Wii Play: Nintendo's other minigame collection

By James Ransom-Wiley

Siliconera previews Wii's other minigame title Wii Play, as it's known in Europe. Also Hajimete no Wii (in Japan), the collection comes bundled with specially-marked versions of the Wii controller (for an additional cost) and includes nine casual games that familiarize players with the Wiimote's unique abilities (similar to the experience of Wii Sports):

  • Shooting - Duck Hunt, minus the Zapper (and yes, there are ducks)
  • Find Mii - Where's Waldo using Mii characters
  • Table Tennis – Rockstar's Table Tennis this is not; players direct their paddles by pointing, and the ball is automatically returned (motion-controlled Pong)
  • Pose Mii - Players mimic the Mii's pose by rotating the controller
  • Hockey – Air Hockey with neon lights
  • Charge - Bull racing; tilt the controller to stay balanced
  • Fishing – Catch the specified fish using the controller as a fishing pole
  • Tanks - multiplayer tank battle; shells can be bounced off walls
  • Billiards - use controller like a cue stick (draw back and push forward); playable in 2D (top-down) or 3D (behind the ball)

Oddly, Nintendo has not confirmed Wii Play for North America; though with the Duck Hunt clone alone many would consider this a must-buy. What gives?

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