Information
Reviewed On: Wii
Available On: Wii & DS
Players: 1-4
Rating: PG
Genre: Ninja mini-games
Developer: Sanzaru Games
Distributor: EA
Release: 1st May 2008
In Short...
"Mini-game compilations have reached a new low."
Ninja Reflex
Since I already have the reflexes of a ninja, I don’t know why I’m playing this game. Anyways, yet another mini-game collection makes its way to the Wii. EPIC SIGH.
Even though there is a full plate of sushi below, the players find Sensei irresistable. Except the blue guy. >_>
Even though there is a full plate of sushi below, the players find Sensei irresistable. Except the blue guy. >_>
At least the game is upfront about its mini-game nature. You get to play six different mini-games related to the life of a ninja. Annoyingly stereotypical sensei spouts annoyingly stereotypical phrases at you, then you’re off to earn different belts by completing variations of the mini-games. There are six – and only six – different mini-games to take part in: shuriken, hashi, koi, katana, hotaru, and nunchaku.
Shuriken involves using the wiimote to aim the shuriken, then you press a button to lock on, and then flick the remote to throw the shuriken. Might just have been me, but I found the flicking motion used to throw the shuriken never worked. Oh well. This one’s ok, but my reflexes are neutralised by the inaccurate waggle detection.
Hashi involves using the wiimote as chopsticks, then pressing A and B to catch flies buzzing around the screen, then dragging them into a bowl (possibly for sensei’s dinner – I’m not sure). Again, this one is ok. No real control issues here.
Katana involves using extremely unresponsive and confusing sword controls to block and slash at ghost demons. This is the only game where you can flip out and kill stuff (unfortunately), and is rendered extremely frustrating because of the poor controls.
Hotaru involves you pressing a button as soon as you seen a firefly appear on screen. Yes, that’s it.
Nunchaku sees you swinging that wiimote in a figure-eight pattern, and then flicking it at the right time to hit away objects sensei throws at you. Again, the motion controls are dodgy at best (there’s no one to one accurate mapping of your movements here) and I found it difficult to trigger the hitting motion.
If this review reads like a list of tiny games that shouldn’t make a stand-alone game, that’s because it is. Sure, there are six variations of these games (such as different targets or a time limit), but essentially this is all you get. You complete the mini-games over and over, then when you’ve done a set amount, sensei will challenge you with 3 random games, and if you pass you get a new belt. Oh, how silly of me. I forgot to mention the handy meditation mode! This innovative feature lets you set a timer for how long you want to meditate, then displays an image for that length of time on your TV while you mastur...uh..I mean, meditate. FUN. Or, you can have annoying sensei instruct you on how to sit still and breathe. Actually, it’s more fun than the rest of the game. The best part of the game would have to be the random name generator that combines two words into a ninja name for you. I was ‘Powerful Plum’. Awesome. I also liked ‘Elated Python’.
OK, maybe I’m a bit harsh. A couple of games are fun, and multiplayer has potential, but the fact is there is just not much game here, and what is there is handicapped by unresponsive controls. You’re better off getting something like Sonic and the Secret Rings, which has better mini-games (and many more) and a decent single-player mode as well. If you want the reflexes of a ninja, import Trauma Centre and a Freeloader – now there’s a game that will test your reflexes. I can’t even recommend this at a budget price – it just isn’t worth it. When will developers stop making crap, lazy mini-game compilations for the Wii and start using the wiimote to its full potential? Sigh.
By watchers_eye
The Verdict
Graphics: B- Passable for a Wii game, but not overly spectacular or well executed.Sound: C Not really there for the most part (or at least, not noticeable), and sensei is annoying.
Gameplay: D- Two of the games are ok, I guess...
Mini-game compilations have reached a new low.