Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (Rating: 9/10)
Mario and Sonic have been competing from 1991 all the way to a decade later. That's when the Sega console thing crumbled. But now who would have thought that Mario and Sonic would be in the same game?
The game may be an Olympics video game, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be any fun. The game is packed with lots of events, including running, swimming, Javelin throw, Long jumping, triple jumping, etc. The best events in this game are the Dream events, and for one major reason: It combines Mario and Sonic elements into Olympic sports.
Dream Race feels like a fun Mario Kart spin-off. It is complete with obstacles, speed panels, and Mario Kart-y items. Dream Platform takes skydiving to big heights (No pun intended) with the Mario bricks, the items, and the button patterns from the Trampoline event. It makes everything a lot more fun.
Another great inclusion is playing with your Miis. While it's pretty cool playing with Mario and Sonic in the same game screen, how about add in a Mii version of, oh I don't know, Pac-Man? Or maybe Shigeru Miyamoto (Creator of Mario)?
One thing that I just find to be very moan-inducing are the non-Olympic minigames that unlock Olymics trivia if you beat them. Why are they moan-inducing? Well, there's a Simon-based one where you have to click on the characters that appear onscreen in a pattern that mimmicks the example. What's bad about it is that the sound bites from the characters repeat so often that it's just....I don't know..do you want to hear "Oh, no-Oh, no-Awesome!-Awesome!-Aw, man"? It sounds ridiculous.
But overall, this is a great game for the Wii library. Hopefully, we'll see another Mario and Sonic game besides Winter Olympics. One in which they both set on a platforming quest.
The game may be an Olympics video game, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be any fun. The game is packed with lots of events, including running, swimming, Javelin throw, Long jumping, triple jumping, etc. The best events in this game are the Dream events, and for one major reason: It combines Mario and Sonic elements into Olympic sports.
Dream Race feels like a fun Mario Kart spin-off. It is complete with obstacles, speed panels, and Mario Kart-y items. Dream Platform takes skydiving to big heights (No pun intended) with the Mario bricks, the items, and the button patterns from the Trampoline event. It makes everything a lot more fun.
Another great inclusion is playing with your Miis. While it's pretty cool playing with Mario and Sonic in the same game screen, how about add in a Mii version of, oh I don't know, Pac-Man? Or maybe Shigeru Miyamoto (Creator of Mario)?
One thing that I just find to be very moan-inducing are the non-Olympic minigames that unlock Olymics trivia if you beat them. Why are they moan-inducing? Well, there's a Simon-based one where you have to click on the characters that appear onscreen in a pattern that mimmicks the example. What's bad about it is that the sound bites from the characters repeat so often that it's just....I don't know..do you want to hear "Oh, no-Oh, no-Awesome!-Awesome!-Aw, man"? It sounds ridiculous.
But overall, this is a great game for the Wii library. Hopefully, we'll see another Mario and Sonic game besides Winter Olympics. One in which they both set on a platforming quest.
Mario Kart Wii (Rating: 10/10)
You know, I remember when I had Mario Kart 64 for the Nintendo 64 a long time ago. And then my little brother was born years later. He actually tried playing the game once, but since he just went right into it, the onscreen character (Mario) just steered around and around. My mom was watching, and she said that "they should make a steering wheel for something like this". Guess what? Nintendo went to that with the much-later-released Mario Kart Wii.
The play control for Mario Kart Wii actually feels much better than previous installments due to the excellent Wii Wheel, which gives you a really nice grip for the standard Wii Remote. Don't want to play with these innovations? Then you can just relax and play with a Gamecube controller!
The game, like all the other Mario Karts, offers lots and lots of fun and unique tracks that all play differently from each other, thanks to the brilliant environments in each and every one of those tracks. Like Mario Kart DS, MKWii brings back a mixed bag of tracks from previous Mario Karts as well. You can go find some images or videos online to see what some of these tracks are, and I'm pretty sure that will persuade you to go buy the game immediately.
But I'm not finished yet! Let's talk about the Battle modes. Now, MK players should be familiar with this, as it's also been in every Mario Kart. But here, you get to play against the computer players (or friends AND computers)! When it comes to collecting the most coins or eliminating each other, the Battle mode is another reason why this game is golden.
Not ONLY do you get to battle and race with 11 computer players, but you can PLAY ONLINE via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, in those two modes! This means you get to play with bunches of strangers from across the world! Sure, there's signs of hackery, but not ALWAYS. There are only few times where things like that occur. Otherwise, the online play is great and rarely lags (if not at all)!
And to top it all of, you can play as a Mii (You must unlock that first, but whatever). C'mon! You know you want to race around with Mario characters as Captain Falcon, Chuck Norris, Steve Urkel, Sonic, Pikachu, Mickey Mouse, etc (Depending on what Miis you can find on the Check Mii Out Channel or whether you're an excellent Mii artist)! Besides, even without the Mii feature, Mario Kart Wii is still some of the best fun you can have for your Wii console.
The play control for Mario Kart Wii actually feels much better than previous installments due to the excellent Wii Wheel, which gives you a really nice grip for the standard Wii Remote. Don't want to play with these innovations? Then you can just relax and play with a Gamecube controller!
The game, like all the other Mario Karts, offers lots and lots of fun and unique tracks that all play differently from each other, thanks to the brilliant environments in each and every one of those tracks. Like Mario Kart DS, MKWii brings back a mixed bag of tracks from previous Mario Karts as well. You can go find some images or videos online to see what some of these tracks are, and I'm pretty sure that will persuade you to go buy the game immediately.
But I'm not finished yet! Let's talk about the Battle modes. Now, MK players should be familiar with this, as it's also been in every Mario Kart. But here, you get to play against the computer players (or friends AND computers)! When it comes to collecting the most coins or eliminating each other, the Battle mode is another reason why this game is golden.
Not ONLY do you get to battle and race with 11 computer players, but you can PLAY ONLINE via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, in those two modes! This means you get to play with bunches of strangers from across the world! Sure, there's signs of hackery, but not ALWAYS. There are only few times where things like that occur. Otherwise, the online play is great and rarely lags (if not at all)!
And to top it all of, you can play as a Mii (You must unlock that first, but whatever). C'mon! You know you want to race around with Mario characters as Captain Falcon, Chuck Norris, Steve Urkel, Sonic, Pikachu, Mickey Mouse, etc (Depending on what Miis you can find on the Check Mii Out Channel or whether you're an excellent Mii artist)! Besides, even without the Mii feature, Mario Kart Wii is still some of the best fun you can have for your Wii console.
Mario Power Tennis (Rating: 8/10)
Mario Power Tennis is a tough game to rate. Not just because it's Tennis with minigames, but Mario Tennis: Power Tour for GBA had an RPG mode that this version lacks. Also, I'm noticing that people are complaining about the Wii's motion controls. I don't understand why. I guess they didn't want it to be like actual Tennis?
Mario Power Tennis is, of course, a game of Tennis with Mario characters in it. Well, actually, there's much more to it. There are courses that have all kinds of different gimmicks relating to things in the Mario universe, depending on the course you're playing on (Luigi's Mansion's got ghosts come in on certain occasions, for example). The game plays just as well as Wii Sports's Tennis did with the motion controls. It really feels close to actual Tennis.
There are also some fun modes you can play, including a Tournament mode and some pretty fun minigames (Especially when playing with friends). Minigames like Artist on the Court test you to see how fast you can complete the objective given. In this case, you must hit the ball against the wall to color in drawings of Mario and friends.
While there are better Tennis video games out there, like Sega Superstars Tennis and Mario Tennis: Power Tour, it's still nice to play a game that is controlled like real Tennis while still staying true with the Mario feel.
Mario Power Tennis is, of course, a game of Tennis with Mario characters in it. Well, actually, there's much more to it. There are courses that have all kinds of different gimmicks relating to things in the Mario universe, depending on the course you're playing on (Luigi's Mansion's got ghosts come in on certain occasions, for example). The game plays just as well as Wii Sports's Tennis did with the motion controls. It really feels close to actual Tennis.
There are also some fun modes you can play, including a Tournament mode and some pretty fun minigames (Especially when playing with friends). Minigames like Artist on the Court test you to see how fast you can complete the objective given. In this case, you must hit the ball against the wall to color in drawings of Mario and friends.
While there are better Tennis video games out there, like Sega Superstars Tennis and Mario Tennis: Power Tour, it's still nice to play a game that is controlled like real Tennis while still staying true with the Mario feel.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Rating: 9/10)
New Super Mario Bros on the DS was already so great, but now a sequel kicks in and steals all of its fame. Is that a good thing? Well, yeah. In fact, the first NSMB's popularity wasn't really stolen.
It's an all-new 2D Mario game for the home consoles, and with an extremely huge twist. Along with going through 8 hugely awesome worlds, and beating the everloving heck out of Goombas in classic Mario gameplay, you get to do all this....with your buddies! 4 players sharing the same screen cooperating together in a 2D Mario game? Cool! The downside to that, however, is how terrible we can all be when it comes to one person stealing another's power-up, or maybe one player would "accidentally" throw the other player into the lava or spike pits. The solution? Press A and you will float in a bubble....but someone must pop the bubble to free you.
The power-ups are now different from the DS game. Here, you get the Propeller suit. Shake the Wii Remote to rise up into the air. If you were to remove the propeller, it'd make an awesome racing suit for Mario Kart. Next is the penguin suit, in which you slide on your stomach, bashing through blocks with your face, while also shooting snowballs at your enemies. The Ice Flower lets you JUST shoot snowballs. The Fire Flower lets you shoot fireballs, of course. Since when has that changed?
You can also be able to ride (drum roll please) YOSHI!!! 4 of them, in fact! A player can also be eaten so he/she can ride in Yoshi's mouth while the controlling player (riding Yoshi) makes his/her way through the many obstacles of a level. Sadly, there are few levels with him.
There are no freakish minigames, this time, but there is still a VS Mode. Wanna collect more coins than the other? Wanna beat each other up? There you go. Play that here.
Overall, this game would possibly beat Super Smash Bros. Brawl as one of the best multiplayer experiences on the Wii.
It's an all-new 2D Mario game for the home consoles, and with an extremely huge twist. Along with going through 8 hugely awesome worlds, and beating the everloving heck out of Goombas in classic Mario gameplay, you get to do all this....with your buddies! 4 players sharing the same screen cooperating together in a 2D Mario game? Cool! The downside to that, however, is how terrible we can all be when it comes to one person stealing another's power-up, or maybe one player would "accidentally" throw the other player into the lava or spike pits. The solution? Press A and you will float in a bubble....but someone must pop the bubble to free you.
The power-ups are now different from the DS game. Here, you get the Propeller suit. Shake the Wii Remote to rise up into the air. If you were to remove the propeller, it'd make an awesome racing suit for Mario Kart. Next is the penguin suit, in which you slide on your stomach, bashing through blocks with your face, while also shooting snowballs at your enemies. The Ice Flower lets you JUST shoot snowballs. The Fire Flower lets you shoot fireballs, of course. Since when has that changed?
You can also be able to ride (drum roll please) YOSHI!!! 4 of them, in fact! A player can also be eaten so he/she can ride in Yoshi's mouth while the controlling player (riding Yoshi) makes his/her way through the many obstacles of a level. Sadly, there are few levels with him.
There are no freakish minigames, this time, but there is still a VS Mode. Wanna collect more coins than the other? Wanna beat each other up? There you go. Play that here.
Overall, this game would possibly beat Super Smash Bros. Brawl as one of the best multiplayer experiences on the Wii.
Rayman Origins (Rating: 10/10)
Finally taking a break from being overshadowed by demented Rabbids, Rayman finally stars in another platforming adventure. And BOY was this an unexpected turnout! There were a lot of times in which I thought this was too good to be true. No way could a game have such amazing 2D visuals, a gorgeous soundtrack, and incredible gameplay to match with everything alike. It would have to be a beyond-MIRACLE to obtain something like that.
But I couldn't be happier to say that this game fits that bill! The gameplay is very simple - You jump, you punch/kick, you collect Lums, you do whatever it takes to go and rescue the trapped beings in them big cages. However, as simple as it sounds, it is amazingly executed. There are loads of elements that keep the flow of the gameplay at its max it's freaking unbelievable! Just watch the least bit of footage possible and you'll be amazed!
Again, the graphics are EYE-POPPING! This is the finest 2D graphics could go! Everything's all hand-drawn and cartoon-y! Just thinking about it makes my mind thrive with cheerfulness! I absolutely love this look! See the boxart? The game looks just like that! And the soundtrack makes those visuals even more appealing, yet it also adds to the game by itself.
There's so much about this game that I totally find awesome that I just can't put it all in one review (EX: I may as well mention now that there's a HILARIOUS intro when starting a new game). So, if you're still concerned, either go read other reviews or watch videos of the game being played. I prefer the latter.
Overall, this is as close to flawless as it gets. If you are a platformer fan, you'd be just plain crazy to pass this up! Heck, it makes Rayman 2 (Who some claim to be one of the best 3D platformers) look like complete crap! Yeah, I said it.
This is the best game I ever played (alongside Super Mario World), and if I, a die-hard gamer, would praise it THIS much, you have no choice but to buy this game anyway! Whether you own a PC, Wii, Xbox, PS3, etc, you need this game!
But I couldn't be happier to say that this game fits that bill! The gameplay is very simple - You jump, you punch/kick, you collect Lums, you do whatever it takes to go and rescue the trapped beings in them big cages. However, as simple as it sounds, it is amazingly executed. There are loads of elements that keep the flow of the gameplay at its max it's freaking unbelievable! Just watch the least bit of footage possible and you'll be amazed!
Again, the graphics are EYE-POPPING! This is the finest 2D graphics could go! Everything's all hand-drawn and cartoon-y! Just thinking about it makes my mind thrive with cheerfulness! I absolutely love this look! See the boxart? The game looks just like that! And the soundtrack makes those visuals even more appealing, yet it also adds to the game by itself.
There's so much about this game that I totally find awesome that I just can't put it all in one review (EX: I may as well mention now that there's a HILARIOUS intro when starting a new game). So, if you're still concerned, either go read other reviews or watch videos of the game being played. I prefer the latter.
Overall, this is as close to flawless as it gets. If you are a platformer fan, you'd be just plain crazy to pass this up! Heck, it makes Rayman 2 (Who some claim to be one of the best 3D platformers) look like complete crap! Yeah, I said it.
This is the best game I ever played (alongside Super Mario World), and if I, a die-hard gamer, would praise it THIS much, you have no choice but to buy this game anyway! Whether you own a PC, Wii, Xbox, PS3, etc, you need this game!
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (Rating: 9/10)
You know, I was at Walt Disney World for 3 days. During the vacation, I had visited Downtown Disney's Disney Quest. I was saddened to realize that Mario Kart Arcade GP was no longer there, but my mood rose again when I realized that what replaced it was the arcade version of Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing. Since I've (now regrettably) sold my copy of the Wii game, this was my only opportunity other than buying the game to jump back in to the fun. Just so you know, the arcade game is just like the console game, except it uses a steering wheel and pedals (And it doesn't offer as much tracks).
Of course, one would say this is a complete rip-off of Mario Kart. Well, that's debatable. LOTS of franchises have stepped into kart-racing before. Crash Bandicoot, Mickey Mouse, Digimon, Pac-Man, and even Little Big Planet's getting a racer, to name a few. So really, it's its own genre. And this isn't even Sonic's first time on the track (See Sonic Drift and Sonic R). But what's special about Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing is that it's a game with characters and tracks from/based off of various Sega games coming together as fan service similar to that of the Smash Bros. games.
As for the game itself, it almost offers the same great fun as Mario Kart. The tracks may have been inspired by other Sega games, but they are HUGELY creative and fun (Have you ever wanted to do a loop-de-loop in a racer?). Everything is colorfully detailed, flowing with eye candy, and the variety of characters/tracks can surely appeal to fans. From the Sonic crew to Billy Hatcher to Super Monkey Ball's Ai-Ai, this can be said to be an all-star cast.
So what are some things that are wrong with Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing? Well, I don't remember if there's an option to turn this off (Correct me if there is), but I HATE the announcer that talks during the race. He sounds enthusiastic, sure, but to the point where it's just annoying. He would even make an unlaughable joke or two. What I also don't like is that some of the track design could be a bit cheap. For example, in Whale Lagoon, as you cross a bridge, there's a spring that instantly bounces you into the water. And for this one mission in the Samba Di Amigo track, you have to play as Big and must try not to break any vases. It's easier said than done. Lastly, while the items are certainly effective, they feel kinda uninspired, especially since there's tons of material Sega could work with for them.
But all in all, S&SASR is a great racing game that is a neat love-letter to Sega fans. It is definitely worth picking up if you are one to play games of this genre or Sega games in general. Plus, if you're still on the fence about the decision, find the arcade version of the game and play it. It may convince you to make your choice (Once you get used to the steering wheel and pedal control scheme).
Of course, one would say this is a complete rip-off of Mario Kart. Well, that's debatable. LOTS of franchises have stepped into kart-racing before. Crash Bandicoot, Mickey Mouse, Digimon, Pac-Man, and even Little Big Planet's getting a racer, to name a few. So really, it's its own genre. And this isn't even Sonic's first time on the track (See Sonic Drift and Sonic R). But what's special about Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing is that it's a game with characters and tracks from/based off of various Sega games coming together as fan service similar to that of the Smash Bros. games.
As for the game itself, it almost offers the same great fun as Mario Kart. The tracks may have been inspired by other Sega games, but they are HUGELY creative and fun (Have you ever wanted to do a loop-de-loop in a racer?). Everything is colorfully detailed, flowing with eye candy, and the variety of characters/tracks can surely appeal to fans. From the Sonic crew to Billy Hatcher to Super Monkey Ball's Ai-Ai, this can be said to be an all-star cast.
So what are some things that are wrong with Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing? Well, I don't remember if there's an option to turn this off (Correct me if there is), but I HATE the announcer that talks during the race. He sounds enthusiastic, sure, but to the point where it's just annoying. He would even make an unlaughable joke or two. What I also don't like is that some of the track design could be a bit cheap. For example, in Whale Lagoon, as you cross a bridge, there's a spring that instantly bounces you into the water. And for this one mission in the Samba Di Amigo track, you have to play as Big and must try not to break any vases. It's easier said than done. Lastly, while the items are certainly effective, they feel kinda uninspired, especially since there's tons of material Sega could work with for them.
But all in all, S&SASR is a great racing game that is a neat love-letter to Sega fans. It is definitely worth picking up if you are one to play games of this genre or Sega games in general. Plus, if you're still on the fence about the decision, find the arcade version of the game and play it. It may convince you to make your choice (Once you get used to the steering wheel and pedal control scheme).
Sonic Colors (Rating: 10/10)
Poor Sonic. Where have you gone? You were shining extremely bright in the 90s. Then, in the 2000s, (almost) everything fell flat in the middle of that decade. We see a human girl smooching off Sonic to give him Chaos Emerald power, a giant fat cat that everybody hates, and entire games in which a hedgehog wields a gun or a sword. Sonic was practically dying all this time. Luckily for the famous blue hedgehog, the 2010s are bringing him back to the spotlight with Sonic Colors!
Sonic Colors is a step in the right direction. It is complete with 2.5D-3D gameplay, (mostly) funny cutscenes, and gimmicks that actually work correctly. Those gimmicks are the aliens known as "Wisps". The Wisps serve as power-ups, something that was never featured in pretty much any of the Sonic games (Unless you count shields and Chaos Emeralds)
The graphics are mind-blowing. It's Sega's creativity at its finest! Everything looks pretty darn flashy and colorfully (no pun intended) detailed. Simply put: It's eye candy. The environments are crazy, too, for the most part. Sometimes, I'd just think "How could they have pulled it off so neatly?"
The gameplay varies from 2.5D to 3D segments. You would probably think that it would fall flat as it did in other Sonic games. Fortunately, however, it manages to be a fun result. This is what we were all begging for from Sega: A good modern Sonic game that has very appealing gameplay. Plus, it doesn't all rely on speed. There are lots and lots of platforming to do....and I had a blast playing through. Sorry, 360 and PS3 fans...you kinda missed out.
Lastly: The cutscenes. Is the dialogue bad like in some of the other Sonic games? No! In fact, there were some pretty good jokes in the cutscenes (Although few are moan-inducing). Some happen to be pretty random, such as how Yacker (the first Wisp Sonic befriends) identifies Dr. Eggman as Baldy McNoseHair. As random as it was, I cracked up.
Overall, if you think Sonic is seriously going downhill, you should pick this up. It will change your mind about the series's downfall, and you're gonna love it. While we Wii owners won't be able to get Sonic Generations (Though it'll come on Nintendo 3DS), at least we still have a Sonic game that lets us forget about the blue hedgehog's troubling past.
Sonic Colors is a step in the right direction. It is complete with 2.5D-3D gameplay, (mostly) funny cutscenes, and gimmicks that actually work correctly. Those gimmicks are the aliens known as "Wisps". The Wisps serve as power-ups, something that was never featured in pretty much any of the Sonic games (Unless you count shields and Chaos Emeralds)
The graphics are mind-blowing. It's Sega's creativity at its finest! Everything looks pretty darn flashy and colorfully (no pun intended) detailed. Simply put: It's eye candy. The environments are crazy, too, for the most part. Sometimes, I'd just think "How could they have pulled it off so neatly?"
The gameplay varies from 2.5D to 3D segments. You would probably think that it would fall flat as it did in other Sonic games. Fortunately, however, it manages to be a fun result. This is what we were all begging for from Sega: A good modern Sonic game that has very appealing gameplay. Plus, it doesn't all rely on speed. There are lots and lots of platforming to do....and I had a blast playing through. Sorry, 360 and PS3 fans...you kinda missed out.
Lastly: The cutscenes. Is the dialogue bad like in some of the other Sonic games? No! In fact, there were some pretty good jokes in the cutscenes (Although few are moan-inducing). Some happen to be pretty random, such as how Yacker (the first Wisp Sonic befriends) identifies Dr. Eggman as Baldy McNoseHair. As random as it was, I cracked up.
Overall, if you think Sonic is seriously going downhill, you should pick this up. It will change your mind about the series's downfall, and you're gonna love it. While we Wii owners won't be able to get Sonic Generations (Though it'll come on Nintendo 3DS), at least we still have a Sonic game that lets us forget about the blue hedgehog's troubling past.
Sonic Unleashed (Rating: 8/10)
After the extremely horrific damage to the series known as Sonic 2006 came and went (As well as some other stuff), SEGA was motivated to make "the best Sonic game ever, even including the Genesis titles". So, they created some pretty awesome next-gen Sonic gameplay. But then they decided to throw in a mix of a new concept, as well. This time, the gimmick is Sonic turning into a "Werehog", a werewolf that is apparently fused with a hedgehog, and he can kill stuff by punching, as well as climb things and stretch his arms. Does it all come together? Keep reading to find out.
Well, I must say. The Sonic gameplay is definitely amazing. It feels a bit weird to shake the Wii Remote to boost (I'm used to the gameplay in Sonic Colors, which is sorta derived from this game's mechanics), but other than that, I was having a blast playing the game. It was truly a thrill to run fast, kill enemies, etc. It's the kind of gameplay that you've always wanted to expect from the hedgehog since the Dreamcast era. Well, of course, not exactly like the Dreamcast games, but I hope you understand my point.
Then, whenever there's a level taking place in the night, Sonic....turns into the Werehog. You know, if it wasn't for this Werehog concept, I would have given this game a straight-up 5 stars. It's not that it was a BAD idea. It just wasn't executed as well. While the normal Sonic levels take a few minutes to beat, Werehog's levels take.....twice or three times as long. That just doesn't seem necessary. Why? Well, there are often times where you have to beat things up. The combat just gets tired and repetitive. It also plays the same music over and over whenever encountering the enemies you're forced to fight to move on...
As for some of the more minor aspects of the game, they are pretty darn well for the most part. The graphics are eye-popping, and the music is fun to listen to (Except for the said music when encountering enemies in Werehog levels). But when it comes to having to talk to villagers before actually playing levels, they just don't seem like they should be there. Why not just have the levels alone? Plus, few say the weirdest lines, such as that kid that is obsessed with eating, of all things.
But overall, if you're on the fence looking for a good Sonic game to play, this can fit the bill. Just try to be able to tolerate the worst the Werehog levels have to offer.
Well, I must say. The Sonic gameplay is definitely amazing. It feels a bit weird to shake the Wii Remote to boost (I'm used to the gameplay in Sonic Colors, which is sorta derived from this game's mechanics), but other than that, I was having a blast playing the game. It was truly a thrill to run fast, kill enemies, etc. It's the kind of gameplay that you've always wanted to expect from the hedgehog since the Dreamcast era. Well, of course, not exactly like the Dreamcast games, but I hope you understand my point.
Then, whenever there's a level taking place in the night, Sonic....turns into the Werehog. You know, if it wasn't for this Werehog concept, I would have given this game a straight-up 5 stars. It's not that it was a BAD idea. It just wasn't executed as well. While the normal Sonic levels take a few minutes to beat, Werehog's levels take.....twice or three times as long. That just doesn't seem necessary. Why? Well, there are often times where you have to beat things up. The combat just gets tired and repetitive. It also plays the same music over and over whenever encountering the enemies you're forced to fight to move on...
As for some of the more minor aspects of the game, they are pretty darn well for the most part. The graphics are eye-popping, and the music is fun to listen to (Except for the said music when encountering enemies in Werehog levels). But when it comes to having to talk to villagers before actually playing levels, they just don't seem like they should be there. Why not just have the levels alone? Plus, few say the weirdest lines, such as that kid that is obsessed with eating, of all things.
But overall, if you're on the fence looking for a good Sonic game to play, this can fit the bill. Just try to be able to tolerate the worst the Werehog levels have to offer.
Super Mario Galaxy (Rating: 10/10)
You've probably seen how revolutionary Super Mario 64 was on the Nintendo 64. Well, imagine if the game was separated into mini planets, and you see Mario soaring through the air as he was launched into the air. That, my friends, is Mario Galaxy.
The game starts out with Mario roaming through a gorgeously detailed Mushroom Kingdom as he runs to Peach's Castle...for cake. But then, guess what? Not only does Bowser kidnap Peach again. He kidnaps Peach in a very epic cutscene! Unfortunately for Mario, a Magikoopa sends him flying into the galaxy, knocking him out.
Now, the main game is playing through very big and graphical 3D worlds bouncing on Goombas, collecting coins, and all kinds of other stuff. But, like Super Mario 64, you must collect Stars. Collect enough Stars to be able to play in another world, or maybe have Mario tussle with Bowser. If you were to play the game, you'll notice that everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is much, much deeper and more fun than I am describing it.
The music is nothing like I've ever heard in a Mario game. I mean, seriously. Once I played the game until after I beat the first Bowser boss, I was thinking "Oh, my god. These tracks are from a MARIO game??". The music also breathes air into the spacey atmosphere in the game.
The one major complaint I have with this game is that the 2-Player mode is stupid. There's almost nothing the second player can do to help the first player play through the game. Sure, he/she can collect Star Bits, launch them at enemies, and fling those...rubber..trees at enemies. But that's pretty much it. The second player doesn't even have his/her own character (Thanks, Mario Galaxy 2).
But other than the 2-Player mode, the game is amazing. It is one of the best Wii games you can buy.
The game starts out with Mario roaming through a gorgeously detailed Mushroom Kingdom as he runs to Peach's Castle...for cake. But then, guess what? Not only does Bowser kidnap Peach again. He kidnaps Peach in a very epic cutscene! Unfortunately for Mario, a Magikoopa sends him flying into the galaxy, knocking him out.
Now, the main game is playing through very big and graphical 3D worlds bouncing on Goombas, collecting coins, and all kinds of other stuff. But, like Super Mario 64, you must collect Stars. Collect enough Stars to be able to play in another world, or maybe have Mario tussle with Bowser. If you were to play the game, you'll notice that everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is much, much deeper and more fun than I am describing it.
The music is nothing like I've ever heard in a Mario game. I mean, seriously. Once I played the game until after I beat the first Bowser boss, I was thinking "Oh, my god. These tracks are from a MARIO game??". The music also breathes air into the spacey atmosphere in the game.
The one major complaint I have with this game is that the 2-Player mode is stupid. There's almost nothing the second player can do to help the first player play through the game. Sure, he/she can collect Star Bits, launch them at enemies, and fling those...rubber..trees at enemies. But that's pretty much it. The second player doesn't even have his/her own character (Thanks, Mario Galaxy 2).
But other than the 2-Player mode, the game is amazing. It is one of the best Wii games you can buy.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Rating: 10/10)
You know, ever since the original Super Smash Bros, it was unbelievable to imagine several of Nintendo's franchises coming together and beat the ever-loving heck out of each other. The result was one of the best multiplayer experiences around. Then Melee came by and improved upon every single aspect of the original, as well as introducing things like Events, an Adventure Mode, and an All-Star mode. OH MY GOD!!! WHAT THE HECK IS BRAWL GONNA BRING US?! Just keep reading and you'll be shocked (That is, if you don't already own the game).
Already, the character lineup is STUNNING. You've got characters from series like Zelda, Mario, Metroid, Pokemon, etc (And this should already appeal to fans everywhere), and now there are even MORE additions! Wouldn't you believe that Nintendo actually managed to bring SONIC and Metal Gear's SNAKE into the action! HOLY SHOOT! Can you imagine Mario and Sonic fighting evil side by side? Or maybe you can make them fight each other as if it is the Sega Vs Nintendo era all over again? The possibilities are endless!
Speaking of endless possibilities, there's a freaking Stage Builder! This means you get to make your very own fighting arenas! Granted, there's limited things to put in, but just the privilege of being able to make levels can really keep you hyped! Look on the bright side: If you don't like the gimmicky fights in Brawl's own stages, you can just make your own.
The stages themselves are extremely detailed and very creative! The gimmicks in each level help add to the intense fighting action. For example, in WarioWare Inc., (Which itself is a stage based off a minigame series, and it's very faithful. That alone deserves some praise) the players can actually compete in the minigames while fighting to earn prizes like temporary invincibility (Starman), or grow bigger!
The Event Match mode from Melee has returned here, but this time, there are also events in which you and a friend could play together! Classic mode and All-Star mode also return, and of course, while they haven't truly changed, they certainly seem much better here, considering the amazing selections of characters and stages.
Here's a cute bonus: Nintendo actually threw in demos of classic video games into Brawl! In the Masterpieces section, you can find trials of games such as Kirby's Adventure, Super Mario World, Ice Climber, F-Zero, Star Fox 64, etc.
But that bonus is terribly pathetic compared to the game's Adventure mode! Aka the Subspace Emissary, this may as well have been sold off as its own game, but NO! Nintendo put this in as a BONUS! Think a game in which characters from several Nintendo franchises have come together and join forces to stop an evil demon-like creature that's messing with their world. THIS is that game! Sure, you are forced to play as certain characters at first (Like Mario or Pit from Kid Icarus), but eventually, you'll be loaded with almost all of the available characters in the game that you can choose from. There are also some amazing encounters with familiar good/bad guys as they are also involved with this epic plot (There is a part in which Fox and Diddy Kong fight the Pokemon, Rayquaza!). The Great Maze (Which is at the near-end of the game) left me grumbling, as it was very confusing to get past, but overall, I'm loving this!
In case if you thought all of this was enough, think again; there's also online play. You can play online multiplayer against other people! Whether it's a 2 on 2 team match or every player for him/herself, I bet you'd have a very fun time playing! The only problem, though, is that the game sorta lags depending on how far away the players are from where you live. Also, the controls are slightly delayed, but fortunately, you can easily get used to it.
There are other modes that I haven't really talked about for this review (Like Breaking Targets, Home-Run Contest, and Multi-Man Melee in which you fight a big number of easy-to-defeat polygonal characters), but this is already such a huge package that I'm sure you don't even need me to discuss them!
Overall, there's a lot to love here for Nintendo fans. Heck, even if you AREN'T a Nintendo fan, I bet this game would get you interested! Plus, even if some game modes weren't really too great for you, there's still so much content that you'd enjoy otherwise that you might never get bored from this game! No Wii owner's library is complete without this game!
Already, the character lineup is STUNNING. You've got characters from series like Zelda, Mario, Metroid, Pokemon, etc (And this should already appeal to fans everywhere), and now there are even MORE additions! Wouldn't you believe that Nintendo actually managed to bring SONIC and Metal Gear's SNAKE into the action! HOLY SHOOT! Can you imagine Mario and Sonic fighting evil side by side? Or maybe you can make them fight each other as if it is the Sega Vs Nintendo era all over again? The possibilities are endless!
Speaking of endless possibilities, there's a freaking Stage Builder! This means you get to make your very own fighting arenas! Granted, there's limited things to put in, but just the privilege of being able to make levels can really keep you hyped! Look on the bright side: If you don't like the gimmicky fights in Brawl's own stages, you can just make your own.
The stages themselves are extremely detailed and very creative! The gimmicks in each level help add to the intense fighting action. For example, in WarioWare Inc., (Which itself is a stage based off a minigame series, and it's very faithful. That alone deserves some praise) the players can actually compete in the minigames while fighting to earn prizes like temporary invincibility (Starman), or grow bigger!
The Event Match mode from Melee has returned here, but this time, there are also events in which you and a friend could play together! Classic mode and All-Star mode also return, and of course, while they haven't truly changed, they certainly seem much better here, considering the amazing selections of characters and stages.
Here's a cute bonus: Nintendo actually threw in demos of classic video games into Brawl! In the Masterpieces section, you can find trials of games such as Kirby's Adventure, Super Mario World, Ice Climber, F-Zero, Star Fox 64, etc.
But that bonus is terribly pathetic compared to the game's Adventure mode! Aka the Subspace Emissary, this may as well have been sold off as its own game, but NO! Nintendo put this in as a BONUS! Think a game in which characters from several Nintendo franchises have come together and join forces to stop an evil demon-like creature that's messing with their world. THIS is that game! Sure, you are forced to play as certain characters at first (Like Mario or Pit from Kid Icarus), but eventually, you'll be loaded with almost all of the available characters in the game that you can choose from. There are also some amazing encounters with familiar good/bad guys as they are also involved with this epic plot (There is a part in which Fox and Diddy Kong fight the Pokemon, Rayquaza!). The Great Maze (Which is at the near-end of the game) left me grumbling, as it was very confusing to get past, but overall, I'm loving this!
In case if you thought all of this was enough, think again; there's also online play. You can play online multiplayer against other people! Whether it's a 2 on 2 team match or every player for him/herself, I bet you'd have a very fun time playing! The only problem, though, is that the game sorta lags depending on how far away the players are from where you live. Also, the controls are slightly delayed, but fortunately, you can easily get used to it.
There are other modes that I haven't really talked about for this review (Like Breaking Targets, Home-Run Contest, and Multi-Man Melee in which you fight a big number of easy-to-defeat polygonal characters), but this is already such a huge package that I'm sure you don't even need me to discuss them!
Overall, there's a lot to love here for Nintendo fans. Heck, even if you AREN'T a Nintendo fan, I bet this game would get you interested! Plus, even if some game modes weren't really too great for you, there's still so much content that you'd enjoy otherwise that you might never get bored from this game! No Wii owner's library is complete without this game!
WarioWare D.I.Y. Showcase (Rating: 9/10)
Do you not want to make your own minigames, but rather just play lots of those 5-second thingies like every WarioWare game usually offers? While WarioWare DIY does have its own pre-made minigames, DIY Showcase offers its own, and I personally prefer them over what the DS game has in stock.
Fortunately, if you've bought the DS game, you could place ALL of Showcase's minigames onto the DS. Plus, you can go get minigames that other people have created (Notably people that have made their names in the gaming industry) via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection! Of course, you can also port your own minigames to Showcase, as well.
The minigames themselves, while not as robust as the other WarioWare titles' minigames, are still very enjoyable and fun to play. The action's very simple, yet compelling. You can go online onto video sites or something, look up Showcase, and see the game being played, showing off the minigames.
Lastly, while music can be created in WarioWare DIY, the same music can be played on Showcase using a unique version of the NES arcade-style classic, Balloon Fight! You must go nab the music notes to play the song, and wouldn't you know it, it is just as fun as the original game. Plus, if you don't want to play the music like that, you can just put the game in an automatic setting, so you can just relax and listen to the music.
Overall, this is a pretty great package for just 8 bucks (I mean, c'mon. The original Balloon Fight is 5 bucks!). The minigames, "music player", and DS-to-Wii/Wii-to-DS distribution is all totally worth it!
Fortunately, if you've bought the DS game, you could place ALL of Showcase's minigames onto the DS. Plus, you can go get minigames that other people have created (Notably people that have made their names in the gaming industry) via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection! Of course, you can also port your own minigames to Showcase, as well.
The minigames themselves, while not as robust as the other WarioWare titles' minigames, are still very enjoyable and fun to play. The action's very simple, yet compelling. You can go online onto video sites or something, look up Showcase, and see the game being played, showing off the minigames.
Lastly, while music can be created in WarioWare DIY, the same music can be played on Showcase using a unique version of the NES arcade-style classic, Balloon Fight! You must go nab the music notes to play the song, and wouldn't you know it, it is just as fun as the original game. Plus, if you don't want to play the music like that, you can just put the game in an automatic setting, so you can just relax and listen to the music.
Overall, this is a pretty great package for just 8 bucks (I mean, c'mon. The original Balloon Fight is 5 bucks!). The minigames, "music player", and DS-to-Wii/Wii-to-DS distribution is all totally worth it!
Wii Play (Rating: 9/10)
So, Wii Play is, well, a minigame collection. It's no Mario Party, where there's a bunch of them after a turn in a board game. It's no WarioWare, where there is minigame after minigame, and each would be 5 seconds. It is its own minigame collection, with a nice amount to choose from.
==Find Mii==
A game where you find a certain Mii or a number of the same Mii under a time limit. It is merely just clicking on the Mii(s) to win. Yet, I found it so darn addicting. I could go on forever, but anyone is bound to mess up sometime, clicking on the wrong Miis and having their time limit drop. It's amusing to watch the Miis go up and down escalators, watch a race, float in space, run, and swim in some levels.
==Shooting Range==
You knew this one would be coming: Using the Wii Remote as a gun is ingenious, and we were all waiting for a title to utilize that. Shooting Range actually resembles NES classic Duck Hunt, except you are shooting targets, soda cans, and UFOs instead. Like Duck Hunt, it's incredibly fun. Although it's short (It spans just a few levels, containing one of the above objects to shoot in each), I would always come and play this one.
==Table Tennis==
This one is rather flawed. Instead of being an average game of table tennis, it's a rally that you must keep up with the CPU as you hit the ball back and forth. It all ends after you miss the ball once. Playing with a friend IS an average game of table tennis, however, and it just leaves me with a question: Why wasn't single player mode like this?
==Laser Hockey==
Ooh yes! Laser Hockey is a flashy neon Pong with an AWESOME techno beat. Definitely a fabulous play here.
==Pose Mii==
In this one, you simply change the pose of your Mii (Which you move around with the Wii Remote) to match the poses of the silhouette of said Mii that's shown in bubbles. Move the Mii into the bubbles to pop them. Like most games in Wii Play, the premise becomes extremely addicting.
==Billiards==
This is why I said MOST games in Wii Play are addicting. Billiards isn't what I'd call an addicting arcade-style game. As the title implies, this is a simulation of that game that you find in arcades or places like Carolina Ale House. It works pretty well into a Wii game, actually. You must not be clumsy, though, as the game requires you to move the Wii Remote in a rather precise way.
==Charge==
You're gonna have lots of fun with this one while it lasts. Charge has your Mii ride a rampaging cow running over scarecrows in its path! You can tilt the Wii Remote forward to make the cow move even faster!
==Fishing==
Not the average fishing simulation, this game has you catch cardboard fish that are somehow alive. It's not as hard as it may sound. You just have to leave the hook in the water for a bit, and the fish will peck at it. Then when one fully snags the hook, now's your chance to yank it out! Once again, it's a fun game.
==Tanks==
This one is arguably one of the best this collection has to offer. You move a tank around the environment, and you must destroy all enemy tanks to move on. The challenge is being able to conquer all kinds of tanks that may stand in your way, as well as to seeing how far you can go.
Overall, most of these games are certainly fun and addicting arcade-style games that will keep you at it for quite a while. It's nice to be able to play with a friend in all of those games, too. Thankfully, this collection isn't that pricey, so you can practically jump right into the fun!
==Find Mii==
A game where you find a certain Mii or a number of the same Mii under a time limit. It is merely just clicking on the Mii(s) to win. Yet, I found it so darn addicting. I could go on forever, but anyone is bound to mess up sometime, clicking on the wrong Miis and having their time limit drop. It's amusing to watch the Miis go up and down escalators, watch a race, float in space, run, and swim in some levels.
==Shooting Range==
You knew this one would be coming: Using the Wii Remote as a gun is ingenious, and we were all waiting for a title to utilize that. Shooting Range actually resembles NES classic Duck Hunt, except you are shooting targets, soda cans, and UFOs instead. Like Duck Hunt, it's incredibly fun. Although it's short (It spans just a few levels, containing one of the above objects to shoot in each), I would always come and play this one.
==Table Tennis==
This one is rather flawed. Instead of being an average game of table tennis, it's a rally that you must keep up with the CPU as you hit the ball back and forth. It all ends after you miss the ball once. Playing with a friend IS an average game of table tennis, however, and it just leaves me with a question: Why wasn't single player mode like this?
==Laser Hockey==
Ooh yes! Laser Hockey is a flashy neon Pong with an AWESOME techno beat. Definitely a fabulous play here.
==Pose Mii==
In this one, you simply change the pose of your Mii (Which you move around with the Wii Remote) to match the poses of the silhouette of said Mii that's shown in bubbles. Move the Mii into the bubbles to pop them. Like most games in Wii Play, the premise becomes extremely addicting.
==Billiards==
This is why I said MOST games in Wii Play are addicting. Billiards isn't what I'd call an addicting arcade-style game. As the title implies, this is a simulation of that game that you find in arcades or places like Carolina Ale House. It works pretty well into a Wii game, actually. You must not be clumsy, though, as the game requires you to move the Wii Remote in a rather precise way.
==Charge==
You're gonna have lots of fun with this one while it lasts. Charge has your Mii ride a rampaging cow running over scarecrows in its path! You can tilt the Wii Remote forward to make the cow move even faster!
==Fishing==
Not the average fishing simulation, this game has you catch cardboard fish that are somehow alive. It's not as hard as it may sound. You just have to leave the hook in the water for a bit, and the fish will peck at it. Then when one fully snags the hook, now's your chance to yank it out! Once again, it's a fun game.
==Tanks==
This one is arguably one of the best this collection has to offer. You move a tank around the environment, and you must destroy all enemy tanks to move on. The challenge is being able to conquer all kinds of tanks that may stand in your way, as well as to seeing how far you can go.
Overall, most of these games are certainly fun and addicting arcade-style games that will keep you at it for quite a while. It's nice to be able to play with a friend in all of those games, too. Thankfully, this collection isn't that pricey, so you can practically jump right into the fun!
Wii Sports (Rating: 9/10)
In the Wii's early years, Wii Sports was the game to come with every bundle. Sure, it was no Mario Galaxy, nor was it anywhere near as awesome as Super Smash Bros Brawl. What it was, though, was a great way to experience the power of the motion control.
It's a simple collection of 5 simulations of, well, sports.
First, we have Tennis. It's easily one of the best tennis simulations you'd ever play, mainly because it was easy to pick up and play. You didn't even have a WiiMotion Plus with you, yet the Wii Remote takes full advantage of your arm movements. It feels just like tennis, and it's just as fun as the real sport, too.
Baseball is perhaps the most flawed of the bunch. It's not that it isn't fun to play, but it's because it's not as robust as an actual baseball game. You pitch and/or swing the bat, but the rest of the work is done by the game itself. Even with all sorts of crazy gimmicks and items, Mario Super Sluggers is the better, and more realistic, baseball game.
Bowling is the family pick of them all. My brothers and father love this. Although the Wii Remote could have read the arm movements a bit better, this is a very fun and robust game of bowling. It even requires the same kind of strategy to knocking down the pins as in an actual bowling game.
Ah, yes. Golf. There isn't anything much to the sport, unlike the others. You just whack the ball, and putt it on the Green. Virtual wind conditions and types of grass add some more variety to this classic sport. You also gotta be careful about how hard you swing the Remote.
Lastly, we have Boxing. You can probably get the most exercise from this game. It's all about knocking down your opponent. It gets addicting, but be sure your arms are up for it all. It's the only sport that requires the Nunchuck with the Wii Remote, and BOY does it work out (No pun intended).
All of these games are very fun, and they are sure to bring that fun to the whole family. Looking for new ways to enjoy these sports in this game? Then try out the Training Mode in the game. Don't be fooled by the name. Training Mode provides new ways to have fun with the sports. For example, Bowling allows you to pick up just spares, and there's also "Power Bowling", which has you bowl against huge numbers of pins! There's also target practice for Golf, hitting the ball in the right direction for Baseball, and whacking down bunches of punching bags for Boxing. Definitely a great game for the Wii. If you don't already own it, get it now.
It's a simple collection of 5 simulations of, well, sports.
First, we have Tennis. It's easily one of the best tennis simulations you'd ever play, mainly because it was easy to pick up and play. You didn't even have a WiiMotion Plus with you, yet the Wii Remote takes full advantage of your arm movements. It feels just like tennis, and it's just as fun as the real sport, too.
Baseball is perhaps the most flawed of the bunch. It's not that it isn't fun to play, but it's because it's not as robust as an actual baseball game. You pitch and/or swing the bat, but the rest of the work is done by the game itself. Even with all sorts of crazy gimmicks and items, Mario Super Sluggers is the better, and more realistic, baseball game.
Bowling is the family pick of them all. My brothers and father love this. Although the Wii Remote could have read the arm movements a bit better, this is a very fun and robust game of bowling. It even requires the same kind of strategy to knocking down the pins as in an actual bowling game.
Ah, yes. Golf. There isn't anything much to the sport, unlike the others. You just whack the ball, and putt it on the Green. Virtual wind conditions and types of grass add some more variety to this classic sport. You also gotta be careful about how hard you swing the Remote.
Lastly, we have Boxing. You can probably get the most exercise from this game. It's all about knocking down your opponent. It gets addicting, but be sure your arms are up for it all. It's the only sport that requires the Nunchuck with the Wii Remote, and BOY does it work out (No pun intended).
All of these games are very fun, and they are sure to bring that fun to the whole family. Looking for new ways to enjoy these sports in this game? Then try out the Training Mode in the game. Don't be fooled by the name. Training Mode provides new ways to have fun with the sports. For example, Bowling allows you to pick up just spares, and there's also "Power Bowling", which has you bowl against huge numbers of pins! There's also target practice for Golf, hitting the ball in the right direction for Baseball, and whacking down bunches of punching bags for Boxing. Definitely a great game for the Wii. If you don't already own it, get it now.
Wreck-It Ralph (Rating: 2/10)
Wreck-It Ralph has to be one of the most beloved Disney films of recent times. It's a movie that's directed straight to people that have grown up in the 1980s (although it appealed to kids as well), and seen how the arcade game industry has changed overtime. The movie was full of laughs and references, but featured a really deep and thrilling tale of a video game bad guy who wants to get a new name for himself. So what does this game based off the movie based off of games have to offer? Absolutely none of what I just described.
The game is supposed to take place straight after the movie's plot, but it IS possible to avoid spoiling the movie, right? Unfortunately, Activision refused to try. Within the first seconds after starting a new game, the ending of the movie is instantly spoiled. But since I'm so nice, I won't spoil it for this review. However, I will have to mention that the Cybugs, one of the few conflicts in the movie, is THE WHOLE CONFLICT here in this game for some reason. I don't want to think of Wreck-It Ralph as a series about hideous bugs. I want to think of the series as a love letter to gamers!
Anyway, that was all presented in this cute little CGI-animated intro which has mistakes such as a lack of textures in one scene and Felix having miscolored hair. Activision sure rushed THIS out the door. BUT GUESS WHAT? Wait til you see what the actual game looks like!
Oh GOD did things go downhill! The graphics look like they were created for the Sega 32x. They are downright awful, and the music totally accompanies them by playing a short loop of a song that would only sound nice the first few times. And now for what we've been waiting for: The gameplay mechanics.
Let's just say this is one of the most uninspired platformers I've played yet. Throughout, I am treated with really generic levels that only make the already not-so-great gameplay just plain boring and repetitive. Nothing in any of these levels truly stand out (Other than that one and only Super Mario Bros reference in the "Hero's Duty" world). The combat in the game is clumsy. It feels very tedious when it takes some time for Ralph to throw a punch or Felix to wield his hammer (Which, by the way, somehow kills enemies instead of fixing them). By the way, you know how I mentioned that the Cybugs are the main conflict in this game? Well, they are the ONLY ENEMIES IN THIS GAME, so there's no enemy variety, really.
Not to mention, even with the clumsy combat, the game is beyond easy as a whole. During my first run through the game, not once did I get a Game Over, but rather did I get over 13 lives. The bosses didn't help the difficulty. They were incredibly easy as well.
To think this goes for as long as...an hour and a half?
Yup. This is one of those games with a pretty short length. However, after what you've been through after playing this monstrosity, beating the game in such a short time is rewarding enough.
If you want to see a video game do Wreck-It Ralph justice, play the game that's available on iOS devices for THE PRICE OF A COKE CAN. It's $39/29 less, but 100 times more fun.
The game is supposed to take place straight after the movie's plot, but it IS possible to avoid spoiling the movie, right? Unfortunately, Activision refused to try. Within the first seconds after starting a new game, the ending of the movie is instantly spoiled. But since I'm so nice, I won't spoil it for this review. However, I will have to mention that the Cybugs, one of the few conflicts in the movie, is THE WHOLE CONFLICT here in this game for some reason. I don't want to think of Wreck-It Ralph as a series about hideous bugs. I want to think of the series as a love letter to gamers!
Anyway, that was all presented in this cute little CGI-animated intro which has mistakes such as a lack of textures in one scene and Felix having miscolored hair. Activision sure rushed THIS out the door. BUT GUESS WHAT? Wait til you see what the actual game looks like!
Oh GOD did things go downhill! The graphics look like they were created for the Sega 32x. They are downright awful, and the music totally accompanies them by playing a short loop of a song that would only sound nice the first few times. And now for what we've been waiting for: The gameplay mechanics.
Let's just say this is one of the most uninspired platformers I've played yet. Throughout, I am treated with really generic levels that only make the already not-so-great gameplay just plain boring and repetitive. Nothing in any of these levels truly stand out (Other than that one and only Super Mario Bros reference in the "Hero's Duty" world). The combat in the game is clumsy. It feels very tedious when it takes some time for Ralph to throw a punch or Felix to wield his hammer (Which, by the way, somehow kills enemies instead of fixing them). By the way, you know how I mentioned that the Cybugs are the main conflict in this game? Well, they are the ONLY ENEMIES IN THIS GAME, so there's no enemy variety, really.
Not to mention, even with the clumsy combat, the game is beyond easy as a whole. During my first run through the game, not once did I get a Game Over, but rather did I get over 13 lives. The bosses didn't help the difficulty. They were incredibly easy as well.
To think this goes for as long as...an hour and a half?
Yup. This is one of those games with a pretty short length. However, after what you've been through after playing this monstrosity, beating the game in such a short time is rewarding enough.
If you want to see a video game do Wreck-It Ralph justice, play the game that's available on iOS devices for THE PRICE OF A COKE CAN. It's $39/29 less, but 100 times more fun.