We can't wait to understand Band Mashups

by Justin McElroy { Apr 2nd 2008 at 9:30AM }

We first told you about Band Mashups back in February, but we admittedly felt a little like the Dad in Christmas Story when he tried to make heads or tails of his newly-revealed leg lamp. ("It's a major award!") But now that we've seen the above gameplay trailer we feel as if the leg lamp became sentient, took up drinking and started pecking out smutty airport novels with its stiletto. Which is to say, we're even more confused.

Why does the language keep changing? Why do the people on the left look like extras from Grim Fandango? And why is everyone shooting at one another? We don't have anymore answers for you, but we can't help but be intrigued.

Gallery: Band Mashups (Wii)

Tags: band-mashups, thq

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

samfish @ Apr 2nd 2008 9:34AM

If you're asking for some rip off music game to make sense, you're asking for too much.

ChuckD @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:01AM

You have boobies.

Levi @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:39AM

I'm not sure, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I see a nipple.

Maverick Saturn @ Apr 2nd 2008 9:36AM

Gorillaz own ^^

Joystick Hero @ Apr 2nd 2008 9:58AM

Makes sense to me. The balls have little arrows on them that I am assuming relate to wiimote movements that must be made at the moment they reach the top of the bar. It would also appear that there are only three kinds of ratings for your timing: Green, which is perfect and worth 25 points, yellow, okay, 15, and red, which seems to mean "you suck".

It looks like the music kept changing due to the fact that in this band mashup, one band was a Spanish, or perhaps Latin styled one, while the other appeared to be a rap group. It also seemed that the music style was based on which group had the longest running combo at any moment.

Yay, I analyzed a video too closely! Surely ladies will assault me for my manliness.

Dick @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:14AM

you did good work there

Unit @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:21AM

the band that's winning will have their version of the selected music played more in their style. example if the latin band has more combos or points, the music track will be played loudly remixed with a latin flair. If the other band was winning then the track would be played in their style, remixed in what ever genre of music they represented ie. hip-hop, rock, country etc. simple as that. it's like doing a cover of a song but in a different style than what it was originally done in and the bands are litteraly battling it out.

Joystick Hero @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:20AM

Now see, I'd believe the points thing if the latin styled band wasn't behind the entire game, even when it plays in their style. Definitely seems to be entirely combo based.

Ben @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:07PM

I get the whole style thing, but I still fail to see the connection of the dots and the actual music... doesn't really follow the beat, the lyrics, or any of the instruments. If you look, there's even a dot after the end of the beat.

Jesse @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:10AM

I'm sorry, but have you even played Grim Fandango? Not a single thing in any of those screens looks like the kind of thing that would be in Grim Fandango.

Dracula Jones @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:45AM

Uh, those character models look lifted straight from the game. They could have been an act at Cafe Calavera, or the Blue Casket. Are you sure you know what Grim Fandango is, Uncle Jesse?

FOXHOUND @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:11AM

so... the game was renamed from BATTLE OF THE BANDS to BAND MASHUPS? hm.

LeChuck @ Apr 2nd 2008 2:38PM

Other way around, actually. It was Band Mashups and now it's Battle of the Bands. Which just shows how confused Joystiq is about it, lol.

Christian @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:36AM

Good catch on all the info. After reading the comments, I rewatched the video... you can see the lights on the stage fix on whichever band is winning, and therefore playing.

Blue_Falcon @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:54AM

Why does the language keep changing? Why do the people on the left look like extras from Grim Fandango? And why is everyone shooting at one another? We don't have anymore answers for you, but we can't help but be intrigued.

IGN's preview of the game can help you (and anyone else who doesn't get it) understand it all better:

http://wii.ign.com/articles/850/850132p1.html

There are 30 songs being covered by 5 different bands. Each of the 5 bands have a unique style (Rock, Funk/Hip Hop, Country Western, Latin, and Marching Band)

So to answer your first question: The language keeps changing because the Latin band speaks Spanish in all their versions of the song,
Your second question: I suppose it's just part of their style. All of the bands that I've seen have some stereotypical stylings of sorts.
And for the third: It's called Battle of the Bands. It's a bit more fantasy based than the likes of Guitar Hero or Rock Band. I think you're over analyzing it.

(Sidenote: On IGN's page, the rock version of "Insane in the Membrane" is pretty awesome. I recommend checking it out.)