I am posting this message in an effort to obtain some decent information about the currently available catalog of Wii Games that support Multi-Player game play. While I am aware that each game is cleverly marked on the back with a number indicating the number of players able to play each game I have found that many (most) games that claim to be multi-player able are in reality, single player games with a few multi player mini-games included. I can only assume that this is a marketing ploy to dupe buyers like me into purchasing these games. In any case it is my hope that I can get some information about current multi-player titles via this post and pass along some of my own findings for those, who like me, are much more interested in purchasing games for my kids (and I) to play together than single player games which cause them to fight over who gets to play.
I am going to list the current “Multi Player” titles I have along with a very brief review of each. I of course will note which are “Real” Multi-Player games and which are just pretending as well as which games are in my opinion worth purchasing.
Listing and Mini Review;
Cars – a one player game with 2 player mini-games. The game itself is cute for younger kids, but is sure to be a dud with the older crowed. Not worth purchasing.
Chicken Little –Ace in Action – This is another game billed as a 2 player game that is really a one player game with some multi-player mini games thrown in. Not a bad game actually, not going to win awards for the best of all time, but for a “Chicken Little” fan it’s fairly amusing. Don’t think I would purchase again knowing it is only a one player game.
Lego Star Wars – So far this appears to the gold standard of multi-player gaming in the Wii universe. This franchise is wonderfully playable and entertaining for young kids and there parents alike. The only knock on this game is that it is way too similar to its earlier xbox brethren and that it makes all other multi-player games I have scene for the Wii look awful. If Lego Star Wars can be full 2 player interactive why can’t other developers do it? Here’s to Lego Star Wars expanding the franchise and giving us some new games to play! Buy at all costs.
Mario Party 8 – a true multi-player game, not really my favorite but it is fully interactive and enjoyable enough. Since the game uses a board game play format where players compete in mini-game competitions I hardly feel this is a true “multi-player” game, but since it is one of the few 4 player games I found I figure I should be happy with that. Solid game worth purchasing if you like Mario.
Shrek the Third – Should be renamed Shrek the Turd, not my favorite game. Another great example of misleading labeling as this is not a multiplayer game but a single player game with multi-player mini games that are billed as “Boring” by my two sons. The game itself is not that enjoyable and that was a shock to me because in my opinion the previous Shrek releases (for xbox) were really, really enjoyable. Not worth purchasing.
Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity- Again the base game is single player and there are “mini-games” that allow for multi player action. I cut this game some slack since the mini-games are pretty detailed and support four players and are entertaining enough so that you don’t feel like your playing the mini-game and not the real game when your playing them. All and all however I wish they would just write the darn thing with two players in mind as the graphics, story and game play seem pretty darn good. Worth purchasing.
Sonic and Mario Olympic Games – The depths I am forced to go to find multiplayer capability. This game actually has full multiplayer ability, though we still have the Wii annoying player 1 rules the world thing going on, but for the rest of the game everyone plays and that is good. Designed for up to four players the game simulates Olympic events with Sonic and Mario Characters, the best concept….no. Entertaining….for younger kids yes. Some of the games however seem to be either too hard, too easy or too boring. Not a great game. Close call as to weather or not it is worth purchasing, I’m still not sure.
Spiderman (friend or foe) – One of the better multiplayer games I found, game can be played solo, but calls for a “sidekick” on all missions which allows for 2player multi-play of the whole game. The game is set up as being main player-centric, calling for the main player to select his sidekick and choose the mission but after the mission starts the 2nd player gets full game rights, which of course go away after the mission ends, but other than that its not bad. Game controls are predictable and the action is a bit rudimentary but the platform (which I am sure has been used a bunch of places before) is solid, fun and enjoyable. Worth purchasing.
WiiPlay – Multi-Player, but lacking in real Wow or fun, the upside is that you get a free controller with purchase, and the games are good for beginners to learn to use controllers. Worth purchasing if only for the free Wiimote.
WiiSports – Maybe the best freebee game ever produced, tons of fun , 4 player availability, just a great game.
Hopefully you find this listing informative (some of the points are obvious to any Wii owner I know). If you know of any true multi player games not above I would love to hear about them.
Thanks.
I am going to list the current “Multi Player” titles I have along with a very brief review of each. I of course will note which are “Real” Multi-Player games and which are just pretending as well as which games are in my opinion worth purchasing.
Listing and Mini Review;
Cars – a one player game with 2 player mini-games. The game itself is cute for younger kids, but is sure to be a dud with the older crowed. Not worth purchasing.
Chicken Little –Ace in Action – This is another game billed as a 2 player game that is really a one player game with some multi-player mini games thrown in. Not a bad game actually, not going to win awards for the best of all time, but for a “Chicken Little” fan it’s fairly amusing. Don’t think I would purchase again knowing it is only a one player game.
Lego Star Wars – So far this appears to the gold standard of multi-player gaming in the Wii universe. This franchise is wonderfully playable and entertaining for young kids and there parents alike. The only knock on this game is that it is way too similar to its earlier xbox brethren and that it makes all other multi-player games I have scene for the Wii look awful. If Lego Star Wars can be full 2 player interactive why can’t other developers do it? Here’s to Lego Star Wars expanding the franchise and giving us some new games to play! Buy at all costs.
Mario Party 8 – a true multi-player game, not really my favorite but it is fully interactive and enjoyable enough. Since the game uses a board game play format where players compete in mini-game competitions I hardly feel this is a true “multi-player” game, but since it is one of the few 4 player games I found I figure I should be happy with that. Solid game worth purchasing if you like Mario.
Shrek the Third – Should be renamed Shrek the Turd, not my favorite game. Another great example of misleading labeling as this is not a multiplayer game but a single player game with multi-player mini games that are billed as “Boring” by my two sons. The game itself is not that enjoyable and that was a shock to me because in my opinion the previous Shrek releases (for xbox) were really, really enjoyable. Not worth purchasing.
Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity- Again the base game is single player and there are “mini-games” that allow for multi player action. I cut this game some slack since the mini-games are pretty detailed and support four players and are entertaining enough so that you don’t feel like your playing the mini-game and not the real game when your playing them. All and all however I wish they would just write the darn thing with two players in mind as the graphics, story and game play seem pretty darn good. Worth purchasing.
Sonic and Mario Olympic Games – The depths I am forced to go to find multiplayer capability. This game actually has full multiplayer ability, though we still have the Wii annoying player 1 rules the world thing going on, but for the rest of the game everyone plays and that is good. Designed for up to four players the game simulates Olympic events with Sonic and Mario Characters, the best concept….no. Entertaining….for younger kids yes. Some of the games however seem to be either too hard, too easy or too boring. Not a great game. Close call as to weather or not it is worth purchasing, I’m still not sure.
Spiderman (friend or foe) – One of the better multiplayer games I found, game can be played solo, but calls for a “sidekick” on all missions which allows for 2player multi-play of the whole game. The game is set up as being main player-centric, calling for the main player to select his sidekick and choose the mission but after the mission starts the 2nd player gets full game rights, which of course go away after the mission ends, but other than that its not bad. Game controls are predictable and the action is a bit rudimentary but the platform (which I am sure has been used a bunch of places before) is solid, fun and enjoyable. Worth purchasing.
WiiPlay – Multi-Player, but lacking in real Wow or fun, the upside is that you get a free controller with purchase, and the games are good for beginners to learn to use controllers. Worth purchasing if only for the free Wiimote.
WiiSports – Maybe the best freebee game ever produced, tons of fun , 4 player availability, just a great game.
Hopefully you find this listing informative (some of the points are obvious to any Wii owner I know). If you know of any true multi player games not above I would love to hear about them.
Thanks.
