Lets Tap
By Gavin (R&D SpecialEffect)
This
game’s Visualizer Mode is essentially a push the button, cause
and effect game for the
Wii…….
Available on Nintendo Wii
Developed by Probe and published by Sega
8
7
5
2
CUTO
It’s an absolutely bonkers concept for a game; you lay your Wii
controller face down on a flat surface, and you then play a
variety of mini games by tapping away on it. Ideally, the
surface you use should be a box, as the controller can pick up
the vibrations of your taps and slaps easier on a box, than on
a solid surface like a desk; and it means that the game can
recognise really quite light taps that can be made with minimum
effort. You also have the option of adjusting the sensitivity
of the controller if you find your taps and slaps are too light
or hard. With some adjusting and by laying my controller on a
big box on the floor I was even able to operate this game by
kicking my feet. It’s also nice how you are able to navigate
the game menus by using the tap interface; a single tap will
scroll through the options and a quick double tap will act as a
button press and select one.
Zack and Wiki Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
By mcarnall
Developed and Published by Capcom. Format Nintendo Wii.
Another Wii review from yours truly, in my attempt to up the
coverage for this platform on GameBase. Paradoxically, with the
platform about to be succeeded now is a great time to be a Wii
gamer. With the Wii-U on the horizon around now is the best time
to snap up inexpensive Wii games you may have missed first time
around before they dissappear completely from the high street
only to turn up at four times the price on internet retailers
months down the line. Today's absolute corker, gem of a blinding
game? Zack and Wiki Quest for Barbaros' Treasure.
Zack and Wiki is an amazing game but more about that later. Upon
release in 2007-2008, despite genuinely positive reviews, the
game didn't exactly break any records when it came to sales.
Which is so frustrating. It was charming, nicely presented,
actually clever and took advantage of motion controls whilst
other developers were still aspiring to 'waggling' as the highest
form of motion control input. Why did the game fail? Probably for
a number of reasons. Firstly, it was a new IP which always have
to work extra hard to gain recognition from the packed game
shelves all clamouring for attention.
Wii Play
By mcarnall
Wii Play- Nintendo Wii/Nintendo
It's an oldie but a classic. Originally released in Europe waaaaay back in 2006, Wii Play was partly a tech demo to show off what could be done with the Wii and partly a way for Nintendo to ease new customers excited about the Wii into buying (quite expensive) multiple controllers by bundling a wiimote with the game for a couple of quid more than a controller alone. Unfortunately, Wii Play was really a proof of concept with some great ideas that weren't really picked up by other developers. Also when the Wii was released, easy to understand and accessible titles like Wii Sports and Wii Play was anathema to 'hardcore' gamers who saw these titles as games dumbed down.Endless Ocean and Endless Ocean 2
By mcarnall
Ever felt like being a scuba diver but don't live near water/can't swim/afraid of jellyfish and sharks/all of the above? Then worry not as the Endless Ocean (EO) series for the Nintendo Wii lets you pet whales and feed sharks from the comfort of your living room. These are the third and fourth diving exploration game developed by Arika. The series was previously called Everblue, both Everblue and Everblue 2 were released on the PlayStation 2.
In striking contrast to most other games on all formats Endless Ocean is relaxing. In fact, the reason I'm reviewing both of them together here rather than just the second and latest game in the series is because of the two titles the first EO is by far the most accessible. However, the second game is a little bit more structured and has more 'gamey' features with unlocks and achievement based titles.
Catching up with Ellie
By One Switch
Earlier this month I had the great pleasure of meeting up with Ellie and her family at the superb Little Havens Children's Hospice where she was taking a break. We wanted to find out if her loan-library Wii Lite controller was still working well. Turns out it still works just fine for her. Enough to beat me three times out of three on Mario Kart.
Wii Fit Wheelchair Board
By One Switch
"(Wii) Floor Board" from Vivify (Canada)
The plainly titled "Floor Board" from Vivify offers a way into the world of Wii-Fit for manual wheelchair users with the ability to shift their weight from side to side.
Wii Party
By Bill (R&D, SpecialEffect)
Wii - Nintendo
"Laugh together, smile together, play together. Nintendo is throwing the party of the year and everyone's invited!"
There is certainly quantity as well as plenty of quality with this bundle of 80+ mini games aimed at inspiring you and your friends' competitive instincts.
The games are categorised into gameplay styles such as House Party, Party Games, Pair Games and Minigames. With such variety of games comes a variety of controls. Some of the games use simple up and down actions, whilst others use the wii-mote in the side ways driving position or the pointer type gameplay mechanic.
New Carnival Funfair Games
By Bill (R&D, SpecialEffect)
Wii - 2K Play
At SpecialEffect we have got a lot of mileage out of the original Carnival Funfair Games on the Wii through our various projects. With it's simple and intuitive gameplay style, many of the mini games are instantly engaging and fun.
New Carnival Funfair Games delivers the same bitesize chunks of instant fun with 'over 30 new games and attractions.' As previously, the fairground is divided into different areas each with a group of funfair challenges which can be played between one and four players. All of the games only require the use of the Wiimote without the nunchuck and can be played with or without the Wii motion plus and with just one hand and sat down.
Real-time Sensory Substitution
By One SwitchHave you seen the video above (or had it described to you)? What a grin! And what a fantastic idea for making a mainstream game more accessible. Many thanks to Eelke Folmer for sending us this info (read on for more detail), and to Tony for creating it. Exciting and ground-breaking stuff! We can't wait to get our hands on this to take to some roadshows.
Top 10 Console Games
By Bill (R&D, SpecialEffect)
The current Top 10 Console games on GameBase.info...
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