So I downloaded Grill Off and played it for a solid, um, 15 minutes at most, just long enough to beat the default high score on my second try. The game's kind of fun, and while during the tutorial I was thinking it would be like patting my head and rubbing my belly at the same time, it's super simple to control.

I don't think you'll have to worry about carpal tunnel syndrome with this one because it's unlikely that you'll be playing it for very long. The scoring system is good arcade fun, but the longer you play, the more tired your wrists will get, so chances are that after reaching a decent score and messing up, you won't want to select "Try Again".

I'm guessing it's also probably good for some short-lived multiplayer fun, but I won't find that out for myself for a while.

Should you spent 80 Nintendo Club points on it? Well, that's up to you. If you're like me and will take games, no matter how simplistic, over stickers and posters, then yes, absolutely. But it's really something you'll be picking up every once in a while, play for 15 minutes, and put away again.

URL to share (right click and copy)

I agree with your review. It is a remarkably shallow game that you won't want to spend more than 10-15 minutes on at a time. That said, you might want to come back now and again to try to make a top score. I assume the game is more fun multiplayer. Will give it a shot this weekend.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 04/01/10, 17:16

Posted by

Secret_Tunnel

on: 04/03/10, 21:59

I also agree. Pretty horrible. But funny, novelty horrible. So whatever. It's just 80 points. That crazy ad makes the game's existence worthwhile.

The game might have actually been fun and still fairly unique if it was Wiimote only, and you moved the arm with IR and squeezed the A and B to reach out and grab, but I guess they were shooting for obtuse and weird. If so, congratulations, Nintendo! Bulls-eye.

Posted by

Anand

on: 04/03/10, 22:04

Edited:

04/03/10, 22:08

I played this for a few minutes and that was all I could take!

Posted by

Godzookie

on: 04/03/10, 22:32

Edited:

04/03/10, 22:34

Did Tim & Eric write and direct that commercial? Because it was awesome.

Posted by

Het_Nkik

on: 04/04/10, 01:45

So I just had a dream last night that there was an arcade version of this game. Except it was more like a carnival game that required an attendant, and everything was real and there was no video game to speak of. But it was still in an arcade. Also it only used potatoes I'm assuming because it's cheaper. And instead of the Ultra Hand you used a simplified device where you just pulled/pushed a handle on the back of the device to extend/retract the arm. And there was a skewer on the end instead of a grabber.

Didn't play because there was no attendant, no one to play against (I think it was vs only), and it cost too much.

Of course the arcade was in a parking garage/museum that changed themes every time you crossed then uncrossed your eyes so I'm not surprised not many people had discovered the video game theme with the arcade.

It was a weird night.

Posted by

Het_Nkik

on: 04/04/10, 21:57

Did you get eaten by a T-Rex at the end of the dream?

They actually have a cheapie Ultra Hand-ish robot arm that you use with a trigger at Toys'R'Us (or Jewel, maybe?). It was disturbingly tempting. I was like, "Think of all the crazy uses for this thing!!" But then I couldn't think of any.

Posted by

Anand

on: 04/04/10, 22:04

@Secret_Tunnel

Posted by

Pandareus

on: 04/05/10, 05:47

Yeah, I've adopted it as my "what is this I don't even" face.

Posted by

Pandareus

on: 04/05/10, 14:48