{Holiday Gift Guide} Wii Game Review: Wii Party

Wii Party

Developer:  Nintendo

Released: October 3, 2010

ABOUT:

Nintendo’s throwing the party of the year and everybody’s invited! Social Play Wii Party is a social experience for the entire family and beyond. By focusing on interactive group play that features Mii characters as the stars, Wii Party isn’t the life of the party…YOU are! All-New Experiences Wii Party introduces several new ways to play that break the traditional party-game mold. These games change how players interact with each other by taking what’s on the TV screen and bringing the action out into the living room. From carefully passing the Wii Remote controller around like a time bomb, to searching for hidden Wii Remote controllers, these games turn Wii Party into a house party! Board Games and Beyond Wii Party features 13 unique party games that include interactive four-player board games, cooperative and competitive two-player games, familiar favorites like bingo, and over 80 mini games that feature all types of game play and motion control. With Mii characters front and center, there’s something for everyone…starring everyone!

Features:

• Some of the 13 different party game modes take the fun out of the TV and into the living room. Players have to interact with one another in the real world to get the results they want in the game. Examples of House Party gameplay include:
  • A take off on “Spoons”, in which players place their Wii Remotes on a table. Each one emits a different animal noise. Players win the round by being the first to grab the controller that is making the sound of the animal shown on the TV.
  • Players use Wii Remote controllers to play Hide and Go Seek, where one player asks the other players to leave the room and then hides all of the controllers around the living room. When the other players return, they have to find them.
• Wii Party features multiplayer variety. Some of the party game modes are cooperative, such as “Balance Boat.” Others are competitive, such as “Board Game Island.”
• In Board Game Island mode, players help their Mii characters compete in more than 70 different mini-games:
  • Mii characters ride a rollercoaster while players try to shoot down floating balloons containing gifts.
  • Players use their Wii Remote controllers to help Mii characters navigate a virtual game of tag.
• For multiplayer modes, additional Wii Remote controllers are required and are sold separately.

MY THOUGHTS:

I love party games on the Wii and this game is awesome!  It reminds me of Mario Party which is also from Nintendo.  There are so many different game modes and mini-games that I haven’t even played them all yet, which is nice because it means it is not going to get boring anytime soon!  You can play from 1-4 players, adding computer players if wanted. 

Party Games:

• Board Game Island – roll dice to move along a path to the top of the island with mini-games mixed in.
• Globe Trot – turn over cards t move, take souvenir photos, collect coins and play mini-games.
• Swap Meet – Match up three Mii characters wearing same shirt, competing against other players.
• Spin-Off – spin a wheel to earn medals, mini-games mixed in.
• Bingo – check off Mii characters on bingo cards, mini-games mixed in.

Pair Games:

• Friend Connection – two friends answer questions to see how alike they are.
• Balance Boat – using teamwork you have to balance Mii characters on a boat so it doesn’t tip.
• Match-up – match Mii characters wearing the same colored shirts from a plaza.

House Party:

• Animal Tracker – lay down Wii remotes and players have to pick up the one that made the matching animal noise.
• Hide ‘n Hunt – hide the Wii remote in your actual house (near tv though) and it will make noises so the hunter can find it.
• Time Bomb – pass the Wii remote back and forth not to hold it when it explodes.
• Word Bomb – players say a word within a given category and pass the Wii remote bomb before the time is up.
• Buddy Quiz – try to predict another players answers.

If you are like me and just want to tackle the mini-games you can do that also in the following Minigame Modes:  Free Play, Battle, Solo, and Challenge. There really are so many mini-games to play and compete in.  I think Wii Party would be perfect for families to play together or just anytime you have a few minutes to play, since each game gives you an estimate of how long it will take to play.  My husband and I have found ourselves playing this almost nightly just to unwind and spend time together!

BUY IT: Look for “Wii Party” wherever video games are sold or check it out on Amazonfor $46.54 (Wii).

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Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure: I was sent this game to review. My opinion remains my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy.