Looking very much like Codemasters’ top-down racing classic Micro Machines, this game promises a unique ‘stunt’ system that allows players to gain speed boosts. We recently interviewed High Voltage regarding this interesting racing title, so be sure to check out what they say about it.
Another lofty claim made by the developers relates to the Quantum 3 Game Engine, which apparently allows Hot Rod Show to dazzle graphically and feature gameplay not previously possible on the Wii. That’s quite a boast, and one that we’ll investigate fully when our review goes live – which will be as soon as possible, naturally. In addition to that it is pretty neat that top race times can be uploaded to an online scoreboard. Something we wish all WiiWare games supported. At 1000 Wii points we're keen to discover if this is good value for money or not.
If that doesn't take your fancy, then you might be interested to know that 'Daddy, Mommy, Sarah and Billy are back for more family fun, and this time it's glide hockey'. Yes that's right it's more cell-shaded sports fun from Aksys Games with Family Glide Hockey. We're expecting this to be a fairly decent game consdering the low asking price of just 500 Wii points.
Elsewhere, in the crazy world of the Virtual Console there is real cause for celebration, regardless of that fact that only one game has been released. Compile's MUSHA is one of the finest vertical shooters available for Sega's 16-bit Genesis and should be downloaded without any delay whatsoever.
Comments (88)
Sweet, I've been looking forward to Hot Rod Show for a while now. Lets hope it lives up to expectations!
FIRST!
I don't remember reading anything on the Family Glide Hockey game before. I hope the racing game gets a good score, as wiiware could really use a racing game.
Gosh darn it, I wanted to be first. =P
While Hot Rod could be a decent game, that's as far as I think the game will wind up being. Family Glide Hockey sounds a little bit more fun but I'll wait to see if it's a tad better than the previous "Family" game.
Hm, glide hockey can't be that hard to implement, my only worry would be the reaction speed of the Wiimote. I played it in an arcade once and always hit the puck with very quick movements and I'm not sure the Wiimote can track those accurately enough.
Overall America keeps pulling ahead of Europe.
Hot Rod looks okay. But will probably get its prime killed quite quickly.
I would not mind trying family table hockey.
That racing game doesn't exist, it's an illusion.
Doesn't seem like a good week to me...
Glad to see a racing game though, hope it's decent.
Well that was totally unexpected! I hope Hot Rod Show turns out good for their sakes. I'm not getting until I hear the thoughts of WWW Viewers or, if not, the official review.
I'm not getting Glide Hockey until the Review. Family Table Tennis was gifted to me and it wasn't what I expected, sadly. I got into it but noone else I know did.
I got a feeling this will also be big on blocks. I dunno why the game's are so big for Aksys when the game doesn't have that much content. lol.
@Pablo17: They're also making Family Parcheesi and Mini Golf. They're making a whole series out of it, thankfully, all priced at 500 PTS.
Glide Hockey could be alright, although we haven't seen the first game yet in Europe. Same for HVS Games.
@PALgamer
Truer words have only occassionally been spoken
Nintendo FAIL
lol
At least they haven't printed a watermarked image on their game covers yet (hi Capcom!)
You know, I've actually been wanting a racing game to come out (MKW didnt hold my attention for long due to the brokenness, and PGR4 on my 360 isn't my kind of racing game). How covienent
My only hope is that its more than just racing. I always liked the Mario Kart sereis due to the wacky power-ups and craziness of the races. It was, and still is loads of fun. Things like PGR4 are too "real" and dont keep me 4 long (I made a pun )
I guess it's good to have another racer... but where the F is High Voltage's Animales de la Muerte.... weren't we supposed to get that back in October 2008? I wanna play THAT game.
Now that we know Nintendo looks at the site you decide to slap them with a "FAIL", Dazza?
I'd be more like "Our site has been blessed by the almighty power!"
And Hot Rod WILL disappoint.
You heard it here first, folks.
@Dazza. I hope they used a postcard sized version of that screenshot on the Wii Shop...reminds me of Crusin' Wii which used a watermarked version of the infamous "car vault" screenshot on the back of the box.
Looks like Hot Rod Show. will be the best racing game on WiiWare...for now. Well, seeing as neither title will come out in Europe i'll take my leave.
I'm with AlexSays . . . I think Hot Rod will disappoint, too. It looks weak and bland to me.
But I will gladly eat those words . . . I'm always down with a good racer.
j
they need to release more than one vc game!!!
I reckon that both of these will be average/sort of good games with a 5/6, although I can easily imagine HVHRS being tosh. Either way, we're probably not going to see either of them for a looooooong time over here.
Also: nice image Dazza - WWW just pwned Nintendo!
Oh, and I have no comebacks or anything catchy to say about the next bit, so I'll just say it as it is: nice Okami reference, KDR!
@Bahamut Zero: Sucks for you. MKWii is awesome imo. Play it once almost every day.
@nintendo87: Yes. But at least the VC scene has improved thus far into the year.
@AlexSays: That's not saying much since you're cynical about 90% of the WiiWare games anyway. XD
OkaWii for the win! As for the update, we got a decent one. Hope the racing turns out and the Hockey game is better than the tennis one. Plus, MUSHA is supposed to be good.
@KnucklesSonic8: It ain't all that bad. I alternate playing MKDD and MKDS every day
Those two are the best...........
Anyway, I think people are underestimating HRS. It sure won't be a 8/10 or nothin, but I predict (especially if Corbie's reviewing it ) a 7/10.
Hmm....no intrest in these releases this week.
P.S. They should make Picross for WiiWare!!!!!!
Not too excited about either of these games today. I have a feeling that Hotrod Show is going to be just as mediocre as HVSs other stuff (I'm really starting to lose my faith in that company), and after that pile of crap Family Table Tennis, my expectations aren't high for Gide Hockey either.
@Charlie the Unicorn. Or, they could release Mario's Super Picross on US VC!
@Dazza. LOL.
Not a bad update, both games seem pretty average but they look like fun to me, I enjoyed FamilyTT, so I may give FGH I try in tha future, as for Hot Rod I'd get it right away if I had the points but, since I don't, I'll wait for the review before having that ugly conversation regarding the credit card with my parents .
No offence KS8 but, I hate MKWii and it's stupid cloud item. Long live MKDD!!!!
@Charlie The Unicorn: Picross would be ace, although it will always work best on the DS. It wouldn't harm them though, and it should even get more people to notice the puzzler and the excellent DS version.
@Twilight Crow: GASP! Mario Kart Wii is awesome, with the best drifting techniques, more new skills, the best new tracks and the best online mode in any Wii game thus far.
@TwilightCrow: high fives
@Wiiloveit: true. MKWii beats all other Mario karts in every catagory, including the ones you said, except items. The items in MKW break the game. Especially single-player (though it is still bad online). Redshell- ligtning-blue cloud- cloud.
Ughhhh
This is a great week for NA. Those WiiWare games are both promising, but sadly both unlikely to come out here.
I cant remember being as addicted to an MK as I did with MKWii.
Besides, in how many other games can you claim that you UNLOCKED YOURSELF in?
Besides Bomberman Blast?
Mario Kart Wii might have been a good game if there weren't an annoying lack of options. I don't like the AI in any Mario Kart games and never will, so why exactly do I have to play with them even if I have three friends over? And just what happened to all the item options of Double Dash? The original still reigns supreme.
Here's hoping Hot Rod Show turns out better... anything to tide me over until Super Mario Kart comes out on VC, if ever.
Mario Kart Wii is my favourite primarily because of the online mode: competitions, high score tables, friend comparison, battles and races across every track/course, the best scoring system on Wii and the ability to play however you wish. You can't go wrong with MKWii online (unless you're playing as Hitler...)
@Adam: Lack of options?! Wow.... You DO realize that there are lots of things you can toggle. You probably just never noticed the option to toggle the rules. >_>
@Wiiloveit = YEAH! Best online integration.
@Twilight Crow = The lightning cloud can be frustrating but when you're in a group full of friends it's like a hilarious game of hot potato, especially on the last lap! It keeps things interesting especially for someone (ahem KS8) who's usually ahead of his friends/family in MKWii anyways. lol.
so comments about MKWii aside, has anyone gotten either game yet?! I'm dying to know how HRS is.
Certainly interested to see how Hot Rod Show goes in the review, a decent selection of vehicles and Micro Machines style gameplay would make me buy this in an instant.
@ KnucklesSonic
Holy crap, I DIDN'T notice the Rules! In fact, my complaints were echoed in reviews as well. The Rules section is pretty easy to miss.
I've played the game a ton and never noticed that! Is it something that gets unlocked?
Thanks so much for being contrary, or I'd never have put the game in my Wii again. I was actually planning to sell it soon...but not now!
I'd still like to have as many item options as Double Dash, but something is better than nothing. Hopefully the "Strategic" option lives up to its name. A non-Team option for Battle would be nice, as well.
Decent week...nothing too special..
@Adam: Nobody seems to notice them at first, although I believe that they are there from the start. Also, I read the last part of your post as "An A Team option for Battle would be nice as well". Damn my foolish brain, I got all excited and everything.
@ Bahamut ZERO - Sorry, I'm giving a 7, err I mean reviewing Family Glide Hockey.
Haha, A Team Kart! Great idea!
Just took the newfound options for a spin, and I was reminded by how much I dislike the new tracks and the selection of old tracks. Crossing my fingers that this Hot Rod Show is good.
@Adam: lol. Yep, they're there from the start. It's happened before, don't worry, seen it before. People complain about stuff and they don't even realize it's included in the game. But I gotta admit, never seen someone complain about something that they didn't notice but was there from the start. XD
@Corbie: Enjoying it thus far?
Has ANYONE bought either games yet? I really wanna hear people's thoughts on either game, but especially HRSR.
@chunky_droid: Indeed. I wish they had DLC. That would've been cool. Since they said they made more levels but they had to scrap them sadly due to sizing issues. Poor guys.
BTW, in case anyone's wondering, HRSR is 318 Blocks, from what I heard.
I have absolutely no interest in either of these games.
At least they're not puzzlers! Still saying this is the best WiiWare racing game isn't that great seeing as all it had to beat was the god-awful SPOGS.
Also a lot of people are saying MUSHA is awesome yet I have no idea why. I guess it's time to see it in action on YouTube.
Yes, we're well aware of that but if it turns out to be better than just "decent" then it'll set the bar for future racing games to come! And that can only mean good things.
@Corbie: Knew it
But then who's reviewing HRS? You too, or someone else?
The racing game could be decent, but I doubt it will be better than Mario Kart or F-Zero, so I think I will pass.
@Bahumut Zero
MKWs items arent as great as DDs
@beastman93
Dont worry I got Hot Rod Show and it`s a great game especially when compared to SPOGS. Great graphics, several control options(just like seen on MKW), intense action, and fun multiplayer.
Though HRS does remind me of a micro machine, Twisted Metal type game.
Spencer is reviewing HRS. I'm taking it kinda easy this week. I've got a new shooter cabinet that's occupying most of my free time. (Daz would call that a shameless collection plug)
Wiiloveit (#26): "Mario Kart Wii is awesome, with the best drifting techniques"
The best drifting techniques? Shouldn't Mario Kart DS get that "honor"?
@Corbie
You have too much money. Btw, don't those arcade cabinets cost up and over $2500?
@Shadows262
That's good to hear. Twisted Metal-esque, ey? That sounds right up my alley!
Yeah but if I didn't blow my money on video games I'd just blow it on something frivolous like food and shelter.
@shadows: Uhhhhhhh, thats kind of what I said MKDD>MKWii ..........
@Coribe: First the awsome TV setup now this! When will the greatness of your house ever end
@LinktotheFuture: The idea wasn't to RIVAL MKWii. >_>
@shadows282: Awesome! What else can you tell us about it? Intense action? Looks like it lived up to what the devs said after all!
@Corbie: XD. I've heard that line so many times with different variations each time, mind you. lol.
@ness: That's debatable. MKWii requires more skill as far as I'm concerned. Case in point: How many KART (not bike) racers do you know that have attained an 8000 Rank? Cause you're looking at one.
MKWii is a bit TOO crazy as far as I'm concerned( check http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8B9B6807E38132A2 to see what I mean)
Back on topic, I really like the looks of Hot Rod, but the other one looks like crap.
@ KnucklesSonic8 - Well I probably need some new material.
I'm knee-deep in Family Glide Hockey. I better get back to it. I've got a review to write.
I know many of you like MKWii, it's not such a bad game, it can be fun somtimes, I just don't like the items, (the cloud is just hideous), and why did they make the bikes better than the karts? Now most people use the bikes and it just doesn't seem like a Mario KART anymore ; I will always rather MKDD.
@Wiiloveit
IMO MKDD has the best drifting technics, there is no other MK where you can use the backwards miniturbo to avoid falls, if you are skillful you can avoid red and blue shells, and of course use my best friend's greatest discovery the "break snaking".
@Bahamut ZERO
We totally agree man
@SK8
Congratulations! You must be good, can I have your friend code? I really don't like MK bikes and I'm tired of all those many Funkys on Bowser bike that you find online.
@Nintendork
True, sometimes it gets too chaotic and you need to be lucky to get out of the chaos.
@KnucklesSonic8
HRS doesnt have online(which sucks) but the online leader boards are pretty which I cant seem to find for some odd reason. Intense air once going off ramps(that part reminds me of Excite Truck) and the speed in the game is nice too. Graphics are awesome and probably the best on wiiware to date also the GP consists of 3 difficulties easy, normal, and hard but the problem here is that its too easy to beat which made me mad.
(btw theres only 6 tracks)
I prefer Excite Truck but 1000 points why the hell not. And its also a great title if your looking for a Racer on Wiiware.
@Tiwlight: It's KS8. lol. And yeah, I'm tired of all those people too!!
4768-7994-7902. Yours?
@Twilight: MKDD had GREAT drifting. I lost my touch though... Cause I never owned the game, just kept borrowing it from rental store and (mostly) from a friend. Now I finally OWN a copy of the game through eBay but I've lost my skills thanks to MKWii I guess and the test of time. And yeah, too many abuse bikes. That's why I'm quite proud of myself for where I am and what I stand for. lol.
@Corbie: Yeah, you sure do! XD
@Nintendork/Twilight: (Didn't watch vid.) The chaos is all part of the fun! It makes things interesting rather than having the best player ALWAYS come in first which would take away from the experience.
@Shadow: Can't find the Leaderboards? Check the Manual on the Wii Shop! I'm sure it'll help! And yeah, I already KNEW it had no online play.
Are you serious, though? Best graphics for WiiWare to date?
Have you tried multiplayer yet? How are the tracks? Diverse or roughly same things?
You beat it, hm? Well, that's not saying much since much of the Replay Value in this game (and many others of its kind) are drawn from Time Trials. And I myself am a heavy TA'er so knowing that it has Leaderboards, too, is great.
Is it worth 1000 Points? Any complaints at all? Is it really that much fun? It sounds really good from what you're saying! How's the AI on the hardest difficulty (ever think there's an unlockable Expert mode or something)? How's the car selection?
@KnucklesSonic8
I got the game exactly at noon so me and my friend and his bro. played the multiplayer and its fun. The 6 tracks that are offered in this game are marvelous, 2 tropical, 2 canyon, 1 forest, and the last one is the night stage(awesome).
1000 points its worth depending if your desperate for a racing game or not as me i was and I thought it was worth it lol
In my words HRS is a Solid 8/10 in my book. Its also one of the better games on WiiWare.
HRS`s difficulty can be too easy even on hard. No unlockable Expert mode which sucks.
I hope that the game high voltage hot rod show gets good reviews.It actually doesn't look too bad. 0_o
I picked up Family Glide Hockey and I think it is pretty average. I would say a 5/10 would be about the right score. I am really surprised with the control options as there really aren't many. For the control options available, it just seems like there could have been a better fit.
Game plays okay and it does offer a four player mode. It is just a very simple game. At least it is 500 points.
@KS8
Upss... sorry for the SK8 lol , my code is:
4682-9680-9610
I'm still good at DD I wish it had online (one can dream), still a fun game.
I know the chaos can be fun, but when you have bad luck and a bullet hits you, followed by red shell and then someone with a star hits you leaving you on the edge of the cliff just at the moment a POW box is unleash and make you fall (true story lol), well thats too chaotic for me .
I hope we get to play soon.
ON TOPIC: Hurry up with HRS review, shadow262 comments are inciting me to have that credit card conversation I talked about.
Let's hope this is not another repeat of SPOGS racing and Allstar Hockey
Pablo17 - I think you're being too kind.
@StarDust: It's already been revealed that that's not the case.
@Shadow: Thanks for your impressions!! I'm really happy to hear that! Do you think that the game could've benefited from DLC (for new tracks)? Again, how's the car selection?
Hearing that it's one of the better WiiWare games is GREAT to hear.
So you were looking for a good racing game and you felt that HSR delivered? Marvelous.
@Pablo17: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! So... does it feel like FTT in that it feels... empty? Do you feel ripped-off? Do you regret purchasing it? Have you tried the multiplayer aspect?
@Corbie: gasp Is it really THAT bad? I got gifted FTT and I wasn't pleased. I wish I could take back the gift in exchange for something else... I thought that maybe they'd at least try and make their next entry have more content and make it more fun, in general. If you're leading me down the path I think you are, then I gotta say, I hope Parcheesi and Family Golf turn out better... for their sakes.
@KnuckleSonic8
HVS is only like 300 blocks, DLC wouldve been a very wise choice and if they would`ve chose DLC for the game HRS would`ve been a way better buy.
Car Selection is very limited. After you beat the GP you get 2 different skin sets and if your wondering by chance there is no stats for any cars.
HRS is a marvelous Wiiware title to start off the year and one of the better racers I`ve played since MKW.
@Corbie: O_o. I'll say! "mallet"? I think you mean paddle. XD
Thanks for telling me. Most appreciated. I had hoped that it would at least be decent... Besides, you could have saved someone from purchasing it... I would've pictured the game being controlled as if someone was holding it like in the Punch-a-Bunch mini-game in MP8, grabbing the Remote on its side with your hand as if doing a Sucker Punch motion. Y'know what I mean? That's too bad... Either way, I look forward to reading more in your review. At least it won't be a 7 which someone keeps worrying about. XD
Can't Aksys focus on a different set of games, then, once they see that their aforementioned "Family" series isn't fairing too well. Then again... the sales numbers DO show otherwise, hm? I eagerly look forward to Aksys approaching WiiWare with a different frame of mind in the future.
@shadows262: Yep, I know it's 300 Blocks. 318 I believe IIRC. I'm glad to hear that someone else thinks my idea for DLC would've been good for this game. No stats for the cars? Now THAT comes as a surprise for me...
One of the better racers since MKWii, huh? Well, what have you tried? XD No srsly, though. Just out of curiousity, just so I can put things into perspective. (For example, some have said that Speed Racer was a good racing game that's really underrated.
Either way, I'm glad you've thought so fondly of this game.
Jungle Speed and now Hot Rod Show Racing? Two great WiiWare titles to start off the year. January's becoming a good month, is it not? I'm hoping eagerly for the release of EVASIVE SPACE and SNOWBOARD RIOT. Those are both must-buys, imho. I can't wait! Until then, I'm really happy to hear the response so far towards HRSR. Thanks for your thoughts. I appreciate it. I'm glad that despite the complaints you have, you really enjoy the game.
Aww, I thought it said "Family Guy Hockey".
I'm gonna wait for the review of HVHRS. I'm gonna pass on FGH.
I'm calling it what the game calls it. I know, it sounds silly. And you just shake the Wii Remote to make the mallet lunge forward. That's it.
Looks like the FGH (cool, those letters are next to each other on the keyboard) review will be up tomorrow, since it seems to be lackluster.
I hope HRS (not keyboard neighbors) is as good as shadows262 makes it seem
@Corbie...I played a few more times and I think your'e right. The thing is, my two kids (7 and 4) love it. Simply swing your arm around and hit the puck, good stuf if you are a kid. However as an adult, it is a very shallow game that could have been much better.
I played about ten games with three other players and it is just a very shallow game. If you have young kids, they may like it and it is only 500 points. I however, wouldn't recommend this game to anyone else.
As for the controls they are not very well thought out. In the auto mode, you simply swing the wiimote around to try and hit the puck. In the manual mode, you can use the d-pad but you have to hold the wiimote like a tv remote. That makes it really hard to use the d-pad and is a really bad choice. As for the nunchuck option, I didn't even bother with that.
@Corbie: They call it a mallet?! Really? O_o
@Obj_Blaster: I hope so too! I really wanna get it now.
@Pablo17: So... my suspicions were correct.. it IS shallow. Why were the controls mapped to be so awkward? Wow... Try the Nunchuk controls and see if it improves the gameplay at all.
@KnucklesSonic8
I'm still working on the review for HVHRS, but if you're really excited to play it I'd say go for it. It passes the 'is it fun?' test, so I don't think you'll be dissapointed. But be warned that it's not a very big game. It's another Wiiware game where you'll want friends to play with because the single player will take you maybe an hour or two to finish. The computer player is not a challenge at any skill level.
@ KnucklesSonic8 (#51): "@ness: That's debatable. MKWii requires more skill as far as I'm concerned."
What? MKWii should require more skill than MKDS in case of drifting? I absolutely don't think so. Do you know that you can get non-stop boost with a special technique in Mario Kart DS?
@ "Case in point: How many KART (not bike) racers do you know that have attained an 8000 Rank?"
Me too, and that shouldn't be a big problem if you are good.
@Gbbao: Thanks for the thought. Glad to hear it's worthy of the 1000-point price tag. And besides, it's a racing game. I didn't expect a "big game" and like I said, high replay value for me would extend from Time Trials and since there are leaderboards, I expect to play this for quite some time.
@ness: Yes, I know ALL about MKDS. I'm not basic. And tbh, now I'm on the fence as to which one requires more skill. XD I guess I just said that because I was speaking about drifting when karting.
Personally, I hate MKDS because of snaking and warping opponents. That completely ruined the multiplayer (i.e. the whole game) for me.
I wish nintendo would get something going so we didn't have to have size limits on these games.
Seems to to me that some games take up alot of blocks anyway. Aren't they bigger than that limit or am I not understanding something?
I love Mario Kart Wii but the item selection need to be balanced better. It did not ruin the game for me but it gets frustrating to get knocked out of first place to last place by 5 or 6 shells and rain clouds. I had a few races where I got 2 or 3 rain clouds in a row. That should not happen. Overall I am still happy with the game and I really like the Coconut mall level because it splits racers up and you may not get nailed with so many items.
@Corbie: Stop showing off!
@Ness: The best drifting was in MKWii, because it allowed for less cheating (snaking) and the automatic mode allowed for casual gamers to use the technique as well.
@Everyone who wants to play MKWii online: If you want, I'm hosting a game this Saturday at 6pm (GMT), so if you want to join: see here.
@Wiiloveit: Agreed.
@Obj_Blaster: Exactly. Which is why MKWii is just so much more enjyoable. I'm not saying I sucked at MKDS, because I don't. I just enjoy MKWii better.
I pwn on the DS Mario Kart, and although I'm not quite as good on the Wii version, I also enjoy it a lot more - I've played the DS game to death, now.
I actually didn't like mario kart wii all that much. It's not that it's a bad game, it's just over rated, much like Ocarina of Time ... IMO.
Best zelda game my ass (angry mumbling)
@KnuckleSonic8
Your welcome and if your sure about any other Wii/Wiiware games I`ll be happy to tell you about them.
@Gabbo
Come on! I wanna see what you have to say bout HRS!
@shadows262
Thanks for the enthusiasm! I suspect the Wiiware World gods will grant your wish within a few hours...
@Gabbo
Yes! I can`t wait to see what you gotta say about this game!
@ Wiiloveit (#77): "@Ness: The best drifting was in MKWii, because it allowed for less cheating (snaking)"
It allowed you maybe the first time to be really good in a Mario Kart game and not so depending on items...
Not an entirely bad week, HRS doesn't sound too bad after reading the review. I hope future releases bring more variety.
@77. Wiiloveit: Argh, I'd love to join in MKW online but I'm going out that day. Will these online sessions be a regular thing or occassional? I haven't played online for months. As for the drifting, I thought MKW was much better at it than MKDS.
@EJD: If they're popular, I'll do them regularly - I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but all the comments above just made me feel like starting a tourney this weekend. Send me an e-mail or message and I'll keep in touch for future events.
@Wiiloveit: Ok, that's interesting to hear. Does it matter which email on the Wiiloveit site I send to?
@EJD: Nope, I receive the ones from the contact form, YouTube messages and the normal emails in the same inbox, so I'll get your message any way.
Tap here to load 88 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...