Samba de Amigo on the Dreamcast was the most relentlessly cheerful game ever, and the Wii version won't be toning down the exuberance -- just looking at this latest batch of art and screens from Sega's shake-'em-up almost brought light to the recesses of our dark, cynical hearts. But there's something gnawing at us, something that prevents us from getting all giddy over Wii Samba: the controls.
Apparently, we're not alone in this respect. A number of the recent "hands-on" articles that have appeared in the wake of the Nintendo Media Summit mention how Gearbox hasn't yet nailed this aspect of the game.
We've already discussed Joystiq's experiences (choice quote: "[...] the Remote and Nunchuk just don't feel the same as the original maracas."), and Go Nintendo felt similarly ("Unfortunately, there are still some control quirks. There are times when the Wiimote/Nunchuck will lose your positioning. This didn't happen too often, but it happened enough to make note of it.") Meanwhile, GameSpot's Ricardo Torres was perhaps the most forgiving, claiming that "the control is on its way toward being solid." Call us demanding little so-and-sos all you like, but we want solid! Not "on its way toward being solid."
The general feeling seems to be that the title is shaping up well, but that the maracas are sorely missed. If you're reading this, Sega, you know what to do.
Read: Joystiq's hands-on impressions
Read: Go Nintendo's hands-on impressions
Read: GameSpot's hands-on impressions
[Screenshots via press release]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-15-2008 @ 4:17PM
Mr Khan said...
"If you're reading this, Sega, you know what to do."
Make ANOTHER game-specific peripheral? Yeah
However, it is Samba Di Amigo, so i suppose its the one game-specific peripheral that needs made >_
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4-15-2008 @ 4:19PM
TheCoats said...
So Pretty and Happy!!! makes me want to put my satanic guitar hero controller down and buy a puppy and play the maracas with him!!
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4-15-2008 @ 4:29PM
SoshiKitai said...
...but puppies can't play maracas... th-they have paws...
...or did you GENETICALLY ENGINEER THEM TO PLAY THE MARACAS?!!
YOU MURDERER!!!
4-15-2008 @ 4:45PM
TheWarlock said...
*Passes out from laughing too hard*
Rofl, Maracas?! Ugh! Too cartoonish for me, makes me feel like i'm playing a game version of "Totally Spies". Not that I know what that is... MY SISTER WAS WATCHING IT AND I JUST HAPPENED TO BE THERE, OK??!!
4-15-2008 @ 6:38PM
Croove55 said...
@Soshi
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/Croove55/PuppywithMaracas-1.png
(done in MS paint and photo editor, so obviously not that pretty)
4-16-2008 @ 11:13AM
TheCoats said...
OMG-So funny dude....>ROFL
4-15-2008 @ 4:36PM
Jason Z. said...
There are times when the Wiimote/Nunchuck will lose your positioning.
Of course, it depends how often it 'loses you'. After all, some might forget this but the DC version did it now and then too, where you were definitely doing the right thing but the Maracas were confused or sensors blocked slightly by an arm or something that the game thought you weren't doing the right move.
If it's just the occasional thing (like the DC version was) it shouldn't be much of an issue.
I'm more worried about the addition of the Samba V.2000 import games' movements than anything. They were horribly inaccurate and a pain in the butt because sometimes they just refused to register correctly. Hopefully, since they took these from the DC sequel and placed them into the Wii version, it means that they believe the Wii controller will be more able to deal with these movements than the original maracas were.
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4-15-2008 @ 5:03PM
vegi-saurus said...
For the authentic maracas rattle, stick some tic-tacs in your pockets while playing.
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4-15-2008 @ 5:22PM
SoshiKitai said...
But if you have no legs, please proceed to duck tape tic tacs onto your Wiimotes.
4-15-2008 @ 5:29PM
vegi-saurus said...
You can always stick it in your shirt pocket if you have no legs. But duct tape works. :)
4-15-2008 @ 7:34PM
Waffala said...
I bet someone will come out with a snap on peripheral with maraca shakey-sounds, just look at all the plastic tennis and baseball clip ons out there.
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4-15-2008 @ 11:16PM
navstar said...
Considering only the Wiimote can give tactile feedback and sound to replicate the sh-sh-shake of a real maraca, the Nunchuck is going to feel pretty dead.
Why not use two Wiimotes? Or have little snap-on bean rattle globes?
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