Disney: Think Fast Nintendo Wii

Paul Govan's guide of Disney: Think Fast. Subscribe to this column via RSS or Newsletter.

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Column:
Family Gamer

Format:
Nintendo Wii

Genre:
Minigames

Written on:
20/01/2009

Further reading:
Minigames
Family Gaming Awards

Disney: Think Fast provides an experience that eclipses other quiz games on the Wii, provided you are happy to go with the cartoon drenched questions. It creates a magic magic style contest that is surprisingly well thought through experience.

It's one of those type of game genres...

Minigames come in a variety of shapes and sizes. What unites the genre is the speed with which players can pickup the games and the relatively short time required to complete a level or two.

But why is it any better than the others...

Disney: Think Fast is unique on the Wii because of its attention to detail. Whereas other quiz games can match it on presentation and fun, the care and attention gone into the ensuring the game plays well makes it a stand out experience.

The questions themselves focus on Disney facts and characters as well as general knowledge. Before you start you can set each player's ability as well as their level of familiarity with the various Disney films. This helps create an even playing field particularly if you are playing with friends and family of different ages.

Each question is read by the host (as well as being shown on the screen) and usually features the simple selection of a picture for the answer. Some are also based on video clips, where players have to remember details about the sequence they just watched. Answers are selected with an up/down/left/right of the D-pad. Although it's not quite on a par with the packed-in buzzers of the PS2 version, this is much more reliable and child friendly than the Wii-mote pointing other Wii quiz games often use.

There are 15 different types of round ranging from fastest answer, spot the difference, reveal the picture and other familiar game show memes. 5000 questions are spread between these rounds which can be specifically selected via a custom game menu where you choose the rounds you want and the duration.

The game is hosted by the Disney Genie, so good was the Robin Williams sound alike that until we looked it up online we thought it might actually be the star himself.

The only down sides are the minimum length of each game, which can exceed the attention span of younger players, also some of the images used for questions are a little old and unfamiliar to a younger audience.

So what experience should I play this game for...

Kids will be excited to get to play Think Fast themselves, and in a Disney setting to boot. But families and groups too will be attracted by a quality opportunity to pit themselves against each other. After dinner entertainment or rainy Sunday afternoons are well catered for by this low barrier to entry experience.

Having watched one of the video clips and finding that their gray matter isn't what it used to be. Mums and dads soon realise that their offspring not only have a better idea of the Disney genre than they do, but their powers of recall are also scarily impressive.

And when can I take a break...

Prior to play you select the duration, but with five rounds being the shortest, the game usually lasts at least 30 minutes, while the longest often exceeds an hour. This may be a little too drawn out for some younger players. That said, our tribe's addiction to all things Mickey Mouse seemed to ensure they lasted the distance.

This is a great game for who...

The read out questions, pictorial answers and simple select make this great for kids of all ages. Combine this with the cartoon subject matter and you have an impressive offering for your players.

Intermediate players may find they need to dial down the Disney knowledge a bit, but this shouldn't stop them having a lot of fun. The barrier to entry is appropriately low, and the game show presentation really works well.

Experts may balk at the cartoony stylings and Disney questions. They may be better served by high impact vibrant visuals of Buzz PS3.

Thanks for reading the reivew, visit our Family Gaming Awards - the best games for the different people in your family.

Written by Paul Govan

Paul Govan writes the Family Gamer column. "I write family video game reviews. I want to play games with friends and family in the same place, as well as enjoy sharing the experience with my wife and kids. But as well as these there are precious late night gaming moments to fill. Throughout, time is of the essence."

Paul Govan's recent reviews:

• WarioWare: Twisted
• Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels
• Fossil Fighters
• Wii-Sports Resort Tips

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