Just like the movie cover

Platform: Wii (also on DS)
ESRB: 10+ E
Number of Players: 2
Publisher: 505 Game
ReleaseDate: August 24, 2010
Price: $29.99 MSRP

RENT

The game, even though it’s animated, has a Grease feel to it and the menu has a few nice winks to the movie that most movie fans will like.  You have several movie characters to choose from to begin the game and they sort-of look like the actors; some more closely than others.  I, being the rebel I pretend to be in games, picked Rizzo and set out to do the story mode.  It takes you through the movie, showing you a little clip of a scene while it tells you in text what is going on.  For every song played, there is a different game to go with it.  You can match arrows to the beat, fix the Grease Lightning car, pillow fight, play guitar and more. If you have a balance board and/or mic, you’ll be able to use them with the game.

The game is very hard at times.  I tried to put myself in the 10+ mentality as that’s what the game was aiming for, but then I found myself getting more and more frustrated at some of the choices.  The fact that words like “virgin” and “cigarette” were bleeped, as well as “good” in “Man she was good” was also bleeped out, started to grind my gears.  It didn’t stop with just those songs; there were words removed in almost all of the songs. The Hurdles game was broken.  Danny could not run fast enough because he’s heart would over work itself, which happens when you are fast enough to beat your opponent.   Jumping had to be done WAY too early in order to be able to jump the hurdles.  I wish I could say that it was the only game type that suffered from problems, but sadly, I can’t.  Then it dawned on me, no 10 year old would want to play this game!!!  If a parent thought Grease was a “family movie” I don’t think they would mind the word virgin!

The game had potential and there was some love put into it, but the re-recorded songs had no passion to them; taking “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and  “There are Worse Things I Could Do” out of the main game to make it unlockable; broken camera angles and game types just makes it impossible to justify the $29.99 MSRP.  The best part of the game for me was that the selection buttons on the main menu have musical tones. If you time it right enough you can play the melody of the main song, and when you do, it sings the next part. Yes… the best part of the game was an Easter egg in the main menu.

For ages 10 and up, the game is a complete failure.  If the game would have been rated Teen, given more time, only use the Wii-mote instead of making it also capable to be a sing along and use the balance board and perhaps bundled with the movie, it would have been a great stocking stuffer for this Christmas, given to those that are fans of the movie.

At this point, the game has been discontinued, so I guess if you want it, you know that there is a limited supply of it.  Rent it, but walk to the store, put it at the bottom of your queue, get to the register and ask, “HOW DID THIS GET IN THE QUEUE!?!” ¬_¬

A review copy of this game was provided by the publisher and did not affect the outcome of this review.

Grease is well known for it’s incredible lineup of songs that everyone loves to sing. To celebrate the release of Grease: The Game by 505 Games, they are holding a talent show on the official Facebook page.

To enter, film yourself or a group performing any Grease talent. You could sing the songs, dance, cosplay or any combination as long as it celebrates Grease. Share the videos on the wall and 505 Games will pick a winner. Sorry only UK and Ireland gamers can enter.

* First place will receive four tickets to Grease the Musical in London, including travel.
* The top runners up will receive official Grease goodie bags, including the original movie on DVD, a t-shirt and film posters.
* Every entry will receive exclusive Grease artwork, available only from this competition.

So Pink Ladies grab your jacket and show 505 your singing skills!

Thankfully, this game sounds like it is going to be more than a mere Singstar ripoff. Players of the Wii version are treated to the opportunity to sing 16 songs from the movie musical. However, they also get to play some other multiplayer mini games, including drag races down Thunder Road against the Scorpions, sports competitions to win a letterman jacket, carnival games at the Rydell Graduation carnival, and pillow fights with the Pink Ladies (sounds raunchy? Apparently not – this game is being released with a PG rating in Australia and New Zealand).

In story mode, players fix up Greased Lightnin’ to try to win Sandy’s affections with their dance moves, also dancing their way through much-loved movie moments. This is why this game not only incorporates the Wii Remote, but also the Wii microphone and Wii balance board.

The Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi versions of the game test players’ rhythm skills as they tap to the beat of 10 tunes from the movie musical. The DSi’s camera functionality also allows players to take pictures of themselves or friends, and uploading their photo to their favourite character.

Grease: The Game is available now on Nintendo Wii and DSi in the US and Australia.

Think about games that you never thought would be made. Ever, in the history of anything. Does a game based on Grease, the classic John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John movie, pop to the top of that list?

Well, it looks like you’re wrong. (Not sure if I should be amused or empathetic about your failure.)

505 Games is turning the classic Paramount Pictures musical into a game for the Wii and Nintendo DS and DSi due out this September.

The Wii version is a family-friendly party game featuring 16 of the movie’s songs, with a Party Mode that lets you compete in teams using the Wii Balance Board and USB microphones. You can sing about how “Grease is the word,” play carnival games just like at Rydell High’s graduation celebration, race against Greased Lightnin’ on Thunder Road, or just plain dance your socks off at the sock hop.

If Story Mode is more your thing, you can fix up the car and try to woo Sandy.

Now, as far as the handheld versions go, you’ll have the option of a story mode following Sandy and Danny (which also features songs from the soundtrack as well as dance steps from the movie). Unlockables include special costumes and songs. You’ll be able to experience multiplayer with either multi-cart or download play functionality. If you’ve got a DSi, you can even use the camera to get your face in the game.

505 Games is calling this an excuse to have a party, but I would probably be a lot more likely to hide the box in a closet so none of my friends would find it at any parties that I do have. (Our parties skew more towards the Rock Band form of entertainment.) What about you? Do you think that playing a Grease video game would be fun? Or does it veer a little more towards being ridiculous? For the extreme fans of the movie looking to get their kids into it, this does make sense, at least.

Grease Movie

I got chills, they’re multiplyin’, and I’m losin’ control
Cause the power you’re supplyin’, it’s electrifyin’

You better shape up, cause I need a man,
and my heart is set on you
You better shape up, you better understand,
to my heart I must be true

That’s right, the original high school musical, Grease is being created into a video game. Paramount Digital Entertainment and 505 Games will be working on a Grease game for the Wii and DS systems.

The Grease video game will allow players to sing and dance along with Danny, Sandy, the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds.

“We are really excited about working with Paramount Digital Entertainment to turn this world famous film into a video game for the very first time. Working with such a well known and much loved brand is a great opportunity and we believe the collaboration further strengthens 505 Games’ entertainment portfolio,” commented Ian Howe, Managing Director 505 Games.

“Paramount Digital Entertainment is pleased to be working with 505 Games to develop Grease,” said John Kavanagh, Senior Vice President of Video Games for Paramount Digital Entertainment. “Grease is the ideal opportunity to reach a broad gaming audience who love to sing, dance and have fun with a party-style game.”

No date announced yet for the title or details on if the original cast will be providing the voices. But at least there is time to get into shape to wear the black pants Olivia Newton John wore.