Wii Sports Resort - Should You Buy into the New MotionPlus?

Wii Sports Resort is an updated and expanded collection of sports games for the Nintendo Wii that serves as both a sequel to Wii Sports and a showcase for the new Wii MotionPlus, which comes with the game. As a whole, it is a pretty fun game although some of the included games are very simple. It's still worth getting if the MotionPlus thing takes off, because it has a lot of potential.

The included Wii MotionPlus is a small device that attaches to the bottom of the Wii Remote controller and extends the length of the controller by about 1.5 inches. What this unit does is greatly enhance the motion sensing capabilities of the Wii Remote, so you get much more precise control when playing. Wii Sports Resort is full of games designed to make use of this new level of precision, and it serves as a functional showcase for the potential of the MotionPlus.

I really enjoyed the variety of games offered in this package. It seems like the table tennis (ping pong) is everyone's favorite. There's a fencing game that is OK, but doesn't really play the way you might think it would. A bowling game is also included, and it offers a few changes over the bowling game in the original Wii Sports. I really liked the archery game where you hold the Wii Remote up like a bow and pull the Nunchuck back like a string. There's also skydiving, water Skiing, frisbee, and much more. A flying game is also included, but I didn't like it very much. Even if you only play half of what is offered, this game will keep you busy for a long while.

Most of these games allow multiple players, so you will need to buy an extra MotionPlus for each Wii Remote you own. The downside is that the MotionPlus only enhances games designed to work with the MotionPlus. I thought it would improve all Wii games, but this is not the case. I didn't know that until after I bought it, and I have to admit that I was rather disappointed. As of this writing, there are less than two dozen games that actually make use of the MotionPlus.

The graphics and sound in this game are much better than in the original Wii Sports, so it's a delight to see and hear. I always thought Wii Sports was very basic in look and feel, mainly because it's a free game that comes with the system and is designed to show you how the controls work. This game feels more like a real commercial title with a lot more content and more effort was put into making it look and sound good. You'll be getting a lot for your money with this game.

I really hope Nintendo continues to support the MotionPlus because it does truly make for better gameplay on the Wii. Too bad it only improves games designed to work with it, but maybe that can be fixed with some kind of downloadable update later. The bottom line here is that for the price and value, Wii Sports Resort is definitely worth checking out.

Wii Sports Resort retails for @ $50. The MotionPlus alone sells for @ $20.