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Published by: Capcom
Developed by: Capcom
Genre: Adventure
Players: 1
Rated: E (Everyone)
Release Date: October 23, 2007
Screenshots: Link
Amazon: Buy Now!
Written By: Matthew Prunty

Japanese quirkiness at its best, Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barboro�s Treasure stares a tag-team unlike any two in video games today. There�s Zack, a treasure hunter and Wiki, a monkey who tail serves as a helicopter blade (Tails should sue). As an inseparable pair, Zack & Wiki come across new friends and enemies on their quest for Barboro�s treasure.

What makes this oddball of a title exist is the uniqueness of the video game industry, namely the Nintendo Wii. Though the developer could have easily created this title for the any other console or handheld currently on the market, they decided to release the title exclusively for the Nintendo Wii because the motion-sensoring within the wii-mote and nunchuk gave better understanding to the game and completes the circle of life.

This game spins a considerable amount of extra off beat color into its familiar Japanese quirkiness, which often borders the line of bizarre. Like many anime movies, an open mind for this type of universe of characters and imagery can help in understanding how this game works.

The core of the game is to acquire the body parts of famed pirate Barboros, who is promised, will deliver a mother-load of treasure in reward. To do this, Zack & Wiki must survey the land, which varies in size and complexity, and understand the uniqueness and obstacles of the island. But once a location has been completed, the dynamic duo is returned to the map screen where they can head to their next destination via a simple pointing of the wii-mote towards your next location.

As you progress trough the game, players will realize the uniqueness of Zack & Wiki�s connection. By activating Zack�s bell by shaking the wii-mote, Wiki can transform various objects and creatures into invaluable items. This ability will also come to serve you well when you are trying to figure out difficult puzzles. Also you just love manipulating situations with the wii-mote, like placing a statue on a sensor or dropping a bomb into the water.

Next to the unique and responsive controls, Zack & Wiki puzzles are very clever. Just like any other game, early on within the title, the puzzles are relatively easy, but as you progress through the game, the methodology behind each puzzle gets a bit more obscured, causing you to really look at what�s before you right before making any moves to solve the puzzle. But in the event you ever run into a snag while trying to solve a puzzle, you can always buy hints within the game�s hub area to use within any level. Not stopping there, you are also able to buy extra lives, which will definitely come in handy in the event you meat your demise at the hand of a trap or enemy.

The section of Zack & Wiki that no one can overlook is the visuals. All the characters and the environments are bright, colorful, and flow fluidly from one scene to another. Taken from a cartoon background, it sets itself apart from typical cel-shading games because the developing team within Capcom took time to ensure the visuals were crisp and befitting a great anime cartoon. Overall, there are little to no loading times within the game and there are very few instances where the game suffers from a frame-rate issue.

Though there are a few flaws within Zack & Wiki, it doesn�t stop the game from being a very crafty and challenging experience that would b welcome with open arms. Though it doesn�t have the high profile characters like several established titles, this game manages to hold its own and is well worth the retail price of $40. For those gamers looking to acquire a quality product on the Wii console, look no further than Zack & Wiki.

8.0/10

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