QUICKLINKS:
WiiWare Reviews A - G | WiiWare Reviews H - R | WiiWare Reviews S - Z
Our WiiWare ratings system
We've given every game a 'buy' rating of 'Yes', 'Maybe', or 'No'.
Yes means this is a very high quality game, and we have no problem recommending it to anyone as long as they like the genre.
Maybe means we think the game is good, but not necessarily for everyone. If you know the game or like the sound of the description, go for it
No means that we don't recommend the title at all.
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Games listed in alphabetical order
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Helix
Price: 1000 points
Helix is a rhythm action game that was developed by Ghost Fire Games. The game can be played using either one or two Wii remotes, and requires players to repeat gestures that are made by an on-screen robot. You’ll begin each session with a health meter, and each time you mess up a gesture it will slowly deplete. The music has a techno and European club vibe, so if that’s not your scene you’re better off avoiding Helix. For everyone else, be warned that on higher difficulty settings it’s easy to break a sweat as the gestures become far more rapid and intense.
Worth buying? Maybe
Home Sweet Home
Price: 1000 points
A simulation game which is also available on PC, Home Sweet Home sees players assume the role of a home decorator. Your primary goal is simple enough – design a blue print for your (or a client’s) dream home and send in your construction team to do the dirty work. The game has quite a few similarities to The Sims, and even has a fixed isometric view. If you want a decent game that lets you hone your designing skills then Home Sweet Home should appeal to you to some degree, otherwise there are better offerings available for the PC.
Worth buying? Maybe
Jungle Speed
Price: 1000 points
Jungle Speed is based on the French card game of the same name where players are given a stack of cards that they must get rid of. To do this, each player takes turns turning the top card of their stack face-up, revealing a symbol. Should that symbol match another player's card, then a duel begins which sees both players attempt to grab a wooden statue in the centre of the table. If you don't get the statue, then the cards that player has revealed are added to your stack. The WiiWare version can actually be played with 8-players, with half the players using Wii remotes and the other half using the Nunchuck attachments. Assuming you have eight friends to play with, things can get pretty intense in multiplayer. Otherwise, solo sessions tend to be a bore. Considering it’s cheaper than the physical version, we’re positive Jungle Speed will find its way into the hearts of a few gamers.
Worth buying? Maybe
Karate Phants: Gloves of Glory
Price: 800 points
Karate Phants: Gloves of Glory is a fighting game based on the German comic book series Die Ottifanten, which translates to The Ottifants in English. We’re not entirely sure why the developers felt this would appeal to anyone outside Germany, especially considering it’s a lacklustre fighter with poor controls and absolutely horrible gameplay. Stick to the Virtual Console’s Super Smash Bros..
Worth buying? No
Let’s Catch
Price: 1000 points
Let's Catch is the WiiWare counterpart of the full retail game Let's Tap. The game is based on the foundation of playing a virtual game of catch, but there are several variations which spice things up a little. One example is Bomber Catch, where you throw a bomb around and the player holding it when it explodes loses a heart. Some players will find the simplistic gameplay a little uninspiring, while others will appreciate the relaxed pace. It’s no where near as engaging as Let’s Tap, but is worth a look if it sounds appealing to you.
Worth buying? Maybe
Lonpos
Price: 800 points
Based on the popular Japanese logic puzzle game of the same name, Lonpos is very simple to play but can also get quite addictive. The objective is simple enough: you have to rotate and place different shaped beads, called pentominoes, on a board by filling empty spaces. While a quirky title, it unfortunately lacks a defining quality to stand out from the dozens of other puzzles games in the WiiWare library, so put this one down as a maybe.
Worth buying? Maybe
LostWinds
Price: 1000 Points
PALGN Review: 8.0
In what is one of the most unique experiences available on the Wii, being able to control the wind using the Wii remote seems like one of those genius ideas that makes you wonder why nobody ever thought of it until now. LostWinds is a fantastic little game, where puzzles and basic platforming are the order of the day, with the catch being that your character, Toku, can literally ride the wind which allows him to reach higher ledges, leap across large gaps with ease and progress through the game. The art direction is superb and the game, albeit a little short, is easily one of the best titles available on WiiWare, and comes with our highest recommendation.
Worth buying? Yes
MaBoShi: The Three Shape Arcade
Price: 800 points
Every so often a puzzle game is released that is so original in concept and design that it stands above all. Wii owners are lucky then that they can download MaBoShi. The general idea behind it is there are three mini-games are present on one screen, and in each one you must score 1 million points. A major twist however is that what you do in one mini-game will affect what happens in the others. To truly grasp just how unique this idea is, you have to play with two other people. Each person controls one mini-game, and with the constant influence by other players, it truly is a sight to behold.
Worth buying? Yes
Mega Man 9
Price: 1000 points
PALGN Review: 8.5
Arguably one of the most anticipated downloadable titles of 2008, Mega Man 9 returns the blue hero to the 8-bit glory days. Just like the originals, your main goal to traverse through levels shooting up robot enemies until you eventually reach the level’s boss. By defeating the boss, you’ll gain new weapons and abilities for Mega Man. Unless you have something against old-school platforming fun, there’s little reason why you shouldn’t add Mega Man 9 to your collection - just keep in mind it is very challenging and not for the faint hearted.
Worth buying? Yes
Midnight Bowling
Price: 800 points
Unlike GameLoft’s successful Midnight Pool (see below), Midnight Bowling is a terrible effort from the developer. While the visuals and presentation are quite eye-catching for a WiiWare game, it just fails completely in its control scheme. In Wii Sports, players could control when they released the ball and could tilt the Wii remote as they motioned a throw to curve it. In Midnight Bowling, there’s no such thing. You simply swing your arm – the game automatically decides when to let go – and then as the ball rolls towards the pins you have to twist and jerk the Wii remote to aim. It’s unrealistic and just stupid. Put this on the avoid list, right under Elf Bowling 1 & 2.
Worth buying? No
Midnight Pool
Price: 800 points
Based on the mobile phone game of the same name, Midnight Pool is probably one of the only pool titles on Wii that can actually top Wii Play (along with the previously reviewed Cue Sports: Snooker vs. Billiards). The controls are spot on – you use the Wii remote’s pointer function or D-Pad to aim your shot, and then simply motion the Wii remote like a virtual pool stick to hit the cue ball. It’s clear, simple and straight to the point - there’s not much more you could ask for in a game of this nature. For those who are curious, you can play 8-Ball US rules, 8-Ball UK rules and 9-Ball, so there’s a little variety to keep you playing for a while. It’s a must for all fans of the sport.
Worth buying? Yes
My Aquarium
Price: 500 points
There’s just something relaxing about virtual fish aquariums. Perhaps it’s the sound of bubbles forming and floating to the top of the screen, or maybe it’s the calmness of the blue water. Whatever the reason, My Aquarium is perfect for those who like the idea of being able to customise their aquarium without having to worry about feeding the fish or keeping the water at a constant temperature. There are literally dozens of fish and plant species you can put in your tank, and you can even change the background and colour of gravel stones to suit your personality. Just be warned this isn’t a traditional game, so don’t go expecting objectives or a groundbreaking experience.
Worth buying? Yes
My Pokémon Ranch
Price: 1000 points
Pokémon Ranch is best described as an extension to Pokémon Diamond/Pearl on the Nintendo DS. The game lets you transfer and interact with Pokémon from your Diamond/Pearl save. Activities include sitting around a camp fire, riding your Pokémon, and even taking photos and sending them to friends via WiiConnect24. To be quite frank, to get the most out of this title you’ll need to own Diamond/Pearl as it gives you challenges every day such as capturing a specific Pokémon and transferring it to the ranch. Even then, there’s not a lot that will hold your interest.
Worth buying? No
Niki - Rock 'n' Ball*
Price: 500 points
*Not available in Australia as of March 20th, 2009
Developer Bplus’ second WiiWare offering is a simple yet fun action game. Players assume the role of Niki, a strange ball creature who goes through levels rolling and jumping over enemies, as well as collecting ZeLeLi pearls. It’s a quirky title that has several addictive qualities such as score boards and co-op multiplayer. However, some may find the controls are a little unresponsive at times which can dampen the experience.
Worth buying? Maybe
NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits
Price: 1000 points
Jump, fly and harness the power of Greek gods all in the name of rescuing your missing friend. If you’re a platformer fan, then there’s little reason you shouldn’t have picked this up by now. NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits is simply drop-dead gorgeous and is a lot of fun to play! This is a prime example of what the WiiWare library needs more of, and it should appeal to anyone who enjoyed the classic Kid Icarus and Metroid games. Its only drawback is it has a lifespan of three hours, but there’s certainly replay value here for enthusiasts.
Worth buying? Yes
Onslaught
Price: 1000 points
The first FPS for the WiiWare library and yet another title developed by those crazy folk at Hudson soft. Typically, the Wii remote's pointer function is to aim weapons, while players can also motion the Nunchuck to throw grenades and waggle the Wii remote to reload their weapons. There’s also both competitive and co-op online modes available, which is arguably one of the best features about the game. Unfortunately, the single-player campaign can at times feel a little repetitive, though in a strange way also satisfying. As a whole package it’s definitely worth a look, but if you’re looking for a strong solo session you may want to invest in something different.
Worth buying? Maybe
Penguins & Friends: Hey! That’s My Fish!
Price: 800 points
Who doesn’t love penguins? Seriously, they’re so cute when they dance to music and launch missiles in Gotham City… Wait, that’s Happy Feet and Batman Returns… Regardless, Penguins & Friends: Hey! That’s My Fish! is based on the board game That’s My Fish!, where players have to hop around a board collecting fish. There are a few strategic elements involved as well, namely the fact that spaces disappear after you land on them which can potentially isolate other players. While the solo campaign is a little lacklustre due to poor AI, if you intend to play with friends then the experience is slightly better. That said, it fails at simulating the fun-factor of the table-top version.
Worth buying? No
Pirates: The Key of Dreams
Price: 1000 points
The last time we went on a cruise we ended up getting sea sick. Perhaps it was the waves rocking the ship back and forth, or maybe it was the spread at the four all you can eat buffets. Either way, Pirates: The Key of Dreams isn’t a much better experience. The game primarily requires players to travel the vast seas and combat other ships, as well as recruit new crew members and assign them to different jobs. While showing some initial promise, it falls short due to repetitive gameplay and some sloppy design choices. Multiplayer adds a little fun here and there, but otherwise you’re better off keeping your feet on dry land.
Worth buying? No
Pit Crew Panic!
Price: 500 points
Behind every motorsport legend are the pit crews. They are the people who can spot what’s wrong with the car and fix it in an instant – they are, in many respects, the lifeline of every racer’s potential victory. In Pit Crew Panic you act as the manager of a pit crew and tell your team what needs fixing. Feel like a hands-on approach? Why not help the team out by grabbing a repair tool and put those motion controls to work? Indeed it is quite a novel idea, unfortunetly it’s hampered by repetitive gameplay and a lack of refinement. Still, at 500 points it might keep your younger sibling amused for a few hours.
Worth buying? Maybe
Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint
Price: 1500 points
A “puzzle shooter” developed in Austria, Plättchen: Twist 'n' Paint was one of the first WiiWare titles to be formally announced. The aim of the game is simple enough; players have to shoot and paint different panels and match them with others of the same colour. The game features over 100 levels in the single-player mode and allows up to eight people to play simultaneously. For such a simple concept however, the mechanics don’t quite work and are derailed by poor implementation. Coupled with a higher price point than our American allies (the game costs 1000 points in America – 500 points less than PAL regions), this one falls to the bottom end of the WiiWare pile.
Worth buying? No
Pop
Price: 700 points
Developed in Australia by Nnooo, Pop is one of the more simple yet addictive offerings on the WiiWare service. Players ultimately just have to pop bubbles to extend their time limit, allowing them to rank in high scores. It’s difficult to describe what’s so good about the title - we suppose it’s just relaxing and is the perfect time killer while waiting for dinner to finish.
Worth buying? Yes
Pop Them, Drop Them SameGame
Price: 500 points
Probably one of the weirdest names for a WiiWare game, Pop Them, Drop Them SameGame is a very simple yet engaging puzzle game. The basic idea is to clear all blocks on your screen by matching them up with blocks of the same colour. The catch though is that you can only move existing groups of blocks, not individual ones. At 500 points, it’s a very reasonable price and should be considered by all puzzle fans.
Worth buying? Yes
Pop-up Pirate!
Price: 500 points
Remember growing up there was that really cool toy where you would shove swords in a plastic barrel until a pirate popped out? Remember how you got sick of it after 20 minutes? Apply that to this videogame adaptation of Tomy’s Pop-up Pirate and you’ll be left wondering just why this came to be. On the plus side, at least you won’t lose any of those plastic swords.
Worth buying? No
Potpourrii: A delicate mixture of challenge and fun!
Price: 800 points
Yet another puzzle game on the WiiWare service, Potpourrii is centred around the theme of seasons (Winter, Spring, etc) and has players matching up different seasonal spirits to make them disappear. The twist is that instead of just creating a cluster of three or more spirits of the same type, you also have to add a spirit from the succeeding season. An example are Winter spirits, which can be cleared by adding a Spring spirit to the cluster. While the game is unique and tries to do things a bit differently, unfortunately the gameplay feels a little too slow. This takes away a lot of the challenge that is present in other puzzlers and makes things far too easy, which is a shame given the lovely art direction and inspiring soundtrack.
Worth buying? No
Puzzle Bobble Plus!
Price: 800 points
Puzzle Bobble Plus! is an addictive puzzle game staring Taito’s bubble blowing dragon duo Bub and Bob. Like the Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Island WiiWare remakes, the gameplay has been left mostly unchanged from previous titles in the series. If you’ve never played a Puzzle Bobble game before, then this is the perfect game to introduce you to the series. Returning veterans, however, should be warned there isn’t too much new on offer.
Worth buying? Maybe
Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure!
Price: 800 points
Square Enix has certainly been on a role with updating classic franchises on WiiWare recently. Unfortunately, they haven’t quite captured the same quality with Rainbow Islands. While the game retains the same formula of the original, it feels like a step back. There are no longer different themed worlds resulting in a repetition, and instead of taking place on a static screen, boss battles now require you to continue climbing up the tower which makes things feel tedious and uninspiring. Do yourself a favour and stick to Square Enix’s other WiiWare offerings.
Worth buying? No
