terry78 said:
Most Game Crazy stores at the Hollywood Video have the Wii up and running for play now. I just sample Excite Truck earlier on my lunch hour, and while the graphics are obviously not as polished as Motorstorm, it's just as fun...even more so. People that are throwing the controller around to play don't get it quite yet. And the thing is fast. I mean Wipeout fast. Depending on the track and vehicle you choose, though.
Yeah, I had the opportunity to play the kiosk version yesterday while I was picking up Red Steel and Rayman Raving Rabbids from my local GameStop.
I never saw the Wiimote or the actual Wii console before, and let me tell you, it was surreal. Both are incredibily tiny. You hear about how small the console is all of the time, but until you actually see it in front of you, you'll never quite grasp it. Holding the Wiimote for the first time is extremely satisfying and comfortable. I'm totally digging this new way to play games. But that deserves a thread all on its own.
Anway, I think 8.4 is a suitable score for the game, and as terry78 pointed out, it is a fast-paced racer. And although its not quite the Smash Bros. of racing I've been raving about, I can definitely see why my friend chose to compare it to Smash Bros. The items (which deform the track in real-time), turbo-boost, tracks, and especially the controller add layers of depth to the game requiring thr player to master precision timing and a steady grip if you have any chance at racing like a pro. The jumps are insane, and using the Wiimote is extremely fun. I particularly like how some of the sounds in the game are heard from the Wiimote.
I recommend it as a purchase, but not necessarily as a must-have like, say, TP, Red Steel, Trauma Center, Super Monkey Ball, Rayman Raving Rabbids, etc. I know I'm buying it, though.