My F1 2009 Review. This is working fine on my 4.2U (NTSC) console using the awesome 'mod any wii' guide found here on GBAtemp and USB Loader GX.
Presentation (menu/options)
Menus are simple, easy to navigate, and look sharp with the F1 theme. There are lots of options. Driving options are good for F1 gamers of all levels of experience; more about assists later. Race weekends are the real deal, and full length qualifying is included with all 3 sessions (you can fast forward in 3 minute intervals while waiting in the pits, good if you are already in the lead), and races can be 3 laps or 10%, 25%, 50%, 100% of the real world race length. There is also wether options; clear or variable (includes rain!). I haven't checked out car setup or season/career mode yet.
Game Graphics
Game graphics look pretty good for a Wii game at 480p, I don't know how IGN was expecting very much better. The track models look really good, 100% recognizable and textures are of good quality for a Wii game when trying to look realistic. Car models look fine, in-car view looks really nice. Pretty good sense of speed. Never saw any frame drops, even with a 20 car grid ahead of me.
Gameplay
First to say, I love racing simulations. My Xbox 360 I have the 360 Feedback wheel on a racing stand... love Forza 3, Race Pro, and Codemasters Games (Dirt 2 is bit arcadey on 360, but is still very enjoyable game and driving experience). But I understand the limitations of the Wii Remote as a racing controller. You have an analog steering input, which isn't always 100% precise and has no input feedback like a racing wheel, and you have digital (on/off) buttons for gas/brake. It's not the best for simulations, so you have to make compromises.
Now with that being said... I ran this game with the Wii Remote using the controls above explained... had only anti-lock brakes and anti-spin (traction control) enabled, with the braking timing and steering assists turned off. And like this, it plays great! The steering is set with a good amount of dead zone and sensitivity, I had no issues with getting around turns. With the traction control and anti-lock brakes, the braking and acceleration is well done... and is what you need to focus on. You have to hit your braking points right, turn in at the right time, and hit the gas with no hesitation... and if you push enough and focus all the way, you will get those amazing lap times which appear to be realistic to that of real life. And this is what makes me happy about F1 2009 Wii. I don't feel like the game is helping me too much, and I'm still very much in control of the car. KERS is on every car, it's not realistic but makes it fair. Car damage isn't 100% realistic; hitting a wall at 200+ km/h, I drove away, but did loose my front wing. Don't think suspension can be damaged. Game says technical car failures are possible (as an option), but i didn't see any in my 2 races. AI is fine, but they do follow the line too closely. Easy was too easy for me, but medium was a good challenge. There is no 'catch up' AI or you, which is realistic... but makes me wish there was a rewind feature like in the Xbox 360 Codemasters games (GRID and Dirt 2) or Forza 3. There is no safety car, probably since there is no major car damage. Pit stop system works fine, you are even required 1 pit stop if you choose any race longer then 3 laps and you have fuel/tire wear on. And there are real rules, including drive through for cutting corners or over aggressive driving during races.
Overall
This game is exactly what I expected and\or wanted out if a F1 Wii game. The game is as realistic as the input method will let it be. I would like to see further damage, but it's not too major. Graphics are about the quality I expect from a Wii game. Addition of Online would be nice. But for me, this makes me satisfied as a fan of F1 and will hold me over until the release of F1 2010 on the Xbox 360, so I can get a full simulation experience.
8/10