The Wii Zapper and Link's Crossbow Training

[Anarchist Bunny]

Just picked up the Zapper today. Been playing RE:Umbrella Chronicles for the past week, and have been anticipating this for the game. Wrist aiming the Wiimote is kind of a bitch, especially for some of the quick precision required for Umbrella Chronicles.

I fired it up with Umbrella Chronicles shortly and wasn't too impressed. Had to run an errand and fired up Link's Crossbow Training when I returned. At first I had the same results, but after some play through I found my speed and accuracy with the remote increased tremendously.

It consists 9 stages of three levels, a mix of three types. Practice, which is bullseye target shooting. Either moving from gallery to gallery or moving along rails. Defends, where you can spin 360 and have a radar. You are assaulted on all sides by enemies and must keep them off(you loose 100 points if you are hit). And finally Ranger, which has potential all its own, is basicly a watered down version of Metroid Prime 3. You walk around with the control stick, using the Wiimote to turn and the control stick to strife. But you are looking over Link's shoulder ala RE4. Although you can press a button to zoom which is more of a first person perspective, you don't have to use the analog stick to aim as in Twilight Princess or RE4.

All the levels are based off of Twilight Princess, like Ordon Practice or Great Bridge Defender. You get points for shooting targets/enemies/background objects. The more you shoot with out missing the higher your multiplier goes. You then are awarded a medal that you must get to unlock the next levels, Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum.

Haven't completed it yet, all in all the Ranger mode wouldn't make for a bad Alt-sequel to LoZ. Maybe not staring Link(and for fucks sake Tingle niether). And like Wii Sports/Play it does a good job showing off what the controller can do, and getting you use to it. About the only complaint I had was that it was a little uncomfortable after about an hour of playing on my wrist holding the Nunchuk side. However I think this was in part to me lying down as I played. Regardless this is definitely going to be the standard for future Wii shooters for me, its really a good example of the difference between a Phaser and more ergonomically designed weapon. Infact I'm semitempted to fire MP3 or RE4 back up to play with it.

All in all I don't at all feel ripped off for basicly a plastic casing for the Wiimote. 20 bucks and a get a free minigame? Deal.