You may have refused the offer before, but this time Electronic Arts is making you one you simply can’t refuse. Following a moderately successful reception on PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360, The Godfather: Blackhand Edition descends onto Wii with new motion-controls. While the game remains virtually identical to iterations released late last year, our hands-on time this evening with The Godfather: Blackhand Edition demonstrated the ease of blackmail, bribes, and extortion all with a flick of the wrist.

The Godfather: Blackhand Edition follows the story-driven campaign of the original game, as released last autumn on PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360. The campaign remains untouched from previous versions, allowing you to experience the same action-packed mobster missions of the earlier editions. You’ll take the role of a new character that is taken in by the Corleone family as one of their own. As you grow up and work your way to becoming a made man, you’ll roam the streets of New York in search of trouble. Whether you’re taking out a rival mobster or digging out a mole within the family, there’s always a seedy objective waiting for your bidding.

The biggest difference between The Godfather: Blackhand Edition and earlier versions relates to controls; specifically, new combat controls utilizing the Wii Remote and nunchuk promise loads of visceral action. You can target enemies using the Z button, upon which swiping the Wii remote punches your enemy. Different movements of the Wii remote or nunchuk result in various types of attacks. For example, moving the nunchuk down once an enemy in on the ground enables you to stomp on him. Another example involves holding an enemy from behind and then jerking the Wii remote toward you to snap the person’s neck. There is a wide range of motion-controlled action that really does add a nice level of interactivity to the game.

You won’t have to always fight with your fists, as various weapons can be picked up and used through the course of the game. Holding down the C button brings up a radial menu navigable with the control stick for selecting a weapon. With a firearm equipped, you simply press the B button to shoot whatever enemy you’ve targeted. Equipping a wire, you can garrote an enemy with the combined movement of the Wii remote and the nunchuk.

Stealth plays a role in select missions, making use of the minus button important. Tapping the button enables you to toggle crouching, which reduces the noise made by your character’s movement. At any time during play, you can rotate the camera using the directional pad, as well as refresh yourself on the current objective by tapping the 2 button. Given the free-roaming world of New York at your feet, these simple functions can make it easier to get around.

While it doesn't have the high-definition charm of the Xbox 360 version, the game does manage to hold its own on Wii. Like the other titles Electronic Arts is bringing over to the system, the visual quality is aided by raising the maximum resolution to 480p. Fortunately, the motion-controlled gameplay will be what matters most in The Godfather: Blackhand Edition. The visuals might be a little lacking, but the enhancements made specifically for Wii ensure that the game has some new life. With a release set for later this spring, The Godfather: Blackhand Edition may just prove to be an offer worth considering.