Nintendo Wii Fanboy

This profoundly limited-edition copy of Excite Truck was spotted on the shelf at GameStop. Evidently, an employee drew this charmingly quaint alternate boxart instead of using the default GameStop display box for loose games. You can see from the little motion lines that the truck is clearly excited, which is a much subtler approach than the usual bright colors and EXTREME explosions.

We totally prefer the lunch-break line art shown here to the real boxart, but we're still a little shocked that they're selling this copy as a new game with no discount.

[Via Siliconera]

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."

Ever since we received our Wii, everyone has been dying to play that Zelda game. It's left us little time to take trucks, of the most exciting variety, out for a spin. After running through the first set of races and unlocking the silver series, we have, overall, good impressions of the game. Visually, it looks good. No pop-up present that we can determine and the sense of speed is really spot-on.

We currently have 3 vehicles at our disposal. A dune buggy-like vehicle is our personal favorite, mainly for its incredibly light weight, which helps us bust some amazing drifts and big air. Upon completing courses, we're rewarded for our efforts with a grade. The learning curve is rather small for this also, as upon completing our first race we received a grade of F and, only 2 short races following, we were receiving A's and S's with relative ease.

Keep an eye out here for more impressions on the game as we progress and check after the break for some more pictures.

While attending a stop on the Nintendo Fusion Tour, the guys over at Go Nintendo took Excite Truck out for a spin. While the individual playing it has some trouble with the controls, overall the game manages to stay incredibly appealing. Check the video, embedded into the post after the break.

[Via Go Nintendo]

In this latest trailer for first-party launch title Excite Truck, trucks elevate to heights no mortal should ever reach. Following our hands-on with it during E3, we felt the game was fun, just not so much as to warrant launch day purchase. Things change, however, as the more we see on this game, the more we honestly want it.

While taking the established franchise and switching out the dirt bikes for 4X4s might cause some to cringe, we here at the Fanboy are looking forward to busting big jumps. Obviously, we'll be guzzling Mountain Dew whilst we do it, what with us being so extreme and all.

As always, video is embedded into the post after the break.

During our time with Excite Truck, which wasn't long at all, we managed to walk away with overall good impressions of the game, something that we did not possess going into the demo. Regardless, in case you were wondering exactly how the game controls, let the above diagram hit your ignorance over the head with a bat, knocking it to the ground violently, finally bashing it with reckless abandon as your ignorance becomes nothing more than a stain on the concrete.

Wii Fanboy: Teaching through violent imagery since 2005.