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    Wing Island Mini-Guide by Daniel Glenfield (tom76b)

    Version 1.0  (Last updated 29/11/07) (US time format)

           Copyright (c) 2007 Daniel Glenfield
                 <[email protected]>


/*************************************
1.0 About the Guide
*************************************/

1.1. Brief Intro

Unfairly slated by much of the press because it wasn't
the Pilotwings clone they all wanted, Wing Island has been
quickly dismissed as a first generation also-ran game.
But it's actually pretty fun, if a little short.
So here I am fighting its corner in one of my mini-guides.
Though a simple adventure there are a few frustrating
missions to deal with, and hopefully these tips will help.


1.2 Updates

Version 1.0  29/11/07
- Initial revision.



/*****************************************
2.0 Button Config and Character Manoeuvres
******************************************/

The main buttons.

NUNCHUCK

Control Stick   - Camera

WIIMOTE

Tilt            - Bank (turn)
Pitch           - Altitude
Flick           - U-Turn
Directional Pad - Speed up / down
A button        - Various actions (take photo)
                - + Wiimote - Formation change

B button        - Various actions (drop crates,
                  douse water, camera mode)



/*****************************************
3.0 General Tips
******************************************/

If anyone's seen my published guides before they'll be sure to
recognise the 'General Tips' section.

* Most people find the remote best held between their thumb and
forefinger (like a pencil) ahead of their body, with the right
hand controlling the buttons. This allows for precision flying
as movements can be slight and accurate.

* The reason for holding the remote ahead of the body is to
allow it to be pulled back for hard braking and V formation
change. Braking can, if executed poorly, be misinterpreted as
a boost command.

* V formation (default) gives a good balance of speed and
manoeuvrability, but as you get more accustomed to the controls
start to experiment with the Line formation to get to destinations
faster. To get the gold medals you'll need to be changing
formations often.

* Always repair your planes. It's fairly inexpensive to do so
(section 5.0 has tips on generating cash) and you lose many
points for having a craft downed during a mission.



/*****************************************
4.0 Mission Types
******************************************/
   
   I'm not going to meticulously detail each and every mission,
because discovering the best route is part of the fun.
And the game is short enough as it is.
   Below are a few tips for some of the various mission types
in the game.

/*****************************************
4.1 Crate-Dropping
******************************************/

* First of all, you should always bring your planes under control
as you approach the drop off point. If you thrash around the crates
will not land on target. Bring your speed down on the D-Pad and do
not rely on the hard brake (pull back on the wiimote) because this
often causes the planes to bank at the same time. Use the cross
formation to reduce speed further if needs be.
* Crates will bounce when they hit the ground, and can continue
bouncing even after you are told you successfully placed the item
inside the target. To minimise the bounce reduce both speed and
altitude, and keep the plane level.


/*****************************************
4.2 Camera-Snapping
******************************************/

* Hold B to switch to camera mode and only press the A button
to snap when the reticule glows deep orange. This colouring
is the key to scoring big.
* 
Use camera mode to pick out small or distant targets. You will
see the reticule appear over the target when it comes within range.
As it is quite distinct it is more reliable than squinting at the
TV to find a flock of birds etc.
* Some targets move, so adjust your plane's trajectory to move in
a straight line to a point ahead of your target. What you need to
avoid is making a hard turn as you close in, as this will ruin
the photograph.


/*****************************************
4.3 Fire-Extinguishing
******************************************/

* Fires are a pain in the butt as they reignite.
Douse the area until you are told the fire is completely out
before moving on to the next blaze. Otherwise, you'll be
coming back.
* You'll want to hold the remote slightly further up so you can
maintain a low speed (by holding DOWN on the D-Pad) whilst
gushing out water (B button).
* Because you are moving at such low speeds use the cross formation
to aid turning (A + Wiimote towards your body).


/*****************************************
4.4 Bob-omb-Bombing
******************************************/

* The first bombing mission is probably the least fun
in the game due to the unforgiving time limit and hard to hit
targets (yes I realise they are stationary rocks).
   Remember that the aim is to destroy the three rock pillars that
are supporting the larger mass on top. More specifically the
base of the pillars are the weak points.
   Approach each from their respective directions
i.e. the southern rock from the south, and then east and west
likewise. This gives you the most time to set yourself up
straight to drop bombs.

* To add more forward pace to the bombs pull the nose up just
before your tap B. Watch them fly!
* Because you must wait a couple of seconds before you fire again,
the above tip can enable you to hit targets repeatedly and quickly.
From a distance pull the nose up and fire the bombs off into the
distance, and once reloaded do the same again. This is especially
useful for Sink the abandoned ship! where you want to fire bombs
from as far away as possible.
* Targets (like the rocks and ships) have weak points where you
can do the most damage. Aim for these!
* You'll have noticed this already, but bombs exploding close to
your planes damages them! Be careful of which formation you
choose.


/*****************************************
4.5 Dynamite-Defusing
******************************************/

* You very rarely save time by going for one of the lower-priority
bombs. Stick with what the game tells you to go for and only snatch
up another bomb if it is on your way to the next -
you really cannot spare the time.
* Be especially wary of your planes flying too close to buildings
when they have bombs attached - they will explode!
* When disposing of the bombs lower your altitude or
use the camera as best you can to ensure you drop the explosives
when over water. Bombs away!


/*****************************************
4.6 Balloon-Popping
******************************************/

* Hit each balloon in order, unless you know the layout well
enough to be able to devise your own (easier) route. For example
some balloons are inside small caverns that are best approached
from the opposite side to which the game dictates.
* If you miss a balloon it is almost always best to go back and
try again, as you'll soon find you cannot remember where four or
five of the things are.


/*****************************************
4.7 Air-Racing
******************************************/

* The key to winning is in your formation changes. As soon as
you exit a turn, from V-formation or cross, straighten up
and change to the faster Line formation.
* The final race will almost certainly require a major engine
upgrade, so refer to section 5.0 below to raise the necessary
cash.

/*****************************************
4.8 S***-Spraying
******************************************/

* Tricky! If you spray fertiliser in a non-designated area
it turns the ground purple and you lose points quickly.
* Fly slowly (reduce speed with the D-Pad) and at a low
altitude to maximise the spray's effectiveness. This is
especially true when trying to cover that final stubborn patch.
Line your planes up and spray away. If you're still having
problems try raising your altitude.
* Don't fret about getting low scores. A perfect is very
difficult to achieve here.

/*****************************************
4.9 Rope-Cutting
******************************************/

* Upgrade your planes if you have not yet done so as speed
counts here. You need to fly into each rope connected to
whatever you're saving to cut it.
* Against the planes you can cut at least two ropes at the
start while the planes stay in their formation.
* Speaking of which, stay in V formation to give as wide a
cutting line as possible.
* The blimps require a weaving approach to avoid the bombs
being fired at you.



/*****************************************
5.0 Earning Money
******************************************/

   You need to pay for engine tune ups, new planes and those
essential repair jobs, and to raise the required moolah.
   The 'Free the Birds' and Find the Ship's Cargo
(Cliff Islands) missions can be completed very quickly,
and with a near-perfect score once you get into the rhythm.
As you might expect the higher the score, the more money
you receive.



/*****************************************
6.0 Contacting The Author
******************************************/

If you want to send me a question, comment, etc. feel free to
contact me by email.

E-mail question/comments to [email protected]
Website: www.dglenfield.co.uk



/*****************************************
7.0 Credits
******************************************/

Thanks to my friend Anthony who actually bought the game and lent
it to me.

Thanks also to the GameFAQs community who have kept a great
site going over many years.

I'd like to thank Nintendo for the Wii etc. but there's a big pile
of money somewhere that does that for them. So I'll thank all the
fans of the big N who stuck with them whilst all the Playstation
fanboys were harping on about blood, gore, and real-time
Lara Croft jubblies.



/*****************************************
8.0 Legal Info
******************************************/

Do what you like with this guide - but if you could give my name a
mention somewhere that would be appreciated :)