Nintendo Wii Review: Deal or No Deal

This Deal or No Deal game show adaptation on the Wii incorporates Miis, multiplayer options and unlockable awards provide new incentives as you pick from 26 briefcases with models standing in front of each one. Get the largest dollar amount you can as the models reveal the cash in each case. As in the television game show, you don’t need considerable skills, just random luck, which is easy since you don’t have your own money at risk.

Howie Mandel lends his voice talents to the proceedings, but more expression and dialogue variation would have been better. You don’t get any dialogue/interaction options with Howie either, which might have added more humor and variety into the overall game, especially if you chose to insult him.

Thankfully, you always have the option of skipping through the cut scenes and dialogue, even at a rapid pace. The only role left would be to be Howie and, well, that probably wouldn’t make a very exciting game mode because he only facilitates. The main game play expansion here in the Mii incorporation. They respond to your performance in the game, but can’t interact with Howie or the audience members.

A comedy writing mini-game, where you could put in personal information about the contestant then jokes or witty responses together could have been added, but this probably would’ve distracted from the game. A few response options or jabs at the banker would have been nice though.

The point and click format on the Wii works great. Visuals are colorful, but not very detailed. The sound effects and music are authentic to the show. The controls are simple, even giving visual icons/prompts for actions.

Different game modes basically increase the risk, reward and remorse. Double or Nothing, Double Dollar Value, Higher Top Value, and a Million Dollar Mission all have good appeal.
Developers create a few additional modes like a variety set where you pick the games; high stakes earnings choices and a “be the banker” mode that needs more options/freedoms. Maybe celebrity appearance of the banker would spice things up a bit (e.g. Donald Trump, etc.), but would probably open up the game production budget to unrealistic levels.

The three self explanatory mini-games include Sharpshooter, Push Your Luck (choosing an empty case ends the game) and Blackjack, where you don’t go over $2,100. More mini-games involving the cases and other combination with popular games would have been nice and have great possibilities for a possible future installment. The high score marathon mini-game mode puts each mini-game in random order.

The easy difficulty and strong participation elements make this a decent game for younger players and players not familiar with the show. Once show fans and game show vets get oriented to the proceedings, the replay value might be lower due to no online options or lack of expanded multiplayer capabilities.

Show fans and casual gamers will find above average appeal and incentive as they try to improve their spot on the leader boards, but some extra additions and options would have enhanced the overall game play more. This game is a good way for new, unfamiliar players to learn the game.

Deal or No Deal is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB for Mild Suggestive Themes. This game can also be found on Nintendo DS and PC.