The Triple "R" Threat

Once again, I find myself LOVING a game that has received mixed reviews from many members of the press! Rayman Raving Rabbids might be quirky, shallow and (more significantly, it seems) not a platformer, but it is FUN!

Seriously, I didn't think anything was going to supercede Wii Sports in terms of getting me up off of the couch and making me move, but RRR did it. If you don't know, Raving Rabbids is essentially a mini-game collection, loosely built around a simple Gladiator style story. Rayman is captured by the Rabbids (bunnies), who have plotted world domination for a long time, and he is forced to participate in all kinds of weird contests a la Gladiator.

You find Rayman locked in a cell at the games' beginning, and you can choose to go out and participate in the challenges by approaching the cell door. Each arena level has four challenges, represented by gates, and one giant gate that leads to a "boss" challenge and the next arena level. Only three of the regular challenges need be completed to advance, but succeeding at all four will win you new costumes and music tracks, which can be played in your cell.

Some of the challenges get repeated, like the point and shoot game (remeniscent of Time Crisis or Area 51, but funny) or the dancing game, but they are altered enough to keep things interesting. The shooting game, for example, changes venues, from an old west town to a tropical beach resort, there are several different environments to play in.

The best thing about this game, I would say, is the unique uses of the wiimote and the HILARIOUS behavior of the Rabbids. There is a multiplayer mode, which mostly involves turn-based play through the challenges (there are a few that are simultaneous multiplayer), offering versus, score co-op and timed co-op.

If you enjoy a game that is just plain old fun and especially if you have new gamers or kids in the house, pick this one up!