Target: Terror

Rarely does a really bad game leave me feeling completely satisfied and with a huge smile on my face as if I just walked out of theater having seen a really hilarious movie. In fact, after having played my share of bad games I feel the sting of disappointment as if I know the game could have been a lot better than it turned out. Yet after playing through the 10 glitch-filled levels that Target: Terror for the Nintendo Wii has to offer, I found myself walking away from my console with a massive grin plastered on my mug. Target: Terror is a bad game but at the same time it’s the type of game you won’t easily put down.

If the last statement was confusing, please allow me to explain. You see, Target: Terror is the type of game that would have fit right at home in the early 1990s when light-gun games used horribly pixilated real actors in a horribly pixilated environment. The actors would shoot at you, grimace when they get shot and get riddled with bullets as badly rendered blood flew everywhere. It’s a lot like one of those poorly made-for-cable action films of the late 1980s where the terrorists wore cheap black sunglasses indoors and tracksuits. Oh, and the female terrorist were hot models who knew how to fire submachine guns without breaking a nail.

In this game you play a nameless, faceless member of an anti-terrorist squad who is sent into three locations hit by a group of terrorists with no real motives. There’s no story in this game so I’m assuming the terrorist just want to cause chaos and destruction in the local airport, the Golden Gate Bridge and a nuclear plant. What we do get is a television anchorwoman who seems excited by the news that there are terrorists running around these locations.

Armed with your Wii Remote or, better yet, your Wii Zapper, you are immediately tossed into the action. The first introductory level places you in the airport where terrorists seized the terminals as well as the tower. Terrorists pop up from every corner and fire away at you and, occasionally, a terrorist thug who jumps up in front with a gun or dynamite or a chainsaw. There are, of course, civilians that appear as well and you are penalized one measly point for shooting them. Oh yeah, these innocent civilians appear in the most unusual places sometimes and you’ll start questioning how a cute brunette in a short skirt and tight top got into the restricted area in the nuclear facility anyway.

The game’s levels are separated into three segments for each location with the last level being a major showdown. Each level has a number of power ups that turn your pistol into a machine gun, a shotgun or even a grenade launcher. There is even a satellite icon that flies in front of the screen so if you shoot it a satellite in space fires an electrical pulse that wipes out every terrorist in the area. There are also secret objectives that, upon completion, will unlock nine very wacky mini-games that are even more outrageous than the main game. The mini-games range from a Missile Command-styled game to a golf course filled with terrorists you bring down by swinging a putter and hitting them with an explosive ball.

There’s never a dull moment in the game even though the terrorists are a riot to watch and there’s just something amusing by earning a triple combo by shooting terrorists in the crotch. As cheesy as the action gets, however, there is no shortage of fun. Unfortunately, the game has a number of glitches that pop up just as frequently as that pesky suicide bomber. The framerate often hiccups and throws your aim off at times and sometimes reloading (done pointing the Wii Remote downward) sometimes doesn’t register. The Wii Zapper is a better bet for shooter fans and an even better one seeing as the unlockable Justice Mode allows you to dual-wield two of them.

Graphically, Target: Terror is awful as well. The actors don’t move as smoothly but their death animations will have you laughing out loud at the exaggerated grimaces of pain or the way they fall over dead. The game adds animated blood and gore that doesn’t look natural at all but does blend in with the simplistic and awfully rendered backgrounds. On the plus side, environmental objects can be shot and sometimes the visual effects can be good.

The game’s sound is slightly better than the game’s graphics thanks, in part, to its awful action B-movie soundtrack and so-so sound effects that make gunfire come through nicely in whatever sound system you have setup with your console. The voice acting will bring back memories of the early shooters that shouted everything. The news anchorwoman repeats the same line each level so other than the screams of terrorists getting shot, there’s nothing here that stands out.

Target: Terror for the Nintendo Wii is one of those games that is hard to put a finger on because despite its problems it is still a fun game to play. It’s one of those games that is seriously bad but at the same time you won’t be able to help be swept away by its retro appeal and addictively mindless bloody action. Even with the problems and dated look, I still recommend this one to light-gun shooter fans. Of course, paying the full retail value is out of the question. Wait until this one appears in a bargain bin for less than $15. In other words, miss this one and the terrorist do win.

Gameplay: 5.0
If it wasn’t for the framerate issues and the occasional targeting problems, Target: Terror would have been brilliant piece of work. Still, even with its problems, this game manages to be fun and rarely does it take itself seriously. That alone is worth a look, right?

Graphics: 3.5
The minute you see a construction worker dancing his way through a shootout you know you’re in for some hysterical eye candy. Sadly, the backgrounds are horrendous and the “live-action” actors are recycled throughout the game.

Sound: 4.5
I was going to say something funny about the sound but the voice acting and music will do a better job of making you laugh. Target: Terror, we’re laughing with you not at you.

Difficulty: Medium
I don’t know what will kill you faster … the chainsaw-wielding terrorist or the fact that the framerate stutter throws your aim off? The bullets, grenades and dynamite sticks fly fast and plentiful in the game but luckily you get enough credits to get by in this game.

Concept: 5.0
Holy cow, was that a busty model in a Catholic school girl outfit in a nuclear missile silo? It’s things like this that make Target: Terror such an over-the-top cheesy action game. Well, that and the fact that there are hilarious death animations in this game. Despite the technical flaws, this game is perfect with the Wii Zapper.

Multiplayer: 4.5
Technically, Justice Mode was designed for you to hold a second Wii Remote like dual-wielding guns but you can always pass the second controller to a friend. A friend can join at any time during the main mode but, sadly, you share the points.

Overall: 5.0
Aside from the iffy framerate issues and the super bad video that would feel right at home in the 1990s, Target: Terror is one of those quirky novelties that are somehow way too much fun to pass up. Yes, it’s a bad game destined for the bargain bin but at the same time it’s one of those rare games that has some redeeming qualities worthy of look for anyone who likes light-gun action games. Wait until the price is just right before buying … which should be pretty soon.