Even the most beloved media can eventually become lost. One of the bestselling video games of all time, Wii Sports revolutionized gaming by paving the way for virtual reality. Different from its counterparts, the last-gen series has become a staple for its classic frutiger aero design and niche nostalgic lore.
The Nintendo Wii was a classic family game platform in the late 2000s and early 2010s that included a copy of Wii Sports with every console, instantly cementing it as the best selling Wii game of all time. Unlike the dual-wield controllers untilized by every major company, Nintendo styled their motion-sensing device to mimic a standard TV remote in hopes of reaching non-traditional gaming audiences.
With the release of the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo launched a new sports series named after the new console. The new avatars, called Sportsmates, are sleeker and flashier.
Wii Sports (2006)
In essence, Wii Sports is an experiment in simplicity.
The game featured 5 main modes of Tennis, Baseball, Bowling, Golf, and Boxing. The game also featured training and fitness modes for players to practice skills and beat their personal high scores.
The game featured CPU players called Miis, each with custom skill levels in each sport. These NPCs are largely non-communicative in the form of dialogue, and characters' respective personalities are attributed solely by their facial expressions.
While Keiko ran the tennis court with her partners Yoko and Andy, the most famous (or should I say notorious) is Boxing champion Matt. Anyone who has ever had to fight him can speak to his prowess. Matt also works part-time as a trainer in the fitness mode of the game and has his own (largely meme-ified and uncorroborated by Nintendo) lore on the Wii Sports wiki.
Baseball was a little more complex, with each pitcher coming with their own team and skill level.
Wii Sports Resort (2009)
The less popular but higher acclaimed sequel to Wii Sports takes place on and around the fictional Wuhu Island. Golf and Bowling returned from the original game alongside new modes of Swordplay, Frisbee, Frisbee Golf, Archery, Basketball, Table Tennis, Power Cruising, Canoeing, Cycling, and Air Sports.
Wii Sports Resort released in 2009 for the original Wii platform, requiring the MotionPlus addition which came bundled with the game. While it wasn’t as popular as its predecessor, the continuity of the sequel contributed to its success.
This title featured many of the beloved characters from the original installment. Matt reigns as the Swordplay champion and facilitates the Speed Slice challenge as a referee.
Wii Sports Club (2013)
Wii Sports Club debuted in 2013 for the Wii U as an HD remake of the initial title and was the last installment of the original series. Though the Wii U is a handheld console, players could connect via the Wii Remote Plus. The only new features highlighted online capabilities such as match chat called "Online Banter", and new micro-transactions in the form of minigames.
How to play Wii Sports:
Wii Sports is only available through the original Wii console.
While it only makes sense that Nintendo would eventually rebrand for a new generation of gamers, Wii Sports serves as a brutal reminder that nothing gold can truly stay.
