You’ve been there. You’re standing on the virtual grass of Wuhu Island, the Wii Remote Plus tucked against your cheek like a real bowstring, squinting at a red-and-white bullseye that’s just far enough away to be annoying. You hit the center. Then you hit it again. It feels good, but it starts to feel a bit... routine. Most players just climb the difficulty ranks from Beginner to Expert and think they've seen everything the game has to offer. They haven't. Honestly, the real game starts when you stop looking at the giant targets and start scanning the horizon for a random piece of fruit or a stray loaf of bread.
The Wii Sports Resort archery hidden targets are the ultimate "if you know, you know" flex in the Nintendo community. These aren't just easter eggs; they are tiny, high-precision objectives tucked into the background of every single stage. We aren't talking about slightly smaller bullseyes. We’re talking about hitting an orange sitting on a distant cliffside or a piece of cake tucked behind a pillar. If you want that secret stamp—the one that proves you’ve mastered the arc of the arrow—you have to find and hit all twelve.
Why These Hidden Secrets Still Matter Years Later
It’s been over a decade since Wii Sports Resort dropped, but the physics engine in the archery mode still holds up remarkably well. Unlike the original Wii Sports, which was a bit "waggle and pray," Resort used the MotionPlus accessory. This meant the game actually cared about the angle of your wrist. Finding the secret targets isn't just about luck. It’s a test of how well you understand the drop of the arrow over long distances.
The developers at Nintendo, led by producers like Tadashi Sugiyama, wanted to reward players who treated the game like a sandbox. It’s a classic Nintendo move. They give you a beautiful island—Wuhu Island—and then hide things in plain sight to make you appreciate the scenery. Every time you find one of these Wii Sports Resort archery hidden targets, you get 10 points and a very satisfying "ding" sound, but more importantly, you get the satisfaction of knowing you’re better than the average player.
The Beginner Level Secrets
Beginner is where most people start their hunt. It's low stakes. The wind is usually calm. But even here, the targets are tricky because they blend into the environment.
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On Stage 1, while everyone else is aiming for the big target in the middle of the field, you need to look to the right. There’s a giant slice of watermelon just hanging out near the greenery. It’s huge compared to what comes later, but if you aren't looking for it, you'll walk right past it. Stage 2 moves you to the bridge. Forget the target. Look at the orange-ish rocks on the cliffside to the left. There's an orange sitting there. It’s small. You’ll probably miss your first three shots because the arc is different than you expect.
Stage 3 is the one that gets people. It’s the melon. Not a watermelon, but a cantaloupe (or "honeydew" depending on who you ask). It’s tucked away behind some rocks on the right side. Then Stage 4 brings the pineapple. It’s sitting on the beach, mocking you. The trick here is to ignore the wind indicator for a second and just focus on the height.
Mastering the Intermediate and Expert Stages
Intermediate is where things get sweaty. The wind picks up. The distances grow. The Wii Sports Resort archery hidden targets here require you to actually compensate for the breeze.
- Stage 1: There’s a pear on the cliff. It’s green, the cliff is brownish-green. It’s a nightmare to see on older CRT TVs.
- Stage 2: Look for the bread. Yes, a loaf of French bread is just sitting on a stone wall. Why? Who knows. Maybe a Mii had a picnic.
- Stage 3: This is the banana. It’s yellow and bright, but it’s positioned at an angle that makes the hit box feel tiny.
- Stage 4: The strawberry. This is arguably one of the hardest in the game. It’s a tiny red dot against a complex background.
Once you hit Expert, you’re basically a digital Robin Hood. The targets are ludicrously far away. In Stage 1, you’re looking for a starfruit (carambola). It’s hidden near the waterfall area, and the mist makes it hard to track your arrow. Stage 2 features a peach tucked into the ruins. Stage 3 has a sandwich. A literal sandwich. It’s sitting on a ledge of the ruins, and you have to lob the arrow high to get it to land. Finally, Stage 4 gives you the clock. It’s not fruit, it’s a small desk clock sitting on the bridge railing way in the distance.
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Physics and Pro-Tips
You can't just point and click. The game simulates gravity.
For the further targets, like the Expert Stage 4 clock, you have to aim significantly above the object. Your reticle shouldn't even be on the target; it should be hovering in the sky. Also, watch the wind. If the wind is blowing 5mph to the left, and your target is a tiny strawberry 50 yards away, you have to aim "off-screen" to the right to let the wind carry the arrow back. It’s a beautiful bit of programming that makes the Wii Sports Resort archery hidden targets feel earned rather than given.
One thing the pros do is "short-draw." You don't always have to pull the string back until the controller vibrates. Sometimes a softer lob is better for targets that are tucked behind obstacles, though for the secret targets, you almost always want full power to keep the trajectory as flat as possible.
The Secret "Secret" of the Power-Up
There is a common misconception that you need to be a certain level to see these. Nope. They are there from the second you boot up the game for the first time. You just need the eagle eyes to spot them.
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Another tip: if you’re struggling to see them, zoom in. Holding the 'Z' button on the Nunchuk (or the 'C' button) allows you to steady your view and get a slightly better look at the horizon. It doesn't give you a sniper scope, but it helps. Honestly, the biggest hurdle is just the resolution of the Wii itself. If you're playing on an original console with composite cables, that strawberry is going to look like three red pixels. Using a Wii2HDMI adapter or playing on a Wii U via HDMI makes a massive difference in spotting the Wii Sports Resort archery hidden targets.
Actionable Steps for Completionists
If you want to clear these today, follow this exact workflow:
- Calibration check: Ensure your Wii MotionPlus is calibrated on a flat surface. Any drift will make the Expert level targets impossible.
- The "A" Button Trick: When aiming, hold the 'A' button to steady the bow, but use your physical body to lean. Don't just move your wrists; move your arms.
- Start with the Watermelon: Go to Beginner Stage 1. Don't even look at the bullseye. Look right. Hit the watermelon. That "ding" is your confirmation.
- Work in order: Don't jump around. The game tracks these internally. If you hit all four in a "set" (Beginner, Intermediate, or Expert), you get a special notification in the results screen.
- Adjust for "Arc Drop": For any target further than 40 yards, aim so the target is sitting just above the tip of your virtual arrow, not in the center of the circle.
Getting all 12 targets is one of the most rewarding grinds in the game. It transforms a simple sports sim into a high-stakes scavenger hunt. Once you’ve nailed the clock on Expert Stage 4, you’ve basically retired the bow. You’ve seen everything Wuhu Island has to hide.