Boogie is a great way to cut loose and be silly — if you really get into it. Like most Wii games, Boogie is at its best when enjoyed as a social activity.
Boogie
Publisher: EA
Platforms: Wii
Rating: E — Everyone 10+
Game type: Music
*** 1/2 (out of 5)
What’s the premise?
Put on your dancing shoes and limber up those vocal chords as you try to make your “boog” a star using your Wii-mote and microphone (included with the game) to bop and croon along to a pile of classic tunes.
This game is most similar to…?
Boogie owes a lot to Dance Dance Revolution and Karaoke Revolution.
Is it appropriate for young gamers?
You make your “boog” dance by waiving your Wii-mote around to the beat. If kids have any sense of rhythm, and maybe even carry a tune, they’ll have a blast.
One player or more?
Like almost every game published for the Wii, Boogie is at its best as a social game.
What’s missing?
Cut-scenes. Believe it or not, there is a story mode in the game (it’s not all just random grooving to the music), but with no voice acting and shoddy visuals, it’s not very compelling.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Put the Twinkie down and step away from the couch. To truly get into the experience you have to wiggle your butt.
And in the end?
Boogie is a fun way to be silly while gaming if you drop your inhibitions and really get into it.
NASCAR O8
Publisher: EA
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2
Reviewed on: PlayStation 3
Rating: E — Everyone
Game type: Sports/racing
***
What’s the premise?
Boogedy, boogedy, boogedy! Let’s go racing!! Hop into the driver’s seat of your favourite NASCAR star’s wheels and burn rubber as you battle for the Nextel Cup.
This game is most similar to…?
NASCAR 07.
Is it appropriate for young gamers?
Unless your kid knows how to bump draft or how to take a corner at 170 m.p.h. without wiping out, they’ll probably get frustrated really fast.
One player or more?
No head-to-head mode, just online multiplayer? For shame.
What’s missing?
An arcade mode for those who enjoy NASCAR, but aren’t interested in every little nuance of the sport would be ideal.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Turn left. Repeat 1,600 times. (Sorry NASCAR fans, I couldn’t resist).
And in the end?
This one’s unforgiving and is for the hardcore fan only.
