Free Mode introduces Flying Missions, in which you complete a particular challenge in the air. Flying Missions occur randomly, and challenges include scavenger hunts, search and rescue, races, and an obstacle course. The aircraft you use depends on the challenge. For example, you pilot a helicopter for the scavenger hunt while you use a jet for the race.

Of course, what comes up must come down. In the SimCity world, they can come down spectacularly in the famous Disaster Mode. Your favorite tools of destruction are back – tornadoes, earthquakes, and of course, rampaging dinosaurs. At one point the EA rep dropped a giant spiked steel ball in the middle of his city and gleefully flattened it by tilting the Wiimote in various directions to control the ball.

I can’t help but feel that the game has taken a step back in terms of graphics. While the Wii has never been known to play games with crisp, sharp images, the Wii version seems to have ported its graphics from last year’s SimCity DS. The buildings look cartoony and lack detail, even if you zoom in.

The game does well in retaining the best elements of the series while adding fun new features like the curving roads and hero buildings. Shoddy graphics aside, it seems likely to please long-time SimCity fans and amateur city builders alike. Look for it later this month.

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