September 26, 2008

New Wii User: Recommend a soccer title?: As stated on the label. For the first time, a store had a Wii in stock so the Mrs. and I brought her home. Never had a game console before so I have no experience with the titles out there and wonder if I should throw down on Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 or FIFA Soccer 2008. Please note that I'm not terribly coordinated or graceful before offering advice.

posted by billsaysthis to navel gazing at 10:56 AM - 26 comments

I can't help you with soccer for the Wii, but let me know if you ever develop an interest in baseball.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 12:10 PM on September 26, 2008

Congratulations on the new addition. We haven't done soccer yet either. Dr. J which baseball do you recommend?

posted by Monica Poland at 01:37 PM on September 26, 2008

I bought MLB Power Pros in June, and I've played it pretty much every day since. It's like they took Wii Sports baseball and made it into real baseball. The gameplay is pretty solid, and it has several different ways to play: you can play a season as a manager, a GM, or you can swing at every single pitch. There's also a career mode in which you're a college freshman trying to make it to the bigs; it plays a little like a Japanese soap opera, but it's still pretty fun.

So if you don't mind strangely-coloured Japanese-style menus, and you like your MLB players round and cartoony, it's a great game of ball.

(Sorry for the derail, bill!)

posted by DrJohnEvans at 04:44 PM on September 26, 2008

i have consulted my 13 year old in-house Wii and video games expert, who suggested that, as this is your first game console, you might start with FIFA 08. He thinks PES is better, but really only for more advanced users.

By the way, he and his sister both beat me at FIFA when they were about 7 years old. Even when I was playing as Brazil and they played as AZ Alkmaar.

I've since gone back to reading books.

posted by owlhouse at 05:23 PM on September 26, 2008

Deca Sports has a fun soccer mini-game. Plus, it has curling too!

posted by BoKnows at 07:48 PM on September 26, 2008

If you like supercharged unrealistic soccer, Mario Strikes is awesome fun.

posted by apoch at 08:43 PM on September 26, 2008

Thanks Dr. J (and Bill I'm sorry about the derail)

posted by Monica Poland at 09:41 PM on September 26, 2008

OK, help me out. I get that the Wii has tha super neat game control function, but how does that controller translate into soccer? I mean, do you strap the dealie to yer foot? Or do you get two of 'em and strap 'em both to yer feet?

what the...howza...whatinthe?

posted by THX-1138 at 12:25 AM on September 27, 2008

On Deca Sports, THX, you hold the Wiimote in your hand as normal. And you use a combination of buttons (to determine a pass or shot) and a motion (to direct the pass or shot). In your other hand you would hold the nunchuck, that controls the player movement. If the other team has the ball, the motion control would allow you to tackle or steal the ball. I haven't tried the other games mentioned but I think they would be similar in control.

posted by BoKnows at 01:22 AM on September 27, 2008

Well that's just crazy talk. Playin' futbol with yer hands.

I propose the Wii boot. Wear 'em on yer feet and kick like a pro. Kickoffs in football, goals in futbol. PAT's and FG's on the gridiron, amazing passes & free kicks on the pitch.

And you could do wicked flying drop kicks on DOA just before you put the moves on the busty pixelated mamas.

(I don't get it, do I?)

posted by THX-1138 at 02:13 AM on September 27, 2008

You're 2 years late, THX.

gonintendo.com

Although I'd like to hear more about the busty pixelated mamas.

posted by BoKnows at 02:44 AM on September 27, 2008

I wonder what kind of a Wiimote I would need for DOA Extreme Beach Volleyball?

posted by THX-1138 at 03:09 AM on September 27, 2008

The only sports related game I own is Tiger Woods 08, which is indeed quite good. The Wiimote design actually makes sense for golf.

If you ever need much else gaming-related, that's an area of expertise of mine. I just don't do sports games much.

posted by boredom_08 at 04:09 AM on September 27, 2008

Mario Strikers Charged is an excellent party game - insane fun in small bites, but not really a "proper" football game.

Go for PES - the latest release was disappointing on just about all of the conventional platforms, but they totally revamped it for the Wii to take advantage of the control system and it... works.

The way you build plays is very satsifying and the way the career game works, building up in difficulty over time is just right.

Enjoy!

posted by Mr Bismarck at 09:11 AM on September 27, 2008

Err, sorry. To clarify; PES is "Pro Evolution Soccer." It might be called "Winning Eleven" in the colonies.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 09:13 AM on September 27, 2008

Good thing I asked, since the darn thing is defective and I can either mail it away for service or return it _if_ the store has a unit in stock for exchange. Such a wonderful out of box experience. Grumble grumble.

posted by billsaysthis at 08:32 PM on September 27, 2008

I can't remember the last time that I played a soccer game, but I thought that this would be as good a place as any for the following PSA:

I strongly urge anybody who is thinking about getting NHL09, don't do it! It's as addicting as they say.

posted by MrFrisby at 09:20 PM on September 27, 2008

Awesome Fris, until now, they only hockey game I found in the Wii inventory was the Kidz Hockey. It just looked too cartoon-y for my video hockey jones.

posted by BoKnows at 10:22 PM on September 27, 2008

NHL09 isn't on the Wii, sadly.

EggsBox and PS3 for now, with PS2 and PC next month.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 11:46 PM on September 27, 2008

Well, why did you go and bring that up in a Wii discussion on SportsFilter then? That would be more suited for an Xbox360/PS3 SportsFilter discussion. Thanks a lot. Back to Kidz Hockey I will go.

posted by BoKnows at 11:54 PM on September 27, 2008

Sorry, I don't have a Wii. The only next(current?)gen system that I have is PS3. I brought it up here because it was a thread about a sports video game. The kind of thread that I think we could use more of. But like I said, it was a Public Service Announcement. NHL09 will make you do things like leave work exactly at 4:30 pm even though you know that you should stay an extra couple of hours to finish a project. Or just say "F#$& it" and quit working on fixing the roof even though there's a 30% chance of rain tomorrow. Or dis all of your Burnout Paradise friends because you need 12 more hits to meet your quota in Be-A-Pro mode.

posted by MrFrisby at 02:39 AM on September 28, 2008

"Well, why did you go and bring that up in a Wii discussion on SportsFilter then?"

That was MrFrisby, not Mr Bismarck. We look alike.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 12:59 PM on September 28, 2008

Yikes, you're right. My bad Mr Bis, you were merely trying to let me down easy and I overreacted at you. It's still some Mr's fault though.

posted by BoKnows at 02:02 PM on September 28, 2008

bill, I've been renting Wii games at the local GameCrazy (Hollywood Video) before I plunk any down. Waiting to try FIFA 08 (09?) but still trying to work with the boy to get all fricking 160 power bricks on Lego Star Wars!

Will try any suggestions on Wii soccer games. Staying away from Mario Strikes coz it does look crazy unrealistic. All the games are unrealistic, but that one's crazy unrealistic.

Also, will immediately plunk down money for any Wii soccer games that come with WiiBoots.

posted by worldcup2002 at 12:41 AM on September 29, 2008

WiiFit has a soccer themed balance game where you have to head balls. Probably not worth the $90 just for that one experience though.

posted by apoch at 10:47 AM on September 29, 2008

I know. Getting hit in the head with flying panda heads and football boots ain't no picnic either.

posted by worldcup2002 at 11:19 AM on September 30, 2008

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