QUICKLINKS:
WiiWare Reviews A - G | WiiWare Reviews H - R | WiiWare Reviews S - Z
Our WiiWare ratings system
We've given every game a 'buy' rating of 'Yes', 'Maybe', or 'No'.
Yes means this is a very high quality game, and we have no problem recommending it to anyone as long as they like the genre.
Maybe means we think the game is good, but not necessarily for everyone. If you know the game or like the sound of the description, go for it
No means that we don't recommend the title at all.
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Games listed in alphabetical order
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5 Spots Party
Price: 500 points
5 Spots Party is based on the casual PC series 5 Spots. The games are exactly as they sound – you have to spot five differences between two pictures. The WiiWare version doesn’t really offer too much new apart from a multiplayer mode where players compete to spot the most differences, and a “Find the Monkey” mode. It might be some cheap fun for the little ones on a rainy day, but otherwise there’s nothing that will hold your interest for long.
Worth buying? No
Actionloop Twist
Price: 1000 Points
A casual puzzle game that should be familiar to anybody who experienced it on the Nintendo DS, Actionloop Twist has you sitting in the centre of the screen, shooting coloured 'gemstones' at a line of differently coloured gemstones all circling around you frantically, trying to match 3 or more so that they will explode and give you points. It's all about combos and getting a high score for the most part, but there's also a quest mode where you're given a variety of challenges which you must complete to progress within the core gameplay. With a simple art style, the game can be a lot of fun and is quite addictive at times, with simple and effective use of the Wii's control system. While there is no online multiplayer, we still found ourselves completely hooked, and can safely recommend this to anybody in need of a new puzzler on WiiWare.
Worth buying? Yes
Adventure Island: The Beginning
Price: 1000 points
Adventure Island: The Beginning is a remake of the original Adventure Island from Hudson Soft. Players assume the role of Caveman Higgins and go on an adventure to rescue his girlfriend Tina, who has been kidnapped by the evil King Quiller. The game provides some classic platformer gameplay but is a lot easier than the original due to an added health meter. Unfortunately, there are also a few issues in relation to jaggy animations and repetitive music. With this in mind, it’s a nice trip down memory lane but it might prove a little bitterer than you remember.
Worth buying? Maybe
Alien Crush Returns
Price: 800 points
Alien Crush Returns is a remake of the 1988 original pinball-sim Alien Crush. The game features 3D graphics and utilises the Wii's motion sensing technology to tilt the table. New to the series are Action Balls, which are pinballs with special attributes. A few examples include the Boost Ball which is faster and stronger than other pinballs, and the Split Ball which temporarily splits into two balls. There are a total of three tables to play on, as well as a six stage story mode and online multiplayer. Additional stages and Action Balls are planned to be made available for download in the future. Unfortunately, the title’s main draw back is that it’s a tad on the short side, though with extra content on the way it will hopefully breathe new life in to what is otherwise an addictive pinball-sim.
Worth buying? Yes
Art Style: CUBELLO
Price: 600 points
CUBELLO is the first of the Art Style games in our list, a series is best known for having games that aren’t necessarily flashy or complicated. Each game has simplistic, yet additive gameplay. The concept behind CUBELLO is that everything is made entirely out of cubes. Each stage features a different structure and you have to slowly get rid of the cubes until nothing but the core remains. To do this, you must match four or more same-coloured-cubes by shooting… you guessed it… cubes at them. If you run out of cubes before reaching the core however, you’ll fail. Despite sounding a little too simple, it’s highly addictive and should keep puzzle fans amused for hours on end.
Worth buying? Yes
Art Style: ORBIENT
Price: 600 points
Chronically the third game in the Art Style series, ORBIENT is set in space and has you controlling a star. Your main goal is to absorb same-sized stars to become bigger, but you must also avoid colliding with objects and falling into black holes. Again, it’s such a simple concept but has an addictive quality and uniqueness to it. This one comes highly recommended.
Worth buying? Yes
Art Style: ROTOHEX
Price: 600 points
Probably the most thought provoking entry amongst the current Art Style games on WiiWare, ROTOHEX sees players trying to completely fill hexagon shapes so that are a single colour. Triangles drop down into the hexagon, and you must rotate them and mix their colours to achievement your goal. It’s a game that can’t really be put into words in such a small paragraph, but rest assured it’s just as addictive and unique as the other Art Style games.
Worth buying? Yes
Bang!
Price: 600 points
Another puzzle game – if you’re sick of them now wait until you get towards the bottom of the list. The gameplay is simple enough; you basically have to clear objects that are on the playing grid by banging them with an over-sized hammer. Objects can range from fruit, to seashells. It almost goes without saying there’s next to no challenge involved, and with a cluttered library of puzzle games already on the WiiWare service, it’s hard to recommend Bang! to anyone.
Worth buying? No
Beer Pong: Frat Party Games*
Price: 800 points
*Not available in Australia as of March 20th, 2009
We can remember the first and last time we played the real Beer Pong. We were at a friend’s place and someone suggested playing it. We’re not quite sure what happened after that - things got really competitive, the rounds kept on going and going, and the next thing we knew we woke up in a park wearing nothing but boxers with the words “Take me drunk, I’m home” written on our chest in permanent marker. Like the real thing, Beer Pong: Frat Party Games initially sounds like an engaging experience, but after a while you’ll get a mind numbing headache and never want to play it again.
Worth buying? No
Bit Boy!!*
Price: 600 points
*Not available in Australia as of 23 July
Developer Bplus hasn’t exactly had a good track record on the WiiWare service. Having been responsible for the critically panned Niki - Rock 'n' Ball and Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint, their latest effort again just doesn’t quite make the cut. The idea itself is quite interesting. Players traverse a series of mazes which are based on the different “Bit Generations” of gaming, from the old Atari 2600 console to the modern Wii system. Unfortunately, despite showcasing each generation with different visuals, the gameplay doesn’t change. You just move from one end of the maze to the next, avoiding/attacking the nasties that lie within. It’s terribly lacklustre, repetitive, and uninspiring in this day and age. Coupled with the fact you can complete the game in an hour or two, this is another WiiWare title you should avoid at all costs.
Worth buying? No
Bit.Trip: Beat
Price: 600 points
The WiiWare service already has a handful of rhythm games, though none are quite like Bit.Trip: Beat. The game can be described as Pong meets music, as you have to use a paddle to repel incoming blocks of varying speeds and patterns based on the music. It’s such a simple concept, yet is surprisingly addictive and should keep you entertained for a while. Coupled with vibrant retro-style visuals and a reasonably cheap price tag of 600 points, it’s worth giving this one a go.
Worth buying? Yes
Block Breaker Deluxe
Price: 800 Points
Bouncing a ball back and forth with a paddle to try and hit things might not sound like an appealing concept, but any fan of Breakout would probably disagree. Block Breaker Deluxe takes that basic concept and then makes it look over-the-top and crazy with lots of visually stimulating bells and whistles, while keeping the core gameplay pretty much the same. It's based on a mobile phone game, but don't let that put you off - it's still a surprisingly addictive experience. While it may seem like a bit of a 'been there done that' experience in the eyes of many, the game itself is solid and has enough features and gameplay modifiers to keep you coming back for another session time and time again. If you like the initial gameplay design, then you'll find this one hard to put down.
Worth buying? Maybe
Bomberman Blast
Price: 1000 points
We’ve always been fans of the blue bomber, so you can imagine our excitement when news surfaced that Bomberman would be making an appearance on WiiWare. Bomberman Blast is entirely focused on multiplayer action, complete with online play and several new features. To name a few, there are rockets and shields which let you fly around the stage and protect you from bomb blasts respectively, and the ability to use your Miis and upload scores to online ranking boards. We admit it’s all a bit pricey at 1000 points, but the gameplay is still strong and should keep you entertained for hours on end.
Worth buying? Yes
Brain Challenge
Price: 1000 points
When Nintendo released Brain Training on the Nintendo DS it set off a wave of Brain-themed videogames. We’re seeing them everywhere now days – mobile phones, PSP, XBLA, PSN – with some being better than others. Thankfully, Brain Challenge is one of the better releases and has an excellent range of tests and challenges. Challenges are based on five key areas - logic, maths, memory, visual and focus - most of which are self explanatory. If you feel the need to dust of the grey matter and put those maths skills to work, then Brain Challenge comes highly recommended.
Worth buying? Yes
Bubble Bobble Plus!
Price: 800 points
Most of you would have heard or seen imagery of the iconic bubble blowing dragons Bub and Bob. They’re the heroes of the Bubble Bobble series, where they used their powers to trap enemies in bubbles and then pop them. The WiiWare update consists of 100 new and 100 classic levels, so there’s a considerable amount of content on offer. In addition you can purchase DLC packs for 200 points each which add 50 “very hard” levels to the game. If you feel like some old-school arcade action, there’s really no need to look further.
Worth buying? Yes
Cocoto Fishing Master
Price: 700 Points
We've already discussed how fishing games don't work in the past, but then there is the occasional odd exception where they somehow manage to translate the mundane task of putting a rod in the water and waiting patiently into an entertaining gameplay experience. Cocoto Fishing Master... doesn't do this. It's a port of a game of the same name that was released on the PS2 and Gamecube back in 2005, and if the warning bells aren't ringing yet, they should be. You row out into the ocean and try to catch all kinds of fish, but the game is incredibly simple and easy to play, which makes it really seem like it's just one minigame that has been fleshed out in an attempt to extend the longevity. Fishing games do work sometimes, don't get us wrong, but Cocoto really doesn't.
Worth buying? No
Cocoto Platform Jumper
Price: 700 points
Cocoto Platform Jumper was actually released in 2004 on a variety of systems including the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance. The game is a platformer (in case the title didn't make it obvious) which sees players assume the role of a little red devil named Cocoto who has to traverse through circular stages and avoid hazards such as enemies and chasms. Compared to other platformers it doesn’t do anything new or exciting, and some players might even find it a little redundant during extended play sessions. Still, if you have a soft spot for the genre, you should be able to enjoy it to some degree while waiting for New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Worth buying? Maybe
Critter Round-Up
Price: 1000 points
A puzzle game from the minds at Konami, Critter Round-Up sees players assume the role of a farmer who has to capture all the escaped farm animals by building fences around them. Aside from separating the animals, players must also avoid running into them and keep predators away. Occasionally, presents will appear in stages, which will provide you with food to attract animals or repellent to keep them at bay. While the game can be fun in short bursts, over an extended period things tend to get a little stale due to repetition. It’s certainly not the worst WiiWare puzzler available, but it’s not the best either.
Worth buying? Maybe
Crystal Defenders R1
Price: 800 points
Crystal Defenders has been released on a handful of other formats including the Xbox Live Arcade and iPhone, but presumably due to the smaller hard drive of the Wii, the WiiWare version has been split up into separate episodes. To be quite frank, while R1 is certainly a nice introduction to the Tower Defence genre, it doesn’t offer much content compared to other versions. Fair enough, Square Enix has always maintained it’s a smaller version, but when the price tag is nearly equal to that of the full XBLA version it’s not exactly value for money. It can only be recommended to those who have no other option, otherwise stock up on some Microsoft points.
Worth buying? Maybe
Crystal Defenders R2
Price: 800 points
The second episode in the Crystal Defenders series for WiiWare. Being a continuation rather than a fully fledged sequel, R2 is slightly more challenging than R1 and features a few exclusive units and levels to warrant a second look by returning veterans. Apart from that, it’s more or less the same game.
Worth buying? Maybe
Cue Sports: Snooker vs. Billiards
Price: 800 points
One of the more appealing mini-games in Wii Play was pool. A pool stick is, generally, not one of the first things you would think of as an extension of the Wii remote. Having seen the concept work so well in Wii Play, many gamers had high hopes a future retail release would be able to topple it and provide a more in-depth experience. Well, we’re still waiting for that retail release, but at least WiiWare has come to the rescue. Cue Sports: Snooker vs. Billiards features the following cue games: billiards, eight ball pool, nine ball pool, rotation and snooker. Along with Midnight Pool, which is also reviewed in this round-up, cue sport fanatics really have some good times ahead.
Worth buying? Yes
Defend Your Castle
Price: 500 points
Defend Your Castle actually started out as a free Flash-based web game that was created by Xgen Studios. Having proved popular over time, the studio saw fit to release it on the WiiWare service with improved visuals. Other than that the premise is largely unchanged, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Players basically defend their castle from hordes of incoming enemies by clicking and tossing them aside. For 500 points, there’s really no reason you should think twice about getting this. It’s perfect for letting out anger and wildly flinging your arms about – of course you can expect tired arms the next day. Regardless, it’s certainly worth a look.
Worth buying? Yes
Dr. Mario & Germ Buster
Price: 1000 Points
PALGN Review: 7.0
The classic puzzler is back and now it's on WiiWare - Dr. Mario was one of those incredibly addictive puzzle games many years ago and so it's no surprise that the same level of enjoyment has found its way to 2008 where the game is still as fun as ever. Basically, for those of you unaware, you have to line up and match vitamins that drop down on the screen, Tetris-style, in an effort to eliminate all the viruses you possibly can. The purchase on WiiWare also comes with Germ Buster, which is a slight variation of the same game, except with more Wii-centric controls. The main drawcard here is Dr. Mario though, and with online play included in the package, it's a puzzler that's hard to pass up.
Worth buying? Yes
Equilibrio
Price: 500 points
A very straightforward puzzler which sees players guide a ball through a maze by tilting the stage using the Wii remote or Wii Balance Board peripheral. Despite a very basic presentation, the game is very enjoyable and features a range of different single-player modes. There’s Conquest which lets you play through each level at your leisure, Challenge which adds rules and regulations such as time limits or a specific number of lives, and Random which throws random stages at you to complete. When coupled with a multiplayer mode for up to four players and a very reasonable price of 500 points, Equilibrio should appeal to any puzzle fan.
Worth buying? Yes
Family & Friends Party
Price: 1000 points
If there’s one thing the Wii isn’t lacking it’s mini-game compilations, so we have no idea why Gammick Entertainment chose to release this monstrosity. While it lets up to eight players join in for some multiplayer action, there is only a total of six mini-games to play. There’s just a lack of content on offer, and really, it’s way over priced compared to the other titles available on the system. Give it a miss and stick to Wii Sports and Rayman Raving Rabbids.
Worth buying? No
Family Glide Hockey
Price: 500 points
Do you like the sound of beating your virtual family at a game of air-hockey? If you do, avoid this trash of a WiiWare title. Players have to wave the Wii remote to swing their paddle, while using either the D-Pad or Nunchuck controller to aim their shots. It’s completely unimaginative, ugly and doesn’t fully realise the capabilities of the Wii remote.
Worth buying? No
Family Table Tennis
Price: 800 points
As its name suggests, Family Table Tennis is a table tennis simulation game. The game plays similarly to Tennis in Wii Sports in that the computer moves your character around, allowing you to focus sorely on swinging your arm and making the perfect shots. While the title may be appealing to small children, it doesn’t feature a lot of depth gameplay wise and is absolutely horrible on the eyes with its lacklustre presentation. Do yourself a favour and stick to Wii Sports.
Worth buying? No
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
Price: 800 points
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years is set roughly 17 years after the events of the original Final Fantasy IV, and sees players assume the role of Ceodore, son of Cecil Harvey and Rosa Farrell. The game features retro graphics and music, and is a nod to classic Final Fantasy titles. This one will directly appeal to hardcore Final Fantasy fans, however, there is a big drawback. The initial price of 800 Wii points only gets you the first three chapters, with additional chapters costing around 300 points each. This means to play the entire game, you’ll have to shell out a whopping 3700 Wii points. The quality of the game is without question, but it will ultimately come down to just how dedicated you are to the franchise.
Worth buying? Maybe
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord
Price: 1000 points
A direct sequel to the WiiWare launch title Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, My Life as a Darklord puts you in the shoes of the Darklord’s daughter who must strategically place monsters in her tower to defend it. If you’re a fan of the tower defence genre there’s absolutely no reason you shouldn’t check this out. There are heaps of options to toy around with including levelling up your monster army and adding floors to your tower. The visuals are also very pleasing to the eyes, and there are plenty of references from My Life as a King too look out for.
Worth buying? Yes
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King
Price: 1500 Points
You should be no stranger to the Final Fantasy franchise by now, just as you should be no stranger to the Crystal Chronicles versions of the trademark RPG series, which has appeared on the Gamecube and Nintendo DS previously. In My Life as a King, your goal is a bit less RPGish, in that you'll have to build a Kingdom from scratch in order to get new residents and be as successful a ruler as possible. It's enjoyable, and features the trademark style that we're used to from Square Enix, so if you're a fan of good ole Final Fantasy at all, then this should be a definite purchase. However, be warned that more downloadable content is already available, and more is coming in the future. 1500 Points may not seem so bad at first, but how does another 2000 or so make you feel? It should be noted the extra content isn't compulsory, it just enhances the experience, so it's really up to you whether or not it's worth the extra dosh.
Worth buying? Yes
Fish’em All
Price: 800 points
Fish'em All is a multiplayer-focused game which sees players running left and right attempting to catch fish that jump out of the water. It’s a rather quirky title that has a great theme, engaging soundtrack and many other enticing elements. Sadly, unresponsive controls prevent you from truly grasping what the game has to offer. It’s certainly enjoyable to play, but if you’re the sort of person who doesn’t have a lot of patience and strives to achieve that perfect score, then you best keep the fishing lines in the shed for the time being.
Worth buying? Maybe
Fun! Fun! Minigolf
Price: 900 points
It’s time to get the clubs out and gear up for some golfing! Or not. While Fun! Fun! Minigolf is a decent mini-golf sim, it has an uneven difficulty level. One minute you’ll be scoring hole-in-one’s with ease, the next you’ll be tossing your Wii remote across the room in a fit of rage as your ball wonders to an out of bounds area. On the plus side, the game is easily one of the better looking WiiWare games available, and it’s certainly worth a look if you the patience to master the more challenging holes.
Worth buying? Maybe
Gradius ReBirth
Price: 600 points
Gradius Rebirth is a re-imagining of the classic Gradius franchise. Like previous instalments, the game is a side scrolling shooter where your only objectives are to shoot down enemies, upgrade your weapons and aim for high scores. If you’ve played previous entries don’t go expecting something completely new, it’s nothing more than a trip down memory lane. Still, with challenging gameplay and the option to submit high scores to online leaderboards, it’s certainly has its appeal.
Worth buying? Yes
