Wii Chess
Encyclopedia
Wii Chess is a chess
video game for the Wii
console. It was developed by Nintendo
and was released on January 18, 2008 in Europe
as a budget-priced retail title. Under the name , it was released as a downloadable WiiWare
title in Japan on September 30, 2008. No release in North America
or Australia
has been announced, making it the only game in the Wii series that was not released in these countries.
Wii Chess uses the Loop Express chess engine.
. However, instead of the pointer function, chess pieces are moved across the board using the D-pad on the controller.
The game features an option that gives players new to chess instructions on how each piece should move across the board. Players are also able to record and replay their games at a later time. Players can also play online against other players courtesy of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
, with Wii Chess players being able to compete against players of World Chess and vice-versa.
gave the game 78%. They praised the great online multiplayer and how the game plays a "perfect game". Their main criticisms were the bland visuals and the fact it will not capture the imaginations of people who do not like chess
. Eurogamer
gave the game 7/10, citing that it features a number of "sensible options", but notes that it misses features that would more than justify the price of the game.
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
video game for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
console. It was developed by Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
and was released on January 18, 2008 in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
as a budget-priced retail title. Under the name , it was released as a downloadable WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
title in Japan on September 30, 2008. No release in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
or Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
has been announced, making it the only game in the Wii series that was not released in these countries.
Wii Chess uses the Loop Express chess engine.
Gameplay
The game is played using the Wii RemoteWii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
. However, instead of the pointer function, chess pieces are moved across the board using the D-pad on the controller.
The game features an option that gives players new to chess instructions on how each piece should move across the board. Players are also able to record and replay their games at a later time. Players can also play online against other players courtesy of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
The is an online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo to provide free online play in compatible Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and Wii games. The service includes the company's Wii Shop Channel, DSi Shop, and Nintendo eShop game download services...
, with Wii Chess players being able to compete against players of World Chess and vice-versa.
Reception
Official Nintendo Magazine UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
gave the game 78%. They praised the great online multiplayer and how the game plays a "perfect game". Their main criticisms were the bland visuals and the fact it will not capture the imaginations of people who do not like chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
. Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
gave the game 7/10, citing that it features a number of "sensible options", but notes that it misses features that would more than justify the price of the game.