Disney announces peripheral-free 'Ultimate Band' for Wii, DS

by Kyle Orland on Feb 27th 2008 3:00PM

Sure, you love Rock Band, but shelling out the $170 for the requisite game and peripherals isn't even an option if you're a Wii or DS owner. Enter Disney Interactive, who think they can bring peripheral-free rhythm gaming to Nintendo systems with Ultimate Band.

No, the Fall Line Studios-developed game won't feature Mickey, Donald or other familiar characters (unlike some other Disney-fied rhythm games) but it will feature a "deep song list, dynamic venues, and customizable characters" according to the press release. The Wii version will let players use the Wii remote and Nunchuk to play drums, guitars and "front man" while the DS version will also let players "create their own original songs ... and apply creative mixing effects." The portable version will also include support for Disney's DGamer online social network. Look for both versions by the holidays.

Also see: THQ's Band Mashups for the Wii

Source

Tags: Disney, Disney-Interactive, DS, rock-band, Ultimate-Band, Wii

Reader Comments (53)

Here are three screeshots...

Am I crazy or those are very good graphics?

http://kotaku.com/photogallery/ultimateband/1000821219

Fernando please tell me your joking, please?

I meant... compared to the usual third party crap.

No, Fernando is right. Those look better quality (lighting and stuff) than GHIII for Wii.

Ohhh, I see.

btw, for the record, I wasn't being sarcastic.

Sure, great graphics that unfortunately, the Wii will never be able to show. Am I the only one that finds it funny that the screen shots are 1280 pixels across when the Wii can only output 720x480 (480P)? =)

Am I the only one not caring about HD, I run with a EDTV and use the RCA cables. I do have a 1080i big screen in my living room, but I'd rather just play in my room...

No kidding... I'm interested in this game =p

I hope it gets an online mode.

Seriously though Fernando, I hope Nintendo is using all this dough the Wii is raking in and invests it in some powerful HD hardware for its next-gen console sometime in 2010 or 2011.

Fenix: why would they do that when they can skate by with outdated hardware? they've got a legions of blind followers who will lap up their gimmick and its retread, simpleton games. There is no reason to push the boundries anymore.

@jsn

Nintendo won't be able to make another console that isn't on par with the other ones anymore unless they come out with something else that they can hype up like the wii remote and downplay graphics. Theoretically, Sony and Microsoft could do it to if they play their cards right. No, I think their next one will be as powerful, if not more powerful than it's competitors since they already stated that N6 will be HD.

It may be a gimmick with outdated hardware, but it's a gimmick with outdated hardware I actually have fun with it.

I can only dream that this game will be as good as Alvin and the Chipmunks...

/Goes back to playing Rock Band.

Which is also coming to Wii

Huh.

Can't wait to rock out to some Hanna Montana. This has fail written all over it.

shit dude no need to wait! I saw 2 different Hanna Montana games in Best Buy when I was there last week!!

That's So Raven ftw!

I can only hope they include a metal version of "Its a Small World After All"....

That would make about as much sense as creating some metal version of "The Devil Went down to...

wait...

oh yeah

rock out to all your favorite disney classics!

If I don't get to play as the Tar Baby from Song of the South, I want nothin to do with it.

I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride

*swoon*

O how I love generic characters who look like they have down syndrome.

like in GH and RB? the ONLY thing good about this game seems to be customizable characters. i haven't played GHIII or RB, so tell me, can you make a character that looks like you, or is it the usual, what was it:

"generic characters who look like they have down syndrome" (well put BTW)

In rock band, you have about 5 or 6 faces to choose from (male and female), and can scale the weight and build through about 5 settings each (short to tall, and thin to fat). Beyond that, there's a metric F ton of clothes, Hairstyles, and tattoos/facepaint to further customize with.

For example. I just created an FF7 band. Sephiroth on Drums, Tifa on Vocals, and Cid Highwind on Bass. Its not exact, but its close enough to be able to tell who is who.

The band is called "Tifa's 7th Heaven" by the way.

I see some hard-core rockers living the big life. Don't know what your talking about.

This title will reveal just how huge the limitations of the wii-mote are.

you mean that isn't already well known?

Is Disney trying to make kids emo? (look at the screenshot)

Wait, how is it possible without peripherals?

*plays Frets on Fire with a keyboard like an idiot*

it seems like maybe you would push the buttons on the nunchuck for the chords. And then "strum" the wiimote in time to the notes. The little "no" sign probably is the default without any buttons pressed.

Honestly, this is just a blatant rip off of both GH and Rock Band and they should be ashamed of themselves.

GH and RB is a rip of GuitarFreaks and DrumMania... they should be ashamed of themselves...

Rock Band = Drummina + Guitar Freaks + Karaoke Revolution

You missed something. ;P

Surfer Girl called it.

The Wii version seem like a pretty good idea, if you don't want to fork out for peripherals. However it is made by Disney...

I wonder if this game will be made by small children...

Can't wait to flail my arms around as I go for a FC on expert "Front Man".

What the hell does that even entail? Try to pump up the crowd as precisely as possible using the Wiimote?

This may be the greatest example of licensed schlock sincAPPROACHING SOUND BARRIER

God, I wish Harmonix and/or Red Octane would sue...

Yeah.
Cause GH with a regular controller is loads of fun.

Have you tried playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band without the toy instruments and just a controller? It fucking sucks a mega ultra boatload of ass. Waggling along with the music is going to be just a lame.

Proof that Disney is made of evil and fail.

Some thoughts:

1. The graphics really don't look that bad, especially if you compare it to GH, which was never about graphics to begin with.
2. Depending on what the songs are, this could suck hard OR be "okay". Metal mixes of Disney classics would be awesome in the dorkiest way possible.
3. Personally I think it's good they're making a game that doesn't require another 12 peripherals. The Wii has enough of those.
4. Mii integration plz?

I don't know, I think playing with an actual guitar shaped peripheral is much cooler.

At least with GH and GB, there was some work put into designing the instruments. Without those instruments its just a simple musical puzzle game.

Nintendo needs to get on the bandwagon with Mii Music or something.

Are you kidding? The Guitar Hero guitar looks like a Fisher Price toy.

I haven't seen the rock band instruments, but I doubt they're *that* much better.

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 50 Comments

Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.

Breaking News

The most popular posts
in the last 7 days

Vita 'UMD Passport' won't be offered in US 220 comments
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review: A tempting fate 153 comments
David Jaffe leaves Eat Sleep Play, layoffs hit developer [Update] 108 comments
Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear 95 comments
Battleship movie adapted into FPS by Double Helix 93 comments

Disney announces peripheral-free 'Ultimate Band' for Wii, DS

Reader Comments (53)

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:05PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:16PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:17PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:31PM Nick the Hero of Canton said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:36PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:52PM Nick the Hero of Canton said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 8:37PM Tony C said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 8:55PM Tiptup300 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:07PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:44PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:34PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:44PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 6:02PM Nick the Hero of Canton said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:08PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 5:16PM Mr Khan said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:09PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:13PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:26PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 11:05PM bigjf said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:15PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:05PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:30PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:49PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:55PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:00PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:29PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:04PM BIGGEN said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:55PM Crono141 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 8:56PM Tiptup300 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:30PM Shagittarius said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:28PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:30PM Spiritbeast said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:47PM ThornedVenom said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:09PM SIGDESTRUCTION said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:53PM Teleto said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:31PM Morisato13 said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 9:26PM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 3:57PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:02PM Eoco said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:04PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:07PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:12PM DonaldMick said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:28PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:27PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 4:36PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 29th 2008 11:10PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 5:04PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 5:26PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 5:34PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 27th 2008 5:35PM (Unverified) said

Info

Description

MSRP

Release Date

Genre

Developer

Publisher

Rating

Breaking News

Double Fine Kickstarter passes $1 million in under 24 hours, breaking yet another record

Featured Stories

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier brings information warfare to the front

Rhythm Heaven Fever review: Crazy into you

Remedy not done with Alan Wake

The most popular postsin the last 7 days

Engadget

TUAW

Massively

WoW

The most popular posts
in the last 7 days