The premise is simple, the story line linear, and the visuals aren’t what you would call a benchmark for the Wii’s capabilities. However, there is a charm about Wing Island that will appeal to gamers who enjoy the simple pleasures in life without the demands of being too complex or having a steep learning curve.

Wing Island will lead gamers through 20 missions ranging from racing to crop dusting, which will provide plenty of diversity from mission to mission. It is fair to say that the simple visual design won’t be the showcase title for the Wii if you want to wow onlookers, as this game looks nothing more than something delivered on the Game Cube. While the flight areas are vast in size, the architecture is simple, yet colorful. The bi-plane design is reminiscent of WWI aircrafts, which will leave gamers wanting to take that highway to the danger zone a bit subdued. The polygon count is very low, so don’t expect intricate details in either the plane models or landscapes. The HUD is simple, providing the necessities as far as score counters, timer countdowns, and map displays. The game is colorful indeed, which fits the “family friendly” moniker that Nintendo shoots for with their target audience. Presentation is also simple complete with a slideshow style story line with no CG or voice acting present. All which rounds off the cute package, but far from impressive from a technical standpoint.

Where the team at Hudson grabs your attention is the game play, which gamers can jump right in and take flight. Using the Wii’s motion controls, you simply point the controller at the screen and maneuver accordingly. If you want to make a turn, just simply bend your wrist left or right. To descend or ascend bend your wrist up and down. Other controls such as barrel rolls or thrusters can be implemented by a series of Wii controller movements, none of which are complicated or difficult to remember. The controls themselves are very responsive and will relinquish any frustration in accomplishing your tasks. Even controlling formations are easy as you can vary from V-style formations, to setting your group in a straight line. Each formation serves a different purpose that will provide more speed or turn radius depending on which formation you choose to use. These formations are changeable at the press of a button and wrist command to perform ‘on the fly’ formation changes. Whether you are putting out fires, dropping off boxes, racing through rings, dusting crops, or even stopping thieves from stealing treasure, the controls in Wing Island will be the least of your worries when trying to complete each mission.

Each of the 20 missions aren’t terrible in length and will give you the option to repeat and better your times. Each mission will allow you to earn money to unlock new and faster planes, but the variety of these planes isn’t what you would call significant. There is a 2-player mode, but only in the form of mini-games, so take those thoughts of conquering the skies elsewhere as you won’t find them here in Wing Island. The Wii has also yet to implement online play, so alas no content as such will be found here either.

If you enjoy the simple things in life, Wing Island just may be your perfect getaway. The controls are tight and simple, the level design isn’t complex, and the premise is a simple “get from point A to B” in as little time as possible. The game isn’t terribly long either; so don’t expect this visit to Wing Island to be an extended one. Even with 2 player mini games, you will be playing this title in short, yet fun, doses. Wing Island definitely isn’t a successor to the mighty Pilotwings franchise, but it is similar enough that fans of the series will happily take that stroll down memory lane while playing this title.