The game will be packaged with a Wiimote, and so is an excellent choice on launch day for those gamers who want to have an additional controller for multiplayer fun. As a second Wiimote is likely to be only purchased by those intending to play the Wii in a multiplayer environment this game is not only heavily focused on teaching new users the capabilities of the new controller, but also offers gamers the opportunity to pit themselves against their friends in a series of easy to access multiplayer minigames.

So exactly what minigames are on offer in Wii Play? First up, is Laser Hockey, a somewhat powered up version of pong similar to the air hockey tables you used to rush to as a kid in every arcade you went in. The premise of controls here is simple - moving your hand relates in real time on screen to the movement of the paddle. Twisting your wrist will then cause the paddle to tilt slightly, allowing you to strategically apply spin and return shots in a difficult to defend manner. The premise here is obviously extremely simple, but the simplicity of the gameplay makes this package all the more interesting, as it gives gamers the opportunity to really get a feel for the Wiimote before jumping into more difficult adventures such as Metroid Prime 3 or Super Mario Galaxy.

Also included on the Wii Play is a table tennis game, whereby you use the Wiimote to control your racket. Again everything is solidly realistic here and makes for playing the game an excellent experience. The aim of the game is to either rally for as long as possible, or play a straight up game of table tennis - the latter of which will lead to some intense battles between friends I’m sure.

Wii’s own take on billiards is included on the disc, and the way it plays again draws comparisons between the Wiimote and the PC’s mouse. You simply line up your shot on the 2D screen and the when you are ready to shoot, you simply pull back your arm, and then lunge forward; the speed at which you do so determining the power of the shot.

Among all the intense action of the former mentioned games, is a simplistic puzzle type game known as “Find Mii”. In this game a character is mixed into a crowd of other characters, and with a counter continually going down, you must find the right person. When the counter starts to drop quickly the intensity of this game really stands out and it really does have that “one more go” factor.

To make the package complete is a game called Pose Mii, whereby you must fit a character inside a silhouette, and also a game called “Shooting Gallery” which is pretty much an updated version of Duck Hunt.

This game will likely be only purchased by those who want an additional controller, and although it is being marketed as “Wii Play + Free Wiimote” the simplicity of this title means that in reality you get the game free when you buy an addition Wiimote. All the same the crafty use of terminology is refreshing for me to see because it means at least Nintendo may have got the hang of good marketing.

Wii Play provides an enjoyable range of addictive single player and multiplayer minigames and therefore will more than likely be a hit amongst Wii owners when it is released later this year. The kitsch presentation reinforces Nintendo’s status as a developer within the industry and the compendium of mixed games is probably a hint of things to come for the Wii.