Bonsai Barber

 Wii
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. GamePro
    90
    Bonsai Barber has a lot going for it. It’s a fun title with unique gameplay elements, solid controls, and a soothing presentation. The only drawback to what seems to be a great WiiWare title is its price.
  2. Vandal
    85
    Bonsai Barber is a fun title, apparently without many aspirations. But under its simplicity and humor mask, it houses a great dose of fun and replayability.
  3. Nintendo Life
    80
    One of the most unique titles available on the Wii Shop Channel. The game overflows with personality and substance and does a stellar job of creating a real-life barber shop atmosphere.
  5. IGN
    80
    Unique to the point of surrealism. And yet, I'd be a liar if I indicated that becoming a virtual barber and giving trees and plants fashionable foliage cuts wasn't a fun task made more enjoyable by smart controls and a humorous presentation.
  6. Cheat Code Central
    80
    Ten dollars seems like a bit much for what's on offer here, but the regimented design ensures you'll have a quick blast of fun for a long, long time.
  7. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    80
    An enjoyable, idiosyncratic experience. Plus you don't have to ask about their holidays. [Sept 2009, p.92]
  8. Telegraph
    80
    The game's sense of style, great humour and compulsively intuitive gameplay goes a long way towards forgiving many of its flaws.
  9. Edge Magazine
    70
    More diversion than challenge, and never leads to stress. [Aug 2009, p.107]
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  10. Metro GameCentral
    70
    The worlds of hairdressing and vegetable fancying combine in the best, and only, topiary simulator.
  11. DarkZero
    70
    Bonsai Barber stands out as one of the better WiiWare titles available to buy, but it isn’t an absolute must-have. Cute visuals and a quirky style accompany this entertaining if somewhat shallow game.
  12. Eurogamer
    60
    An easy game to admire, the concept is appealingly daft and the implementation rich in wit and charm. It's just too laidback for its own good; an approach that pays dividends in those first joyful days but proves less successful in the long term as the rising difficulty curve chafes uncomfortably against the whimsical lack of direction.

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best Wii Game of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. KirkJ.
    Sep 9, 2009
    8
    I'm really enjoying this game so far, having played it for about a week so far, and I think it has a lot of subtle little touches and I'm really enjoying this game so far, having played it for about a week so far, and I think it has a lot of subtle little touches and hidden stuff to discover and do that makes it just simple fun.… Full Review »
  2. RussellC.
    Apr 8, 2009
    9
    This is one of the hidden gems in the WiiWare library. The game is best as a multiplayer, where it creates quirky interactions between This is one of the hidden gems in the WiiWare library. The game is best as a multiplayer, where it creates quirky interactions between players as you work together to trim the trees. It sounds somewhat boring, and certainly is built to be played in short sittings of around 20minutes each, but those 20 minutes are really fun. The tools to trim are fun to use and the visuals are really fun and funny. The way the different branches react and can be moved, cut and trimmed, make for an experience that is unique. Playing in groups leads to lots of conversation, which further makes the game quite unlike your typical game. Really high production values and a unique experience. Not sure what else to say, but that I strongly recommend it. It's one of WiiWare's absolute best up there with World of Goo and Lost Winds.… Full Review »
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