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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Games listed in alphabetical order
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snowboard Riot
Price: 1000 points
As you can probably guess from its title, Snowboard Riot is a racing game. Trying to emulate Mario Kart, the game makes heavy use of weaponry such as missiles and mines to hinder other players’ progression. Unfortunately there is very limited balance, and quite often it feels like the winner of each race is determined by their reliance on weapons rather than skill. There are a few perks here and there such as online multiplayer and support for the Wii Balance Board peripheral, but otherwise it’s a standard racer that should be given the cold shoulder (get it? Snowboarding… Cold… Yeah, this writer has an odd sense of humour).
Worth buying? No
Space Invaders Get Even
Price: 500 points
Tired of the constant rehashing of the original Space Invaders? Want something a little different? Well, Space Invaders Get Even might be the thing you’re looking for. The game puts a twist on the usual gameplay by letting you play as the invaders and command the invasion of Earth. Move a giant UFO using the Nunchuck’s analogue stick, while command a swarm of more than 100 invaders by pointing the Wii remote on the screen. The starting pack costs a reasonable 500 points, but sadly it only features two stages and a boss battle. Additional packs are available for 500 points each, so if you feel compelled to continue annihilating humanity it will cost you a fair bit.
Worth buying? Maybe
SPOGS Racing*
Price: 1000 points
*Not available in Australia as of March 20th, 2009
Right down at the bottom of the WiiWare library is SPOGS Racing. The game had quite a few good ideas going for it, namely the Crash 'N Grab feature which allowed players to steal parts from other racers to enhance their vehicle’s attributes such as speed and acceleration. Sadly with frustrating AI, lackluster visuals and sound, and unrefined gameplay, the entire game is just poorly implemented. Avoid at all costs.
Worth buying? No
Star Soldier R
Price: 800 Points
Star Soldier R is a revamped version of the classic shooter of the same name. With so many re-releases over the years, it wouldn't surprise us if everybody had played a game from the Star Soldier franchise at some point, but for those who haven't, basically it's a very basic yet very addictive shooting game where you destroy enemy ships, earn power-ups and go for that ultimate prize in arcade gaming: the elusive high score. Star Soldier R is fun, but certainly doesn't feature the same replay value as some other titles available on WiiWare unless you're an absolute fan. Still, it's also the cheapest game available on the service, and if you have the spare points and an interest in shooting things and blowing stuff up, you may find it worthwhile to give it a download.
Worth buying? Maybe
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People - Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner
Price: 1000 points
PALGN Review: 7.0
Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People is a point-and-click adventure which is based on the Homestar Runner web cartoons. In the game, players take on the role of Strong Bad as he tries to compete against Homestar Runner in the Tri-annual Race. In addition, you can interact with other characters from the series and play a top-down mini-game of boxing. While the series is primarily aimed at Homestar Runner fans, there’s still more than enough charm and odd jokes that will appeal to newcomers.
Worth buying? Yes
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People - Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free
Price: 1000 points
PALGN Review: 7.5
Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free is the second entry in the Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People series. In Episode 2, The King of Town has installed an e-mail tax, which leads to Strong Bad being placed under house arrest. Even with an explosive collar around his neck, Strong Bad uses the opportunity to unite the citizens against The King of Town. It’s safe to assume that if you enjoyed Homestar Runner, Strong Badia the Free will be right up your alley.
Worth buying? Yes
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People - Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands
Price: 1000 points
PALGN Review: 7.0
Strong Bad Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands is the third entry in the Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People series. In Episode 3, Strong Bad's FunMachine breaks down so he enters a Battle Royale of the Bands contest so that he can use the prize money to fix it. Again, the title will appeal to anyone who enjoyed the Homestar Runner web cartoons or the previous Strong Bad games.
Worth buying? Yes
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People - Episode 4: Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective
Price: 1000 points
PALGN Review: 8.0
Strong Bad Episode 4: Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective is the fourth entry in the Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People series. In Episode 4, Strong Bad invites his friends over to watch the new Dangeresque 3 movie. As he puts the movie on, players see that Strong Bad plas the role of Dangeresque, while Homestar Runner stars alongside him as Dangeresque Too. The pair try to solve crimes in the fictional Brainblow city. If you haven’t figured out the pattern yet, this game comes recommended to Homestar Runner fans and anyone who enjoyed the previous episodes.
Worth buying? Yes
Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People - Episode 5: 8-Bit Is Enough
Price: 1000 points
PALGN Review: 8.0
8-Bit is Enough is the fifth (and final?) entry in the Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People series. In this episode, the one-armed fire breathing dragon Trogdor wreaks havoc across Free Country USA, and Strong Bad must find a way to defeat him and keep the videogame world and real world separate. Considered to be one of the better entries, it almost goes without saying it's a must if you enjoyed any of the previous episodes.
Worth buying? Yes
Sudoku Challenge!
Price: 500 points
There’s not much to say about this one really – it’s Sudoku in WiiWare form. The game features both Original and Grand Sudoku (where you play five Sudoku grids at once) gameplay modes, three difficulty levels and, apparently, over 100,000,000 Sudoku puzzles. While there are dozens of websites that offer free Sudoku puzzles and are compatible with Wii internet browser, put this one down as a maybe since it’s only 500 points and is presented a little better.
Worth buying? Maybe
Swords & Soldiers
Price: 1000 points
Swords & Soldiers is the first real-time strategy game to appear on the WiiWare service and has quite a bit going for it. Firstly, the game features side-scrolling levels and vibrant cartoon-like graphics. It also has a nice soundtrack which changes depending on what’s happening on screen, such as becoming more upbeat when enemies attack. The gameplay is also very straightforward in that units move and operate completely on their own – all you have to do is build them, cast the occasional spell to tip the battle in your favour, and watch your faction lay waste to the enemy. While it doesn’t have as much depth as other titles available on PC, Swords & Soldiers should appease any fan of the genre.
Worth buying? Yes
Tetris Party
Price: 1200 points
Tetris finally makes its way to the Wii, and to prove the aging franchise can still stand above other puzzlers on the market, the developers have incorporated a number of unique and engaging gameplay modes. As well as a classic mode, there’s Wii Balance Board Tetris where players use the Balance Board peripheral to control the falling blocks, and co-op Tetris where two players team up to clear lines. Additionally, there’s a Field Climber mode where you have to guide a tiny man to the top of the screen by building a pathway, and the ability to play competitively online against friends or random strangers. To be quite frank, there’s a considerable amount of content on offer and it’s at a great price as well. This one should be at the top of any puzzle fan’s list.
Worth buying? Yes
Texas Hold'em Tournament
Price: 500 points
It’s amazing how popular poker has become in recent years. It seems like nearly every pub we frequent has a tournament during the week, and of course there have been quite a few videogame adaptations. Texas Hold'em Tournament doesn’t really do anything new or innovative. You play online against friends if you grow tired of the lacklustre AI, play as your favourite Mii characters and submit scores to online leaderboards. Unless you have a strong urge to play poker, there’s little reason you should pick this one up.
Worth buying? No
The Incredible Maze
Price: 500 points
There’s not a lot that’s incredible about this one. Players simply have to guide a ball through mazes by tilting the Wii remote. To keep you on your toes however, you have to avoid hazards such as holes in the floor, and also make use of jump pads and sliding blocks to reach the exit. Additional there are Time Attack and Challenge modes, and the option to control the ball using the Wii Balance Board. It’s worth noting The Incredible Maze has only a basic presentation, and quite a few players have found the motion controls to be too sensitive and clunky. On the plus side it is only 500 points, so if you can ignore its shortcomings it might be some cheap fun if you’re bored on a Sunday afternoon.
Worth buying? Maybe
Toki Tori
Price: 900 Points
PALGN Review: 7.5
Toki Tori is a puzzle game where you play as a newly hatched chicken who must find his unhatched siblings by traversing through 70 levels or so. It's a mixture of puzzling and platforming, and the game is very addictive and quite challenging - more than you'd expect, in fact. You can even get a friend to grab a second Wii remote to try and attempt to help you out in some of the more complicated levels. Toki Tori has a colourful and visually entertaining art style with cute characters and varied environments, and is definitely worth picking up if you like puzzle games at all.
Worth buying? Yes
TV Show King
Price: 1000 Points
Jumping on the bandwagon of popularity most likely brought on by the Buzz! franchise, TV Show King certainly is built on similar foundations. With over 3000 questions available (and some of them specific to Australia), trivia buffs should find some serious enjoyment here. Multiplayer is where it's really at though, so if you don't have anybody to play it with, you'll probably find that it's a rather shallow experience. While the price point is cheap, consider your friends and if they are into trivia games as well, because otherwise it could end up being a rather unused download and certainly not worth the price-tag that could be spent elsewhere.
Worth buying? Maybe
Water Warfare
Price: 800 points
Water Warfare is an odd FPS from those wacky minds at Hudson Soft. As its name suggests, the game takes the basic foundations of the genre and turns them into a water-themed experience. Instead of armour, for example, players will wear raincoats and use umbrellas. The game doesn’t break any ground, but it’s an interesting way to make a FPS kid-friendly and should be fun for the whole family.
Worth buying? Yes
Wild West Guns
Price: 1000 points
A traditional light-gun shooter set in the Wild West, Wild West Guns takes players across the desert to locations including a saloon, cemeteries, and even a locomotive. Your primary goal is to shoot targets, which include vultures, greedy gold diggers and robbers. The game also supports the Wii Zapper peripheral, which gives you the perfect excuse to dust off that hunk of plastic. It’s a fairly standard light-gun game really, you just shoot targets and aim to reach your high scores. What’s presented though is a fun, old-school shooter, and in the end that’s where it counts the most.
Worth buying? Yes
World of Goo
Price: 1500 points
World of Goo is a quirky puzzle game which was remarkably created by a development team of just two people. The gameplay is fairly simple to pick-up; you basically have to overcome obstacles such as chasms, spikes and hills by building structures made of goo. There are different types of goo balls to utilise which have varying effects, so it's important to experiment with different combinations and see how they affect the overall structure. In all honesty the game is one of the most unique experiences available on the WiiWare service. Do yourself a favour and purchase it, you won’t look back.
Worth buying? Yes
Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam
Price: 1000 points
In what could be described as Diner Dash meets Cooking Mama, Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam sees players frantically cook and serve food to starving customers in an effort to collect enough tips before the clock runs out. While the game does have its charming qualities, it sadly falls short due to its simplistic nature and repetitive gameplay. You’re better off downloading Diner Dash for the PC.
Worth buying? No
