The Legacy of Wii Sports
Wii Sports stands as one of the most successful and nostalgic games of the 21st century. The innovative console and system broke down the restrictive standards around sports, allowing players to participate in different sports in the comfort of their own homes. Nintendo’s current legacy will forever be tied back to its creation of Wii Sports, creating a new approach to the future of game development.
The accessibility of the game allowed it to reach a wider range of audiences, producing an instantly successful game. Wii’s company,Nintendo, differentiated themselves from other major gaming companies such as Microsoft by designing simple controllers and easy-to-follow games. Additionally, the use of universally popular sports such as tennis, bowling and volleyball and the creativity of the customizable Miis added to the game’s attractiveness.
The elegant simplicity of Wii Sports excited people universally. With over 16 years in the video game industry, Wii Sports still stands as a classic game of the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game was a gateway and changed traditional conceptions around sports. From their 100 pin bowling to risky sword fights, the games unique perspectives allowed it to flourish in the industry. Another contributing factor to its huge success were the customizable Miis. Every player has the chance to create their own mascot, personalizing the experience by crafting a story behind each face. This transports users from their home to international arenas, reinforcing the friendly competitiveness. The subtle smirks presented on each character’s faces after winning compared with the disappointed expressions of the loser are always entertaining for players.
The popularity of Wii Sports is an important symbol of countless childhoods. Following the massive success of Wii Sports came Wii Resorts, with twice as many absurdly competitive games as in the original. But although there are many games with the same concept of Wii Sports, the unique graphics and perfectly saturated colors will always make it stand out.
Wii Sports impact has reached even further beyond the video game industry. It helped the elderly exercise in senior homes, patients do physical therapy, and surgeons learn eye-hand coordination in medical school.
The design of Wii Sports pioneered the structure of video gaming. It tackled barriers by appealing to a wide variety of audiences and inspiring others to follow this concept. The precious memories created by Wii Sports far surpasses any other game. No matter what platform gamers play on, the legacy of Wii Sports will forever be present.
