Elebits and Wii Potential

Konami's "Elebits" (retitled "Eledees" in PAL regions) was one of Wii's most anticipated early titles, and it does not disappoint. It is very entertaining, but more importantly, it shows the potential of Wii to really create unique play experiences. Players control a boy named Kai who uses a "capture gun" (essentially a beam one can use to move and manipulate heavy objects from a distance) to collect little electricity-giving creatures called Elebits. At first, Kai can only lift small objects that he'd be able to lift himself. However, by collecting enough Elebits to activate an appliance (which he activates by pressing a switch or performing another action with the capture gun's beam), he gains more power and can lift heavier things. In later levels, this goes as far as allowing Kai to lift houses, tankers, amusement park rides, and more.

Part of the uniqueness of "Elebits" is that you can do more than just lift or check the objects. By grasping them with the beam using the A or B button and moving or turning the Wii Remote, you can manipulate the objects in any way possible. Lift, move, rotate, flip, open, spin; you name it. There is more to the game than that, of course, but the unique gameplay style is my focus. This is the kind of game for which Wii was made; it wouldn't be the same on any other system. The sensor bar and the unique shape and setup of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk allow for precision and comfort not possible with Sony's Sixaxis controller, and playing the game simply with joysticks would be very difficult because you need to move objects fully and freely in three dimensions. True, full three-dimensional movement works fine with standard controllers in level editing features, but it would be too clumsy for a game like Elebits.

Other developers should follow Konami's example when setting out to create original IPs for Wii. Motion sensing controllers exist so players can feel like they're actually controlling the on-screen action, so developers must look beyond simple gestures and create totally immersive gameplay.

Now, this is not a review of "Elebits" and I'm not saying it is the ultimate Wii game, but I am saying that it makes the best use of Wii's unique features so far. I'm also not suggesting I don't like other uses for the Wii Remote either; I've tried 7 Wii games so far and I think all of them use the features very well. But "Elebits" is the first one I've played that creates an experience impossible on any other console. Games like that will propel Wii to even greater success.