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Opinion: What Wii has done wrong

by David Hinkle { Nov 7th 2008 at 5:15PM }

GameSetWatch has been running an interesting two-part column on the success and failure of the Wii in its first two years on store shelves (2nd anniversary arriving soon, read our 1st anniversary theme week here!). The second part of the piece, which focuses on the negatives, has a couple of interesting tidbits worth pointing out.

The first thing the piece focuses on is waggle and how the early promises of a more immersed experience for the gamer have not been fulfilled. We're willing to concede that, because of how great the console has sold in such a small period of time and how many developers and publishers have proceeded to churn out shovelware and dirty ports just in an attempt to cash in. There are always exceptions to the rule, however, with not only Nintendo showing us the amazing and unique things that can be done with the control scheme, as well as some other third party developers and their titles (Zack & Wiki, Let's Tap, and No More Heroes, just to name a few).

We won't spoil the rest of the piece for you, but, to be honest, it's really good. It calls the Wii out for a lot of its shortcomings, and not in a totally biased tone. And, if bashing the Wii doesn't sound like an interesting topic for an article to you, read the first part, where it's nothing but Wii love.

Source - Two Years In - The Wii's Successes
Source - Two Years In - How the Wii Has Failed

Wii Warm Up: Pleasantly surprised

by David Hinkle { Sep 16th 2008 at 8:00AM }

With the Wii being out on shelves for some time now, the system has had plenty of time to surprise us. A few of its games that we've been pleasantly surprised by are now among some of our most treasured gaming experiences. What games have released on the system and surprised you? Was it in a totally good way, like us, or have things surprised you in a negative way? Let's hear it!

Wii Warm Up: Have third party titles lived up to your standards?

by David Hinkle { Aug 13th 2008 at 8:00AM }

Sure, there's tons of shovelware on the Wii, but there are some genuine third-party gems, as well. Zack & Wiki, Boom Blox and No More Heroes are just a few of the quality, non first-party titles available on the console. More or less, have you been satisfied with what third-parties have done on the Wii? Do you think they're turning things around when it comes to releasing quality product on the console? Do you think third party titles will never be able to live up to the quality standards of Nintendo's own first party titles?

Reminder: Zack & Wiki giveaway ends tonight

by David Hinkle { Jul 27th 2008 at 3:03PM }

For all of you looking to get a free copy of Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure , which is easily one of the best Wii games, then head on over to the original contest post. The giveaway ends this evening, so you're running out of time. Best of luck to you all and, as always, thanks for reading Wii Fanboy!

Wii Fanswag: Get a copy of Zack and Wiki on us!

by David Hinkle { Jul 23rd 2008 at 8:20AM }

What's this? We're giving away one of the console's best games? You bet we are! After seeing the sale for the game during last week's E3, the team leaped into action to scrounge up as many copies as we could to give away to those of you who refuse to listen to us. It was only $10, folks! But, if you still didn't get a copy, now's your chance to partake in one of the Wii's most fun and challenging games.

We have a total of 5 copies of Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (retail value is $10 each) to give away. What do you have to do to enter for your chance at one of these five copies? It's simple, just leave a comment telling us how many times you check Wii Fanboy each day. Simple enough, right?

Now, you can enter only once per day (leaving more than one comment in a day automatically disqualifies you for that day) and the giveaway is only open to current and legal residents of the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec). You also have to be 18 years of age or older. The giveaway will be open from now until 11:59pm ET on Sunday, July 27th. We'll announce the winners (selected via random drawing) on the next day. Remember, folks: keep an eye on your email!

If you meet all of this criteria, then we suggest you hit up the official rules and get to entering! We wish you the best of luck and thank you for reading Wii Fanboy!

Gallery: Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure

Capcom loves putting out We Love Golf trailers

by David Hinkle { Jun 3rd 2008 at 6:00PM }

Following up those recent screens from We Love Golf, IGN has put up a bunch of new trailers for the game. If you're still anxious to hit the green with your Jill Valentine costume, we suggest you play golf at night (her outfits aren't good for golfing, we hear). But, if you want to play as Jill Valentine in a golf video game, then head past the break for more trailers from We Love Golf. One even shows the Zack costume in play.

Gallery: We Love Golf

Continued →

Wii and friends: A Great Match

by David Hinkle { Apr 9th 2008 at 3:00PM }

Why do we love the Wii with friends? Because we want all to share the splendor and majesty that comes from playing the best home gaming console around. So that's why we set out to bring you a nice, easy package of great multiplayer games for the Wii.

Both online and local multiplayer is covered, as well as games that have released and those that are still in production. We hope you find this useful in your own life, in some small way, or at least a good place to link a friend who has no idea what they're getting into with the Wii. So read on and see what we have in store, then come back here and tell us what multiplayer experiences you enjoy most on the Wii!

Zero Punctuation spares Zack & Wiki

by Alexander Sliwinski { Mar 26th 2008 at 6:30PM }

Zack & Wiki is the target of this week's Zero Punctuation review and thankfully the game comes out relatively unscathed. Sure, there are remarks about the Wii being for children, the annoying noises the characters make and the gimmicky use of the Wiimote -- but, really, how many Wii games don't conjure up those ideas?*

The main thing Yahtzee points out is Zack & Wiki delivers on that smug feeling adventure gamers get when they figure out a puzzle without using GameFAQs, which is essentially what will keep players going ... even when they invariably die over and over again for poking something they shouldn't have.

Discover this week's NSFW review of Zack & Wiki using your Wiimote in a counter-clockwise motion while upside down to click on the link below.

*Fanboys: Feel free to leave your list in the comments ... we know you will.

Continued →

For the fans, some Okami swag

by David Hinkle { Jan 10th 2008 at 10:30PM }

As we all sit up straight and proper in anticipation for Capcom's port of Okami for the Wii, the folks at the official Capcom blog have decided to snap up some pictures of random things about their offices. Too bad they don't travel around the entire office, because then we wouldn't get so few pictures of so few things.

Hit up past the break to see the other side of the fan, as well as a piece of swag from another Capcom game.

Continued →

Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2007

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jan 2nd 2008 at 6:30AM }

Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (Wii)

Though its puzzles may occasionally infuriate, the real source of frustration regarding Zack & Wiki stems from the fact that nobody bought it. Every year has its share of titles that deserve an audience yet never find one, and in this regard, Zack & Wiki is easily one of the most tragic games to put an uncontrollable smile on your face. Relentlessly charming and beautifully presented, the debut of Capcom's choc-chomping pirate and his simian sidekick challenges the mind and warms that cynical, meh-spouting lump in your chest. How refreshing it was to overcome obstacles and bosses by choosing the power of the mind over an impossibly large bazooka.

Continued →

Oz gets Zack & Wiki in February, Wii Fanboy suggests everyone buy it

by David Hinkle { Dec 19th 2007 at 2:15PM }

Gamers down under are getting a treat come February 21st when Capcom's stellar title Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure hits retail shelves. Australia, we have one thing to ask you: will you please buy this game? Seriously, you need it.

When we reviewed the game, we found it to be one of the absolute best games on the system. It's such an amazing game on all levels that we're incredibly surprised that nobody else thought so, as the game's sales were incredibly poor. We wondered if complex games such as this would even have a future on the Wii. Actually, we still do.

So, Australia, do your part. Make sure you buy this amazing game.

Gallery: Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure

[Via Go Nintendo]

WRUP: Well has run dry edition

by David Hinkle { Nov 30th 2007 at 10:30AM }

Looking over this week's releases, we're not all too excited about any of the offerings. And, looking at the previous week's releases, we've completed just about every other game we wanted to play. But, good thing we have yet to finish Super Mario Galaxy, so we'll have that to play. What about you all? Are you working on anything?

Maybe you followed our advice and picked up Zack & Wiki or you're waiting to win our latest Fanswag giveaway so you have something new to play?

Fanswag: And the winner is ...

by David Hinkle { Nov 23rd 2007 at 10:30AM }

Well, our giveaway has come to a close and it's time to crown a winner. We're sad, to be honest, because we would have liked to have held onto these games for just a bit longer. But, such is our lot in life. Oh well, at least we can enjoy making one of our readers the happiest person ever!

The winner of our giveaway is:

Ankabut, who wished the Wii a very happy birthday!

Congratulations, Ankabut! We'll be in contact to get all of your info. For the rest of you, better luck next time and thanks for reading Wii Fanboy!

Joystiq Holidaze: The $500 budget

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Nov 21st 2007 at 11:00PM }

Derived from the French word, "budgette," the term "budget" rose out of the stale and hardened bread loaves used to beat errant children over the head whenever they begged for money to spend at the candy store. Indeed, the adherence to a budget often feels like a sudden blow when surrounded by the objects of your desire, and it is this article's duty to keep you in check when finances are less than fortuitous. When it comes to purchasing a new console, let us hover the bread over your head.

In other, less interesting words, this is how we think you should spend your precious $500 (pre-tax for simplicity's sake) on the trio of current consoles. You know, the ones that are still expensive. In conjunction with our Black Friday deal round-up, you might just be left with some change.

Continued →

Fanswag: Win Zack & Wiki and some other games

by David Hinkle { Nov 19th 2007 at 9:45AM }

To celebrate the release of the Wii on this day a year ago, we're hooking one lucky fan up with a bunch of sweet gaming action. While we would've liked to give away a free Wii to mark this special occasion, alas we could not find one (who can, anyway?). So, you'll have to settle for a bunch of free games, instead!

We're looking to make one lucky winner the happiest person on the planet by hooking them up with:

1 copy of Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
1 copy of Namco Museum REMIX
1 copy of Dancing with the Stars
1 copy of Battalion Wars 2

Before entering, please hit up the official rules page. Also, as usual, you have to be 18 years of age or older and live in the United States. Only one entry per person, so multiple comments will get you disqualified. Also, be sure to get your comment in before Thursday, November 22nd at 11:59PM EST. We'll select the winner come Friday.

Best of luck to all of you and, as always, thanks for reading Wii Fanboy!