While the Wii is undoubtedly Nintendo’s latest and best console to date, a lot of gamers continue to bash it, claiming its game library does not cater to the hardcore gamers. The majority of the Wii’s catalog is decidedly family-friendly, fun for all ages affairs. Now Sega has decided to step up to the plate for those of us who like a bit of gristle in our breakfast cereal, releasing a game that is exclusively for the Wii AND for mature audiences, and one that takes full advantage of the unique Wii controllers, delivery a Wii-Time-Only experience. Destined to be one of the best Wii games in the hardcore, mash-‘em-up and spit ‘em out genre, Ladies and Gentlemen we give you MadWorld.
One of the most noticeable and captivating aspects of MadWorld is its stunningly unique visual style. All of the graphics are displayed in stark, contrasting, graphic-novel-style black and white with gushes of red for intense gore factor. In addition to the graphics, the frame rate is really smooth for players to pick up and go and the overall game presentation has an over-the-top comical ambience that will greatly appeal to anyone into comics, ridiculous violence and captivating storylines.
Game play
MadWorld came out exclusively for the Wii to make use of their unique control scheme. It is important to point out that the remote sensor isn’t used in the game but this isn’t actually a bad thing because the Wii Remote and Nunchuk attachment along with the motion controls does plenty in controlling Jack, the games main character. The remote is used to control Jack’s weapon while the Nunchuk controls the movement which gives plenty of freedom to move about throughout the levels.
When it comes to finishing moves the controls can at first seem a bit complicated, but this is just part of the adjustment faze of the game and soon enough you’ll be twisting and shaking the controllers as if it were your own hand driving a street sign through someone’s head. While small points off for some odd camera movements, these can really be excused once you immerse yourself in the visually stunning presentation and fully absorbing gameplay.
Experience
What will no doubt have MadWorld embraced by non-Wii gamers is the intense experience that it is, combined with the blackest of humors. For those who demand plenty of action there is a whole lot of blood and gore, innovative weapons and visceral kill moves to keep you satisfied. For those who don’t want their beat-em-up, survival horror-style games to take themselves too seriously there is plenty of comical, over-the-top moments, crazy exaggerated bosses and a laughably sinister commentary. On the surface this may look like quite a disturbing game, and it’s certainly not for everyone. But this is one blood-soaked actioner that has it’s tongue firmly planted it it’s cheek, with more and more ridiculous ways to overcome your enemies.
The boss battles are an area unto themselves, and while no boss is a walk in the park to take down, neither are they so difficult that you’ll be throwing your controllers across the room in frustration, either. In most cases it is a lot of fun to take down these increasingly hideous monster-men, and the reward of doing so takes you deeper into the story with even more comical scenes.
But it’s not all slash and bash, MadWorld comes complete with a set on minigames included as well. While these can sometimes be even more brutal than the main game, the humor is still peppered throughout so as to never take itself too seriously. While MadWorld is certainly not the longest game you’ll ever play on the Nintendo Wii, it holds enough difficulty to keep you coming back again and again in replays. Not one for the kids, MadWorld is however a must-try for any hardcore gamer worth his salt. The exaggerated violence, black as pitch humor elements, fantastically appealing visual design and rip-roaring music soundtrack, along with the laughably overacted commentators makes this an out and out essential game to play for anyone after one of the best Wii games of 2009.
Likely to be regarded as one of the best Wii games for the Wii’s Virtual Console is a strategy game that harnesses the power of the Tarot. Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen might just be the best Wii VC game ever conceived, and definitely the best RPG-style game. The aforementioned Tarot cards are one of the coolest and most unusual aspects of this thoroughly rewarding crusade into days of old. Ogre Battle manages to combine action, strategy and Tarot readings into an unforgettable adventure with you right in the middle of the action.
You have the entire range of cards and powers at your disposal, although some cards like the Star Card just ramp up the stats a little bit for the units you have. Cards like Justice and Tower bring a lot more interest to the game because these give you different magic powers to use against your enemies. Even the Hermit card delivers the goods. The Death card is a Catch 22 because you can kill your competition instantly by using it but it will drop your reputation if you do. Talk about temptation, the Death card is one of the cards that beg to be used, even when you don’t really need to. In Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen, you are going to be using your cards almost from start to finish so you need to be familiar with the power that each one has. You’ll find that they add great excitement to any battle. Both strategy and RPG gamers will find lots of exciting game play to remain enthralled for hours.
While most of the game battles are automatic it will be up to you whether you want to bring a Tarot card into play or use some other tactic. Prior to battle you make preparations by setting your units into place, choosing one of your 4 available strategies. Once the action begins and your forces clash with your enemies you have no control of what will happen, so plan carefully. There are no menus, cursors, or cards that you can use while the fight is on, you just have to see how it plays out, watching the action in cutaway shots that are flashed on the screen.
The combat being handled through the built in autopilot gives you the chance to pay attention to your larger strategic plans. The focus of Ogre Battle is gaining control of the land. This game is divided into specific chapters, almost like a play, and each of these has a different map and land layout. Your armies will have to navigate through many different regions, from mountains, deep rivers, and treacherous woods, in order to gain control of various cities and temples that are currently under the rule of the Zetegenian Empire. Once free those temples and small cities allow you and your troops to purchase spells, earn gold or be healed. Just follow the large map and you will find which towns are in need of your help, but remember you will have to fight numerous battles along the way as well. Whenever you liberate a city or temple, you are able to select a new Tarot Card.
Another unique aspect of the game is how the game determine what sort of character you will start of as in the game. In the introduction, you are given a form to fill in, presented to you by the game’s presiding wizard and tutorial expert, Warren Moon. You answer questions about your personal ethics, moral code, and ability to lead others. This will determine your basic reputation, which will no doubt change throughout the game, dependant on the choices you make. It’s interesting to see how your reputation will look at the end of the action compared to how it started. The questions that you answer are tied to the Tarot Cards and to spare you getting bored with this set up, each new game begins with a new, random set of questions.
It’s the addition of “reputation” and the Tarot Cards that help make Ogre Battle such an interesting and engaging adventure for the Virtual Console and definitely one of the best Wii games now available to download. The very first Ogre Battle was created for SNES back in ‘95 and it has achieved a cult-like status among dedicated gamers over the years. The 1995 edition was limited to only 25 thousand copies, making it one of the rarest of electronic games. Thankfully, Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen is not so exclusive, but still likely to go down in gaming history as a truly unique RPG adventure.
The Nintendo Wii has quickly revolutionized the gaming world with its innovative and interactive game play. However it’s the games themselves that make the Wii the most amazing gaming platform available. When you play the best Wii games, you really get a unique experience. One of the things that make the Wii so much better than other consoles out there is its ability to download classic Nintendo games that bring back fond memories. One such game is Mega Man 9.
Many would expect a new Mega Man game to be a completely different look and feel than its predecessors, modernized by the advances in gaming graphic design over the years. With the major advancements that video games have made, it would be completely logical to think that Mega Man would evolve with the times. Once you start to play the new Mega Man 9 game, you’ll see that not only is this not the case but that the old style works perfectly on this style of game, to the point that modernizing it would have ruined the concept.
While most of the best Wii games out there utilize state of the art graphics, Mega Man 9 takes a trip back to the old school. You’ll be thrown back into 8-bit gaming heaven with the latest addition to the Mega Man series. In fact, if you didn’t know any better, you’d think you had out your original Nintendo playing Mega Man 2.
Does this unorthodox thinking work with this new game? Absolutely and unequivocally yes! The decision to take the game back to its roots was a fantastic decision by the game developers. Playing the game is very nostalgic, but it isn’t a walk in the park either. While the look may hark back to the days of your childhood, the challenges are most definitely in keeping with the more mature expectations that gamers have for new games. As with all of the best Wii games, you’ll want to keep playing until you beat it or you have to go to work/school. Even after you beat it, there is more for you to do with the game.
The game has over 50 challenges for you to indulge in. They range from some very easy tasks to extremely difficult ones like getting through the game without any damage whatsoever. You can purchase items for Mega Man at the store by picking up bonuses along the way. There is also downloadable content on the way, like another difficulty setting and extra characters. It’s not great, knowing that you’ll have to purchase more things later, but it could be worse. Sticking with the original feel of the game meant not having too many extras. They even have a global leader board that you could see your name on if you do well enough.
Mega Man 9 will only set you back about $10 to download and it is well worth every penny. This could be the best value in gaming at the moment, and you will not be disappointed. If you liked the original Mega Man series then be prepared to have some good old fashioned nostalgic fun with this entry in the series. This is one of the best Wii games of the year - despite its old school look - and has gained critical acclaim as well as a very enthusiastic public. If you haven’t done so already, you might want to connect and download Mega Man 9 as soon as possible.
A New Platform For An Old Favorite = Gaming Perfection!
While this may be one of the latest best Wii games to hit the market, Okami has actually been around for a couple of years already on the Playstation 2. When it was released by Sony it was hailed by many reviewers as a perfect meld of graphics, storyline, and innovative interface. In a tale told through cinematic cut scenes, you take the role of the ancient Japanese goddess Amaterasu, on a quest to save the world (a hyper-fantasy Japan) from a dark evil. Up to that point, Okami seems much like many other quest-based games. But with its blend of Japanese woodcut-inspired artwork, a fluid palate of environments and cleverly rendered mythological characters, the original Okami elevated what could be simple and unoriginal into a visual treat. The soundtrack was also at the same high level, with its moody yet inspiring flow of traditional Japanese-themed music. But the most outstanding element of Okami was its interface: using an onscreen “celestial brush” to select items, options, and attacks, Okami actually made the act of doing things in a game fun.
With the “celestial brush” interface, Okami allowed you to shape glyphs and kanji-like symbols to change the game world. Power slashing through objects with a single bold stroke, or using the brush to stretch and reshape things brought a feeling of omnipotent power rarely felt in more mundane adventure games. New puzzles on each level enhanced this gameplay— for example; a simple move that shifted water from one place to another would later combine with a clever set of puzzles for moving the water between containers in a certain pattern in a higher level of play. This interplay between puzzle and unique interface is what makes Okami a standout game.
Wii Perfection
But for all of its innovation, there was a problem - it’s hard to be fluid and artistic within the confines of the Playstation thumb stick. This is where Okami for the Wii brings improvement on what is already a nearly perfectly balanced experience and creates one of the best Wii game experiences to date. By using the movement capabilities inherent in the Wii nunchuck/controller interface, the sweeping gestures and flowing brush movements that were only hinted at in the PS2 version can truly come to life. As the challenges mount and require more sophisticated use of the celestial brush—shaping bombs to open sealed doors, cutting down entire forests with a wave of the “brush,” the Wii’s enhanced ability for precise motion enhances what is already an interesting and thoroughly engaging gameplay element. Okami also encourages the player to experiment with their use of the brush and its associated spell powers. Combine wind with some attacks and you can hurl bombs towards your enemies, or raise barriers from nothing but water.
But Wait, There’s More…
Although the combination of Wii controllers and Okami’s unique brush system makes it one of the best Wii games around, this only highlights an outstanding game that retains all of the elements that made its original incarnation stellar. There’s also a large focus on character building and development; Amaterasu’s abilities and powers change and improve as the game progresses, with new power ups and ways to vary already existing powers of movement and attack.
The world of Okami is huge, layered, and complex, with paths leading in all directions. And it’s varied; beaches, mountains, jungles, temples, dungeons, and villages all await your exploration, with a smoother transition between each map than most adventure games provide. This, plus a cast of truly inspiring boss battles and unique creatures from Japanese mythology give the world a sense of grandeur and majesty equal to the godlike role you play. And at a whopping thirty plus hours of gameplay, you’ll find Okami delivers a satisfying experience that feels full and unrushed. Whether you’re an experienced fan of epic adventure games, or a new casual gamer looking to branch out from your Wii Fit experience, you’ll find that Okami is one of the best Wii games to come along in a long while, and a worthy recasting of a unique and exciting original.
Through the Wii console Nintendo has created a range of interactive games that have got gamers off their butts and onto their feet. The stereotypical image of a slack-jawed teen embedded in the couch is changing, as people of all ages take up the fun and involving features of the Wii and its ever-expanding range of games. No more is this the case than with WiiFit; Nintendo’s attempt to produce a comprehensive exercise program that you can do in the comfort of your living room.
In creating WiiFit, Nintendo had the challenge of blending traditional exercises and video game elements in order to appeal to both exercisers and game players. The distinct features of the game are not only enticing to those wanting to play an active part in their game playing, but also show the designers’ creativity in accomplishing what is generally being lauded as one of the best Wii games for 2008.
One of those appealing features, and one that keeps participants coming back for more, is the ability to set goals for losing weight through your profile. The system keeps track of your progress in relation to what goals you set, which can then be changed at any time. This gives the player/exerciser not only something to aim for but allows them to ‘compete’ against themselves in an attempt to beat their previous best. For those who want to keep their information private there is a password feature available for each profile created. There is also a section to add daily activity you do outside of the game, which helps the game keep track of your exercise even if it doesn’t occur using WiiFit!
When you first start the game, you create a profile by entering your height and birth date. This profile helps to personalize the exercise experience. Once your profile is created, you complete a body test to provide a foundation of information. The game assigns your “Fit Age” based on the information entered and your skill at the body test. You can then set a goal for gaining or losing weight over a set period of time, and the game will keep track of your progress as you work toward that goal.
The game encourages you to exercise every day, even if all you have time to accomplish is the body test. Each body test is logged into the memory of the game and on your calendar, and the information is entered into a chart tracking your progress toward your goal.
The flexibility-training and strength-training are probably the most familiar “exercises” in the WiiFit arsenal. The flexibility exercises are yoga poses that not only increase flexibility, but improve body control and balance. The strength exercises include things like lunges and push-ups. The stamina and balance exercises are disguised as games, such as tightrope walking and ski jumping, that get you working up a sweat without even realizing it (and really, if you’re looking to exercise in your own home that’s really what it’s all about!) Most of the stamina and balance games focus more on those gaming elements, offering a nice break from traditional exercises seen in the flexibility and strength categories, while still offering activity that, when taken seriously, can really get the heart rate going.
Unlike traditional games that center around a controller, the WiiFit exercises center on the game’s Balance Board, a unique addition to the system that allows the game to be more interactive than other games available for the Nintendo Wii. Instead of just using the Wii remote and nunchuck for upper body exercises, the Balance Board make use of the lower body characteristics, making it the first game that requires players to get up off the couch to play.
The WiiFit Balance Board senses your position on it, and uses that information to determine your balance, posture, and movements. So when you play a balance game, the game can accurately determine where your balance is as you play. The Balance Board also senses your foot placement, so when you do the step aerobics in WiiFit, the game can tell if you’re keeping in time with the beat and placing your feet properly. Even when an exercise is loading, the Balance Board is assessing your weight and balance.
WiiFit might not convert the die-hard Gym enthusiast to give up lifting free weights and checking his/her biceps in the mirrored walls, but it will appeal to those of us who either don’t have a Gymnasium near our homes, have young children that require supervision and therefore a trip to the Gym is out of the question without a complicated strategy, or are simply uncomfortable with the idea of exercising in the company of people they don’t know (who always seem to be in so much better shape than us!) In saying that, though, WiiFit also makes an excellent bridge for those who do like attending the Gym but also want to be able to keep track of their exercise regime to some extent when they are at home.
WiiFit is unlike any other game available. It takes the physical activity used in other Nintendo Wii games and turns it into productive exercising to lose weight, build muscle, and improve balance and posture. The Nintendo Wii has broken the stereotype of the image of gamers, and WiiFit fits the new mold well, allowing gamers to blend exercise with fun, video game elements for which Nintendo has become famous.
WiiFit is unlike any other game available - and while it may not be the most engaging Wii game out there it is certainly the most energizing. It takes the physical activity used in other Nintendo Wii games and turns it into productive exercising to lose weight, build muscle and improve balance and posture.
Some of the best Wii games currently available revolve around the Mario character and his world of misfits, monsters and princesses. It’s really no wonder then, that with the success of Mario Kart back in the old 64 days, Nintendo should re-imagine this classic chaotic Kart race game on the latest and greatest console of them all. Bringing new life and innovation to games the way no other console can, with its unique mix of interactivity and “realness” in motion technology, it is also little wonder that the new polished version of Mario Kart comes with its own steering wheel controller! Fans of the original Mario Kart will love this new Wii version because of the amped up revitalization of the game, bringing greater depth with the already familiar territory. Those new to the game will love it simply because it’s a fantastic game and one that you’ll find hard to get enough of.
People don’t realize how enduring this game has been; it was actually introduced over 15 years ago on the Nintendo 64. And now it is back by popular demand, by a need if you will, for a re-imagined version. Mario Kart has reached cult status over the years, with every player of the original game having their own fave kart and track on which they have mastered the art of kicking the competitions backside! The beauty of Mario Kart Wii is that the basic thrill of mastering a kart and a particular track are still there, but with all new karts and tracks it is like a completely new game. The action never stops with single-player or multi-player games that are both highly challenging and highly addictive.
For the uninitiated, when you consider the concept of this game, with its outlandish and often surreal track arrangements where you’ll race and fight with the other racers using such things as fruit and turtle shells you may not think it’s all that exciting. However once you strap in and get a hold of the Wii steering wheel and take your first run you will find yourself strangely exhilarated and ready to go back out there for more.
If you’ve been a fan of Mario Kart for long, you know that it has never been a game that could be called casual, with its frenetic pace and crazy shenanigans - but then it was never really something you could call hard-core either like some of the other games out there. And yet it still survives and thrives against the competition.
Aficionados of the original from years ago will notice that there are not a whole lot of differences in the new version. Some people may consider this a disadvantage but most will see it as endearing and comforting. It’s kind of like finding an old friend from high school on Facebook, one whom you haven’t seen in 15 years – except its pretty safe to say that the old friend isn’t going to be nearly as exciting as Mario Kart Wii, nor will they have their own steering wheel by which you can control them. As it is with any reissue of a successful Nintendo game, it’s hard to justify messing around with the success formula of the original – but they do tweak it enough to give it a new breath of life and increased usability with the Wii controller system.
The one noticeable difference right from the start - and one that will be welcome addition to anyone familiar with the Wii (and quite a curio to those unfamiliar) - is the inclusion of the Wii Wheel. This awesome little device is shaped like a little steering wheel (of course), and is made to slot your Wii remote into, thereby creating a realistic feel of driving your kart around the track. Of course, you don’t need the wheel to play the game - you can simply turn your Wii remote to a horizontal position and you’ll get the same effect, albeit with less of that realistic feel. The wheel works for both the karts and the newest upgrade to the Mario world, that of racing bikes! Just as madcap and chaotic as the karts, the Mario bikes add to the revitalization of this new game and give those familiar with Mario Kart a new challenge to master.
Another popular addition for this Wii release of Mario Kart is the advantage of the Wii’s networking capabilities, meaning you can connect with friends and other racers anywhere in the world from the comfort of your living room. Since day one the network capabilities have been a huge plus for the Wii and nowhere is this felt more than in a game like Mario Kart Wii, which raises the bar for the Wii’s Wi-Fi capabilities and also makes Mario Kart Wii a sure bet to be one of the best Wii games of all time.
It doesn’t matter who you are, a gamer nostalgic for the Mario Kart of Nintendo 64, or a first time player, you will find so much to love about this game that you’ll find it hard to drag yourself away. If you played it long ago you will love the old school feel that means you don’t have to completely re-learn the game from the start, while marveling at all the new tracks, characters (and remembering all the old favorites), thrills and spills that Mario Kart Wii offers. If you’re new to it, then it will be the crazy energy, the track and kart mastering, and the out-and-out frustration at being pipped at the post time and time again that will have you playing this game into the wee small hours. While Mario Kart Wii might not be the most challenging of the games available, it is definitely one of the most fun times you’ll ever have with your Wii. On your marks, get set, GO!
If you are looking for one of the best Wii games ever, look no further than Super Smash Bros Brawl. If you’re already familiar with the nine-year-old Smash Bros. franchise, you’ll no doubt have high expectations. If you’ve never played a Super Smash Bros game before then you’re in for one action-packed, fast-paced treat. Both the original Super Smash Bros on Nintendo 64 (released 1999) and its GameCube sequel, Super Smash Bros Melee (2001), are still a hands-down favorite with many gamers, even after all these years.
For Smash Bros newbies, Brawl is a multiplayer series of fast-paced fighting games set in 2D worlds. It features an impressive cast of 35 characters (including 14 hidden characters to unlock), pulled from some of Nintendo’s most popular titles. Choose from such well-known Nintendo icons as Mario, Kirby, Link (Legend of Zelda), Pikachu (Pokemon) and Samus Aran (Metroid), as well as special cross-over appearances by Sonic the Hedgehog and Solid Snake. Each character has its own fighting style and abilities, with customizable signature moves to learn and explore.
As is expected with a game of this nature each character has his or her (or its) own strengths and weaknesses, and players get to strategize how to best protect themselves while taking advantage of their opponents’ flaws. Also, throughout the many and varied fast-paced battles, special items will spontaneously appear on the battlefield, up for grabs for whoever can reach them first. Some of these are weapons you can use against your opponents while others will repair your sustained damage.
Combat can include up to four players at a time. Each brawl takes place on a stage with a different theme taken from somewhere in the Nintendo Universe, a favorite being the classic layout from the original Donkey Kong arcade game, complete with flaming barrels. Each battle takes place at a frenetic pace, keeping even the most serious and battle-hardened players glued to the screen. Brawl also makes a perfect party game because everyone can join in and tournaments are easily set up by team or individual. The built-in tournament mode can keep track of up to 32 players on a single Wii, and it features a rotation mode for up to 16.
Brawl also makes new ground by providing online multiplayer battles. Play your friends or complete strangers halfway across the world. While you do have to tolerate those pesky friend codes, the otherwise unavailable options that open up on account of using them will make it all worthwhile. Usually a major problem with online fighting games, any lag that occurs in Brawl is infrequent and short-lived at best.
Brawl also offers the single player a challenging day of gaming by choosing Classic mode. Pitted against the sinister Master Hand, you must complete specific challenges to move on. Each time you play this mode, the rounds will change in minor ways so you never really play the same game twice. Single player mode also offers you an adventure that combines all the characters as they battle against a mysterious enemy. Hilarious cut scenes blend the challenges together into a fluid story line.
Come Get Some!
One of the best aspects of this game is that it is so engaging and frantically-paced and challenging that seasoned veterans can enjoy it for months or years as they learn all the strategies, while complete newbies can win a battle out of the blue and build their way up to being part of the Smash Bros hall of fame. Brawl is one of those rarities that appeals across the board to everyone. You’ll be impressed with the animation and design of the characters, as well as the magnificent soundtrack that contains over 100 songs. This is, without a doubt, one of the best Wii games of 2008, and will continue to be a well-loved and well-played addition to any Nintendo gamers’ arsenal for years to come.
The Nintendo Wii is a great new system for youngsters and adults alike. The motion sensitive controllers allow for complete 3-D movement which allows the most real game play yet. The Wii, although revolutionary, has had a problem gearing itself towards more adult gamers. With releases like Wii Sports, Mario Party, and All Star Cheer Squad, it is no surprise why the Nintendo Wii has been typecast; leaving the adult gamer wanting more. Suda 51, teaming up with the Grasshopper team attempt to put an end to the stereotype that the Wii is only for children. Combining their powers, they created No More Heroes – a release that is already being touted as one of the best Wii games around.
No More Heroes doesn’t fool around with long intros or messy story set-ups. Rather, it launches you right into the game almost immediately, allowing you to take control of protagonist Travis Touchdown. Travis Touchdown is a horribly nerdy anime/wrestling fan. I must admit at first I didn’t like Mr. Touchdown, but he grew on me quickly and soon I found him an extremely likable character. This makes the game all the more fun. The story shows that Travis buys a “Beam Katana” off of Ebay. With his new Katana (which resembles a light saber in more ways than one) Travis proceeds to kill someone who turns out to be one of the top assassins in the world. This puts him on his way to becoming the top assassin himself and with a little help from a sexy and mysterious French girl named Sylvia, Travis proceeds to hunt down the top 10 assassins and kill them methodically, rising up the ranks of the assassin leaderboard.
The game play is GTA-style, allowing you to fully explore the city of “Santa Destroy” either on foot or on Travis’ souped-up motorcycle. The innovative graphic style is truly eye-catching, with fantastic rendering and shadows giving the game a distinctly graphic-novel look about it. It’s certainly a refreshing change from the regular block-head-style graphics of other games in this format. There are tons of mini games to play and people to fight, the action and characters getting more and more outrageous as you go along – but this is absurdity on a crazy-cool scale and you’ll relish the wildness abandon that the game play story takes you on. The mini games allow you to upgrade Travis’ physical attributes and you can also take on odd jobs to get a little extra cash and buy new weapons and equipment. Where the game really shines is in its combat. No More Heroes has a great blend of using the standard game pad with the Wii motion sensors. Regular hacking and slashing is controlled by the gamepad, while finishing moves and special attacks rely on the motion controllers. If you’re really in the mood for taking someone down with style, stunned enemies can have wrestling moves, along with kicks and flips, performed on them before you put them out of their misery once and for all.
The game really comes alive when you encounter the 10 assassin bosses. Each one has a unique style about them, making each boss significantly different and more challenging. Also, you may notice that each boss represents a societal problem that the world faces, especially the United States. The good game play, matched with the clever satire and zany characters makes this rollicking violent extravaganza all the more worthwhile.
This is truly a fun, albeit strange game. Although it has a few bugs and the object boxes are bigger than the pictures they hold, it really doesn’t affect game play. This game finishes in about 12 hours, but the combat alone would make anyone want to play this game over and over again. One of the best Wii games ever? Let me put it this way. If you are looking for more mature, strangely funny and clever games to play, then this is the game for you.
Nintendo has definitely outdone itself and created one of the best Wii games with this Super Mario adventure. The graphics alone are example enough of what a great gaming experience is all about. When Nintendo created the character Mario, gamers all over the world fell in love with him right away. With each new Mario game, came a newfound love for Nintendo and Super Mario Galaxy is no exception. This game requires the use of the Wii controller as well as the nunchuck so you can have a unique gaming experience – getting up and moving around rather than just sitting on the couch and staring blankly at the screen.
This game falls along the same lines of the regular story line for the Mario saga. The Princess has been kidnapped by the evil Bowser and it’s up to the fearless Mario to save her. What separates this game from other Mario adventures, however, is that it takes place in a 3D outer space universe with each world that you visit having its own goal and villain that you have to defeat. There are so many interesting twists and turns that you will be pleasantly surprised and equally challenged with each new part of the journey.
Since the game is in space, Mario can go in all different directions, as gravity is different on each world you visit. The 3-dimensional Super Mario Galaxy gives you some things fresh and exciting around each and every turn, with fun to be had just from making big jumps and letting the slow gravity glide you down somewhere on the other side of the planet. In most Mario adventures you have to go through each chapter exactly before you can move forward to a new area, however with this game you can go play in different areas of the galaxy as you wish. This allows you to do so much more, and saves you getting frustrated at being unable to pass a harder part of the game.
Along with the mission to save the princess, you are also restoring life to the stars in the galaxy with a separate mission to find 120 Power Stars. 120 might not sound like a lot but this can actually take you awhile to accomplish so you can be sure to have hours and hours of game-playing fun along the way. You also have many mini challenges to complete while you collect Power Stars in each galaxy, to help you move on to the next galaxy. The more you find, the closer you are to getting Princess Rosalina’s ship up and running again – and once you fix her ship, you can travel to the center of the universe where you will have the final battle with Bowser and his son.
This game also gives you plenty of chances to earn 1ups (extra lives) as you can find green 1up mushrooms hidden in bushes all over the place. If you collect 50 tiny star bits, you also get 1ups so you can be sure to stay alive for a long time in the game. Be sure to stock up before you do battle at the end of each galaxy. Nintendo has truly created the ultimate Super Mario game ever. This is truly one of the best Wii games that all ages will fall in love with. It will be interesting to see what they will come up with next for Mario and the gang and if they can top this 3-dimensional wonder world of Super Mario Galaxy.
If you are new to Metroid Prime and its sequel then here is a brief run down. You play as Samus Aran, armor-plated beautiful blond bounty hunter of the galaxy in this first-person “so much more than just a simple shoot-em-up” shoot-em-up. Your missions basically have you exploring vast, three-dimensional environments, taking care of business against an array of foe and big boss foe alike, while solving various puzzles along the way to open all manner of hidden goodies and advance further along on your quest.
In Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, our fair haired heroine awakens from a cryogenic sleep to land on the military ship, the S.S Olympus. There her quest begins as a mysterious virus threatens to corrupt everything. Beyond that, I won’t go into the storyline, so as to save on spoilers, but anyone familiar with the Metroid Prime series will know what to expect from the third installment in the trilogy. For those new to the series, strap yourselves in for a high-octane sci-fi adventure. In fact, to label this as a first person shoot-em-up may give people the wrong impression. Metroid Prime 3 is so much more than just a FPS (First Person Shooter) – it is more on par with the Zelda series, only in space. However, no matter which way you want to slice it, MP3 most definitely ranks as one of the best Wii games available.
And what a space it is! The designers have really outdone themselves with this latest installment. As Samus travels through the galaxy on her quest she passes through all manner of weird worlds and spacecrafts, each one lovingly detailed with some of the best art work seen on the Wii to date. Whether it be exploring the claustrophobic confines of an enemy ship – complete with strobe lights and steaming vents of gas – or zooming across a planet surface deep with lava or falling particles, the production value is top-notch, with each level surpassing the previous in terms of quality and art direction. As with all previous Metroid games there is a certain amount of re-traversing to be done in order to make your way through the game but we’re happy to report that not only is this done a lot less in Metroid Prime 3, but the visuals are so spectacular you’ll be happy to do some backtracking just to get another look at the amazing structures and detailed machinery.
It’s safe to say that the switch to the Wii’s unique controlling system is the icing on the cake for Corruption. While previous Metroid adventures sometimes felt a little too structured in the control department, Corruption positively radiates under these new tools. The aiming and turning duties are handled by the Wii remote, while moving and attacking are dealt with by the Nunchuck controller - and the responsiveness of these two working side-by-side is outstanding. Using your nunchuck to move through your various environments, while aiming with the Wii remote is possibly the most comfortable feeling you can experience in first person gaming. There are even 3 sensitivity settings, from Standard to Advanced, to help you get used to the controls – although this is totally unnecessary as the set up feels so natural you’ll have no need to use anything but the very precise and quick-response Advanced mode. Anything less will just bog you down in frustration as you struggle with the far less-fluid settings. Other functions handled with ease are the switching of visors, the very cool grappling lasso, and Hypermode. Never before has a Wii game made such good use of the motion-sensory equipment than here on Corruption. Throughout the game you will need to press buttons, turn locks, pull levers and more using the Wii remote – with the gestures involved working so smoothly you’ll almost believe you’re doing these tasks for real. Samus’ grappling lasso is handled with the nunchuck and is great fun to use as you take aim, lock-on and throw the lasso, then pull panels off walls, rip apart an enemy opponent and other useful acts of destruction with a simple throwing motion. Compared to the previous two Metroid Prime outings this is a much easier-to-maneuver affair, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s an easier game. With the variety of challenges and puzzles to complete, as well as increasingly tough bosses to defeat before moving on to further levels, Corruption will still have your palms sweating and your heart racing from the action.
Downsides? What Downsides?
As far as downsides, Corruption has very little. The only one of note is the occasionally slow load time when it comes to moving to a new section. This is undoubtedly due to the increased production value adding to the workload and therefore making the transitions a little slower – sometimes. Quite a minor pick but worth mentioning only because when you’re pumped up and itching for battle a 5-7 second delay in a door opening can seem like a lifetime. Some people have also said that the mere fact that the game is a sequel, and therefore familiar in its game play, works against it. I disagree. I think the familiarity is a plus – like revisiting a place you love. If you haven’t played a Metroid Prime game before then it won’t be familiar at all necessarily. If you have then you won’t have to waste any time getting to know the gaming system. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption has about 20-ish hours of game play to complete the main storyline, and much longer if you go about doing every little thing to achieve a 100% completion rating. The scanning mode adds even more game play value, as objects you uncover on your travels can bear anything from puzzle clues and unlockables, to missiles and energy tanks – with each find adding to your overall percentage. You can also earn various medals for performing certain tasks successfully. These medals allow you to purchase various add-ons such as concept art, a screen capture tool to send pictures of the game to friends online and a little bobblehead doll for Samus’ cockpit, to name but a few.
I never used to be much of a fan of first person shooter-type games, but the first two Metroid Prime games caused me to start thinking differently. Metroid Prime 3, however, has me totally converted (at least to MP3), and I think for the most part it comes down to how comfortable and natural the controls feel throughout the game itself. If you’re at all like I was then I recommend you give Corruption a go, simply because of how much more this game has to offer than a regular FPS. To me, all the aspects of what make a great game are satisfyingly supplied in spades here. Fantastic graphics and art design, ease of movement and functionality, brain-boggling puzzles to solve, a gripping storyline and some big ole nasties to bring down along the way. I haven’t gone into all the features available here as I don’t want to give everything away – but suffice to say that if the above review has whet your appetite for more then you’re looking at the best fun you’ve had on a gaming console in ages. Mark my words, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption will go down in history as one the best Wii games of all time – and the best right now. Now go and buy it!
