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Super Fruit Fall Wii Review

19/08/2009 Family Returning Gamer Review
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Super Fruit Fall Nintendo Wii

Super Fruit Fall

Format:
Nintendo Wii

Genre:
Minigames

Buy/Support:
Support Sinan, click to buy via us...

There are quite a few games out for the Wii that we would call 'cheapo', or even use the uncomplementary term 'shovelware'. The real task is in ironing out the good from the bad. With this in mind I decided to have a stab 'Super Fruit Fall'. I’ve long been a puzzle game fan, and like to regularly move from game to game to keep my brain active. A cynic would say I am trying to over compensate for the alcohol, by attempting to re-enable brain cells.

Initially spectacularly priced at around 25 pounds, Super Fruit Fall can now be picked up for around 10 pounds or slightly less. A previous incarnation of this title was called 'Fruitfall', initially starting life on the pc, now also available on mobiles, I remember playing it many moons ago. The developers were obviously short of a bob or two and decided that a Wii version would bring in some much needed cash. Let’s face it, we would do the same. How on Earth though, do you innovate something so simple? Well, an attempt has been made by enabling nun-chuk support, and adding a head to head competitive mode.

Super Fruit Fall is a 2D puzzler with a very 1990’s feel to it.

So what kind of game is this? Super Fruit Fall is a 2D puzzler with a very 1990’s feel to it. The idea is to work your way through each level in a minimum amount of turns, eliminating fruit in the process. Each level consists of varying design, containing various different fruits, get three fruits together in order to make them disappear, once all the fruit has gone then the level is complete. A very simple and highly addictive concept. The closest puzzler I would equate it to would probably be Bejewelled, but that title is much more random, with Super Fruit Fall each level has been specifically designed to be completeable and to make your tear your hair out of your pate. If it all gets a bit much though you can have the Wii solve the puzzle for you. It does this by running quickly through the moves needed to complete the level. Arcade mode also has a timer, just to make you tear even more hair out. Practise mode is timer free though and great for young kids as they can choose their level and play constraint free.

It’s colourful and clear and eminently playable

I must admit that at first I was not particularly impressed by the design, it’s clearly a rehash of older versions. It’s colourful and clear and eminently playable nonetheless. The gamer uses the directional pad in order to “spin” the level, working various fruits free of nooks and crannies in order to make them come together for elimination. If you end up with less than 3 of any type of fruit, then the level is over. There are around 50 levels spread over 5 islands each with their own (relatively simple) and unique design.

I thought that there was absolutely no way that a child under 7 would enjoy this one. That was until my 5 year old got wind of the game, she absolutely loves it

The PEGI rating is 3+, but after an initial blast at a couple of levels I thought that there was absolutely no way that a child under 7 would enjoy this one. That was until my 5 year old got wind of the game, she absolutely loves it. Although she hasn’t really fully grasped the concept or tactics, she loves spinning the levels and trying her best. I suspect that the combination of simplified graphics, controls and music all combines with good effect to appeal to youngsters. Even more useful though, was that my 15month old could grasp the directional controls and gain awareness that she is spinning the level. This is excellent hand-eye co-ordination practise in my opinion. She now realises that the Wii is a fun gaming device also, to some extent. Head to head mode provides a quick way to start an argument with your wife, but is good fun. Be warned though, after the initial easiness, things get strategic in a hurry, you will need to stick your thinking cap on.

This one is a fairly straightforward re-hash of an already established popular game. I would say that making use of the Wii’s capability a bit more would have added to the experience though. For instance maybe the usage of your “Mii” or enabling more levels in head to head mode, or even a way to even things up between novice and more experienced players. It’s definitely age diverse and very catchy. A couple of years after release I would say it’s now accurately priced. It’s what you would call a throwaway game that you want to keep – if that makes sense?

Written by Sinan Kubba

You can support Sinan by buying Super Fruit Fall



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Sinan Kubba writes the Returning Gamer column.

"As an 80s kid I was obsessed with gaming. But university, stress and life relegated my hobby to the backseat. After years in the wilderness, I'm back into video games. I don't just want to play games that remind of a happy youth though. I'm just as excited about games that take things forward, experiences that re-ignite that curiosity and fascination I had years ago."

Here are the games I've been playing recently:




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