Help Wanted (video game)

Help Wanted cover

Help Wanted (50 Wacky Jobs), is a video game developed by Hudson Soft for the Wii console. Released in 2008, the game is a collection of various mini-games, each representing a unique and humorous job. The player's goal is to save the planet from an incoming meteor by earning money from these jobs to buy a telescope and ultimately a missile to destroy the meteor. The game is known for its quirky humor, diverse mini-games, and its light-hearted take on job simulation.

Gameplay

In Help Wanted, players navigate through a job selection screen, choosing from 50 different mini-games that represent various jobs. These range from traditional roles, such as a Farmer and Firefighter, to more bizarre occupations, like a Dinosaur Hunter and Space Fighter Pilot. Each job is a unique mini-game with specific objectives and gameplay mechanics.

Players must successfully complete tasks to earn money, which can then be used to purchase items from the shopping channel. These items include clothes, furniture for the player's virtual home, and crucially, the telescope and missile needed to save the world. The game incorporates a day-night cycle and weather effects, which can affect job performance and availability.

Reception

Help Wanted received mixed reviews from critics. Many praised the game's humor and the variety of mini-games, but criticized its repetitive gameplay and the uneven quality of the mini-games. Despite its flaws, it was noted for its charm and the unique premise of saving the world through odd jobs.

Legacy

While Help Wanted did not spawn direct sequels, it remains a memorable example of the diverse range of experiences available on the Wii. Its approach to mini-games and job simulation has influenced other titles in the genre, though few have replicated its distinctive blend of humor and world-saving stakes.