Publisher: Majesco Entertainment Company
Developer: Coyote
System: Wii
Genre: Action
Release date: Available now
Review by: Christopher J. Troilo

As the Nintendo Wii becomes more associated with family entertainment, many publishers strive to combine engaging activities with the Wii’s unique control system to deliver a title that all ages can appreciate and enjoy. Even with the extremely popular Mario Party series, there still seems to be room in the Wii’s library for a fun, well rounded party game. Majesco, famous for releasing such popular titles as Bomberman, takes its shot by distributing Wonderworld Amusement Park, a carnival-themed game exclusively for the Wii.

In Wonderworld, the player designs a character using the game’s custom avatar generator, and then sends the character out to explore the carnival. Much like Disney-type parks, the carnival features themed locations with matching décor, rides and games. Areas include Spookyville (with Halloween attractions), Space, Pirate and Fairytale.

In each area of the carnival, the player starts out with a set number of tickets, to be used specifically for that section of the park. The tickets can either be used to play minigames or cashed in for prizes. Each player starts with just enough tickets to try out some of the simpler games, but those have a low reward payout. With enough practice, you’ll be able to play the harder games and accumulate a wealth of tickets, which you can use to buy admission into another area of the park, unlocking new minigames to play.

The minigames themselves are extremely reminiscent of simple carnival pleasures, games in which the odds are stacked ridiculously against you, yet you still smack down your buck to try to win that huge stuffed bear. These games include favorites such as whack-a-mole, shooting galleries, ball tosses and even fishing. Other games are more like puzzles, in which you race against the clock to complete an objective. After unlocking enough minigames, players are treated to a “ride,” which is essentially a more-involved minigame.

What’s great about Wonderworld is that, with the Wii’s motion controls, many of these old favorites can feel a little more lifelike, even if you’re just at home on your couch. For example, the whack-a-mole games usually have the player directing their “hammer” using the thumbstick on the nunchuck, and then knocking down the targets using a pounding motion with the Wiimote. The shooting gallery utilizes the Wiimote to aim and fire, and for throwing games, players flick the controller at the screen to launch their projectiles.

So, on a rainy day, when it’s hard to take the kids out to enjoy the smells of funnel cake and popcorn and let them ride on the merry-go-round, can Wonderworld offer an ample substitute?