Kombo : : : PS3 | 360 | Wii | Cube | Xbox | PSP | DS | Forums | Podcasts

AROUND KOMBO:
BLOG
The Moody Gamer
Do you have gaming ADD?
REVIEW
MAG Review
Massive, action-packed shooter experience.
Wii Music
Console
Wii
Publisher
Nintendo
Genre
Simulation
Developer
Nintendo
Release Date
October 20, 2008
5
ESRB Rating
Not Rated
StumbleUpon Toolbar  

Posted by:
Matthew Green
Reviews Editor
HANDS-ON
E3 2008: Wii Music
Do the Mario!
July 15, 2008 | 12:50 PM PST

E3 Disclaimer: Kombo's E3 previews are designed to inform you of what each game at E3 plays like, and what we think of what's shown. These previews are not reviews, and we reserve final judgment of each game until it is finished and released. These previews offer an honest opinion of what a publisher chose to demo at E3. So, without further ado, read on.




What the Game's About
Wii Music has been percolating for some time, but after a few years waiting to see the result, Nintendo has finally raised the curtain on this musical rhythm game that requires no actual musical or rhythmic skill whatsoever. The demo on display allows players to take on one of six different instrument styles and perform familiar public domain songs (and even a very familiar game theme). The controls are determined by the chosen instrument family. Performing with a guitar requires holding the Wii remote and nunchuk in a guitar formation while "strumming" by shaking the remote back and forth. Using a trumpet to play the melody means holding the remote up by the mouth and pressing the 1 and 2 buttons to produce a sound.

What's Hot
Wii Music's biggest advantage compared to other music games has to be that it takes no musical skill to play. There aren't any scrolling lines of buttons to push or track of beats to hit. Just press the buttons and shake the remote as much as you like. The game will produce the correct tones. All the player controls is when those tones occur. I played the demo twice; first as the lead performer with a trumpet and then later with a guitar to add the chords. While the Super Mario Bros. overworld theme played on I found myself mashing buttons to improvise around the melody instead of trying to play it straight and direct. I would think that anyone with the musical reflexes of a large rock whom would normally be put off by Rock Band and Guitar Hero could find something to enjoy in Wii Music.

What's Not
The final list of songs included in Wii Music is still in the works, but the Nintendo representative I spoke with said there would be "dozens" of available tunes from a variety of genres. I certainly hope that the selection improves, as the demo only included songs like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Yankee Doodle aside from the famous World 1-1 theme. Likewise, today's demo only offered six distinct instruments, but the final version will again include "dozens" more.

Outlook
Wii Music will be the latest in a line of games that are meant for the whole family. There aren't any specific goals to meet beyond enjoying the experience. Much like Wii Sports and Wii Play, the casual audience is going to love this one.
Screenshot Gallery

October 16, 2008

October 16, 2008

October 16, 2008

October 16, 2008

Got something that we should post on the site? Send it to us!
February 8, 2010
Twenty more winners to go for our Game a Day Giveaway! Don't hesitate... enter today! Also, make sure you become a fan of Kombo on Facebook!!!

-- Ken Cauley, Editor in Chief

Kombo Breaker
FTW
Kombo's Game a Day Giveaway!
We're giving away a new game EVERYDAY throughout all of February!

Official Contest Page!

WINNERS:

  • February 2: John Riemer, Virgina
  • February 3: Jonathan Dowell, Pennsylvania
  • February 4: Chris Ryan, Florida
  • February 5: Chris Foster, Michigan
  • February 6: Adam Cuevas, Florida
  • February 7: Josh Minar, Kentucky
  • February 8: Bradley Mosbacher, Missouri
  • If SEGA made Shenmue 3, would it SELL?
    Vote!
    (02/09/10 | 12:41 PM PST)
    February's Xbox LIVE Marketplace Updates
    (02/09/10 | 12:21 PM PST)
    It May Be The End for Nippon Ichi Software
    (02/09/10 | 11:13 AM PST)
    Headaches and Sickness Induced by 3D
    (02/09/10 | 5:56 AM PST)
    HDTV vs. SNES
    DiRT 2!!!
  • DiRT 2 for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3
    Enter to win!
    E-mail us and include your full name, age and mailing address to enter.

  • Software
    Hardware
    All Time
    Weekly
    9.89m Japan
    31.48m America
    25.90m Others
    67.28M 
    1.25m Japan
    21.76m America
    14.63m Others
    37.64M 
    4.74m Japan
    12.71m America
    14.31m Others
    31.76M 
    29.79m Japan
    44.83m America
    50.20m Others
    124.81M 
    14.02m Japan
    18.98m America
    20.85m Others
    53.85M