The Wii Zapper Reviewed (Including Link's Crossbow Training)

On November 19th, 2007, Nintendo released the Wii Zapper to the public. Combining the versatility of the Wii-mote and Nunchuk and the functionality of a light gun, the Wii Zapper has raised many questions. Nintendo has a strong history in recreating the feel of arcade shooters on the home console, which began in 1985 with the Original NES Zapper. Sold separately or in the NES Action Pack (which included the Zapper and the Super Mario Bros / Duck Hunt combo game) the NES Zapper became wildly popular. Arcade classics such as Hogan's Alley became available on home consoles for the first time, and titles like Duck Hunt and Wild Gunman became instant classics.

Now, two console generations later, Nintendo unveils its Wii Zapper and we're treated to a brand new experience with some very familiar aspects and all the innovation that we've come to expect from Nintendo products.

Overview

Right handed or left handed, the Wii Zapper holds comfortably both ways, and provides enhanced stability. The B button, stationed at the front end of the Wii Zapper, is given a larger trigger and a grip to be held with your good hand. Your free hand holds the Nunchuk which is set in a similar grip on the back end of the Wii Zapper. While this is an effective design, it creates one glaring flaw that becomes apparent as soon as you turn on your Wii. The Control Pad, and the, Power, A, -, and + buttons are now all impossible to reach while holding the Wii Zapper properly! This can make for some uncomfortable menu-navigating since many games use the A button to confirm selections and the B button to cancel. Rarely does this issue appear during game play, but another annoying quirk pops up to take its place. Games like Medal of Honor Heroes 2 and Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles use actions requiring you to shake or twist the Nunchuk. While these actions aren't impossible, they are inconvenient to perform. Twisting the Nunchuk means you must twist the entire Wii Zapper which may be disorienting for some people. Shaking the Nunchuk is made difficult for the same reason. The Wii Zapper is well designed and carefully laid out to be both comfortable to hold and efficient to use. However, there are some big annoyances in its layout and performance in key areas of game play that might make some gamers shy away from using it.

These complaints aside, there are two very neat features about the Wii Zapper that just might make it possible for you to overlook some of its shortfalls. The first is the price, and the second is what you get for the price! For a mere $25.00 USD, you get the Wii Zapper Hardware and Link's Crossbow Training.

Hail Link's Crossbow Training, where all of the problems that could arise while using the Wii Zapper fade away! Why? Because this game was literally made for the Wii Zapper! With 24 beautiful stages featuring varying degrees of difficulty, 3 modes of play, and a huge ensemble of familiar places, characters, and music from Twilight Princess, shooting targets has never been so much fun!

From the start, the spotlight is on the performance of the Wii Zapper. The innovative design lends itself perfectly to each of the three play modes available through the course of the game. You begin by choosing whether to go for the Score Attack, which is the standard single player game. In Score Attack you play through a series of three scenarios with varying game types. Your goal is to earn the minimum total score at the end of three scenarios needed to progress to the next series.

Target Practice is very simple to explain. Your goal will be to shoot targets as they appear. Points are scored based on how close you hit to the bull's eye and consecutive hits build your multiplier for even bigger scores. Plenty of objects litter the field like pots and pumpkins which you can blast apart for extra points and maybe even find a bonus gem or two.

The second mode of play is Defender. There are a few variations on this mode but the idea is generally the same for them all. Our Hero Link is trapped stationary amidst an onslaught of foes and he must hold back the tide of enemies for a certain amount of time. This mode requires quick reflexes and a quicker trigger finger. If an enemy gets too close and damages Link, 100 points are subtracted from your score and your precious multiplier reduced to zero. Some enemies glow with a green aura, shooting these turns your crossbow to automatic fire, your ammunition is limited so use it wisely.

The final game mode is Ranger Mode, which uses the control stick on the Nunchuk to move Link through a dungeon or battlefield and vanquish a set amount of enemies before time runs out.

A Multiplayer Mode is also present, although it is limited to picking 1 to 4 players and passing a single Zapper to each player. Players then select a single scenario from the list. Scenarios not played in the Score Attack mode are not playable in Multiplayer. Once the scenario is selected, players take it in turns to play it through, the player with the highest total score at the end is crowned the victor.

Early stages of the game are simple but the later versions can be quite difficult even for experienced players. Earning a Platinum Medal on each of the 8 series of stages would be quite an accomplishment. The trick to earning those high scores is to use all of the abilities at your command. Though there are a few changes to the controls between game modes, for instance the control stick in Ranger mode, the basic controls are the same. Turn and look around with the IR pointer, and fire with the B button. The B button can be held down to charge your shot, and then released to fire an explosive arrow which will cause explosive damage to enemies and objects caught in the blast. The Z trigger on the Nunchuk zooms in for long range shots.

Audibly and visually, Link's Crossbow Training is every bit as beautiful to see and hear as Twilight Princess. It's nice to visit Hyrule again and see all of its sights from a different angle. If you're like me, you finished Twilight Princess but were thirsty for more. This may just be the reason you need to step back into Link's boots and walk around some more.

Link's Crossbow Training Breakdown

Control 10/10: The Wii Zapper performs exceptionally well! It provides a much more stable aim, the buttons feel natural, and the movement and turn rates are just right.

Game play 8/10: A variety of game types and scenarios keep things fresh, but a lack of depth and a somewhat disappointing multiplayer keeps it from being the best ever.

Graphics & Sound 9/10: Gorgeous environments and epic music worthy of the Zelda name. It's a reminder of why we loved Twilight Princess.

Replay Value 6/10: There's plenty enough challenge to keep you coming back to it, but that challenge may outweigh the rewards for going for Platinum Medals on all of the Series.

Overall Score: 8/10 (Good): An excellent ice breaker game for Nintendo's ambitious new peripheral. It's quite possibly the best target shooter since Duck Hunt.

The Final Verdict

The Wii Zapper is an intuitive piece of hardware and adds a sense of realism to shooting games, but the question still remains, "Is it practical?" Is the Wii Zapper entertaining enough to be worth the twenty-five bucks you'll spend for it? The answer to this, my friends, in this reviewer's opinion is yes! The Wii Zapper is by no means a necessity to play any game nor does it provide players with a tactical edge in some shooters like Medal of Honor Heroes 2, but it is absolutely worth the price. Link's Crossbow Training would have been just as well-served as a standalone game with a higher price tag. Instead, players can get the Wii Zapper and a perfectly great game to use it with all for half the cost of other games.

My Wii Zapper Breakdown

Feel 9/10: The Wii Zapper holds great for both rights and lefties and it adds a lot of stability when trying to aim. Plus it looks like a futuristic ray gun. That's way cool!

Control 6/10: For Link's Crossbow Training, the controls couldn't be better. However, when used with other games and even the Wii Menu, the layout becomes cumbersome. Motions that require the Nunchuck to be twisted or shaken are difficult to pull off.

Practicality 8/10: The Wii Zapper and Link's Crossbow Training combine to form a great game experience that no one should miss. It's a pity that its performance in other titles is not as solid. Perhaps that will change in 2008...

Cost 9/10: It's hard to argue with the Wii Zapper's price. For $25.00 USD you can get the hardware and a terrific game to use it on. The only reason this doesn't get a 10/10 is because that would make it FREE!

Overall 8.5/10 (Good): A good piece of hardware with a solid game to play is hard to argue with especially at the price. Here's hoping that 2008 brings lots of new possibilities for the Wii Zapper.