While the folks who imported the game have given it fairly decent scores, it would seem the game isn't too great in the eyes of some local reviewing outlets. Actually, it's not great even in the eyes of some of our own here at Wii Fanboy. Some of us have yet to even try it, so we can't offer our opinion, one way or the other.
But, some of you already have it and undoubtedly have some opinions to share, no? Care to inform us what you think? See what the critics think below:
Nintendo Power (65/100) says the game is great for fans looking for some more mileage out of their copy of Pokemon Diamond or Pearl: "Pokemon Battle Revolution has its ups and downs, but it makes for a decent way to get more out of Diamond and Pearl." [Aug 2007, p.85]
Wii Advanced (50/100) thinks it's a step backwards: "Compared to Pokemon Stadium on N64, it feels like a step backwards, as it feels less polished and lacks as many extras as its predecessor, which is now over five-years-old."
IGN (50/100) tears the game a new one: "The single player mode is a joke, there's a huge lack of true customization or depth, and the multiplayer mode – while certainly appealing to core gamers – offers very little beyond what DS had."
Between the bookends of Sonic and the Secret Rings and Super Paper Mario, there lies a game of quirk. Cooking Mama: Cook-Off , the successor to the DS sleeper-hit, has arrived at your Wii's doorstep and desperately wants to entertain you. But should you give it the time of day?
Let's take a look:
IGN (58 / 100) thinks the controls were far from spot on: "What really suffers in the game, however, are the actual cooking actions. Previously the core appeal to the game on DS, the moves needed to perform Wii cooking are a bit less defined."
GamePro(65 / 100) feels as though the game has its moments, though: "At its best, Cook Off is an inherently fun experience; you'll probably invite your friends over, shove a Remote in their hands and say "You have to try this game." Unfortunately, for all its charm, the game is deeply flawed, and you can't help but wonder if it wasn't best served as an appetizer on the DS rather than as a main course on the Wii."
GameBrink(63 / 100) is happy they at least added some multiplayer: "You each complete the same steps at the same time after which Hitler Mama gets pissed off and grades you. It's essentially the same thing as the normal mode but with a split screen and a score to beat. It will definitely keep those who like the game playing for many days to come."
Do y'all agree with any of this? Circle gets the square (kudos if you get the joke)!
We're sure that the decision to bring The Godfather: Blackhand Edition over to the Wii was just a quick and easy way for EA to try and make some more money on their Godfather game, which took a pounding before the release of the new-gen systems. Still though, with some gesture-based controls, many were looking to this game for some good olde thyme crime. Has the game delivered or is it merely a quick and shoddy port to the Wii?
Let's see what the critics think:
IGN (80/100) says the game is plain fun: "A great first step on Wii, as it uses more than 25 gestures, IR aiming, and has a ton of features above the original game in the form of new items, missions, gameplay modes (favors and blackmailing specifically), and RPG elements. More important than any list of numbers and features though, is the fact that The Godfather is just fun to play."
GameDaily (80/100) agrees that the game is just plain fun and very much improved over its other versions: "Even without the flashy visuals, The Godfather: Blackhand Edition represents the best Godfather game yet, thanks to the wealth of new content and improved controls. W'd recommended the game to newcomers as well as Godfather veterans."
GameSpot (76/100) thinks things are fine: "The Godfather: Blackhand Edition works in a smattering of new content and a brand-new control scheme with good results."
GameSpy (70/100) says the controls make the game: "The controls are an interesting hook. Actually slugging it out with your targets by swinging the Wii Remote and nunchuk is fun, and the shooting elements are handled well by making the pointer aspect of the Remote a "precision targeter," rather than your sole firearms control."
1UP (70/100) likes the new controls: "The control scheme is definitely the selling point here (tossing people around never felt more fun). However, for those who already own some incarnation of this series this comes as guarded approval. Ask yourself: How many times do you need to escort the Don to the hospital or take out the Barzini family before it feels too old?"
Game Informer (65/100) thinks the improvements don't add much value: "The new weapon wheel makes firefights less stressful, and adding more missions is never a bad thing, but the basic design of the game remains painfully dull. The uneventful stretches of driving, repetition in interrogations, and simplicity of missions has not improved."
Have any of you folks given this a play yet? What do you think?
As the second golf title (third if you want to count Wii Sports), Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 has apparently gotten it right as many of the critics who reviewed the game have bestowed above-average scores on the game. We haven't gotten our hands on it yet, but with these positive scores, we're definitely more interested. Personally, we're hoping that the Wii controls provide a better solution to putting, as we've always had a problem with that on your standard controller.
But enough about us. Shall we check out what they had to say?
GameZone (83/100) sees the Wii installment as something fans of the series will like: "If you are already a Tiger Woods PGA Tour fan, you will surely appreciate the unique translation on the Wii. Compared to Wii Golf, Tiger Woods 07 is a lot more user friendly."
1UP (75/100) thinks the controls could use a little tweaking: "The control hiccups may cause problems, but most of them can be countered with care. But the biggest bonus: Not once will you see starlight dancing off the ball."
GameSpot (75/100) says it's a great choice for a golf game: "Tiger Woods 07's excellent use of the Wii's motion-sensing abilities makes it a worthwhile purchase for anyone looking to hit the links on the Wii."
EGM (73/100) is of the mind that the game could cause you some major arthritis: "As for Tiger's mechanics, arthritics beware. If my backswing was jittery, I swung before I intended to--which is frustrating, as the maddening result is a dink instead of a dive." [Apr 2007, p.83]
Any readers pick up the game yet and want to agree/disagree with the critics?
We've had enough time now with the Wii to discover some real gems (how many hours have you put into just Wii Sports so far?) ... but like any system, there are also a few duds, particularly within the launch window. If you're looking to expand your collection, or if you're one of the Wii-less trying to figure out how to budget when your day comes, we're here to help you find the best and the worst of the Wii so far.
Update: Finally, the reviews are rolling in. We've updated the post with plenty of more scores.
With SSX: Blur being available at retailers today, the reviews are rolling in kind of late. As of right now, only two online outlets have reviewed the game, giving it very decent scores. Looks like many of you who were hoping for a game from a third-party with the same attention to detail that many of Nintendo's first-party titles receive may just be getting their wish. Many of the popular online outlets have yet to review the game, so keep in mind we'll be updating the post when their reviews go live.
Without further delay, let's check out what some of the critics had to say:
Game Informer (85/100) says the controls aren't as precise as they would've liked them to be: "The one real problem I have with this game is that the ubertrick system doesn't work nearly as well as it should. The new controls do add something new to the series, but almost the entire time I pined for something more traditional."
GameTrailers (84/100) finds the experience to be authentic: "It replicates the feeling of sliding down a mountain side with eerie precision and manages to make other control schemes feel dated. There's certainly plenty of opportunity for improvement with the sequel, but with a ton of content and even more fun, it's hard to go wrong with SSX Blur."
GameDaily (80/100) says that eventhough the game lacks online play, it's still quite fun: "No online play hurts, and the two-player split screen mode offers limited enjoyment, but overall, EA successfully "blurs" the line between realism and fantasy, creating a great video game for all ages."
1UP (55/100) finds the game prevents you from really getting into the flow: "No matter how badly you want to get into the game, to find the flow...the game doesn't let you. And that's too bad, because it really does look great, the multiplayer mode is basic yet competent, and there are flashes of true SSX brilliance."
GamePro (50/100) says it takes too long to figure out the game's controls: "Dedicated (read: sadistic) gamers willing to invest the time necessary to figure out the controls might get a kick out of this one, but the convoluted controls will turn off most players. The lesson here is clear: Wii developers need to start with a blank slate rather than graft old-school control schemes onto the Wii Remote because, as SSX Blur demonstrates, it just doesn't work."
Sonic and the Secret Rings has been released, and in what is certainly the highest profile release since the epic Twilight Princess at launch, our expectations are rather high. In what is being billed as the first truly decent 3-D Sonic game (or, at least the first one since the original Sonic Adventure), the hedgehog has the scores to prove it. IGN's was a little low, but it turns out they hate the color blue. So, you know.
Who wants a little blazing-quick spiny-mammal in their lives?
Gaming Age (85/100) has very little but praise for SatSR: "Sonic and the Secret Rings makes a solid attempt to fix the problems that have plagued the Sonic games over the past few years. Many of the gripes have been addressed in this newest title. The extraneous characters have been eliminated and Sonic is now the only playable character, just the way [it should be]. The horrible camera and hit detection problems of the prior games have been fixed. The speed has been ratcheted up and the action is fast and furious."
Gamespot (76/100) is impressed with the visual splendor: "The graphics are great in Sonic and the Secret Rings. Each level is large and has a great sense of scale, with huge dinosaurs, pirate ships, corkscrews, loops, and other structures to run on. The visuals are sharp and colorful, and you'll have a great time just watching Sonic run because the game provides the same thrilling sense of speed that made the Sonic games appealing in the first place."
IGN (69/100) dislikes things that are blue: "Players will fail to complete levels again and again in Secret Rings not because they lack the skill to progress, but because the control mechanics are too loose and unresponsive, the camera is too stupid to shoot the action accordingly or, worst of all, the level design is simply poor."
With the release of Wii Play yesterday, many are finding that the compilation of minigames isn't really worth the purchase, finding comfort in the knowledge that at least they got another Wiimote. The critics, however, do not have to worry about such things and take the magnifying glass to the title directly, offering up the following review scores:
Gamespot (54/100) says that very few of the nine minigames included have much worth: "It's not all bad, but Wii Play doesn't hold up as a stand-alone retail game. Nintendo seems to be aware of that, because the only way you can get Wii Play in North America as of this writing is as a pack-in with a Wii Remote. The continued scarcity of the Wii Remote, and the fact that the Wii Play package is retailing for only $10 more than a remote by itself, makes the game's shortcomings easier to overlook. Regardless of price, Wii Play probably isn't going to hold your attention for long."
IGN (55/100) thinks that the worth is in the included Wiimote: "As a standalone game, there is no way I could recommend Wii Play. It is simply not worth $50 or, for that matter, even half that. But it's a $10 companion piece to a Wii remote and it does succeed as a technical demo of what Nintendo's new peripheral can do."
1UP (68/100) is of the mind that this isn't something gamers will enjoy: "Play is made for people who don't really like games, and if you're someone who really does, that's a problem. Sure, most of these minigames are fun...for about 10 minutes. But hey, maybe your grandma will want to marry it."
Wario's latest adventure, and the Wii's latest release in quite some time, has had time to marinate in the hands of critics and we're glad to report that most of their opinions fall within the 'absolutely love it' category. We haven't had the chance to try it ourselves, however given our love of previous titles bearing the fellow's name, we're sure to enjoy it just as much, if not more.
Sure, the game does not support 16:9, but can that really get in the way of enjoying the game that much?
GameSpot (91/100) informs us of just how wonderful this game really is: "It's a terrific use of the Wii's unique control features, it looks amazing, and in short, it should be a part of your library."
Nintendo Power (90/100) also provides much praise for the game: "Though Smooth Moves may not seem deep, the fact that it offers physical play and draws a crowd should make it a permanent fixture in a lot of Wii consoles." [Feb. 2007, p.92]
IGN (82/100) is not so quick to praise the game: "It's not perfect, it isn't the best in the series, but WarioWare: Smooth Moves is an essential piece of the Wii collection, as it's as much fun ripping through it in single player adventures as it is to shove the controller off on unsuspecting houseguests or non-gamers months and years down the road."
Upon mentioning the name of Metal Slug, gamer ears perk up much like a dog that hears a school bus coming down the block. It's one of, if not the best, 2D side-scrolling shooters in existence. And upon releasing their anthology compilation on the Wii, many wondered how the title could take advantage of the Wii's specific features. According to the critics, the game doesn't really accomplish this, but the fun and replay value of the 7 titles within are enough to make up for it.
Nintendo Power (80/100) says it's a natural choice for fans of the old-school: "Fans of classic, side-scrolling, 2D action will love Metal Slug Anthology." [Jan. 2007, p.108]
Game Informer (75/100) points out the flaw in the control options: "The problem is that no matter which [control scheme] you select, you'll sacrifice functionality - either in maneuverability or how you lob grenades." [Jan 2007, p.107]
IGN (72/100) tasks us to not get our hopes up if expecting more than just the seven different games: "These are amazing games, and if you want to own them in any form, now's a good chance to do that. Just don't expect a grand fanfare when you boot the game up. It's basically seven titles for $40 bucks. No more, no less."
Elebits, the launch title (before Metroid Prime 3 was pushed back) this blogger wants the most, has finally released and we can now go hunting for those tiny little critters, tearing apart kitchens and gardens as we do so. We're quite sure, based on our time with the title at E3 and what has been shown since, that we're going to love it, but what about the rest of the game reviewing world? What do the critics think of the game?
Game Informer - 70%: "The tactile sensation of pointing at a popcorn cart and flinging it into the stratosphere is interesting and fun, but simple movement and navigation will occasinally be a needlessly frustrating obstacle." [Jan 2007, p.106]
IGN - 83%: "If you're looking for a visual stunner, Elebits is not for you. But if you just want a really fun outing that's every bit as original as it is engaging, I think Elebits is your game. This title is destined for sleeper status."
Gamebrink - 89%: "A solid title that uses the Wiimote and Nunchuk controls extremely well. If you're not in it for the offline 4 player multiplayer, which isnt all that great, or the level building then this is probably a rental. Though, if you want to get perfect rankings on all the levels youll likely want to make it a purchase." [Japanese import]
Looks like the game did not recover from its less-than-stellar showing at E3. With two of the three largest game reviewing outlets slapping the game silly in their reviews, are we to believe the game is that bad? What do you fine and intelligent readers who picked the game up already say?
Gamespot - 55%: "Red Steel isn't completely devoid of merit, but it's a half-baked, buggy game that feels rushed and poorly executed. There's a good concept in here somewhere, as a swords-and-guns shooter pitting you against yakuza villains certainly seems like it could be very exciting. However, the experience itself hardly fulfills any of the promises behind it. So if you're looking for an exciting new way to simulate gunning or cutting lots of dudes down using the Wii Remote, you'd best keep looking."
eToychest - 78%: "However, despite its faults, the long and short of it is that Red Steel is a fun first-person shooter, and hopefully a decent indicator of where developers will be able to take this genre on the Wii. The title controls extremely fluid, and is likely to draw praise from those PC gamers who up until now have been turned off by how the first-person shooter genre has been portrayed on the home console market. This is certainly one of the stronger titles for the Wii's retail debut, and while certainly not for everyone, is still a commendable example of the immersive experiences the Wii is capable of conveying."
1UP - 50%: "Don't be fooled into thinking Red Steel reinvents the FPS. It's nothing more than a ho-hum shooter with a creative but flawed gimmick stapled on. Sure, it might not steal the launch lineup, but at least it proves this type of game is welcome on the Wii."
The Wii launch window is teeming with minigame madness. Between Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, the upcoming WarioWare: Smooth Moves, and the devil bunnies in Rayman Raving Rabbids, what's a gamer to do? Time to check out the reviews. So far, Rayman and the legions of rabbids haven't seen a lot of review time, but what's out there seems solid. Looking for twisted humor, cow tossing, and freaky bunnies? Rayman's got it.
Deeko - 85%: A lot of people are spoiled because of the next-gen graphics seen on the Xbox 360 and the PS3, but the fact of the matter is the graphics in Rayman are very good and serve to prove that this little system has more power than you'd think. The game's overall presentation is wonderfully colorful, superbly animated and highly detailed, running at a very fluid 30 frames per second. Those who feel jaded because the graphics aren't on par with a next-gen console need to get over themselves, because the game is visually quite impressive and that's no small feat. Musically, the soundtrack is all over the place in terms of presentation, with some very strange Rabbid renditions of classic rock tunes, coupled with a handful of interesting musical pieces created for the game. It's eclectic, most certainly, but works quite well. The voices are more like odd sound bytes, which is very traditional Rayman and that is a very good thing. The Rabbid voiceovers are particularly amusing and only add to their overall charm and allure.
IGN - 83%: Purists, traditionalists, conventional snobs - none of these people will be happy to read it, but Ubisoft's Rayman Ravving Rabbids completely ditches the franchise's trademark platformer background. Let's be clear to avoid any confusion: there is no platforming to be found in this Wii-exclusive title, which arrives from the undeniably talented Beyond Good & Evil team, led by Rayman creator Michel Ancel. In place of those run-and-jump levels are mini-games designed around the Wii remote. There is a central storyline that sews the minis together, but make no mistake: this project is Ubisoft's deeper, prettier WarioWare. It may not follow the classic Rayman template, but Rabbids is nevertheless a welcomed addition to Wii's launch lineup for it is a fun and oftentimes hilarious game and an ideal choice for the old-school and new-school alike ... The majority of minis in the title are fun whether you're playing by yourself or with friends, although there are the occasional duds. The biggest drawback is that many of the minis are not designed for simultaneous play; instead you go in sequence. But even with that being true the experience is still engaging and addictive and the title's sense of humor is in a league of its own. It is almost unfair to label this effort a Rayman game because the real stars of the project are the bunnies, whose blank faces and inevitable agonized screams will make you laugh over and over again.
It may be a port of the DS game, but Atlus has assured us it is in no way a quick and half-assed effort to bring the DS game to the Wii. It has new graphics and new missions, which is everything on paper making it out to be a new game experience. Has Atlus succeeded or did gamers have enough of surgery on their DS? The critics say:
IGN - 80%: "Putting aside the fact that Second Opinion is a retelling of the DS version, the game is absolutely perfect as an introductory game for Wii players. There's a ton of diversity in the missions, an all-new Hard mode for previous fans of the series, and an entirely new sixth chapter of the game to appease the "been there, done that" attitude of the hardcore crowd."
GameSpot - 80%: "This is about as unorthodox of a launch title for a new game system as they come, but then again, the Wii is pretty unorthodox too. So maybe it shouldn't come as any surprise that the game and the console make a great match. Trauma Center: Second Opinion isn't going to wow anybody with its presentation, yet it's got so much inventive gameplay and takes such a spirited approach to its subject matter that it still stands out from the crowd."
1UP - 65%: "Don't let the score dissuade you from playing the game. It is enjoyable. Actually, it reminds me of that college professor who taught a fun class but didn't explain things very well -- in the end, you didn't learn as much as you could have. Second Opinion's fun, but in the end, you feel like you didn't enjoy it as much as you should have."
While we had plenty of time with Excite Truck, we haven't had time to get up our review (we'll get it up soon, we swear). While we wait, why not take a look at what some of the other reviewers out there are saying about the ramp-jumping, Wiimote-turning racer. Overall, reviews have been positive, however there have been a handful of those that feel the game is too simplistic or unfinished.
GameSpot - 68%: "Excite Truck's control and speed give it a good amount of potential, but there just isn't enough of a game here to keep you excited for very long. Ultimately, it feels more like a tech demo than a full-fledged game."
IGN - 80%: "Excite Truck is clearly a first generation console game that will, without a doubt be outdone in the Wii system's later years. But as a game that bursts right out of the gate as a launch title for the system, Excite Truck is a fulfilling, fun, energetic arcade-style racer that features a good balance of technology and technique. There are a few spots in places that could have been filled, like its weak two player option and trick system, but overall this game definitely pulls off the intense racing rush that quality arcade racers offer."
Gamespy - 60%: "Like I said at the beginning of the review, I highly doubt Excite Truck will standout in anyone's memory past the end of the year. The lack of decent multiplayer and total lack of online play hurt the longevity, but if you absolutely need a racer to play at launch, you can't really do any better than this one."
