Get caught up in the Fun of Wii Play!

The Wii Play comes with an additional Wii-remote so you can "play with a friend". A great idea since the Wii console only comes with one Wiimote & makes it even better for the $'s as it's included in the game price. :)There are nine games on the disk.

* Shooting Range - shoot at various targets
* Find Mii - locate either pairs of Mii's, odd Mii's or your own Mii
* Table Tennis - paddles, a ball, a net & a table
* Pose Mii - use your Wiimote to pose your Mii & match it to one pictured
* Laser Hockey - like table hockey, but electrified in neon
* Billiards - traditional game of pool set-up; helps to know you must go in # order
* Fishing - catch the fish, but not the little guys or they cost you
* Charge - ride a cow & knock downs some scarecrows - a race against time
* Tanks! - battle it out with some tanks; blow up the enemies

When you put the disk in for the first play, the Wii starts you off with the Shooting Range as a way to start mastering the Wiimote. They call it stages. Basically, you play a game to master the different ways the Wiimote functions (it's a great idea actually, if you haven't already figured out the Wiimote). As you play each of the games or stages you master a different use of the Wiimote. You finish up with the final stage being the Tanks! which really does take some mastery of the Wiimote and the nunchuck. In a single-person play you earn points and can see your rank against your prior plays; you also have the opportunity to "earn a bronze, silver or gold Medal". In two-player mode the person with the higher score is declared the winner.

The instruction booklet is well laid-out making it easy to follow, as are the on-screen directions. It's also much easier to jump right into playing than some other games - very user friendly in that respect. You can choose to play with one person (against the computer where needed) or you can choose to play with two people. Two players are the maximum amount that can play at one time. That was one disappointment to us, as it would be nice to be able to play with more people, like the Wii-Sports allows. However, I can see in some games where this would not be very feasible. Like all games, it has its good points and its bad points.

Pros
Easy to learn
Nice variety
Quick games - bystanders don't have to wait long for their turn
Most games are a lot of fun
Easy to lose track of time
More than just thumb &d finger play
Choose your own Mii that you created
Best games (ordered by rank): Shooting Range, Charge, Billiards, and Tanks!

Cons
Sadly, one additional Wiimote is all that is needed with this game - only 2 players can challenge each other at one time.
Find Mii can be boring, and it's very difficult to make it to higher levels
Table Tennis can be tedious and it's such a short area it's difficult to judge, plus some what boring back and forth activity
Pose Mii - eeek, what were they thinking on this one?
Laser Hockey - you get stuck to the side too easy and then you can't play, that's no fun
Billiards - sensitivity to how hard you hit the ball is not real reliable
Two player mode shows a You win / You lose at the end and can be kind-of depressing for the loser to see their Mii all down-in-the-dumps.
Same complaint I have about all the Wii games - they don't save to the console, so you always have to use the disk. It would be nice if you could save it to the console and not have to keep changing disks between the different games.

It is what it is...nothing more, certainly nothing less

Wii Play was never intended to be the next Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, or Metal Gear Solid. It is, rather, a collection of nine games that are suitable for all ages.

Nintendo's Wii console is less than six months old and features a unique & revolutionary game play system. Therefore, I would tend to believe it is important to the company that games designed for this system make full use of the Wii-mote. That's really what's helped sell this system and they have an obvious interest in games that showcase this feature. Thus, WiiPlay.

It would seem Nintendo is no longer trying to compete with Sony or Microsoft in terms of graphics, their new strategy is to redefine how players interact with game systems. WiiPlay is entertaining and certainly increases your proficiency and skill with the Wii-mote. Each game is designed to ensure a pleasant gaming experience while highlighting the functionality of the new controller.

For a moment, imagine this, what score would you give a game designed for the Xbox or PS3 that featured a shooting gallery, ping-pong, pool, and fishing? Hmmm...I'm guessing like a "zero" or a "one". Why? Because these games are basic. Infact, you could have played all of them on a PC or in an arcade back in the 80's. What then makes them interesting now in 2007 ? Simple, before now you could not play these games in such a integrated and immersed way. And my friends, that is the point of it. Nintendo is not trying to sell you nine dated games, they are trying to demonstarte how gaming has evolved. It is, in my opinion, impossible to assess these games without considering this simple fact.

The game is sold bundeld with a Wii-mote, so the "value for the money" question is really all dependent upon how you look at it. You may choose to see this as a $50 game that comes with a free Wii-mote, or you may look at it as purchasing a Wii-mote ($40) and receiving 9 games for $1 each.

If you're looking for a 40 hour immersive platformer, this is not it. However, If you want a game you and/or your children can put in for a hour or two of interactive fun with friends I would recommend WiiPlay.

For those that rate this game low, I would offer this thought - If you rent or go see a Will Ferrel movie, you pretty much know what you're going to get. You shouldn't be walking-out complaining that it was not on as good as "The Departed", "Blue Velvet" or "Lord of the Rings". So just keep things in perspective, know that you're buying is a collection of fun little games and you shouldn't be disappointed. Afterall, some days couldn't we all use a little lighthearted fun?

Fun Family Wii'ing

In addition to Wii Sports, Nintendo has released Wii Play, a collection of quick, yet fun, two player games for the popular Wii Game System. To add value to the package, there is an additional Wii-Mote included, with Gel Cover.

The mix of games is nice and certainly fun for all ages. From the "Duck Hunt-esque" Shooting Range to the futuristic Laser Hockey to old favorites like Table Tennis and Pool, to the hysterical cow racing game, Charge!, it's fun for the whole family.

Gamers have an easy time with Wii Play's simple learning curve, where even the novice gamer should have little difficulty "getting the hang of it".

Two drawbacks hold this release back, but just a "wii" bit. First, the interfacing for some games are completely different than expected, with some games requiring twisting of the wrist and arm in order to compete. Second, and the more common complaint, is that game play becomes "boring or redundant" over time.

Despite those issues, Nintendo should have a hit on their hands. Wii Play delivers everything that it states. It's an active, fun (sometimes hilarious), family-style game-play, delivered in a value package.

Decent, limited in quantity of games. Not a party popper, nor a pooper.

Was it one of the best games, ever, to have purchased in the time of all Wii console games? No. But, was it fun? Yes, for a bit.

The kids really liked the aspect of playing the games, competing against each other's scores, and working together on a few of the challenges. The problem, however, stems from the fact that there are only about 9 good games.

This can become old extremely fast, which usually leaves kids wanting more types of games like this, with more features.

At the time, in 2007, this was one of the bigger 'bundle games' out there; but today, in 2012-2013, you can purchase far more complex game bundles that included well over 50, 100, and even 200+ games for the same price.

Game Play: Decent. Models were to be expected for 2007, simplified, easy to use and understand. Rule-sets were easy to follow, as even my young children were able to master most of the games without problem.

Control: A bit clunky in a few of the games, especially table tennis. IN many ways, it made that particular game quite unplayable. But, pool and shooting were fun, every intuitive designs.

In all, if you want a good bundle, but not a great bundle, one where you can play in a small group with people, and compete, this probably would last a few rounds. Party popper it is not, but hey, everyone has to start somewhere.

Very fun, but gets old quick

Wii play has 9 different games. Each of them are fun and unique.
Playing multiplayer in these little mini games is very fun, more so than Wii sports IMO. I loved it at first, especially the laser hockey game. Very fun and addictive.

The only thing is, the game is no fun on your own. Without a second player this game gets very repetitive and very old really quick!!

Overall this game is worth the money for the controller and the game, but the fun won't last forever...