In 2008, Nintendo introduced a new line of Nintendo Wii titles called New Play Control. These types of games are ports of Nintendo Gamecube titles with enhance features like motion controls and widescreen support.
Unfortunately, only a handful of New Play Control titles were released, leaving fans of the Wii wanting something more. We take a look at four games that could have benefited greatly from a New Play Control makeover.
1080 Avalanche
Publisher: Nintendo, Developer: Nintendo, Original Release Date: December 1, 2003, ESRB: E
New Play Control isn’t limited to the Wii Remote and Nunchuck. The Wii Balance Board is a perfect fit for the snowboarding racing title, 1080 Avalanche. This frantic racing game in going to test your snowboarding skills with modes where you need to perform tricks in addition to riding out avalanches. With progressive scan and four-player support, 1080 Avalanche could have been one of the most features-packed New Play Control titles.
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
Publisher: Nintendo, Developer: Silicon Knights, Original Release Date: June 23, 2002, ESRB: M
Nintendo has been long criticized for their family-friendly image. They could have really broken that mold by porting Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem to the Nintendo Wii under the New Play Control label. The motion controls could work well with the game’s combat and puzzles. Not to mention it could lead to some inventive use of the infamous sanity effects in Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem.
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
Publisher: Nintendo, Developer: Camelot Software Planning, Original Release Date: July 29, 2003, ESRB: E
The golf mini-game in Wii Sports showed off the potential of using motion controls in a golf title for the Nintendo Wii. Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour would have been the perfect choice to incorporate the motion controls of the Wii Remote. With multiple courses, each with its own different themes and hazards, New Play Control: Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour would immediately become the best golf game on the Nintendo Wii.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Publisher: Nintendo, Developer: Nintendo, Original Release Date: March 24, 2003, ESRB: E
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, one of the best titles on the Nintendo Wii, uses the motion control in a simple yet effective way. Nintendo also fully implemented motion controls with The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, the predecessor to those games, should therefore make a great candidate for New Play Control. In addition to melee attacks and projectile aiming, you could also use the Wii Remote as a conductor. Alas, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was remade for the Wii U without any motion support whatsoever.
