Game Review: Wii Party



Wii: £39.99

With more than 80 mini-games on one disc, Nintendo’s latest interactive multi-player game for the Wii will get any party started.



Wii Party allows up to four people to pit their wits against each other while accumulating medals, points or total wins in 13 separate party games.



My favourite, Spin-off, features a Wheel of Fortune-style battle allowing players to pit their Miis (self-designed avatars) against each other while trying to build up a huge pile of treasure.



Balancing act: Players compete to make sure the ship does not topple in Wii Party, which has more than 80 mini-games

The fun peaks when the wheel stops on a battle slot – allowing the spinner to take on their opponents in a number of short matches including a punch-off in which treachery can win the day.

Importantly for a game marketed as suitable for all the family, the controls are simple and largely make use of the Wii’s most enjoyable feature, its ability to translate a player’s wrist and hand movements into the game.



Each game and mini-game is explained by a top-hatted character called Party Phil and players can practise before going ‘live’.



Don't chicken out: The game allows to players to battle three friends

Some of the best mini-games include a two-player race on mopeds where players bid to deliver a pizza first and the brilliant ‘poserobics’ in which three players must mimic the fourth’s actions by remembering which controls to use as the speed of the game hastens.

Another involves a kung-fu-style defence game in which one player is at the receiving end of virtual logs thrown by the other three and must chop and kick their way out of danger.



Good times: Wii Party

However, not all the games are addictive or thrilling and some lose their shine after just one play.

On a more gentle front, there are two player Pairs games including Friend Connection where players answer questions to see how compatible they are with their pal.



There are numerous elements to this game which will make its popularity with owners last longer than predecessors of a similar style and among friends and family, a real sense of rivalry can be fostered.



A useful feature to increase the games longevity is the skill level option, with beginner, standard and advanced levels.



Overall, a genuine family adventure which promises to bring fun to a wet weekend or a long Boxing Day afternoon.



