Well, my store finally got the Wii kiosk up and running today. First off, the Nintendo rep told us that the system was plugged in with composit cables, and the component ones would be in our store in about a month. Graphically, everyone in the store was pretty amazed at how good it looked for not running in progressive. I'm not sure what all that Mario Sunshine comparison crap was, but I guess if I took my glasses off, I would agree. As I think we all know, this is NOT the "omg grafxorx" system anyways.
The remote handled extremely well. It is highly sensitive/responsive and takes a bit of work to get down, but I would be disappointed if it were any other way. The game is FUN. I wasn't even remotely interested in this game until now. In the space of an hour approximately six people came in and tried it. Only two of them had planned on getting a Wii. Three of the others flat out said "This sh*t is fun! I gotta get me one of these now.!" Then I was hit up with a plethora of questions (When is it coming? Can I reserve it? How hard will it be to find? etc, etc). The only person who didnt say he wanted said "Wow this thing is great. Nintendo really is on to something here." and he left after collecting his ID. This is pretty amazing given that this game will be one of the less sought after and simpler games available on the system. Then again, not EVERYONE wants games that require 2 hour sit throughs per session, so who knows. I realize I have a very skewed concept of games, given that I play them all the time. Just like all the rest of you. Try to keep that in mind when you play this thing, guys and gals. I tested the extent of the remote. I was able to control the car from the opposite end of the store without any trouble. Well, other than not being able to really see the screen, that is.
Our store actually has two remotes, so the manager and I gave the versus play a spin. Good times, good times. The Nintendo rep also said something really interesting. He said in Need for Speed there is an option to play steering with the nunchuk attachment's analog stick. You then hold the remote in a vertical position and move it like a gas pedal to control your speed. I hate controlling racing games with sticks, personally. I really liked using the remote on its side. But when I told my racer-fan friends about this option, they seemed to prefer that idea. *shrug*
Finally on the whole "why did they pick this game to show case the Wii" question, here is my 2 cents. I think we all remember when the kiosks were announced there was alot of hoopla about Target, Walmart etc not taking them for fear of children killing eachother. Well something tells me Nintendo originally planned on putting Wii Sports in there (really, that only makes sense). But when that whole thing erupted, they probably thought better of it and picked something that is less....flaily, if you take my meaning. It would also make sense from the standpoint of "Zelda is a no-brainer and everyone will already be getting Wii Sports, so why not champion our other game?" line of thought.
All in all, from a game that was less than an after thought in my mind for launch, a game that doesnt even come close to displaying what the Wii can really do, I was having alot more fun with Excitetruck than I should have been. Is it worth $50 out the gate? That depends. If you have ever bought an arcadey style racer and loved it to death even though everyone else said the game was shallow, or whatever, this is your game. If you are a typical game geek who needs experience points, giant dungeons or 50 special moves per character to think a game is worth it's salt (like most of us) there are plenty of other games to spend your hard earned money on at launch.
If these impressions seemed a bit more "glowing" than others, its because I have come to terms with the jaded gamer within myself, just so you all know. I have learned how to judge a game based on its merits rather than my own expectations. In conclusion, I doubt I will be buying this game at launch, but it's quite simply one of the best arcadey type racers I have played in a long, long time. Oh! And I love the homage they pay to Excitebike with the turbo power. This game has the turbo power just like old school Excitebike, and if you use it too much you OVERHEAT. Instead of looking for little arrows on the ground to cool your OVERHEAT meter, you drive through pools of water. Very nice touch.
P.S. That controller is teh sexAY. Held in the remote way, I was easily able to access every button on the remote, no problem. Thats not to say that the 2 button should be the primary fire button or anything, but for accessing menus, switching up weapons, reloading or other secondary features (ala Zelda), they will work just fine. Tiliting the remote when in the Wii menu tilts the pointing finger onscreen. I did a few "Steven Colbert's Wag-of-the-finger" things much to the delight of everyone there. The assistant manager and I even spent a few minutes waging pointless "finger wars" with eachother, giggling like school girls. I am tellin you guys, this system is set up for good times. Good times.
Topic: The Official "I've played ExciteTruck at GameStop" thread (Read 20056 times)
