The game offers an insight into Nintendo's newest technology, and it uses it to a degree of easiness never seen before. The thing that probably makes this piece of hardware so valuable and revolutionary is the new I.r. remote control mechanism, who clearly sets this console apart from other next generation consoles in terms of gameplay; although Wii's shear graphics performance isn't that impressive as it is the case with PS3 or Xbox 360. Usually free games are there just to fill the empty spaces from the box your console was put in, so it will take you some time to remember a decent game title that hadn't any price tag on its cover. Wii Sports made us consider it like an official first party game release who must be treated accordingly, through a review that is.

What's even cooler about this title, is the fact that it hasn't imposed any age frame or social status for the players who get grips for the first time with the sports simulations presented here. Although the game deliberately ignores the graphics and visual effects part of the game, only golfing sometimes remembering us that this release belongs to present days (crisp green field, nice rendered water), Wii Sports still has plenty to offer.

The game simulates basic rules and gameplay from games such as: tennis, baseball, bowling, golf, boxing; having also the capability of hosting multiplayer games that have a maximum of four players involved. Only baseball and boxing minimizing that number to two players. One nice feature that not only brings a touch of personalization, but unique Nintendo art style too, is the Mii characters that you are able to embody while playing. Thus you will be able to produce a virtual-cartoony looking you (choosing the desired basic face elements) using the native console's software.

The Wii fitness program from the game menu plays the role of a personal trainer, even though it is pretty difficult to see some results in a few days of testing the game, like we did. The only way to observe some progress , is too play the game in short bursts , and variating different training programs, because the game doesn't offer to much content to the player to make it a daily schedule in your life. The purpose of this program is to lower your Fitness age through daily exercise, while observing three essential parameters (speed, stamina and strength).

Tennis is probably the most enjoyable from the five available titles. It's very intuitive , you just pick the Wii remote and start swinging for serve or ingame shots, and after not very long you'll be able to vary your shots accordingly (forehands, backhands, volleys, lobs, slices, spin and power depending on how fast the user swings and at what angle). Even though the A.I. simplifies the work to be done by the player ( it automatically moves players into the optimal position from which he can hit a decent ball), the game still offers that on court action that professional players seek. Clearly it's more fun competing with other players (up to four) in multiplayer mode, but playing against the computer will not be such a throw away experience.

Baseball game is reduced to just batting and pitching, with the A.i. covering the fielding. And if you decide to play against some pals of yours (maximum two players allowed), one player will get to pitch, the other will try to hit the pitched ball. Periodically the players will switch turn. Batting clearly requires a good timed swing, while pitching is a bit easier (replicate an arm throw), with the player having to choose what kinda throw it will produce: normal, curveball, spliter. The directional pad is used to affect (before the player pitches) the trajectory of the ball. You can clearly sense that the speed induced to the ball in a throw act, depends on how fast you replicate an arm throw.

I am not that much into bowling, but this fact won't make me say the experience wasn't enjoyable. The game offers immediate control and playability, basically covering all aspects of bowling in a very real fashion. You can induce spin on the ball, control its trajectory and speed. And if you are not capable of producing a “non-spin” ball on the bowling alley, you can compensate this by moving your Mii ahead of time.

Golfing seems to be the best looking and content rich game that comes with Wii Sports. The game can be played on a three hole course or on a nine hole one, showing not only location diversity (from simple L shaped locations to multiple isles courses) but actually a pretty well rendered environment too . By now it became obvious that all the games are incredibly easy to accommodate with, and golf doesn't break that rule. You have to mimic a golf swing and keep an eye on: the wind direction and speed, the power you put in the shot, and to some extent to the spin you put in the stroke to produce a reasonable shot. The needed hints regarding the latter elements you have to consider prior to a shot are displayed on the screen under the form :power meter and wind indicator. Additionally a minimap that indicates what an ideal shot will look like on the green with the selected club in hands, is displayed at the bottom left of the screen. Another helpful feature is the miniscreen that presents the inclination of the shot area, which in principle should make you improve your putting skills. A minor discontent when we tested golf, was the hardness in evaluating the strength put in the hit. That might be also the case of a subjective opinion if not entirely.

Boxing is the most demanding sport simulation presented in the game, judging from the physical point of view. Here only, you will get to use the nunchuck and the I.r. remote at the same time. Even if you will be able to strafe, guard or hit with punches; these actions feel a bit delayed (for unknown reasons, if we are to compare with the reaction times of the other four games). This deficiency cumulated with a not such accurate punch aiming system can make this game a make or break experience. If you are able to ignore these drawbacks and still enjoy throwing up punches, hooks and uppercuts, boxing might be the game for you.

In Wii training program you have the means to perfect every aspect of your game, with some of the training challenges being locked initially. Tennis training modes involve: returning balls, timing, target practice. Baseball coaching is done by: hitting home runs, swing control, batting practice. Bowling makes use of: piking up spares, power throws, spin controls for training. Golf drill program include: putting,hitting the green, target practice; while boxing training schedule is done by: working the bag, dodging, throwing punches.

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Gameplay:83 %

Even though all games lack depth and playing in long bursts will pretty much end Wii Sports experience; the gameplay has it's merits too, especially from the realism point of view (the joystick control mechanism being replaced by the I.r. remote and nunchuk control).Tennis is the real deal, golf i liked a lot too, boxing requires some clemence from you due to some slow, delayed and sometimes inaccurate punch aiming. Bowling is ok too, and has done everything to impress a non-bowler dude like me (and it succeeded), while baseball gives the impression that some work still needs to be done.

Graphics:73%

Although the console is capable of 480 pro-scan resolutions at a 60 fps, the game surely isn't using all the resources that Wii console packs in. The visuals are so simple, that it makes you wondering why this decision was taken and if the title was rushed. Sacrificing graphics over gameplay is questionable and it largely depends on the individual. Regarding my persona i have to say i was able to pass over the archaic graphics and enjoy Wii Sports unmatched gameplay.

Multiplayer:79%

Wii sports offers support for muliplayer , with the number of players variating from two to four,depending on the game selected for playing.

Sound: 77%

Delectable background music, the intro sounds have Nintendo's established style, lots of nice sound effects ( especially at bowling when smashing into the pins or at baseball when smacking a home run).