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Wipeout – The Ultimate Red Ball Challenge
It must be the year of TV shows to games! We’ve seen Survivor, Are you
Smarter than a 5th Grader and even How I met your Mother.
That’s right, is no premise sacred anymore? Actually, I lied about “How
I met your Mother” but in today’s day and age, it wouldn’t surprise me.
Even Prison Break is a game now! Of course if there's an element of
movement (e.g. sports), than the transfer is generally better and this is where
Wipeout – The Ultimate
Red Ball Challenge comes into the picture.
Based
based on the
outrageous extreme sports TV game and unlike some of the other games,
the Wii is probably the best console to attempt to replicate this game
as players compete in a variety of mini-games in order to become the
ultimate Wipeout champion, just like TV. Featuring three modes of play,
single and multiplayer, Wipeout is an interesting game that works on
some levels and fails on others. With that said, the game is rated G and
even though older gamers may enjoy some of the games, younger gamers
will definitely be in Wii movement heaven.
Using the same premise from the TV series, players compete in a variety
of challenges (Qualifier, Round 1 - 3 & Wipeout Zone) in order to become
the winner and take home the virtual jackpot. Best of all, the games are taken straight from the TV series
which is kind of amusing as you attempt to dodge a giant arm which
pushes you into the water or mechanical boxing gloves, it comes together
quite well in terms of mimicking the real show.
If you do manage to beat the qualifier and various game rounds, you’ll
then face-off in the Wipeout Zone which looks like an apocalyptic game
show as you dodge, jump and shake your Wii controllers through these
strange mini-games. On paper, Wipeout sounds like the perfect game,
however not all the challenges in the game are fun or easy to use with
the controller and a little bit of polishing would have helped move the
game from “another” Wii Sports clone to something entirely different.
In terms of controls, the Wiimote and the Nunchuk are used to assist
the players in this virtual Wipeout tournament and like most mini-game
titles, the different games in the game range from fun to horrendous and
even Wii Sports and Wii Resort suffers from this. Though the game
can be played solo (yawn), it does support up to four players via
multiplayer as you players select their characters and compete in the
virtual TV show.
As you progress in the game, you are awarded medals which can then be
used to access other games or challenges. This does give the player some
incentive to play as well. If you’re feeling a little creative, you can
even mix and match the various challenges in the game to create your own
Wipeout TV show. With the basics, the Nunchuk is used to control your
Avatar in the world of Wipeout with the Wiimote used for some of the
motion sensitive games. Just be warned that you need to use both to beat
the game. Needless to say, the game does get a little physical at times
which is good in our books.
Graphically, the title looks like a Wii title and even though the
backgrounds are rather simplistic, the characters and obstacles are
detailed enough, albeit a little cartoony. The animation is a little
rigid at times and the cutscenes manage to push the game along, it does
the job, however it’s missing some panache or spark which the TV series
has.
In terms of sound, the sound effects are great and even some of
the voice acting, however the commentary is very dry and lacklustre,
unlike the US TV series or even that horrible Australian version. Even
so, it does manage to come together and when you see or hear the game,
you will immediately think Wipeout! Of course, it helps that the catchy
Wipeout theme is part of the game as well… and now it’s stuck in my
head, ARGHH!
Final Thoughts? Wipeout – The Ultimate Red Ball Challenge manages to
replicate the TV series, however some of the challenges feel a little
boring to play, especially if you’re playing the game by yourself. Of
course in multiplayer, it does give a better sense of achievement,
especially when you trounce your friends or partner but maybe that’s my
evil streak. I’m a fan of the Wii but at times, some of the games have a
lack of thought behind them and unfortunately Wipeout at times,
borders on this. It’s not bad but it’s not good either. It's more suited
for the younger gamer.
Features
- All the official rules,
obstacles and format of the TV show
- 4 rounds as on the TV
Show – Qualifier, Round Two, Round Three (round to the final 4) and
the Round Four (the “Wipeout Zone”)
- All the hilarious
obstacles – Big Red Balls, Sucker Punch, Sweeper, Dizzy Dummies,
Dreadmill, “Wipeout Zone”
- A selection of
contestants to choose from including the show-off, comedian or
aggressor
- Gameplay focuses on the
intuitive use of the Wiimote and Nunchuck controllers
- Spectacular and dynamic
falls!
- Create your own Wipeout
show by selecting your favourite obstacles
- 3 Modes of Play
- Solo – beat
single-minded contestants and experience the thrill of the show at
home!
- Multiplayer – challenge
your friends, trick them and win the Wipeout title! Up to 4 players
- My WIPEOUT Show – create
your own show by picking your favourite obstacles !
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