Wii Demo Roundup - 01/31/11

New Wii demos are released every Monday, and I round 'em up. This weeks releases are "Racers' Islands: Crazy Racers" and "Zombie Panic in Wonderland". One of them is very fun; the other, not so much.


Racers' Islands: Crazy Racers
Rated E for everyone, 1-4 players, Wii Remote and Nunchuk required

from zallag.com

In 5 words: mediocre, difficult, opaque, frantic, short

"Crazy Racers" is a 3 minute demo. Literally. It features one 3-lap race with a total race time of about 3 minutes. The game comes off as a mix of Mario Kart and Crazy Taxi. Steering and throttle are controlled using the nunchuk and you aim your weapon and use special abilities via the Wiimote. The steering is very touchy and takes some time to get used to. There are only 4 racers at a time, and the graphics were not very impressive. In fact, just playing in single player mode, the Wii got bogged down at times. I wonder how well the 4-player mode works.

Clocking in at $10.00, the demo did not sell me on the full game. If you like racing and shooting games, this demo might be worth your while (it is a small download). Otherwise, I can't recommend it.

Zombie Panic in Wonderland
Rated T for teens, 1-2 players, Wii Remote and Nunchuck required

from akaonistudio.com

In 5 words: short, varied, frantic, fun, destructive

Imagine a game that combines anime, comedy, zombies, guns (lots of guns) and strange Japanese music. "Zombie Panic in Wonderland" is a fun shoot-em-up that reminds me of many classic games that I have played. The best way I can describe it is like a combination of a midway shooting gallery and Rampage, with elements of Contra, Time Crisis, and House of the Dead. You stand on a line (you can move side to side) and shoot all the zombies that pop up, out, and around you. Most of the scenery is destructible (lots of buildings get blown up in the demo) and the action is funny and fun. There are a variety of zombies, from your run-of-the-mill zombie to fat slob zombie and even ninja zombie, who is difficult to hit. To keep things fun, you have a variety of weapons at your disposal including grenades and a flamethrower, and the graphics and music are nicely done. The game is a little violent and suggestive (the T rating is fair), so parents, you might want to play first to see if it is something you want Junior to play. The demo lasts about 5-7 minutes and the controls are easy to master.

When I first started the demo, it felt pretty derivative, but by the end, I had enough fun to consider buying the full game at $10.00. I'm not completely sold, but it is the best action/shooter demo I have played on the Wii. I definitely recommend giving the demo a try.

Remember, these demos may only be available for one week, so if they grab your fancy, download them soon.

--Demo Gamer