On the other hand, I will want real sports games on the wii b4 I consider wii. If wii is any good, then you should be able to tele-control a tennis racket. Bounce a ball into the ground with it, feel dead shots, and so on. Games should have easy and hard control modes, even athletic versions where you need to have some space to move. wii squash would rule. I would welcome a game where for the first 30 minutes, I'm struggling with hitting a ball or keeping my balance.
Anyways I hope titles and play experiences with the controller that show off its sensitivity and responsiveness come up before launch.
sean @ May 10th 2006 6:13PM
quote:
You're being pretty absurd by claiming a shitty little pack-in tennis game to be "OMFG BEST. TENNIS. GAME. EVARRRR" without even touching it.
You're being pretty absurd claiming it's a "shitty" little pack-in tennis game without even touching it.
see3pio @ May 10th 2006 8:04PM
I didn't get a chance to watch the Nintendo Press Event live yesterday morning, but watched it this morning. As the execs and the contest winner were playing the game, I spent the whole time wondering how the character movement was going to be handled since the avatars were moving towards the ball but there was no use of the nunchuck or of the wiimote other than to swing. Glad somebody cleared this up for me.
I definitely agree with the above comment that this title will probably ship for a lower price of about $20-$25 dollars. You see Nintendo executing the same type of reduced pricing scheme on some DS games aimed at non-gamers (ie BrainAge which retails for just $20).
Makes total sense to me. My nearly 60 year old step dad has never played a console game in his life, $50 for a game is too expensive for him. But he'll spend up to $20 to download full screen versions of flash-based games on Yahoo and play them for weeks straight. The casual gamer has different intentions in playing games than the more traditional gamer, and Nintendo is smart in realizing that and taking it into consideration.
Sure they could have added analogue stick control to Wii Sports Tennis, but it would have just made things much more complicated.
Alkaiser @ May 10th 2006 9:33PM
Will:
"Pretty much my thoughts exactly. If all the Wii sports games are going to be are stripped down experiences of what it's like to actually play tennis, why bother? I'll just go play tennis."
My feelings exactly. I play tennis. Wii Tennis isn't tennis...it's just Wii. The whole thing is a gimmick. I heard someone talking about how you could lob and slice just like you would in real life. This was all lies.
I sliced. Same exact cross-court shot. I went for a topspin forehand. The Wii interpreted it as "lob". Tried passing my opponent down the line, since he had left the alley wide open...cross-court shot. Tried clipping my swing, tried intentionally pointing the controller straight. Cross-court shot.
This was an awful first impression for me. If you were going to make double tennis where both characters' movements aren't controlled by the player, both characters swing at the same time, and you're basically just hitting the ball back and forth to see who mistimes their swing first...you should have just made Shufflepuck Cafe.
Give me Virtua Tennis over Wii Tennis ANY day of the week.
I'm withholding judgement on the controller in general until I play more games for it, but Wii Tennis is most definitely NOT where it's at. A real tennis player is not going to play this. It'd be the same as a basketball player trying to practice on 6 foot rims with a mini-ball, or a pool player goofing around on a shorter table...it's just going to throw your game off.
jgrey @ May 11th 2006 3:21PM
Alkaiser:
I think you are missing the point of these
games. I don't think the point of the game is to be realistic and be faithful to the real sport, but rather to provide a space for opportunistic
fun. Nintendo has always done this.
For instance Mario Kart series are racing games, but it is not the racing that counts. The main focus is on the interaction between racers and events which happen between the players. THAT, Alkaiser, is often the point of Nintendo games. There is a Nintendo cliche "it's all about fun", and some people fail to understand what they mean by that and how Nintendo manifests that philosophy. There are hundreds of similar examples to illustrate this point.
I respect your opinion for what it is, but you seem to be misinterpreting what these games are meant to do. In essence your opinion is on a non-existant product.
Ryan @ May 19th 2006 8:46PM
There could be added depth to the game by allowing the player to hold down the (a) button to move the character with the wand, and then releasing the button prior to swinging the racket.
There is plenty of room to add character movement to the game by holding down either of two buttons for different character moves in conjuction with the wand, or vice versa. One to run, one to dive, ect.
I'm sure someone will add this to tennis games for the wii, allowing for really tight controls for these kind of games.