Sega Nerds

Review: Sega Bass Fishing

by Graham on April 5th, 2008

It has been nearly 10 years since the original Sega Bass Fishing made a big splash (see what I did there, eh?) in the arcades and on the Dreamcast. Back then, while the concept wasn’t totally unique (Sega had released fishing games before), the delivery of the game using a special fishing rod controller, helped the game make an impact in the gaming world.

Now Sega has re-released the game, with some new features, most importantly the use of the Wiimote in place of the special fishing rod. But does the new control system work? Has the addictive gameplay kept its pace after all these years? Read on to find out.

Firstly gamers should know that Sega Bass Fishing Wii is not a sequel, it is a remake really. I’m telling you this so that fans of the original won’t go out expecting to buy a brand new title in the series. The game brings back the same gameplay ideas of the arcade/Dreamcast original, but with a couple of new modes and new fishing spots to choose from.

New to the game?

Ok so if you have never played Sega Bass Fishing the concept is very simple (catch fish!) and the gameplay is just as easy. You cast your line in the water, and wait for a fish to bite and then reel them in. But unlike real fishing, Sega Bass makes it so that the gameplay comes thick and fast - you don’t end up waiting for hours for a fish to bite, quite often a fish will come within a few seconds.

Getting your tackle out

As I mentioned before, the original version of the game was made fun (and quite unique) with use of a special fishing rod controller. The controller had some basic motion sensor in it, so moving it around would directly relate to your rods position in the game, and the greatest part was the winder - which you had to spin/wind with speed to reel your line in (also made Crazy Taxi more ‘crazy’).

Now the Wiimote is being used, but has Sega done their job in translating the joy of the fishing rod to the console’s main controller? Well the answer is both yes and no.

Players hold the Wiimote and cast a line by flicking their wrists, almost like simulating the action in real life. To reel the line in players can then hold the nunchuck and rotate/wind (in mid air), again simulating the actions of real life.

These two basic hand gestures make the game feel pretty special and kind of bring back the joy that I felt when I first played my Dreamcast version. However while the controller has the more advanced motion sensor technology, it is clearly no match for the physical controls the Dreamcast rod gave players.

You see players can hold the nunchuck in mid-air and wind like a fool (which is good fun), but players can also just shake the nunchuck completely randomly, and will bring pretty much the same effect. Even more strange (I think) is that players don’t need to move the nunchuck at all, instead you can hold down either A or B and the line will come back to you smoother and more effectively than using the nunchuck controls.

One thing that makes it seem even stranger is that players are told when they are doing well when winding in the line. Messages will pop up on screen, like “Great Reeling,” this would be fine if it was just for when using the nunchuck to wind, but the messages also appear when you hold down the buttons, and it feels like a bit of a cop-out when you get told you are doing well, just because you can hold down B for a few seconds.

So essentially players can just hold the Wiimote and detach the nunchuck completely, and play much better. The only real reason I can see players using the nunchuck is because it is just that little bit more fun, as it gives the sensation of using a real fishing rod… well more like a real rod than just holding down a button, at least.

One thing the game does to help players is give hints on how they are doing. I don’t remember this with the original game much, but players are told when the are reeling the line well (as mentioned before), also ‘knocking’ their lures (to help attract fish) and once a fish is in the line, you are told which way to move the rod - so that the line doesn’t break so easily.

The hints are very helpful really, but I’m sure some gamers will think that it makes it all too easy.

Becoming a fishing master

Making a return to the game is the fun Arcade Mode, where players are given a set time to catch fish. Catching and hooking fish will increase the time they have left. They need to catch enough fish to match (or go over) a set weight limit. Once players hit the target, then they move onto the next course. Players need to play through each course in order, to unlock the next. It’s fast, it’s simple, it’s fun.

Also making a return is the Tournament Mode, where players play through the different courses in order, there is no weight limit, but there is a time limit. The idea is to earn top place by the end of the tournament. Plus we have the good old Practice Mode, where players essentially just test out their different lures on any level, any season and any time of day they want - there is still a time limit, but it is much more relaxed than Arcade Mode.

However, making a first appearance is the Nature Trip Mode. Nature Trip is almost exactly the same as Practice Mode, where you choose your course, time of day, season and then just head out and fish. But the difference is that there is no time limit - at least there doesn’t appear to be - and players can just chill out, with some mates and beers and enjoy fishing whenever they want.

Nature Trip really is quite a nice idea, and it does give the players plenty of time to get used to different lures. But I think perhaps they should have done away with Practice Mode instead - they are so similar it’s almost pointless having the two modes together. (Unless I have missed something).

Hey fish-face!

Fans of the Dreamcast game will be taking a trip down memory lane here, not just with gameplay, but visually. The game looks just like the Dreamcast game to me, which isn’t that bad (back then Bass Fishing looked great), but I think some gamers will want more.

Graphically Bass Fishing is fine. To be honest for a Wii game I doubt anyone will be complaining, but there are better looking games around for the system (I seem to say that a lot of late with current Wii games).

The one thing that I think does look better are the fish though, they look far smoother and more realistic than I remember.

Sounds of nature

The sound and music in the game, also, does not appear to have changed much. When casting your line and waiting for the fish to bite, you are treated to a relaxing tune, then once the fish bite the music ramps up and your ears are given a good blast of fast rock music.

I like the music and I like the way it is used. It helps to match the pace of the gameplay (slow to fast) and the faster music does bring some much need excitement to the gameplay.

One lovely feature is the use of the Wiimote’s speaker. All the sounds the rod makes can be heard directly from the Wiimote. It’s not just for a nice effect either, as players can hear the line’s tension and reeling speed through the speaker, and can adjust their movements accordingly.

Catching an extra boot

Just like the Dreamcast version, the Wii game has plenty of unlockable lures - like the Sonic the Hedgehog lure.

The game also offers the hardcore players the chance to expand on the basic arcade experience. The fish will react differently to different lures, depending on the time of day, season and water temperature. There is also a few different types of fish, some are very active and swim a lot, while others float around being lazy - the different fish types will react to different lures. Players will need learn the game to become true masters.

Summary:

Sega Bass Fishing Wii is not a bad game at all. However it is so similar to the Dreamcast game, that I don’t think anyone who still owns the original will really need to bother with it. That coupled with the Wiimote not being as fun to use as the Rod Controller, makes it harder to suggest buying.

Nevertheless, gamers who have never played the original will most likely find the game very enjoyable still. But I have to admit, that I would often find myself saying “Just one more game” and finishing about 10 games later - it is still pretty addictive.

However, just like back in 1998/99, the game is an acquired taste and not for everyone.

Final Thought:

Sega Bass Fishing is still quite easily the best fishing game around, bringing one of the world’s most popular sports to the living room, and giving it a bit of added ‘jazz’ for the gaming community. But I think gamers will have preferred to see a new fishing game and not an updated version of a 10 year old game.

Get it if you haven’t played the original, or sold/lost your copy. But it’s really not an essential purchase.

6/10 - GOOD

~G~

Related Stories

No related posts

POSTED IN: Europe, G, Nintendo Wii, Review, Video