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Wii Sports

(2006, Video Games - Sports, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo Wii)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 5.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Inclusive sports played a new way -- fun for all!

Why We Rated This on for Ages 5 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Players learn about sports and practice physical coordination. Playing the games involves exercising.
  • Messages:

    Fosters cross-generational gameplay. However the gameplay in Wii Boxing involves beating opponents up for sport.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    In Wii Boxing players simulate a punching motion by swinging their arms. These punches hit an opponent's face and body; there's wincing and a thudding sound, but no blood. You win a round by knocking an opponent out.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    The baseball scoreboard says "Nintendo Wii," and there's a banner advertising Wii Sports in the tennis stadium. All other banners display innocuous, made-up slogans like "Big Bat," "Superstars," "Power Up!" and "Hit a home run!"
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Wii Sports was written by Erin Bell

Parents need to know that everyone from 5-year-olds to grandparents will enjoy playing this game, which is bundled with every new Wii console. While the multiplayer mode is the most fun feature, parents should make sure that all players have enough room to move and swing their arms. The only violence occurs in the boxing game, which parents of younger kids can skip. It requires players to jab with the Wii controls, hitting an opponent's virtual head and body to try to knock the opponent out.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about what makes this game so much fun. Is it the ability to simulate real sports or is it that you can play with friends and family? Do you think Wii Sports can help you get better at real sports? When you play on a team -- like the doubles matches in Wii Tennis -- what constitutes good sportsmanship?
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More on Wii Sports

What’s the Story?

Bundled free with every Wii console, WII SPORTS is a collection of five Mini games that does a great job of introducing players to the Wii's fun motion-sensitive controller. You'll use the Wii remote (at times paired with the Nunchuk) to mimic the actions of swinging a golf club, baseball bat, and tennis racket. Up to four players can play Wii Sports, and there's also a single-player mode against computer opponents. Players are represented by their Miis (cartoon-like customized avatars), and any other Miis stored on the Wii will randomly appear as teammates and spectators. Close

Is It Any Good?

Are the games simplistic at times? Sure -- Wii Baseball, for example, is little more than a batting cage where you try to hit balls out of the park. But in Wii Tennis, your player moves around the court automatically, but you control the ball's direction, spin, and speed as you hit forehands, backhands, overheads, and lobs. The only game that might concern parents is Wii Boxing, where two boxers square off with the goal of knocking each other out.

Because of its simplicity and easy-to-learn controls, Wii Sports is the kind of game that everyone -- even non-gamers -- can participate in together, and that's what makes it so compelling. It fosters cross-generational interaction, making it great to bring out at family gatherings and parties. And the fun multiplayer mode means endless re-playability. This game ushers in a new way of playing video games, one that motivates players to move, stretch, bend, swing their arms, and be active.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 11/19/2006, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Mild Violence)

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Our Members Say

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See all 72 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    Great introduction to the Wii

    I don't think that boxing is violent and I think Wii Sports is another great party game and a great introduction to the Nintendo Wii! 1o out of 10 for Nintendo!!!

  2. I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    Free with Wii

    Fun but it gets boring easily.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Easy to play

    Boxing can be Violent

    Just Boxing

  4. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    Easy for 6 and older.

    Can be hard for a 4 year old, but is very easy. The boxing is a little bit violent, but it's not scary. Everyone who owns a Wii has Wii Sports because it comes w/ the console. Teaches you the basics of the Wii Remote and Nunchuck.

  5. I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    good but one part is too vilont

    the only thing that is iffy on this game is the wii boxing i think there is more vilonce then there need to be in that.

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