Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party [Wii]

Many games have tried to get the family-friendly, Nintendo Wii mini-game collection right. Few have succeeded. This, however, is one of them. Don't expect world-changing originality, and don't expect to have much fun with it on your own, but in a Wii marketplace bogged down with cheap and nasty cash-ins, Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party is a refreshing reminder of just how much fun Nintendo's console can be.

Yeah, there's a plot, and it vaguely involves Ubisoft's once-proud-but-now-abandoned mascot Rayman, peripherally. The Rabbids, with their catchy battle cry "Gaaaaaaaahhh," are the true stars of the show. Really, the story is just an excuse to tie together a collection of zany mini-games that use the controllers in bizarre fashions: as the twist-grip for a motorcycle throttle, or the pump for a railroad cart, or the handle of a frying pan. And as the name suggests, it's aimed squarely at multiplayer gaming.

A Wii mini-game fest with hilarious controls? Who'd of thunk it? It's certainly true that the Wii is excessively blessed with games in this style, but what differentiates TV Party from its largely mediocre competition is the simple fact that the vast majority of its mini-games are actually fun. To pick just a few examples from the 65-plus offerings, there's a dancing stage that's nearly meaty enough to carry an entire game; a cooking section that would do a dedicated cooking title proud; and a zombie-spoof shooter that's a real hoot.

Moreover, each stage is presented beautifully, with a daytime-TV shtick that suits the shallow, bite-size games to a tee. Each is introduced with a clear summary of the controls, which are varied, effective, and straightforward enough that the game can be thrown to a room full of seven year-olds without prompting confusion. Some offer handicap systems, too, so gaming pros can level the playing fields with less experienced chums without embarrassment.

You'll also spot the prominent Wii Balance Board logo on the front of the packaging. In a brave attempt to discover new depths of silliness, TV Party allows -- nay, encourages -- you to use the Balance Board in some of its games. At various times it's a snowboard, an accelerator/brake pedal set, and a seat. Yes, this is indeed a video game you can play with your butt. It is both as impractical and as entertaining as it sounds.

Although it has its gimmicky moments, there's still a real sense of refinement and polish about the game, an impression of a series that's already made its mistakes and learned from them. The Rabbids might be monosyllabic, both in terms of their vocabulary and their antics, but they're pros at this game by now. It's also thoughtfully enhanced with online leaderboard support and a couple of other WiFi-enabled features that'll boost the game's lasting appeal, if you're into that stuff.

Serious game addicts will pass over Rabbids quickly, and it's not going to entertain anyone for long in single-player. Nor is it devoid of the odd weaker link in its mini-game chain. But that's not why anyone plays these games. If you're possessed of some friends, a selection of age-appropriate beverages and the appropriate hardware, this is one TV Party that's guaranteed good ratings.