Metroid Prime Trilogy review

We’ve talked up the motion controls quite a bit in this review. Before we move on to the score and comparisons to other shooter options, let’s briefly run through the enhancements:

The old controls were strangely rigid, and didn’t allow for a lot of fast movement. Prime 3 ushered in a mouse-and-keyboard style of play where moving the remote moves the arm cannon and the camera, enabling precise aiming and quick turning. Even flipping between visors, weapons and map modes is easier thanks to the Wii Remote. Take note of that sentence, because we probably won’t be able to say that of any other game.

Metroid Prime 3?
Um, yes? As of this writing, a new copy of Prime 3 still commands $40-50, so you would be undeniably insane to buy it instead of Trilogy at this point. It’s the same experience, but would you rather have just part three or the whole thing wrapped up in one disc?

The Conduit?
As far as we’re concerned, yes. Conduit boasted its motion-controlled aiming for months leading up its release in June, but we found them to be no better (and maybe a little worse) than Prime 3, which released in 2007. Then again, if you want more shooting and less researching, go Conduit.

Call of Duty: World at War?
Sure, if we’re talking about the Wii version. Though as with Conduit, if you’re more interested in blowing things away than immersing yourself in another world, Duty might be more your style. If you’d prefer something a little deeper and richer, something more in tune with Bioshock than a straight shooter, strongly consider Trilogy.

Three outstanding games (two of which are vastly enhanced with dead-on motion controls) available for the price of one. We can’t imagine a better deal on Wii this year.

Aug 14, 2009