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Nintendo Wii Fanboy

Wii Warm Up: Taiko Risk Assessment

Posted Oct 11th 2008 10:30AM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Wii Warm Up

Taiko Drum Master was released in the US once, on PlayStation 2. It didn't really go well. Now Namco Bandai has revealed a version for the Wii, and we're wondering if they'll decide to localize it. Or if they should. Well, of course they should, but we mean in terms of financial success.

Since the release of the PS2 game, Guitar Hero and Rock Band have somehow moved the music game out of the exclusive realm of people like us and into the mainstream. You probably know people who have one of those games. There's another factor in Taiko's favor this time: it's basically a party game, and the Wii is openly hospitable toward those.

Do you think a Taiko could be a success on the Wii outside of Japan? Are Americans ready to bang on a tiny replica of a Japanese drum in time with "Katamari on the Rock"?

Gallery: Taiko no Tatsujin Wii

TGS08: Up close with Taiko's Drum Master

Posted Oct 9th 2008 5:15PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Controller, Screens

Taiko no Tatsujin (Taiko Drum Master) is currently delighting Tokyo Game Show attendees on the showfloor, allowing us a first glimpse of the drum controller that comes with the game. It looks sturdy and very ... hittable! We look forward to seeing how it comes packaged, though are slightly saddened that this version won't have its own Taiko-themed stand.

Also worth noting: judging by these photos, the drum is wireless, and connects directly to the Wiimote, à la the Classic Controller. Beat a path past the break for more pictures.

Gallery: Taiko no Tatsujin Wii

Continue reading TGS08: Up close with Taiko's Drum Master

Details on Guitar Hero: World Tour pricing

Posted Oct 6th 2008 10:00PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

Earlier today,we told you about a Guitar Hero: World Tour deluxe bundle. Some mistook that as a price for the whole entire band kit. On top of that, confusion surrounding the price for the bundle still gathered, enough so that Activision Blizzard had to clarify the issue. Pricing for the game's bundles is as follows:

• $190 for the full band kit
• $110 for the bundle we posted about earlier
• $100 for the guitar/game bundle

Gallery: Guitar Hero World Tour

Playing invisible instruments more complex than you think

Posted Oct 6th 2008 5:28PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: Interviews

That's according to Reggie Fils-Aime, at least. The Nintendo bossman thinks that his company did Wii Music a big disservice when it was displayed at E3, and feels the game is a lot more complex than people realize.

In fact, Reggie believes that Wii Music, like all the best music games, will be simple to pick up, but a tricky beast to master. "We may have done that title an injustice at E3 by showing something that looked so easy," stated Fils-Aime to technology and media site Venturebeat. "Now we're showing the tremendous variety of instruments and tones and how challenging it is to make music that sounds good."

Reggie also revealed that Nintendo expects Wii Music to become one of the "top sellers" on the system. We can totally believe that, but "challenging"? Really? We don't want to jump conclusions without a few major Wii Music sessions, but these assertions do seem to go against the evidence we've seen so far.

Gallery: Wii Music

[Via Eurogamer]

Guitar Hero: World Tour gets more expensive deluxe edition bundle

Posted Oct 6th 2008 3:37PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News, Fan stuff, Peripherals

If spending $100 on a new plastic instrument and Guitar Hero: World Tour isn't enough, Red Octane is offering up a deluxe bundle for those that need to lose that extra cash, but don't want to go in for the entire band kit. For $109.99, fans will get a custom guitar bag for their new plastic axe, as well as a Guitar Hero keychain. We're not sure if that's worthy of an extra $10, but for those of you who are really worried about scuffing up their new Guitar Hero guitar, it's an option.

Gallery: Guitar Hero World Tour

Rock Band 2 bonus DLC available on Wii

Posted Oct 1st 2008 12:43PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News

This is about as direct a confirmation of downloadable content in the Wii version of Rock Band 2 as we're going to see. Even better, hey, free songs! The official Rock Band 2 site has started taking registrations for a set of 20 free downloadable bonus tracks, accessed by entering a code found on the instruction manual. Xbox 360 fans have been aware of this offer for a couple of weeks due to their, well, earlier access to instruction manuals. We didn't dare get our hopes up about any downloadable music, much less a bundle of free songs.

But the registration clearly says "Anyone who has purchased Rock Band 2 for the Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii is eligible to receive 20 additional DLC tracks, free of charge, coming soon"! Huzzah!

[Via 1UP]

Wii Music keeps on trucking

Posted Sep 30th 2008 6:17PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Video

You know that intro movie in Rock Band, where all of the rocking types are jamming out on top of a speeding car, all XTREME-like (click here to jog your memory)? We guess this is Nintendo's take on the thing, as Wii Music's truck-riding, world-rocking ensemble very much resembles that, at least in our mind. Just, you know, Nintendo's take is a bit more pleasant and a lot less full of leather-clad individuals rocking the desert.

For a more traditional trailer of the gang rocking out an honest-to-goodness venue, cruise past the break.

Gallery: Wii Music

Continue reading Wii Music keeps on trucking

AC/DC Live Rock Band Track Pack out November 16, is not dirt cheap [update]

Posted Sep 30th 2008 12:42PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News

For those about to rock ... EA would like to sell you a disc! The company has announced a collection of live recordings from AC/DC to be released on November 16 for Wii in the US for $40, and in other regions "starting in December." Pricing for other regions can be found at the link.

The AC/DC Live Rock Band Track Pack will contain 18 songs pulled from years of AC/DC live recordings, in a new mix created specifically for Rock Band. The press release for the disc promises "more than 99 minutes of game play for each instrument." Check out the list of songs after the break! It's ... pretty much exactly what you'd expect from an AC/DC collection!

The press release says that all tracks from this collection will be playable in both Rock Band and Rock Band 2 on the PS3 and 360 via an authentication code. But it's also a standalone game (and, in the Wii's case, apparently just a standalone game), so you don't actually have to have either Rock Band game to play it. Just instruments.

[Update: Like the new AC/DC album, this game is Wal-Mart exclusive.]

Gallery: Rock Band

Continue reading AC/DC Live Rock Band Track Pack out November 16, is not dirt cheap [update]

Wii Music reflects on Nintendo's past with playable Famicom

Posted Sep 29th 2008 4:24PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: Video

Nintendo has been happy to think outside the box when selecting Wii Music's line-up of instruments, and over the weekend, the company revealed another unconventional choice: the Famicom. This isn't as weird as the dog suit -- there is, after all, a whole scene dedicated to making music from old game sounds (and even household names have dabbled) -- but is an interesting and fun addition nonetheless.

The other recently unveiled instrument, the Timbales (there's a video after the break), is less interesting as a result, though Wikipedia (yes, we call this "journalism" -- Pulitzer, here we come) taught us that "Timbales" doubles up as a Spanish euphemism for, well, a rude word. Expect much childish giggling in Spanish-speaking households later this year, then.

Gallery: Wii Music

Continue reading Wii Music reflects on Nintendo's past with playable Famicom

USA Today republishes Rock Band 2 story, says it isn't totally gimped

Posted Sep 29th 2008 10:52AM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

On Friday, a USA Today article reported that Rock Band 2 for the Wii would be totally gimped, just like the first game. After being contacted by Harmionx PR and writing them back, we didn't hear anything else on the matter. That is, until now. USA Today has republished the article in question and has included some stuff about the Wii version of Harmonix's sequel.

The updated piece now reads that, while "unannounced," MTV games has confirmed that Rock Band 2 for the Wii will "offer the same online functionality -- i.e. song downloads and Internet multiplayer modes -- as the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PS3 versions." We guess that settles it then? Are you ready to give Rock Band 2 another chance, or will it still be Guitar Hero: World Tour for you?

Activision CEO: Music labels should pay us

Posted Sep 26th 2008 7:12PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

Activision Blizzard CEO Robert Kotick is a pretty opinionated dude. With the music and rhythm games skyrocketing to popularity, Kotick sees the games as a means to bring new consumers to the bands, not vice versa. "When you look at the impact [Guitar Hero] can have on an Aerosmith, Van Halen or Metallica, it's really significant," Kotick said, further adding "so much so that you sort of question whether or not, in the case of those kinds of products, you should be paying any money at all and whether it should be the reverse."

Kotick backs up his point even more by stating that the games "have lots of music to choose from, lots of artists to choose from" and that a "12-year-old kid has no idea who Steven Tyler is or who Aerosmith is," but that the game can introduce them to that particular artist. Kotick went on further to say that the majority of people who enjoy these games "will tell you they're not purchasing the products based on the songs that are included. They're purchasing based on how fun the songs are to play when they're playing them."

Gallery: Guitar Hero World Tour

[Via CVG]

Source (subscription required) - Activision's CEO speaks

Nintendo: Wii Music assists musical education

Posted Sep 26th 2008 6:15PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: Interviews

In what is now a time-honored tradition for Nintendo's first-party releases, Satoru Iwata and Shigeru Miyamoto came together over a cup of tea and a Jammie Dodger* to have a chinwag about Wii Music. Neither man fell about laughing hysterically at any point in the interview, so we assume the game is actually going ahead.

As usual, Shiggy came up with some corking soundbytes, in between reflecting on the ukelele he received as a youngster and other trivial details. These included the shocking revelation that he had never been so excited while making a game as when making Wii Music -- not even when he was crafting Super Mario Bros. In an even more controversial twist, the conversation then turned to how Wii Music could (in Iwata's words) "raise people's basic level of music education." Not surprisingly, Miyamoto agreed, adding, "I've even thought it would it would be great if kindergartens or elementary schools got Wii Music and began kid's music education with that ..."

So there you go: according to Nintendo's top men, Wii Music could kickstart basic music skills in kids ... by making them play invisible instruments. Eh?

* Awaiting confirmation on this.

Gallery: Wii Music

[Via Kotaku]

Wii version of Rock Band 2 is totally gimped [update 2]

Posted Sep 26th 2008 1:34PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

Update 2: We've been contacted by Harmonix PR and they have said that the USA Today story was false and that the Wii version of Rock Band 2 will be "fully featured." We're trying to get some more info now, so stay tuned.

Update: USA Today has edited the bits about Rock Band 2 for the Wii out of the article. You can still read what was originally published below. Thanks, Louie!

Oh boy. If USA Today is to be believed, Wii owners will likely find the only title that can satiate their need for a competent music game is Guitar Hero: World Tour, as USA Today is reporting that Rock Band 2 is going to be gimped and featureless, much like the first title. So much for the hope that it wouldn't be.

In their look at the sequel, USA Today states that the "Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 2 versions of "Rock Band 2" do not offer any Internet connectivity for multiplayer gaming or downloadable music." What is that sound? It's the sound of a million Wii gamers crying out, only to be suddenly silenced. Why, if Obi Wan was alive today, he'd be totally disappointed in you, Harmonix.

In other Rock Band news, the next Track Pack (Vol. 2) has been spotted on GameStop's website here. It's retailing for $29.99 and has a listed release date of December 30th. It smells of placeholder, to us. Also, the Rock Band 2 bundle is listed with a release date of November 18th, for $189.99 (including a preorder bonus of a free t-shirt).

Gallery: Rock Band

[Via Kombo]

Wii Music accommodates our de facto banjo theme

Posted Sep 26th 2008 10:45AM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Video

It's totally a banjo kind of week. We were just talking about Banjo-Kazooie (and its apparent banishment from Virtual Console), and now Nintendo presents a Wii Music video demonstrating that game's interpretation of the instrument of the same name. It's air banjo! Like air guitar, but folksier. While holding the nunchuk aloft, whipping downward with the Wiimote will approximate a single pluck, or a strum, depending on the song. Maybe tomorrow the featured instrument will be the kazoo. Wouldn't that be an odd coincidence?

All this banjo talk makes us want to watch Space Ghost Coast To Coast. BANJOOOOOO!

Gallery: Wii Music

Looking for more on Wii Music? You can catch an E3 trailer here, read about our time with the game here, and learn how to play the steel drum, handbell, trumpet, timpani, acoustic bass, shamisen, harmonica, cello, harpsichord, cheerleader, saxophone, sitar, cowbell, electric bass, drums, dog, accordion, taiko, clarinet, conga, electric guitar, harp, flute, marching drum, violin, piano, guitar, and marimba.

Wii Music: UK date, minigames, and the daily instrument

Posted Sep 25th 2008 11:45AM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News, Video

The biggest Wii Music news today is that it's been dated for the UK. Nintendo has announced that the game will be in stores on November 14.

Of course, being a day, there's also a "Today's Instrument" video! Today's featured Wii Music instrument is one that is, in our estimation, almost universally associated with fun: the steel drum. Most people hear the sound of a steel drum and think of beach vacations, and of time spent relaxing in some resort. We think of Super Mario World. Either way, the sound makes people happy. On an even more basic level, it's a big bowl that you hit with hammers! Neat! Of course, as usual, the model is too cool to let any of our hu-man emotions show through.

Also, it may be a bit confusing, but two Wii Music websites have updated with new content. The nintendo.co.jp Wii Music site features, in addition to basic info about the game, descriptions of three minigames contained in Wii Music: Narikiri Orchestra (something like "Becoming an Orchestra"), Awasete Handbell ("Connect Handbells"), and a very weird tone-matching minigame, all with video. The wii.com Wii Music website now has an Iwata/Miyamoto Creator's Voice interview, which we expect to see in English soon, and a series of seven commercials.

Gallery: Wii Music

Looking for more on Wii Music? You can catch an E3 trailer here, read about our time with the game here, and learn how to play the handbell, trumpet, timpani, acoustic bass, shamisen, harmonica, cello, harpsichord, cheerleader, saxophone, sitar, cowbell, electric bass, drums, dog, accordion, taiko, clarinet, conga, electric guitar, harp, flute, marching drum, violin, piano, guitar, and marimba.

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