Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
Developer: Namco Bandai Games
System: Wii
Genre: Dance Simulation
Release date: Available now
Review by: Christopher J. Troilo

I often wonder if the Wii should really have been called the Simulator, since it appears that two-thirds of the “games” that are released for it are attempts to add graphics and motion controls to real-world activities. Such is the case with We Cheer, Namco Bandai’s gift to all the players out there who have been clamoring for a cheerleading game.

The premise of the title is rather straightforward. You pick one of five female tweenage characters, and guide her to the cheerleading championships. You’re given a quick gameplay tutorial, after which you start the main mode which is a career path where you move up through the cheering ranks and unlock new venues and songs. You can also jump into a quick match or play in a workout mode, which is like an aerobic-exercise video.

Playing the game is simple. You hold a Wiimote in each hand, just like you would a pair of pom-poms (you can also play with one Wiimote if you’re just warming up). The goal is to match the movements of the cheerleaders on the screen by mimicking their motions with your arms while a catchy song plays. There are also bright moving arrows on the screen that help you anticipate the moves coming up next. If you perform enough of the routines correctly, a meter fills up, indicating that the crowd is pumped and you’ve completed the stage.

Unfortunately, while the premise is a fine and clever one for teenage girls, the execution falls completely flat. Now I understand that my cheerleading skills are probably a little sub-par, but the fact that I couldn’t beat any of the stages on the easiest setting, despite my best efforts, says something. We Cheer’s movements are confusing and awkward at best, and even the simplest of motions are very difficult to simulate.

This is a shame, because I really liked the soundtrack. There are some fun songs to dance to, such as Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” and “Unbelievable” by EMF. Also, the workout mode would offer a healthy and fun way to burn off some calories as a supplement to your Wii Fit activities if its kinks could be worked out. The concept is there, so it gets points for that, but poor execution prevents We Cheer from delivering on its promise.

We Cheer is a title solely designed for a specific audience, elementary school-aged girls interested in cheerleading. Unfortunately, the game itself is far too difficult for them to play and enjoy, so it’s probably a waste of your time and money to pick it up. Good idea, though; maybe they’ll have better luck next time.