Editor's Choice Games
Game Wave Family Entertainment System
Reviewed by Angie Kibiloski
Recently I attended the CES Consumer Electronics Show and discovered a fantastic Family Entertainment System called Game Wave (Retail $79 - $99), from ZAPiT Games. The Game Wave unit is a gaming console, like Nintendo or Playstation, which connects to any television screen, and is designed to be used with Game Wave Games, of which there is a growing selection. The unit can also play DVD movies, but the primary function is to be a fun and all-inclusive gaming experience for the whole family.
The game console comes equipped with 4 remote controls (batteries included), but you can purchase an additional two remotes, for up to 6 players at a time. Each remote is accented with a different color, to designate the players, and corresponds to their answers, game cards, and scores on screen. These remotes, when not in use, nestle snuggly in an attractive storage case, which in turn fits flush alongside the Game Wave unit itself, presenting you with a pleasing compliment to your entertainment center.
When you purchase a Game Wave, one game comes packaged with the console to get you started, 4 Degrees-Vol. 1. This is a trivia game that presents players with 4 progressively revealing clues with which to choose an answer. With each clue, the point value of a correct answer decreases. Each player controls their gaming experience with their own remote, and each player has a chance to answer. When the time is up, a score card is shown with each player's score, both for that question and for the entire game so far. Players take turns choosing question categories, and might even get a chance to increase their possible winnings with a roll of the dice. A bonus round called Arc of Time gives everyone a chance to win extra points by putting 6 historical events in chronological order. This is a really fun game of knowledge and speed, and unlike most trivia games, everyone gets a chance to answer each question.
Lock 5 (Retail $24.99) is another great game that can be purchased separately. It is a combination of a slot machine and the classic game of Yahtzee. Each player has a game card, with combinations of numbers that must be satisfied, like 3 of a Kind, Two Pair, Small Straight, and so forth. Each player also has a set of five numbers that appears through a spin, like on a slot machine. Each has the option of holding which numbers they like and a chance to get better number through 3 total spins. At the end of three spins, each chooses which combination on the game card they wish to use their numbers against. Each combination can only be used once. The player who has managed to gain the most points and fills the most combination spaces wins.
Letter ZAP is a word search game in which each player gets a grid of their own letters. Before time runs out, they each try to connect letters in the grid, horizontally, vertically, and diagonally to form as many words as they can, the more letters the better. After 4 rounds the scores are tallied to see which player is the better wordsmith. There are two modes, Letter ZAP Cube, where no two players have the same grid at a time, and Letter ZAP Tag where everyone is playing on the same large grid, and a letter disappears once it is used. Either mode you choose, you have to be quick and think fast.
Rewind 2005 is similar to 4 Degrees, in that it is a trivia game, but there are some incredibly fun differences. The similarities are that you get 4 clues, each giving more obvious information about the answer, and the possible point value of a correct answer decreases as each clue is given. The differences begin after that. The person with the fewest points gets to choose the question category, something that those of us who are trivia challenged will be grateful for. As each clue is given, a possible answer disappears, until only one correct and one incorrect answer remains. If you make a mistake, for instance if the answer you have chosen disappears, you may use one of your five allotted "re-takes," which simply means you can change your answer once. However, at the end of the game, you get points for every "re-take" that you haven't used. Periodically during the game, bonus games will occur, called True or False, and News or Not, in which you must wager a point value, and choose either whether a statement is true or false, or which out of three news headlines actually happened.
Other games that you can purchase for the Game Wave are 4 Degrees-Vol. 2, 4 Degrees-Bible, Re-Wind, ZAP 21, and new in 2007 are Click, Gemz, and Rewind 2006. It is really great to see a competitor on the console game market other than the Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft giants. Game Wave from ZAPiT Games is a really quality product, with an affordable price and some very cool games. Especially if your family is into trivia, board games, family game nights, etc, I urge you to give it a try. Jump on board and ride the Game Wave to a fun time for you and the whole family.