Most people buy multiple controllers for their game systems. That's more of an anecdotal or common-sense conclusion than one based on statistics, but we think it holds. Even people who live alone generally like to have a second controller around for company. And with the Wii's status as a party system, a lot of people are likely to have third and fourth controllers as well.
Nintendo found a way to get many of these controller sales to count as software in NPD: by bundling controllers with a game and adding just $10 to the price. And the strategy has worked. Nintendo told Gamasutra that since the product's launch in February of last year, 7.9 million copies of Wii Play have been sold in the US. That's more than half the number of Wii systems sold in the US (15.4 million).
We like the cow racing game.
Reader Comments (26)
Posted: Dec 15th 2008 10:40AM Shoyz said
I bought it because of the fact that the only other game I had (Since I bought it at the same time as my Wii) was Wii Sports, and I figured that about $1 a mini-game couldn't hurt to add to my very limited Wii-selection.
If only I would have known how awful a game it'd be. The Cow-racing game is the only good one on the disk. Everything else seemed like a gimmicky way to show you the Wii's capabilities, instead of letting you actually play a fun game.
Reply
If only I would have known how awful a game it'd be. The Cow-racing game is the only good one on the disk. Everything else seemed like a gimmicky way to show you the Wii's capabilities, instead of letting you actually play a fun game.
Posted: Dec 12th 2008 5:55PM The Heretic Ramza Beoulve said
I never understood all the hate. The Tank game was great fun and my buddy and I still go a couple of rounds on Duck Hunt every now and then. $10!
Reply
Posted: Dec 12th 2008 6:14PM (Unverified) said
I bought this game for the controller, then after a controller it's like a $10 game. It still seems logical!
Reply
Posted: Dec 12th 2008 6:15PM Roto13 said
I don't see how anyone can think this game isn't worth $10. The bubble one is the only game I don't like. Hell, billiards alone is worth the price of admission.
I bought this because I figured it'd be something my husband and I could play together. I was right.
Reply
I bought this because I figured it'd be something my husband and I could play together. I was right.
Posted: Dec 13th 2008 4:19AM (Unverified) said
Your husband?
Wait, does that mean you're a woman, because I always assumed you were a man. Actually, I've always assumed you looked a lot like Harrison Ford. The internet can be deceptive...
Reply
Wait, does that mean you're a woman, because I always assumed you were a man. Actually, I've always assumed you looked a lot like Harrison Ford. The internet can be deceptive...
Posted: Dec 13th 2008 7:05PM (Unverified) said
So wait...
You, Harrison Ford, are admitting that you are gay!?!
*Tells tabloids*
=þ
Reply
You, Harrison Ford, are admitting that you are gay!?!
*Tells tabloids*
=þ
Posted: Dec 14th 2008 7:06AM Bowser Rogozhin said
Well, Flockhart may not be Fairuza Balk but she's still hot. Ally Mcbeal bashing won't be tolerated here.
Reply
Posted: Dec 14th 2008 10:14PM (Unverified) said
LOL!
I googled her to see who she was, and got this:
http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=en&q=callista%20flockhart&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
2nd from the right, top row. I see what you mean by lollipop!
Reply
I googled her to see who she was, and got this:
http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=en&q=callista%20flockhart&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
2nd from the right, top row. I see what you mean by lollipop!
Posted: Dec 12th 2008 6:33PM (Unverified) said
As mentioned above, the Tank game, pool, and even duck hunt are okay to good. The rest are pretty lame.
Reply
Posted: Dec 12th 2008 7:17PM (Unverified) said
well i love the tank game and the shooting game and ping pong can be fun and well i just love this game
Reply
Posted: Dec 12th 2008 8:05PM sockatume said
Bought it for the controller as an easy entry-point for my family, as I was bringing it down for Christmas break. As it turns out, Laser Hockey is probably the most-played game on my Wii, and looks fantastic on anything from a teeny portable to a big old HDTV, something you can't really say for most of the Wii lineup. ;)
Reply
Posted: Dec 12th 2008 9:25PM (Unverified) said
I played the game once. Only once. I played it last Christmas the day I got my Wii. I haven't played Wii Play since that day. I'm not a hater, I just have been playing other games. I'll guess I'll give it another shot, and dust it off.
Reply
Posted: Dec 12th 2008 9:49PM sn1per said
I can't for the life of me understand why there's so much Wii Play hate out there. The thing costs $10 (~$6 right now on amazon), and I've gotten more mileage out of it than I have out of some $50 titles. The only games I don't like on there are Pose Mii (the bubble one), and Find Mii.
Reply
Posted: Dec 12th 2008 11:43PM (Unverified) said
My favorite two minigames on Wii Play are the Tank game and Find Mii. And actually, I think those are the only two I've ever played single player.
The tank game is definitely my favorite.
Reply
The tank game is definitely my favorite.
Posted: Dec 13th 2008 6:53AM megapenguinx said
The tank game was my favorite. I was determined to finish it
Reply
Posted: Dec 13th 2008 3:44PM (Unverified) said
2 of those copies sold were to me. Got one with my Wii, and picked up a spare Wii to sell when they were still going for $300+ on Craigslist. Figured I didn't play WiiPlay much, so included it with the sale. Then bought another copy to complete my collection of 4 WiiMotes. I mean, really? $10? Why not?!
But now that I have Guitar Hero World Tour, I'm thinking about picking up an extra so I don't have to take the instruments apart every time anyone wants to play a different game. But I figure I'll wait until the WiiMote with integrated MotionPlus comes out.
Reply
But now that I have Guitar Hero World Tour, I'm thinking about picking up an extra so I don't have to take the instruments apart every time anyone wants to play a different game. But I figure I'll wait until the WiiMote with integrated MotionPlus comes out.
Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.
Featured Stories
The most popular posts
in the last 7 days
- PS3 Firmware 3.42 mandatory update available now 186 comments
- Pachter predicts $100 'Platinum' Xbox Live membership 134 comments
- Hands-on with the new Xbox 360 controller with transforming D-pad 123 comments
- PlayStation Move review: The hardware and experience 122 comments
- Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer revealed at Activision event 118 comments








