November 28

Now I'm all for realism in gaming but I think those nice people behind the new Nintendo Wii console have gone a little too far...



Isn't the whole idea of computer games about putting you in a fictitious world where you lounge around (preferably on a sofa) and immerse yourself in the experience?

Not that I'm also adverse to the idea of exercise, but I think the included five-game Wii Sports package is pushing things a little to far.

Announcing that "it's time to show off those silky sports moves" Nintendo aim to get you on your feet and - using the revolutionary motion sensitive controller - have you mincing around at home pretending to actually be in the game.

Okay, credit where it is due. Nice idea. But sorry, no.

Playing tennis, golf, baseball, bowling and boxing, all in the comfort of your own living room... my neighbours - not to mention anyone walking past the front window - will think I'm a certified fruitloop.

In an official press statement the Wii developers state: "Each of the sports utilises the Wii Remote to the full.

"In Tennis, Golf, Bowling and Baseball, the controller is used just as a player would use a tennis racket, golf club, bowling ball, baseball or baseball bat in real life.

"With amazing realism, the slightest movement has an affect on the ball, enabling players to dictate the speed of the ball, curve and direction with the movement of their hand.

"For example in Tennis, the game registers forehands, backhands, volleys, lobs, slices, spin and power depending on how fast the user swings and at what angle.

"In golf, the harder the players swing the further the ball will go."

That's all very well but imagine if you're reaching down to claim the last potato chip when, whoops, missed the putt on the last course and you've subsequently lost the game.

Ten out of ten for the idea but I'm not sold.

This sort of thing might be a winner in the States (okay it actually IS with 600,000 consoles sold in the first eight days attracting veteran and new gamers) but I can't see it rivalling the empires built by Sony or Microsoft.



COMPETITION



EVER fancied feeling like Tom Cruise in Top Gun?

Well here's your chance.

Now, we can't exactly offer you a place in the next big budget blockbuster... but we can offer you a copy of flight simulation game Pilot Academy.

Oh, and a whole bunch of extra goodies.

In fact, we've got four copies of the Sony PSP game to giveaway plus a fighter pilot helmet and a custom model plane worth £100.

A commercial, private and military flight simulation, Pilot Academy offers both single-player missions, challenges and multi-player aerial combat and delivers the most authoritative simulation ever seen on a handheld.

All readers/viewers have to do to win a copy is answer this simple question: Which famous 1980s film launched the career of Tom Cruise?

a). Top Dog;

b). Top Cat; or

c). Top Gun.

Email your entries to tnichols@eveningherald.co.uk, putting Pilot Academy Competition in the subject box.

Please also include your daytime telephone number.

Closing date for entries is Monday December 11.

Only one entry per household is permitted. The editor's decision is final, and the first correct entry chosen will win the prize as stated. No correspondence will be entered into. The Evening Herald accepts no responsibility for any damage or injury caused by competition prizes. Any inquiries should be directed to the manufacturer or retailer. Employees of Westcountry Publications and their families are ineligible to enter. The promoters are Barrington Harvey, and you are advised to retain this information.



In the meantime why not try your hand at some of these:



Title: Cricket 07

Platform: Sony PS2

RRP: £39.99

Hit count: 4/5

Review: With its fully licensed squads, groundbreaking Century Stick control system and more natural camera perspective, Cricket 07 will bring players the most immersive gameplay experience to date.

Thanks to the groundbreaking EA Sports Century Stick control system, batting has become more intuitive, responsive and rewarding than ever.

For the first time in a cricket game, players can enjoy full control over foot choice, shot, direction, power and timing, all governed through the use of both analogue sticks.

A back or front foot stroke is selected with the left stick, and then shot timing and direction are judged with the right stick.

Power is determined by how far the stick is moved a slight tap can nudge the ball for a quick single or a firm push can send the ball fizzing away to the boundary.

Allied to new cameras that deliver a more natural behind-the-stumps batting perspective and a wider view of the field, cricket has never been so easily accessible.

With embellished gameplay, a wealth of tournaments, genuine equipment and authoritative new commentary from Mark Nicholas and Richie Benaud, you won't experience cricket this authentic without donning whites and walking down the pavilion steps yourself.



Title: Tony Hawk's Project 8

Platform: Xbox 360

RRP: £49.99

Hit count: 5/5

Review: Rebuilt from the ground up for Sony and Microsoft consoles, Tony Hawk's Project 8 immerses players in the definitive skateboarding experience using ultra realistic graphics, enhanced physics, and extremely responsive controls that simulate the feeling of skating with every trick and bail.

The game challenges players to experience the intensity and pressure of skating against some of the world?s top pros in true to life competitions as they aim to become the No.1 skater.

With an entirely new gameplay engine, the trick-based gameplay features amazing, detailed character animations that react realistically on and off their boards, a new physics system, an innovative bail mode, and the ability to move ramps and rails throughout the city.

The experience is so real, you don?t just skate it... you feel it.



Title: Lemmings

Platform: Sony PSP

RRP: £34.99

Hit count: 3/5



Review: Controlling an army of lemmings, the aim is to get as many of these cute characters as you can from the entrance point to the exit point of a level within a time limit.

Easy to learn, difficult to master; Lemmings is a test of strategy and fast thinking as you make 'on the spot' life or death decisions for your band of trusting little creatures.

Use the unique skills of your Lemmings team to overcome the hazards ahead: the bomber explodes at will, the floater can survive high falls and the basher digs horizontally just when you need it.

The climber is at hand for those tricky mountain ranges, the blocker creates an obstacle in the path ahead and the builder is there to construct walkways for his friends.

Stretch your strategies across 100 plus levels as you lead your lemmings across an immense variety of challenging backdrops.

The levels are arranged into five striking themes, each with its own unique visual flavour.

So, whether it's going underground into the sewers or marching through fields and forests, the lemmings always have new terrain to explore.

Packed with a host of new features, Lemmings offers for the first time a level editor allowing players to produce their own levels and save them to the memory card on the PSP.

Using the inbuilt wireless technology on the PSP, players can upload these levels to an exclusive Lemmings online community.

Share your unique levels with other users or download their new levels directly to your PSP - the opportunities are endless.

Perfect for a gaming snack or a marathon meal, Lemmings on the PSP is engaging and addictive; be proud to follow the crowd with Lemmings.



Title: Killzone Liberation

Platform: Sony PSP

RRP: £34.99

Hit count: 4/5



Review: In Killzone Liberation, two months after the events of Killzone, most of southern Vekta is still under Helghast control.

The rules of war have been cast aside with the Helghast General, Metrac, employing brutal measures in order to seize the initiative and strengthen his position further. Returning as Templar, players will be sent on a mission to undertake a covert operation to save hostages captured by Metrac, while ISA troops continue the fight for liberty.

Vehicles - Killzone Liberation also allows players to drive vehicles including tanks and hovercrafts to help defeat the powerful and intelligent enemy.

Challenge Games - Players can compete in challenge games to sharpen their skills and earn new abilities.

Multiplayer Functionality - The multiplayer functionality in Killzone Liberation takes full advantage of the wireless capabilities of the PSP hardware, with two distinct styles of gameplay.

Gameshare Mode - Killzone Liberation features gameshare mode where players can share demo levels of the game with other PSP system owners.