Wii like Sonic

As a big Sonic nut, I still play sonic on the old Sega Genesis, I bought this game for my kids for the Wii because they liked Sonic Riders, Sonic Heroes, and Shadow the Hedgehog. I loved the game Sonic Adventure on Dreamcast and have been really hooked since then. Add to it, I am not a big fan of Mario, and it made my purchase decision easy.

We bought the game at Target and it came with a DVD of the Sonic cartoon. When I tried to play it though, it could not be run in our Wii, nor any of my DVD players. Can't figure that one out. Why provide a free DVD when it does not work? So, that "freebie" was basic garbage. Probably use it as a coaster.

MULTIPLAYER

We put the game in and started playing in the multiplayer format. The multiplayer had the feel of the old Dreamcast game Sonic Shuffle. You play mini games trying to complete a mission. There are three missions and a library. In the library, you can just select the mini game and play it ad nauseum. There is supposed to be 40 mini games, but it looked like we had to unlock about ten of the mini games using the story mode. Actually, I am not sure how to unlock the mini games. As we play, hopefully we will find that out. We loved playing this, but you really need to have four players to have fun with this part of the game. The computers are useless in "Easy" mode and to good in "Hard" mode, so "Normal" should be selected. The games were fun and a little to quick for my tastes, but before the game starts, a tutorial on how to use the Wii Remote is provided. That helped get the kids Mom playing. I liked the rug pull, the ball and chain, and the balloon blow up game. We were all laughing and having fun. After awhile, we gave the story mode a try.

STORYMODE

Sonic is awoken from a dream and finds out that the tale of Arabian Nights is being erased and he is recruited to help. The first level out of eight is a tutorial. It helps you get used to the controls. Since my kids all watched the oldest brother do this, they should have been allowed to skip this feature, but the game does not allow you to. The controls are pretty basic. Hold the Wii remote sideways, tilt it forward for speed, side to side for left or right, backwards for slowing down, and a push forward after jumping creates a dash. To jump, you simply press the number 2 button on the Wii remote. The longer you hold it down, the higher you jump. The number 1 button has Sonic come to a screatching halt. However, my kids noticed that if you hold the 2, Sonic almost stops intsantly and jumps. So, the 1 button is not used much by them.

The next adventure levels are all nicely put together and the only thing I have to complain about is that they repeat. Your task changes, but the level is the same. The game reminds me a lot of Sonic Adventure and Shadow. If this was not on the Wii, I think I would have passed on this game. Even though I did like the dinosaurs in the game, the look and feel of it are nothing new to Sonic. The female character that accompanies Sonic starts to get on your nerves as the game continues. She constantly screams out in fear and scolds Sonic on how reckless he is. I wish you could turn her voice off it gets that bad.

However, the game does get you sweating and that is the point I bought a Wii for. The kids can't sit around for hours playing, they have to move. Even though the controls are basic, you have to dash and jump a lot and Sonic does move around. SEGA did a good job using the Wii remote, but adding the Nunchuck to the mix could have made the game even better. This is the first tiltle of Sonic to get me to want to play it since Sonic Adventure, so that is saying something.

Graphics are on par with PS2 and Xbox, and if you like the titles for that system, you will not be disappointed. However the levels repeating to complete different missions, does get a little repetitive. It will take my boys awhile to get through this game, and I like the fact that they are fighting over who will play first in the morning. That means they like it a lot.

Overall, any Wii owner who liked or likes the Sonic franchise should pick this one up. It is a great introduction for those Nintendo loyalists who may or may not know the Sonic legacy. I just hope the next game has a little more thought in the story and gets Eggman in the story.

CONCLUSION.

For the Wii, this game can be added to your collection of party games. The multiplayer serves this game well and can be played at parties. Unlike the game Wii Sports, this game can be played in closer quarters and easily can have four people play and get tired doing so. I recommend it.