Help Wanted: 50 Wacky Jobs

 Wii
Help Wanted: 50 Wacky Jobs Image
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

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  • Summary: (Also known as "Job Island: Hard Working People" in the UK/EU) The world is in danger. A meteor is plummeting towards earth and the only way to save the planet from destruction is to earn enough money to purchase the anti-meteor gadgets from a TV shopping channel! This bizarre storyline is(Also known as "Job Island: Hard Working People" in the UK/EU) The world is in danger. A meteor is plummeting towards earth and the only way to save the planet from destruction is to earn enough money to purchase the anti-meteor gadgets from a TV shopping channel! This bizarre storyline is the basis for Job Island: Hard Working People, a quirky and brilliantly entertaining title featuring 50 mini games that must be finished to earn the money to save the word! However, players must performbetter than the other workers in order to succeed. Each of the 50 mini games are in fact jobs players must undertake successfully in order to earn money. These jobs range from the simple to the ridiculous and all make use of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in ways players would never have thought possible. As a red carpet interviewer for example, the player runs around the celebrity laden carpet waiting for them to give interviews. If you get their first and bag the big star, you earn more money! Managing a BBQ grill players must twist the skewers of meat using the Wii Remote to prevent them from burning and as farmer you must harvest carrots as quickly as possible and also milk a cow! Each job requires skill and concentration to complete and will test all gamers, regardless of their skills. With three levels of difficulty and a multiplayer mode that allows two people to go head to head on any of the jobs that are available in a straight heads-up duel, there is plenty to keep everyone entertained and amused.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Nintendo Life
    80
    The main thing about this game is that nearly all the mini-games are enjoyable which, when you consider there are 50 to choose from, is an excellent achievement.
  2. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    78
    Sure, it's a mini-game compilation, but it's as good an example of the genre as we've seen. [Apr 2009, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. GameZone
    70
    Unusual mini-game entertainment built specifically for kids.
  4. Cheat Code Central
    68
    You'll likely find yourself sticking to a select few when they become available, which is disappointing because the premise itself is so good. For that reason alone, we recommend a rent. If you end up liking the bulk of what's on offer here, you can always adopt Help Wanted for good.
  5. Nintendo Gamer
    65
    Do minigames become more playable when coupled with a story that would have cinema goers lobbing popcorn at the screen? Answer: not really. [May 2009, p.60]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. GamesRadar+
    60
    More successful as a single-player experience, which can be seen as good or bad depending on your inclination.
  7. Nintendo Power
    45
    Times are tough, but this is one job offer you should pass up. [June 2009, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. PokeProX
    Feb 1, 2020
    8
    Help Wanted is that kind of game that sits in the back of your closet, in a box of old Wii games, collecting dust, being almost entirelyHelp Wanted is that kind of game that sits in the back of your closet, in a box of old Wii games, collecting dust, being almost entirely forgotten. Until one faithful day, you decided to check your box of old Wii games and find this "Help Wanted: 50 Wacky Jobs". To remind you, this game is made by Hudson Soft, the now-defunct company that brought you the Mario Party games (from 1 to 8) and Bomberman. P.S: I've only played this whole game once.

    The story and presentation are quite wacky and quirky, which is good. The job system is where you play minigames, which are jobs, and they're pretty fun but a few minigames are either downright bad or frustrating. I really like this type of art style, it reminds me of some cartoony anime or so I remember. The music is slightly memorable if it's really good. This game has random wacky events that keep you from being either somewhat happy or sad. This feels like one of the typical Wii games that are actually (maybe) really good.

    This game is fun, quirky and maybe even addicting, if you want to play the game's story until the very end. There's a couple of flaws in the game, but the game is good regardless. The score for this is... 7.6! (8)    … Expand
  2. BruceB
    May 17, 2009
    8
    The games themselves are a HUGE cut above the dreck that pollutes so much of the shovelware minigame comps that flood the Wii marketplace. The games themselves are a HUGE cut above the dreck that pollutes so much of the shovelware minigame comps that flood the Wii marketplace. The problem with the game is largely with the lack of online capability and the ridiculous story line that holds it all together. A minigame collection should be reviewed based on the fun that the games themselves provide however and Hudson is well established as the Cadillac line of software for casual gamers. This game ranks right up there with the Mario Party series for gaming fun and replay value. The game isn't for the hard-core gaming crowd, but that group isn't the target audience anyway. The Wii has a massive demographic of casual gamers that are starved for quality titles that can be picked up, played, and then replayed at liesure. While it seems like new titles come out almost weekly that target the casual gaming crowd it's rare that one can use the word "quality" with a straight face when reviewing them. Help Wanted is one such rare quality compilation.… Expand
  4. iplaywiigames
    Jun 29, 2013
    7
    I am an adult playing this game and I would recommend it more for teens/adults than younger children. Without basic reading skills, there isI am an adult playing this game and I would recommend it more for teens/adults than younger children. Without basic reading skills, there is lots of humor that might be missed in dialogue. There is also coordination skills needed. The game has faulty controls/tasks that must be completed under a certain short amount of time. Graphically, this game in a "cutesy anime style", is great. I really like that there is no blood or major violence-- but the humor can be offensive! I also like how it has a strong theme of doing any kind of silly job and doing it well rather than poorly. There are a wide varieties of jobs to choose from. The storyline is also unique yet compelling. You must save the world from random flying space objects heading toward earth by earning money from working and buying items shopping on tv, so that the space objects are propelled further away from the earth by the shopping items. If you don't do the mini games well, it will take a really long time to complete the game. Gameplay ranges from medium to extremely difficult. I did not find this game easy to play due to the constant time constraints on both the mini games and for purchasing shopping items to ward off the flying space objects with. Problems in game arise with diverse controls for each mini game. If you don't have a well-functioning wii remote, this game will not be enjoyable. Another problem is game play is tedious at times. There is little character exploration and more focus on repeating and mastery of the mini games. Sound and music are neither compelling nor overly annoying. I've played this game in both one-person completely for one time only and two-person with a friend. Assuming you are not trying to cheat in any way, gameplay time to complete the game in one-player takes a very long time, unless mini games are played well. In two-player, my friend got frustrated immediately and stopped playing the game with me because with such wacky controls in such a short period of time he wanted to play something else that was easier and more consistent in the controls to start playing with initially. Saving the game can not be easy at times as mini games have to be completed in order to save. Overall, an inspiring and creative game. If you enjoy this Wii game, I encourage you to check out "Space Camp" too. It's also a "cutesy anime" compelling mini-game style too. Personally I think "Space Camp" is better than this game because there is more character exploration and customization. But this game has great humor and was enjoyable for me to play once in one-player mode.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Most Shared Wii Game of 2009