Christmas Buyers Guides:
Handhelds | Downloadable
A Boy and His Blob
Players: 1
Publisher: Majesco Entertainment
Remember A Boy and His Blob on the NES? That game where you fed a blob jelly beans and it would morph into contraptions? In case it’s a little before your time, then you can experience this newer, hipper version which has an absolutely gorgeous 2D art direction. It’s a simple little puzzle platformer that won’t be too difficult to finish for experienced players, but what it lacks in challenge it more than makes up for with its style and fun factor.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
Boom Blox Bash Party
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Electronic Arts
A follow-up to last year’s surprise smash hit. In case you’re unfamiliar with the franchise, your main object is to knock down all the boxes in a level. New to the series is the ability to create, download and upload custom levels to friends and EA’s servers, as well as enhanced multiplayer modes. While not as innovative as its predecessor, if you need an excuse to keep knocking boxes over you don’t need to look any further.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
Call of Duty Modern Warfare: Reflex Edition
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Activision
Activision certainly took their sweet time with this one. We don’t know, it just seems a little odd to release the original Modern Warfare on Wii on the same day the sequel heads to the 360, PS3 and PC. Regardless, Activision has done a great job recreating the game for the Wii. The pointer functionality isn’t as tight as World at War, but the multiplayer and customisation options are really impressive and should keep Nintendo fans occupied for a fair while.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
Cursed Mountain
Players: 1
Publisher: Deep Silver
Getting bored playing Resident Evil 4 over and over again? Not too worry, as now you can traverse mountains and sight undead monks in Deep Silver’s Cursed Mountain. It won’t leave you needing a change of underwear, but the game does have a thrilling story and atmosphere, making it one of the more memorable Wii tiles released thus far.
Our review said: While Cursed Mountain doesn’t excel in providing innovative gameplay, mind-boggling puzzles or even a truly terrifying experience, the relatively unknown development team at Spriong ought to be applauded for what they’ve done well. Very few games have created a deeply mysterious but unpretentious story, a tense atmosphere of isolation and created a real connection with religious practice. It’s rare that a game comes along and makes you feel 'something' once you’ve put down the controller and walked away. Sure, the controls and pacing are sluggish, and the game is not all that scary, but we’ll be damned if this is not amongst the most unique gaming experiences you’ll ever have. Period. And for the right reasons. Regardless of how the game does, it's these kind of gaming and developers experiences that should be seen more often on the Wii. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]
Dead Space Extraction
Players: 1-2
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Extraction acts as a prequel to the original Dead Space on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, and is an on-rails shooter. The game introduces new characters to the Dead Space universe and gives fans some insight to what exactly happened to the human colony on Aegis VII. While not quite as groundbreaking or unique, it’s still an immensely fun game that can be enjoyed by almost anyone over fifteen.
Our review said: Dead Space Extraction is a taut, compelling, well-presented shooter which reconstitutes the core elements of its predecessor into a distinctive (yet utterly faithful) game which most Wii owners should enjoy. The story mode is slight, the extras are largely unexciting, and it is ultimately a lesser game than the original on account of its less-sophisticated generic foundation, but for fans of the franchise this is a worthy companion piece which should not be dismissed. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]
Deadly Creatures
Players: 1
Publisher: THQ
We’ll be honest and say we’re really afraid of insects here at the PALGN office (his words, not mine – Ed.). The way they crawl, the way the bite and sting, it’s enough to make us scream like a little girl who’s lost her teddy bear. Deadly Creatures is interesting in that you play as a scorpion or a tarantula, one having action-orientated levels while the other has stealth-focused levels. The pair struggle to survive as they encounter humans and snakes, among other nasties, at every turn. It’s one of the more unique experiences to come from a developer this year, and should not be missed by a single soul.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
EA Sports Active More Workouts
Players: 1
Publisher: Electronic Arts
More Workouts is an expansion to EA Sports Active, which was released earlier in the year. The game features workout routines and gives you some great tips on how to live a healthy life. It won’t replace the gym by any means, but it certainly does more good than harm and is a great first step in losing weight and just generally being more active.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
Klonoa
Players: 1
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Klonoa is actually a remake of the original Klonoa: Door to Phantomile which was released on the PlayStation One in 1997. The game is a sidescrolling platformer. It’s quite a forgiving adventure to play through, yet at the same time it offers a fun experience that’s complimented by beautiful graphics. It won’t give Mario a run for his money, but it will prove to be a nice little distraction from that fat-arsed Italian.
Our review said: Does Klonoa overcome the question posed in the opening paragraph of this review? Of course it does. This is a classic platformer whose humble ambitions are realised with solid controls, engaging level design, and gorgeous visuals. Its premise is tired, but its presentation is generally top-notch. If you've never played Klonoa, the Wii iteration is the perfect opportunity to experience this minor classic, and represents a fantastic choice for younger gamers due to its charm and accessibility. For gamers who harbour feelings of nostalgia for the platforming genre, Klonoa is almost essential. Place your finger on the jump-button, get set, and go. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]
Little King’s Story
Players: 1
Publisher: Rising Star Games
Ever dreamt of being able to charm people into obeying your orders? Ever wanted to expand a small town into a thriving kingdom? Well, that’s the idea of Little King’s Story. Player’s assume the role of a small boy named Corobo who finds a crown that gives him the ability to charm people. Using this power he begins to expand the local town into a thriving kingdom, and eventually sets his sights on other nations. You’ll need to balance power with resources, and ensure you train your followers so that they evolve from puny weaklings into fearsome henchmen.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
Metroid Prime Trilogy
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Nintendo
Three games, one disc. Whoever thought of this idea at the Nintendo offices deserves to be made President for a day. If you’re a Metroid fan there’s simply no reason you shouldn’t already own this package. It contains all three Metroid Prime titles, with the first two having been tweaked to utilise the Wii controller, and also now feature the token system established in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth out of this one.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
Muramasa: The Demon Blade
Players: 1
Publisher: Rising Star Games
Muramasa is an odd little game which stars a young ninja named Kisuke. Kisuke is on the run from the law over committing a crime he doesn’t remember, and all he knows is that he wants to acquire a special katana. The game supports the Wii remote, Classic Controller and GameCube controller as control options, and apparently has a decent difficulty level for experienced players. The music and art direction are also mind blowing.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
New Play Control!: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
Players: 1
Publisher: Nintendo
One of the last GameCube titles to make use of the short-lived DK Bongos peripheral, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat also marked the first time the titular ape stared in a platform game since Donkey Kong 64. The Wii version unfortunately doesn’t support the DK Bongos and has an emphasis on motion controls. On the plus side there are a few new tweaks to enjoy such as repositioned enemies, a new health system, and brand new stages.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
New Play Control!: Mario Power Tennis
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Nintendo
It’s not surprising Mario Power Tennis was chosen as one of the first New Play Control! games to be released. Wii Sports Tennis was arguably one of the best titles to make full use of motion controls, so it doesn’t take a genius to see what Nintendo were getting at here. For those that didn’t play the GCN original, Mario Power Tennis features themed courts that have hazards to avoid such as crocodiles and moving floors, as well as power-up moves and mini-games. The single-player experience is fun while it lasts, but to truly get your money’s worth you’ll want to take advantage of the riveting multiplayer
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
New Play Control!: Pikmin
Players: 1
Publisher: Nintendo
The launch title of the New Play Control! range, and one of the most unique games you’ll ever play. In Pikmin, players crash land on a mysterious planet and befriend the strange titular flower-like creatures who act as mini-army for you to control. You can command the critters to attack enemies, clear pathways, and even harvest other Pikmin to join your crew. You do however, have the ultimate objective of repairing your spaceship within 30 days, otherwise you’ll run out of air and never be able to return home. If you never got around to playing the original this comes highly recommended as it’s a visual treat to the eyes and is an absolute blast to play.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
New Play Control!: Pikmin 2
Players: 1-2
Publisher: Nintendo
Pikmin 2 gets rid of the 30 day time-limit which many felt limited the original. It also brings to the experience 2-player co-op, and if you go solo you can control two teams of Pikmin at once thanks to the new character Louie. Additionally, there are two new Pikmin types, a challenge mode, and an in-game encyclopaedia that gives you a little more insight into some of the items and enemies you encounter. For the record, we’d recommend going with the sequel if you had to choose between this one and the original, simply because it’s designed better and feels less constricted.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Nintendo
Following the success of New Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo DS, the Wii incarnation steps it up a notch by featuring improved level design and, of course, four-player multiplayer. The solo affair is enjoyable and should keep you interested for a fair while, but multiplayer is where the real meat is and should be a hoot for players this Christmas. Oh, and did we mention the game has Yoshi in it? We’re sold!
Our review said: New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a fun and wonderfully crafted game that is a welcome addition to anyone’s game library. Levels get progressively challenging for experienced players, and those who aren’t as capable have the Super Guide feature to help them through. More importantly, multiplayer is an absolute blast with friends, however the game is far from perfect due to a lack of innovation and gimmicky motion controls. [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]
New U Fitness First Personal Trainer
Players: 1
Publisher: Black Bean
Yep, developers seem to be cashing in on Wii Fit’s climb to fame, but at least they all seem to be quality products. This particular game is praised for having better nutritional planning than that of Wii Fit and EA Sports Active. As for the other content, you’ve got a heap of exercise routines and body motions to go through, so all up it’s a pretty decent alternative.
Our review said: New U Fitness First Personal Trainer is another fitness product that has its heart in the right place. The nutritional focus of the title is excellent, if potentially financially demanding, and the exercises you perform are proper exercises that you could perform at the park or the gym. However, a lack of detailed prompting for performing these exercises could leave you doing them incorrectly, as all you have to go on is just watching your trainer go through the motions, but unlike a real personal trainer, they can't come over to help you if you're moving the wrong way. There's a fair amount of content here for exercise-enthusiasts and while the title is perfectly functional, it is inferior to both EA Sports Active and Wii Fit in all areas except the aforementioned nutritional planning. [FULL REVIEW: 7.0]
Punch-Out!!
Players: 1-2
Publisher: Nintendo
Punch-Out!! sees the return of Little Mac as he works his way up professional boxing circuits. The game features many new and old faces, and even has Donkey Kong appear in a cameo appearance. There aren’t too many great boxing games on the Wii, so if you’re keen for the sport then this one should not be passed up. It should be noted however this game is available only at JB Hi-Fi in Australia, so don’t go expecting to find it in the bargain bin too soon.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
Rabbids Go Home
Players: 1-2
Publisher: Ubisoft
Ubisoft has finally let those crazed bunnies off their leashes, with the Rabbids staring in their own platform adventure without a single trace of that limbless freak Rayman. What’s that, a platformer? Yep, no more senselessly shaking the Wii remote in another mini-game compilation. Instead you’ll be exploring airports, towns, hospitals, city districts and nuclear power plants, all the while literally scaring the pants off of humans, avoiding beastly dogs, racing against cows in trucks, and collecting all the junk you can find. If this doesn’t make any sense to you, then you’ve taken your first steps into the highly entertaining and wacky world of the Rabbids.
Our review said: Rabbids Go Home is a wonderfully unique game that shows the Rabbids are capable of staring in something other than mundane mini-game compilations. The developers have done an excellent job in creating the wacky worlds and characters, and while the gameplay is simple it’s also highly entertaining. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]
Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil
Players: 1
Publisher: Capcom
Not including all the ports and director’s cut editions, Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil is the third time the original Resident Evil game has been remade (the first time was on GameCube, the second was on the Nintendo DS). The Wii version is more or less a port of the 2002 GameCube release, but features some slight graphical tweaks and is designed to utilise the Wii controller. Unless you’ve already played the GameCube version, it’s a great way to experience the origins of the franchise if you’ve played the spectacular Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition... Just be sure to have a change of underwear at the ready.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
Players: 1-2
Publisher: Capcom
The Darkside Chronicles is a follow-up to 2007’s on-rails shooter The Umbrella Chronicles. The story focuses on the events of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil: Code Veronica, as well as an all-new chapter in the RE series. It’s recommended you play the game with a little more knowledge of the franchise as otherwise things can get a little confusing. Besides that, it’s an enjoyable shooter with really pretty visuals which should appease every zombie hunter out there.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
Tales of Symphonia 2: Dawn of a New World
Players: 1
Publisher: Capcom
A cross spin-off and sequel to Tales of Symphonia on the GameCube, Dawn of a New World is set two years after the original and stars Lloyd and Emil. The game is sadly a hit and miss affair – some people may find the gameplay a tad redundant while others will enjoy the classic style – but despite all these flaws it should appease the JPRG fans who have been begging for something new on Wii.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
The Conduit
Players: 1-12 (online)
Publisher: Sega
High Voltage Software has been boasting The Conduit would redefine the FPS genre on Wii ever since it was first announced back in 2008. Following a few delays and the long search for a publisher, the title sadly didn’t quite live up to the hype. That’s not to say it isn’t a decent FSP though, as it has a solid control scheme and is certainly a step above all the shovelware that plagues the Wii library. However, if you already have an Xbox 360, PS3 or decent PC set up, then there isn’t a lot new here that will hold your interest.
Our review said: At the end of the day, High Voltage Software only half-met their promise at defining the FPS genre for the Wii. The developer nailed the control scheme by giving players the ability to change button mappings and the sensitivity of the Wii remote. Sadly, when it came down to gameplay, The Conduit is nothing but an average run and gun shooter with a few cheap gimmicks that try to make it look like more than it really is. The online multiplayer modes are a nice touch, but if you already regularly play online shooters on other systems, it will seem rather redundant. [FULL REVIEW: 6.5]
Wii Fit Plus
Players: 1
Publisher: Nintendo
The Wii Fit craze continues with this add-on title. Available as a standalone game or bundled with the Wii balance board peripheral, Wii Fit Plus features new workout routines and mini-games to play. Now, don’t go thinking this will shed off those Christmas pounds. While it’s a great way to introduce you to a workout routine and give you advice on a healthy lifestyle, it by no means substitutes the real thing. Think of it as a step in realising a New Year’s Resolution, not an excuse to pig out at the dinner and skip out on going to the gym.
Our review said: If you're considering picking up Wii Fit Plus, we should warn you not to buy into the hype. (If there is any this time around. We know this thing sold like hot cakes last time.) This title alone is not going to make you thin overnight. Nor is it going to make you fit by itself. This, like every other fitness game out there, whether they purport to be a be-all and end-all cure to obesity or not, is essentially a tool. The exercise portion of the game teaches you real workouts and exercises that are useful to know and perform in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular cardio workouts. In this capacity, Wii Fit Plus succeeds very well. If you're just here for the new balance-games, then the fifteen games on offer are all pretty enjoyable and offer great value for current Balance Board owners. If you're buying Wii Fit for the first time with this game, then rest assured you're getting the best version. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]
Wii Sports Resort
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Nintendo
While we still have to wait a while to experience the mysterious Wii Vitality Sensor, Wii Sports Resort marked one of the first games to take full advantage of Wii MotionPlus. New activities include sky diving, jet skiing and archery. It’s a great way to get a feel for where MotionPlus could lead in future Wii games, but most importantly, it’s some good clean family fun.
[FULL REVIEW: Coming Soon]
Loading...
