Other reviews here have pretty much hit all the points. It's a fun game that new or casual gamers will enjoy (seasoned gamers apparently breeze through it, or think they do--don't know how high they bother to go medal-wise) and come back to over and over again. Somehow I still haven't found all 25 of those Bulbins and it's starting to drive me nuts. :)
Playing this game also helped me get accustomed to using the Zapper for my only other shooting game so far, Wild West Guns, which I'd played for a couple of weeks with just the remote before buying the Zapper and then found that the Zapper seemed to have a negative effect on my score. Practice fixed that and now I play better with the Zapper than I did without it.
Now, what I really want to know is this:
Why on earth is Hitgaming Video Games charging $59.99 for this game by itself when it comes bundled with the Wii Zapper for $20?!
I got this for my husband and we use a zapper to play. My husband plays it for hours and has a wonderful time. I enjoy it, too. There are several levels of difficulty as well as different settings. My 7 year old plays sometimes. It is easy to understand and start playing immediately. I highly recommend it!
This game is so so good, the instructions are very simple and the whole family will enjoy it.
This game is so awesome, I bought it just for the gun to go with a deer hutning game I bought my husband who is NOT a video gamer. He never plays the deer hunting game and has become addicted to Link's. I search and search for more games like this, a good variety of target practice, and a little bit of hunt and search.
This game is something even our 6 year old can play but holds both of our attention as well.
It is such a great game and I would pay so much more than the 18 or 19 bucks most places are charging, it is a must for your wii library.
If anyone knows of similar target shooting games please let the rest of us know.
Links Crossbow training for Wii.
Low price for a huge barrel of fun. My son (10) and I (55) have been playing it near daily, teamed together, against each other, plain practice and shooting in the "earned ranks." Each level presents new scenarios, harder solutions and more active targets. Some have you standing in one place shooting pop ups. Others have a fortress layout where you have to move and find the BG's ("bad guys" for those not fluent in "gun"). Each level that's achieved in the target shooting mode opens new levels and screens for the shooter.
The graphics are reasonable, the action of the game is very good, and the accuracy of the pointer (wii control) to the point of impact is both adjustable and is spot on. This has often been the weak point in shoot 'em up games.
In summary, the game offers a very broad array of screens, ranges and shooting method/opportunity. We use the standard Wii controller with the Nunchuk. While my kids love the thing, I've never been much on video games, but this one manages to hold my attention. Very few are able to do so.
All in all, given cost to enjoyment ratio of the game, I feel like we've stolen the thing and giggle all the way to the couch to play some more.
If you like shooting games you'll enjoy this title it contains a variety of shooting galleries. If your kids want a shooting game but you're not too happy with the violence factor involved "Link's Trainer" may be a viable option. The targets in this game vary from classical bull's-eyes to Trolls, Dragons and other fantasy creatures there are no human targets and no gore.
Some of the galleries are based on your character in a stationary position with a fixed point of view while various forms of pop-up targets appear on the screen. Some galleries allow a 360 deg field of view from a fixed point (you can look all around, but you can't walk). To look around you move the aim point to the left, right or top edge of the screen and it will scroll in that direction, it's a pretty easy system to get used to. The shooting galleries that allow you to rotate also have small radar in the lower right corner to allow you to detect enemies beside and behind you. The third form of shooting gallery allows you to look and walk around using a combination of the nunchuk joystick and moving the aim point to the left, right or top of the screen. The walking shooting galleries are by far the most challenging levels mostly due to the coordination necessary to navigate in your environment. Here's a tip if you're having problems walking. Stand still and use the nunchuk Z button to zoom in on far away targets this will limit the need to maneuver while you're walking. To use the zoom efficiently move the aim point near your target/s then hold the Z button on the nunchuk, now fine tune your aim, fire then release the Z button to acquire your next group of targets or to move. With this method you can clear all the targets in your field of view and then walk to another vantage point to find more targets to zoom.
Here are some other beginner's tips:
1) As "Cynthia T" stated consecutive hits are the secret to a high score it is more important to not miss than it is to destroy every target with scattered hits and misses. Every consecutive hit multiples your score any misses start the multiple count over.
2) The scarecrow can be worth 1000 pts use the zoom and shoot the body 9 times then shoot the head. Do this before or in between the main target resets don't miss or you'll lose your score multiple.
3) You can also shoot the clay pots, pumpkins, barrels and signs for small bonuses before and in between target sets. Don't miss or you'll lose your score multiple
4) Some clay pots release a floating yellow gem the faster you shoot it the more it is worth up to 1000 pts. Note it disappears in a few seconds.
5) Some barrels explode they can be used to destroy targets nearby
6) Don't forget you have the ability to shoot exploding arrows by holding the trigger until the aim point turns red. Note; you'll need them to defeat some enemies.
7) Some shooting galleries offer a few targets that glow green; shooting them will make your crossbow a machine gun for 100 shots. Don't waste it you'll need it for large swarms of skeletons, vampire bats and ice wolves. Let the group of targets get close and dense before you spray them this will help your consecutive hit multiplier. Note; on some levels the green targets fly.
This is one of my most popular pick-up and play arcade style Wii party games. So far everyone young and old has loved it. Even my non-shooting friends enjoy the whimsical and creative challenges each level presents. The fact that each level has a short time limit makes it a very group player friendly game. My next purchase may be "Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess" based on this trainer.
On a separate note another cheap and fantastically fun pick-up and play game is The Williams Collection Pinball game if you like pinball it's well worth $20.
If you want something that's kind of laid back but still challenging enough to not be boring then this is your game. It is very fun with enough levels to keep it interesting. It is the all time target shooting kind of game.
This is absolutely a fun game; It gets harder as you advance and the animation and graphics are great. I am glad I bought it.
I was unsure about this game as our family has a variety of interests, however, after getting for my oldest daughter who loves archery the entire family has gotten in on this game. Everyone likes the challenge and the levels do change even after repeated play. I would strongly encourage anyone to try out this game!!
I've never even heard of this game until I went to my sister's house and her kids were playing it. I gave it a shot (pun intended) and got hooked ever since. There is no real storyline but there are boss battles as you progress through the levels. I highly recommend the zapper adapter for better control and less pain in your shoulders, but it is not necessary to play the game.
Each level is different, challenging and fun! I choose games based on artwork and gameplay and Link's Crossbow Training has both. Highly recommended. There is also a great music soundtrack.
I have not had so much fun playing shoot-um-up in I can't tell you how long. Great action, fast moving, very challenging, and my wife beat me a few times, which kept her interest up through all the different events. As an Ol Geezer, I can only say, where was this 50 years agoooo?
Simple shooting game, starting with targets and working up to shooting goblin-type creatures. It progresses in stages, to where you eventually get to walk your guy into a town to shoot the bad guys. It's great for those of us just getting around to learning how to play a video game. Add the Perfect Shot pistol and it's even more fun.
The Wii Zapper and the Link's Crossbow Training are simple but fun. Don't be fooled by the title - it's not just a training game. The game has quite a few stages and levels. This makes it fun for novice to hardcore gamers. I personally like the stages where you get to shoot enemies. The combination of the gun and game is not bad for $20. I've bought Wii games that alone were $20 and weren't nearly as fun as Link's Crossbow Training.
I'm a non-gamer. At 43, Wii is my first game console. I picked up this game with the controller completely not knowing what I was getting.
I was able to use it and have fun immediately. Even my 65 year old dad enjoys it.
The controller feels like you are holding a cross bow and it works seemlessly with the Wii controllers.
The game play is very simple. It has 10 levels each with 3 shooting galleries. The first gallery is usually target shooting. The second gallery is moving targets and the last gallery is one where you have to move through-using your thumb to move Link.
The overall trick is to hit targets consecutively to rack up more points per hit. This is the only way to win a level and open the next level.
Again-great for a beginning gamer and for us 43 year olds.
This is a fun game - we are glad we purchased it. If you like shooting games & don't want long story lines, etc, this is the one to get. Worth the money.
