All Star Cheer Squad (Wii, Nintendo DS)

ALL STAR CHEER SQUAD for the Wii is a aerobic game which teaches the player traditional cheerleading moves and combines it with dance, gymnastics, and squad-based teamwork to create a fun, challenging game. The Fox cheerleading squad is short a member when one of their cheerleaders suffers an ankle injury. Fresh out of Cheer Camp, you are ready for action and join the squad. As a rhythm-based game, icons of how to position the remote and nunchuk move across the screen from right to left along a "cheer line." The object of the game is to mimic the positions as they enter a "hit area" marked by a circle and star. Like other games of the genre, if you match the required movements at the right time, you score the most possible points.

Players start off by creating and naming an avatar, choosing gender, skin tone, facial features, outfits, and even make-up. Then you are taken through practice sessions where voice-over as well as text instructions are provided, teaching you new movements. Practice sessions can be played repeatedly until a pass grade of a C is earned to unlock new cheer moves. Players then move on to challenges and competitions, including a "versus" game mode where players attack, charge, and defend their cheer line using cheer movements.

To get the best out of this game, you will have to invest in the wireless version of the Wii nunchuk as this will allow you to do full extensions and instead of being limited by the cord joining the Wii remote to the nunchuk. In order to get the game to register moves, it is best to perform sharp, swift movements. This game allows kids to experience what it is like to be on a cheer squad, as it teaches you virtually all the moves of cheerleading. The only thing missing are the actual Pom-Poms.

The game is more challenging if you add in the optional Wii balance board, but players will need to remember not to jump on a Wii balance board. This game requires players to make precise dance and cheer moves to music and in rhythm. Although only one balance board can be employed at a time, the game supports up to four players playing on one TV (three players on the floor, one with a balance board). With solo play, squad play, competitive challenges, and the ability to choreograph your own routines, this game is definitely one of the top of its genre.