Wii Sports is a game that initially shipped with the Nintendo Wii Console. Its popularity is partially due to realistic gameplay – not with the game graphics but due to how the games are played. They mimic real-world sports games.

For example, to hit the ball in the tennis game, one merely swings the controller to the left or right. One does not have to fiddle with a small controller pad to play the game. To hit a  baseball, one holds the controller similar to how one would hold a baseball bat. This is the most realistic game play we have ever seen for sports video games.

The games included are tennis, baseball, boxing, bowling, and golf. The boxing game requires a separate “nunchuck” which plugs into the controller.

All games include training, standard play, several multiplayer choices, and the ability to create your own characters.

The training allows one to hone in on one of three different actions for each sport. Just as in real life, training or practice helps to improve your performance. In tennis, one can focus on returning the ball or placing the ball within a specific area. In baseball, one can practice pitching or batting. Boxing training is useful for learning how to duck and weave and throw your punches at just the right moment.

The standard gameplay involves one player playing against the computer. In some modes, defeating a computer opponent will often result in the gaining of “experience”. With enough experience, your rank increases. One’s rank is cause for bragging rights among his or her fellow gamers.

The multiplayer option allows two, three, or four players to compete against one another. This is Wii Sports at its most immersive and rewarding. Its one thing to pit your skill against a challenging computer player, another to play with living, breathing people whose real-life movements (as well as yours) directly correspond with onscreen gameplay. Of course, each player must have his or her own controller.

With Wii Sports, you can create your own characters and save them for later use. To create your own character, one simply starts with a character from the “Mii channel”. The character can then be customized to one’s own liking. Some of these characters can be used in games other than Wii Sports.

Many gamers enjoy saving their Wii Sports characters to the Wii remote controller, and will take them to a friend’s house, and insert the character into the game at the friend’s house. This adds greater personality to the gaming experience.

Game reviewers have given Wii Sports positive reviews overall, but are quick to point out a few flaws. The game has also won several awards.

The Nintendo Wii Sports game provides hours of fun for people of all ages.