Here’s something: the Wii isn’t just about mini-game compilations. OK, it’s mainly about mini-game compilations. But not entirely. Case in point: Monster Lab, a new RPG for the Nintendo console from Eidos.

Due in Summer 2008, Monster Lab is described by developer Backbone as "Pokémon meets Tim Burton", and has players stepping into the shoes of one Professor Fuseless, who’s out and about to stop a motley group of monsters from being generally unpleasant.

How does he do this? Easy - by creating his own monsters, who then scrap it out with your foes in turn based fights. Whether you win or not boils down to how you constructed your monster in the first place, and with over 300 different items and 150 monster parts (bio or mechanical) to choose from (including legs, arms, bodies, and heads), there should be a healthy serving of strategic thinking involved.

Eidos and Backbone are mulling over possible online options, while the game will also contain MINI-GAMES, if you can believe such a thing. Still, entrenched cynicism aside, it’s nice to see something else fresh on the Wii. Check out the first screens below.