Wii Sports Resort is the most revolutionary game since Mario 64, and it's one of the most important games of our time
Since 2006 we have had the Wii, a system that was said to revolutionize the gaming industry, and change the way we think about videogames. It was supposed to provide a level of immersion not capable from other platforms, and provide a totally unique and superior experience, despite its graphical limitations. And in many ways it delivered. The Wii DID revolutionize the gamind industry, introducing Grandma and little Susie to a form of entertainment though only to be relevant to sweaty boys from ages 6 to 30-somethings in living in their parents basement. Games like Metroid Prime 3, Super Mario Galaxy, Boom Blox, Madden 09, and the Tiger Woods series (to name a few) showed us that the Wii COULD offer a superior and more immersive gaming experience. But most graphics-junkies and hard-headed "hardcore gamers" weren't swayed by the new Wii craze, many calling the Wii a fad. The limitations of the Wii remote's caused many developers not to think outside the box in terms of execution, turning would-be great games into waggle fests. The great games in the Wii library are hidden in an endless sea of shovelware.
But all that has changed now.
Now we have the Wii Motion Plus. Now we can have 1:1 accuracy for an extra $20. And with Wii Sports Resort, we know that so called "casual games" can still provide a deep and immersive experience for the hardcore gamer. Wii Sports Resort is the most important game to come out in over a decade, and it's one of the greatest games Nintendo has ever produced. Between this, Punch-Out, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Sin and Punishment 2, New Super Mario Bros Wii, and Metroid Other M, I think it's safe to say that Nintendo is back.
But this is a game review. So it's only fair that I tell you something about the game. We already know it's good. The question is, just how good is it? Well the truth of the matter is Wii Sports Resort is a mini-game collection. There's no real way around that. But the difference between this and the 700 other mini game collections on the Wii is that this isn't JUST a mini game collection. Wii Sports Resort is a mini vacation. The new Island Theme gives the game a much needed sense of context. Thankfully, this is more than just context. What Miyamoto has done here is pretty darn spectacular. He's created a little world. A virtual reality, a virtual resort where you can do whatever you want. You'll see all your little Mii friends as you travel the island, and other people's Mii's from around the world (thanks to the newly added WiiConnect24 support). It's called WuHu Island, and it's pretty awesome. It's one of the coolest things Miyamoto has ever created. I was just as impressed with this as I was with Liberty City or Hyrule. I've spent hours just exploring it in "Island Flyover Mode".
The Wii Motion Plus shows off its true potential here. Every game in Resort shows off why the Wii Motion Plus is the next true step in videogame entertainment. From the epic 1:1 sword battles, to the amazing pin-point accuracy of Archery, to the layed back fun of frisbee, if you're not sold on motion controls as of now, you will be after you play this game. Every mini game in this game offers some surprising depth and skill, in fact the game get's downright difficult as you progress. This is not a shallow tech demo. This is a full-fledged game that offers a whole lot of depth. I love every game in the bunch. There's no bombs here--in fact Cycling, which many say is terrible, has actually become my favorite game.
The length here is getting absurd so I'll wrap this up (that's what she said)--Wii Sports Resort is a step forward in gaming. And once the novelty of 1:1 accuracy wears off, you're still left with an amazing game. It's better than any other game you'll play this year, and it's one of the most important games to come along in the last decade. If you consider yourself a gamer, Resort is a must play.