Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure is a unique puzzle/adventure hybrid, released by Capcom for the Nintendo Wii in 2007. In it players guide aspiring pirate Zack and his flying-monkey sidekick Wiki on a search for the scattered parts of the legendary pirate Barbaros, who has promised them treasure in return for their help. Players guide the pair by pointing the remote at the screen, directing them towards certain areas or objects to interact with.

The game is split into a number of levels, and each is its own self-contained puzzle. Most of these puzzles are quite complex, requiring players to use items scattered throughout the level in specific ways and in a specific sequence to eventually reach a treasure at the end. Players will also have to contend with a rival group of pirates, racing to beat them to the treasure. Between levels players return to the hideout of Zack’s gang of pirates, where they can buy hints, view various collectables and send out parties to search for treasure.

Educationally, Zack & Wiki places some of the heaviest focus on problem solving in recent memory. Every one of the game’s dozens of levels is a totally unique experience, with many even containing several unique items and mechanics never used outside of it. Players will have to analyze each level carefully and assess the items and enemies scattered throughout in order to solve each intricate puzzle. There are even several "boss" levels where players will need to outwit an imposing enemy – a dragon, in one level – but even these levels never behave as the player expects, and instead they may present puzzles even more clever than others. Zack & Wiki presents a very refreshing experience, more akin to older adventure games than modern, action-oriented titles, and besides being an entertaining and rewarding experience the consistently clever puzzles are sure to stimulate the brain like few other titles on the market can.

Zack & Wiki is pretty cartoonish and over-the-top in its presentation, and there isn’t much room for classroom facts. Players spend gold collected during play to buy tokens exchangeable for hints and extra lives, and a map is used to scout for treasure as a sort of side quest.

By the Gamer:

There is little room for player creativity in Zack & Wiki. There are a few levels that allow the player to proceed in a few different ways, and players will be scored depending on which route they chose. However, most of the levels have one specific solution that must be found. The game does have one side quest that has the players choosing areas on a map to scout for treasure, but the results are randomized and the player isn’t actively involved other than choosing location.

By the Developer:

Zack & Wiki is an extremely original piece; the presentation of the game’s puzzles is unique, the puzzles themselves are clever and challenging and it makes excellent use of the Wii remote throughout. Each level is a totally unique, intricate puzzle, and there is huge variation from one level to the next. One level might have players finding a way to sneak by a group of tribesman during their dinner (slip a mushroom into the soup to put them to sleep!), and the next may have them extending a large crane to dump water on a fiery dragon (but make sure to keep the baby dragon happy while you do it!). Players will have to use the Wii remote to mimic the motions of turning a crank, inserting a key and even swinging a tennis racket from level to level. The game features an original cast of characters, storyline and soundtrack, but it is the innovative gameplay that stands out.

Business Skills

There are a slim amount of business skills in Zack & Wiki.  The player collects money during the levels and may use it to buy extra lives and hints.  There are also areas on the world map displaying treasures which unlock cutscenes and audio tracks from the game.

Problem solving is Zack & Wiki’s greatest strength. Every level is its own complex little puzzle, featuring a number of problems that must be solved sequentially in order to proceed. The variation in enemies, items and terrain from level to level never fails to impress, and the sheer complexity of some of the puzzles (particularly later on) is really astounding. Whether the level includes traveling a twisting path avoiding hazards or figuring out how to forge a special key to open a locked door each stage is sure to provide something new to the player, and the puzzles never stop being clever, challenging or – most importantly – satisfying.

Zack & Wiki is not a simulation game. Players will sometimes need to simulate various actions using the Wii remote, such as sawing a tree or ringing a bell.

Zack & Wiki has been well-reviewed since its release, on average scoring around 90%. However its sales don’t quite match the acclaim it has received, granting it a sort of cult status.

Zack & Wiki is extremely kid-friendly and is challenging enough for adults, making it extremely family-friendly.

Zack & Wiki received an E from the ESRB with a descriptor for Cartoon Violence.