I’m not sure about the history of Conspiracy Entertainment, but the games they’ve released lately on the Wii haven’t been the best games available. I”ve played some crazy games where the game play was fun but it lacked in different aspects whether it be balanced controls, challenging objectives, or plot, however Billy the Wizard lacks all three and still isn’t fun. Players can race, collect objects, or fight an enemy as well as race friends, play capture the flag, or compare the accuracy of their flying skills with opponents.
Some games start players off with a mandatory tutorial, however Billy the Wizard starts the game off with every feature unlocked. There is a Wizard School with will ease players into the game however its not available in multiplayer. So players can jump right in to the game with no explanation, however game play isn’t intuitive since players must use the nunchuck to control the broom, pressing Z to move and c to slow down.  Overall this game will mostly appeal to a younger audience, possibly the same kids who would come to the library for a Harry Potter Party.
Overall: 3.5 of 10
Playability: 2 of 5
Social: 3 of 5
Originality: 3 of 5

For years Teens have been living their extreme sports dreams through gaming consoles thanks to the Tony Hawk pro skater and other spin off games. BMX challenge is one of those spin off games where players ride bicycles and do tricks to boost their speed in races. Like the Tony Hawk game for the Wii the wii mote is held sideways pressing buttons to trigger tricks. Unlike Tony Hawk, you have to hold 2 to petal, meaning that you only have one button to press to activate tricks.

If the developers of BMX Challenge licensed the engine for Tony Hawk’s Downhill, they’ve made many improvements. For instance players move the wii mote to steer the bike, instead of using the d-pad. However the levels are poorly created. Instead of performing laps around the same area, or progressing through a visually rich neighborhood/city, player ride through a short piece of identical scenery that displays as if you are looping, but the game no indication that its a lap. Some levels have a unique area players come out to at the end, but again this same scenery is repeated a few times as players advance towards the end. This had a very disorienting effect, and takes away from game play.

Like Tony Hawk Downhill Jam this too has a multiplayer option where players can participate in many different types of events that range from tricks to racing. Overall this game was easy to get into, but not enjoyable to play since the tricks weren’t varied enough and the levels were boring to advance through. Beyond this the game also lacked level creation which was a favored piece of many Tony Hawk games. So I don’t recommend libraries purchase this game.
Overall: 4 of 10
Playability: 3 of 5
Social: 4 of 5
Originality: 1 of 5

When I was a kid some of my favorite games where Mario Paint, Mario is Missing, and Carmen Sandiego. I played them long into my early teen years because they were fun beyond the educational aspects of them. Cosmic Family was intended to be an educational game for 4-8 year olds, but it failed. Instead its a series of actions that the player performs, learning how to follow directions. If you want to go off task and explore the area your host a big elephant repeats the directions urging you to comply. Thus children learn simply to follow directions, which most video games teach children in less annoying ways.

After you follow the prompts to explore on level of the Cosmic’s Family home which is actually a space ship, players are given the option to color a picture, or create a collage with clip art. This feature is similar to Mario Paint I loved as a kid, which can be a precursor to photo editing, unlike Mario Paint there are limited colors that are automatically applied within the lines of a picture, which can hinder children’s fine motor development. The things I liked about Mario Paint is that I could paint a picture, create a little animation, and write a song. Sadly Cosmic family provides none of this, is most closely comparable with interactive baby Einstein. So I do not recommend this game for libraries.
Overall: 5 of 10
Playability: 4.5 of 5
Social: 2 of 5
Originality: 1 of 5

Ninjabread Man Data Design Interactive Conspiracy Entertainment and Metro 3D, Wii
ESRB E September 25, 2007

The Platformer has always been a popular genre especially in the early days of gaming. When the 2-D games where taken into 3-D worlds it created dozens of horrible transfers but a few titles were amazing like Super Mario 64, so when I saw Anubis II and Ninjabread Man on the shelf of my local game rental store I was intrigued to play a platformer with Wiimote controls.

I hadn’t heard anything about the designer, and so I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Anubis was..fun..but I had to learn some of the controls on my own even though there is a required tutorial before you reach any levels. Anubis has about five levels where players collect 8 objects that open a gate at the end of the level. There are enemies in your way you must kill, and a maze like path you must transverse to get the objects. While there is no story line, or any reason to continue I played through a few levels. It wasn’t too difficult to play once I figured out you can jump by pressing Z instead of lifting the nunchuck. The entire time I was playing, the game reminded me of something a game design student might create using a game engine.

Now if you play Ninjabread Man you’ll see it plays exactly like Anubis II, except the levels are layed out differently, and Ninjabread Man is actually a simpler and less fun game than Anubis. It has only 3 levels, and requires jumping to stationary platforms, while Anubis has moving platforms.

After playing these games I looked up the company to find out a little more about them, and discovered they are releasing many Wii games that are remakes of games people love. So while Anubis and Ninjabread Man may resemble my favorites as a child, these games only belong in bargin bins, and even then I hope that those who purchase them pay no more that a movie ticket since these have little more than 2 hours of gaming included. Signs that the people who made these games didn’t quite get what makes a good game. Which is more than obstacles, enemies, and a goal.
So if you are considering purchasing these for your library, please don’t. Save your money for Metroid, Smash Brothers Brawl, or an original title. It seems the longer the Wii is out the sadder the game selection from 3rd party publishers is.
Anubis II
Overall: 5 of 10
Playability: 2 of 5
Social: 1 of 5
Originality: 1 of 5

Ninjabread Man

Overall: 3 of 10
Playability: 2 of 5
Social: 1 of 5
Originality: 1 of 5

Everyone loves the Sims. You get to omnisciently control the lives of virtual people who act like realistic humans. I’ve heard parents say that the Sims taught their children money management, social skills, and other important live skills. Sims is also a favorite among adults who are attracted to its various elements, from building a dream house to watching the lives of the people who live there. Sims Pets adds a new family member to this game, who in general is easier to build a friendship with than the other members of the house.

For those playing this stand alone version on the Wii, they will find similarities with the computer version. Starting with all of the people act the same, with meters for their hunger, sleep, social, bladder, hygiene, fun, comfort and room needs. However now you have a pet who demands your attention, adding complexity to the game. Like in the classic version there are preselected families for players to control. From a family of four with two dogs, to a single women with five cats each has its own unique challenge. In this game you can go to the town center to purchase pet supplies, adopt new pets, and more. The fun part is that you not only care for pets but you can train them as well. You can also breed pets, producing kittens or puppies for added difficulty.
One of the better parts of Sims on the computer is sharing your own uniquely created people and homes. In this version you can start your own family within the same city allowing users of the same game to interact with eachothers sims.
Another feature is that you can be one of the people in your family, moving around the house in complete control of their actions. Unlike classic mode where you suggest actions for your sims, this allows you to have a little more control over the relationships developed, but also means you have to be more careful, since your Sims will not automatically meet their own needs.

On the downside this game has no unique wii functions. It plays as if you are on a computer, with the nunchuck for movement and camera control, and the wii mote used to select actions and other necessary functions. However since this was a computer game originally the lack of movement makes sense.

Overall this game was alright. I’ve played other console versions of the Sims, and they all are second best to the PC games simply because I have limited options on the console games. However this can be a fun game for those who like The Sims and are looking for a new challenge.
Overall: 6.5 of 10
Playability: 4 of 5
Social: 2 of 5
Originality: 1 of 5

The two most popular games on Wii sports are tennis and bowling, so it makes sense that a game would be developed focusing only on bowling. However Brunswick Pro Bowling is an imitation of the actual game. Where Wii Sports incorporated your movements as you throw the bowling ball down the lane, this game only requires you to mimic the action designating an average force to the throw no matter how your arm moves.

Another let down to this game is that the multiplayer options are a little confusing. While you only use one wii mote to select players, game style and set up the match you need to have multiple wii motes to actually bowl, and there is no indication of this as you set up the match.

One draw is that you get to create a customized avatar to represent you, much like the tony hawk games where you can build your own character. This was actually the best part of the game, which isn’t saying much for the game, however since Wii Sports bowling utilizes your Mii’s that feature is already built into wii sport’s bowling.
While real life can be slightly boring, I found that this came was completely unfun. I definately prefer the bowling in Wii Sports, which comes free with any wii, so I see no reason for anyone to purchase this game.

Overall: 4 of 10
Playability: 4 of 5
Social: 3 of 5
Originality: 1 of 5

Mario Strikers brought the international sport of soccer to the Gamecube. Now in the sequel players can not only compete against players in the same room, but they can also compete online. Like most sports games you play all the different members of the team, switching between players with a simple press of the button. Unlike traditional sports games this one is packed full of special moves that are unrealistic but add to the fun of the game including items that players can use to add bonuses or perform special actions.
This isn’t the best Wii game out there, because it includes more button mashing than wii motions, but its a fun multiplayer game that everyone will enjoy, especially sports fans.
Overall: 7 of 10
Playability: 4 of 5
Social: 5 of 5
Originality: 3 of 5

There are many games made from popular movies, cartoons, and other media These games are called licensed titles, because they use characters who’s image belongs to another company. This video game is designed as a fighting game, so fans of the TV cartoon can play as their favorite characters. Hardly distinguishable from other fighting games, with no little plot, requiring players to already be familiar with the story. The game is merely a series of fights. In single player mode players must defeat their opponent using a specific move, while in the multiplayer games two players to battle each other using one, or a series, of the show’s characters. I would have liked to see the option for players to fight together against opponents, or had more than two fighters on the screen at a time.
The problems with the depth of the game’s plot is intensified by the overly complex controls that use more button mashing than wii movements. In order to defeat your opponent, you must transform and use specials attacks that involve movement of the wiimote. Sadly that is the as integrated as the wii-mote is. I do not suggest the purchase of this game for the Wii. It will only appeal to fans of the TV show, and will most likely leave many of them disappointed as well.
Overall: 3.5 of 10
Playability: 3 of 5
Social: 3 of 5
Originality: 1 of 5

Its singstar meets guitar hero + drums

Coming November 20th, Harmonix and MTV Games are releasing a new music/rhythm game that involves karaoke, lead and bass guitar, and drums.

It should be avaliable for PS2, PS3, Xbox360, and possibly Wii

This would make a great library program. For more information check out the wikipedia page about the game, or dig around on the official site.

As published on YALSA blog:

Don’t be a Guitar Hero, form a Rock Band

Its singstar meets guitar hero + drums
Harmonix, the people who developed Guitar Hero, along with MTV Games, have a new project that they’ve been taking to gaming conferences recently. It’s called Rock Band. Its a four player game with two guitars, drums, and lead singer. When I attended PAX I was able to “try” out the game, which was amazingly alot of fun.

Set to release in November, some online game stores are listing the bundle at $199, but there is no official announcement about the price. The Rock Band game wikipedia page lists PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 as the consoles it will be playable on, but when I talked with Harmonix at PAX they said they’d like to have a Wii version as well.

This appears to be the next big thing in music gaming. Libraries who have gaming programs will want to watch the developments of this game.

The first space RPG for the Wii, brings players into the far future, where Aileen Harding is investigating a space station which lost communication. When she arrives she finds the station crawling with aliens she must subdue as she explores the station to discover what happened.

The camera defaults at a top down view making play similar to watching ants in an ant farm. Up to four players can play at the same time, but must share a screen. Game play consists of killing aliens, picking up items, and reaching the end of each of the 15 levels. Item management can quickly take over game play as you must balance your inventory as you explore the station. Killing aliens themselves becomes repetitious as the aliens are mob like, and do not pose a large challenge.

Building off the controls in the previous Wii adventure games, Alien Syndrome uses a combination of buttons, analog stick, and wiimote pointer to manage inventory, access health and ammunition, interact with objects, and shoot. The analog stick on the nunchuck controls movement and the weapon is aimed by pointing the wiimote to the targeted area on the screen. Alien Syndrome was released simultaneously for the PSP and Wii. The Wii controls reflect this, however it is an improvement on previous Sega Wii titles. The camera is the hardest element to master. One unique element is the division between aiming and movement, so that players can shoot while running away.

While the story is similar to Metroid Prime, and game play is close to a dungeon crawl campaign, this game is less than average. It combines all of the good elements of great games, but creates nothing new on its own, making Alien Syndrome second rate.

Overall: 4 of 10
Playability: 3 of 5
Social: 4 of 5
Originality: 2 of 5