Carnival Games

Which Actual Carnival Games are Included

All the classic carnival games are here: from the dunk tank to the familiar Test of Strength. You will use the remote uniquely in each game: you could arc it like a sledgehammer or flip it like a Frisbee in the Ring Toss. Below are some of the more fun games:

• Alley Ball—just like Skee-Ball where you throw a ball down the alley trying to make it ramp into different holes. Ball movement is realistic and controlling it right before you throw is just like actually playing the real thing. This game will remind players of Wii Bowling on Wii Sports.

• Balloon Darts—You’ve seen it at the carnival: a board with balloons stapled all over it. You throw darts to attempt to pop balloons. If you pop so many, you get a prize. The Carnival Games version is the very same. The Wii Remote gets positioned just like you were throwing a dart, and then you flick your wrist to send the virtual dart sailing. Exceptionally fun, but relatively easy. After beating Balloon Darts so many times, you are given a different version where there is a bigger wall of balloons you have to pop in 30 seconds.

• Ring Toss—Probably one of the most popular games at the carnival. A huge square of bottles is arranged in rows and you must land one of your rings over the top of one of the bottles to win. Surprisingly, this game feels incredibly smooth.

• Day at the Races—You are in charge of a horse and in order to move it along the racetrack, you roll balls into holes. Each hole represents a different amount the horse moves. Your goal is to beat all the other players. This game plays like Alley Ball with a little more control on where your ball goes.

A Little Wii Guy

To make the game even more fun, you get to customize a character that travels around the carnival games. You can adjust hair, hat, clothes, shoes and you can even obtain additional items throughout gameplay. At first you will have limited ability to customize your character, but once you start winning accessories (or buying them), you will get addicted.

Another Party Game

The Wii seems slewed with party games, but remember that the Nintendo Wii is built around that group factor. Why play single player games when you can have your friends over and play them in virtual carnival games? Not everyone will like every game, but Nintendo at least included the popular games that the majority of carnival goers seem to enjoy. Some of the games are annoying at first, but when you nail down the mechanics and realize the Wii Remote motions and practice a little bit, it is possible you will become addicted to some of the games. Like Balloon Darts, for instance.

What’s Missing

Carnival Games is yet another fun party game for the Wii and will probably rank in the top 10 of the best Wii games over time. You can play it all by your lonesome, but invite your friends over and see who can get the biggest prize and the most prizes. The Wii Remote is well utilized with the different motions for each of the 20+ games. The graphics aren't outstanding, but they are satisfying enough for where you are and what you need to do. Who needs PS3 quality graphics when you're trying to hit the little target for the Strength game? Really, the only thing missing from Carnival Games is cotton candy and elephant ears... the real thing, not virtual.