Games

Best of 2008 | 07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Link's Crossbow Training

EMAIL PRINTwii

8.3 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 34 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 17 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Nintendo

Genre(s): Action, Shooter

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: November 19, 2007

Summary

Link returns from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess to pick up the Wii Zapper and take aim at a host of targets in this shooting-gallery-style game. Anyone can pick up the Wii Zapper and become a master marksman in the quick-play shooting galleries of Link's Crossbow Training. Dozens of fast-paced stages offer a wide variety of game play, from shooting stationary targets to defending a supply wagon from onrushing hordes of enemies. Multiplayer modes let players and their friends share a Wii Zapper to shoot for the high score. Link's Crossbow Training comes bundled with the Wii Zapper. The Wii Zapper requires the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, housing both in a comfortable and intuitive frame. The control stick on the Nunchuk controls player movement (on stages that allow player movement), while simply aiming the Wii Zapper moves the targeting reticule on the screen. Pulling the trigger fires Link's crossbow. By aiming off screen, players can turn Link to face in a new direction (again, on stages that allow this). Link's Crossbow Training contains three basic game styles: target shooting, defender and ranger. There are 27 stages in total, and these categories represent only generally how each individual stage operates. Each stage's goal is to earn the highest score possible within the time limit. All rounds can be played with multiple players: Players pass the Wii Zapper around and then play one at a time and compete for the high score. [Nintendo]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Gaming Target

You can argue that Link’s Crossbow Training could’ve been fleshed out with additional levels and modes.

Read Full Review >

Official Nintendo Magazine UK

If you plan on getting more Zapper games though, it's worth the plunge. [Jan 2008, p.72]

GameSpy

It's great for family gaming and the competitive edge offered makes it attractive to core gamers. If only Nintendo had bothered to include global ranked high-score leaderboards.

Read Full Review >

GameDaily

So while Crossbow Training isn't a deep experience (it really needs online leader boards), it's addictive and justifies buying the Zapper.

Read Full Review >

Computer and Video Games

A short but challenging and surprisingly addictive score-based bash. It's great for the price, but proper multiplayer and online scoreboards would have made all the difference.

Read Full Review >

GameZone

The Wii Zapper is a decent peripheral, but it feels cheap. While I question some of the design choices, however, they're easy to get over. Link's Crossbow training is a great introduction into shooting games for those just now getting over Wii Sports.

Read Full Review >

Cheat Code Central

Even if you feel you're more precise by simply holding the Wii-mote, you definitely have to give the Zapper a try and play until you're awesome at it. It's worth it and it brings the game to a whole new level!

Read Full Review >

AceGamez

The most exciting aspect of Link's Crossbow Training is the price. For £20 you get the game and the Wii Zapper in a sleek white box. It's excellent value and helps you to overlook any shortcomings that the game might have.

Read Full Review >

Games Master UK

It's the lightgun version of "Wii Play" - if you liked that, you'll find a lot more to like here. [Jan 2007, p.63]

n-Revolution Magazine UK

Good clean fun. [Issue#17, p.84]

Extreme Gamer

Overall you can’t go wrong with the Wii Zapper. For a cheap price of $19.99, you get a peripheral and a quality game. Even though the Zapper itself is only a piece of white plastic which may cause you some serious hand cramps, it is nonetheless still functional and lets you break in Link’s new toy, the crossbow.

Read Full Review >

N-Europe

It’s cheap and it’s fun - Link shoots, and he most definitely scores!

Read Full Review >

Jolt Online Gaming UK

Link’s Crossbow Training does an excellent job of throwing in an entertaining couple of hours to start you off with your brand new peripheral.

Read Full Review >

games(TM)

Genuinely good fun for all – A pleasant surprise. [Feb 2008, p.132]

NGamer UK

The Zapper is okay in certain games but this one doesn't need it. Sluggish aiming, too. [Feb 2008, p.48]

Console Gameworld

Not a full game, but nonetheless surprisingly polished and only costs $20 with the Wii Zapper.

Read Full Review >

1UP

You're better off picking up a third-party Wii lightgun casing if that's what you're after, but Crossbow Training provides a surprisingly satisfyingly -- and cheap -- slice of Zelda all by itself.

Read Full Review >

GameSpot

Though it's extremely short, Link's Crossbow Training is a fun shooting game that's good enough to overshadow the faults of the main part of the package, the Wii Zapper.

Read Full Review >

IGN

It's a short, but nevertheless fun demo that reunites Zelda fans with one of Nintendo's greatest icons while simultaneously providing a new way to see the lands and enemies that Link explores and fights respectively. The shooting mechanics are well done and the visual presentation looks like something right out of Twilight Princess – which, obviously, it is.

Read Full Review >

Gamers' Temple

The Zapper might have its problems and Link's Crossbow Training might be one of the shortest games in history, but for only $20, it fairly fun.

Read Full Review >

Game Informer

What you are really buying when you pick up this bundle is a fun minigame that comes with a packed-in controller novelty. [Feb 2008, p.99]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

If high scores aren't much of a motivator, the game gets old fast. It's a snap to unlock the entire game in one sitting.

Read Full Review >

Nintendo Power

It's just too darn short--you'll probably make it through the entire single-player mode in just over an hour (add another hour to get platinum medals on every stage). [Holiday 2007, p.84]

GamePro

I'd suggest you pass this one up unless you're a Wii fanatic, a light-gun aficionado, or a Zelda freak who just has to have every single Link game around. [Feb 2008, p.77]

PALGN

Link's Crossbow Training isn't going to change your life, but combined with the Wii Zapper, it's extremely good value. For less than $50, you could do much, much worse.

Read Full Review >

Zentendo

Don't even bother with the Wii Zapper, it's a gimmick. Link's Crossbow Training is an average shooter which provides short bursts of enjoyment, but overall is a fairly basic game with a few highlights.

Read Full Review >

NZGamer

The game looks and sounds like Zelda but truthfully is Zelda in name only. Don't expect to be charmed in the slightest.

Read Full Review >

NintendoWorldReport

It's nice to revisit some of those wonderful Twilight Princess environments, but don't expect the disc to live in your Wii for very long.

Read Full Review >

Kombo

The problem with Link's Crossbow Training is unusual. It's not that it's a bad game. Instead, it's that there's just not enough to it.

Read Full Review >

PTGamers

We expected more from Nintendo, maybe a game able of bringing home the fun that we used to have on the arcades. They choose to stick with a familiar franchise and create something really simple.

Read Full Review >

VideoGamer

As a budget release you can forgive many of its problems, but that doesn't make it a better game.

Read Full Review >

Eurogamer

The Wii Remote and Nunchuk work perfectly fine on their own - especially considering the Wii Zapper is both less accurate and less comfortable.

Read Full Review >

Game Revolution

In the end, the Wii Zapper is just a hunk of plastic and the game is too short and kind of boring. Link's Crossbow Training will make a nice chunky gift to fill in blank spots under the tree, but all wrapped up like that, you can never be sure exactly what you're getting.

Read Full Review >

The Wiire

A more thorough multiplayer experience with some form of online component could have raised this game's value substantially.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Benjamin B. gave it a7:
I finished the game after about three hours with all the medals but it's always a fun to replay it, especially with friends. But it stays just a quite nice, very short shooter, no must-have if you don't need a zapper. Do not expect too much and you won't be disappointed.

Brody S. gave it an8:
First, I must say that the Zapper peripheral is not as bad as people seem to think it is. It genuinely improves my aim and stability on games like this. As for the game itself, it's simply too short. The environments are creative, the enemies are varied, and the boss battles are fun, but the entire game can be beaten in an hour. The multiplayer mode extends the fun a little more, but the game just needed to be larger. But for 20 bucks, what am I complaining about?

James C. gave it a9:
It is not the deepest game but it its incredibly addictive. For only £20, you can't go wrong. The graphics are great and so is the music. The zapper should be worth £20 on its own but you also get a really fun game as well.

Matthew H. gave it an8:
I agree with the other readers. This game is short, but sweet! You will either love or hate the Zapper, but for the price this is a game you can afford to get. I could have been better, with online leaderboards, but hey now we are getting just a tad picky! GO BUY THIS!

Jeff Z. gave it an8:
For a rail shooter, this game is a blast. Yes, its a bit short, but a heck of a lot of fun. Very worth the price for the zapper. I also like the zapper itself.

Greg gave it a10:
This game is one of my favorites on the Wii. Its so easy to play and quick to learn. How I view it is it was discounted and came with a free Zapper. A fantastic way to sell the zapper. I actually bought this game intending not to use the zapper but I found out how easy ti was to use and coulden't resist. I recommend this to anyone who can find it.

Sam J. gave it an8:
Personally I don't believe this game should even be judged as if it were a full fledged game, it's not. However, for the $20 price tag, it offers a lot of fun and if your a fan of Twilight Princess, this is right up your alley.

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Link's Crossbow Training

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases