As part of our 6th anniversary celebrations, we are proud to announce another new feature: a staff roundtable. A roundtable will allow the staff at Vooks to share their thoughts in relation to current topics in the gaming world. A the moment, we will be conducting a roundtable bi-monthly. We hope you enjoy our thoughts and ideas and we encourage you to share yours by visiting our forums.

Without further delay, we present our first roundtable in which we discuss our most anticipated Wii title.

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

– by Ain Soph Aur

For me, there are at least 4 or 5 Wii games that I could choose as my most anticipated. I have no doubt that I could justify to myself – and to others – why game x is the one I want most. However, after some careful deliberation, I finally chose just one game that I have dubbed my most wanted Wii game.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (TP) is the winner of this dubious title. We have waited an agonizingly long time for the next instalment in the LoZ series, and it’s about time it was released. I always look forward to LoZ titles immensely, and the inclusion of Wii-mote functionality has sealed the deal for me. Being able to control Link with controls that detect motion is going to be a lot of fun. We can manipulate Links arsenal, including swords and bows, with the brilliant Wii control scheme now, meaning gameplay is as lifelike as ever. Fishing will be a heap of fun as we ‘cast’ the Wii-mote and reel in that big fish. Boss fights will be intense as we defend the powerful stroke of an enemys sword with our trusty shield.

Not only is the control setup for TP looking awesome, the game itself looks like a stroke of genius. We’ve been promised a massive adventure plus the ability to turn into a wolf, which is damn cool if you ask me. The graphics are looking awesome and the gameplay deep. I really don’t need to such much about this game do I? We all know it’s going to be bloody fantastic, especially the Wii version (hopefully). All I can say is bring on TP, for I am ready for another adventure in the world of LoZ.

I should give honourable mentions to other titles I look forward to. Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Sports, Metroid Prime 3, Red Steel, and Smash Bros. Brawl are all equally deserving of my most anticipated title award. It just goes to show how good some of the upcoming Wii titles are looking.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

by – Spirit

While all the public focus seems to be on Zelda and Smash Bros Brawl, my eye has been keenly set on the latest game in the Metroid series. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is the climatic finale to this particular story arc that we have been following since Metroid Prime on the Nintendo Gamecube. We will learn about the origins of Phazon as well as being pitted in a war where you may have more enemies than allies. MP3:C (confusingly abbreviated) introduces new Bounty Hunters that, like Samus have been corrupted by the effects of Phazon and must aid our heroin if they want to survive.

The most interesting part about Metroid Prime 3: Corruption for me is, surprise surprise, the control scheme that has been demonstrated so far. One example of a control mechanic I’m keen on is the ability to latch onto an object with your grapple beam and by thrusting backward on the Nunchuck attachment the object will be torn off and thrown over your head. You also have the ability to tear off Space Pirates shields.

My anticipation for this game however does come with great concern. Metroid Prime set the bar so high that it’s successor, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes did not live up to my expectations and ultimately felt like a lesser title. Hunters, while not a direct sequel to this series still had the name of Metroid Prime and was a black mark on this fabulous series. I hope that retro Studios can really pull off something special this time and I have all faith in them to deliver.

Excite Truck

– Daniel Vuckovic

Excite Truck was probably the second best game I played on the Wii at E3, maybe it wasnt the best but it was definitely the most fun.

Grabbing that controller and playing it like a wheel just feels so natural, and I have to say the graphics dont look half bad. Playing this game reminds me very much of Burnout Revenge, while its no where in the same style and its not hotted up cars the fast pasted action on screen and the sense of speed was very similar.

Also I think they need a very over the top presenter or commentator on that game, Excite Truck is not a serious racer its fun loud and brash and a voice over or over the stop sound effects should reflect that.

Next to Zelda, Red Steel and the other Excite Truck is one of my most wanted games and could be a real sleeper hit, Id love to play it again and when I do hope its a good as it was at E3.

Red Steel

– by Nemesis556

Red Steel appeals to me most because it looks to be the game which will best show off the capabilities and functionality of the Wii. The control scheme and the mechanics of the game are what I am referring to. The sword battles will be fast paced and frantic, particularly when we will be playing Human vs Human, though CPU battles should be intense, judging from media and impressions from journalists over the internet.

The environment and locales for the game are very well reproduced to be indicative of Japan. The atmosphere that Ubisoft have managed to create with the lush locales and the whole entire “”honour”” component make it really feel like the player is in Japan.

And, of course, it was the first Wii game ever announced so naturally it’s kept my interest since its first conception

Red Steel

– by Eyce

Personally, for me, I’m really looking forward to Red Steel. Ok, really bland choice, I know. Yes, I’m not hyping it up even more, thanks to the contributions of my boxart that went worldwide in hours, but the point I’m making here is that I can’t wait for the fact that it will be the first FPS I’ll be interested in since, well, Perfect Dark.

The thing that makes it extra special is the anticipation of what I’ll be doing with the Swordplay, I’m going to experiment more than anything, and see how well the AI reacts. One thing for sure, there’s nothing better than popping bullets into people’s bodies, pretty much out of your own hand. Console FPS gaming will never be the same again.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

– by Stuart

My most anticipated Wii game would have to be Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. I was looking forward to this game more than Zelda and its delay has only made the anticipation greater.

I enjoyed Metroid Prime and Echoes immensely and the main reason I want Corruption is to see the conclusion to the Prime story line which I have found extremely interesting so far. The main story has been great, but its the scans and things like the Lore and the Space Pirate logs which have given the story line that extra edge and makes me want to hunt down every last scan so I can get the whole backstory of the Metroid mythos, in addition to Primes brilliant storyline.

I’m not overly concerned about the controls, but being able to control Samus’ arm by moving my hand in real time? Absolutely awesome. The control scheme and the Wiimote being used with this game should be the icing on the cake, and if Retro Studios take as much care with every aspect of Corruption as they did with Prime and Echoes, I will be one extremely happy fan.

Trauma Center

– by flamecondor

I loved the DS Trauma Center game, it is a real shame that it never came out in Australia. It has been one of those games that when I first heard the idea behind it and saw the pics for it I just knew I had to have it. No matter what. When I finally got it I wasn’t disappointed at all. The Wii version of the game has been exactly the same. Maybe even more so. However this time I know what I am getting myself in for.

Since seeing those few pics of the game back at E3 this year I have been in eager anticipation of the game. Every single nugget of information I have jumped upon with keen interest just waiting to find more out about this game. For those not in the know, the Trauma Center games are a series of what can only be described as Surgical Sims. They are one of a kind games that can only really be done using the new control methods that Nintendo are trying (Touchscreen, Wiimote). With better graphics and a revamped storyline the Second Opinion looks to be a great game and could be one of the sleeper hits for the Wii. The only question we have on our lips is, Will it come out down here, or will we be denied of another great original game yet again like its little DS brother? I for one certainly hope not.

Pokemon Battle Revolution

– by EXC355UM
I have always been a huge fan of the Pokemon Series and after seeing the Video of PBR in action, this game shot up to my No.1 wanted game for the Wii.

So far all we know is this game is going to be a Launch game in Japan, and it hits our shores sometime in the 1st quarter of 2007. The game can connect to Nintendo Wii Connect24, and we will most likely see Downloadable Pokemon and rare Items from Nintendo. And more then likely we will be able to battle and trade with friends all over the world.

You can also upload all your Pokemon From your Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Cartridges so we can battle in Full 3D, plus the game will have an RPG section as well, like how Colosseum had.
But unlike previous Console Pokemon Games, Pokemon Physically hit each other on screen, and the surrounding battlefield is damaged by the Pokemon’s attacks.

Super Mario Galaxy

– by Polg
My most wanted Wii game is definitively Mario Galaxy. Looks great, plays great and was built from the ground up for Wii. Miyamoto will deliver and this game won’t disappoint. The E3 demo was just the tip of the iceberg and everybody that played that demo was very impressed, I can’t wait to see what Nintendo is planning for its flaghsip mascot.

I believe Nintendo has a pretty solid launch lineup, both first party (Zelda, Wario, Excite Truck) and third party (Red Steel, Elebits, Rayman) look very promising. But like with the DS, it will be the second generation of games that will deliver the true Wii experience. Super Mario Galaxy will be a full adventure designed to showcase the best of the Nintendo Wii.

Rayman Raving Rabbids

– by Nicko
When I was asked what my most anticipated Wii title was, I originally jumped to some of the big guns like Zelda or Mario; probably the two most anticipated titles. For this reason, I thought I would take the road less travelled – much like the big N themselves are doing – that is why I choose Rayman: Raving Rabbids.

From my first time playing a Rayman game I was transfixed, mostly by the fact that he had no limbs. But as my time with the game increased, I saw the game for what it was: a great platformer/adventure game. When I first heard the news that the new title was going to be made up of mini games, I was somewhat disheartened but I stayed positive and read more and more into the game. The more I read, the more I began to think how awesome the game would be. The game looks attractive graphically, and the gameplay looks as fun as something like Wario Ware. It is for these reasons that I am looking forward to this game.

P.S. Who wouldnt want a game with Dancing Queen in it?

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

– by NX Monkey
Well, the first roundtable is edging closer and closer to being published and I’m sitting at my PC trying to put in a last ditch effort before the article is posted up. Perhaps luck or some sort of celestial force is with me right now, because as I scroll through the work of my peers I am very much surprised; no-one has taken Super Smash Bros Brawl yet. Yes it’s shocking; I know. Hey, whether it be through sheer dumb luck or nobility of the others picking lesser known or sooner to be released titles, let me give you some idea of just why I’m looking forward to the sequel of sequels.

Let me start by asking a simple question; who hasn’t played Smash Bros? No-one that’s anyone that’s who. Super Smash Bros has been a phenomenon since its first iteration on the Nintendo 64, and has only grown in popularity with Melee on the Gamecube. Without a doubt it’s one of the best multiplayer games ever, as anyone with four controllers and some good mates will soon learn. It didn’t matter who you were; smash bros was the choice game that any person could pick up and play instantly, and have some damn good fun doing it. Either the casual or the master could get hours upon hours of fun; this was most especially true for Melee with its insane amount of unlockable content and challenges to complete.

Just who the hell isn’t excited about this one? I can’t think of any Nintendo fan that doesn’t enjoy a good bout of smash bros using their favourite characters, and with that count set to increase again with Brawl, fanboys of the big N all over the world won’t be able to contain their anticipation for this one. So it’s not going to use motion sensing at the moment? Big fricken deal. Super Smash Bros Brawl is set to be one of the biggest party titles of 2007 and there won’t be too many Wii owners that will miss it.

Have your say! Tell us your most wanted games here!