Helix dances onto WiiWare

by Justin McElroy { Aug 25th 2008 at 9:30AM }

We don't have any idea if Helix (1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points) will be fun or responsive. We don't know if there's enough for the money, or if it's mind-bogglingly buggy. All we know is that the rhythm-music game (developed by Ghostfire Games) allows you to follow along with an onscreen robot as you dance in time with 26 different songs and (in the process) get a little exercise.

We don't know much about how good Helix will be. But what we do know is that it's different. And for a service that (with few exceptions) has become something of a dumping ground for cast-offs and cash-ins, that's just about the most refreshing thing we can imagine.

Tags: ghostfire-games, helix, wiiware-weekly

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Rob138 @ Aug 25th 2008 10:11AM

All I can think about is Para Para Paradise when I see this story...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9066435289933037521

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5A5oTh3v4k

WiNG [Life in a Game] @ Aug 25th 2008 10:15AM

"And for a service that (with few exceptions) has become something of a dumping ground for cast-offs and cash-ins, that's just about the most refreshing thing we can imagine."

Other than World of Goo, or say... something people actually want?

WiNG [Life in a Game] @ Aug 25th 2008 10:17AM

Also,

When the robot punches with his left hand...

DO YOU PUNCH WITH YOUR LEFT, OR HIS LEFT?????

Alex @ Aug 25th 2008 12:22PM

This game looks horrible...Incredibly, incredibly horrible.

mr nimblewick @ Aug 25th 2008 10:48AM

So Joystiq has officially become "Wii Haters 'R' Us," eh?

tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 25th 2008 12:08PM

No they just hate bad games. It just so happens that 90% of those are on the wii.

Jonah Falcon @ Aug 25th 2008 12:10PM

Nah, the Wii developers are showing their hate by releasing monstrosities like THIS.

Justin McElroy @ Aug 25th 2008 12:54PM

I was solely talking about WiiWare which, by and large, is irrefutably garbage.

mr nimblewick @ Aug 25th 2008 10:15PM

I don't think you can say Wiiware is mostly garbage. There are plenty of great games on it, with Strong Bad coming out just a little while and big titles such as de Blob coming later. It's just part of a larger Wii smear campaign that's been going on since their admittedly terrible E3 showing.

Trunas @ Aug 25th 2008 10:57AM

This is so lame....I'm so glad I sold my wii yesterday!!!!!!!!!

ejamer @ Aug 25th 2008 11:21AM

Although I'm wary about the actual quality of this game, it is nice to see something interesting and different being offered. Still waiting eagerly for World of Goo though... wasn't that supposed to be a near-launch title?

A small rhythm game like this has lots of potential and could even steal a bit of Sambe de Amigo's thunder if the WiiWare title ends up being well made. Guess I'll be waiting to see a review or two before diving in.

Jonah Falcon @ Aug 25th 2008 12:09PM

To recap, Wii Music doesn’t require timing, and Helix doesn’t require dancing. Anyone else sense a pattern?

“Difficult to master” - only if you have severe arthritis in both elbows and shoulder sockets.

If you want to spend $10 worth of Wii Points to give your grandma an excuse to exercise her shoulders, this is the game for you!

Anthony Perez @ Aug 25th 2008 12:12PM

I'm pretty sure that if I played this that I would dislocate a shoulder. Look at all those upward jabs...ouch.

Inect @ Aug 25th 2008 12:13PM

Nintendo always pick the strangest families.

Thief @ Aug 25th 2008 12:18PM

NEXT GENERATION OF RHYTHM GAMES!!!

I almost fell off my seat laughing...

chispito @ Aug 25th 2008 12:37PM

I dunno, put some glowsticks on your wiimote and nunchuck and that could be fun.

O RLY? @ Aug 25th 2008 1:25PM

Is the phrase "Download it on WiiWare" really trademarked? (see end of clip)

john stamos @ Aug 25th 2008 3:27PM

I love that promo video so much. The close up of the guys face is so awkward and amazing. I captured the video and recut it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AxyHoCR_4o

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Aug 26th 2008 3:11AM

Insert some Miis in there and you basically end up with what Wii Fit should have been: second wiimote, sure, but no hundred dollar balance board.

Sure those are different areas of the body, but I've always thought that accessibility was the main thing for casual gaming.