Wii Sports to include tennis, baseball, golf, bowling, and boxing

by Blake Snow { Sep 14th 2006 at 1:15PM }

Wii Sports will be bundled free come November 19 when Wii launches for $250 stateside. That much we know. But how many mini-sports games will be included in the package title? While sources close to EGM (Oct issue, page 74) suggested that the game "is going to sport over 30 different games" and USA Today name dropped a basketball game (typo?), the official Wii Sports fact sheet only mentions tennis, baseball, golf, bowling, and boxing.

From the release: "Wii Sports offers five distinct sports experiences, each using the Wii Remote to provide a natural, intuitive and realistic feel. Players can use their own Mii caricatures in the game and play them against their friends' Miis for a more personalized experience. As players improve, their Miis' skill levels will increase, so that they can see exactly how much better they've become."

You guys will be the first to see my Lego-looking Mii mug shot this November.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

OOOOPs @ Sep 14th 2006 1:24PM

If they're going to use ball and stick models they should have just licenced teh Lego brand: Lego Wii Sports. ... Those graphics are not even GC..they're about 15 years old.

Jerm @ Sep 14th 2006 1:25PM

Have I arrived in some mirror universe, where people have lost thier mind? How are the graphics in this game acceptable. It looks like a Demo for motion technology. Why is it OK to hit PS3 and 360 for charcters in Madden not all looking real, and this is released......and for $250!!!?!?!?!? No DVD, no HD? The CEO of Gearbox calls the Wii a "supercharged Gamecube" which basically means it's on the level of a PS2 or Original Xbox and we're accepting $250 for a Gamecube with a motion sensor? What is going on here. This looks like a game that they through in just so you can see how it works. Take the game and give me another controller, and come in for less then $250.

pmac @ Sep 14th 2006 1:25PM

I have seen videos of Wii Hockey (looks like air hockey) on other sights as well as duck hunt which would also fit in well with wii sports, so i would not be surprised if they were included. also has anyone heard about a us version of the "Wii Play" game which seems like wii sports that was anounced for japan?

Nick @ Sep 16th 2006 12:52AM

Curious how bowing is going to work. Woot for more than three games either way!

kalmbach @ Sep 14th 2006 1:26PM

I'm so hyped up about this, I'm about to burst into flames. *poof!*

LunarDuality @ Sep 14th 2006 1:29PM

The key here (regarding graphics) is whether the game is truly a compelling experience by virtue of great game mechanics (i.e. solid gameplay). If the way you interact with the game is interesting, who ultimately cares about the graphics? Especially for a pack-in title...

I mean, I still go back to play old DOS games and TG-16 games without wincing because the gameplay is good.

Shaun @ Sep 14th 2006 1:30PM

someones getting confused with the bundled game in japan, "my first Wii game" which comes with 30 mini games.

Davidv @ Sep 14th 2006 1:31PM

Sorry but,
When the Japanese Wii is going to retail for about $212 and NO Wii Sports, and the North American Wii is the exact same package but WITH Wii Sports and $35 more expensive, that doesn't make it 'free' anymore.

kalmbach @ Sep 14th 2006 1:32PM

@ Jerm

Who said anything about graphics?

When you buy a 360 and/or PS3 you pay to get good graphis. Thus, if the graphics suck, you get pissed off.
When you buy the Wii, you pay less for better gameplay - not graphics.

You happy! Me Happy! Wii happy! Together!

vidGuy @ Sep 14th 2006 1:34PM

The Mii's are amazing! Wii Sports is looking better all the time. I showed the pics of the games and the Mii video to my girlfriend and she's really excited to play! I can't wait.

ejflex @ Sep 14th 2006 1:32PM

Wow apparently we have a bunch of 13 year olds posting on this site.

News flash guys.. the graphics of this game are "acceptable" because all this game is doing.. is showcasing how the wiimote works. They are basically glorified demos.

Use your brains.

Martin S. @ Sep 14th 2006 1:35PM

I think its obvious that there's a bunch of people out there that really don't care much about graphics anymore. I mean, isn't that at the heart of all this...? and at the heart of the VC...? Those games had terrible graphics... but ingenius gameplay. I'm blown away by the graphical powers of the other two next-gen systems... but then they collect dust after that effect wears off. I keep returning to the really intuitive and fun games of the past... that have terrific gameplay.

Gamecube didn't have the wii-mote. This 250 you're paying for...? Its a new way to play... that hopefully will save the video game industry from the terrible end its speeding towards... running on the super charge polygon pushing system engines. 4cr said something about "how much longer till Madden is photo-realistic..." Not very long... but what we CAN change is the way we play them.

Stop pressing buttons.

flyNN @ Sep 14th 2006 1:35PM

"Mii" ... =))

FSK405K @ Sep 14th 2006 1:39PM

No Flight Sim? Doh! "Pilotwings"

Caravan @ Sep 14th 2006 1:36PM

Simple graphics, demo-style mechanics, real-world activities simulated on the console. This is designed to be uintimidating, the steps into the shallow end of the gaming pool for the non-gaming grandmas, and a simple "Get familiar with the Wii's new controls" package. Saturating the experience with complex graphics and gameplay would intimidate, and ultimately drive people away from playing the Wii.

Shaun @ Sep 14th 2006 1:36PM

the graphics thing is so old!

Z @ Sep 14th 2006 1:37PM

Isn't 360 just a supercharged Xbox?
Isn't PS3 a supercharged PS2?

Isn't the Wii just a supercharged Cube with an incredibly innovative controller and community scene?

rjg @ Sep 14th 2006 1:37PM

so the Wii doesn't do HD output, right? Not that it's a big deal, I'm just wondering how good the web-browser is going to look on a tv in standard def. If it looks like my laptop hooked to my 44" hidef, it's pretty useless... maybe this will force MS to release a browser for x360 (why they don't is beyond me...).

OOOOPs @ Sep 14th 2006 1:37PM

Hey Nintendo Fanbois ... you need to open your eyes and realise what Nintendo is doing.

WiiSports is a joke and will sit on your shelves collecting dust after a week when you're bored with it. This was thrown to offset the fact that youre getting a gimp package with overpriced accessories.

On teh other hand, a second Wiimote + nunchuck OR a Classic controller would be usefull for the entire lifetime of onwership. Thats what they should have packed in instead of this sorry-ass tech demo.

CannedPasta @ Sep 14th 2006 1:39PM

Since when does "supercharged GameCube" = PS2 or Xbox? The GameCube was already graphically superior to the PS2, and in a lot of instances was almost as good as the Xbox.

And again, the Gamecube launched at $200. So, since this is a "supercharged Gamecube", charging $50 more isn't really a bad thing.

daniel @ Sep 14th 2006 1:40PM

#2 gamecube was more powerful than ps2 though

reguy @ Sep 14th 2006 1:41PM

hey vidguy, i always like your posts. but I ask you how can you defend the wii now? its 250 for 5 year old technology. i dont care if i get blasted by other nintendo fanboys. i want your take. is it worth it to pay 60 dollars for wii games? 60 bucks is mgs4 or halo 3 but wii games??
60 bucks for an extra contoller? no hd, no dolby, no dvd playback, please tell me you are sane and the wii is a joke

nick @ Sep 14th 2006 1:40PM

Yes #15 you are 100% correct

Jerm @ Sep 14th 2006 1:41PM

I believe the point I was making was that they are charging you for "glorified demos". All day long people post about how amazing a game looks and when the graphics don't look good. That's what video gaming is about. Good game play, that looks good. If you just want good game play, then let's just release TechoBowl over and over again, with no graphical update. How about playing Ms Pac-Man for the next 5 years. Anyone that says that graphics aren't important to gaming it only fan-boy ranting. "Nintendo's graphics suck, so we don't need graphics, that isn't what Wii is all about"......give me a break. The point is, I get next gen graphics, HD, and my DVD for $50 more. And anyone that thinks Best Buy and Fry's or wherever you buy this at, isn't going to make you buy more games at launch, are fooling themselves. This will be no less then $400....you heard it hear first!!!

Giygas @ Sep 14th 2006 1:41PM

@2- you do realize the gamecube was faster then the ps2 have you compared RE4. The gamecube was on par with the xbox easily. I am getting annoyed at people calling the Wii a supercharged gamecube when that is exactally what it isn't. The PS3 is a supercharged PS2, thats all they did was make a faster PS2 with some better online features same with xbox hell they didn't even really change the name. Stop calling the Wii a supercharged Gamecube. Idiots

flyNN @ Sep 14th 2006 2:05PM

PilotWings :((

Sub @ Sep 14th 2006 1:43PM

I'd rather take a second remote controller + nunchuck, but a free pack in game is good enough I suppose.

mustafa @ Sep 14th 2006 1:45PM

"this sorry-ass tech demo" ...

Is a Miyamoto pet project and ties directly into everything the Wii stands for. So shut it.

kalmbach @ Sep 14th 2006 1:47PM

@ reguy

The games are $50, not $60. But hey, no biggie.

Where have you seen this technology before? I would say that N are the only ones developing new gameplay. The others are just upping the power. Anyone can do that.

And, yes, it DOES have dolby (ProLogicII). Which actually is quite good. It retains audio quality better than both DD and DTS since it doesn't use any compression (though channel separation is alot worse).

Jerm @ Sep 14th 2006 1:49PM

And I didn't call the Wii "a supercharged Gamecube" the CEO of Gearbox called it that, and I quoted. And I think he would know more about it then any of us would.

Giygas @ Sep 14th 2006 1:49PM

sorry if I repeated some stuff that was already said I got mad after reading the second post

CannedPasta @ Sep 14th 2006 1:50PM

Hey, where's the announcement about Wii being REGION-FREE? I would have expected to see this on here already...

Wired had the opportunity to sit down after with Nintendo Vice-President of Marketing & Corporate Affairs—not to mention affable conference host—Perrin Kaplan to ask a few questions that weren't addressed in the press conference.

• Will the Wii be region-free? Yes. Like the Nintendo DS, the Wii will be able to play games from other regions, such as Japan, without any restriction. Kaplan implied there might be a region lock that publishers would be able to flip on, but it doesn't sound like the first-party titles from Nintendo will be restricted.

http://blog.wired.com/games/

RP @ Sep 14th 2006 1:51PM

I think the EGM rumour probably arose from mistaking the minigames in "My First Wii" (table tennis, pool, etc) as Wii Sports titles.

Can't wait to play tennis and boxing, personally.

Giygas @ Sep 14th 2006 1:51PM

you arent the only one to do it... isnt gearbox basically MS little bitch, i dont know how objective thier viewpoint would be

pmac @ Sep 14th 2006 1:51PM

the game my first wii will be bundled with an extra controller for 4800 yen in japan which equals $40, so it will most likely be available in the us for about $50 with other games similar to wii sports and another controller. I think this might make the fact that you have to purchase a second controller a little more pallatable.

Delive @ Sep 14th 2006 1:55PM

Release this at 175 and you have something. Graphics do NOT make the game good, but they sure help. I played Saints Row and then went back to San Andreas and could not stand the look after tasting next gen graphics.

jtatooine @ Sep 14th 2006 1:55PM

I want to know why the graphics on this game even matter to anybody? You're swinging a stick at a ball. It's a fun light hearted introduction to the system presented in a simple style. It's not MLB Super-Realistic Baseball. Those types of games will come, and they can peacefully coexist with games like this.

FSK405K @ Sep 14th 2006 1:57PM

Buy without Wii Sports, and save $30. Import from Japan.

The Intangible Fact @ Sep 14th 2006 2:01PM

@37 What about shipping idiot?

TRUTH @ Sep 14th 2006 2:04PM

What I am trying to figure out is how the hell does these game simulate real bowling, tennis if there is no physics engine?

generaldane @ Sep 14th 2006 2:04PM

you know i read comment about the wii being nothing but a gamecube in a different shell and i have always laughed it off nobody seems to care that the wii now a have netplay , a web browser, vc,upgraded cpu and gpu none of us have played a finished wii game yet so all do yourself a favor and shut up.

I stop caring about graphics after the snes (yes snes) the last game that made me say wow was chrono trigger after that the graphics for these current and next gen games have been in my eyes a mere bonus addition i am interested in gameplay not graphics because great graphics doesnt make a crappy game good but great gameplay can save it. For me the mere increasing of graphics will not cut it anymore if nintendo had decided to go the way of ms and sony with creating a multimedia powerhouse i probably would have only buy the wii for Zelda and Smash but seeing as thid is something different the wii will be my onlyu console this gen i am sick of the crappy games releasing nowadays which is why i spend more time playing old games than new ones

flyNN @ Sep 14th 2006 2:06PM

oops, I didn't mean to do PilotWings again.

Anyone trippin that this is the 1st (?) Nintendo home console that isn't launched with a Mario???

flyNN @ Sep 14th 2006 2:08PM

and the 1st one launching with Zelda!!! With Zelda, baby, yeaaaaaaaah!

wilbz @ Sep 14th 2006 2:11PM

The graphics issue just doesn't make any sense for this kind of game. The game is supposed to be focused on the mechanics of using the Wii-mote and making it fun and easy to pick up and play. What kind of graphics do you really need for a bowling sim? The idea is to appeal to people by being able to play with their individual Mii's. . . personally I find it pulls me in to a game much more if I can individualise it (even if it's in a cartoon fashion) than "ultra-realistic graphics" (e.g. sweat beads on the players heads) ever will.

Has anyone here actually even seen a game played on a Wii in-person? Or are we all making gross assumptions based on the hand-camcorder feeds we can find on the internet? Based on my personal experiences with the gamecube, I see the Wii being perfectly capable of procuding some impressive graphics. . . and the barrier to entry is significantly smaller for new titles since everyone already has experience programming for the GC.

Alex @ Sep 14th 2006 2:11PM

Yes to pilotwings. That game was amazing, and hopefully it won't be just a virtual console game. The wiimote would do wonders for how that game is played.

Also, #41, the GC didn't ship with Mario either, it shipped with Luigi's Mansion

Hemisphere @ Sep 14th 2006 2:13PM

"38. What I am trying to figure out is how the hell does these game simulate real bowling, tennis if there is no physics engine?"

What makes you think there is no physics engine? Perhaps the Wii itself doesn't have one built in (I have no idea), but of course if it doesn't, the game will calculate it's own physics just like any other game would.

Daniel @ Sep 14th 2006 2:15PM

PS2 was the lowest common denominator last generation, then gamecube, then xbox. From the reports since E3, the Wii should sit somewhere between the original xbox and the xbox360 graphics wise.

Alex @ Sep 14th 2006 2:15PM

But, in regards to Wii sports, it's not the graphics that mean anything. Like everyone says, it's just a tech demo that's supposed to show how cool the controls are. It reminds me of that golf game that's released for the PS2, that lets you actually swing a club in order to get realistic gameplay (blanking on the title at the moment).

The only one I'm skeptical of is the boxing, how do you simulate two hands when you only have one controller?