The digital release of The Wonderful 101 Remastered is quickly approaching, and that means that it's time for reviews to hit. This is the first time PlatinumGames' weird but fascinating title has come to a PlayStation console, after originally releasing on the Nintendo Wii U. And, well, thoughts and opinions are still all over the place seven years later. We've compiled a number of reviews below for your viewing pleasure while we wait on the Push Square review.
IGN - 9/10
As a remaster, this updated version of The Wonderful 101 is not going to impress anyone with its minor improvements to performance and small adjustments to make it a bit more accessible to newcomers. However, the fact remains that this is The Wonderful 101, one of the best action games of a generation, and one that has tragically – until now – been locked on a relatively niche console. This remaster is the best way to play The Wonderful 101, which is something that I can’t recommend strongly enough, for those willing to power through its learning curve.
Destructoid - 8/10
The Wonderful 101 deserves this new Remastered lease on life after the way it was treated on the Wii U. For nearly seven years we've clamored for a re-release, and now we have it. Go play it this time.
Nintendo World Report - 6/10
I wish I loved The Wonderful 101. It’s absolutely oozing in style that leaves me grinning ear to ear, and I always wanted to see what was coming next. The problem was that the process of actually seeing what came next was a dreadful slog that just frustrated me more and more as the game went on. It feels like a game made for the most dedicated of Platinum Games fans, and I’m certain that anyone who loves racking up combos as quickly as possible for platinum medals will love this game. Diehard fans of character action games will have a lot to love here, but everyone else will have to put up with a lot of trouble to get to the good parts.
Gamespot - 4/10
Even if the technical hiccups get fixed in a patch, though, the Wonderful 101 doesn’t stand the test of time. Remastered or not, I constantly felt like there were missing steps or if I was figuring things out too slowly to keep up with the hyperactive story and its multifaceted gameplay. What’s more, the transition to the Switch, even with its touchscreen capabilities has only exacerbated the game’s core problems. There’s a great concept and the good combat mechanics we know Platinum can achieve in there, but you’ll need a lot of patience to find them.
Finger Guns - 4/10
I’m sure those who loved The Wonderful 101 the first time around will get a kick out of playing this game again on modern day consoles with nicer visuals. For those that hadn’t experienced it before though, this remaster feels like an artifact from a bygone age that couldn’t adapt to a new set of input’s without the Wii U controller. The combat and concept are still sound 7 years on. Everything else needed to be reworked or tweaked further.
Are you picking up The Wonderful 101 Remastered next week? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments 30
Honestly, I’m ok with it just being the original game because I never did get round to it.
so 2 bad reviews, one from a site i have never heard of and one is from "we're sacking a guy because his review pissed off our sponsor" gamespot
yeah not taking any notice of those
This seems like the kinda game that NEEDS a demo! Either that or PSN needs a refund policy (well, they need that regardless).
I've played plenty of other Platinum games so I can believe it's a solid experience, BUT it looks so weird that I'm not sure I'll really like it!
Comparing IGN's original review of the game from 2013 to their more recent one is a very telling look at just how much less critical they've become of Nintendo.
l could understand bad reviews only if the controls are really really clunky. I mean really clunky, not just complex.
I still remember this as the most colourful and crazy experience on WiiU.
Oh wow, we need a demo, if it plays anything like Bayo or Vanquish, I’d love it.
@Feena it is nothing like them
I actually backed this game on kickstarter and I'm excited for this
So are Finger Guns people we can trust? Never heard of them
Already got (and redeem) the game code from KS on psn, but I can't find the game yet on psn website.
@FullbringIchigo thank you for the heads up. I love when there are medal ranks to get in the encounters but I have to like the battle system.
It was fun but mediocre at best on Wii U and we've had far better games in the genre since and many from Platinum themselves
Gamespot hahahahaha
Just like with the original release, a lot of the more negative reviews can be boiled down to them complaining it's too hard.
Loved the original on Wii U. I'm definitely getting this on PS4. The Gamespot review reads as "I suck, it's the game's fault".
Why is this being released on PlayStation?
I've decided I'm going to give this a go, and none of the negative reviews are swaying me in the slightest. I might not enjoy it, but Platinum games always seem to make quality experiences imo!
Platinum games has an amazing track record and I love the idea of having to draw your weapons out, I’m really looking forward to giving this a try.
Why are you looking at Switch reviews?
It is possible (however unlikely it would seem) that the PS4 reason doesn't have issues that the Switch version has.
An excellent and original concept from Platinum games. I'd put it against anything else made by Platinum. I still have my WiiU copy and to me it's still the best way to play. Anyone who hasn't played should give it a shot. W101 has some of the most insane sequences of any game. Remember those quick time events from God of war or Asuras wrath? Like that only you're actually playing the events. It has homages to other classics as well that play out in such a rewarding way. There's a Saturday morning cartoon feel to it that's just awesome. If you're old enough to remember Saturday morning cartoons that is. If you are? You had an awesome childhood. I still play it regularly and it will always be in my collection. One of the most unique gaming experiences out there in a cookie cutter industry.
@Feena i don't know if you have a Wii U (or know anyone who does) but there is a demo on there of the original release you could play
@Enuo Wait...you mean IGN still does reviews & not just re-issues of P.R. posts these days?!
This is honestly my favorite Wii U game, AND my favorite Platinum game, and considering my physical Switch got delayed and seems to be a bit spotty with performance I do intend to get it digitally for my PS4 Pro Tuesday.
Frankly said though, this is a game that will probably always divide people. A demo might help but it also turned people away on Wii U. It's a game that has a learning curve and asks a lot of the player upfront in understanding its systems. And even if you know how to play it I do see people bouncing off of it.
I can recommend it to those that really sink their teeth into stuff like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta fairly easily, but know that, for better or worse, there really is no other game like Wonderful 101.
@nessisonett I tried playing the first 10 minutes on my Wii u many years ago and just felt overwhelmed by all of the combat features.
Especially when I was forced to use the GamePad...hopefully the game will play alot more smoothly on PS4.
@keihtg PSN does have a refund policy: https://support.playstation.com/s/article/Requesting-a-Refund?language=en_US
@OGGamer Saturday Morning Cartoons were awesome. Younger generation is missing out with the good amount of animation available for streaming readily on NetFlix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max etc.
Though I do admit "TV Channels" will eventually be phased out and completely replaced by digital streaming and downloads.
@KidBoruto The refund policy says that you can’t ask for a refund once you launch the game. What I was getting at is that PSN should change to let you refund once you’ve played the game, so long as you don’t play for more than two hours. That’s the standard on PC, and Xbox too I think. Dunno about you, but I’ve definitely been in the situation where I’ve researched a particular game and then bought it, only to be put off right away and need a refund. Reasons as simple as wonky controls, a worse framerate than expected, or discovering the playerbase is dead for a multiplayer game.
@keihtg You can always attempt chargebacks/refunds with your payment method. No guarantee of it being successful though.
@MBII 110 million players thats why.
@KidBoruto Streaming services still don't have some of the classics of the time. To have those cartoons on regular TV was awesome. Pirates of Dark water, Dungeons and Dragons, The real Ghostbusters, Inhumanoids, Toxic Crusaders, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Garfield and Friends, and so many more. It was something to look forward to.
Having instant access to some classics is cool. However the parents have to pay for that privilege because it's not over the air TV. I'll grab my cane and take a nap now 👴
@OGGamer Oh to be clear, I wasn't defending streaming. I'd love for Saturday morning blocks to make a comeback.
@FullbringIchigo the same site that gave both the last of us 1 and 2 an 8. Blasphemy. And they gave the spongebob remaster a 2. A 2!!! I know it’s an older game but a 2 means the game is fundamentally broken, which it is not.
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