Wii Music: Toy, Instrument, or Musical Tool?

Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 11:23pm by Sean Buckley

“We have this firm belief that the more you chew, the more flavor you get.” Nintendo Representative JC Rodrigo told me at Nintendo’s Fall Media event in early October, “There’s a lot of different levels and depth to a game. Take Wii Music for example, Kids can pick it up and get the instant gratification of ‘Oh, I get it, It’s a piano,’ but for guys that are really into music, it’s about arranging ridiculous stuff.” For some Nintendo fans, ridiculous is indeed the word that comes to mind.  Since it’s introduction at E3 earlier this year, Wii Music has been criticized for being too simple, too limiting, and for not being a game.  I didn’t know what to think, but I wanted to give the enthusiastic JC Rodrigo a chance to show me what Wii Music was all about.

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Disney announces peripheral-less Ultimate Band for Wii, DS [update]

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008 at 3:18pm by Press Release

Ultimate Band Wii
No Peripherals Required, Ultimate Band Makes the Power to Rock Truly Accessible

UPDATE: Game Informer has some encouraging impressions — the game sounds better than I first thought.

BURBANK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Disney Interactive Studios announced today, Ultimate Band, an all new music experience for fans of the Wiiâ„¢ home video game system and Nintendo DSâ„¢. Gamers and music lovers of all ages will realize their dream of becoming a rock legend when they build their own band or jam alone, all fueled only by the power of the Wii controllers and the DS stylus. Disney is working with some of the very biggest names in rock, alternative, popular, emo and indie rock music, allowing band mates to play sets from a broad selection of current hits and all-time rock favorites. Friends and families can rock out on guitar, bass, drums or as the front man.

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