If you had to pick a videogame setting to spend eternity in, you probably couldn't do better than to choose Wuhu Island, the colorful locale of Nintendo's Wii SPORTS RESORT. With its sunny beaches, crystal clear waters, friendly whales, Miis knocking each other about with plastic swords, and hyper-adorable, Frisbee-chasing puppies, the place easily sweeps you up in its jolly, good-natured atmosphere.
If you own a Wii and haven't picked this beauty up yet, dive in: You won't be sorry. Of the twelve events, branching into twenty four different games, there isn't a clunker in the bunch: I even love the two events pooped on by some reviewers: Cycling and Canoeing (both of which will get your blood pumping).
It is true, however, that Archery, Frisbee and Ping Pong are insanely addictive and startlingly life-like: They simply FEEL right. Golf and Bowling are improved from their already-excellent debut in Wii Sports. Swordplay is a blast. Wakeboarding and Power Cruising provide quick, intense fun amid dazzling visuals. The Three Point Basketball challenge is a hoot, as is the simple but quick-paced Half Court game.
It is true, however, that Archery, Frisbee and Ping Pong are insanely addictive and startlingly life-like: They simply FEEL right. Golf and Bowling are improved from their already-excellent debut in Wii Sports. Swordplay is a blast. Wakeboarding and Power Cruising provide quick, intense fun amid dazzling visuals. The Three Point Basketball challenge is a hoot, as is the simple but quick-paced Half Court game.
Then there are the two Air Sports: Skydiving and Island Flyover. What other game introduces itself to you by throwing you out of an airplane to literally dive into the game? Falling, spreading your arms and gliding around to hook up with fellow divers as you plumet earthward--This is true wonderment. This is the genius of Shigeru Miyamoto and his crew firing on all cylinders. As for the Island Flyover...It's simply the most enjoyable, addictive endlessly fun free-flight game ever created. After two weeks of playing, I still haven't found those last two checkpoints...and I'm not gonna cheat on this one!
The game is wildly fun. As with most projects involving Miyamoto and the Miis, it is polished, whimsical and packed with humor and hidden surprises.
I do have a couple of mini complaints regarding odd omissions in its presentation. Miyamoto's team put tons of effort into making Wuhu Island a great place to visit and fly around, but they stopped short in many respects: Why is the main menu so plain? Why can't you watch a replay of your cycling race? For crying out loud, why can't you do anything with your skydiving photos? I'm sure the answer is: They ran out of time.
Nintendo should immediately start work on a follow-up. Bring back all these sports, plus tennis and baseball . But, most importantly, turn Wuhu Island into a full virtual-reality Animal Crossing-style game starring the Miis. Give players a choice between regular (choose games from a menu) and Wuhu Life mode.
In this new mode, your Mii would blow all his cash on his vacation and find himself without a plane ticket home. He'd be stuck living in a tent on the beach, chewing seaweed, with nothing left but his souvenir Ping Pong paddle. Good thing the games would have cash prizes in this mode! Your Mii would explore the Island on foot, talking to residents, making friends, and accepting sports challenges. Earn money for equipment, lodging and accesories...the possibilities are endless. You could work your way up from beach bum to Wuhu Island's most famous pro! Invest in the Island, opening a Scuba Club and an indoor Ski Slope! There's so much that could be done with this place!
That would turn an already great game into the best thing ever to appear on a console. As is, it's still a wonderful creation.
