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Elebits
Elebits
from Wikipedia
Elebits
North American box art
DeveloperKonami
PublisherKonami
DirectorAkihiro Ishihara
ProducerShingo Mukaitoge
DesignersKazuhiro Ogawa
Masanobu Kanno
Yuta Hoshino
Akihiro Ishihara
ComposersNaoyuki Sato
Michiru Yamane
EngineOpen Dynamics Engine Physics Engine[citation needed]
PlatformWii
Release
  • JP: December 2, 2006
  • NA: December 12, 2006
  • EU: May 4, 2007
  • AU: May 17, 2007
  • KO: April 26, 2008
GenreAction/First-person shooter
ModesSingle-player, Multiplayer

Elebits (エレビッツ, Erebittsu), known in PAL territories as Eledees (LEDs),[1] is an action/first-person shooter game developed and published by Konami for the Wii. It was released as a launch title on December 2, 2006 in Japan, then December 12, 2006 in North America, May 4, 2007 in Europe,[2] and May 17, 2007 in Australia.

Gameplay

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The game is divided into small stages, each of which represents a certain area (e.g., a few rooms or a street). As the game progresses, the player gradually moves from exploring individual rooms in a house out into the street and the areas beyond. Using the on-screen cursor, the player aims at and captures Elebits, extracting their energy (measured in watts). Levels in the Story Mode are completed when the player reaches a certain power (usually within some pre-defined time limit).

The player manipulates objects in the world in order to hunt for Elebits, using the Wii controller as a "capture gun" similar to the Gravity Gun in Half-Life 2. As the majority of Elebits on a given level are hidden within or underneath objects, players must interact with the environment to reveal these hidden Elebits. Throughout the game, the Wii controller's motion-sensing abilities are gradually introduced. With selected objects, players turn, pull, and wave the Wii Remote to perform a variety of actions including opening a door (twisting the doorknob), pulling out drawers, turning on a faucet, tossing a variety of items, smashing vases against a wall, etc. Moving the Wii Remote without selecting an item rotates the player's camera-view, while the Nunchuk is used to move, crouch, and stretch.

As more Elebits are collected during a given level, the area's energy is gradually restored. This causes dark rooms to become well-lit, and more importantly, allows various electrical appliances to be utilized. Once sufficient power is available, players can activate these appliances, such as computers, microwaves and electric toy-cars, which in return release Power-Elebits. Power-Elebits, when captured, slowly increase the strength of the "capture gun", allowing the player to lift and move heavier objects.

Some levels of the game feature additional conditions for successful completion. These include a limitation on how many breakable objects can be broken (i.e., a limit on property destruction), and/or a limitation on how much noise the player can make when interacting with the environment. Since Elebits themselves can cause objects to move or fall, players must be careful to take this into account when rousing them.

The mood of the Elebits, indicated by graphics above their heads, can affect how many watts the player earned when they are captured. Elebits that are happy or calm provide more watts, Elebits that are angry or scared provide less watts and Elebits that are sad or sick provide a normal number of watts. Special power-up items can assist in taming the mood of the Elebits; one can put nearby Elebits to sleep, while another can help lure Elebits towards it. Other temporary power-ups are also available that can increase the power of the Capture Gun, muffle all sound, or enable auto-lock-on for the Capture Gun, among other effects.

Not all Elebits are captured easily. Some will move quickly or fly around, while others will attempt to attack the player, which damages the Capture Gun. In some cases, an Elebit must be thrown against an object or hit with an object as to stun it. If the Capture Gun takes too much damage, the level ends prematurely in failure.

After completing a level, the player is given a ranking based on the time it took to gain the required number of energy from Elebits, how much extra energy from Elebits they captured, the condition of the Capture Gun, and when part of the level requirements, how many times the player made too much noise, or when objects were broken. Achieving a high rank allows for players to use objects from that level within Edit mode.

The game supports up to four players in a competitive multiplayer mode.

Edit Mode

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One of the modes in Elebits is "Edit Mode". In Edit Mode, players can create their own stages by placing different kinds of objects and Elebits throughout any of the 29 stages in the game. Levels are only available in edit mode if they have previously been completed in Story Mode. One can also adjust the gameplay by changing the watts needed for completion, how strong the gravity is, or what kind of items the player can use. The furniture and objects that can be used in Edit Mode are also dependent on the completion of Story Mode. The player must get at least a 'B' rank in a stage before they can use the stage-specific items.[3]

Online connectivity

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Elebits utilizes Wii's online service, WiiConnect24. In single player and Edit Mode, players can take screenshots and send them to other Wii consoles. Players can also send levels that they created in Edit Mode.

Plot

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Elebits (a portmanteau of "electronics" and "bits")[4] are small creatures that coexist with humans and are the world's source of electric energy, powering all machines and appliances.[5] Following a thunderstorm, they cease producing energy and go into hiding, causing a blackout. Ed and Ana, who are Elebit researchers, leave home to investigate the Elebits' unusual behavior. Meanwhile, their son named Kai, who possesses dislike towards and jealousy of Elebits because his parents spent more time researching them than they do on him, decides to use his father's Capture Gun to capture the Elebits and restore the electrical power. He also feels responsible for the Elebits' unusual behaviour because the storm happened right after his wish that all the Elebits would go away.

Kai's adventures lead him through the town and towards the amusement park. He is contacted via phone by his parents, who reveal that a lightning bolt during the thunderstorm created a previously undiscovered type of Elebit, the Zero Elebit, determined to be cause of the blackout. Kai travels deeper into the amusement park and finds that the Zero Elebit is absorbing all other Elebits and dangerously increasing in size. Kai manages to subdue and tame the Zero Elebit, lifting its influence on the Elebits. Discovering that the Zero Elebit was causing all the trouble in hopes of making friends, Kai takes pity on the helpless Zero Elebit and decides to adopt it. Kai reunites with his parents and they travel back home together.

Development

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According to producer Shingo Mukaitoge, Elebits began development almost immediately after Nintendo first demonstrated the Wii hardware to Konami employees.[6] Mukaitoge desired to utilize the new and unique pointing and motion sensing capabilities of the Wii Remote and designed the game around the idea of freely touching or moving objects in a room.[4][5][7] Dennis Lee, the project manager for the game, stated that the main goal was to "create a game that was easy to pick up and play" with a hide-and-seek-inspired game design, citing Half-Life 2 as an influence on the game control. The game's controls were constantly adjusted during development in order to provide a "proper feel" to handling the in-game objects.[5][6]

Though Konami originally stated at E3 2006 that Elebits would only feature a single-player mode,[5] competitive multiplayer was implemented before the game's release.[8]

Sequels and Other Appearances

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The sequel to Elebits, Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero, was released on the Nintendo DS in Japan on December 11, 2008 and in North America on January 6, 2009.

The Spin-off to Elebits, Elebits Capture, was released on iPhone and iPad in North America in 2010.

Naoyuki Sato's song "The Smile of You" (from the game's soundtrack) has been featured in some of Konami's Bemani music games, including Beatmania IIDX[9] and pop'n music[10]. The song is credited to his Bemani alias, Nekomata Master.

Reception

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Elebits received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[11] Several previews compared the game to Pikmin and Katamari Damacy due to the similar art style and character design. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of four eights for a total of 32 out of 40.[15]

411Mania gave it a score of eight out of 10, saying, "If only for how well it uses the Wii’s controller and for how much fun anyone can have with it, Elebits is a must have. I would easily place it among the Wii’s top five games at this point. But if you are not sure about the kiddie premise, rent it. I am sure you will have so much fun that you will want to buy it."[28] The A.V. Club gave it a B, saying that, "All in all, even the most fun round of Elebit-catching has its trials."[26] Detroit Free Press similarly gave it three stars out of four, saying that "The most annoying part of the game is opening doors, which takes an awkward twist, good positioning and the ability to move fast before the things close again. But generally, it's a good romp through a very simple adventure and a terrific demonstration of the Wii remote's abilities for all ages."[27]

Elebits sold approximately 70,738 copies in Japan by the end of 2007.[29] The game received the CESA Japan Game Award 2006: Future Award.[30] It also received the "Best Wii Action Game of 2006", "Wii Game with Most Innovative Design of 2006", and "Wii Game with Best Use of the Wii Remote of 2006" awards from IGN.[31]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Elebits is an action-adventure developed and published by for the Nintendo , released on December 2, 2006, in and December 12, 2006, in . It was Konami's inaugural title for the Wii console, showcasing innovative use of the as a capture that allows players to manipulate objects in the environment by pushing, pulling, lifting, and throwing them. In the game, players control a young boy named Kai who searches for and collects Elebits—small, cute creatures that generate electricity and power everyday devices in the game's world—following a storm that causes a global blackout and scatters the creatures into hiding. The core gameplay revolves around exploration and puzzle-solving within household and outdoor settings, where collecting Elebits increases the player's wattage to activate appliances, unlock areas, and progress through levels structured as missions. Elebits hide in everyday objects, requiring players to use the gun-like tool to interact creatively with the physics-based environment, often leading to chaotic and satisfying destruction to reveal hidden creatures. The game supports single-player and multiplayer modes, including co-op and competitive options for up to four players, emphasizing the Wii's motion controls for immersive interaction. It received generally favorable reviews, praised for its inventive and charm but critiqued for technical issues like imprecise controls and short length, earning a score of 75/100. The Elebits franchise expanded with a sequel, Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero, released for the Nintendo DS in 2008 in Japan and 2009 internationally, shifting to a side-scrolling adventure format while continuing the story of Kai and his companion Elebit, Zero, as they pursue powerful Omega Elebits in a magical realm. A mobile spin-off, Elebits: Capture, followed in 2010 for iOS, focusing on quick capture challenges. The series highlights Konami's early experimentation with Nintendo's motion-based hardware, blending elements of exploration, physics puzzles, and creature collection in a whimsical, electricity-themed universe.

Gameplay

Core mechanics

Elebits are small, electricity-generating creatures that inhabit everyday household objects and serve as the primary collectibles in the game, powering appliances and devices when captured. These creatures are hidden within the environment, requiring players to interact with objects to expose them. The core interaction revolves around the Capture Gun, a multipurpose tool controlled via the and Nunchuk, where players point the on-screen to aim and pull the trigger to suck in visible Elebits, converting them into usable . The gun also enables players to shake, turn, or zap objects—such as bookshelves or furniture—to reveal hidden Elebits, and to lift and manipulate items in a first-person perspective for . Initially limited to lighter objects like jars, the gun's strength upgrades through collection of specific Elebits, allowing handling of heavier items such as pianos or cars to access new areas. Captured Elebits contribute to a watt-based , starting with a basic capacity that accumulates as currency to activate devices like lamps, televisions, refrigerators, and elevators, which in turn reveal more Elebits or unlock paths. Different colored Elebits provide varying watt values; for example, blue Elebits yield 5 watts each, while red Elebits provide 20 watts. Elebits, however, primarily enhance the Capture Gun's power rather than adding watts directly, expanding the range and lifting capacity progressively. Environmental puzzles emphasize strategic power allocation, such as energizing bridges or machinery to progress, often within time limits to encourage efficient collection. Gameplay progresses through nearly 30 stages set in Kai's house and surrounding neighborhood, with each level requiring players to collect a target number of Elebits to meet watt goals and advance. This structure builds from simple room-based searches to more complex outdoor areas, focusing on thorough exploration and .

Edit mode

Edit Mode in Elebits allows players to create custom levels after achieving at least a C-rank in individual story mode stages, enabling customization of those unlocked rooms. Upon completing the main story, the full Edit Mode becomes available, providing access to a wide array of objects unlocked through high rankings in missions, such as B-ranks that reveal object groups like furniture and appliances from locations including the player's room and . In this sandbox-style editor, players start with a basic room template from the selected stage and use the pointer to freely position over 100 different object types, including variants like chairs, tables, and electronics, which are drawn from those encountered in the main game. Elebits can be manually placed as spawn points within or under these objects to hide them, simulating discovery mechanics similar to core gameplay where powering objects with collected Elebits reveals hidden areas. Players then define the level's completion goal by setting a required watt total, which must be achieved by capturing the placed Elebits during playtesting. Once built, custom levels can be tested immediately within the editor to verify layout and Elebit interactions, with options to save creations for later replay or modification; the game supports multiple save slots for personal levels, though exact capacity varies by system memory. Limitations include restriction to unlocked stage templates without the ability to create entirely new environments or add advanced scripting for complex behaviors, relying instead on the game's inherent for interactions like tipping over stacked furniture to access concealed spots. This basic physics ensures objects respond realistically to the Capture Gun, such as falling or breaking when manipulated, enhancing the sandbox creativity while maintaining consistency with standard play dynamics.

Multiplayer and online features

Elebits features local multiplayer support for up to four players in a competitive versus mode, where participants vie to capture the most Elebits within a set time limit on custom levels created in Edit mode. In this mode, gameplay occurs on a shared single screen, with the first player controlling the character's movement while all participants wield individual Capture Guns to interact with the environment and collect Elebits. The core mechanics integrate seamlessly, as captured Elebits generate watts that power objects and enhance the guns' capabilities, though the competitive setup emphasizes rivalry in resource gathering. The game also incorporated online features through Nintendo's service, enabling players to upload their custom Edit mode levels to a central database for global sharing and downloading by others. This functionality, powered by the , allowed access to directly from the game's menu, fostering community-driven level variety during the Wii's early years. However, the online service was discontinued in 2013, rendering level uploading and downloading inaccessible on original hardware.

Plot and characters

Plot summary

In the world of Elebits, tiny creatures known as Elebits serve as the sole source of electricity, powering every aspect of modern life from household appliances to city infrastructure. One fateful night, a massive lightning storm ravages Kai's suburban hometown, causing the Elebits to , scatter, and hide in every nook and cranny, plunging the entire area into darkness. Kai, a 10-year-old boy and the son of prominent Elebits researchers Dr. Ed and Dr. Anna, awakens to a powerless home and discovers his parents have rushed to their lab to investigate the crisis, leaving him behind. Resentful of the Elebits for the neglect he feels from his parents' dedication to studying them—and having once wished the creatures would disappear—Kai grabs his father's prototype capture gun and sets out on a quest to round them up, restore , and search for clues about his family's whereabouts. Kai's journey takes him through the familiar rooms of his house, expanding to outdoor spaces like the backyard, neighborhood, and an , across 29 levels of increasing complexity that highlight the wonder of discovery from a child's viewpoint. Ultimately, he confronts the storm's origin: a rogue Omega Elebit called Zero, which he subdues and befriends, resolving the outage and enabling a heartfelt reunion with his parents, underscoring themes of family bonds and newfound appreciation for the everyday magic around him.

Characters

Kai serves as the playable and the player's avatar in Elebits, portrayed as a curious and energetic 10-year-old boy in the whose parents' obsession with research has left him feeling neglected. He navigates the game's environments with simple animations that emphasize his youthful agility and expressiveness, voiced by Eri Sendai in the original Japanese release and Carolyn Miller in the English dub. Through Kai, players experience the narrative's emotional core, including the family dynamics strained by a sudden that disrupts their home and scatters the Elebits. Kai's father, Dr. Ed, is a prominent non-playable character and renowned Elebits researcher who co-developed the Capture Gun with his wife, Dr. Anna, adding depth to the family's scientific background. Initially absent from the household following the storm, he provides emotional stakes for Kai's journey and appears in cutscenes, highlighting themes of familial reconnection. Voiced by Dai Matsumoto in Japanese and Eric Kelso in English, his role underscores the game's blend of adventure and heartfelt storytelling. Kai's mother, Dr. Anna, is a prominent non-playable character and renowned Elebits researcher who co-developed the Capture Gun with her husband, Dr. Ed, adding depth to the family's scientific background. Initially absent from the household following the storm, she provides emotional stakes for Kai's journey and appears in cutscenes to deliver guidance and maternal support, highlighting themes of familial reconnection. Voiced by Fuyuka Oura in Japanese and Rumiko Varnes in the English dub, her role underscores the game's blend of adventure and heartfelt storytelling. The Elebits themselves form a collective of endearing, non-individualized characters central to the game's world, depicted as small, creatures in vibrant colors like , yellow, , and black that generate to power everyday objects. Their designs vary in size from tiny forms to larger aggregates, with behaviors influenced by color—such as Elebits providing basic wattage for manipulation or ones enhancing power capabilities—making them both interactive elements and narrative drivers of energy and discovery. Zero is a unique Omega Elebit and the primary antagonist turned ally, responsible for the storm that scatters the other Elebits. As a powerful, rogue creature, Zero serves as the final boss, but Kai befriends it after defeat, continuing its role in the franchise. Minor non-playable characters, such as neighbors and family pets, appear in later levels like outdoor neighborhoods and expanded home areas, contributing to the immersive environment through brief interactions that add flavor without extensive dialogue or development.

Development and release

Production

Development of Elebits began in October 2005 at , shortly following Nintendo's announcement of the console (then codenamed Revolution) at 2005, with producer Shingo Mukaitoge leading the project. The effort was handled by an internal team of approximately 30 developers, emphasizing innovative use of the Wii Remote's motion-sensing and pointer capabilities to create a gameplay experience distinct from traditional first-person shooters. The design drew inspiration from hide-and-seek mechanics, combining creature collection elements with first-person environmental exploration, specifically adapted to leverage the Remote's intuitive pointing and twisting motions for interacting with the game world. Mukaitoge's team aimed for broad , using minimal button inputs—primarily a single trigger for capturing Elebits—to ensure the controls felt natural and engaging for players of all ages. Key challenges included a compressed 13-month development timeline from October 2005 to November 2006, alongside optimizing for the 's relatively underpowered hardware, which required careful tuning of custom to handle over 1,000 interactive objects per level without compromising . Graphical limitations, such as the absence of advanced effects like , and ensuring seamless integration of features like for user-generated content further tested the team's resources. During development, Elebits earned the Future Division Prize at the 2006 for its pioneering application of technology.

Release and marketing

Elebits was published by worldwide and released as a launch title for the in on December 2, 2006. The game launched in on December 12, 2006. In , it became available on May 17, 2007, followed by on May 4, 2007, where it was retitled Eledees to align with the game's electricity theme, evoking "LEDs." Konami's marketing efforts positioned Elebits as a family-oriented experience centered on searching for and capturing the titular creatures using motion controls. Promotional campaigns included TV commercials and trailers emphasizing interactive gameplay, alongside demos at launch events to highlight the console's innovative controls in tandem with flagship titles like . The game retailed at the standard price of $49.99 in . Post-launch, provided free online updates to address connectivity issues for features like screenshot sharing via , which remained operational until its discontinuation in June 2013.

Sequels

The direct sequel to Elebits is Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero, a top-down action-adventure game developed and published by Konami for the Nintendo DS. It was released in Japan on December 11, 2008, followed by North America on January 6, 2009, and Europe on February 20, 2009. The game continues the story of protagonist Kai, who teams up with a robotic companion named Zero to explore seven themed worlds and capture Elebits in a magical land after a dimensional mishap. Produced by Shingo Mukaitoge, the same individual behind the original Wii title, the sequel shifted from a first-person perspective to a 2D top-down view to better leverage the DS's touch screen for intuitive controls, such as stylus-based movement and Elebit capturing. This adaptation introduced platforming elements through obstacle navigation and puzzle-solving, where players use captured Elebits to power special "Omega" variants with abilities like freezing water or destroying barriers. The core mechanic of collecting Elebits to generate energy remains central, but the game expands it with new Elebit types, deeper narrative involving and environmental themes, challenging boss fights that require strategic ability switches, and portable gameplay suited to the handheld format. Additionally, it features local and online multiplayer modes for up to four players, focused on competitive Elebit collection races across shared stages. A mobile spin-off, Elebits: Capture, was released for devices in on March 9, 2010. Developed and published by , the game focuses on quick-time capture challenges where players control Zero to stun and collect Elebits using touch controls before they escape, emphasizing speed and precision in short sessions. No further direct sequels followed Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero on major console or handheld platforms, effectively concluding the mainline series.

Other appearances

Elebits was prominently featured in playable demos at major gaming events to showcase the Wii's motion controls. At the in 2006, presented a hands-on demo where players collected green and red Elebits within a three-minute time limit, emphasizing object manipulation using the . Similarly, at the (TGS) later that year, dedicated booths offered interactive sessions with mini-levels, including scenarios like lifting cars and interacting with household objects powered by Elebits. In terms of merchandise, Konami released official promotional items in tied to the game's launch, including limited-edition plush toys and plush straps resembling Elebits characters such as the Midori Elebit. These items, produced in 2006, served as collectibles for fans and were distributed through promotional channels. Beyond these integrations, Elebits has not received major adaptations into other media forms like or , remaining primarily within the gaming sphere through its core concept of energy-providing creatures.

Reception

Critical reception

Elebits received generally favorable reviews from critics upon its release, earning a Metacritic aggregate score of 75/100 based on 46 reviews. Reviewers frequently highlighted the game's innovative integration of the Wii Remote's motion controls, which allowed players to manipulate objects in a physics-based environment with intuitive pointing and shaking gestures. IGN praised this aspect, awarding the game an 8.3 out of 10 and noting its strong family appeal through accessible yet engaging gameplay that showcased the Wii's hardware potential early in the console's lifecycle. The charming, colorful visuals and whimsical art style were also commonly commended, contributing to the game's lighthearted atmosphere and appeal to younger audiences. Additional praises centered on the replayability offered by the Edit mode, where players could design and share custom levels, extending the core experience beyond the main campaign. Nintendo Life echoed this sentiment in its positive coverage, describing Elebits as a packed full of innovation and a perfect complement to the controller. However, criticisms focused on the game's brevity, with the single-player campaign lasting approximately 5 to 7 hours, leading some to view it as better suited for rental than full purchase. , scoring it 7.5 out of 10, pointed out repetitive elements in the Elebit collection process and occasional technical glitches, such as framerate drops in busier later levels. The game garnered recognition for its forward-thinking design, winning the CESA Future Award at the 2006 for its potential to influence future motion-controlled titles. In retrospective analyses post-2020, Elebits has been reevaluated as an underrated gem of the era, with commentators emphasizing its creative use of motion controls and untapped potential for modern remakes or sequels.

Commercial performance

Elebits achieved moderate commercial success as a launch window title for the Nintendo Wii, particularly in . According to sales estimates, the game sold approximately 80,000 units in , 220,000 units in , 10,000 units in , and 20,000 units in other regions, for a global total of around 320,000 copies. These figures reflect a stronger performance in the North American market compared to and , where sales tapered off more quickly following the initial release. As one of the early third-party titles showcasing the Wii's motion controls, Elebits contributed to the console's momentum during its launch period in late 2006. The title's success in this context led to a sequel on the Nintendo DS in 2009, underscoring its role in establishing Konami's presence on the platform. The game's long-term legacy has been influenced by the discontinuation of Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection service on May 20, 2014, which ended online features such as map creation and sharing via WiiConnect24. Despite this, community interest persists through emulation support on the Dolphin emulator, which enables play on modern hardware with enhancements like higher resolutions. In the 2020s, fan-driven mods, including HD texture packs, have further sustained engagement among retro gaming enthusiasts.

References

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