Games Summary

Below is a summary of games that have already been used within therapy sessions and a few details regarding their benefits.  For more information about the individual games please click the pictures.

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	Wii Sports	Predmominantly Upper Limb exercise which can be performed in sitting or standing and either for purely upper limb exercise or to work on dynamic balance in chosen posture.  Boxing provides an opportunity to exercise the cardiovascular system whereas golf and bowling offer work on dexterity, sensitive control of the remotes with tennis and baseball relying heavily on speed of movement and timing.  More Arms  :   Hand function :  General Fitness  Purchase from :
	Wii Sports Resort (With Motion Plus)	Wii Sports Resort offers 12 activities and games two of which are from Wii Sports - Bowling and Golf. Nine of the games use just the Remote with five games only requiring simple use of the buttons (A and/or B). It requires a little more control of the Wii Remote that Wii Sports with the games requiring more accurate control of movement. The new games and the variety of games offers great potential for sustained interest amongst those using the game. Like Wii Sports this game offers opportunities to exercise arm movements, co-ordination, dexterity and work on general fitness. More Arms  :   Hand function :  General Fitness  Purchase from :
	Wii Fit & Board	Wii Fit generally comes with the Fit Board - a controller with 4 pressure sensors that when the user stands or sits on it the board detects changes in weight transference. Predominantly lower limb and balance exercise.  The 'game' is geared towards users accessing exercises, stretches, balance games and aerobic activities to improve their fitness, lower BMI and weight and records progress.  The game has some very useful balance games (Soccer Heading, ski slalom, table tilt), some insightful balance tests, the opportunity to 'see' where centre of gravity is through visual feedback plus much more.  More Arms  :  Legs  :  Balance  :  General Fitness  Purchase from :
	Wii Fit Plus	Wii Fit Plus Wii Fit Plus is the sequel to Wii Fit. You can purchase it with or without the balance board. It contains all of the games, exercises and stretches that Wii Fit offers, plus more. This new software has evolved a little, adding in more tips, short cuts, the ability to change Mii without logging out, new balance tests, new yoga poses, new strength exercises and last but my no means least, a new category of exercise - My Fitness Plus. Within this new option, My Fitness Plus combines the balance exercises familiar from Wii Fit, with upper limb activity, making the exercises focus intensely on co-ordination as well as the balance aspect.   More Arms  :  Legs  :  Balance  :  General Fitness  Purchase from :
	Mountain Sports	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. More Arms  :  Legs  :  Balance  Fitness  Purchase from :
	Kororinpa - Marble Mania	Kororinpa is a simple game requiring the player to control the movement of a ball or marble around a course.  This is done through movements of the WiiMote alone.  This can be a two player game, the second player uses the Nunchuk - avoiding the need for a second WiiMote. There 50 courses to navigate around, each getting progressively harder.  On each level you must collect the red crystals in order for it to be complete.  Collect the green crystals to unlock secret levels.  More Arms  :   Hand function  Purchase from :
	Sports Island	A great alternative to Wii Sports with a selection of 10 different sports.  Similarly to Wii Sports the mini games all require upper limb movement, with some games requiring good level of fine control to use both controllers.  The more basic games (badminton, Snowboard cross, volleyball) require only gross control of upper limb movements.  More Arms  :   Hand function :  General Fitness  Purchase from :
	EA Sports Active	Ea Sports Active is a fitness game that promotes a variety of activities including stretching, muscle work outs and active exercise. The game comes with a leg strap and resistance band that are used with a variety of the activities - the leg strap to hold the Nunchuk and the resistance band to increase the work of some exercises. The game follows workouts depending upon individual choice and gives reports of calories burnt along with questionnaires, advice and diaries regarding nutrition and fitness. Detailed review coming soon Arms : Hand function : General Fitness : Balance Purchase from :
	Samba de Amigo	Samba de Amigo is a fun game based on a little bit of rhythm and music where by the player(s) shake the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in time with the music and following the directional instructions on screen. Its easy to score points and its a great way of getting the arms working and the heart beating, offering a good opportunity to work on fitness aswell. Great selection of music and great fun. Players require reasonable control of both arms and need to be able to hold the controllers. Detailed review coming soon Arms  :  General Fitness  Purchase from :
	Endless Ocean	Endless Ocean is a deep sea exploration game that allows the user to dive into the deep waters and swim around, viewing creatures, landmarks and becoming familiar with the ocean. It predominatly a story based game whereby you are given tasks to complete such as recording all of the fish that you see in your log book. Its a very relaxing game that requires the use of one remote and reasonable dexterity (pressing the A button and B button in combination with movements. The Wifi aspect allows you to meet up with friends online and dive with them, exploring the seas together.   More Hand function   Purchase from :
	Lets Tap	Lets Tap is a simple game where by the WiiMote is placed on a box. The player(s) then tap the box in rhythm which relates to the speed of their charactor on screen. The tapping can be performed by hands or feet making it accessible by many who may have limited hand function. The game offers different modes in which to use the rhythm tapping to control the charactors and requires the player to concentrate to the control of their rhythm and subsequently fine motor control in order to succeed.   More Hand function   Purchase from :
	Carnival	Carnival is a collection of fair ground games that most people will be familiar with, using the WiiMote intuitively to play the games.  The majority of the mini games (of which there are 25) require a mixture of actions including throwing, rolling, shaking and pointing.  The games only require the one controller and are very simple to use making it a great game to play whilst working on dexterity and fine or accurate control of upper limb movement.  More Arms  :  Hand function :  General Fitness  Purchase from :
	Cooking Mama	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.  More Arms  :  Hand function Purchase from :
	Smooth Moves - WarioWare	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. More Arms  :   Hand function   Purchase from :
	Big Brain Academy	Big Brain Academy is a puzzle and logic game that tests your memory, maths and observation amongst other things. Its a great game to keep your mind active or to work on fine control and dexerity of the hand. The games physical requirements are to have the ability to point and press the A button and reasonable reaction speeds (the quicker you answer, the more points you get). more Reaction Speed : Hand function : Cognition Purchase from :
	SSX Blur	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.  More   Arms  :  Hand function Purchase from :
	Family Ski	Family Ski is the first of two snow sport games by Namco.  This first version of the skiing game offers the chance to explore balance and control of increased weight bearing to left and right during standing. 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.  More Arms  :  Legs  :  Balance  : Hand function :  General Fitness  Purchase from :
	Rayman Raving Rabbids	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.  More Arms  :  Hand function :  General Fitness     Purchase from :
	Sonic & Mario Olympic Games	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).  More Arms  :  Hand function :  General Fitness     Purchase from :
	We Ski & Snowboard	This game is very similar to the first We Family Ski, mentioned earlier.  The main difference is that the game has been improved slightly regarding the quality of the controls and graphics.  We Ski & Snowboard have several more options involved - Skis or Snowboard (fit board is rotated by 90 degrees) and Off Piste or Resort ski-ing.  The long ski routes and opportunity to ski/board where you want, the game offers a very flexible way of using the Wii to give visual feedback whilst exploring balance and control of movement.  More Arms  :  Legs  :  Balance  : Hand function :  General Fitness  Purchase from :
	Internet Channel	Once paid (NOW FREE) for and activated, through the shopping channel, the internet channel is visible in the Wii Menu.  Searching for Wii Flash Games through Google on the Wii will display several websites from which free games are accessible.  There are many games on the internet that require control of the WiiMote combined with pressing buttons and can offer some simple alternatives to official games.  Hand function
	Photo Channel	Use the doodle option or the puzzle option to help develop control of the WiiMote with hand and upper arm. The Photo Channel is free on the Wii Menu - upload photos from a Secure Digital card placed in the slot at the front of the console. Only uses WiiMote and A button to select.  Hand function
	Wii Music	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.  More Arms  :  Legs  :  Hand function :  General Fitness  Purchase from :
	Links Crossbow Training	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.  Arms  :  Hand function
	Blazing Angels - Squadrons of WWII	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 has not been used in therapy. Arms  :  Hand function
	Shaun White Snowbaording - Road Trip	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. More Arms  :  Legs  :  Balance  : Hand function    Purchase from :
	Trauma Centre -Second Opinion	Trauma Centre - Second Opinion is a medically orientated game following a storyline.  The game requires complex use of WiiMote and Nunchuk.  Initial levels of the game are easier, but as the game progresses the skills learned in the early levels are needed, with the skills being combinations of movements, sequences and use of buttons.  Whilst therapists themselves might enjoy this game it hasn't been succesfully used with in sessions with patients. Arms  :  Hand function

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