Wii Sports Resort, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, and Red Steel 2 are some notable games that require Wii Motion Plus.
Ever wondered which titles demand that little extra piece of tech, the Wii Motion Plus? Many players stumble upon this question when dusting off their old Wii. It’s not always clear which of your favourite games need the enhanced motion controls.
Knowing exactly what games require Wii Motion Plus avoids frustration. This lets you dive straight into the action. We will explore the specific games that actually need this accessory.
What Games Require Wii Motion Plus?
So, you’ve got a Wii, maybe you’ve had it for a while, or maybe you just got your hands on one! You’re ready to jump into some awesome motion-controlled games. But then you see something called “Wii MotionPlus.” What’s that about? And more importantly, what games actually need it to work properly? Let’s dive in and explore this crucial piece of Wii gaming history!
Understanding the Wii Motion Plus
Before we get into the specific games, let’s talk about what the Wii MotionPlus actually is. Imagine your regular Wii Remote (that’s the controller you hold). It’s pretty good at sensing your basic movements – like waving your arm left and right, or swinging it up and down. The Wii MotionPlus, however, is like a super-powered upgrade! It’s a small accessory that plugs into the bottom of your Wii Remote, giving it the ability to detect even finer, more subtle movements. Think of it like this: the regular Wii Remote knows you’re moving your arm, while the Wii MotionPlus can tell exactly how you’re moving it – if you’re twisting your wrist, tilting the controller, or making very small adjustments. This precision opens up a whole new world of gameplay possibilities.
Why Do Games Need Wii Motion Plus?
Why not just use the regular Wii Remote for all games? Well, some games need that extra accuracy to work the way the game designers intended. Games that use swords, shields, or any type of precise movement usually benefit from the Wii MotionPlus. Think about drawing a perfect line with a sword or controlling a character’s shield movements – the Wii MotionPlus makes these actions far more natural and responsive. Games that don’t require this level of detail can get by just fine without it. These titles usually focus on simple gestures, pointing, or pressing buttons.
Games That Absolutely Need Wii Motion Plus
Now, let’s get to the main event – the games that require the Wii MotionPlus to function properly. These titles were created specifically to use the enhanced motion tracking. You won’t be able to play them effectively without this accessory. Here are some of the most notable ones:
Wii Sports Resort
This is probably the most famous game that relies on the Wii MotionPlus. Wii Sports Resort is like a sequel to the popular Wii Sports game, but it focuses on much more precise motion controls. Think of activities like:
Swordplay: This mode requires you to move your controller like a real sword, and the game accurately translates your slashes, stabs, and parries.
Wakeboarding: You use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to control the board, making turns and jumps.
Frisbee Golf: Tossing the frisbee with the right speed and angle is crucial, and the Wii MotionPlus helps make it feel like the real thing.
Archery: Aiming and pulling back the arrow with the right strength is possible due to the added precision.
Table Tennis: You need careful placement and timing when hitting the ball.
Without the Wii MotionPlus, these activities just wouldn’t be the same. You need that extra accuracy to make the gameplay work.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
This Zelda game is entirely built around the Wii MotionPlus and takes full advantage of it. You use the controller to control Link’s sword with incredible precision.
Sword Fighting: You have to move your sword in specific ways to fight enemies. For example, you might need to make a horizontal slash to hit an enemy with its guard up, or perform a vertical stab to overcome a different type of defense.
Puzzle Solving: Many of the puzzles in Skyward Sword require specific motion control movements.
Flying and Exploration: The way you maneuver Link while flying through the sky needs the accurate motions afforded by the device.
Skyward Sword provides an example of how the Wii MotionPlus can make a game deeply immersive. The combat feels more tactile and involving because you are not just pressing buttons.
Red Steel 2
This game blends sword fighting and shooting in a really cool way.
Sword Combat: The precision of the Wii MotionPlus really matters when using the katana sword. You can slash, parry, and perform special moves with accurate motions.
Gunplay: While not as reliant on MotionPlus as the sword, the gun controls also benefit from the increased precision.
Red Steel 2 demonstrated that the Wii MotionPlus could be used to create a fast-paced and thrilling experience.
Grand Slam Tennis
This sports title brings tennis to life with the help of the Wii MotionPlus.
Precise Shots: You need to swing the controller with the correct motion and speed to return the ball effectively.
Realistic Control: The game tries to imitate actual tennis strokes.
Grand Slam Tennis highlights how the Wii MotionPlus improved the sports genre on the Wii.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour series
Most entries in the series require Wii MotionPlus to work properly.
Golf Swings: The game accurately captures the subtle movements of your golf swing, giving you better control over the power and accuracy of your shots.
Other Games
There are a few other games that use Wii MotionPlus to enhance the gaming experience. Some examples include:
FlingSmash: This action-platformer requires precision movement of the remote.
MotionPlus Packaged Games: Some bundles of the MotionPlus came with mini games to show off its capabilities.
Games That Support Wii Motion Plus but Aren’t Required
It’s important to note that not all games that use Wii MotionPlus need it to work. Some games were designed to be played with either the standard Wii Remote or with the MotionPlus accessory. These games usually incorporate the MotionPlus to add a layer of improved control, but don’t completely rely on it. Here are some examples:
The Conduit
Optional Aiming: This game offers smoother aiming and finer precision with the MotionPlus but is still playable with the standard controller. The motion controls feel better and make the game more enjoyable, but the game doesn’t require the accessory.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Improved Controls: This is one of the best examples of a game that benefited from the Wii MotionPlus, but did not require it. The game uses the nunchuk for movement and the Wii Remote for aiming. The game allows for optional use of the Wii MotionPlus accessory to improve aiming accuracy.
Call of Duty series (various titles)
Optional Aiming Precision: Call of Duty titles on the Wii provide an opportunity to use Wii Motion Plus for more precise aiming but are still enjoyable without it. The extra sensitivity of the add-on helps give players a leg up on opponents.
Identifying Games That Need Wii Motion Plus
How do you know for sure if a game requires the Wii MotionPlus? Here’s a breakdown:
Packaging: The game box or manual often contains a symbol or text indicating that the game needs a Wii MotionPlus accessory. Look for the “Wii MotionPlus Required” logo.
Game Start Screen: Sometimes the game will display a message during the start-up screens requiring the accessory.
Game Controls: If the game focuses on very fine motion controls (like sword fighting or tennis), the chances are high that it needs the Wii MotionPlus.
Online Research: If you are unsure, you can always search online for the specific game.
Why Some Players Might Not Use Wii Motion Plus
Even though it improves gaming in several ways, some players might choose not to use the Wii MotionPlus. Here are a couple of reasons:
Cost: The accessory costs extra money. Players who don’t want to spend more on peripherals could skip the add-on.
Adaptation: Some players have to get used to the added precision. Newcomers or those used to regular Wii controls may have a learning curve.
What Happens If You Try To Play a Required Game Without Wii Motion Plus?
If you try to play a game that requires Wii MotionPlus without the accessory, it usually won’t let you start the game at all. Some games will start up but tell you to connect the accessory before you can proceed. In other cases, the game might start, but the controls won’t function correctly. You’ll probably find that your movements are not accurately translated in the game and that the gameplay isn’t fun.
The Importance of Wii Motion Plus
Wii MotionPlus was a step forward in motion control technology. It showed that motion controls could be precise and could really improve gameplay. It provided a more immersive experience in various games and it showed what was possible when the hardware was built for the gameplay.
Wii Motion Plus and the Future of Gaming
While the Wii might not be the newest system today, the Wii MotionPlus had an important impact on the gaming world. It demonstrated to developers what was possible with accurate motion tracking, which inspired them to work toward more intuitive controllers.
The improvements to motion controls from Wii MotionPlus led to further development of the technology. Game developers took advantage of the improvements for future gaming systems. Even today, motion controls in consoles, like the Nintendo Switch, owe a lot to the experiments and successes of Wii MotionPlus.
How to Set Up and Use Your Wii Motion Plus
So, you are ready to experience your favorite games with the Wii MotionPlus. How do you get started? Here are the steps:
1. Get the Accessory: Make sure you have the Wii MotionPlus attachment. Some newer Wii Remotes came with the accessory built-in.
2. Attach It: Connect it to the bottom of your Wii Remote. Align the connector on the accessory with the port on the bottom of the remote, and gently press it into place.
3. Sync the Controllers: Turn on your Wii console and sync the controller.
4. Start Playing: The game that uses the accessory should immediately recognize the upgrade.
Using the Wii MotionPlus is simple but makes a big difference.
The Wii MotionPlus represents an important step in video gaming and demonstrates the potential of accurately tracking motion. Games like Wii Sports Resort and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword wouldn’t be what they are today without it. If you want to fully enjoy these titles, make sure you grab the required accessory and get ready to play in a new way.
Wii MotionPlus
Final Thoughts
Many great games need Wii MotionPlus. These include titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Wii Sports Resort. The enhanced motion sensing offers precise control, which is a must for these experiences.
Therefore, knowing what games require wii motion plus helps you select and play correctly. Make sure you have the required accessory for a complete experience.
