15 Dec, 2011
For many families, Christmas is the one time of year they have to truly indulge in some family gaming time and no one quite does family gaming like Nintendo. Gone are the quiet days of settling down to a board game in the long winter afternoons. Mums and dads, brothers and sisters, and if you’re anything like my house, grandad’s and grandma’s are jumping up off the sofa for a more active holiday experience. What better way to work off your big roast dinners with a bit of Wiimote waggling?
This year, Nintendo’s holiday line up really does have something fun for everyone with sports, dance, action and board games all in the mix. There’s a huge range of multiplayer titles so they’ll be no arguments over whose turn it is as the biggest names from the world of Nintendo have come to play.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land (US title) / Kirby’s Adventures Wii (EU title)
Out now, RRP: $49.99 / £34.99, PEGI 3+
The pink puffball returns to his side-scrolling, swallowing roots. Kirby and up to three co-op friends, each with their own weaponry and style, set off collect the parts of stranded alien Magolor’s crash-landed space ship, which are scattered far and wide. Holding the Wii Remote sideways brings a retro console feel to proceedings and with Kirby’s lungs being bigger than ever, swallowing enemies has never been so easy. As well as being able to suck in objects then spit them out again as projectiles, certain bad guys will give Kirby special abilities like breathing fire or attacking with giant swords. Certainly one for Kirby fans and younger players, not just for those who like pink cute things!
Zumba Fitness 2
Out now, RRP: $39.99 / £27.99, BBFC rated PG
The best selling Wii game of 2011 is back. Designed for players of all fitness levels, it offers hands-free action as you strap the Wii Remote to the Zumba Fitness Belt (comes included). There are 32 new tracks with hits from Pitbull and Nicole Scherzinger, 20 different dance styles across 5 different game modes including Zumba Class where you can customise routines and playlists to work out in 20, 40 or 60 minute blocks and Zumba Party where up to four players can join the exercise party in your living room. With a new progress tracker and celebrity Zumba Instructors guiding you through, it’s the perfect excuse to indulge these holidays as you can look forward to dancing weight-loss fun in the New Year!
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
Out now, RRP: $49.99 / £34.99, PEGI 3+
Start this year’s biggest sports party early with Mario, Sonic and friends as they go head to head for Gold in this all-new celebration of the Olympic Spirit. There’s new events including football, horse riding and canoeing alongside headline events such as the 100m sprint and gymnastics. If you can’t make it to the East End of London this summer, you can still have the chance to party in the Capital with a multiplayer mini-game option that takes place across a variety of famous London landmarks. There’s also more ‘Dream Game’ sports events to unlock, which take you outside the stadiums into themed levels in a twist on the competition like jumping on clouds high and avoiding Bullet Bills in a Yoshi version of long jump. On your marks, get set, go out and buy this!
Power Rangers Samurai
Out 22nd Dec (US) / 2nd Dec (EU), RRP: $39.99 / £24.99, PEGI 12
A new generation of Rangers must battle against hordes of Nighlok monsters as the evil Master Xandred and the dark forces of the Netherworld try to take over the Earth. Martial arts and fitness training in the ancient Samurai Symbols of Power will help your Ranger master control over the elements of Fire, Water, Sky, Forest and Earth whilst team battles teach the importance of team work, friendship and responsibility. You can then join swords and waggle the Wii Remote to fight as a Megazord! Learning what it really means to be a Ranger, this title will introduce the Power Rangers to a whole new generation. Rangers together! Samurai forever!
Fortune Street (US title) / Boom Street (EU title)
Out 5th Dec (US) / 6th Jan (EU), RRP: $49.99 / £ TBC, Rated E for Everyone
For all of you with insatiable shopping appetites, this Japanese board game for the Wii featuring characters from the Mario and Dragon Quest universes is just for you. The aim is simple; earn the most cash whilst forcing other players to lose theirs by investing and trading in real estate and stock markets. With 15 game boards to choose from, balancing your portfolio as you buy shops, collect fees and hit your financial targets makes this more of a challenge than other property buying games like monopoly. ‘Beginner’ settings help newcomers learn the basics whilst ‘advance’ most offers deeper strategy options. Though virtually bankrupting your friends at family during the holidays might seem a little cruel, this brings a new twist to playing board games and even has an “Out to Lunch” feature for you to pause during long playing sessions. Kerching!
Zelda Skyward Sword
Out now, RRP: $59.99 / £49.99 (prices represents the limited edition Gold Wii Remote bundle) PEGI 12
Not only is this the Zelda title fans have been craving for years, with more control then ever during battles, sweeping orchestral scores and sophisticated puzzles, all of which happen in breathtakingly beautiful world; this is the game every Wii owner should have in their collection. A prequel to the ‘Ocarina of Time’, Zelda and Link are childhood friends living in Skyloft – a kingdom of floating islands above the clouds. When a ride on a Loftwing bird ends in disaster, Link discovers Hyrule. Whether soaring through the sky or brandishing the Wii Remote as a sword with expertly timed horizontal and vertical strikes, there’s more challenge on offer than in previous Zelda titles as you work hard to defeat intelligent enemies. Add in rolling bombs like bowling balls and guiding your new Hookbeetle weapon around dungeons mixed with some brilliant storytelling and you’ve got the most perfect motion-controlled gaming experience ever.
Let us know what titles are on your Holiday wish list. Happy gaming from everyone at GGS Gamer.
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