It is not uncommon for a group of us to sit around The Hoff's place and participate in Wii games (especially Mario Kart). Last night I was introduced to two new Wii games and I'd like to write a review for each.
The first is the previously (for me) unheard of
Wario Ware Smooth Moves. Honestly, I don't know what the creators of this game were smoking but, whatever it was, it helped create one crazy game.
There are different types of play but the general idea of the ones I participated in is to be the last man standing. Players (up to 12 in one area of play) are given quick (and sometimes strange) challenges to test their skill with the Wii Remote.
Please see the picture to the right for an example of one of the challenges, the hula challenge. In the hula challenge, you place the remote at hip level (the Big Cheese "form") and, well, you hula hoop. If you drop the hula during your 3ish second challenge, you're out. Don't worry. The hula is only one of many challenges. . . you won't get bored.
I definitely enjoyed Smooth Moves. With each challenge lasting three or fewer seconds, it is fast paced (CJ really wasn't kidding when he said it is a great game for people with ADD). Because only one Wii Remote is passed between all players and because there are different challenges, the game is really interactive. A large group can participate and Smooth Moves is a little weird and surprising, making it great for groups and parties. Overall, it is a welcome change to only four people playing Mario Kart (which, by the way, I love).
The second game is the more widely known
Wii Fit. I'm not going to comment on any claims of this game actually being able to get its players to be more fit (suffice it to say I'm pretty skeptical); this review is purely about the game's entertainment value.
From a spectator's perspective, I'm not sure if I can think of anything more entertaining than watching people ski jump on the Wii Fit Balance Board. Priceless.
From the player's perspective, this game is much harder than it looks, requiring more balance than any other video game I've ever encountered. Like other games, it presents the challenge of improving, of getting better at each fitness challenge. Unlike other games, it requires the player to stand and to move, which, in general, is one of the Wii's greatest strengths and most unique feature.
Unlike Smooth Moves, Wii Fit is better for individual play. To change players requires a bit of effort and time, and playing with others can be distracting and, as eluded to in the "From a spectator's perspective", can be cause for a little embarrassment, though it is all in good, clean fun.
Overall, I recommend both Wario Ware Smooth Moves and Wii Fit for good, indoor entertainment. But remember, there really is no substitute for the great outdoors.
