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Jenga Wii Hands On

"So you guys going to make fun of Jenga anymore?" This is the first question asked as I was stood in front of a flat screen monitor, handed a Wiimote nunchuck combo and given a chance to give the Wii version of Atari's virtual version of the party game where everyone gets wood. "That wasn't me!" I reply defensively. See, now this is me making fun of Jenga. It's a sound game concept to be sure, and the Wii is the perfect place for such a party game, save one - actual physical real-life space. While I've never thought I would use the words Jenga and fun in the same sentence (except perhaps to say so), playing the actual physical game of Jenga is much more fun than this game is going to turn out, bells and whistles included.

Building blocks are the building blocks of Jenga, and those building blocks are represented here in all their digital splendor. I'd say the one advantage the video game has over the actual game is the you don't have to spend the time putting it all back together afterwards. Other than that, not so good. Basically you are given a virtual representation of a Jenga tower, and you and several friends can take turns pulling bricks from the stack and placing them at the top of the structure, until it becomes structurally unsound and topples to the ground. This requires great precision. The Wiimote does not deliver this.

The game utilizes my least favorite Wiimote motion, which is pulling back. Pulling back with the controller feels unnatural, is uncomfortable, and pretty much guarantees you can't play the game sitting down against something.

While the developers have really tried hard to mix up the Jenga formula, all the innovative environments, level hazards, and physics changing block materials like ice won't change the fact that pulling blocks from a virtual tower is something that was only fun in late 80's movies depicting cyberspace. The devs did include a variety of mini-games that have nothing to do with Jenga whatsoever, which suggests to me that maybe they too realized that virtual Jenga just isn't fun.

5:30 PM on Thu Jul 12 2007
By Mike Fahey
4,694 views
41 comments

Comments

  • That is all kinds of orange.

    A little too orange if I may say so.

  • I would rather play the original physical Jenga.... because playing board games on computers or consoles really just... isn't normal.

  • Fahey certainly knocked down their tower.

  • I think they spent too much on the Jenga license and instead should have made it a variant. Everyone's pulled blocks from that tower, why can't we pull blocks out of something else? Or pyramids?

  • Well, at least they felt confident, bless...

  • I always thought this could work if the controls were spot on, but I've also wondered what the price point on this will be.

    What if they included a whole menagerie of board games that required hand finesse such as this?

    Operation, Don't Break the Ice, Perfection, Ker-Plunk, all good games that could be included. Hell, even throw in Hungry Hungry Hippos for a good workout session. A collection of all these games would not only get the entire family more involved, but it would bring back the older generation to some of the games they played as a kid. (I don't think Mystery Date would make a good Wii-mote game since it's just a standard board game).

    I just think this game itself had better only be $10-15, or else it just doesn't seem like there is enough substance to actually even be worth a rental. So who wants to talk to Milton-Bradley first and get this package made?

  • I can't believe this. What will be next? "Throw coins to the fountain - Wii Edition"? False teeth Wiimote?

    Nintendo couldn't be more embarrasing. Count me out.

  • You know whats more fun? Real Jenga

  • I'm interested in a Jenga game, but I think the main thing about Jenga is being able to look closely at all the blocks available and pull out the one that looks/feels loose. I'm not sure you can reproduce that tactile feedback in a game.

  • This is just sad. Why not play the actual game?

  • one of the advantages of real jenga (and i daresay, necessities) is tactile feedback. you know how hard to pull out based on feeling it, and vibration isn't gonna cut it, i think.

    (wow, that last sentence could be very, very dirty.)

  • i wouldn't even bother packaging this game, just put it up for download on that 10-15 dollar (AU) pricepoint and you might make something of it. i can easily see this as one of those games that all consoles have that NOBODY buys (superman64 anyone)

  • this looks like it could be pretty fun. better then real Jenga, who the hell wants to restack all those blocks?

  • Whilst I'm quick to applaud those who try and do something a little different with the Wii, I'm equally quick to condemn the development/publishing dumbasses that think anyone in their right mind would pay good money for a half-arsed idea like this - you can buy a REAL Jenga for probably the same kinda money this'll cost and I guarantee you'll have more fun with it than you will with this cynical cash-in.

    Manhunt 2 gets banned and this crime against gaming slips under the radar? Atari will probably be wondering why Wii Fitness sells crazy-numbers whilst this languishes in the bargain bins - casual gamers does not necessarily=idiots...

  • @PeterPetrelli: Ok, go back to your Halozone Tournament-hunt 2 derka derka edition speedy! Some people like this kidna stuff.

  • "So you guys going to make fun of Jenga anymore?"

    Short answer: Yes

  • @OneLetter: Actually Trauma Center reminds me of Operation, but in a good way!

  • For some reason when i am looking at this pic, it brings up memories of Tetris Worlds. How some company tried to spice up Tetris and kinda failed. I agree with Oneletter, i think we are going to see a lot more of these "ports" (i guess that is what you would call it) of board games.

    If this does end up coming true, you can bet those 50 to 70 year olds will go nuts. I can see it now, the poor guy at best buy run down by walkers with tennis balls because there are Wii's in stock around thanksgiving. Sad... :P

  • The should let you create your own customized Jenga set. You could write things like "kiss me" and "feel me" on the pieces. If someone drops it they have to do what it says.....classic party game.

  • This is just the crap that some game designer a while ago said we need released so we would be able to appreciate the good games more.

    Jenga is a GOOD thing!

  • Too bad. Wooden block technology needs to be replaced with... something that can't possibly replicate the experience.

    Let's see, we can play with a box of wood, or we have two dozen people work for a year to create tons of code and art assets so people can pay $250 + $40 for the game that doesn't come close to the original.

    I tell yah, this "e3" is really flexing my snark muscles. I need to take a rest.

  • @Vrba79:

    Well then both of you will be very happy with this game.

    @aden.exe:
    If I had to place money on it, I'd guess this is the "FIRE" level. Typically fire=orange. I'm going to make a wild prediction here, too folks-- there'll be an ICE level and it will be BLUE.


    =P



  • Sports, Fit and many other games/genres makes sense. Offline Jenga does not, why play it and not real jenga if you are gonna play it alone or with others NEXT to you? makes no sense at all!

  • I found it fun scrolling up and down the image on my screen, nearly an optical illusion.

  • Well, this certainly solidifies the reputation of Wii developers as catering to the "casual gamer" crowd. Or at least, gamers too "casual" to recognize a shitty game idea when they see one.

  • Jenga IS fun. I just don't see why anyone would want to buy a videogame of it when they can just buy the real thing.

  • @LordPoochie: If it added something, had great controlls, and you had a reason to play it, as over the internet. Guess this fails at all that.

  • Fahey, if I were in your shoes, and someone from Atari asked me that question, I would have shouted "THIS GAME SUCKS!" before purposefully knocking down the virtual Jenga tower and storming out angrily.

    But that's just me, of course. ;-)

  • @PeterPetrelli: Coming in Q3 2008: Wii Tax Forms!

  • @PeterPetrelli: Yeah, shame on Nintendo for allowing Atari to produce this abomination.

  • Aww, I like Jenga. I think it'd be cool if the game turned out well.

  • I don't understand this. It's not like snowboarding, skateboarding, etc which requires certain weather and skill that takes a lot of work to get. Real Jenga is cheap and easy to setup/play. Why not actually play Jenga?

  • While i dont agree with the Guitar Hero/Rock Band argument of 'why dont you play real instruments'.

    I can honestly say i wholeheartedly support a 'why not just play real jenga' argument.
    Real Jenga is probably cheaper, or if you want you can make your own from real wood.
    This is possibly worse than Whack A Mole GBA, the DS one at least was fun for an hour or so.

  • I just realized something... How are they going to implement finger positioning? Think about it. Changing your finger arrangement is key to Jenga. Two fingered pull sideways for outside blocks? Index finger push, followed by a two finger pull out for inside blocks? It's different motions and different muscles, just sliding a block around space will be totally different.

  • This will cater to the old people who don't want to rebuild the tower each time one of their arthritic joints causes them to knock it down. Or because this is what old people do for fun? I don't know, but this will be sold to someone.

  • If it is, say, 100 points I'd probably buy it. Damn those left-over points after buying non-only 64/NES games! They should cash in on those common 100-400 points that aren't worth anything.

  • @Vrba79: I'm not a Halo/Counter/Gears/Killzone fanatic. Heck, you can check my thoughts on Halo 3 if you want.

    I guess this is a dream come true to, er, octogenarian gamers.

    - "Come on Gertrude, let's try the Hard Mode Jenga!"

    - "I don't know, Adolph, my osteoarthritis... Well, let's give it a try!"

  • Maybe this kind of jenga will burn off your finger by touching those blazing hot blocks.

    and the ice one would be hard, with one easy touch will be very slippery.

  • Image of Sloopydrew Sloopydrew at 05:02 AM on 07/13/07 *

    "Pulling back" on the Wii is my least favorite thing about the control system as well. I'm still having nightmares over that disarming the bomb level in Trauma Center. You didn't have to pull back as much as to the right, then back, then down, then lift up your shoulder, then to the right again. Nope, not gonna even consider Jenga as a rental. Now, if the Wii could come up with a game where you could skip stones over a beautiful lake? Nah ... I wouldn't rent that either.

  • Wow I hate real Jenga so I doubt I will even look at this game anymore but I still wonder how can they expect this to do? I mean it has to cost more than actual Jenga. What kind of idiot is going to buy a more expensive virtual version of Jenga?

  • May be fun as a minigame in something like Mario Party. As a full game? Come on.

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