Full Review

28 March 2008 - Fishing isn't the most exciting of pastimes so what makes Sega think it can bring back Sega Bass Fishing from the dead almost a decade after its first outing on the Sega Dreamcast? We take a closer look.

When it first launched in 1999, Sega Bass Fishing came complete with fishing rod accessory, the promise of cutting edge interactive gameplay and enough fishing moments to make you gag at the sight of salmon en croute.

But a lot has changed in almost 10 years, mainly the demise of the console this was first launched on and the launch of new one in the shape of the Nintendo Wii, a console that, as Zelda proved, is capable of allowing you to do a spot of fishing in your living room.

Sega, clearly feeling that it is a chance to reel out (sorry) some of its back catalogue have delved into the cupboards and, along with House of the Dead, pulled this out and given it a Wii makeover.

Well we say makeover, but in reality all that has changed is that the game now supports the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to allow you to fish a little bit more interactively flaying your arms around as if you were really there.

For those looking totally lost, a quick recap might be in order. Sega Bass Fishing is a fishing game that lets you spend hours casting your line to catch fish. Goals are set per area of a lake, river, pond, etc, and once you have caught enough fish in a set time you get to move on.

There are 20 types of lure on offer, and 15 different stages and the chance to loose you girlfriend, wife, mistress (delete as applicable) faster than you can say "I caught a fish this big" as you point to your trousers.

Bring that back to the Nintendo Wii in the 21st century and the Wii Remote acts as your rod and the Nunchuk your reel. Jerk back on one while you wiggle the other. Exciting huh.

VERDICT
In practice and you've got to be a dedicated gaming fisher to justify the time. Yes it might be more peaceful than killing aliens or driving a car around a race track at breakneck speed, but for us, there is only a small amount of trying to catch a Bass before you fall asleep.

If you're really into fishing you'll probably want to head down to the local river and go fishing, not sit in front of your TV waving your arms around the air trying to snag a fish.

Sega Bass Fishing is a good concept, just 10 years late to the party a second time around. This is one fish not worth putting on your plate.