SambaDeAmigo
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Samba De Amigo Wii Maracas get priced and dated
Samba de Amigo is barreling towards the Wii, and we all understand that it'll be a lot less exciting without the Wii Maracas. Thanks to Amazon's quick trigger finger, we now know that Sega's Wiimote accessories will go for $14.99 per pair, and if all goes to plan, they'll be shipping out on September 23rd. Of course, we'd suggest you pocket that and just craft your own wildly colored (and slightly gourd-shaped) Wiimote covers, but we understand not everyone was blessed with those DIY genes.[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]
Sega unconcerned about Wii storage, falling
Planning ahead, you're doing it wrong. That appears to be the mantra for Sega, at least when it comes to the ever-elusive topic of Wii storage. Strange, given that it's also a topic upon which the company is blazing a trail, announcing yesterday plans to release downloadable songs for the upcoming Wii-exclusive Samba de Amigo. In the same interview that gave us this insightful nugget, we also asked Sega marketing VP Sean Ratcliffe how the company plans to cope with the console's internal shortcomings, to which he had little response."This is an innovation for us, so we're going to test the waters and see how well this goes," he explained. "It's clearly something we'll need to address in the future, but for right now I don't think it's going to be a problem in terms of storage for us...we're going to have to cross that bridge when we come to it." Just forgive us if we don't follow you across that expanse -- that bridge is likely to fall out from under you.For more on Sega's strategies, or lack thereof, look for the full interview soon.
Sega confirms Samba de Amigo getting DLC
Sega has confirmed earlier rumors that its upcoming Wii-vival of Samba de Amigo will support downloadable content. That's the good news. However, with the first pack of three songs scheduled to debut alongside the game's launch on September 23, the announcement feels less like a gift and more a reason for Sega to dip its hands in our back pocket by charging for content that should already be on the disc.While no pricing model has yet been announced, the first set of downloads will include 80's radio chant, I Want Candy, from Bow Wow Wow; Jet's Are You Going To Be My Girl?; and Lou Bega's Mambo Mambo, with future tracks expected to be made available "on a regular basis." We hope not too regular, unless a little thing called storage is sorted out first. Perhaps we should be diving into couch cushions, looking for SD cards instead of loose change.[Via press release]
Rumor: Samba de Amigo for Wii getting downloadables
Since revealing intentions to charge money for some measure of online content in February, Nintendo has kept its future plans for our wallets quietly under wraps. However, new box art found on GameStop's online store seems to indicate that Sega's upcoming maraca-deficient revival of office favorite Samba De Amigo may have us praying to the microtransaction gods when the game ships for the Wii this August.While nothing has been announced by either Sega or Nintendo, the new box art, uncovered by the sleuths at NeoGAF, carries the red "Pay to Play" program logo first shown at GDC by Nintendo to identify games that carry some sort of online fee. As our our friends at Wii Fanboy theorize, it seems likely that the game could finally introduce downloadable songs to Wii, which if true will just make the Wii versions of Guitar Hero III and Rock Band feel that much more feature bankrupt.[Via Wii Fanboy]
Joystiq hands-on: Samba de Amigo (Wii)
Samba de Amigo without maracas is like seeing an old friend you've missed for years; it's still the same person, but the subtle changes add up. The Wii's Fall, 2008 version of Samba De Amigo follows the idea of the first, with gamers shaking two controllers -- any two, as long as one is a Remote -- in time with music and on-screen commands. The game reads the angle of the controller, which generally simulates the low, medium, and high positions.But the Remote and Nunchuk just don't feel the same as the original maracas. Sega representatives mentioned that the company is still considering input device add-ons and alternatives; the game might even ship with a new maraca controller. (I wouldn't bet on it, but apparently, it's still a possibility.) Short of that, it might include some sort of rattling add-on, like the Wii Wheel of rhythm games.I flailed and shook to a few Samba tracks from the game's more-than-40 options. Sega is including many from the Japan-only Samba 2K release as well as classics and new tunes. Mentioned music and musicians include "La Bamba," "Take On Me," "Santana," and "The Gypsy Kings." While any music game plays better with your favorite songs, Samba has been less about the tracks and more about the maracas. I was entertained, but I missed that rattle.%Gallery-20558%
First early footage of Samba de Amigo for Wii
Since it was revealed months ago, rhythm gamers have wondered what Samba de Amigo for the Wii would actually look like in action. Now that Dutch site SegaOnline has put up what's reportedly the first footage from an early build of the game, it turns out that the Wii version looks ... a lot like the Dreamcast version.While the return of the game's signature aesthetic and gameplay is inspiring, the actual controls displayed on the video are much less so. The below footage shows the on-screen "maraca" location sensor jumping around like a Mexican bean as the player shakes it up. A rough translation of the site's report even goes so far as to say that "this version is not even equipped with good control." Here's hoping Gearbox can fix that, er, minor problem by the time the game sees eventual release.
Samba de Video
Some random observations about this Samba de Amigo video, as shot at Sega's Gamersday event earlier this month: Gearbox, we're loving the maraca sound effects that emanate with each shake of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. Given the Wiimote's in-built speaker, this is a feature we'd have totally expected (and even the Dreamcast maracas managed this, albeit with a more low-tech solution), but it's still great to see it in action. New level ahoy! A fairground really does seem like the perfect place for a spot of maraca-shaking. It's been a while since this blogger recklessly coughed up $250 of his student loan for the Dreamcast version of the game, but one thing I don't recall is Amigo being entirely detached from the levels. On the Dreamcast, the maraca-wielding monkey would dance his way through each stage, his colorful entourage in tow. Here, he simply floats free of the levels. This seems like a fussy/picky point to raise, but we're very fussy/picky people. Especially when it comes to Sega stuff. It pleases us immensely to see the return of both Samba de Janeiro and bouncing scenery. [Via NeoGAF]
First Samba de Amigo art is exactly what we all imagined
New developer Gearbox, at least, hasn't made many changes to Samba de Amigo's mascot character, Amigo the monkey. Same festive hat, same red neckerchief, same permanent, vacant grin. The only major difference we can see in the first promotional art for the Wii Samba de Amigo is the very obvious addition of the Wiimote. That's Sega's subtle way of telling us that this is a Wii game, that you play on the Wii using the Wii controller. The press release, after the break, confirms this, reporting that the Wiimote and Nunchuk will take the place of the sublime maracas controller from the Dreamcast and arcade versions.This is not the first time in the short history of the Wii that Sega has released Wiimote-holding-monkey artwork. This time, however, the monkey is wearing a hat.
Sega gets around to announcing Samba De Amigo
Sega let fly with a press release today officially announcing that Samba De Amigo was coming to the Wii and it was chock full of information. Yes, it was information that we already knew, but information just the same. It's still a maraca game and it's still, curiously, being developed by Gearbox, the company that brought us Brothers In Arms, which never struck us as particularly "samba-infused."Rick Naylor, director of marketing at SEGA, thinks that Samba De Amigo on Nintendo's mega-popular system was a natural fit, saying, "The Wii's controllers enable players to enjoy Samba De Amigo's unique gameplay without having to purchase an expensive peripheral." ... We're assuming he means other than the Wii.
Sega serves Superstars Tennis to the Wii
Out of nowhere, Sega announced today that it will be working with developer Sumo Digital on a new sports title, Sega Superstars Tennis, for a wide range of platforms, including the DS and Wii. As you've probably surmised from the game's title, Sega Superstars Tennis will feature a celeb-filled cast picked from Sega's stable of classics. Already, Sonic, AiAi (Super Monkey Ball), Ulala (Space Channel 5), and Amigo (Samba de Amigo) have been confirmed as four of the fifteen playable characters.Before you break out the party hats to celebrate this Sega-themed adaptation of Mario Tennis, it's worth noting that while online modes are planned for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 releases, nothing of the sort has been indicated for the Wii version. Some might feel it's a negligible issue, but being the pessimists we are, we take it as pointing to a lack of dedication towards the Wii variant. Though we can't say for certain whether the screenshots released so far are representative of what Sega Superstars Tennis' graphics will look like on the Wii (they could be grabbed from the 360/PS3 versions), you can still get a pretty good idea of what to expect from the game with the images posted after the break. Expect to see Sega Superstars Tennis early 2008.
Wii Warm Up: Waggle Waggle Revolution
With DDR Hottest Party out and Guitar Hero III and Samba de Amigo on the way, the Wii is quickly building up an outstanding library of rhythm games (and also the Alvin and the Chipmunks thing). In some cases, especially with Samba, the Wiimote makes the system ideal, but the real draws are the popularity of the Wii and the relatively low cost of development versus other next-gen consoles.What does the Wii need in order to have a truly classic music game library? Ports, remakes, sequels, or even original ideas are welcome. We long for a new version of Enix's early rhythm game Bust a Groove, whose combination of attack moves and somewhat flexible timing is still totally unique.
Gearbox bringing Samba de Amigo sequel to Wii
Is it possible to have a rumored confirmation? If so, then consider this post a rumored confirmation that a new Samba de Amigo game is coming to the Wii. It's rumored because we haven't actually gotten our hands on the supposed source -- the latest issue of Nintendo Power, an alleged cover scan of which (above) is currently circulating around the internet . It's confirmation because numerous sources around the 'net are reporting the issue goes past the previous rumors and offers official confirmation that the game is in development from publisher Sega and new developer Gearbox Software (the Brothers in Arms guys).The issue doesn't contain details on the gameplay, though the soundtrack will supposedly have "a mix of new and classic tunes." While we're a little apprehensive about FPS developer Gearbox's ability to take on the rhythm genre and the Wii remote's ability to accurately recreate the maraca-shaking of the Dreamcast original, we'll take what we can get when it comes to more monkeys with maracas.[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]
Nintendo Power confirms Samba de Amigo
GoNintendo readers spotted something interesting in this month's Nintendo Power. And it would have been hard for them not to-- it's right on the cover there. Samba de Amigo is indeed coming to the Wii! As card-carrying Sega fanboys (with a specialization in Dreamcast-era Sega, to be exact) we couldn't be more thrilled. What a perfect game/controller combination-- almost as perfect as the real Samba controllers.Oh, but wait. According to the GoNintendo post, the new game is being made by Gearbox Software, who we can assure you is not Sonic Team. In fact, their history features nothing but FPS games and one Tony Hawk port. A very interesting choice to develop your bouncy, cartoony rhythm game, Sega. A very interesting choice indeed. Gearbox employees-- if you're reading, here's a special message from us to you. Please don't screw up the game about a monkey shaking maracas in time to Ricky Martin songs. We're not saying you're not good developers-- far from it-- but this is about as different from Counter-Strike as a game could be.
Proof (mostly) of the existence of Samba de Amigo for the Wii
Thanks to RMC of GoNintendo, we can now see the presence of Samba de Amigo for the Wii on a GameStop release list with our own eyes! Some of the other titles that turn up on this list are worth noting as well -- particularly Manhunt 2. Have things been worked out on this one, or was it simply never removed from release lists? It raises some interesting questions. Head past the break to see the lists for yourself, and don't forget to tell us what excites you here. There are a lot of games we didn't expect to be seeing quite this soon, frankly. Our wallets are gonna be crying by the end of the year ... and then there's a whole new year of game-buying pain to anticipate. Oh, the sweet, sweet horror.
Wii has health potential
New York Times columnist, David Pogue discusses the Wii's fitness potential in an online post. After witnessing his family burn calories while gaming, he thinks the Wii is one of the best possible indoor activities for kids. Pogue also has no sympathy for the "nerds who haven't moved their bodies in years" who claim muscle aches and broken furniture.We like this one-two punch from the mainstream press -- albeit, not in print -- exploring the health benefits of the system and dismissing the over-hyped Wii injuries. We look forward to fitness being a byproduct of active games like DDR; where's the Wii version of Samba De Amigo? Exercise games may have less appeal, but they may also work well; will we see Wiimote ankle holders to measure footwork?[Via digg]
