Ever wanted to know what it was like to drive a Formula 1 car? Reckon you’ve got what it takes to be the next Jensen Button? Then check out our F1 2009 review and see if you can get that adrenaline pounding through your veins!
OK, as this is primarily aimed at Wii owners, the graphics in F1 2009 are hardly high definition but they’re detailed enough to feel an impressive sense of atmosphere as you work round the 17 race circuits (including Singapore at night). You can indeed play as Button or Hamilton but the list of race drivers is taken from the beginning of the season, so no Koboyashi, alas…
How much of a sim and how much arcade is F1 2009? The cars and tracks look pretty authentic but when it comes to crash damage, even in wet weather conditions, you’ll see the odd panel fall off but no dramatic disintegrations. However, there’s a thrilling sense of speed when you use the cockpit view and it’s in the handling of corners and jostling in the straights that you enjoy a true feel of what F1 racing is all about.
Read our The Saboteur review now
Variety is the key to F1 2009, and it’s what will ensure this is more than just a nine day wonder. There are four possible control systems (Wii remote and Nunchuk, classic controller, Wii racing wheel or Logitech’s version), all of which will take some getting used to. Plus there are a host of gaming modes.
Quick Start will jump you straight into a race, while Grand Prix Weekend lets you choose any one circuit and progress through practice and qualifying rounds before the race itself. F1 2009 will let you experience the whole Championship once or three times in Career mode. If that isn’t enough for you, then opt for the fun Challenge mode which contains a staggering 70 skill tests based on speed, elimination, checkpoints and time trials.
F1 2009 does unfortunately lack full multiplayer online gameplay but there’s two-player split-screen (as opponent or cooperative) on all the game modes and circuits, there’s some tweaking allowed on race distance and duration and the game’s Driving Aids will attempt to balance up players of different skill levels.
So, no, it’s not as high-tuned and sophisticated as Formula One Championship Edition on PS3 but F1 2009 is Wii’s version of fun and furious!
