X
- E
- Detn8
- E
- Detn8
- E
- Detn8
- E
- Detn8
Speed Zone
Wii
Released On: Aug 18, 2009
37
5.7
All Platforms
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 14 Critic Reviews
37
0% Positive
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
36% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
64% Negative
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 14 Critic Reviews
37
0% Positive
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
36% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
64% Negative
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
Unfortunately, the third-party genre offerings on this console are not particularly numerous, and most racing titles out there range from the abysmal to the merely mediocre. But if the Wii is your primary console gaming platform, you're avid about arcade-style racers, and you can tolerate a steep, steep learning curve, Speed Zone may be worth a look.
Wheelspin is a typical arcade racing game with a lot of speed. But this is nearly the only positive thing to say about this game. The handling is really tricky, graphics and sound effects aren’t up-to-date and there is nothing you could call a story.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 6 User Ratings
5.7
17% Positive
1 Rating
1 Rating
67% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
17% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 6 User Ratings
5.7
17% Positive
1 Rating
1 Rating
67% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
17% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Wheelspin EU/Speed Zone US is a SciFi arcade racing game with tracks/battle arenas, sci-fi 4 wheeled vehicles, upgrades, 3 modes & 8 player multiplayer.
If the player wants to get a GameCube controller working they need to plug the controller in before launching the game. The Wiimote/Nunchuck/Classic Controller will update with the Wiimote even during an event selection.
For multiplayer any Wii/GC controllers detected will notice. The Wii itself has a limit of 4 Wiimotes but there is a way around this.
8 player multiplayer not sure on the screen size with & due to a combination of controllers.
The manual has examples such as:
Example 1: 4 Wiimotes, 4 Nunchucks. Example 2: 4 Wiimotes and 4 Logitech Speed Force Wheels. Example 3: 2 Wiimotes, 3 Speed Force Wheels, 2 Classic Controllers and 1 GameCube controller.
It is unclear how many GameCube ports the game or Wii games will detect (if have many test it out, I assume the Wii may not be able to tell compared to GameCube games so it may be 1 GameCube controller but if Smash is anything to go by it may be all 4 possibly but for 8 player on a Wii title like Wheelspin it seems to be some work arounds if the Nunchuck or Logitech wheel is to go by due to how the Wii Classic Controllers/Nunchuck need a Wiimote while GameCube controllers don't while unclear if the Logitech Wheel does as it's wireless & can sync to the console possibly).
Graphics. While a Wii title I think its fair. The colours and space locations are varied. They capture a fair amount of the space stations, asteroids/moons/some facilities or sci fi metal race tracks on planets.
Colours are more so on the vehicles or weapons besides odd moments of the environment such as lights or the non metal parts off the race track surroundings. Many browns, whites & greys with the odd vibrant colours on the lights, weapons, parts of map. Glass around some edges of the tracks/space station domes.
Edges of tracks can sometimes be covered other times be very empty and allow for many drops off the side. That in part being due to the physics and turning/handling.
It is very touchy so I found being very subtle movement on the stick for the GameCube controller or Wii Pro Controller more suitable. Same may apply to the Nunchuk & especially subtle touching not holding on the d-pad.
Controls are a bit odd though.
Classic/GC d-pad/left stick to move.
Right stick is weapons. For battle mode it would be left or right (or top left top right) to fire the left and right weapons. But up for the self yellow mines or the green shield & black camo pods.
Handbrake on down right stick.
Respawn on GameCube is A, B look back, but Classic Controller is B.
Camera view offers 2 chase, 1 top, 1 bumper. Bumper is fair.
Motion controls are hit & miss, but not ideal of d-pad weapons top, left, right, handbrake down d-pad. B look back. Left/right tilt to steer. 2 Accel, 1 brake.
Nunchuk up down weapons/handbrake, Z cam, C look back. Tilt up brake/down accel. Left/right tilt.
Vehicles vary of sporty wings, to arrow/pointy shaped front.
Upgrades & vehicles I didn't find any to improve the feel. While the game offers a few vehicles & the prize money rewarded is fair to gain & buy the upgrades or vehicles few 1000 to 20k. The skins are just that colour variations. Speed, acceleration & grip upgrades I didn't a difference.
I bought 2 vehicles 1 low end & 1 medium range, different engine & weight, forget if jet or gas, had a few upgrades between some & didn't notice. Maybe high end ones do.
There are 3 modes in singleplayer.
Solo (time trial against a ghost, can ignore times & aim for the speed boosts, the bar indicates seconds of above a speed limit, so it counts down time left above speed limit when green, won't change when red, so look for a speed pad).
All modes health each lap +50%, respawn +40%.
Secret spanners on solo tracks grant extra money.
Race (race against 7 other racers, hit speed boosts, try to survive on the track to not drop positions. Same tracks as solo.
The red range of positions are part of the unable to qualify range, this starts from 5-8 as red, with 1-4 to qualify in green, as the events go up the triangle ladder each row of 3 events to 2 to 1 lowers the amount of safe spots from 1-4, 1-3, 1-2 then 1 on the last event).
Battle (an arena mode with many coloured weapon pods. Green 1-4 and 5-8 to qualify is the same as the races but based on how many points the player gets from hitting opponents.
Times last from 60 seconds to around 80 or 120 seconds so the battles are short & sometimes difficult to drive around landing hits, pick up a weapon, find out what it does, find enemies that blend in even though you can see them on the map in the bottom left of the screen.
Missiles like purple & red left, electric light & dark blue left/right. Some thrown. Some self use like green shield, black camo, yellow & orange top as mines/AOE bomb in area, other machine gun.
Weapons are strict by top, left, right).
Report
Wii
While the outrageous roller coaster inspired tracks and arcade-themed charm where enough to bring a smile to my face, Speed Zone's charm is inevitably overpowered by a lackluster control scheme and a barrage of all-to-frequent deaths.
It's well intentioned but underfunded. [Christmas 2009, p.64]
Gameplay mechanic will make you go mad, while the ugly graphics will remind you of the past generation low budget arcades.
Had the handling and collision detection been improved, then Wheelspin might actually have been a good game. [Issue#91, p.114]
You might as well chuck your money down the drain instead. At least you'll be able to control where it's going.
This game is an interesting mix between fun and frustration and can be quite enjoyable if you don't take it too seriously. It has high speed racing on whacked out tracks, the ability to upgrade your car as you progress through the game and even a battle mode. The main thing letting it down is the poor control you have over your car. The faster you go the more responsive the controls are, but to the point where the tiniest adjustment sends you flying off the track. At slow speeds it is even worse, with sluggish response times making you constantly over correct. I found I was most successful staying at a medium speed by avoiding all of the turbo boosts, with this technique I was able to stay on the track for most of the race. I only tried the multi player with two people which quickly became boring as there are no AI controlled racers in the multi player races. But with more players it could be fun, in small doses, before the frustration kicks in.
Report
Wii
The biggest issue with this game is handling . Slow or fast, whether you drive on the turbo pads or not, just a small movement of your Wii Wheel to the side and the car just goes flying off the track, and often you have to wait several seconds before you can respawn on the track. Also, i didn't like how the same tracks are used more than once, with the tracks re-used in reverse or just in the same way again. Battle mode is quite fun, but overall this game is somewhat disappointing .
Report
Wii
Summary (Known as "Wheelspin" in the UK/EU) SOLO mode - with phantom cars and racing lines to guide you. RACE mode - go head-to-head against 7 friends or computer AI drivers. BATTLE mode - blast your opponents with massive weapons. 30 levels of dramatic racing action. Roller coaster race tracks with loops, twists, and hairpin turns. Stunning ...
Rated E
for Everyone
Platforms:
- Wii
Initial Release Date: Aug 18, 2009
Developer:
- Awesome Play Ltd.
Publisher: Detn8
Genres:
