Rabbids Travel In Time (Hands-On) (Wii) Preview

Rabbids Travel In Time is set to have the Rabbids return to formula in pure mini-game glory for up to four people. After the mini-game madness, what’s left of the story is that the Rabbids manage (somehow) to acquire a time machine in the form of a washing machine. This machine takes the Rabbids back to various points in time to have a laugh while rewriting history. After Rabbids have had their way the Mona Lisa no longer features a smiling subject, and the 1920’s Wall St. Crash becomes the result of fiddling with the stock market boards.

These scenes also serve as playable levels — the former being a Mario Kart-style race in which characters fly rather than drive. The Wii remote and Nunchuk are used in unison as a steering wheel to hurtle your Rabbid around the track. There are also plenty of weapons to hurl at your opponents, such as rockets, boosts, and even black holes that set foes back by three seconds. Initially, the controls feel a little fiddly, but once used to them you and your friends will be looking like fools in no time as you fly your Rabbids around the course.

The second level revolves around the stock market and it’s up to you and a friend to work co-operatively/against each other in order to get as much money back into the stock market desk whist avoiding obstacles and even stealing your opponent’s collectables. Co-op really comes into play when you need to pick opponents up and carry/throw them to get them to ledges and other areas that house boxes which are worth more than most. It’s short and sweet, but it is very competitive all the same.

Travel in Time boasts an impressive hub world that is reminiscent of Super Mario 64. Here players can choose one of the many costumes — including everything from pirates to Ché Guevara — and even pick up on some co-operative mini-mini-games, such as a singing contest which features Jimmi Hendrix’s smoke on the water, albeit in the Rabbid’s wailing tones. The hub is also filled to the brim with interactive items — such as exploding fire extinguishers, moving statues, and ponds that cause your critter to emit a rather audible burp — for players to mess around with.

Travel in Time features drop-in, drop-out co-operative play, but with a twist! When new players enter the hub they are immediately attached together by a roll of toilet paper that forces them to move together in tandem. This adds a tug-o-war element as everyone tries (unsuccessfully) to run off in different directions. This not only causes utter havoc but makes mini-games all the more interesting (and ridiculous) at the same time.