The Island of Dr. Frankenstein for Wii: Story, Credits, Reviews
Playable today Yes A Wii disc that plays on a Wii, and on a Wii U through Wii Mode.
The Island of Dr. Frankenstein is a Wii adventure game released in North America in autumn 2009, in which a handyman keeps a floating island of monsters in the air. Sources disagree on whether it came out on 20 October or 3 November.
Overview
The island floats because of fans built by the mysterious Dr. Frankenstein. WorthPlaying’s Dustin Chadwell has the player as Frankie, the doctor’s nephew, living among classic monsters and a few humans. Common Sense Media calls the same character a young handyman whose job is tending the machinery.
Wispy creatures called Vaporites clog the engines and fans, so most of the work involves sucking them up with a device the review names the Steampack. A meter tracks the build-up, and when it fills the island shakes.
How it plays
Much of the game is made of errands. Villagers ask for sweets, chickens or mechanical parts, and the player carries items from one resident to another. WorthPlaying thought this repetitive and dull.
A gear minigame, rarely seen, asks you to place and turn gears so a beam of light reaches an endpoint, and the reviewer called it the best part, though not by much. Meteorites buried in the ground are found when the Wii Remote pings, then dug up with a drill.
The first review expects around five hours of play.
Release and credits
WorthPlaying lists Virtual Impact as developer, Storm City Entertainment as publisher, a release on 20 October 2009 and a price of $20. Common Sense Media prints Storm City Games as the publisher, gives 3 November 2009, and mentions a price of $19.99. Its ESRB rating is E with no descriptors.
Common Sense Media does not list a developer.
Reception
WorthPlaying scored it 4.0 out of 10. The concept and the quirky world were the reviewer’s only real praise. He complained about the quests, the camera that snaps back to Frankie every time he stops, black Vaporites that wipe the ones already collected, a drill that empties the store each use, repetitive music and low-detail models.
Common Sense Media gave a hesitant thumbs-up, mostly on price. It called the game a gentle first adventure with a small world and simple controls, but noted unclear missions and a character who can stick to objects, sometimes forcing a restart.
Can you still play it?
The Wii disc plays on a Wii, and on a Wii U through Wii Mode, which needs a Sensor Bar for most software. Nothing about it depends on the Wii Shop Channel, which closed on 30 January 2019. Discs are region-coded to the console, so a North American copy fits an NTSC-U Wii.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the player character?
WorthPlaying names the hero Frankie, the nephew of Dr. Frankenstein. Common Sense Media describes a young handyman who looks after the machinery of an island lifted into the sky by fans.
How long is it?
WorthPlaying put the story at about five hours. The reviewer also noted that the save file simply shows a thank-you message after completion, which leaves little reason to replay.
Is it scary for children?
Common Sense Media reports no violence and calls the mummy, werewolf and wandering-legs creature more amusing than frightening. It suggests ages 6 and up, and notes the dialogue needs reading.
When was it released?
WorthPlaying says 20 October 2009 and Common Sense Media says 3 November 2009. The two outlets also name different publishers, Storm City Entertainment and Storm City Games.
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- Once Upon a Time, Wii
- Chevrolet Camaro: Wild Ride, Wii and Nintendo DS
- Super Mario Galaxy, Wii
Sources
Where sources disagree: WorthPlaying dates the release to 20 October 2009; Common Sense Media gives 3 November 2009. WorthPlaying names Storm City Entertainment as publisher and Common Sense Media names Storm City Games.