Worms going to space on Wii

by Justin McElroy { Aug 30th 2007 at 4:13PM }

We're really interested in the newly announced Worms: A Space Oddity that THQ is bringing to the Wii in spring of 2008, and it's not just because the Wiimote is a perfect fit for the turn-based action game. No, we're more curious about how, exactly, one goes about making Worms into a console game again after its release in its $10 downloadable Xbox Live Arcade form.

Wii will have four-player online play, but XBLA already has that. There's also apparently a "fresh visual style," you'll have to ask Worms 3D how that worked out. Don't get us wrong, we love Worms, we're just curious how they'll make it seem like a full-priced game again. If they pull it off, we'll be the first in line.

Tags: thq, wii, worms

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jerk Face @ Aug 30th 2007 4:19PM

I had worms once. It sucked.

eldee @ Aug 30th 2007 5:34PM

That's what you get for eating feces.. I try to tell my dogs the same thing but they don't listen.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 30th 2007 4:20PM

Worms in SPACE!

Crono @ Aug 30th 2007 4:34PM

So are these going to be like those worms from futurama that made Fry smart and coordinated?

Doug @ Aug 30th 2007 4:34PM

Ummm...there just *might* be one or two people who have Wiis but not 360s, and would therefore probably be unaware/unconcerned that it's available for $10 on an online service that they do not have access to.

Fernando Rocker @ Aug 30th 2007 4:35PM

Maybe in WiiWare... the first games are going to apper in the beggining of 2008

Fernando Rocker @ Aug 30th 2007 4:37PM

And according to Nintendo, the games are going to be at a maximun of $10 dlls.

Abscissa @ Aug 30th 2007 4:40PM

Online...cool. That's the one thing that stopped me from getting the DS version: I figured there would be an online version coming later.

I'm VERY concerned about this "fresh visual style" and space emphasis though. I was REALLY disappointed when they changed all the voices and graphics (and removed the zooming effect) when they went from the original to Worms 2. I eventually got used to the change, but I always like the original better.

Abscissa @ Aug 30th 2007 4:44PM

I miss the old original tagline too: "Do you have Worms?"

Kazi @ Aug 30th 2007 4:46PM

Worms Open Warfare 2 is coming out soon, has wifi some map customization and other nifty things. It's been getting some good reviews from Worm fans.

Abscissa @ Sep 1st 2007 12:25AM

As long as they don't screw up the space theme and new graphics, I'd much rather play it on an actual TV than a tiny little handheld screen. So I'm crossing my fingers this Wii one will work out nicely.

Abscissa @ Sep 1st 2007 12:29AM

Oh, plus, I don't do wireless on my DS anymore since I switched my WiFi router to use the REAL encryption of WPA, instead of the worthless WEP *cough* "encryption" that the DS expects.

VWatermelon @ Aug 30th 2007 4:40PM

This is major tom to ground control
Im stepping through the door
And I'm floating in a most peculiar way.

Sorry I couldn't resist.
The last time I had fun with a worms game, worms armageddon. Holy Hand Grenade. Awesome

Synner @ Aug 30th 2007 4:45PM

3 words: holy hand grenade

Almack64 @ Aug 30th 2007 4:47PM

Hallelujah...BOOM!!!

Almack64 @ Aug 30th 2007 4:48PM

The holy hand grenade was great but I was always a fan of the Concrete Donkey.

Paul P. @ Aug 30th 2007 4:58PM

If you ask me Team17 has done absolutely nothing but botch this series since Worms: Armageddon. Armageddon rocked. Eveyr release since was horrible. I can't speak for the XBLA version, though, haven't seen it.

I have absolutely no faith in them making a good worms game. I do have faith in them making an absolutely lackluster one where to throw granades you have to make a throwing motion for pitch and power instead of aiming.

MC Hampster @ Aug 30th 2007 5:23PM

While the XBLA version is a decent version, it is still gimped. It doesn't have all the same weapons. It doesn't have stuff like exploding barrels with napalm. It also didn't have all of the same options, etc that were in the "full" game on the PC. Perhaps they'll just include all that stuff. Don't know if it will be worth a full retail price tag though.

Being the Worms fanatic I am, I'll probably be getting this, along with Worms: Open Warfare 2 for the DS (out next week). Yes, I have a problem.

kennethrios @ Aug 30th 2007 5:26PM

Sweet.

Psaakyrn @ Aug 30th 2007 5:38PM

The best way to get this series back on track in my opinion, is to go back to it's golden roots (meaning Armegeddon), improve the editor (making it more versatile), and allowing simultaneous action (aka liero).

The space theme does give me some hope actually: perhaps we'll get variable gravity and object-based gravity (meaning planets for worms to sit on and ring out by blowing them out of the galaxy)

James @ Aug 30th 2007 5:45PM

I'm thinking Galaxy meets Worms 3D, we had a 2D game like that on an ancient computer.
I honestly wouldn't mind that. just hope it's better than the last few 3D Worms games!

Why are folk comparing a cut down Worms games (Xbox Live Arcade) to a potentially feature filled game?

Psaakyrn @ Aug 30th 2007 6:49PM

Mainly because the "cut down" versions are most faithful to Worms Armegeddon, which is what most people consider the golden era of this series. (the rest would consider either Worms 2 ,which Armegeddon is essentially just an upgrade of, or Worms World Party, which does add in a few things, but took out a lot more.)

accidental @ Aug 30th 2007 6:19PM

Does the XBLA Worms have full single-player modes like in Armageddon and World Party etc? I loved those mission modes.

Mr Khan @ Aug 30th 2007 6:20PM

Well, hopefully it IS like Galaxy meets worms, in the sense of full 360 space warfare

That always kicks ass, worms and online only sweetens the deal

Mr Khan @ Aug 30th 2007 6:54PM

Joystiq's been eating ~50% of my comments lately

It reads posted 6:20, i didn't see it till now (6:56)

Psaakyrn @ Aug 30th 2007 7:07PM

Frankly, I think Worms, like Castlevania and Sonic, just doesn't work in 3D at the current point in time. (well, there are some series which manage the jump, like Mario, and Metroid, but the core gameplay of many old generation is just hard to translate to 3D).

Especially Worms, since the traditional human mind is geared into 2.5D (the main plane being forward/backward and left/right, with sub-plane value being up-down which isn't translated as well) which makes a fully 3D strategy and projectile calculations too complex for most of us to handle

Random thoughts: Would Castlevania work better if they tool Metroid's formula (sort of) (note: NOT Metroid Prime, since that focuses more on adventure than exploration)? And the main problem with Sonic is that it was never a traditional platformer, but it's trying to use traditional 3D platformer mechanics in it's transition. The Wii version as many noted, is the only version which manages to somewhat follow it's roots, (but I'd say still lacks sufficient focus).

Random thoughts 2: Sonic and Castlevania seems somewhat similar on second thoughts... Sonis is action(speed)/exploration, while post SotN Castlevania is action(combat)/exploration, both with a core focus on environment (though less so for Castlevania, seeing that it's also combat focused).

Booxatron @ Aug 31st 2007 10:22PM

I personally don't think Worms can ever work in 3D...the mechanics of certain 2D games just can't and shouldn't. 2D is still a very viable system for certain types of games and I hate that everybody thinks they need to do everything in 3D these days.

ThornedVenom @ Aug 30th 2007 6:58PM

"Worms: A Space Oddity"

I'd laugh my pants off if the "fresh visual style" was just to clone Mario Galaxy.
And I'd be very sad if they transformed the Worms franchise into a Raving Rabbids clone.

saunderez @ Aug 30th 2007 8:50PM

No, Worms is not most suited to the Wii. Can someone please remind me what the mouse is used for in a Worms game? Certainly not for any gameplay. Selecting weapons and moving the "camera" around. Motion controls and Worms are a bad fit.

BobboMJones @ Aug 30th 2007 9:11PM

So, a mouse. Which points to specific spots on screen, and you can hit a button to make it do something.

Like a Wiimote can do.

I think that's what the article writer meant. Just because there's motion control it doesn't mean the developers have to use it (and I really hope they resist any temptation to do so, I love me some Worms).

mike @ Aug 30th 2007 9:43PM

I loved worms... i had it for gameboy, computer, ds...now i guess for wii!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CJgegNMApaQ&mode=user&search=

saunderez @ Aug 30th 2007 10:21PM

What I was getting at is that the mouse isn't used for the actual gameplay. The keyboard is. Arrow keys move the worm about and to aim enter for jump, backspace for double jump and space bar to fire.

How does the wii remote fit into this? I don't have a freakin' clue.

BobboMJones @ Aug 31st 2007 4:04PM

Ah, I get what you mean now. The mouse was used to click on specific spots on the map (air strikes, teleporting, etc.), and for going through the menus. I always played with both the mouse and the keyboard, so I'd like that aspect to stay if it can, although as you said, it isn't necessary. My guess would either be using the nunchuk for movement, or pressing the button to switch between pointer and action modes (rocking it like the NES pad).

Questworld @ Aug 30th 2007 10:28PM

What I'd like to see is a 3D Worms that's not just simply bringing 2D Worms gameplay in 3D. I'd like a story mode with varying Worms personality (think Team Fortress 2) and you play it somewhat like a FPS game (or TPS). It'll be comical and can even be turn base but not like playing around in a small island.