Metareview: Link's Crossbow Training
by Eric Caoili 
{ Nov 21st 2007 at 11:15AM }
Four quick explanations for why we're using this lounging lizard for the metareview's post image:- Uh, he's green. Just like Link.
- As you can tell from his pose, he's not too impressed with Link's Crossbow Training.
- Look at the damn guy. Do we really need to explain ourselves? We wish we could do a metareview on the lizard instead.
- Consider the lizard a bonus that we're throwing in with this metareview bundle.
GameDaily -- 80%: While GameDaily feels there's enough in there to keep you playing longer than just an hour or two, the reviewer still wishes there was more to the game: "Although it doesn't have as many options (Practice, four person multiplayer) as Nintendo's famous pack-in, Wii Sports, Crossbow Training will keep you entertained for hours, especially if you love Zelda. And yet, it could have been so much better. Had the developers programmed online leader boards, millions of trigger happy gamers could compete with each other for the best scores."
IGN -- 70%: IGN disagrees and says there's less than an hour's worth of content, but is willing to forgive the game due to its cheap price: "Lasting Appeal: Over in less than an hour. A two-player mode cannot be played simultaneously. Even getting all platinums in levels is not overly difficult. But again, it's only $19.99."
NintendoWorldReport -- 60%: NWR also has some complaints with Link's Crossbow Training's "multiplayer" support: "The game also features a multiplayer mode that misses on almost every level. Up to four players can be chosen, and then any one level can be chosen. Players then pass the Zapper around as they each play the stage alone. This passive multiplayer would make sense if they were doing it to maintain the integrity of high scores, but high scores aren't even recorded when playing in this mode. Overall, just don't expect the game to be a huge party hit, as most of the people will be sitting and watching, awaiting their turns."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave @ Feb 2nd 2008 4:53PM
I think the Zapper is awsome! Its price is without compare, and honestly the game is pretty daggum entertaining. I havent bought any Zapper compatible games yet, but I am pretty sure a SOCOM would be awsome with this thing...Sure the remote and nunchuk might be a little more accurate, and if you just want a huge score to prove your l33tn3ss then you will be dissappoineted. But if you want to get a peripheral that can really immerse you into what your doing, this is a great game. The ranger levels are stellar!
troy @ Nov 21st 2007 11:43AM
I think its good that there are these huge 'shortcomings,' because think about it: they are all shortcomings that the 3rd party zapper compatible games that are out right now address. Nintendo is doing these third parties a HUGE favor by not packing in a game that is much better than theirs in all respects. Ghost Squad gots you covered for 4 player simultanious co-play, AND online leaderboards. Those looking for a deeper experience can check out RE:UC, which also has co-op (REAL co-op, not pass it back and forth) and Medal of Honor Heroes 2 has the huge arena online battle mode that the Wii platform needs. If Nintendo had made a pack-in that had all these features and charged a little more, third parties would be getting shat on. I know I bought RE:UC (first resident evil game bought!) and am about to get Ghost Squad. Would I if 'Link's Crossbow TRAINING' had all these features? Probably not.
taintedzodiac @ Nov 21st 2007 11:56AM
@1: While I agree that third-party publishers are going to make a few more sales since this game is so short, do you realize that you just rationalized why you should be glad that you get to spend more money on games that should stand on their own merit instead of, "Well, at least it's better than Crossbow Training?"
Senor Spider @ Nov 21st 2007 12:39PM
I'll be picking mine up later.
I'm not expecting too much out of it, to be honest. But the thing is...it's just like Wii Play. Wii Play comes with a remote because it's like.. training you how to use the Wii Remote in different ways. It's not FUN, but it's interesting. It kills time.
This, is the same way. I mean it has the word "Training" in it too! ;)
It's just a little game to get people to buy the Zapper and have some fun with it and learn how to use it. Yes yes, it's a plastic shell..but that's not what we are talking about right now.
At least they included something with the damn Zapper. They could of just made a generic game "Wii Zapper", which used the same format as Wii Play/Sports..but they gave us a game starring Link. I for one, welcome this.
Joshua @ Nov 21st 2007 1:30PM
I was planning on getting this, but after reading some reviews, I've decided against it. None of the Wii Zapper-compatible games out right now are particularly good or appealing to me, and from what I've read, the Wii Zapper itself is kind of useless, and it's easier to just play the games with the standard Wiimote + Nunchuk setup.
Konchu @ Nov 21st 2007 2:43PM
I got the Zapper cause it had this game the shell itself seemed silly to me as it doesn't hold like the old zapper(personally was hoping for that E3 prototype one) but as a pack in I justified it. I have only played a little bit so far so I havn't made a complete judgement. But what I have played reminds me of an advanced duckhunt at times and a collection of minigames like Point Blank at others. The calibration though still not letting you use the thing exactly like a zapper does get the motion closer to actual aiming and not just "mouse aiming" I personally set the height all the way up and sensitivity all the way down seems to work alright. I am not quite comfortable with FPS like areas yet. The construction of the shell though is really solid and feels nice not cheap. I think for 20 bucks you can't go wrong with it.
esp2000 @ Nov 21st 2007 5:19PM
I bought the zapper this afternoon, but had to take it right back. The design on the zapper does not hold the Wii remote if you are using the Nyko rechargable batteries. I was not going to have to deal with changing the batteries every time that I wanted to use the zapper. It is a bummer that none of the reviews mentioned this that I read.
Don @ Nov 21st 2007 8:38PM
This is the peripheral that everyone loves to hate. But I've been waiting for it, now that's here I rushed out & bought it. I've only played Link's Crossbow Training for an hour so far.... it's not a super deep game but I can see myself coming back to it again & again. For $20.00 this is a great package.
The Zapper probably won't improve your accuracy, but will it make it worse? Maybe a little bit. I think by its design, you get a more steady control of the onscreen cursor/target when you hold a Wii-mote wand style. Just by having it on top of your hand there's a slight looseness in the aiming. I think it will take a bit of getting used to. Just having the gun feel is a lot of fun.
Jay @ Nov 22nd 2007 2:11AM
I got the zapper. Loved Crossbow training, but my favorite game to use with the zapper right now is Ghostsquad, that is soooo fun! It's a little on the short side, but there is so much room for multiple play throughs.
I really like how the shell feels, and it gives added stability for those precision shooters. Now all I need is a Killer 7 sequel that is compatible with the shell and I can be 100% happy with this one.
Michael Baker @ Nov 22nd 2007 9:19AM
I've had a lot of fun with the Zapper and Link's Crossbow Training so far. There are some great challenges in the later levels. The multiplayer is disappointing and it's relatively short, but it's a good deal for the price IMHO. I'm looking forward to trying out more Zapper compatible games.
Drew @ Nov 22nd 2007 1:36PM
Yeah, I don't plan on getting it either. It just never really looked that special to me. But I wouldn't mind trying it and/or getting it for Christmas.