Jungle Speed :: Additional Comments for "Updated Guitar Hero Guitar??"

Jungle Speed (WiiWare) Review

Last night my family was trying to play Wii Sports' version of bowling, but six people just don't work with that, and so we took turns with one Mii per two people. As you might have guessed, that doesn't work out very well. But then I remembered seeing a game advertised somewhere, saying that you could have up to eight players. This game was Jungle Speed, based on a crazy concentration-scratch-your-face-off card game. And to my luck, it was located on WiiWare!! After buying the 1,000 points to buy the game with my dad's credit card, and waiting 15 - 20 minutes for it to download (and of course, cleaning out the fridge, if you know what I mean), the 280+ block game was ready for some multiplayer mayhem. For those who have never played the Jungle Speed card game, it is a game where each player has a stack of cards and a totem pole sits in the middle of the table. Players take turns flipping a card upright, and if your card's symbol matches anyone else's on the table, you want to be the first to grab the totem. There are special cards, but I'll leave it up to the repetitive, but helpful in-game tutorial. Now for the game itself.

Like I explained above, it is all based on the totem. The first person to run out of cards, wins. To make it more challenging, you can add two expansion packs: Extra symbols and extra "arrow" cards. Now you might be wondering how the hey this game supports 8 players. Well, its simple. Since the both the remote and nunhuck have motion sensors, players 5-8 utilize the nunchuck. To flip a card when its your turn, press 'A' or flick the control stick. To grab the totem when your card matches with someone else's, either swing your remote while pressing 'B', or your nunchuck while pressing 'Z'. You just have to make sure your swings are large and are side-swiped. Best way to do this is to honestly pretend you're grabbing the totem. I think that is sweet, because most games you can get away with small wrist-flicking movements, but Jungle Speed won't react to those.

The graphics aren't stunning, but are better than necessary, especially considering that it only costs you $10 (1,000 Wii Points). There are eight different characters you can pick, all being animals often related to the jungle. This includes a monkey, a lemur, a lion, a crocodile, a hippo, a tiger, and a couple others. Along with that, animations for contemplation, making the wrong move, or winning will pop up at various times. You can also choose different totems, which don't change the game, but change the table you are playing on and the jungle area around you. High score tables are also included, you can assign a Mii to each high score someone sets, and difficulties for AI are available.

Overall, Jungle Speed is a simple yet entertaining game for the whole family, fun with friends, enemies, and acquaintances. While you can set AI to play with you, the game is best enjoyed with 3 or 4+ people.

4.25 out of 5 stars.



For more info, visit Nintendo's website.

Additional Comments for "Updated Guitar Hero Guitar??"

After writing my last post about the seemingly updated Guitar Hero: World Tour (Wii) guitar, I noticed something else: My sticker pack. In the pack I believe are some different stickers, including thin, colored ones. I believe these are for the touch pad.

Notice the thin, colored strips

The stickers may be the same, and if they are, forgive me. I also have some pictures of the touch pad without the colors and with the third-fret marker.

Notice that there are no colors along the touch pad, as well as the additional ridge

Like always, if you have any opinions, please leave it in the comments section!

~Absolutely Cystic

All guitar and sticker photos © Copyright 2009 Wii Think

Making It Happen

Some very good articles have once again shown themselves on IGN. Two interesting looks are Players Wanted: Characters We Want on the Wii where IGN gives a list of characters most needed to show their faces on the Wii. The one I most agree with is Pit. Man, that we be one awesome game if done right. If you haven't yet, you may want to check my article about Pit needing a come-back, here. Don't forget to vote for your favorite character!
The second interesting look is the Lit trailer, scheduled for release on WiiWare February 9 for 800 Wii points. Give it a look, it may be worth a buy.


Now for my two favorites from IGN for a while. Making The Conduit and Is Casual Gaming Destroying the Industry?

Making The Conduit is a very cool article, bringing forth to the gamer the phases and such development of a game goes through, and what trials and difficulties have shown themselves to the High-Voltage Software team through making The Conduit completely independently. Don't forget to send them your opinion about cheats!!
As many of you may know, especially if you have been reading my posts since the beginning, that I am very very passionate about core games and gamers being pushed out by the casual scene. That's why I liked the article Is Casual Gaming Destroying The Industry? It has some quotes from developers, how the future may look, and more. Its a great read for anyone concerned about this.



By now you may be asking if I'm going to start basing my posts completely and totally off IGN articles. No. For now I am probably going to do a few posts that way, but soon I hope to bring you something fabricated by my own brain. Look forward to it and remind me like crazy!

Finally, would you please consider voting in my poll on the left hand side of the page? I'm currently trying to evaluate things. Thanks!

Absolutely Cystic