 Preview By: Siou Choy |
Developer: | Monster Games |
| Publisher: | Nintendo | |
| Genre: | Racing | |
| ESRB: | Everyone | |
| # Of Players: | 1-2 | |
| Online Play: | No | |
| Accessories: | Custom Soundtracks (SD card) | |
| Estimated Release: | 11/19/2006 |
Despite its somewhat uninspired moniker, Excite Truck would appear, to judge solely by promotional materials, to promise to be an excellent entry in the racing game stakes. Loosely based upon Nintendo’s original and equally nomenclature-challenged Excitebike, Excite Truck sticks tightly to the same basic premise of speed and high flying jumps.
Speed boosts play an important part in the game. To earn a speed boost, players must maneuver their trucks in such fashion that they land on all fours. This is accomplished by tilting forward or backwards on the Wii Remote while the vehicle is in mid-air, in order to level out the truck for a 10 point landing. Other power-ups include one that creates ramps (providing the gamer with more opportunities to catch air) and driving through exclamation points, which results in a real-time alteration of landscape.
Driving is accomplished by turning the Wii controller sideways until it is held horizontal to the ground, hands at each side in a fashion similar to that of the NES controller. Acceleration is accomplished by means of the 1 button, braking via the 2 button. Steering involves tilting the Wii Remote to the left or right like an actual steering wheel.
Those nervous about driving via Wii Remote should be glad to note that a series of tutorials must be completed prior to opening up the main racing mode, or “Excite Mode”. “Excite Mode” essentially involves the gamer racing alongside a group of six. “Excited” yet? Me neither.
There will be about 11 trucks to drive in Excite Truck, though (surprise, surprise) not all of these will be available at the start of the game. These are earned by completing races and increasing stats. Each vehicle will also have a variety of unlockable paint jobs, with track locations inclusive of Canada, Mexico, Fiji, and Scotland.
Those who want to put on their own driving music (generally a good idea, given the quality of most game soundtracks) should be glad to know that Excite Truck allows for custom music playlists to be transferred into the game via the SD slot.
All told, Excite Truck looks to be a fun arcade-style racer, which should make the typical racing game fan happy when it’s released alongside the Wii launch.
Posted: 2006-11-14 20:44:57 PST