Most Overlooked Wii Games - Part Eight

When we read from some gamers that the Nintendo Wii had a small selection of titles that were worth playing, we just roll around laughing to their ignorance. Then, we realize, "okay. That's subjective, so we can't make fun of them. We can only greatly disagree." The Most Overlooked series of articles talks about games that are worth playing that a good portion of the gaming community or consumers simply did not play. The sales numbers were low, the hype was nonexistent, etc. This is most likely our final look at the overlooked titles of the Wii's actually wide-reaching and varied library. Join us for Part Eight of Most Overlooked Wii Games, all of which can be played on your Wii Us, if you wish!

For those who haven't seen previous installments, here are some links for you!

Wii - Part One
Wii - Part Two
Wii - Part Three
Wii - Part Four
Wii - Part Five
Wii - Part Six
Wii - Part Seven

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MadWorld

Platinum Games has a bit of reputation for creating excellent, niche games that simply don't sell all that well. MadWorld was something that was obvious to say it was doomed from the word "go." It was released on the Wii, which wasn't exactly the market for a black and white (and red) gritty, ultraviolent action game. Perhaps had it released earlier in the Wii's life cycle when titles like Red Steel, Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition, and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles were actually selling, then Platinum Games and SEGA would have had a better shot. Regardless, if you enjoy taking a chainsaw and slicing foes in half, slamming stop signs into the craniums of foes, and taking down bosses big and small, MadWorld might be a good game for you.

Wii Play Motion

A game that came packaged with a Wii Remote Plus, Wii Play Motion was released at a time where "Wii fever" was pretty much over-- thanks to Nintendo itself mostly. Regardless, this mini-game compilation featured plenty of interesting takes on the more capable motion controller of the Wii. A fun fact about the game was that a different studio worked on each mini-game. Some favorite mini-games that were in the twelve game package included Wind Runner, a game where you raced through a twisting course using the wind to give you speed, and Veggie Guardin', whose premise was based off of Whac-A-Mole. Not all of the games were winners, but overall, the package which was Wii Play Motion delivered enough innovative and engaging activities to make it a fair addition to one's Wii collection.

We Ski & Snowboard

Coming off We Ski, Namco Bandai gave Wii owners a second trip to the slopes with We Ski & Snowboard, the latter using the Wii Balance Board to have the player shift their weight to guide their character down the snowy and icy terrain. The game gave players the entire mountain to explore from the very start, and completing events and satisfying certain conditions meant unlocking new clothing and gear. With winter fast approaching now, it seems like a great time to check out this underrated gem in the Wii's often overlooked library.

Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars

We're suckers for old school 3D platformers. You know, stuff from the PS1 and N64 era. Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars was one of those titles that harked back to a simpler time in gaming. We weren't concerned with 1080p vs. 780p. resolutions, and we didn't argue on message boards over a game running better on system X versus system Y. Mushroom Men was a fun platforming romp, if not a bit by-the-numbers, a complaint that some review publications had. We welcomed this formulaic approach, as there were so few games of Mushroom Men's ilk around. Even today we're still not seeing a lot of 3D platformers around. Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars can easily be found for a budget price, and it's worthy of trying out.

FlingSmash

Our last game we will be talking about is FlingSmash. This game came with the Wii MotionPlus accessory, and thank goodness it did. Otherwise, you'd simply be waggling the regular old Wii Remote helplessly as you tried to play the game. FlingSmash had players hitting a ball to collect points and acquire other goodies through auto-scrolling levels. It was a new IP from Nintendo, and it sold really poorly. Perhaps that's why Nintendo is so shy about creating new franchises outside of their digital stores, but perhaps Nintendo could have actually made an attempt to let people know about the game. You see, FlingSmash came out when Nintendo's support for the Wii dropped off a cliff, essentially and successfully killing the console early. It's a shame, as we have fond memories of the old Wii...

Review Round-Up - January

He may be a douchier Indiana Jones, but he gets the job done.

This month was all about thievery. Whether it was Nathan Drake's gang of thieves to Sly Cooper wanting to steal back the Thievius Raccoonus to simply stealing the ball from someone in NBA Jam. FlingSmash and NBA Jam each earned the lowest, still-respectable scores with 7.5 each whereas both Sly Cooper and Uncharted 2 earned the highest with a 9.25 each. There were only four reviews for the new year, but February is looking even better.

FlingSmash (Wii) - 7.5
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus (PS3) - 9.25
NBA Jam (Wii) - 7.5
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)* - 9.25

Alley-oop.

FlingSmash (Wii) Review

Here we go. Now we're getting somewhere. It's the first review of 2011! While it's not a huge AAA game or whatever you kooky kids call it, it is a game that was nominated for Most Overlooked in the Best of 2010 awards. It's the Wii MotionPlus-exclusive game, FlingSmash!

Fling. Smash. Yeah, that's all I got.

The Wii MotionPlus accessory was announced with wide acclaim and excitement. This is the future, I would imagine Nintendo fans were shouting from the top of their lungs. Regardless, after Wii Sports Resort, the new peripheral faded away. Some games have used it, but definitely not enough to call the accessory a success (though it has sold well enough). Nonetheless, a new title has emerged, and it's essentially a ten dollar game accompanied by the all-new Wii Remote Plus that has Wii MotionPlus technology already inside the controller. This colorful new romp is known only by the name FlingSmash. Is it a smashing hit, or will you want to fling your remote in anger at the poor controls?

The mystical land of Suthon Island is protected by a giant palm tree known simply as the Great Plam Tree. The spirits surrounding the tree have protected the island for centuries now. One day, an evil being known as Omninus (ominous, har, har) came to the island to take over the island's mythical power for himself. The princess of the island soon fell ill, and it seemed like all hope was lost. However, the wise elder of Suthon Island opens up a treasure chest housing the hero that will save all of the island! Meet Zip and Pip, two rambunctious heroes who will fling and smash their way through the game's twenty-four levels to take down Omninus once and for all!

In FlingSmash, you visit one area of the island. These are called worlds. Each worlds has three stages to play through followed by a boss stage. The goal of each stage is to collect at least three gold medals to unlock the clam shell at the end of the level. The prize for unlocking the clam is a pearl. Earning all three pearls in a given world gives the player access to the boss stage.

When turned into an iron ball, use these magnets
to carry you towards a higher-point route.

In FlingSmash, you usually travel from right to left with the screen slowly scrolling in that direction. If you dilly-dally for too long on the edge of the screen, snake-like creatures will grab you and make you lose a life. Unlike most games where losing a life means starting the level over, Zip or Pip are placed back in the level where they lost their life. Losing all your lives means game over, obviously, so stay toward the center of the screen!

Gameplay consists of smacking Zip or Pip through the game's levels. Each world introduces a new theme or gimmick. One level introduces power-ups such as the ability to split into four Zips or Pips to access multiple paths for double the points. Another makes your controlled hero grow into large proportions, taking up a sizable chunk of the screen. The Fireworks ability makes Zip or Pip explosive, destroying otherwise impenetrable walls and blocks. Every coin, star, or item collected is worth double points, so staying in a special power-up form is worth the effort.

This world introduces Zip-blasting cannons.

Other gimmicks include the sinister Omninus turning Zip and Pip into a heavy metal ball. This ball form can use magnets to pull your characters. Obviously since you're so heavy, you cannot jump as high or be bounced around as swiftly as if you were in regular form. Another gimmick includes turning into a small ball which means you must charge your shots (by holding the A button before swinging the Wii remote) to break otherwise unbreakable blocks.

There are problems with controlling the game. Sometimes FlingSmash registers your smack of Zip or Pip incorrectly. This is especially aggravating if you're trying to score a perfect run, and the game registers your shot going left instead of right. This just happens some of the time, and not very often, but when it does happen, it is maddening. Nonetheless, smacking Zip or Pop around the side-scrolling levels is very satisfying. This is one of those games where the title will persist that you take a break after every couple of levels or so, so be ready for that minor annoyance. Though it is recommended you take a break after awhile, because your arm can become very sore if you're really getting into the game. I know that my arm was throbbing after a two-hour session with FlingSmash! Who needs bench presses when you've got FlingSmash to work your arms?

Collect those gems for even more points!

In each level there's different ways to earn points. Earn enough points, and you'll earn an A or even an S rank. Getting an A rank in every level of a world unlocks a fun mini-game to play whereas acquiring an S rank in every level of a world opens up an extra stage to play through. Getting S ranks will take every fiber of your being to attain. You must collect lots of stars, play in-level mini-games to earn medals, and much more to earn S ranks. There's red blocks in levels that must be hit before the meter runs out. If the meter stays full while you're taking down the red blocks, you'll earn a combo bonus. There's also a green block that must be hit a set number of times to unlock a gold medal. You'll be frantically waving the Wii remote to take down enemies, gather stars, and destroy blocks that impede your progress. This is all the while watching out for hanging out near the edge of the screen.

Sometimes, you'll need a key to unlock
a barricade which blocks the way.

Boss battles tend to have you attacking the weak point for massive damage (when is THAT joke going to go away?). It's usually located at the back of the boss. Meanwhile, the boss will do everything in its power to push you towards the edge of the screen to make you lose a life. They'll build up unbreakable walls of blocks to halt you in your tracks, they'll unleash a gale of wind force to blow you to the edge, or they'll simply use their body to smack you around a bit. Boss battles are enjoyable, and they break up the game well enough so it doesn't get boring.

This boss blows... LITERALLY!

Visually, FlingSmash is a vivid delight of color. The game's levels are bright, the enemies are well-designed, and the backgrounds are full of personality. Still-frame cut-scenes with little animation tell the story of the game. Audio-wise, the music is suitable towards this type of game. The melodies can sometimes be catchy, other times not so much. Mariko Nanba from SEGA is the lead composer. He worked on several classic SEGA soundtracks such as Knuckles Chaotix for the 32X. It's a pleasure to hear his work in his decade, and it sounds so nice. For an essentially ten dollar game, the presentation isn't half-bad.

FlingSmash is many things. It's a fun game, it's a tiring game, it's a sometimes frustrating game, but all-in-all it's a smash hit. It may be over sooner than you'd like, but gaining S ranks on all levels is a challenge all to itself. Going after these elusive ranks will take most players upwards of ten hours. Then there's cooperative play where you and a buddy can cut loose and play the game together, pending you have two remote with MotionPlus attached to them. FlingSmash is twenty-four levels of diversity and fun, and it's a Wii title that will definitely make quick work of your dusty Wii MotionPlus!

[SuperPhillip Says: 7.5/10]

SPC Showdown - 4/27/2010

If you recall correctly, we had a special SPC Showdown earlier in the month. Today we're going back to normal, pitting two similar products, franchises, or characters together for the sheer thrill of it. You can't ask for much more, can you? In this installment, we see (if any) which controller feels the best, which racing game outpaces the other, and which arcade golf game is truly king of the swing.

PlayStation 3 Controller VS. Xbox 360 Controller

Two great-feeling controllers with wonderful button placement and ergonomic feel are these. Which feels the best?

PlayStation 3 Controller

Sony uses the same controller for yet another generation though anything is better than that blasted boomerang controller from several E3s ago! Everything from the d-pad to the buttons to the symmetrical analog sticks feel good. My problem with this controller are the back shoulder triggers. They don't feel as good as the 360's. They're challenging to press fully.


Xbox 360 Controller

I love the ergonomic handles of this controller. The asymmetric analog sticks feel nice and pleasant as well. It's just a cool-looking and awesome-feeling controller. The caveat of this controller is the horrible, god-awful d-pad which was probably designed by the same folks who built the 360's cooling fans. It's useless, and it's difficult to separate pressing up with pressing left or right.

Winner: Tie

Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing VS. Mario Kart Wii

Two great kart titles, both available on Wii. Does Sonic and SEGA outrace Mario's latest karting effort? Let's find out!

Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing

Sonic and friends (and foes, too) head out for some karting chaos of the kickass kind in Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing. The game features twenty outrageous tracks including some from the Sonic the Hedgehog, Billy Hatcher, Super Monkey Ball, and House of the Dead series. Perhaps some more franchises could have been represented, but what we have here is pure, clean unadulterated action of the karting kind. The items are balanced and fair, the AI is challenging without feeling cheap, and the visuals are crisp, colorful, and a joy to look at.


Mario Kart Wii

The king of karts, Mario Kart heads to Wii with sixteen of the best designed tracks in the series' history including Koopa Cape, Daisy Circuit, Bowser's Castle, Coconut Mall, DK Summit, among others. Additionally, there's sixteen retro tracks from the Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, Gamecube, and DS versions of the franchise. Playing single-player on the later levels of difficulty is an effort in frustration. The item rape (forgive the term) is incredibly cheap and aggravating. However, with friends the game is a blast to play, and I'd rank it higher than Sonic in that regard. Overall, however...


Winner: Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing

Lips VS. SingStar

The games that will allow you to battle it out with your inner diva, Lips and SingStar. Which sing-sation reigns supreme?

Lips

Lips is Microsoft's answer to the popular SingStar franchise. While it hasn't had as much success, it's doing well overseas, especially in Europe, something it shares in common with SingStar. The beginning track list is much better than SingStar, and the catalog of songs is quite impressive. Singing along with Elton John or whoever is a fun experience.


SingStar

There's one thing Lips doesn't have that SingStar does. That is the greatest progressive rock band of all time in my fact, Yes. Does Lips have Yes at all? No. It does not. SingStar wins automatically. Moreover, there's just a wider selection of songs to choose from previous installments of SingStar from the PlayStation 2 days. My personal favorites come from SingStar Amped and SingStar 80s. Where's my SingStar Yes edition, you nancy boys?


Winner: SingStar

Mario Golf VS. Hot Shots Golf Fore!

Both of these goofy golf games are the best on their platforms. They're simply the best arcade golf titles around. Let's find out why and which chips it in for eagle.

Mario Golf

Mario and company hit the links for some fantastic golf. While there's only six courses in all, they're designed so well that they'll seldom ever get boring. A wide cast of colorful characters are available to play as such as Mario, Wario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Donkey Kong, Bowser, Baby Mario, Plum, Maple, Charlie, Sonny, and many more. There's mini golf, speed golf, ring golf, skins golf, and any other type of golf you can think of. A great game with a great cast, Mario Golf is one of the better golf games out there.


Hot Shots Golf Fore!

The Hot Shots crew is back, and this time they're teeing it off twelve courses, some of which are from past Hot Shots Golf games. Even Ratchet, Clank, Jak, and Daxter are here to pelt some balls off the tee, too! Playing with a specific golfer would raise their experience. The more experience they gain, the more levels they gain. The more levels they gain, the more power shots they can unleash as well as earn new costumes. The game strikes a masterful brilliance between easy and hard difficulties, and it's one game that I continually find myself coming back to.


Winner: Hot Shots Golf Fore!

Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies VS. FlingSmash

Two upcoming Nintendo titles. Which am I most anticipating?

Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies

Sin and Punishment's sequel, Successor of the Skies, features eight levels to plow through. Each of which taking anywhere from 15-45 minutes to complete. It's on an on-rails shooter more akin to Star Fox 64 than a House of the Dead game. The bosses seem fierce and dastardly with weakpoints to take advantage of. We'll see how Sin and Punishment 2 fares when it reaches North American shores June 27th.


FlingSmash

I'm a sucker for colorful titles, and FlingSmash is no exception. The game smashes into your Wii sometime in July, and it promises to be a totally rad game. You use the MotionPlus peripheral (mandatory for the game) to hit a ball through side-scrolling levels, smashing up panes of glass as well as enemies and bosses. Nintendo promises eight unique worlds each with new types of challenges and obstacles. This is the game I'm more excited for-- especially if it releases at a budget price!


Winner: FlingSmash

How would you have decided each of our five battles? Send me your outcomes in our lovely little comment section!