A Regal Retreat- Wii Sports Resort Reviewed

I am often asked by recreational Nintendo owners whether a recently released first-party title is worthy of purchase. With the possible exception of Wii Music, the query is easily answered with a resounding, “yes”; nearly all Nintendo-published titles offer an accessible, polished play experience. However, a new wrinkle was added to my response by the company’s frequent re-issues: the Wii’s New Play Control! games present little substance for owners of the previous Gamecube iterations. Likewise, the once-distinctive Mario Party series has grown a bit stagnant in its recent installments, due to a reliance on formula.

Inevitably, recent Nintendo release Wii Sports Resort is eliciting the familiar question; Wii players are asking if the sequel to the popular pack-in title is worthy of the $50 price. Once again, the answer is an unqualified affirmative; Resort is a blissful, wonderfully crafted recreation that is a must-have purchase for any Nintendo owner. Gamers fearing the title is little more than a retread, can abandon their concerns- Resort feels astonishingly fresh.

Each of the title’s events rely upon the added functionality of the game’s WiiMotion Plus peripheral. The bundled device easily mounts on the bottom of the Wiimote, and allows for a greater fidelity in capturing player movement. Whereas a standard Wiimote can recognize broad swipes and simple gestures, the accessory allows Resort to accurately capture complex 3D movements. The power of the peripheral is evident in the game’s introduction. In a clever prologue, the player is familiarized to the capabilities of the attachment, while the gamer’s avatar skydives above the resort. As the Mii descends toward the island, a remarkable sense of location is established, creating an ambiance absent from Wii Sports and underdeveloped in Wii Fit.

Once the player lands of the ground, twelve events vie for attention, from familiar activities like bowling and golf (accentuated with WiiMotion Plus support) to an array of new outdoor pastimes.  Like Wii Sports, some of the activities in Resort present an abbreviated amount of depth- canoeing and cycling are enjoyable, but don’t feel as compulsory as archery, Frisbee, or swordplay. However, Nintendo’s decision to increase the number of sports works well to mask any deficiencies found in the simpler games.

As with Wii Sports and Wii Play, there is a correlation between the number of Resort participants, and the magnitude of revelry. While I had an enjoyable time playing solo, rounding up a few challengers quickly changed the atmosphere into a festive, but heated, competition. Newcomers will rapidly acclimate to the Wiimotion Plus; the attachment truly allows real-world table-tennis swatting, and Frisbee flinging that utilize the same motions as the actual sports. The subtle disconnect found in Wii Sport Tennis is no longer evident in Table Tennis. Now, the game allows players to angle the paddle and add a realistic amount of curve on each shot. Similarly, Swordplay allows participants to fence with sabers that realistically mirror the position of the Wiimote. While archery can’t completely emulate the tension of a compound bow using the Wiimote and Nunchuck, the activity offers enough verisimilitude to create a very compelling diversion. The event requires more than just hand-eye coordination, as players need to adjust their trajectory to compensate for wind and distance.

While the game’s three-point shootout is an amusingly simple round-ball recreation, Resort’s three-on-three pick-up basketball is the disk’s single misstep. Deviating sharply from the simplicity of the other events, players are required to steal, pass, dribble and shoot in quick succession. On the contrary, events like powercruising (Jet Skiing without the Kawasaki license) and Wakeboarding offer uncomplicated activities that wisely rely on a limited command set.

Resort’s visual subtleties, from the depth-of-field effect in archery, to the rock-solid frame-rate when flying around the island are consistently impressive. The title’s tropical color scheme of sandy beiges, and lush greens make the game’s Wuhu island seem like an idyllic vacation destination. Additionally, the game benefits from a rock solid refresh rate that never wavers from a sixty frame-per second delivery.

Overall, Wii Sports Resort is a requisite title for owners of Nintendo’s console. The title is a consummate sequel to Wii Sports, brilliantly building on the variety and scope of the first game. WiiMotion Plus integration elevates the amount of finesse required for success in most events, without sacrificing accessibility. While solitary players will enjoy a trip to this island, social gamers should consider an expedition to this Resort mandatory.