System: Wii U
Dev: NAMCO Bandai
Pub: NAMCO Bandai
Release: November 18, 2012
Players: 1-4
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief

The graphics themselves are practically insulting considering that this is a launch title on the first next-gen system. It's the type of polygonal free-for-all that you would expect to see on the Dreamcast, but not on the most powerful console on the market today. The developers try to write off the poor graphics by placing them into an anime-inspired universe (à la Pokémon, Advanced Wars, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, etc.). However, no amount of campy dialog and simplistic character design can justify these graphics.

Now, don't get me wrong, graphics are definitely not the most important thing in any video game. Anyone who's been watching Nintendo lately understands this. However, execution of those graphics is incredibly important.

In Tank! Tank! Tank!, monsters appear to be easily slide in an out of the ground without disturbing it, buildings crumble into triangle-shaped pieces and often disappear before they hit the ground, and everything single item in the game is made from a geometric shape. I think it's possible for a developer to make this type of art direction work, but in Tank! Tank! Tank! it comes across as laziness.

In the end, Tank! Tank! Tank! probably shouldn't have elbowed its way onto the Wii U. Like most arcade games, the title is fun in short bursts, but any longer than five minutes, and you're looking for another game to play. You'd be much better off taking a spin in Tank! Tank! Tank! at your local arcade. You'll like it more if you don't have to take it home with you.

By Josh Engen Lead Contributor Date: November 30, 2012