For a gimmick game, Link’s Crossbow Training is actually pretty good. I mean, it’s not great or really needs to be an actual game, but Nintendo could have done worse. As for the actual use for it, the Wii Zapper, I really didn’t see why it was really needed to began with. Simply using the nunchuck and wii mote made it play just the same, and I was even able to get a platinum medal my first try on the last stage. The game consists of 3 different types of stages, usually each one is time within any given level, target shooting, defending, and ranger stages. Target shooting is basic enough, simply shoot each target without missing to constantly up your score. The target shooting stages really add nothing new to the series, and honestly you could find them in most Zelda games as mini-games. However the defending and ranger stages are where this game gets a bit more interesting. Defending is exactly how it sounds and makes you defend your area either right in front of you or prevent an all out scale assault around you. It’s a bit lackluster to what it could be, but it’s at least very action based, and makes for a few exciting moments. The thing that really separates the crossbow training from the mama luigis though, is the ranger stages. In these stages you walk around and look for your targets to go and kill. In a way it’s like playing house of the dead ala Zelda. The only problem with the ranger stages is that each of them are pretty dang short, so while its a fun ride its a very short one on top of an already short game.
Really though, Link’s Crossbow Training doesn’t really feel like a full fledged game despite the retail release saying otherwise. I admire that Nintendo won’t just sell a gimmick without some sort of quality to it. However the Wii Zapper just wasn’t interesting enough to get past anything more than a gimmick, you could play the game that came with it, completely without it, and the game that did come with it is rather shallow to began with. I don’t doubt that Link’s Crossbow Training could have been better, but for what it is now is simply short and bitter sweet. Honestly for the bit of the time I played it I wished for a longer game with more ranger stages, but it just didn’t happen. Course that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t pick this up. If you’re able to find this for fairly cheap, talking 2$ or less, then it certainly is something to look into. Its short, bit gimmicky, but it’s still a lot of fun.
Final Thoughts:
There really isn’t a way for Link’s Crossbow Training to be anymore than a device to sell a gimmicky accessory that wasn’t needed to begin with. Still for what it is though, it’s a good game, and still provides a lot of fun entertainment for those that like the mini-game shooting galleries in the original games. Link’s Crossbow Training is also probably the closest we will ever get to see Link in a “House of Dead “-esque game.