The price of Niki: Rock and Ball is small, but so is the game's fun factor and challenge. IGN appreciates the attempt to recreate the feel and simple quick-shot action of classics like Bubble Bobble, but what the team created on the Wii just doesn't stack up to its inspiration.
Presentation - 5.0
Graphics - 4.5
Sound - 5.5
Gameplay - 4.5
Lasting Appeal - 5.0
Overall -
From N-Europe.com: "Fledgeling Viennese developer Bplus has been one of the strongest supporters of the WiiWare format, and has succeeded in showing others just what can be accomplished with a small team, a low budget, and a magic pot cooking up some cracking ideas.
However, it appears that Bplus are now straying away from WiiWare and into Wii retail territory, as the team announces the development of Vektor Tank."
CheatCC says: "This is definitely not the kind of game to recommend to friends. It could have been much more exciting, if the controls were just right. However, the low price-point may be good enough to help some casual gamers decide to give it a try."
The game's only redeeming factor is the co-op mode. At any point, if a second player wants to join in, all they need to do is turn on their Wii Remote and a second Niki avatar is spawned on the screen. When players team up, they can more quickly complete levels and assist each other in getting to harder-to-reach spots in the levels. The only drawback of the mode is that players must tolerate a further zoomed-out view of the stage as they move further away from each another.
Don't be tempted by Niki - Rock 'n' Ball's budget price. The game is partially broken, uninspired, and most important of all, boring.
