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For months now the buy Zack and Wiki campaign has been under way, and surprisingly it didn’t originate from Capcom’s PR department, but by IGN and has spread like wildfire to other sites. It’s an unfortunate fact that all too often quality new IPs get glossed over, especially on a Nintendo platform, where 1st party software will likely always reign king. That doesn’t mean third parties can’t succeed, they often just need to put in a whole lot of effort to compare, standout and succeed, and unfortunately new IPs often aren’t the way to go about it.

Capcom has very quickly and out of nowhere become the go to 3rd party on Nintendo’s Wii. Initially it seemed that Ubisoft, being the first to majorly capitalize were putting their money on the Wii, and would ultimate benefit. But after Red Steel flunked and fans passed by the numerous half assed ports, they’ve since been reduced to mediocrity.

Zack and Wiki has continued on the correct path, delivering a game that is quite well suited to the Nintendo audience, even if most of them don’t know it, and a classic point and click adventure that finally demonstrates how well suited the genre is for a come back. Zack and Wiki started from humble origins, being among the first projects formally announced from Capcom, originally titled Project Treasure Island Z, a naming conflict forced the less than stellar re-title. The game looked quirky, sounded quirky and I don’t think many expected big things.

But after the game was showcased for the press, the tune changed. Beneath the weird exterior was a quality point and click adventure that for the most part utilizes the Wii remote to its advantage, and offers a fun story. The premise is simple, Zack, and upcoming pirate, and Wiki, a weird flying animal thing, shot down by pirate foes discover a treasure. In it is the head of Barbaros, the great pirate of Treasure Island, who promises Zack his legendary ship if he can locate all parts of his body scattered in treasure chests throughout the world.

The game is broken into several themed areas, each which contain multiple stages containing a chest with a part of Barbaros. The final boss battle ends in a treasure chest reveal a map to the next locale. Stages play simply, you are presented with the entire puzzle, through point and click mechanics you will pick up items, solves contraptions, work around enemies and eventually get to the treasure chest.

Things get a little more interesting with Wiki and the Wii Remote involved. Shaking the wii remote turns Wiki into a bell, which allows you to transform objects into items that aid on the quest. Objects or items you can examine are the other factors that utilize Wii controls. A centipede you’ve transformed into a centisaw, upon examination of a tree you’ll make a sawing motion to cut it down and proceed. All other movement is handled via IR, and it works and feels great.

Zack and Wiki thrive off the amazing dynamic puzzles. Some may be initially out there, but in the grand scheme of things, everything can be solved with persistence and thought. The game is also hard, but by no means impossible. While you will die and be forced to start again, the game implements two items that allows you to revive right before you made a deadly error, or another item which tells you what to do next. Both have to be purchased and are of one use, and both effect your final scoring. So obviously to do the best, you’ll need to avoid aid.

Visually Zack and Wiki looks very decent for a Wii title. The cell shading technique is very suited to the Wii and its audience. The colours and textures really pop on an HD tv, although upon very close inspection it’s slightly grainy with anti aliasing issues. To be expected with most Wii titles. The moral of the story is don’t sit within a normal distance of your TV and it looks perfectly acceptable.

On an audio level the game is fine. The game is handled via text, so while there are no voice-overs, the characters have their little statements and sound effects. Picture how a Mario titles handles its cut scenes or dialogue and you pretty much have a decent idea. My largest gripe about the game falls in the music, where you are sometimes faced with music puzzles to get special treasures. Shaking the bell in time to the marked beat of a song makes it progress and with an acceptable performance rewards a puzzle. It’s difficult to the point that it feels broken. It reminds me of Raving Rabbids, where you danced off with the bunnies to the beat. That worked, this does not. It took way too many attempts to find the sweet spot that actually accepts the notes. Even after I was “good” at it, I’d still often only pass on a lucky attempt. Fortunately, this isn’t required for progression.

So ultimately, should you buy Zack and Wiki? Yes, without a doubt. The cheaper 40 dollar price-tag should help make the decision for you. Zack and Wiki is one of the best 3rd party games on the Wii right now, and probably one of the top 5 games in general. You don’t only get a good game, but you vote with your dollar that we want to see more quality effort put in by 3rd parties and not rehashed ports.

Zack and Wiki is a title that offers probably a good ten hours of gameplay and some collection and scoring incentives for the completionist. Don’t focus on looks alone, as this title truly offers a unique adventure experience that has been sorely missed in the past decade. The cast of characters is engaging, the puzzles are downright ingenious and the entire experience is quite rewarding. Don’t wait any longer; if you need a new title for the Wii, this is one of your best bets.

Final Score: 91/100