We Ski
{{Short description|2008 skiing video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = We Ski
| image = We Ski Coverart.png
| developer = Namco Bandai Games
| publisher = Namco Bandai Games{{efn|Released under the Namco brand name in Japan and Europe{{cite web |last1=Greenhough |first1=Chris |title=Namco Bandai reads minds: Family Ski to use Balance Board |url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-11-15-namco-bandai-reads-minds-family-ski-to-use-balance-board.html |website=Engadget |publisher=Verizon Media |access-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208191147/https://www.engadget.com/2007-11-15-namco-bandai-reads-minds-family-ski-to-use-balance-board.html |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |date=November 15, 2007}}}}
| series = Sports WaiWai
| composer = Hiroshi Okubo
| genre = Skiing
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|January 31, 2008|NA|May 13, 2008|EU|June 13, 2008}}
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = Wii
}}
We Ski{{efn|Known in Japan and Europe as {{nihongo|Family Ski|ファミリースキー|Famirī Sukī}}}} is a 2008 skiing video game for the Wii developed and published by Namco Bandai Games. It is the first third-party game (and second game behind Wii Fit) released that makes use of the Wii Balance Board.
A sequel, We Ski & Snowboard, which adds snowboarding to the game, was released in 2008. A spin-off, Go Vacation, which featured dozens of sports and several open worlds to explore, was also released for the Wii in 2011.
Gameplay
We Ski can either be played with or without the Wii Balance Board. If using the board, the player can distribute their weight and use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk as virtual ski poles, simulating the sport of skiing.
The game features 14 courses, which can be skied during both day and night. Besides racing, the game also features different modes such as a Ski School, Centipede Races, and Search and Rescue in addition to a Freestyle mode in which up to 4 players may ski freely.
Players may use their own Miis or one of the customizable in-game avatars. They can earn rewards such as character apparel and upgraded ski equipment by completing various goals. The player can also perform "air tricks" on marked jumps. Additionally, the WiiConnect24 service allowed the sharing of photos taken by players in-game until it was discontinued by Nintendo in 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3512/p/604|title=Discontinuation of WiiConnect24 Services {{!}} Wii & Wii mini {{!}} Nintendo Support|website=en-americas-support.nintendo.com|language=en-US|access-date=2022-04-30|archive-date=2019-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404212551/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3512/p/604|url-status=live}}
Development
File:Wiimote-in-Hands.jpg's hardware capabilities, such as its motion controls, to create an intuitive playing experience.]]
We Ski was produced by Namco Bandai Games employee Yozo Sakagami, a veteran of the company's Ridge Racer series.{{cite web |title=【TGS 2011】究極のファミリーゲームを目指して制作『ゴーバケーション』小林プロデューサーにインタビュー |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2011/09/26/51760.html |website=Inside Games |publisher=IID |access-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603102442/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2011/09/26/51760.html |archive-date=June 3, 2019 |language=ja |date=September 26, 2011}} The publisher suggested to Sakagami that he create a racing game for the Wii that took advantage of the system's hardware capabilities, namely its motion controls.{{cite web |title=社長が訊く『GO VACATION』 |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/interview/sgvj/vol1/index.html |website=www.nintendo.co.jp |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215010223/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/interview/sgvj/vol1/index.html |archive-date=December 15, 2020 |language=ja |date=October 2011}} Sakagami quickly began to question if a racing game was suitable for the platform, as the Wii's target demographic consisted of children and parents in their 30s and 40s. He began thinking of a theme that would appeal to any age group, before settling on skiing as he believed the Wii's intuitive controls would make such a game possible and fun to play.
We Ski{{'}}s development team consisted largely of those that worked on the Ridge Racer games including Ridge Racer 7 director Kenya Kobayashi. It was designed as a successor to Namco's Family series for the Family Computer, which were themed around sports or games and possessed simplistic controls and cute character designs.{{cite web |title=バンダイナムコ、「タッキー&翼」を「ファミリーシリーズ」のイメージキャラクターに |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2007/12/25/26044.html |website=Inside Games |publisher=IID |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224190917/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2007/12/25/26044.html |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |language=ja |date=December 25, 2007}}{{cite book |title=ザ・プロフェッショナル ファミリーボクシング・ファミリースタジアム・ファミリージョッキー |date=August 22, 1987 |publisher=Takarajimasha |isbn=4880633151 |edition=Volume 55 |language=ja}} The soundtrack features music from singer Yumi Matsutoya, in addition to remixes of tracks from older Namco games like Xevious, Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, and The Idolmaster. We Ski is the first third-party game on the Wii to use the Wii Balance Board peripheral.
Bandai Namco released We Ski in Japan on January 31, 2008. It was released in North America on May 13, 2008,{{cite web |author1=IGN Staff |title=Namco Bandai Games Ships We Ski for Wii |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/13/namco-bandai-games-ships-we-ski-for-wii |publisher=IGN |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225230912/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/13/namco-bandai-games-ships-we-ski-for-wii |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |date=May 13, 2008}} and in Europe on June 13, 2008, with Nintendo handling distribution.{{cite web | url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2008/Hit-the-slopes-as-Family-Ski-slaloms-onto-Wii--250448.html | title=Hit the slopes as Family Ski slaloms onto Wii! }}{{cite web |last1=Purchese |first1=Robert |title=New skiing game for Wii balance board |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/new-skiing-game-for-wii-balance-board |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203184110/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/new-skiing-game-for-wii-balance-board |archive-date=February 3, 2015 |date=May 1, 2008}} The Japanese and European versions were titled Family Ski to further tie in its relation with the Family series, and were published under the Namco label. In Japan, it was also released under the Sports WaiWai brand, which included remakes of Family Jockey and Pro Baseball: Family Stadium.{{cite web |last1=Jō |first1=Kirian |title=家の中にゲレンデがひろがる！ Wiiだからこそ実現した新感覚のスキーゲーム |url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0802/21/news004.html |publisher=ITMedia |access-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208203651/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0802/21/news004.html |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |language=ja |date=February 21, 2008}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 67/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/we-ski/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=We Ski for Wii Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=June 29, 2016}}
| 1UP = A{{cite web |last=Frechette |first=Jay |date=June 7, 2008 |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/we-ski |title=We Ski Review |website=1UP.com |accessdate=June 29, 2016 |archive-date=June 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625121355/http://www.1up.com/reviews/we-ski |url-status=dead }}
| EuroG = 6/10{{cite web |last=Gibson |first=Ellie |date=July 14, 2008 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/family-ski-review |title=Family Ski |website=Eurogamer |accessdate=June 29, 2016 |archive-date=August 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814230901/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/family-ski-review |url-status=live }}
| Fam = 30/40{{cite magazine |title=ファミリースキーのレビュー |url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/2443/reviews/ |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Kadokawa Corporation |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225225547/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/2443/reviews/ |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |language=ja |date=2008}}
| GI = 6.25/10{{cite magazine |last=Helgeson |first=Matt |url=http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/F8BF5B61-AD7B-418C-A726-D0BDAAFF80BE.htm? |title=We Ski |magazine=Game Informer |issue=182 |date=June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517132153/http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/F8BF5B61-AD7B-418C-A726-D0BDAAFF80BE.htm? |archive-date=May 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 29, 2016}}
| GamePro = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Balistrieri |first=Emily |date=May 23, 2008 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/games/reviews/187248.shtml |title=Review: We Ski |magazine=GamePro |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526011701/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/games/reviews/187248.shtml |archivedate=May 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 29, 2016}}
| GameRev = C{{cite web |last=Costantino |first=Jesse |date=June 9, 2008 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/we-ski |title=We Ski Review |publisher=Game Revolution |accessdate=June 29, 2016 |archive-date=August 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816153506/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/we-ski |url-status=live }}
| GSpot = 7/10{{cite web |last=Calvert |first=Justin |date=May 29, 2008 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/we-ski-review/1900-6191778/ |title=We Ski Review |website=GameSpot |accessdate=June 29, 2016 |archive-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230075138/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/we-ski-review/1900-6191778/ |url-status=live }}
| IGN = 6/10{{cite web |author1=Bozon |title=We Ski Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/20/we-ski-review |publisher=IGN |access-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811201412/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/20/we-ski-review |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |date=May 20, 2008}}
| NP = 6/10{{cite magazine |title=We Ski |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=229 |date=June 2008 |page=90}}
}}
We Ski sold 1.2 million copies worldwide by December 2008, making it one of Namco Bandai's most successful releases of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/17460/we-ski-coasts-to-a-million-units-sold|title=We Ski Coasts to a Million Units Sold|last=Red|first=Carmine|date=December 29, 2008|publisher=Nintendo World Report|accessdate=June 29, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817030341/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/17460/we-ski-coasts-to-a-million-units-sold|url-status=live}} The game holds a 67/100 on the review aggregator website Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews".
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Notes
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References
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External links
- {{moby game|id=/wii/we-ski}}
Category:Bandai Namco Entertainment franchises
Category:Video games developed in Japan