Wii Launch List
Monster 4x4
What They Say: Get ready to pilot the world's most powerful trucks and go head-to-head in pulse-pounding off-road competitions all over the world. Whether you're grinding through the desert of Egypt, crunching up snowy mountains in Russia, or smashing up trees in California to make the ride a little bumpier for the guy behind you, keep your eyes on the prize: the cash you earn on the circuit goes to customize your trucks and build up your ultimate Monster machine.
What We Say: I wasn't aware that the whole Monster Truck thing was still going. Is it still popular? Is it possible that some people still haven't seen all there is to see in the entertainment field of trucks with big tires going over jumps and running over other vehicles? Really? Well golly. Color my neck as white as it can be cuz I had no idear. Oh it's already white...nevermind. Ubisoft's gearing up to release Monster 4x4 in a somewhat crowded arena, being that Excite Truck looks it could be eerily similar. But there's always room for healthy competition. While we can't say for sure that this isn't the greatest game ever created, we suggest you might want to rent it first just to see if it lives up to the insane amount of hype surrounding it. Oh waitasec...this just in. There is no hype. I stand corrected.
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Red Steel
What They Say: Red Steel is an exclusive Revolution launch title that takes full advantage of the console’s innovative controller and puts players directly into the action-packed first-person experience with the weapon in their hand – literally.
An engaging storyline unfolds as you learn that your fiancée has been kidnapped and her father – a Japanese mafia kingpin – murdered by a rival gang. The only way to save your loved one and defend your honor is to journey from Los Angeles to Japan and confront the Tokyo underworld.
By learning the ancient art of Japanese fighting with your katana and the focused precision of modern firearms, you will progress and adapt yourself to this foreign environment, where skills alone may not guarantee your victory.
What We Say: Red Steel has a fair amount of buzz behind it and we're really looking forward to getting our hands dirty with it. Developed exclusively for the Wii and its control scheme, Red Steel may put your forearm to the ultimate stamina test as you'll need it for hacking, slashing, slicing, dicing and shooting. We hope there's a cool melee pistol whip move too.
Visually Red Steel is looking very impressive and although it didn't quite earn an M rating (Red Steel is T for Teen), from what we've seen thus far, the action is non-stop. We'd suggest sidling up very close to this sharpshooter come launch time. We think it looks pretty special.
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Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
What They Say: AiAi and friends come to the Nintendo Wii! An all-action extravaganza of unique new puzzles and madcap multiplayer gameplay, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz takes the ground-breaking Nintendo Wii controller and shows the world exactly what it can do!
Get stuck into scores of new puzzle levels and a barrel-load of thrilling new party games, all specifically designed to take spectacular advantage of the pioneering Nintendo Wii controller.
One for you and every last one of your friends, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz takes the classic, fan-favourite Monkey Ball gameplay and adds a whole new world of fun.
What We Say: The Wiimote controller might just be the thing to pump some new life into this series. Is it just me or did Super Monkey Ball get really old, really fast? The concept of trying to keep the monkey ball from rolling off the edge is arcade-licious and is easily geared to players of all ages. Banana Blitz might entice those around you to pick up the wiimote perhaps even faster than the ultra user-friendly Wii Sports. I mean, who can resist those cute monkeys trapped inside those oxygen-starved balls? Not me.
Sega is once again attempting to make SMB more of a party atmosphere, thanks to a multitude of mini-games based around the characters. That should keep the kids busy for awhile. Also included in Banana Blitz are those devious puzzles where you must traverse the area without falling to your doom and the new Boss mode which will force players to strategize how best to eliminate the foe in front of them.
We weren't very crazy about Super Monkey Ball Adventure, so let's hope Banana Blitz returns the series to its former glory. Whether you're a monkeyball veteran or a newbie, there's no ignoring the fact that when you've got a monkeyball in your life, you've got fun. Just remember to poke some airholes into the thing, otherwise the smell will be horrific.
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The Daily Poll