Thursday, January 31, 2008

Review Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess

Features Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess* Combines the amazing new interface features of the Wii with the Zelda franchise * Amazing new horseback combat system * Attacks, moves, and even fishing, are controlled with the Wii Remote * Link transforms into different creatures as part of his quest

Details Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
* Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
* Weight: 2 pounds
* Media: Video Game
* Release Date: November 17, 2006

Description Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
When an evil darkness enshrouds the land of Hyrule, a young farm boy named Link must awaken the hero and the animal within. When Link travels to the Twilight Realm, he transforms into a wolf and must scour the land with the help of a mysterious girl named Midna. Besides his trusty sword and shield, Link will use his bow and arrows by aiming with the Wii Remote controller, fight while on horseback and use a wealth of other items, both new and old.The most epic Zelda ever launches with the Wii. Link roams an entirely new land of Hyrule. View larger. Take control of your trusty horse as you travel from quest to quest. View larger. Link must solve a number of challenging puzzles to progress to boss battles. View larger. Fishing with the Wii Remote is a fun and worthwhile diversion. View larger.

Link's journeys, reinvented
Hailed by many as the best Zelda game since 1998's Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess thrusts players into a troubled world ravaged by a dangerous magic. Sporting a new, more realistic visual style than the previous Zelda title, Link looks much more like an adult than in previous installments and fits well into an environment that provides Zelda fans with a much more gritty and grim environment to explore. The entirety of the quest fits this darker mood, as both Link and NPC's alike share the same concern for the changes about in Hyrule.More than just a spiritual successor to previous Zelda installments, Twilight Princess offers players a new way of controlling Link through dungeons, forests, towns, and the bizarre Twilight Realm: precise weapon controls with the Wii remote! Players can use the remote to control Links' weapons including the sword, arrows, and boomerang. This new control scheme allows for much faster and more accurate control than on previous Nintendo hardware. For example, waving the remote in the air will result in Link performing the same move with the sword. To fire off on arrow, players "pull back" on a virtual controller string as the Wii remote's speaker lets players know that the projectile is ready for release. It all works incredibly well and adds to the title's immersion and style- you feel more in the center of the action than in previous Zelda games. As impressive as the new control scheme is, the scope and size of the new land of the Hyrule is equally as impressive- truly the Wii's first epic adventure. Beautifully crafted and four years in the making, the land players travel through is vast and diverse as the dungeons and monsters that lie within. As players collect triforce pieces from the distant sections of the continent, they will get to know many different villages and foes. Thankfully, Link will be able to move over long stretches of land faster thanks to "Epona," your faithful horse. Epona also helps Link become a more effective fighter, as a number of powerful and impressive sword strikes can be launched while galloping through fields of enemies.

The Twilight Realm awaits Like most games in the Zelda franchise, Link begins his adventure with little more than the clothes he has on an an inkling that something has gone awry. After an initial trip to the Twilight Realm, in which Link appears as a wolf, a friendly shadow dweller named Midna will meet up with players and give helpful advice on gameplay. Fortunately for players, this virtual assistant spells out ways to be a more effective adventurer in and out of the shadow world. Early stages of the game have Link spending a lot of time in the Twilight Realm, and outdoor areas of Hyrule, attempting to clear areas of the strange darkness that has seemingly fallen over every village, forest, and field. As the story progresses, players will learn the cause of the shadows, and what they must to do vanquish them for good.

Puzzling puzzles
Link once again finds himself in a number of classic Zelda-esque puzzle scenarios in which he must light torches to unlock doors, raise and lower water levels, and fight enemies to collect keys and open chests for valuable rupees. A number of the dungeons present unique puzzle challenges that rely on the player's ability to hone their Wii remote's control, such as an air castle in the sky that can only be accessed by an extremely accurate grappling hook toss.In general, Twilight Princess is more challenging than the average Zelda game, with a number of boss battles having protracted hit sequences with little support potions about, and even less warning. Still, there's never been an adventure experience such as this, wherein players can literally charge at a dungeon boss with their fists and punch the air to defeat an enormous foe. As the finest Zelda experience in almost ten years and the game fans have been waiting for, Twilight Princess will delight young and old gamers alike.

Description Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess
brings you back tot he land of Hyrule, as you uncover the mystery behind its plunge intodarkness. Link, a young man raised as a wrangler in a rural village, is ordered by the mayor to attend the Hyrule Summit. He sets off, oblivious to the dark fate that has descended upon the kingdom. When he enters the Twilight Realm that has covered Hyrule, he transforms into a wolf and is captured. A mysterious figure helps him break free, and with the aid of her magic, they set off to free the land from the shadows. Link must explore the vast land of Hyrule and As he does, he'll have to enlist the aid of friendly folk, solve puzzles and battle his way through dangerous dungeons. In the Twilight Realm, he'll have to use his wolf abilities and Midna's magic to bring light to the land. Revisit classic and new characters - Link, Zelda, Midna and many others

Great game, boring at times., December 26, 2007
By Dean L. Springer Jr. (California)

Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars

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I've played all of he games in the Zelda series. It truly is an amazing series that is constantly on the forefront of story telling in games. Twilight Princess is no exception. Don't worry about not playing previous Zelda games. You can jump right into the story with Twilight Princess. Gameplay is very simple with great use of the "Wiimote". Though swinging your sword does get tiring at times, it does immerse you in the game. However, there are times where you'll get bored, especially a casual gamer. Hardcore gamers shouldn't have any problem. All told, Wii owners should look into this title. The game is incredibly long and it will stay in your Wii for some time. (More Games…)


Good Game!, December 26, 2007
By A. Plymale (Delaware, OH)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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I personally enjoyed Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. I am 25/F and fairly new to any gaming. I dont like 1st person shooters and I enjoy a little story with my action. Zelda provides me with the hours of entertainment that I was looking for.I really enjoy the controller motions, it makes the game more interactive and keeps me from getting to bored with it (like I normally do with video games). I have read a lot of bad reviews and agree that Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess is definatly not for the seasoned veteran. These people can find a billion and one reasons that you shouldnt play it, like the graphics, but I personally arent expecting my weekend entertainment to be in HD! Gimme a break, who cares if its fun. Anyway, if you like an RPG game and want something to make the extra hours melt away, this may be the game for you. Also, kids or novice gamers should really enjoyable without being too difficult! (More Games…)


Same formula rehashed...not even a true Wii title, December 16, 2007
By invisible hand

Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars
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First of all, I did not finish playing Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. I played perhaps 8 hours, or less than a quarter, into it. I also "cheated" and used a walkthrough guide word for word during that time. Maybe that's why I had no fun with it. It was a burden for me to get through what I did. I got the distinct feeling that I had already seen and done it all before. All of the characters, enemies, interactions and scenes basically reminded me of Ocarina of Time. The dialogue was the usual drama--in fact I liked the dialogue more in Link to the Past, which remains my favorite Zelda game. And the humor was cheesy as usual, just innocent and childish stuff, often slapstick. It's disappointing that this game isn't even unique to the Wii and was co-released on GameCube. Perhaps the fact that I used the walkthrough really detracted from the game. Still, everything about the game, right down to the keys, maps, treasures, weapons, and sounds was too similar to past Zeldas. I'm in agreement with the many people who I have seen complain about Link's annoying assistant, Midna. She/he is some little elfish being who chirps around and gives hints and often rude comments. I'm not fond of little kids, and Midna acts and sounds like one pretty much. There are also lots of other little kids scattered about in the game seemingly, who are just as unnerving with their antics and appearances. I did not enjoy playing as the wolf--this was possibly added to give the game a fresh feel, but it fell flat for me. I liked more the concepts of the light/dark world or young/old Link in past games. Playing as a dog isn't what I expect in Zelda titles. Rumor has it the climactic boss battle can be handled easily with a fishing rod...not exactly my idea of a strong finish. Maybe I should have given this game more of a chance, but I hurriedly decided to sell it. I'll be shipping it out soon, and I'm wondering if I will regret getting rid of it so hastily. But I truly found myself not wanting to pursue the adventure anymore. Perhaps for the plotline I will read a spoiler somewhere. The soundtrack as far as I made it was also not as enchanting as past Zelda games. In conclusion, I probably did not give Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess enough of a fair shot but the portion that I did play not enough to draw me in to the rest. At this point I don't know whether I will be engaging in more Zelda adventures in the future. Honestly, I have grown more partial toward multiplayer games over time, which I can play with my friends. (More Games…)

The best game ever made by Nintendo, December 2, 2007
By P. Harnois

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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This particular Zelda was better than any other game made by Nintendo. It was somewhat more challenging then past Zelda games. However, it was much shorter than Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker. I'm at the end of the 2nd-to-last temple, ans it only took my about a month. Ocarina took me about 3 months. Even so, this game is the Nintendo equivalent of The Return of the King. If you're a Zelda fan and haven't already bought this game, don't wait anymore. It's much better than anything else the Nintendo Wii has out right now. (More Games…)

Legendary -- Part II, December 1, 2007
By Veon "Veon" (Aman)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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Controls:Another strong selling point for Twilight Princess is its appealing control system, made possible by the motion-sensing capabilities of the Nintendo Wii controller. Twilight Princess was a launch title for the Wii, meaning that it was available with the system when it first went on sale. As one of the first games to utilize the Wii's new controller, Twilight Princess certainly does an admirable job. Link's actual movement is controlled via the analog stick on the Nunchuck attachment, while swordplay and the use of other weapons is accomplished through the Wiimote. When the player swings the Wiimote, Link swings his sword onscreen. A slight disappointment for many players is that, while you can perform certain specific attacks with specific hand movements, there is no one-to-one swordplay: the way you swing your Wiimote does not impact the way Link swings his sword. On the whole, however, this more physical way of controlling action is extremely immersive. Many players, at integral parts of the game, find themselves slashing with their Wiimotes in broad strokes, becoming physically and emotionally engrossed in the action occurring onscreen. The Wiimote also functions as the means by which Link aims his bow and other projectile weapons. The Wiimote allows for a level of precision never before realized in console gaming: the player can easily fire arrows and hit enemies even at great distances, making archery an extremely enjoyable aspect of Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. One of the most memorable parts of the game takes place in an abandoned ghost town, where Link fires arrows at goblins in a old Western-like atmosphere. The tight control provided by the Wiimote enables this adrenaline-inducing battle. The Wii controller also has special uses in many of the minigames. In the frustratingly addictive and challenging Rollgoal, the player tilts the Wiimote to gently guide a marble ball along a small raised path into a goal. In the fishing pond, players use the Wiimost to cast their line and wiggle their lure, then use the Nunchuch to reel the line once a fish bites. These games help to add variety to the predominant fighting/puzzle-solving activites and are extremely addictive because of their creative and immersive controls.

Story elements:The effective story elements used in Twilight Princess are another key reason for its success. Throughout the game, Link follows the archetypal storyline of the hero's journey. He starts off as a young rancher, leading a humble life in rural Ordon Village. A horde of monsters rides through the sleepy town, kidnapping several children before racing away, impelling Link set out on a rescue mission. Link finds that all is not well in Hyrule: a sorcerer named Zant has deposed the rightful ruler (Princess Zelda) and is transforming the land into a shadow realm, its inhabitants into phantoms. When Link reaches the shadow-infected regions of Hyrule, he is transformed into a wolf and is imprisoned. An imp-like creature named Midna (the Wise Old Man figure as well as a heroic sidekick) rescues Link, and together they search for the weapons that will allow them to destroy Zant and restore the kingdom to Zelda. After many adventures and trials, Link acquires the necessary Master Sword and magical Fused Shadows, but in the battle with their foe Midna is defeated, leaving Link alone to finish him and save the kingdom. This traditional story of good versus evil, a courageous youth coming of age, and bringing balance to a kingdom--as cliché as it may sound--appeals to the player's desire for a classic, mythical story. This story is told through in-game play as well as through various cutscenes scattered throughout the game. Many of these sequences have a cinematic feel to them, and incorporate elements from film to tell the story effectively. Elements of the plot are revealed bit-by-bit, often leaving the player with cliff-hanger moments that impel them to move through the game in order to discover what will happen next. These story elements are primarily what give Twilight Princess the legendary feel that players love. The cast of characters is one of most endearing elements of the game: the main characters are fully fleshed out with personalities and attitudes that connect the player to the universe of Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. From the morally ambiguous and tragic Midna, to the strong-willed but tender Ilia, to the sarcastic yet ever-amusing Malo, these figures are well-developed. As the storyline progresses, the player becomes more and more attached to these characters, and the desire to protect them and discover their eventual fate motivates the player to continue on through Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. Much of the characterization occurs during the cutscenes of the game. These sequences are remarkably well-choreographed for a video game endeavor: subtle elements like facial expressions and body language serve to give characters life and personality. Often the characters and the situations they find themselves in evoke strong feelings of pathos. For example: in one cutscene, after scouring half of Hyrule to rescue his childhood friend (and love interest) Ilia, Link enters the tavern where she is staying. His face is bright and excited as he approaches her, but as Ilia looks for a moment at Link, there is no hint of recognition or joy: the blow to the head she received when kidnapped caused her to lose her memory. As she walks past silently, Link's face crumples and the player empathizes with the heartbroken and frustrated hero. Moments like this draw the player deeply into the story of Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess and cause an investment of emotion and interest that makes playing more satisfying.

Detracting elements:Despite its many strong points, the greatness of Twilight Princess is limited by small shortcomings, most of which were inherited from earlier Zelda titles. One of the greatest disappointments to many fans is the lack of orchestrated music. As a fantasy epic, the Zelda series has always been an extremely appropriate candidate for a fully orchestrated soundtrack. As orchestration has become more common in games recently, and as Nintendo delayed Twilight Princess for over a year, many fans were hoping to have a fully orchestrated score accompany the game. Nintendo instead opted for the synthesized music they have always used--which, although often very good composition-wise, fails to meet the caliber many fans expected. Nintendo also opted to follow the old road with the script: in a period where voice acting in games was quickly becoming the norm, especially for high-budget projects, Twilight Princess sticks to text-only. Characters gasp, laugh, scream, and even sing a little, but their lines must be read by the player. Good voice acting would certainly have made for a more immersive experience, something that Twilight Princess strives to do in almost every other regard. Finally, as a lesser complaint, the graphics in Twilight Princess are sometimes disappointing. While the graphical style is elegant and artistically appropriate for Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess, the quality is simply not on par with many other games of otherwise similar quality. Often the visuals are slightly blurred, detracting slightly from the experience. Again, the level of expectation for Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess was raised by its lengthy delay and considerable hype, and in this regard Twilight Princess is somewhat disappointing.

Conclusion:In the end, however, any shortcomings fail to significantly tarnish the accomplishment that is Twilight Princess. What Twilight Princess has to offer in terms of gameplay, control, and story elements cannot be matched by many other available titles. It is a classic Zelda game, one of the best games available for Wii even today, and an innovative, engaging experience overall. Almost anyone who enjoys playing video games will appreciate Twilight Princess as truly legendary. (More Games…)

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Review Cooking Mama Cook Off

Features Cooking Mama Cook Off
* The Wii Remote is your ultimate cooking utensil, putting you in total control of the cooking action as you chop, grate, slice, stir, roll and much more
* Create 55 real world dishes from 10 different nations, in a series of Cook Off challenges
* Adjust your timing and make decisions on the fly, to ensure each dish comes out right
* Win seasonings, small utensils&other items that bring your kitchen to life
* Earn bronze, silver, and gold medals from Mama based on the quality of your cookingDetails Cooking Mama Cook Off
* Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
* Weight: 2 pounds
* Media: Video Game
* Release Date: March 20, 2007

Description Cooking Mama Cook Off
Amazon.com

After her initial DS debut, Mama is whipping up some kitchen competition by pitting chef against chef in Cooking Mama Cook Off – a unique 2 player family game designed specifically for the Wii home video console. Step-by-step, recipe-by-recipe, help Mama cook international dishes from 10 different nations and watch as the realistic foods actually change in appearance based on your actions!

FEATURES
* The Wii Remote is your ultimate cooking utensil, putting you in total control of the cooking action as you chop, grate, slice, stir, roll and much more! Hold and point it in many different ways depending on the task (i.e. upright to mash potatoes, lengthwise to fry in a pan, etc.) to get the real sensation of cooking in a kitchen!
* All-new Cooking Challenge Mode lets you and a friend go head-to-head in the ultimate multiplayer cook off to determine who can cook the fastest with the fewest mistakes.
* Create 55 real world dishes from 10 different nations: Japan, America, France, India, Mexico, England, China, Spain, Germany and Italy. You can even make desserts like cream puffs and pudding too! From hot dogs to pan fried crab to bouillabaisse, Cook Off challenges you to make it all!
* Realistic graphics with real-time effects make you feel like you’re actually cooking. Adjust your timing and make decisions about your next course of action based on what you see on screen (i.e. if food is starting to look burned, quickly remove it from the burner, etc.).
* Keep your kitchen fancy and fresh by earning items that bring your kitchen to life (i.e. seasonings, small utensils, etc.).
* Earn bronze, silver, and gold medals from Mama based on the quality of your cooking.
* Practice mode allows you to fine tune your cooking skills without being judged. Recipes progress from simple to complex, from small to large dishes, so do your best to meet Mama’s expectations as you unlock new dishes.

Description Cooking Mama Cook Off
Cooking Mama: Cook Off
is a unique 2 player family game designed specifically for the Wii. Mama is whipping up some kitchen competition by pitting chef against chef! Help Mama cook international dishes from 10 different nations and watch as the realistic foods actually change in appearance based on your actions! Practice mode lets you fine tune your cooking skills without being judged Keep up with recipes as they progress - from simple to complex, from small to large dishes you'll unlock

Not so hot..., January 6, 2008
By C. E. Mason "Caitlin E." (Boston, MA)

Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars
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You'll have to pardon the pun of a title, but honestly, Cooking Mama Cook Off did not meet my expectations. I own "Cooking Mama," and "Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends" for the DS, and I enjoy them very much. The DS versions are addictive little games that, as a woman who believes my place to be very much outside of the kitchen, I am a little ashamed to admit I like so well. But, well, I do. So when I finally scored a Wii for Christmas this year (thanks, Dad!), I was super excited to try out "Cooking Mama" for it. And I just didn't love it. In fact, I really didn't even like it. I just feel like the delicate art of cooking requires the steadier hand using a stylus, not a Wiimote - it's a bit too jerky for what needs to be accomplished with Cooking Mama Cook Off.
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Very unusual video game, December 30, 2007
By C. Gullen "Film & Media PhD Student" (Michigan)

Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars
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I've played some weird games before, but Cooking Mama Cook Off one really takes it. Like other reviewers, I must concur that "mama" is almost completely unintelligible. At first my wife and I thought she was actually speaking Japanese, but it turns out it's just English in a very thick accent. The music to the game is so annoying I just know it's going to pop up in a dream at some point. The game itself is far more difficult than others will lead you to believe and has you twisting, tilting, stirring and doing just about everything else with the Wii remote. Many of the challenges don't seem to be graded fairly and the scoring system makes no sense at all. In addition, you'd think they'd come up with a more exotic or interesting American dish than "popcorn", come on, our cuisine isn't that insipid. All in all, Cooking Mama Cook Off is great for a rental and a ton of laughs, rent it when you have company over and it's a real hoot, just don't spend $50 on it unless you really want to perfect the video game method of cracking eggs and using a rolling pin. (More Games…)

By Andra Slosser "I am Nick Soria" (Grand Ledge, Michigan United States)
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
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I like Cooking Mama Cook Off, but on the Wii, it's a little difficult. The Wii controls take some getting used to, and there are some parts that are very tedious and difficult, such as peeling veggies. The voice overs are kind of odd sounding because they're not spoken by a native speaker of English. Cooking Mama Cook Off is cute and fun though. So if you like the Cooking Mama series buy this, but you should be skilled with the Wii mote. (More Games…)

Rental OK, but I would not recommend buying it., December 19, 2007
By K. Kishan "Sai" (Bay Area)

Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars
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As many people wrote, Cooking Mama Cook Off is both interesting and frustrating. Some actions are very easy to perform (like breaking eggs) and some are frustrating (peeling vegetables). There are too many instructions to read before you go to a mini-game, which rules out kids who are not comfortable reading yet. Some of the mini-games are very difficult to understand because there are no instructions on how to do some or in which order to use the ingredients. Moreover, once you complete playing all the games (would take not more than 2 hours), there is no more novelty. For these reasons, I recommend renting Cooking Mama Cook Off. (More Games…)

Family Fun, November 24, 2007
By Carolyn Moretti "Carolyn" (New York)
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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Cooking Mama Cook Off is fun and easy enough for anyone to use. I've had family members from 50 to 4 play this game and they all laugh and tell me how much they love it. Of course this isn't your average video game - it doesn't have any blood and gore, no RPG aspects,but it's still so much fun! It sounds like a silly concept because you could always go to the kitchen and cook a meal, but for parents who don't want their kids around heat or families that just want to have a good time and not worry about points and HP, then Cooking Mama Cook Off is the game for you! (More Games…)


Monday, January 28, 2008

Review Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08


Features
* Confidence Is a Factor—The all-new Shot Confidence feature uses factors from your previous rounds—including club selection, lie, hole, and more—to determine your confidence heading into each shot.
* Stay Cool Under Pressure—Four new taunting mechanisms allow players to throw each other off their game. Will you choke and miss the eagle putt, or sink it and seal the victory?
* PGA TOUR Mode—Build a golfer from the ground up in the most in-depth Career mode ever. Go from an inexperienced rookie to a crafty TOUR veteran on your way to becoming the world’s most dominant golfer.
* FedEx Cup Playoff Courses—Experience the all-new FedEx Cup championship format by playing a dream round at Westchester Country Club, TPC Boston, Cog Hill, and East Lake.
* Take on the Most PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour Pros—Featuring the greatest PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour pros, including Tiger Woods, John Daly, and Vijay Singh, plus Annika Sorenstam, Natalie Gulbis, Christie Kerr, and Morgan Pressel.

Details
* Shipping: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
* Weight: 3 pounds
* Media: Video Game
* Release Date: August 28, 2007

Description
You’re facing a long putt for par on the 17th hole with Tiger Woods clinging to a one stroke lead. You’ve been in this position before, but that doesn’t matter now. Or does it? Whether you play it safe or go for broke, Play with Confidence in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08. The all-new Shot Confidence feature uses factors from your previous rounds—including club selection, lie, hole, and more—to determine your confidence heading into each shot. Play with the confidence of a pro as you battle the best golfers from the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour on the most courses ever in your quest for the coveted FedEx Cup Championship.

Description
Take on the world in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08. For the first time ever, every portion of your game is recorded?from the first tee box in PlayNow mode to your final putt in a FedExCup tournament. Post your most amazing?and unthinkable?performances on EA SPORTS GamerNet, a revolutionary interactive gaming hub that hosts user-created content online. Set the bar high by posting your top moments or take on challenges set by others to determine who truly is the world's greatest golfer. Whether you're uploading an unbeatable round or the craziest shot, take the world by storm with GamerNet and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08.


NOT SO GOOD, December 19, 2007
By Angela J. Ortiz "gamer52" (Arkansas)

Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars
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Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 has very good graphics but the sensitivity is awful. its hard to aim the wii remote straight so the ball doesn't go to the right or left
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tiger woods golf game for WII, December 11, 2007
By Diane Hoffman (Bradford, MA.)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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bought Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 for my daughter's boyfriend. He asked for it and i know he will enjoy playing this game.
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In the stores for $50 so don't know why Amazon is only selling used, November 30, 2007 By Blair "masterblair" (West Hollyweird, CA USA)
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
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Just a note that this is in the stores now and don't know why Amazon is selling it used at very high prices. I found the game great and challenging. 07 version was good, but Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 is fine tuned and better so if you are looking to start out somewhere...this would be where you go. (More Games…)


If you love golf, get this game., November 11, 2007
By DannyC "Danny" (GA United States)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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I have played golf video games for the past 20 years and none of them could really hold my attention more than a week or so. Then came the Wii with motion sensing capabilities and now I play this game every time I get a spare monument. If you like golf, get Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08. It is the closet thing to actually playing that you can buy right now. Plus, you get to play top PGA courses, and feel like you are there.
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Maybe next time there will be better sensitivity, November 10, 2007
By Eric Gibbs "Big Shtank" (Phoenix, AZ)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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I don't know who's complaining about graphics, but those who are need to get a life. Graphics are great on the wii. It's like a PS2. I didn't own the 07 version, but from what I've read, if you own that, don't but this version. If you don't, buy Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08!!! This was my first Wii game outside of wii sports. I love the graphics, love the gameplay so far but I do have one major complaint. It deals with the sensitivity of the wiimote. I can not use both hands when using the wiimote with this game like a normal golf swing. If I do, 60% of swings are unregistered which is very frustrating. I end up using one hand only. My second complaint so far is the fullness of my swing. I only have to swing about halfway up to get full power, which throws off my accuracy in my head. I'd like an adjustment feature for swing motion on the next version. I barely have to do much for a 110% swing. With that being said, this is a million times better than any version of Tiger Woods Golf ever made. It annihilates my PC version of the game by far. Finally I can feel like I'm actually playing the game, rather than just sitting on my behind. I love it. I have no other complaints about the game. The Game Face is very realistic, but will probably take you about five or six edits to really get your game face correct. If you own a wii, and like golf, you must buy this game. It's as close to the real thing as you can get for now, until they improve the sensitivity or allow you to adjust swing motion in the future
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Sunday, January 27, 2008

Review The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass

Features The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass
* The stylus makes controlling Link easier than ever. Tap on the screen to make Link move, or sweep the stylus around him to swing the sword.
* Players can even draw a path for his boomerang and send it flying into hard-to-reach targets.
* Players can stash the map on the top screen for quick reference or drop it to the touch screen to make notes, study enemies, or chart a path for their boat to follow while they man the cannons.
* Compete with a friend over a local wireless connection - Guide Link through special dungeons to capture the Triforce or command the forces that oppose him.

Details The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass
* Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
* Weight: 3 pounds
* Media: Video Game
* Release Date: October 1, 2007

Description The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass
The Legend of Zelda
: Wind Waker closed with Link and Tetra setting sail for waters unknown... but their story was just beginning, and it continues on the Nintendo DS. When a mysterious fog waylays their band of pirates and leaves Link alone on a strange island, an all-new adventure begins! ** Get in touch! All game control is via the Touch Screen, and the stylus makes controlling Link more natural than ever. Touch the screen to guide Link through the world, or sweep the stylus around him to swing his sword. You can even make notes on your map, chart routes for your boat, or draw paths for your boomerang! ** Adventure time! With Tetra missing, Link must enlist the aid of several fairies as he explores dangerous wilds, uncharted seas, and baffling dungeons. As he does, he meets an array of fascinating characters, hunts for powerful weapons, and collects sand for a mysterious artifact called the Phantom Hourglass. Over time, it will enable him to progress deeper and deeper into the ultimate dungeon. ** Link with a pal! Compete with a friend over local wireless or Nintendo WFC as you guide Link through special battle stages to capture Force Gems or command the forces that oppose him!

Description The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass
The epic story of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker continues as Link finds himself lost in a new adventure. Link and Tetra, the leader of a band of pirates, discover a ghost ship in dense fog. Link falls into the ocean when Tetra gets into trouble, and he wakes up alone on the shore of a mysterious island. Throughout the game, Link collects sand for his Phantom Hourglass, which allows him to explore deeper and deeper into a time-limited dungeon in his quest to find Tetra. Featuring intuitive touch-screen controls and innovative puzzles, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass offers new challenges for fans of the series and an easy-to-grasp introduction for gamers new to The Legend of Zelda. The robust single-player adventure will have Zelda veterans and newcomers alike engrossed by the story as they move through the game with the stylus. A special two-player battle mode lets players connect locally or via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. One player controls Link as he tries to gather as many Force Gems as possible, while the other player manages the enemies who pursue Link. The replayability of these winner-take-all matches is virtually endless
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Fun sequel to one of the previous best, October 2, 2007
By AreYouKidding?

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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It's been a while since I enjoyed a Zelda title on a handheld. This selection doesn't disappoint.I'm only a few hours in and I'm hooked. The story line, graphics, music and the characters are all excellent. This title, like Wind Waker, uses the cartoonish/younger set of characters versus the young adult set from Twilight Princess.For now, here is what I like and don't like. Of course, I'll update the review as I get deeper into the game.

Pros:
- Picks up where Wind Waker left off. A great story!
- Having the map on the second screen is brilliant. Being able to jot down notes on it is even better. This is by far the most useful tool in the game.
- You can save at any point in the game.
- Puzzle mix is pretty balanced. Nothing too simple and nothing aggravating to the point I want to put the game down. I really dig some of the creative elements they've added to the dungeons. That's all I'm saying; I don't want to give away any spoilers. :)
- The boomerang. I love drawing the path out on the screen. Not only is it used to complete certain actions/puzzles, it's a vital tool in fights. Tip #1: Go slow when drawing the path. If you hit walls or obstacles, the throw is not completed. Tip #2: You can hold down the left shoulder button to instantly switch to the boomerang. This is a great way to quickly arm it.

Cons:
- I feel like I'm always running out of "screen". This just boils down to the stylus control and limited real estate of the DS.
- Getting Link to "roll" is quite difficult for me. Others may have this move down. I'm still struggling.
- You can "fall" into water (you lose a heart piece) and off of cliffs. One stylus touch too far and Link can be sent flying off a cliff forcing you to start a map from where you landed. For me, that always seems to be the beginning. :)
- Other than accessing menus and flipping the screens, the direction pad is pretty much unused. In similar games, I prefer to use it for "moving" characters on screen. It was a little disappointing to see this left out. Not a deal-breaker, just nice to have.
- Using the microphone. I don't think you need to incorporate this into every game. It's great for its intended purpose, but frankly, I don't want to have to blow on my DS to make candles go out as part of a puzzle. Is there a button that will do the same? If there is, I haven't found it yet. I'm still blowing. Just a minor annoyance.So far The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass is a lot of fun; more to come soon, if I ever put this thing down.The game continues to rock. The story is getting deeper and I've very into it. I also like how the ocean-going portion of the game is panning out. (E.g. Upgrading the ship, plotting courses, ocean battles, etc.) The addition of "treasure hunting" or "salvaging" is like a mini-game in itself.The versatility of the items you acquire continues to impress.

Examples:
- The bombs (oh, how I love the bombs) can obviously be used to blow up enemies, but they are equally useful in blowing up crates and walls so you can gain access to new areas and treasure.
- The bow and arrow (my new favorite) is not only a fast and accurate weapon, but a vital tool fot activating dungeon "eyeball" switches. More great items, more great adventure.Here are some highlights from the last week (hopefully I don't spoil anything).
- Fishing is great. I found myself a fishing rod. Well, I was actually given it. It is little hard to control at first, but once getting the hang of it, provides a lot of fun and there is a nice surprise waiting for you if you "catch 'em all".
- I'm hooked on the Grappling Hook! Like the boomerang, it's a vital tool and is used for much more than just grappling. One great example, think "Human Slingshot."
- I finally died (fire and ice dragons were tough until I figured out what to do). It was nice that all I had to do was walk back through the blue portal and I was right back to the boss fight again. Thank goodness I didn't have to do the entire dungeon again.I finished the game on a flight to LA this weekend.
- The storyline continued to develop and really kept me interested; all the way to the end.
- The new items (especially the hammer) were perfect additions to the already creative arsenal. (Hint: Be sure to hold down the stylus for a second or two and the hammer doubles in size and punch)
- A couple of the boss-fights were actually in 3D-mode versus top-down 3rd person. The graphics during these sequences looked great.
- There were even some really funny moments towards the end. When G'Pa snatched the hourglass from Link mid-spin, I cracked up.
- Lastly, the final boss fight was excellent. Not too hard, multi-leveled (literally) and actually really fun. No frustration. Kudos to Nintendo for making one of the best games I've ever played on the DS. Thank you!
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What a DS RPG should be!, October 8, 2007
By maxmasa31 "maxmasa31" (Honolulu, HI United States)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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Let me say, that I'm a HUGE Final Fantasy fan, and have only played two other Zelda games EVER, and never to completion. So it is with some surprise that I say "The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass" stands the model upon which all future DS RPGs should be. It has replaced Final Fantasy III as my new favorite DS RPG and it was no contest.The graphics are second-to-none for the system. I thought FFIII and Chocobo Tales were good, but this takes what the system can do to another level. It's colorful, bright, cute, and stylish. For a game on such a small screen, the detail is wonderful. And while some may pass off the stylus-only gameplay as gimmicky, I felt that the tight integration gave me a feeling of being more involved with the game, as opposed to simple button-mashing. The ability to control Link's speed with your stylus is a very clever take, and I actually prefer it to the usual "Hold down B to run." I also like being able to plot the path of my boomerang with the stylus. A very nice touch that adds to the fun of the game. I enjoy the puzzles and the "time limit" set by the Phantom Hourglass is a great way to keep players on their toes in dungeons. The puzzles, while not overly difficult, offer enough challenge to be fun and not frustrating. And if you can find the hints to solve the puzzles (which are usually scattered somewhere), almost no thought is needed at all.The story is engaging (this is a sequel, tho' you don't need to have played "The Wind Waker" to understand what's going on) and the characters likable. I also found the music and sound effects to be pleasant and very good for a game that already packs so much into such a small cartridge. There's so much to LoZ:PH, that I haven't even had a chance to try the multiplayer mode, though it seems to be a watered-down version of Four Swords. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Four Swords is universally considered the pinnacle of multiplayer Zelda, so if it's anything like that, PH is definitely headed in the right direction in that department. The Legend of Zelda is a great game for players of any level. Hardcore gamers will appreciate the innovative gameplay and great graphics, and casual gamers will like the challenge and interesting story. Kids will like the bright, colorful graphics and slick fighting/boomerang moves, while adults will like the story and puzzle-solving. This is what a DS RPG should be. Heck, this is what ANY game should aspire to be!
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Big adventure, December 18, 2007
By Linda Oskam "dutch-traveller" (Amsterdam Netherlands)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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In this episode of Zelda (my first one ever) Link has to save Zelda after yet another unfortunate encounter with a villain. This time she is kidnapped by a Ghost ship, Link falls from his ship and washes up on the shore of Mercay island, where he meets his companion for this trip: the fairy Ciela. Together they have to defeat a whole array of increasingly scarier monsters before they can truely free Zelda. I admit it: I'm 44 and new to gaming. The Legend of Zelda is rated as 7+ in the Netherlands (even though there are very few 7 year olds than can already read English), so I was kind of anxious about the childishness of the game, but, boy, did I have fun! Yes, I agree with some reviewers that it is tedious to return to the Temple of the Ocean King all the time, but that is made more than made up for by shooting, stabbing, hooking and bombing all the very ingeniously invented monsters of the various temples and islands. But apart from that you can also fish, trade, dig up rupees, pimp up your boat, fly with chicken. And you have to solve some riddles that are difficult, but not impossible. Some people claim that they went through The Legend of Zelda in 12 hours. I have no idea how they did that: the final fight alone took me all in all almost 3 hours (and some less-than-polite language) to complete. And apart from the game proper there are a number of side-quests or you can just go treasure hunting or shoot seagulls, all according to your preferences. And their is a multi-player mode that I have not even explored yet... The graphics are amazing for such a little screen and after a while you actually start to like Link, the little green fellow with the tight pants and the big eyes that is your alter ego in this game.
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One of the best games to hit the DS yet, October 3, 2007
By N. Durham "Big Evil" (Philadelphia, PA)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
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A direct sequel to the Gamecube's Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, the eagerly anticipated Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is finally here on the DS, and its one of the best games to hit Nintendo's dual screened portable yet. Phantom Hourglass picks up right where Wind Waker left off, with Link and Tetra (Zelda) sailing the seas. Naturally, things don't go quite well as a ghost ship appears, Tetra takes off, and Link is washed ashore on an island. Despite the familiar storyline, Phantom Hourglass has all the fun puzzle and adventure elements that fans of the series have come to expect. Making inventive use of the touch screen and stylus controls, Phantom Hourglass may take some getting used to in this department, but once you do, you'll have a blast. Since this is a direct sequel to Wind Waker, the game follows the same graphical and gameplay styles, meaning the cartoonish, diminuitive Link that we came to love (and in the case of a good amount of players, hated) is here, as are the sailing elements. Fortunately, some improvements have been made for the DS, particularly the sailing parts which are performed much better here. Graphically, Phantom Hourglass boasts some of the best visuals of any DS game. The boss battles are wonderful, and the environments are inventive as well, rounding out another masterpiece in the Legend of Zelda series. The only real downside to Phantom Hourglass is that the touch screen controls, as I've said before, take a bit of getting used to. Gamers may be turned off by not using the traditional control scheme we've come to expect from a portable Zelda game, but once you get past that, it's smooth sailing (literally). Not to mention that if the differently designed art style from Wind Waker wasn't your cup of tea, Phantom Hourglass' visuals won't win you over. All that aside, Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is a smashing title for the DS and the franchise, and undoubtedly one of the best games to hit the system yet.
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Zelda on DS...it had to happen, October 3, 2007
By James Roman (Houston, Texas United States)

Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
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I'm sure Nintendo is feeling pretty safe. Through the years, they've amassed a nice collection of franchises they can bet on to keep people coming back. So here's another entry...The Legend of Zelda on Nintendo DS. Fans of the series should know what to expect, this game is really no different from any of the other ones. What made this one fresh is the fact that it's on one of the most innovative consoles ever, bringing that innovation to the Zelda series. This is a direct sequel to GameCube's The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. While that game isn't the strongest entry (that honor goes to Ocarina of Time for N64), the cartoon look and humor fits quite nicely with the DS and I personally wouldn't have it any other way. All the usual Zelda elements are there, but this time you control with the stylus, which makes playing it all the more fun. Sword-fighting is done by simply touching the enemy or making a slash mark. The boomerang is used by tracing the path you want it to follow (this is simply ingenious!). Your ship's course is determined by tracing the path you want it to follow. The fact that you can also write notes on the game's map is very useful too. Story-wise, it's simple and to-the-point. Obviously, Nintendo wanted to focus more on gameplay than story, and that's not a bad thing. The dungeons are rather short, but again, simplicity is rampant in The Legend of Zelda. I really like the incorporation of the microphone! While it doesn't have speech recognition, you can simply blow in the mic to make things happen. I'm not a fan of having to do the main dungeon over and over again. That will definitely get tedious. The roll move is somewhat difficult to execute, which takes away from the otherwise brilliant play control.My biggest complaints stem from aspects that have been done before in other games. The fairy that accompanies Link speaks for him and also suffers from memory loss, which is identical to Tippi the Pixl from Super Paper Mario (they even look similar). Also, in the main dungeon, Link's life will slowly drain unless he's in designated "Safe Zones", which is straight out of Dark Aether from Metroid Prime 2. Sure they change that up slightly with the use of the Phantom Hourglass, but that just serves to make the game somewhat on the easy side. Incidentally, Metroid Prime 2 borrowed part of its gameplay (light and dark worlds) from Zelda: A Link To The Past, so I guess the favor is returned? Overall, however, this is probably one of the best games for the DS. It certainly will keep you occupied and coming back for more. While those looking for an expansive Zelda epic like Twilight Princess will undoubtedly be disappointed, this wasn't the point of Phantom Hourglass and it should still satisfy fans. It's a strong entry in the Legend of Zelda series
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