Wii Chess is a chess video game for the Wii console. It was developed by Nintendo and Lancarse[1] and was released on January 18, 2008, in Europe as a budget-priced retail title.[2][3] Under the name Tsūshin Taikyoku: World Chess (Japanese: 通信対局 ワールドチェス, Hepburn: Tsūshin Taikyoku: Wārudochesu, transl. [Tele]communication Game: World Chess), it was released as a downloadable WiiWare title in Japan on September 30, 2008.[4] The game was never released in North America or Australia, making it the only game in the Wii series that was not released in those continents. It is also the only game in the series that does not have playable Mii characters.

Wii Chess
European box art
Developer(s)Nintendo SPD, Lancarse
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Makoto Yoshida
Azusa Tajima
Kazuki Yoshihara
Producer(s)Hitoshi Yamagami
Composer(s)Kenichiro Iwasaki
SeriesWii
Platform(s)Wii
ReleaseWii
  • EU: January 18, 2008
WiiWare
  • JP: September 30, 2008
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer, Online

Wii Chess uses the Loop Express chess engine.[5]

Gameplay

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Two players in the middle of a match

The game is played using the Wii Remote. 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 could 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.[6]

Reception

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK 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.[8] 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.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Our Works". LANCARSE Ltd. (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  2. ^ "Euro Wii/DS release dates yet again". GoNintendo. 2007-08-22. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  3. ^ "News: Nintendo gives out massive '08 schedule – ComputerAndVideoGames.com". Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
  4. ^ "Wii Chess Comes to WiiWare in Japan". 24 September 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-09-24.
  5. ^ "Wii News: Wii Chess Screens - Official Nintendo Magazine". Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  6. ^ "Nintendo.jp World Chess Wi-Fi overview". Archived from the original on 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  7. ^ a b "Wii Chess Review". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  8. ^ a b "Wii Review: Wii Chess – Official Nintendo Magazine". Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  9. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (28 January 2008). "Wii Chess Review". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  10. ^ Dale, Alex (22 January 2008). "Wii Chess review". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
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