Released across multiple platforms, Quantum of Solace is a first-person shooter based on the Bond film franchise’s first direct sequel and the result is a decent game based off an exciting movie. Unfortunately, when it comes to the Nintendo Wii, first-person shooters just don’t come out as well as they should considering the fact that the console’s unique controllers do have the potential of doing justice to the genre while adding its own unique twist. Once again, Wii owners will feel let down by yet another first-person shooter that just doesn’t work with the innovative hardware.

Quantum of Solace speeds through moments from Daniel Craig’s first stint as 007, “Casino Royale,” and jumps right into the events seen in Quantum of Solace. The game actually begins with the final moments from “Casino Royale” as Bond finally faces off against Mr. White who Bond feels is responsible for his lady love’s death as well as stealing quite a lot of money that belongs to the British treasury. It is here that we take command of James Bond as he follows the trail to the real mastermind that MI6 considers a treat.

Like the superior PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 version, the Wii version of the game mixes the first-person shooter action with a Rainbow Six Vegas-styled third-person cover system. Using both the Wii remote and the nunchuk attachment, moving Bond isn’t exactly silky smooth thanks to some questionable commands in the default configuration. To pick up weapons left behind by the enemy you have to press the Minus button on the Remote and thus spinning your aim way out of control. Personally, using the Wii Zapper was a tad more effective but not by very much. Either way you play the game, however, the reticule that appears on the screen leaves little room to perform effective headshots. 

Shaking the nunchuk attachment to reload is also a pain but it’s not as bad as the silent takedowns that require you to not only swing the nunchuk to the right but also press the A button when the button icon flashes on the screen. This makes for many failed attempts that end with Bond getting instantly killed. What does work, however, is the third-person cover feature. Bond can rush to cover, pinning himself against a surface. From behind cover, you can perform snap shots or stay behind cover while firing blindly. This is just about the only feature the controls handle well throughout the game.

As far as the levels are concerned, there are a number of fun moments take you off the beaten path, so to speak, that is connected to both films. Bond gets to go into Mr. White’s mansion in search of the missing money only to find himself going up against a number of armed goons and even a helicopter. What’s a Bond film or game without the exotic locales? You’ll travel to Italy where you’ll races across rooftop to rooftop and then face off against enemies in a museum. Since there are a variety of different weapons to pick up the action mixing in some solid sniping moments as well as getting a chance to spray machine gun fire.

Then again, all the weapons available in the game doesn’t make a difference when the enemy ranges from those that know when to take cover and those that think running up to you (or past you in some instances) is good tactics. I lost count how many times I dug into cover only to see the enemy ducking behind the same wall not far from me. The enemy does fire accurately but I found myself dying more from the controls and the constant dip in the framerate than by the hands of the enemy. This is not an unplayable game by any means but it comes dangerously close thanks to these flaws.

Aside from the decent single-player game, there’s also multiplayer for up to 4-players offline using a single console as well as online multiplayer via a Wi-Fi connection. I found it easy to jump into a deathmatch game against four other players but thanks to the same framerate problems, it didn’t make for a smooth match. Secondly, there were times when the game froze or tossed every player back into the lobby in the middle of the match. Still, it’s great to see an online multiplayer feature on the Nintendo Wii even if it has its share of problems.

As far as the graphics are concerned, the Nintendo Wii doesn’t get a good-looking game at all. Apart from the constant pop-up and washed out textures when it comes to the backgrounds, this game feels more like a GameCube title. Yes, Bond does look a lot like Daniel Craig and all of the characters look just like the actors that portray them in the movie. At least the cut scenes run smoothly and the third-person parts contain solid animation.

The game is also filled with music that does justice to Bond theme. You’ll find the original musical arrangements from Quantum and Casino as well as familiar classic Bond music as well. The highlight, of course, is the voice acting since it’s handled by the film’s cast that ranges from Eva Green to Judi Dench. Even the sound effects are handled well. 

Unfortunately, Quantum of Solace for the Nintendo Wii feels like wasted potential thanks to its control issues and numerous glitches that makes this the weakest version of a good game. With good level design that takes you through and beyond several key moments straight from the film, the single-player portion of the game will keep you busy. Still, it’s hard to enjoy much of the game when its flaws keep rearing its ugly head. Sorry, Activision, but this Nintendo Wii version just doesn’t do justice to this worthwhile action game.

Gameplay: 5.0
It’s clear from the lack of attention placed on this version of the game that the Wii version gets the short end of the stick. There aren’t many unique moves that take advantage of the technology and the reticule makes it hard to pull of head shots. Too bad the framerate plays a role in keeping the game as shaken as Bond’s vodka martini.

Graphics: 4.5
The backgrounds have a washed out appearance that gives the exotic locales a dull appearance. The characters do resemble the actors from the film while the enemies are rather generic-looking. There are also a number of graphical glitches that pop up often as well.

Sound: 7.5
Daniel Craig voices 007 and does a splendid job here and it’s great to see the other actors from the film do a good job as well. Original music can be found here but the real treat is in hearing the classic Bond music played at just the right moments. The sound effects aren’t bad either.

Difficulty: Medium
The enemies Bond will face off against aren’t bad shots and many of them know how to take cover but then again other enemies simply run straight at you for some reason. What will get you killed faster in this game is the constant wrestling with the controls.

Concept: 5.0
The Nintendo Wii version follows the story and levels from the other console version of the game so there’s no console exclusive levels or surprises. It’s also great to see the cast of the film in the game. The problem is that the Wii Remote controls are not as implemented as well as it should. Well, at least there’s online multiplayer.

Multiplayer: 6.5
There’s certainly not a lot of variety in terms of game match types but the multiplayer gameplay is still fun either way. You can take the game online via a Wi-Fi connection but don’t expect a very smooth ride and there are times when I was taken out of the game thanks to some glitch in the servers.

Overall: 5.0
Quantum of Solace contains a number of exciting moments straight from the new 007 film but on the Nintendo Wii the controls are just far too sluggish to make this a fun alternative version. While the level design does allow for some entertaining moments, technical flaws aplenty will remind you that this game could have been a lot better than this.