Customer Reviews

Surfs Up

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Seeing as 'Surf's Up' is a licensed cross-platform title, most gamers would be wary of the content contained therein; as the trend goes, licensed video games = bad, cross-platform titles = worse. As is most frequently the case, these games are often designed and coded for the lowest common denominator - in this case, the PS2. The graphics are jagged and blurry at best, the voice acting minimal and repetitive, and the 'fun' rating next to nil.

Fortunately for Wii console owners, 'Surf's Up' defies (nearly) all of these less-than-pleasant expectations. The title is fun, frantic, and friendly; the controls are largely intuitive, the action non-stop, and the thrills paramount. For a casual gamer, 'Surf's Up' stands as the quintessence of a perfect summer release -- all play, no work. The in-game graphics are sufficient and (thankfully) have been significantly upgraded beyond those experienced on the PS2 version. The visuals are shiny and slick with realistic wave design and execution. Several coastlines stand ready to be rocked and to the gamer's delight, none of them are especially similar. When it comes to aquatic sports games, nothing is worse than the misery and tedium of monotony; 'Surf's Up' skillfully navigates around this all-too-common trap.

Despite all of its positive attributes, the game remains incredibly narrow in scope; experienced or hardcore gamers would be prudent to shy away from 'Surf's Up,' seeing as the title features a rather modest campaign mode (approximately three or so hours) and a deficit of immersive content. The gamer selects a penguin-of-choice, chooses a venue, and rides waves. He or she collects trick points based upon the number of skillful maneuvers he or she successfully completes. At the end of a race, his/her point total is tabulated and should it meet the pre-selected 'benchmark,' a prize is awarded. Although incredibly enjoyable, the game follows a largely linear plot progression, affording the gamer with no personal surprises or unique experiences. This isn't necessarily a flaw, seeing as one will only experience the *best* content the game has to offer but for those who enjoy free-roaming thrills, 'Surf's Up' proves incapable.

Despite all that PETA-friendly title has going for it, its $49.99 list price remains absurdly inflated; yes the game is fun and yes the design decent but considering the simplicity of the gameplay, fifty bucks stands just about twenty too high. Give the title a few months and just like the 'Ice Age 2' Wii release, 'Surf's Up' will no doubt experience a well-deserved price cut. It is only then that the game will really ride high atop the competition~

PROS -
+ Pickup and Play Design; Races are Fun, Frantic, and Fulfilling.
+ Graphics are Very Much Improved from Those Experienced on the PS2; the Title has been Wii-ified and Given Special Attention.
+ Intuitive Controls Which Feature Ache-Free Movements (no painfully wild jerks and swings).
+ Voice Acting is Solid and (Largely) Non-Repetitive; The Film's Voice Performers Reprise Their Roles.

CONS -
-- Title Lacks Adjustable Difficulty Settings; Experienced Gamers Will Likely Complete All Objectives and Beat the Game Within Three Hours.
-- Although Sufficient, Graphics Could Still Be Very Much Improved; Some Jagged Lines Witnessed & Environmental Mapping is Often Delayed (thereby causing not-too-distant objects to 'pop' on-screen)
-- Menus & Option Adjustment Screens Unresponsive; User Inputs are Frequently Missed (thankfully, this issue does not recur during in-game action).
-- Title is Wildly Overpriced; $29.99 Would More Than Fit the Bill.

Surfing Penguins! I couldn't have thought of a better kids game to start the summer. Surf's Up - The Video Game, is the movie tie-in for - yes you guessed it - Surf's Up. This children friendly surfing game let's even the youngest of players perform cool (and highly unrealistic) aerial maneuvers and stunts. Teens and adults looking for a "real" surfing simulation should look elsewhere (try Transworld Surf for the Xbox). The game offers several different surf spots that are based on locations from the movie. 1-4 Players can play together using splitscreen mode and for those of you looking for a break from surfing, try Leaf Sliding on one of three different tracks. The game offers several unlock-able characters, surfboards and surf spots. Which thanks to the easy difficulty should be no problem to unlock. If you have kids or like Penguins or like Surfing or all of the above; you should give this ride a try.

I bought this game for the grandchildren to play when they come over, but I had to try it out first and now I'm hooked. The graphics are absolutely breathtaking to start with. I could never get the hang of using the nunchuck and the other controller at the same time in any other game the kids played. This one has a wonderful teaching area that lets you practice each move until you get it right. And you use every imaginable move on both remotes - I think the grandkids are going to get a real surprise when they see Grandma - I just might beat them at this game! I can't believe how much fun it is to play this, and now I can't wait for someone to play it with!!

Never has my grandson liked any gift more than,"Surf's Up." His dad says when my grandson gets up in the morning the first thing he has been saying is"Dad can I play "Surf's Up" now?"
Liam, my grandson is five.

good game! Great game cosidering what you can buy it for now. my kids love playing it and so do I.

My 9yo daughter and I, 60yo, enjoyed this game a lot- but we both had trouble advancing through the different skill levels.

I saw a review that said they went through entire thing in 5 hrs. So there must be some pretty spectacular players out there.
We aren't at that level and wish there was a way to make it more compatible with our skill level so we could play it more.

I don't know why I picked up this game for Wii, I know the dangers of games licensed after animated film titles. However, I like surfing games and "Surf's Up" was a cute film that my family enjoyed at the theater. Other reviews cite this game as being really easy and you can complete it in three hours. I find that pretty amazing as I've been playing it several hours a day over the last four days, and I'm not even close.

As another reviewer warned, your thumb, which you use to steer fast and furiously and to climb waves to perform extra tricks, will give out on you. I think I'm going to have to switch games for a few days.

The graphics are cute, the characters are as you remember from the film (even Chicken Joe) and the courses are varied and challenging.

I'm having a lot of fun with this one, I'm really glad I got it.

If you are a parent hesitating to purchase this game, don't! I highly recommend this for kids, It has great graphics, music and the level goals are reachable (not like some games that are so difficult for kids it's not even fun) the kids got encouraged to surf thanks to this game :)

I bought this for my 7-year-old and he loves it... as does my 4-year-old. They can be a couple of the characters from the Surfs Up movie and they can't really fail at the surfing.

The premise is good. The main controls are intuitive. However, to do a surfing trick is a matter of button pressing which is unfortunate since surfing tricks could be mimicked with controller moves on the wii.

We haven't gone through many levels yet. The newness has worn off for them and the level advances haven't lured them back.

If you live near a beach, spend the money on a used board.. or boogie board and go learn about real waves instead.. but if you have the extra cash, this can keep a kid excited about the ocean.

Oh.. that reminds me... Endless Ocean for the Wii is a must for any adult or kid that wants to explore the ocean!

It was fun to play, exciting, and kept him sitting for hours on his Wii. It made even him wrestle him for to give a couple of shots at playing it.