Wii Play: Motion

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Wii Play Motion is the sequel to Wii Play.  Wii Play was initially released as an introduction to the controls for the (then) newly released Nintendo Wii.  With the release of the MotionPlus add-on a few years ago its no wonder that Nintendo released another game that demonstrates and teaches the capabilities of the MotionPlus controller.

The game itself is a collection of 12 mini games and is generally sold bundled with a new Wii MotionPlus controller (the game is available individually - see below).  Up to 4 people can play the games at once, although you'll need extra controllers for some.  A couple of titles are familiar from Wii Play - the Pose Mii Plus and the Teeter Targets and more complex versions of

Cone Zone - This game requires the player to hold the controller so that it points in the air, as if it were an ice cream cone.  The game starts when a scoop of ice cream is place into your cone, initially slowly then increasing in speed.  As the scoops get added you have to control the balance of the cone by moving the WiiMote forwards, backwards and to either side.  As the tower of scoops increases so does the sway of the cone and scoops combined.

Veggie Guardin' - Remember 'Whac-a-mole'?  This game works on a similar idea.  The player uses the WiiMote to hit moles as they try to steal fruit from the baskets at the bottom of the screen.  The MotionPlus comes into its own here requiring precision of the 'hit' in order to 'whac' the moles who, initially, try to steal from three baskets but in later stages increase to five baskets.  This game requires reaction speed and the ability to point the WiiMote in the direction of the mole.

Skip Skimmer - A clever and simple game that is made more interesting than it might have been.  The game requires the player to choose a stone to skim across a lake, then perform a 'stone skimming' action to release the stone.  The player has to hold the B button down whilst holding the controller as horizontal through the skimming action.  Speed of the skimming action is also taken into account and affects the final skim.  Once released, the player watches the stone skim across the lake, counting the bounces.  After the skim there is an option to see an analysis of the skim which offers some good feedback and clues as to how to improve.  This element could also be used as an outcome measure if used in therapy.

Trigger Twist - Similar to Shooting Range in Wii Play, this is a slightly more advanced point and shoot target game.  The MotionPlus allows the targets sometimes be 'off screen' requiring the player to point the WiiMote to the left or right to scroll the screen around (indications are given on screen to prompt the player to do this).  This modification of the game takes it from being fairly static, as it was in Wii Play, to being dynamic with a 360 degree stage.
This feature does make it more difficult and a little confusing to start with but the game can be played without  pointing the WiiMote left/right to scroll the screen - you just won't score the higher points.

Pose Wii Plus - A surprising return of the Pose Mii game in Wii Play.  It wasn't hugely successful as a game previously and whilst this upgrade still requires good pronation and supination as the player rotates the WiiMote, it just isn't very interesting and lacks the ability to motivate the player to have another go.

Jump Park - This is a 2-dimensional platform game and doesn't really hold much potential to be used constructively within therapy.

Teeter Targets - This game could be considered to be a combination of 'Breakout' and 'Pinball'.  The WiiMote is held in a horizontal position and tilted from side to side in order to keep the ball in play and hit all the required points.
This game is quite difficult but would be suitable for use either to encourage bilateral hand co-ordination or dexterity and fine control.

Spooky Search - This is one of the better games on Wii Play Motion.  As a ghost hunter you use your WiiMote as a ghost catching device.  The ghosts are all around you and to catch them you must point your WiiMote in their direction.  When you are pointing the WiiMote in a ghosts direction the WiiMote makes a beeping sound.  By pressing the B button you catch the ghost, then guide your caught ghost (holding the B button) to the ghost trap.  The game also requires the player to flick the WiiMote to encourage the ghosts into the trap and they don't always go in first time!  There's a time limit on the game but its long enough for anyone to get the hang of the controls and enjoy trying to track down the ghosts.

Wind Runner - The Mii character in Win Runner is wearing roller skates on a windy day whilst carrying a brolly.  The player controls the direction of the crazed roller skate wearing Mii by the angle at which the brolly is being held with the WiiMote being the umbrellas hand grip.  Its a fast paced game that requires good reaction speed and an understanding of how the wind will fill the umbrella, if given the chance.  Pointing the WiiMote left and right (at whatever angle is needed for the wind to catch the umbrella) will steer the Mii to the respective direction.  Whilst its reasonably good fun there are other games in this collection that require better control of motor function and dexterity.

Treasure Twirl - In this game the WiiMote becomes a line with a diver on the end of it.  Holding the WiiMote horizontally the player has to roll/twist it away or towards you to let the diver and line down or to pull it up.  Tilting the controller to the left or right steers the line down to the treasure at the bottom of the sea, avoiding fish, rocks and other obstacles that may be in the way. The tilting/steering can be done without the twisting of the WiiMote, although the game is against the clock or more specifically against how much oxygen you have to perform the dive.
This is a good game for getting both hands working together and promoting dexterity and grip combined.

Flutter Fly - For this game the WiiMote becomes a leaf that you have to use as a fan to guide the Mii and balloons through the hoops along the course.  As you turn the WiiMote the leaf also turns correspondingly, allowing the player to control the direction of the fanning and therefore direction of the Mii and balloons.
This game is quite difficult, but for someone who is working to improve their grip strength combined with wrist flexion and extension it may have its place within therapy.  A great deal of perception is required to know where and how hard to fan the balloons in order to direct them successfully through the course.

Star Shuttle - Possibly the most difficult game in this collection and potentially the most boring.  The player controls a shuttle as it docks into the mother ship.  The weightlessness of space means that any slight movement will deviate the course of the ship which then needs to be counteracted by additional control movements.  It requires patience and fine motor control coupled with an understanding or appreciation of the quality and direction of the movement created by the player/WiiMote.

The following is a 3d party youtube review that will demonstrate the games. (10mins long)




Summary of potential usefulness of games within therapy:
Good:
Veggie Guardin' - reaction speed, grip, co-ordination, perception of direction, upper limb
Skip Skimmer - upper limb, grip, control
Cone Zone - bilateral hand control, steadiness, perception of required movement

Spooky Search - upper limb, co-ordination using audible and haptic feedback
Treasure Twirl - bilateral hand control and co-ordination, grip, fine control
Pose Wii Plus - pro/supination, reaction to prompts on screen
Trigger Twist - grip, fine motor control, dexterity, reaction speed
Teeter Targets - bilateral hand control, dexterity, reaction speed, planning of movement   


Questionable:
Flutter Fly
Wind Runner
Star Shuttle
Jump Park





The following games could be played using external WiiMote buttons.
Skip Skimmer
Spooky Search
Trigger Twist


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Marbles! Balance Challenge / Kororinpa : Marble Mania

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Marbles! Balance challenge is the sequel to Kororinpa (also called Marble Sarga in some regions).  The principles of the game are the same - roll a marble around a puzzle platform using controlled and precise movements with either the Wii Remote or (new for the sequel) the Wii Balance Board.

The ability to use the Wii Blanace Board for game play is an excellent feature when considering rehab.  The original Kororinpa game was excellent for fine control, dexterity, perception and reaction speeds.  The sequel, with its choice to use the balance board now offers balance in both standing and sitting with valuable real time visual feedback based on the movements created by the player.  This game play offers balance awareness and motivation to correct movement intuitively in order to play the game, with the levels all being unlocked at the start and progressively getting harder through the numerous levels.

The Wii Remote controlled levels are different to the Balance Board levels - requiring more specific and sensitive skills that would be nearly impossible to control in standing.  There are two main categories - easy and normal to choose from offering plenty of variety and opportunities to progress as co-ordination and dexterity skills improve.

Unlike other games of this nature the visuals are clear and uncomplicated without the risk of confusing orientations and unhelpful points of view.  The simplicity of this game is one of the features that makes it therapy friendly.

The game is easy to navigate but when in the Wii Remote game play the puzzles are based on an unlocking system whereby the more you play the more levels are unlocked meaning play is limited initially.  As a solution to this it is possible to download the Save Data file here.  For more information about how to use save data files click here.

The game can therefore be played in a sitting position or can be made more difficult by using a Real Balance Board adaptation.  More information about working on different levels of balance can be found here.


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Wii Party

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Wii Party is a family orientated game with numerous approaches to game play.  The board games and family activities that the game suggests need upwards of 15 minutes to play are not therapeutically friendly and probably do not have much place in a rehab session.

By navigating through the menus it is possible to play each of the mini games in isolation of any others - meaning that individual games can be chosen and played on their own.

To find the mini games follow:

Menu Screen :  Mini games (bottom right/yellow box) : freeplay : (choose category of the mini game you want to play) : Game (choose the game from the selection)

These games are all unlocked so do not need endless play in order to unlock them.  A full list of the mini games, controls and value during therapy sessions can be found by following this link

Some elements of this game can be played using adaptations, especially the use of a controller with external buttons for those who do not have the control to hold and press the Wii Remote buttons.
Other adaptations could be the use a wrist strap to support the controller on the back of the wrist or ankle to create the movement needed for some of the games. Alternatively the controller could be used with this Fit Board adaptation for the games to work on balance.

This game is similar to Wii Play but with much more too it. There are some basic 'pointing' games that allow for development of upper limb/hand control without the complication of using buttons.

As with most games there are some very useful and therapy friendly elements to Wii Party. The numerous minigames offer a spectrum of short activities that have the potential to help patients regain some co-ordination, reaction speed, dexterity and general upper limb skills.

Never the less Wii Party offers some basic and fun games that can successfully be used and incorporated within a therapy session.

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With a Wii Remote          


or Without Wii Remote    

FisioGames - Games for Health

FisioGames - Games for Health



Here is a weblink for some software that uses the WiiMote but through a PC/Laptop. It could be an answer to providing objective measures of treatments that the Nintendo Wii Console and games do not.

Leave a comment and let others know what you think of this software if you have used it.

Petz Sports - Dog playground

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Petz Sports - Dog playground is a simple and basic game where by the player has a pet dog that they can teach tricks to, pet, enter into races and play sports with as well as choose what attire the dog is dressed in.

The controls simply and only use the WiiMote along with its A & B buttons, at times both together but much of the game can be played with just the use of the A button.

There are some nice mini games incorporated in the game, including teaching the dog tricks which is a shape trace game and dog races, requiring co-ordinated combinations of movement and button pressing. Other mini games such as 'petting' 'closet' are less likely to hold any interest within therapy sessions, but might be light relief for younger players.

The game on the whole is easy to use and has multi player included.


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Mountain Sports

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Mountain Sports is a collection of Winter sport games that utilises both the WiiMote and or the Balance board. It has good elements to it with regards to the use of the balance board in a sitting posture for tubing, sledging and bobsleigh. Skiing and Snowboarding use the balance board in a standing position with biathalon and curling best controlled with the WiiMote. The control of the games are sluggish at times which can serve as an advantage and disadvantage making the game more accessible to those with limited movements, without making it too hard. The games controlled by the WiiMote alone can be difficult due to the buttons needed for control.

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SSX Blur

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SSX Blur is a snowboarding simulation game that requires the use of both WiiMote and Nunchuk.  Controls are intuitive and rely on fine movements and dexterity.  Turning/steering is achieved by pro and supination of the wrists, buttons are required for movements and the Nunchuk joystick is used as further method of control.

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Rayman Raving Rabbids 2

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Rayman Raving Rabbids is the second Rayman game released for the Wii.  The game is made up of a broad selection of mini games, the majority of which are already unlocked (you don't have to play the game to get access to them).  The games are short, quirky and fun, mostly requiring simple movements.  The mini games require a mixture of WiiMote and Nunchuk therefore offering the potential to develop a variety of hand function skills at differing levels.  This game is excellent as a distraction during sessions due to simplicity of many of the games and movements required.

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Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

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Sonic and Mario Olympic Games is a collection of mini games relating to olympic sports.  Most games can be accessed by just using the WiiMote but they can also be played using the Nunchuk as well.  Most of the games require simple movements but can be considered complex with regards to the use of buttons.  Without the use of buttons the character does nor perform as well and therefore it is very difficult to anywhere other than last in the games.  For those with the cognitive ability to remember controls, coupled with dexterity to press buttons then this game offers the opportunity to work on cardiovascular fitness, sequencing and general control of upper limb(s).

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Links Crossbow

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Links Crossbow is a shooting game relying on aim and co-ordination.  The game does use both the WiiMote and Nunchuk, with the Nunchuk joystick being used to control the direction of the player.  It has a progressive level aspect as well as practice modes making it easy to dip into and find an appropriate level to work at.  Games and tasks can easily be repeated to help with learning and familarity, allowing time to be spent on the development up upper limb control.  This game has been used within therapy sessions, although not regularly.

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Blazing Angels

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Blazing Angels is a flight simulator game that requires complex use of both WiiMote and Nunchuk.  The game is based on a storyline making it difficult to access different levels of the game to suit the user.  The games requires high levels of dexterity, quick reaction speeds and control of movements, along with a good ability to remember the button controls in order to play the game.  This game is rarely used in therapy.

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Shaun White Snowboarding

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Shaun White Snowboarding is a great game to work on both upper and lower limb movement. The game offers the choice between using the Balance board and Wii Remote or just the Wii Remote. The Use of the Wii Remote alone offers opportunities to work on dexterity and hand function, with the controls being to turn the remote in the direction required and press buttons (A and B) to achieve tricks. When using the Balance board it has to be turned through 90 degrees, so at a right angle to the TV. This requires the user to stand sideways (as if on a snowboard) to control the increase/decrease speed by leaning right and left, and left and right by leaning forwards and backwards. Shaun White is a very accessible game for those with just hand function and a great game to work on the higher end of balance when using the Balance board.

This game can be played with adaptations.

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Wii Music

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Wii Music allows the user to create tunes with a large selection of instruments.  The game uses the WiiMote, the WiiMote and Nunchuk and in drum mode the game uses the fit board.  It is a great game to work on upper limb movements, with the games interpreting the movements into music depending upon the instrument selected.  Mini games within the program include handbell game, conductor of an orchestra and a music quiz - all accessible to those with minimal movements.  The fit board, used in drum mode, requires the user to tap their foot/feet to create the effect of using a bass pedal and hithat control.  This is a popular game during therapy sessions.

This game can be played with adaptations.

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Family Ski and We Ski & Snowboard

 

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Family Ski is the first of two snow sport games by Namco.  This first version of the skiing game called Family Ski, offers the chance to explore balance and control of increased weight bearing to left and right during standing.
The second version of the same game - We Ski & Snowboard includes a snowboarding option and off piste skiing with much less restriction as to where you can ski/snowboard.

Both games have the same controls - The controls can be either - use of WiiMote and Nunchuk or use of Fit Board, WiiMote and Nunchuk.  To use the game effectively within therapy sessions the upper limb controls are best carried out by someone other than the person working on their balance - whilst this may sound complex it is quite easy to achieve as the controls generally only needed to get the skier moving. The snowboarding requires the balance board to be rotated through 90 degrees and can make balance difficult for those needing to concentrate.

The ski-ing elements of both of these games can be played in a sitting posture.

More info - We Ski & Snowboard
More info - Family Ski

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WarioWare Smooth Moves

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Smooth Moves is a large collection of short mini games that are based around 12 'forms'. The game refers to forms as the way in which the WiiRemote is held.This is a good game with lots of easy, but quick, mini games. The game bases itself on demonstrating and allowing the user to practice the different ways to hold the Wii Remote. The key is to find appropriate games for individual needs within therapy. It is possible to pick and choose which game you play but good knowledge of the game and its mini games is required.

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Cooking Mama

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Cooking Mama is best described as a cooking simulator.  The game is to follow receipe instructions to make dishes from around the world.  The receipes include the preparation and cooking of food with some aspects of presentation. 
It is a fun game that only requires the WiiMote as control.  Buttons are needed at times along with a steady hand to point the controller at the screen.  Many of the movements require reasonable accuracy, fine motor control and dexterity, although there are aspects of the game (accessible through the practice mode) that can be played by those with less control and accuracy as the movements are repeatative and non specific in nature.

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