Just like Duck Hunt came packaged with NES and Super Mario Bros came with the SNES, the new Nintendo Wii revives the old tradition of packing a free game in with their new system. That's why, when people slide open their Wii boxes this weekend, a copy of Wii Sports will be nestled in with the rest of the neatly packed parts. Whether it serves as a big "thank you" note from Nintendo or extended tutorial on how to use the Wii remote, the game gives both superior athletes and non-jocks an easy way to show off their skills at boxing, bowling, tennis, baseball and golf.

Unlike Madden and other big-name sports games, Wii Sports doesn't require players to memorize a 50-page playbook or a season's worth of stats. The snack-sized games can, for the most part, be operated by holding the Wiimote and mimicking the action of swinging a 9 iron or Louisville slugger or -- by adding the Wii's Nunchuck attachment -- throw a left hook worthy of Lennox Lewis.

Wii Bowling
We like bowling because it gives us another reason to quote The Dude, and it offers maximum fun with the minimum effort. Up to four players can hit the lanes at a time, taking turns -- just like real bowling -- knocking down the pins. Players must hold down the 'B' trigger on the Wiimote, swing the controller back and then forward, releasing the trigger to send the ball down the lane. The "A" button can be used to change positions on the lanes and add a right for left hooks. It takes some time to get used to the whole hold 'B', swing, and release 'B' motion, but after a few frames it'll seem like second nature to those with at least average coordination. One small tick, players must make sure the swings stay in range of the Wii's sensor bar; otherwise it's gutterball city.

Wii Baseball
Wannabe sluggers get the chance to crack the bat in this baseball simulation. Single players will play against a computer-controlled team and two players will take turn pitching and batting to each other. Batters grip the Wii mote like a baseball bat and try their hand at swatting home runs. The Wii sensor picks up the swinging motion well -- and the lack of button mashing gives it a much more realistic feel. Our main gripe about this game is that the computer-controlled players seem to catch every fly ball -- without fail. There were times the ball clearly hit the ground before another player caught it, and the game still counted it as an 'out.' We call B.S. on that one, ref.

Wii Boxing
Snap the detachable Nunchuk to the Wii remote, hold one in each hand and hit the ring, delivering blows by making punching motions with each controller. Wii boxers can also block jabs by holding the controller in front of their faces or by holing the controllers at chest level to move from side-to-side. Though this game could deliver a sweat-inducing cardio work out, it's also the least fun of the bunch. At times the movements on screen don't seem to mimic the real-life movements, the controls seem confusing and the rounds go on for far too long.

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