We own quite a few Game Cube games and now Wii games, and I've NEVER been as disappointed in a game as I have been with this one!

Referring to this as "hunting simulation" is just laughable.

First let me say that I have played the Game Cube version of Big Game Hunter, and as bad as I thought that one was---this one is infinitely worse!

All of the calls, scents, decoys, etc., are gone from the Wii version. As cheesy as some of that stuff was they were fun to use and made the game more interesting.

In addition it was much easier to navigate the terrain, and there were far fewer walls in the Game Cube version.

Now for a point-by-point review.

I'll start off with the most disappointing aspect of this game, and that is the fact that there is no option to save your profile.

In other words, this is essentially a single person game. If one person plays and opens up a new territory to hunt, that same territory will be open for the next player. The same goes for medals scored, points accrued, etc. If you have children who like to compete with one another this really destroys the fun of the game. Why on earth the developers didn't allow for at least four saved profiles is beyond me?? My kids enjoyed the challenge of trying to take a larger trophy, score more points, etc. in the Game Cube version than their siblings did. This option is entirely lacking in the Wii version with the exception of the shooting gallery games.

If you enjoy tramping around the countryside looking for game you'll be sorely disappointed. The Wii version is nothing more than walk-through. You follow the prompts until you run into the game. It would be more accurate to call this a shooting game rather than a hunting game.

And when I say "walk" I mean walk! The Game Cube version at least allowed you to run when you needed to cover some ground. Jack moves around at the rate of drying paint and it can be quite annoying at times.

Another annoying aspect is the silly mix of game species.

Pheasants near timberline while hunting Mule Deer? Why not make it more realistic and substitute Blue Grouse? You would think Cabelas could employ someone who has a clue where pheasants live! Also, is it out of the question to think that pheasants should flush from cover one or two at a time rather than flying overhead like a bunch of migrating geese?

It really is silly and severely detracts from the game.

Another problem is the design of the "Top Shot" gun. The Wii remote is placed at the very end of the barrel instead of farther back near the forarm where it should be. Being so far forward it makes it very tiring to hold the gun since your right (or left) arm has to remain suspended to operate the controls. Both my sons complained about this and one of them simply won't use the gun because he says his arm gets so tired "sticking out all the time".

Another annoyance (and one that the Game Cube version also had) is the poor simulation of distances. Anyone who has been hunting knows what an elk, mule deer or bear looks like at 20 yards. It wouldn't have been that difficult to simulate the size of an animal commensurate with the distances involved.

And yet in the game you will locate animals that appear to be a very long way off---so far that you can't even see the rack of a mature bull elk---then when you place the scope on the animal you will be informed that it is only 20 or 30 yards away. The relationship between animal size and distance in this game is just pathetic and another black mark for the developers. I really wonder if any of them have actually hunted anything in their lives?

Another sad commentary on the developers is that you get more points in the game by using a smaller caliber gun---as though assuring a clean kill has nothing to do with hunting. Geez, why don't we hunt elk with a .22 LR and really prove what great hunters we are!!!

And finally, as others have mentioned, for a Wii game the graphics are very disappointing.

There are so many more irritations that I simply can't list them all.

Like I said, this game is a major disappointment to myself and my two sons. If you're looking for a "hunting simulation" game you should keep looking.

And Cabelas should hire some software developers who actually have a clue what hunting is really like.

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Unless you're hunting to feed your family or helping to curb an overpopulated species - a phenomenon which humans are exclusively responsible for, you should refrain from shooting anything other than beer cans - real or virtual.

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When my brother and I bought this game I couldn't wait to take it home and play it. After we began, I thought it was a little difficult but I would get used to it. Boy was I ever wrong. First off, the controls are awkward (the gun trigger is not even in the right place) and second, the controls are way over sensitive. I would also comment on the graphics but its Wii so there is naturally going to be something to be desired in that department (not a big deal anyway). For me gameplay is more important than graphics and Activision, well they just didn't make the grade this time. We played the demo on xbox 360 and it was a blast!!! So logically it should be even more fun with the interactive nature of the Wii. It is just simply not the case. If you want to play or buy this particular game, I suggest you do so for a different platform. The game on Wii falls way short of the mark. For those who are shooting fans, they definitely did not keep this one in the ten ring. If you like this game then great, as for me, I will take a pass.

The Verdict:

Effort: C

Originality: B+

Presentation: C

Fun Factor: D

Overall Playability: D-

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I bought this game for my husband, and we both had fun however there is no way to reset the game, and you can't have more than one person play at a time. It would have been nice if I could have kept my own profile while my husband had one for himself. Since we are on different hunting levels I would like to have progressed at my own pace.

The hunts were fun, and there were many different types of animals too hunt, but if I had a choice I probably wouldn't purchase it again.

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The game gets five stars, the rinky dink gun gets less than one. If you are used to shooting games, the fact that the "Fire" button is up on the barrel and the button that should be the "trigger" zooms you into scope mode is rather annoying. Save yourself some money and just buy the game alone. If you're like me, you won't be using the "gun" for long anyway.

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Hi Everyone,

Was very surprised on how poor the graphics were on this game. Also my son stated his arms were getting sore on how you had to hold the gun to make it work. Unfortunately not a good buy from our standpoint.

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