Excite Truck (Wii) Review
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 12.14.2006
License to drive fast. Very fast.
Title: Excite Truck
Publisher: Nintendo
Type: Racing
Players: 1-2
Everybody fondly remembers playing Excitebike on the NES. What with all the hectic racing, learning how to land so you don't end up face down on the track and edit mode. Nintendo attempts to bring the fun that we all had with Excitebike to the Nintendo Wii and I got to find out first hand if they managed to do just that.
Graphics
Though apparently a little limited from the start, Nintendo does a pretty good job of giving us a pretty nice design for Excite Truck. I was happy to see that 16 x 9 widescreen is supported here and it's easy to see some of the little details that were put into this game. For instance, you can easily notice the reflections and lighting beaming off the water and rear window. While racing, the environment shows off some neat particle effects with the dirt and water as well. As are a few of the launch titles for the Wii, there are some noticeable jaggies, but with the blur effects, specifically when using turbo, they're hardly an issue. I noticed them more before the race actually began, but once I was in the middle of one, I barely even noticed any liasing issues. When using the turbo boosts, the fire effects coming out of the exhaust pipes look vibrant and realistic. For Nintendo’s first racing game, they pulled off a pretty decent graphical experience here.
Gameplay
From the beginning, players will be forced to learn the different techniques and mechanics of controlling your vehicle. They range from learning to simply drive, to turning, learning the turbo boost and tilting the truck. There are some other skills than can be learned but players must at least learn the aforementioned basic training before they can actually take part in a race. Once you have mastered the basic training, you are free to start racing.
There are two different options to choose from; one being a GP style race and the other is to race in certain challenges. For the 'Excite Race', you choose one of 4 available vehicles and one of 4 available tracks. Similar to Mario Kart, there are different difficulty levels for each one. To pass each track, you must collect a certain amount of stars which can be gained by pulling of various moves and techniques during the race. Coming in 1st place won't always get you a passing grade so you'll have to be sure to pull of different stunts during the race. Each race will require a different amount of stars which will be announced to you before the race begins. As you progress, you collect achievement points for coming in first, getting high scores and for pulling off various stunts. The more achievements you collect, the faster you can unlock other vehicles and tracks. You may also collect stars/achievements when playing the Challenge mode which requires you to pull off other techniques and stuns as opposed to winning a race.
There's a little bit of a learning curve here, as I (and others whom have played with me) found myself hitting the D-pad various times to try and steer. Really it will probably be easier for someone who hasn't really played video games in a while, as they won't be used to years and years of D-pad use. To steer your vehicle, you simply tilt the Wiimote left or right as if it were a steering wheel. I was surprised to find out just how sensitive it was, so there's no need to completely turn the Wiimote on its side to turn. The only time you should find yourself tilting it all that much is if you are in the middle of drifting. To use the gas, you press the '2' button, and the '1' button is used for the brakes and for driving in reverse. The D-pad itself is actually used for getting a turbo boost much like in the original Excitebike. That being said, you must keep an eye out for your temperature gauge so that you don't overheat from too much turbo. By not using the turbo, your temperature will decrease as it will also do when driving over water. You can pull off some huge jumps by using a turbo boost just as you're going over a hill and using the forward/backward tilt of the Wiimote allows you to land on all 4 wheels (which also results in a turbo boost).
The game moves fast, very fast. A bit reminiscent of Burnout, you'll find yourself driving at some high speeds, all while trying to steer, land and avoid crashing your truck into trees.
Sound
While the soundtrack isn't exactly something you'd find in someone's iPod, its arcade-y music won't take away from the experience and though many reviewers complained about it, I didn't have a problem whatsoever. Fortunately for those who don't fancy the video game-rock sound, Nintendo has allowed players to upload their own custom tracks courtesy of the SD memory slot. If you have an SD card full of mp3 music, you can go into the options menu while in-game and load a handful of your favorite tracks. This is similar to the Xbox 360 feature that allows you to play music while playing a game. I felt this was a very cool addition and hopefully one that we'll be seeing in future game releases.
Lasting Appeal
The downside to Excite Truck is that there isn't a lot of depth. You can probably get through all the courses and unlocks in a few days and there is no online play. The multiplayer game which consists of 2 players on split screen does not include the other 4 CPU controlled vehicles. This is kind of a bummer and I would've loved to have this available for online play, even if it meant holding the title back. Nonetheless with 2 players ready to battle it out, it can be a good game to pull out in spurts.
Fun Factor
Though the game doesn't offer a ton of replayability, it's still a helluva ride. Excite Truck does a great job of showcasing what is possible with the Wiimote and it's easy to pick up and play for anyone. Though the novelty will no doubt wear off once more developed and deep racing titles make their way to the Wii, Excite Truck still is a fun filled experience. I had just as much fun watching friends giggle like little girls when trying to steer their trucks around and avoid collisions.
The 411
Another fun and quirky launch title for the Nintendo Wii that shouldn't be passed on. Even if you only rent this game for a few days or weeks, you'll no doubt enjoy yourself whether playing against a friend or in the single player races. I think with the lack of depth, the title could've easily been more of a contender at a lower price point and would have probably swayed other reviewer's opinions. On the other hand, if you don't find yourself having fun like a little kid with Excite Truck, you probably have no soul.
Graphics
7.0
Simple graphics with excellent lighting effects. Widescreen support!
Gameplay
8.0
Easy to play once you stop trying to use the D-pad. Controls pretty well.
Sound
5.0
You mostly listen to its soundtrack, which ain't that great.
Lasting Appeal
7.0
Not enough depth, but cool enough to play in spurts.
Fun Factor
8.5
You feel like a kid again. That's what it's all about.
