Nintendo Wii Games: Dec 26, 2009

Lego Star Wars

>>> Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga <<< More detail Click

By V. Hutson (Duluth, MN) - reviews

When I read an earlier review that said the game didn't use the Wii remote as a lightsaber I was disappointed and decided not to buy the game. However, we rented it a couple days ago and I was both surprised and very happy to find that you can swing the Wii remote and the characters on screen swing their lightsabers. You can also control the lightsaber by pressing the "B" button, which sometimes is easier.

In a way I'm happy you don't have to try and aim the Wii remote to shoot the blasters because I find pointing the Wii remote at an object on the screen to be the most challenging aspect of using the Wii remote.

Overall, this is a very fun game that I can play with my son, and even though we already have earlier versions of all episodes, I'm considering buying this one for the Wii after we return the rental one.

May the Force be with you!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

>>> Nintendo Wii Fun Bundle <<< More detail

All the fun and excitement of your favorite Carnival Games is coming to Wii this summer. It’s the perfect multiplayer game for moms, dads and kids of all ages. Got the muscle to ring the bell in Test of Strength? Ready to get wet in the Dunk Tank? If yes, then join the action as your Wii Remote transforms from a sledgehammer to a frog flinger. Master over 25 family-friendly carnival games and the ultimate prize could be yours: the virtual goldfish in a bag. Super Mario Galaxy—join Mario as he defies gravity across all the planets in the galaxy. Mario takes advantage of all the unique aspects of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller, unleashing new moves as players shake the controller and even point at and drag items with the pointer. Players perform mind-bending, low-gravity jumps across wild alien terrain. Looney Tunes—the evil mad scientist is fed up with the Looney Tunes and plans to get rid of them forever. Using his homemade time machine and giant Acme eraser, he’ll travel through time and erase the Looney Tunes and their ancestors from existence. Little does the he know, Bugs Bunny and Marvin the Martian have stolen the scientist’s designs and built their own time machine. Now, it’s up to the entire Looney Tunes gang, armed with their zany arsenal of Acme weapons, to chase the Mad Scientist through the ages and prevent him from erasing their past, present and future. Code Lyoko—the evil computer virus, X.A.N.A. has been creating alternate worlds, known as Replikas, in an attempt to take over the real world. Based on the French cartoon series, Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity offers combat, puzzles and RPG-style weapon and character upgrades set within 2 overlapping universes. Players can assume the role of the 5 main characters from the show and guide them around the digital sea aboard the Lyoko warrior’s vehicle, the Skid.

>>> Wii Wired SenseBar <<< More detail

By Noodle 19-2000 - reviews

This is as close to the original bar as you can get without buying a refurbished one straight from Nintendo (and at a higher price). I had to replace it twice after my cat discovered how fun it is to chew the cord. The only real complaint I have about it is that I wish they could thicken the cord on it. It seems like a lot of people have pets or vaccuum cleaners eat it. I also have to put the sensor bar on a stand and on top of a book so it can sense my remote correctly, but I had the same problem with the original one too so I think half of that is a problem with the controller itself.

>>> The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess <<<

By Katie "Dark Musashi" - reviews

If you loved Ocarina of Time as much as I did, this will make you happy.

The graphics are gorgeous. The scenery is amazing. Everything looks beautiful, and the best part is it still feels like a Zelda game. They decided to revert back to the N64 Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask style graphics (but much cleaner, of course) rather than the cell shaded Wind Waker. I like the realistic character design much more for Zelda than the cartoonish one from the other recent games.

You can also get Twilight Princess on Gamecube, but the Wii version has some extra benefits. One such benefit is the interactivity. When you go fishing, you use the motion sensitive controller to cast the line into the water and reel the fish back. This makes it a lot more fun than the somewhat tedious sit-there-and-wait-to-press-A fishing game in Ocarina of Time. I'm glad they revamped the fishing and brought it back. Also, it is much more integrated in the gameplay than the last fishing minigame in a Zelda game (which was, of course, in Ocarina of Time). You use fish in sidequests and for other purposes.

As far as the control, it feels very natural. You use one Wii-Mote and one Nunchuck together for it. You control Link's movement and targeting with the left hand and you use the right hand to move your fairy around with the motion sensor, and to supplement the left hand with looking around, that action button, and other functions. It's hard to explain without trying it yourself, but trust me, the controls are great.

You start out the game with your horse, Epona. You also get the option to name both Link and Epona when you start your file, although I'm not sure if this will have any effect other than what NPC's in the game call you. Sometimes games use naming for codes ("If you enter your name as ___, ___ will happen" type things) but somehow I doubt it for this game. Anyway, the controls for Epona are great too. Just like Ocarina of Time, you can press A to speed her up and jump over fences. She is very beautiful and detailed too. When you make turns, you can see Link pull in the reins. You use Epona for many minigames as well as just getting around. In the beginnig of the game, for example, you use her to herd goats into a shed. It's a lot of fun, and horseback riding is another feature I'm glad they brough back.

Also, don't worry if you saw Link with the weird goatherder outfit in all of the previews - he does get his original outfit later on. The dungeons are AWESOME. It's rated Teen, but Zelda games have never included inappropriate content in my opinion. You do kill monsters, but there is no realistic blood or gore, or suggestive themes. The rating says "Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence". Trust me, it's fine for kids. The action is all "hero against evil" type action. This game is a total blast, and both new and old-school Zelda fans will love it. Even if you've never played a Zelda game, try this one - it'll get you hooked.