Holiday Geek Guide '07: Wii/DS Recommendations
Written by Xav de Matos   
Wednesday, 12 December 2007 08:00
Holiday Geek Guide '07

Wii Zapper & Link's Crossbow TrainingWii Zapper with

Link's Crossbow Training

ESRB Rating: E

MSRP: $24.99

BUY IT NOW!

Santa Says: Since the Wii already has a system in place to point and shoot at the screen, it was only a matter of time till we saw some sore of lightgun attachment. Though this one looks nothing like a gun (more like the Super Scope from SNES days) it nevertheless does a bang-up job holding Wii-mote and nunchuck together to provide a cool way to interact with the screen. The game also includes Link's Crossbow Training which, while not a full fleshed out game, will keep you entertained till more compatible games hit the shelves. True it's just a hunk of plastic, but it does look cool.

Super Mario GalaxySuper Mario Galaxy

ESRB Rating: E

MSRP: $49.99

BUY IT NOW!

Santa Says: Bringing Mario back to top form in his latest platformer almost seemed too easy for the experts at Nintendo. Everyone's favorite plumber is tasked to save the extremely kidnappable Princess Peach in an adventure that spans the universe. Perfect controls, trademark humor and plenty of pick-ups are just a few reasons why this Mario adventure is not only one of the best Wii titles, but one of the best Mario games since Super Mario 64.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

ESRB Rating: T

MSRP: $49.99

BUY IT NOW!

Santa Says: Samus Aran is back and in top form in this, the final installment of the Prime trilogy. Taking place after the events in Echos, Corruption teams Samus with her fellow bounty hunters to repair an organic computer that has been infected by a mysterious virus. Setting the standard for first-person controls on the Wii, Prime 3 is one of the finest adventures Samus has ever undertaken and is a treat that no Wii owner should miss.

Resident Evil 4: Wii EditionResident Evil 4: Wii Edition

ESRB Rating: M

MSRP: $29.99

BUY IT NOW!

Santa Says: If you somehow missed out on the original GameCube version or the PS2 port, you should really be on my naughty list. Lucky for you, Santa's feeling a little forgiving this holiday season. RE4: Wii Edition takes 2005's Game of the Year contender and revamps the controls for point and shoot coolness. A must buy for the gamer who has everything except the good sense to have picked this up before. A word of warning though – if you're an RE vet, there's nothing in this title you haven't seen before.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom HourglassThe Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

ESRB Rating: E

MSRP: $39.99

BUY IT NOW!

Santa Says: Returning to the world that began in the GameCube release, The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker, Link returns to save the Pirate/Princess Tetra in a beautiful cartoony world. The uniqueness of the title is apparent right away from its control scheme that is based only on touch-screen functionality. Known as one of only two direct sequels to an original adventure, Phantom Hourglass is one of the best experiences gamers can have with their Nintendo DS.

Picross DSPicross DS

ESRB Rating: E

MSRP: $19.99

BUY IT NOW!

Santa Says: Have a friend that can't put down Sudoku? Time to put Picross in their hands. It's a picture based crossword puzzle that puts your number skills to the test. Each line in the puzzle needs certain squares filled in and certain squares left blank to finish the picture and complete the puzzle. All the info you need to do it is right there, but only if you can wrap your head around it! It's similar enough to sudoku that the transition is more than manageable, but different enough that it'll provide a completely fresh experience. If you're looking to tickle someone's brain, stuff their stocking with this.

Contra 4Contra 4

ESRB Rating: T

MSRP: $29.99

BUY IT NOW!

Santa Says: Contra 4 shows you how well retro-updates can be when they're handled with both respect for the franchise and a healthy does of fun. Multiple difficulty levels means there's a starting point for everyone, and the inclusion of classic co-op when playing with a friend means you'll feel like you're back in the mid 80's! (In a good way). Not to mention the ability to unlock the original Contra and Super C amongst other Contra history bits. With Contra 4 you certainly get your money's worth.

Planel Puzzle LeaguePlanet Puzzle League

ESRB Rating: T

MSRP: $29.99

BUY IT NOW!

Santa Says: Why is Planet Puzzle League worth the time? Cause you can't play Tetris DS exclusively for puzzle gaming, and Planet Puzzle League offers something different. Sure it's the same old "sliding colored blocks around to match them up" game play we know and love, the integration of the touch screen is well done and doesn't feel forced. It's the perfect pick-up-and-play diversion that works so well on a handheld.

Puzzle QuestPuzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

Available On: PSP/DS

ESRB Rating: E

MSRP: $19.99

BUY IT NOW!

Santa Says: Combining RPG elements and Bejeweled might not sound like a compelling title, but Puzzle Quest is one of the best casual experiences available on handhelds (and recently on XBLA). Hours of questing, building experience points and multi-player battles (online on PSP only) are plenty of reasons why you'll keep coming back to this title again and again.


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Comments (4)Add Comment
...
written by rdaneel72, December 12, 2007
NO ZACK and WIKI?!?!?!?!? SCREW YOU, SANTA!!!!
...
written by Dan Zuccarelli, December 12, 2007
Add it on, tell us why it's a good buy! Seriously I'm looking for a Wii game these days.
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written by rdaneel72, December 13, 2007
You'll have to wait until Santa comes for my review. But Zack and Wiki is a classic point-and-click adventure with clever puzzles and a fantastic art style. Everyone should go buy it so LucasArts will see the demand for point-and-click adventure games on Wii!!!
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written by Xav de Matos, December 13, 2007
Yeah Zack and Wiki is supposed to be incredible, but it's not on the list for the same reason Mass Effect isn't on the Xbox list:

If we haven't played it or haven't played enough of it, it would be inappropriate for us to recommend it!

But, I have heard amazing things about it so if you give it the green light that's good enough for me.

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