My GOTY: Wii Sports Resort
I finally got NSMB Wii a few days ago, and it is indeed awesome. But nothing can compare to the fun that Wii Sports Resort has given me this year. It isn’t only my favorite 2009 release among those that I played, it’s already become firmly cemented as one of my favorite games of all time. I think I may be the biggest Wii Sports Resort fan in the world.
Lots of people seem to have had fun with the game for a few days and then put it aside. In my case, though, the opposite has proven to be true: I get the urge to play it more and more as time goes by. Granted, I only broke my teeth on it last month due to having such a busy year, but I have a good feeling I’ll still be playing it this time next December.
Ever since I first played Wii Sports three years ago, I realized that Nintendo’s philosophy behind its flagship Mii-centric titles is an absolutely perfect match for me. I may be a ‘core’ gamer, but I’m completely turned off by 99% of the ‘core’ games out there, meaning that I only end up finding one or two deep/involving games per year that are worth investing my time and energy into. The rest of the time, I just want to have some relaxing and rejuvenating fun in front of the TV with friends and family. In this way, I can honestly say that Wii Sports and its sequel have enriched my life. And that’s a special thing.
When I first heard Miyamoto speak of Wahu Island as being a new Nintendo character, I didn’t give it much thought, and I wasn’t very excited. But now I get it. The island feels real, much like Super Mario Sunshine’s Isle Delfino, and it’s a place I want to be. I love how it has its own little history that you find out about while flying around in your airplane.
Speaking of which, the island flyover is quite possibly my Favorite Thing Ever. During the E3 2006 madness, the Wii Sports Airplane demo excited me more than anything else on display, and in its final MotionPlus form, it’s without a doubt the greatest video game flight experience I’ve ever had. As a lifelong fan of all things flight-related, that’s saying a lot, and it makes me marvel at what could be possible with a dedicated Pilotwings or StarFox for Wii. Piloting an airplane with 1:1 Wiimote control makes me feel like a kid in the best way possible, and notably, the only time I’ve ever felt a similar sensation was playing the original Pilotwings.
I’m a huge fan of Super Mario Sunshine, not just because it’s a great game, but because of how being on Isle Delfino makes me feel like I’m actually on vacation in a beautiful tropical locale with nothing to worry about. (Other than all the paint.) In this way, Wii Sports Resort feels like Sunshine’s spiritual successor, which is something I wasn’t expecting in the least.
I love every activity in Wii Sports Resort, even the canoeing and cycling. (Basketball, which I’d heard nothing but negative comments about, is incredible.) It’s my GOTY beyond the shadow of a doubt, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. This stuff was made for me.
At first I wasn’t sold on Wii Sports Resort but I ended up buying it for the Motion Plus. I have found it to be a lot of fun and, with all Nintendo games, a solidly built game. The Island flyover is also my favourite game and the rest of the games really work with one-to-one motion. However I wouldn’t call it my GOTY. I soon reached a point where I had played all the mini-games and became bored, I have had a lot more fun with Muramasa and A boy and his Blob. I still feel I need a story and a challenge in games to enjoy them.
I can’t really say what my GOTY is this year, maybe I’m getting forgetful, but a lot of games have failed to leave any impression on me. Persona 4 has been really fun and I would love to call it my GOTY but I think it came out last year. So I guess Muramasa would be my GOTY but it lacked replay value and was an overall short game.
MikeH - 12.23.09, 9:44 am
Finally someone who shares my passion for this game! It is truly a masterpiece! It really immerses you in this world and you truly feel like you’re on vacation! Flying is my favourite activity as well! I love just flying around or sea-dooing free-form and exploring the island. It’s wonderful. I also thought Basketball was great!
I think I’ve found a soul mate. Someone who truly understands my passion for this game.
God I’m a weirdo.
gojiguy - 12.23.09, 5:25 pm
I have to say it’s nice to see Wii Sports Resort get some appreciation that is justly deserves. Since lets face it, love for the game has been mixed amongst reviewers. Mind you I chalk that up to 50% (if not more) of game reviewers are dead set in their ways and don’t know how to review some of these different style games.
In any case I personally have to agree with a certain statement you made… ” I may be a ‘core’ gamer, but I’m completely turned off by 99% of the ‘core’ games out there, meaning that I only end up finding one or two deep/involving games per year that are worth investing my time and energy into”…
I wanted to highlight this simply because I feel the same way. I may play many games but there are only ever a few that really really appeal to me and that consume my life. It’s sad to say but I’ve spend more time in the last 6 months replaying my old Zelda titles (Majora’s Mask started it, then I went to Ocarina of Time, back into Wind Waker… and son on) and Metroid Prime Trilogy. It’s hard to find games that really draw me in. I do hope that 2010 will bring in some titles that will become classics.
the.maverickk - 12.23.09, 7:23 pm
WSR is a lot of fun, for sure. I really think it works better if you see it as sports, rather than games. We’re having a Wii-Lympics this month with WSR, Wii Sports and a couple other Nintendo games. :P
WSR is definitely not my GOTY though. While it is a lot of fun, none of the games have much depth. You can’t get very far in them before you’ve “beaten” them (or they are hard, but don’t have much variety), and there’s not much complexity to it when you play multiplayer, so it doesn’t stay interesting for that long (I think the best games are Swordplay and Table Tennis – which I continue to play occasionally).
For me, GOTY is Left 4 Dead 2, hands down. I was also a big fan of Battlefield Heroes until the free version got nerfed.
The Wii really hasn’t had very many interesting or replayable games on it. My friends and I beat NSMBwee and I have no urge to play it again. etc.
I’m actually pretty disappointed with the Wii. It really hasn’t come through in terms of the games released for it thus far – compare the number of huge hits on the PS3, 360 and PC vs the number of huge hits on the Wii – and there are no games that I am currently excited for.
A new star fox game with motionplus controls would probably be pretty great. Except… they really screwed up the star fox universe with recent titles – it was clearly at its best at Star Fox 64.
In fact Star Fox 64 is probably my favourite game on the Wii. Lol.
…wait, you liked cycling? o.0
Simon - 12.23.09, 10:24 pm
Yo, so whats the 411 on NSMB Wii? Did you like it? My pirated copy didn’t work so I haven’t even delved into it… bummer.
kyung - 12.24.09, 8:12 am
It’s awesome! Haven’t been able to try 4-player yet, though…not enough people who want to play with me.
Nick - 12.24.09, 8:52 am
There is a lot of jumping on heads and accidentally pushing each other into holes.
You have to learn to always bubble at the last second.
Basically it’s really fun.
Simon - 12.24.09, 11:55 am
WM+ does change the way games are played on Wii and I look forwrad to what it will do for Red Steel 2 and Zelda Wii, not to mention other games that are sure to use it as well. Wii Sports Resort doesn’t get old, and obtaining all the extra medals gives it better replay value than most games released on other platforms in 2009. It’s the type of game you play for years and that when someone understands why you like it so much… well, it makes you happy all over again.
EdEN - 12.29.09, 12:32 pm