Crazy Machines for Wii – Review

The Nintendo Wii throws another entry into the game arena which is dominated by the likes of Cut the Rope and Casey’s Contraptions on tablets with Crazy Machines by thinkSMART GAMES.  These are the types of games that can teach your children problem solving skills in a fun environment that they are already familiar with…with a game controller in their hands.

It’s outrageous problem solving fun that requires “out of the box” thinking and hi-jinx for the entire family that makes full use of the Wii’s controllers.

THE SCATTY PROFESSOR IS BACK with his wacky lab filled with falling anvils, rolling spheres, floating balloons, dancing crash-test-dummies and flying turtles to mention just few of his outrageous tools and gadgets. All are at the players’ disposal to use as they set up crazy machines and start wacky chain reactions while solving some of the most outrageous riddles known to man as the weird science of the Professor sends them on a trip around the world.

So, Go Ahead – Break his riddles!

More than 100 items for player to create and solve some very weird science experiments. With over 100 levels there’s unlimited possibilities for creativity and fun that can be developed independently or shared with family and friends. There are also seven beautifully animated “cartoon quality” setting like the Caribbean and North Pole.

Key Features

• Action Mode – Play alone and break the riddles.
• Coop Mode – Break the Riddles together.
• Party Mode – Play against each other.
• Sandbox Mode – Set up your own wacky chain reactions and share them with your friends.
• Full use of the Wii TM Controllers.

My boys, both the 5- and 7-year-old, had a great time with it.  The 5-year-old was more entertained with the Co-op Mode and Party Mode, while my older son really took to the solo mode.  He is a huge fan of those previously mentioned tablet games, so I knew this was going to be a home run for him.  The interaction with the Wii controller makes it really easy to move around and manipulate the pieces.  We are also fans of unlocking items and things, so while playing we were on a quest for gold gear wheels, as well.

For me, though, the real gem of this game is the sandbox, which not only allows you to design, but also lets you share them.  Want to take about a creative learning experience?  The sandbox has it for you, even getting as deep as a logic system.  It has been a while since I have seen AND/OR logic chips, but Crazy Machines has them.  This puts this “game” in the serious learning tool category, and I feel like it would work well in a school curriculum, as well. 

All of the learning aside, Crazy Machines does a great job at creating a “game” that will keep your kids entertained for a quite a long time, especially with the abililty to send and receive new levels.  The load times did seem a bit longer than I would have expected, but due to the nature of the game it was not all that distracting.  This is the type of Wii Game that a parent should not feel guilty about purchasing for their children–they should actually be proud of it.