Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Miyamoto talks about Wii Music's future, hints at sequel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/miyamoto-talks-about-wii-musics-future-hints-at-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/miyamoto-talks-about-wii-musics-future-hints-at-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/miyamoto-talks-about-wii-musics-future-hints-at-sequel/#comments Last October, when the wounds of Wii Music's critical and commercial failure were still relatively fresh, Shigeru Miyamoto mentioned that "there may still be some possibility" of continuing the franchise. In a recent interview with Techland, Miyamoto went a bit further, explaining, "There's a lot of potential still in Wii Music, I think. Because we're going to change it up, a new interface is coming, and all of that." Them's sequeling words, partner.

Miyamoto also addressed the possibility of Mario making an appearance in a Wii Music follow-up, stating "If we get more people to understand what's going on in the game concept, then he might appear in the game. I don't know." He added that a Mario cameo is somewhat unlikely, as "he can't play guitar" or saxophone using his stubby, gloved fingers. That's a good point, Mr. Miyamoto -- we guess he can't play too many instruments. But he can rap with the best of them.

JoystiqMiyamoto talks about Wii Music's future, hints at sequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 23:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>marionintendorhythmshigeru-miyamotowiiWii-MusicThu, 11 Nov 2010 23:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Miyamoto: 'there may still be some possibility' for Wii Music franchise]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/miyamoto-there-may-still-be-some-possibility-for-wii-music-fr/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/miyamoto-there-may-still-be-some-possibility-for-wii-music-fr/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/miyamoto-there-may-still-be-some-possibility-for-wii-music-fr/#comments At a New York City roundtable event, Nintendo's resident wunderkind Shigeru Miyamoto showed Joystiq and several other press outlets his latest creation: New Super Mario Bros. Wii (more on that later). During the Q&A that followed, when asked if he was particularly surprised by the reception of any of his games, Miyamoto responded that while he wasn't "truly surprised" by the reaction it got, he thinks "there may still be some possibility with ... Wii Music," the Big N's poorly received music title.

"The development team members, the directors of Wii Music were I think, maybe a little bit shocked by the reaction and had hoped it would get a better response than it did," Miyamoto explained through a translator. "So I think if we were to do anything, it would be a matter of getting back together with them and trying to understand what their expectations were and where the gap was between their expectations and what the resulting product was."

That doesn't mean Miyamoto doesn't have any insight into the game's failure to connect with gamers. He explained that the "gap between the positives and the negatives seems to be pretty big," referring to the games reception. "The thing that's interesting about Wii Music is there are people who are very versed in music and play the game and their evaluation of it is very high but at the same time there are a lot of people who play it and don't have a very good opinion of it."

As if to prevent any "Wii Music 2 confirmed!" headlines from finding their way online, Miyamoto clarified, "We have talked about it but it isn't anything that's concrete at this point." As unusual as it is to see a Nintendo product miss the mark, it's similarly unusual to hear the company acknowledge as much.

JoystiqMiyamoto: 'there may still be some possibility' for Wii Music franchise originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>miyamotoNintendoShigeru-MiyamotoWiiWii-MusicThu, 15 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Famitsu crowns Hideo Kojima, Monster Hunter with timely 2008 awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/famitsu-crowns-hideo-kojima-monster-hunter-with-timely-2008-awa/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/famitsu-crowns-hideo-kojima-monster-hunter-with-timely-2008-awa/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/famitsu-crowns-hideo-kojima-monster-hunter-with-timely-2008-awa/#comments They say that the Japanese are known for their impeccable respect of timeliness. So why is it that leading Japanese mag Famitsu is revealing its 2008 Game of the Year winners now? Here are some highlights:
  • Person of the Year -- Hideo Kojima
    This is a man that not only has time to pen the complex and convoluted script behind Metal Gear Solid 4, but will star in weird videos meant solely for fanboys. That's a man you can respect.
  • Rookie Title Prize -- The Last Remnant
    Perhaps "rookie" is a good word to use for Square Enix's RPG that almost played at a respectable framerate on a system that almost sold well in Japan.
  • Innovation Prize -- Wii Music
    This game innovated by being the first Nintendo-developed Wii game that didn't sell billions of copies.
  • Game of the Year & Best Seller Prize -- Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G
    We love it when "best selling" means simply "the best." In America, the best game of 2008 is Wii Play.
For the complete list of Famitsu's 2008 winners, visit 1UP.

JoystiqFamitsu crowns Hideo Kojima, Monster Hunter with timely 2008 awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famitsufamitsu-awardsgoty-2008hideo-kojimalast-remnantmonster-huntermonster-hunter-portable-2nd-gwii-musicSat, 25 Apr 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst: Poor Wii Music, Animal Crossing sales stamina to blame for downturn]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/analyst-poor-wii-music-animal-crossing-sales-stamina-to-blame-for-downt/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/analyst-poor-wii-music-animal-crossing-sales-stamina-to-blame-for-downt/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/analyst-poor-wii-music-animal-crossing-sales-stamina-to-blame-for-downt/#comments Wii sales have been the lowest they've ever been in Japan. Is the Japanese public losing interest? Screen Digest analyst Ed Barton told GameBizBlog that the Wii sales downturn is mostly due to the lack of staying power exhibited by Animal Crossing: City Folk and Wii Music.

Barton says that the continued success of Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii only back up his claim. "These are older games that obviously have shown tremendous stamina, but Nintendo always needs to bring out new ways to drive console sales forward, and we just didn't see that with Wii Music and City Folk." Even though both titles sold decently enough (Animal Crossing was one of the region's top 10 selling games in 2008 and Wii Music debuted with 92,000 units sold in its first week), they lacked the necessary sales stamina of Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii.

He says that there isn't much hope on the horizon either, despite the imminent release of Monster Hunter 3 on Wii. He warns that trying to transfer the user base from handheld to home console is risky and that the gamble may not pay off for Nintendo. Barton is of the mind that "it won't have the same level of success that it had on the PSP."

JoystiqAnalyst: Poor Wii Music, Animal Crossing sales stamina to blame for downturn originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-Wiijapanmario-kart-wiimonster-huntermonster-hunter-gNintendoNintendo-EADWiiwii-musicThu, 16 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Jazz]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-jazz/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-jazz/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-jazz/#commentsThis week, the Nintendo Channel has plenty of videos and, much to our surprise, some new DS demos as well. Avalon Code is back, and it brought its friend Trackmania DS along for the ride. Then there's the lovely Nintendo fluff for Wii Music that you can see in the video above. Want the full list? Click past the break and you can have it for the low, low price of free.

Continue reading This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Jazz

JoystiqThis Week on the Nintendo Channel: Jazz originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avalon-codenintendo-channelpersonal-trainertrackmania-dswii-musicMon, 16 Mar 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music introduced into D.C. school's curriculum]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/15/wii-music-introduced-into-d-c-schools-curriculum/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/15/wii-music-introduced-into-d-c-schools-curriculum/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/15/wii-music-introduced-into-d-c-schools-curriculum/#comments
A Washington D.C. elementary school has turned to Wii Music to help win support for its music program.

FOX News 5 D.C. reports H.D. Cooke Elementary school isn't using the software to replace the music curriculum but to further pique the students interest in music. The Wii Music injection is, in part, a response to a mandate by D.C. School Chancellor Michelle Rhee for every school to have a music teacher on staff. H.D. Cooke is the first school to use such a program; however, the program is planned to spread to 50 schools across the United States.

The supplemental usage of Wii Music is a good example of engaging kids with popular tech from their generation; however, it will give them the false hope that playing a trombone is as simple as waving your hands around like a crazy person.

[Via Kotaku]

Continue reading Wii Music introduced into D.C. school's curriculum

JoystiqWii Music introduced into D.C. school's curriculum originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elementaryschoolschoolschoolswashington-dcwii-musicSun, 15 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo also wins at advertising]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/nintendo-also-wins-at-advertising/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/nintendo-also-wins-at-advertising/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/nintendo-also-wins-at-advertising/#comments
Nintendo has made a business of manufacturing money printing machines, but how has it done in marketing those machines to people? Well, as you can guess from the title of this post, the company hasn't done too badly.

Phoenix Marketing International's Travel and Leisure Division conducted its Video Game Advertising Performance Index (AdPi) Audit and found Nintendo was the only gaming company in Q4 of 2008 to earn above average AdPi scores. The score, which determines effectiveness and impact in all three media categories (print, television and digital), shows that Nintendo has done a pretty good job of pushing its wares on the populace.

The highest-rated ads were:

  • TV: Nintendo's Wii Music; and Activision's Call of Duty: World at War
  • Print: Nintendo's Wii Fit; Disney Interactive's Disney Think Fast; and MTV Games' Rock Band 2
  • Digital: Nintendo's Wii Music; Activision's Call of Duty: World at War; and Ubisoft's The Price is Right
In order to gauge the effectiveness of an ad, consumers were asked if they would buy the game, if the ad was worth watching again, and if the ad was inspiring or worth talking about. Well, we know of at least one ad that definitely fits the bill.

JoystiqNintendo also wins at advertising originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adpiadvertisingbusinessmarketingsalessalesfigureswii-fitwii-musicThu, 19 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo: Wii Music needs to 'clear the hurdle']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/07/nintendo-wii-music-needs-to-clear-the-hurdle/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/07/nintendo-wii-music-needs-to-clear-the-hurdle/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/07/nintendo-wii-music-needs-to-clear-the-hurdle/#comments
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has no problem admitting Wii Music didn't live up to the company's expectations, but he doesn't want you to consider it a failure, either. During a recent Q&A session, he spoke about the company's hopes regarding Wii Music, as well as the difficulty Nintendo has had with consumer reception.

"There are people who highly appreciate it and those who do not appreciate it at all," Iwata said, adding that perceptions can be changed. It's all about word of mouth to him, as he said, "A cycle is born where people who have hands-on experience can immediately understand its appeal, easily explain the positive experience they had to those around them, who then spread that information to the others." That works, unless you're a blog who pretty unanimously hated it and told everyone how you felt.

With Wii Music, the company was never able to achieve this "positive cycle," and Iwata says Nintendo now needs to "reevaluate" why it hasn't been able to "clear that hurdle." Nintendo, here's a protip from us: Emphasize that it has a dog suit and beatboxing. You might sell a few extra copies if you push that.

JoystiqNintendo: Wii Music needs to 'clear the hurdle' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iwatamusicnintendorhythmsatoru-iwataWiiwii-musicSat, 07 Feb 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music: Play me, it's part of the curriculum]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/wii-music-play-me-its-part-of-the-curriculum/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/wii-music-play-me-its-part-of-the-curriculum/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/wii-music-play-me-its-part-of-the-curriculum/#commentsFiled under: ,


Nintendo has suggested that Wii Music could somehow be used to teach kids to play real music. So, after not getting off to such a great start at retail -- and struggling there ever since -- the "game" is being handed over to music teachers with the hope that they'll encourage their students to somehow learn with it.

In a press release issued this morning, Nintendo says that Wiis and copies of Wii Music are being deployed to schools nationwide. Some teachers are already jumping on the bandwagon, such as Helen A. Krofchick, a music instructor in Lugoff, SC, who is quoted in the release. "I love how many music standards can be covered in such a short time," she said. "Students also have to use language skills, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination." Note the use of the word "music." It keeps the quote from pertaining to Wii Sports ... or video games in general.

Kids Fun Fact: If you pick up a real trumpet and act like you're playing it, music will come out.

JoystiqWii Music: Play me, it's part of the curriculum originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendowiiwii-musicTue, 13 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music shows students how to play the dog]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/wii-music-shows-students-how-to-play-the-dog/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/wii-music-shows-students-how-to-play-the-dog/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/wii-music-shows-students-how-to-play-the-dog/#commentsFiled under:


If there's one thing that's stuck with us concerning Wii Music, it's the ability to play the dog. Well, okay, there's also Stan Lee on the beat box. Now, thanks to a collaboration between Nintendo and MENC (The National Association for Music Education), such fun can be had in the classroom.

Nintendo and MENC are working together with teachers in 51 cities across the United States to implement Wii Music into their lesson plans. "By partnering with educators and bringing Wii Music into their classrooms, we hope to give students a memorable, hands-on experience that helps them discover their own creative voice," said Cammie Dunaway. Executive director of MENC, John J. Mahlmann, agrees, stating "At any grade level, it's essential to provide students with the tools and encouragement they need to be creative."

It's pretty cool, me must admit. Video games never were welcome in the classroom when we were younger, so we're glad that educators are seeing their potential. What's next? Physics professors mapping out the force of Mario stomping on a goomba's head?



Looking for more on Wii Music? You can catch an E3 trailer here, read about our time with the game here, and learn how to play the Famicom, banjo, steel drum, handbell, trumpet, timpani, acoustic bass, shamisen, harmonica, cello, harpsichord, cheerleader, saxophone, sitar, cowbell, electric bass, drums, dog, accordion, taiko, clarinet, conga, electric guitar, harp, flute, marching drum, violin, piano, guitar, and marimba.

JoystiqWii Music shows students how to play the dog originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>educationmencnational-association-for-music-educationnorth-americateacheruswii-musicTue, 13 Jan 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Miyamoto unsure about next Zelda announcement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/miyamoto-unsure-about-next-zelda-announcement/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/miyamoto-unsure-about-next-zelda-announcement/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/miyamoto-unsure-about-next-zelda-announcement/#commentsFiled under:

There's an entertaining interview with Shigeru Miyamoto over at the Official Nintendo Magazine site, in which Shiggy mostly comes across as a bumbling, endearing eccentric: apparently, he "strummed on an invisible guitar" for the entire interview, and voiced his suspicions that his cat is hiding games from the Miyamoto family. Ha.

Anyway, the article is mainly designed to promote Wii Music, but there is the odd very vague comment about the next Zelda. The opportunists at ONM couldn't resist mentioning the 'Z' word, but Miyamoto wasn't budging too much. "I'm really not sure when we'll be able to make a public announcement on that," he said, adding, "I can't even say if the next E3 will be the right opportunity to do so. But rest assured, our teams are working on new projects right now."

So the next Zelda ... might not be at E3 next year! If that's the case, we could reasonably expect to see something at Nintendo's fall conference(s). We'd at least like to have a peek next year -- having downloaded Ocarina of Time from the Virtual Console over the weekend (spoiler: it's still unfathomably brilliant), this blogger is aching for a new entry in the series.

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

JoystiqMiyamoto unsure about next Zelda announcement originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3legend-of-zeldamiyamotoshigeru-miyamotoshiggywii-musiczeldaTue, 16 Dec 2008 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo says: Wii Music beats playing in snow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/09/nintendo-says-wii-music-beats-playing-in-snow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/09/nintendo-says-wii-music-beats-playing-in-snow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/09/nintendo-says-wii-music-beats-playing-in-snow/#commentsFiled under:


In case you weren't clear about Nintendo's intentions for Wii Music, this should clarify things for you: a Japanese winter-themed commercial for Wii Music, almost two months after the game launched there. Pushing a game well past its initial release is becoming one of Nintendo's favorite tactics (just ask the UK). Is it working in this case? Sort of. Despite enduring a rocky start in Japan, Wii Music is still in the Media Create top 30 (27th this week), so it's not totally off the radar.

Two other things of note: having just celebrated its second birthday, Wii Sports is still 30th in the Japanese charts this week! And is that what Japanese snow is really like? Totally beats the brown/gray slush variant we get here in the UK.

JoystiqNintendo says: Wii Music beats playing in snow originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcommercialjapanmusicwii-musicTue, 09 Dec 2008 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Miyamoto still hopeful Wii Music will catch on]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/01/miyamoto-still-hopeful-wii-music-will-catch-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/01/miyamoto-still-hopeful-wii-music-will-catch-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/01/miyamoto-still-hopeful-wii-music-will-catch-on/#commentsFiled under:


Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto recently conducted a rather large Q&A with Edge, talking about all kinds of fascinating things. Actually, to tell you the truth, the man could talk about used Q-tips and we'd still find it fascinating. To call it a crush would be a severe understatement.

It's no secret that Wii Music hasn't been selling too well, but Miyamoto still has hope that the game will be a success. "I think a very large audience can enjoy Wii Music," Miyamoto said, adding that when Nintendo demoed the game, "many took to it." That can't really be said for the critics, however, who've not enjoyed the game overall.

"I really appreciate that the gaming media has a different view of anything as new as Wii Music today," Miyamoto stated. He said these scores help show "how different and unique Wii Music is" and that he has this "big ambition" for the game and "that it can eventually be something very influential so that it might be able to influence what music means in the world."

It's a pretty lengthy interview, so click here to read the whole thing. It's always nice to get a glimpse into Miyamoto's mind.

JoystiqMiyamoto still hopeful Wii Music will catch on originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>miyamotomusicrhythmshigeru-miyamotowii-musicMon, 01 Dec 2008 13:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii has biggest week ever in Australia, thanks to ... Wii Music!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/wii-has-biggest-week-ever-in-australia-thanks-to-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/wii-has-biggest-week-ever-in-australia-thanks-to-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/24/wii-has-biggest-week-ever-in-australia-thanks-to-wii-music/#commentsFiled under:

Nintendo of Australia's executives have probably gotten congratulatory phone calls from Japan by now. For Wii Music's launch week (two weeks ago), the controversial musical toy was the top-selling console game in the region, according to a Nintendo press release. The 28,000 copies of Wii Music no doubt helped the Wii have its best week ever in Australia, with 35,000 units sold.

According to the press release, the Wii has passed the 750,000 mark in 102 weeks, the shortest time to that milestone in the history of the Australian games industry. Of course, the DS experienced its own milestones, becoming the console to reach 1.5 million in the shortest time.

JoystiqWii has biggest week ever in Australia, thanks to ... Wii Music! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiamusicsaleswii-musicMon, 24 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music makes slow start, Nintendo hoping it has legs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/wii-music-makes-slow-start-nintendo-hoping-it-has-legs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/wii-music-makes-slow-start-nintendo-hoping-it-has-legs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/wii-music-makes-slow-start-nintendo-hoping-it-has-legs/#commentsFiled under: , ,



As part of its "Touch! Generations" range, Nintendo will hope Wii Music can rack up some dizzying sales figures. Sadly, the maligned music title hasn't made the best of starts in North America, falling a long way short of the launch window sales for other first-party titles, such as Wii Fit. Cammie Dunaway has revealed that the game did "somewhere [like] 65 or 66,000" in its first two weeks on sale, whereas the more expensive Wii Fit shifted 687,000 copies in its opening eleven days.

Nintendo isn't about to panic, however. Rather, Dunaway thinks it could have the same long-term appeal already displayed by Wii Fit, Wii Play, and Mario Kart Wii, all of which regularly show up in the monthly NPD charts. "We're predicting that it's going to be an evergreen title, she told MTV Multiplayer. "And if you look at titles like Brain Age, it's about the same as what Brain Age did during it's first few weeks and went on to sell 2.5 million copies. Wii Fit certainly had a larger launch than that. But I think that people are starting to understand Wii Music."

JoystiqWii Music makes slow start, Nintendo hoping it has legs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cammie-dunawaycasualmusicnpdwii-musicFri, 14 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Your shopping accompanied by Wii Music]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/your-shopping-accompanied-by-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/your-shopping-accompanied-by-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/your-shopping-accompanied-by-wii-music/#commentsFiled under:


Attention Wii Music haters: since you didn't purchase the game, your Wii Music hating hobby may currently be limited to your time online. Luckily for you, Nintendo has announced that, for the next two weekends, they are going to hold public Wii Music performances in eight U.S. cities, so if you're near one of the planned locations, you can go and not enjoy one! This promotion may also be of interest to people who are genuinely curious about Wii Music, even if they aren't motivated by a desire to declare it the death of gaming.

Each location will feature a "family trio of music-makers" and a Wii Music station hooked up to a "rockin' sound system" to entertain shoppers who happen to pass by. The list of venues for each weekend is after the break!

Continue reading Your shopping accompanied by Wii Music

JoystiqYour shopping accompanied by Wii Music originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>musicwii-musicwii-music-street-performersFri, 14 Nov 2008 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Miyamoto: Guitar Hero, Beatmania are 'cover band' titles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/miyamoto-guitar-hero-beatmania-are-cover-band-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/miyamoto-guitar-hero-beatmania-are-cover-band-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/miyamoto-guitar-hero-beatmania-are-cover-band-titles/#commentsFiled under:


Shigeru Miyamoto recently hosted a Wii Music roundtable with a select number of websites and magazines (clearly, our invitation was lost in the mail), in which the great man appeared to insult other music games! Shock! Horror! Headlines!

Of course, we understand Miyamoto probably wasn't trying to be mean when he compared playing franchises such as Beatmania and Guitar Hero to being part of a cover band. If anything, we suspect Shiggy was merely explaining how Wii Music is more freeform -- which it is, of course. "My goal wouldn't be to try and lull people to join the best cover band," explained Wii Music's dad, "but rather, to let them move beyond that rather basic level of music training."

He also found time to defend Wii Music's track list, which has come under attack from some critics, including IGN's Matt Cassamassina, who we like to think shifted awkwardly in his seat when Miyamoto brought the subject up. Apparently, a lot of modern songs don't have a suitable chord progression for Wii Music, while the harmonies and melodies of many contemporary tracks came across as too samey. So there you go: Nintendo didn't just choose a ton of public domain songs to save cash.

JoystiqMiyamoto: Guitar Hero, Beatmania are 'cover band' titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beatmaniaguitar-heromusicrhythmshigeru-miyamotoshiggywii-musicFri, 24 Oct 2008 18:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music not so much of a joke in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/wii-music-not-so-much-of-a-joke-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/wii-music-not-so-much-of-a-joke-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/wii-music-not-so-much-of-a-joke-in-japan/#commentsFiled under:


People like to poke fun, but if the Japanese are any indication, Wii Music is going to be serious business. The title debuted at the top spot in Japan this week, selling 92,000 copies. And 50,000 of those copies flew off the shelves on the game's first day at retail! But, doing well in Japan doesn't necessarily mean it'll do well in other territories. What do you think?


[Via Joystiq]

Looking for more on Wii Music? You can catch an E3 trailer here, read about our time with the game here, and learn how to play the Famicom, banjo, steel drum, handbell, trumpet, timpani, acoustic bass, shamisen, harmonica, cello, harpsichord, cheerleader, saxophone, sitar, cowbell, electric bass, drums, dog, accordion, taiko, clarinet, conga, electric guitar, harp, flute, marching drum, violin, piano, guitar, and marimba.

JoystiqWii Music not so much of a joke in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famitsujapanmusicrhythmsalessalesfigureswii-musicThu, 23 Oct 2008 14:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon using Wii Music as a gateway game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/amazon-using-wii-music-as-a-gateway-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/amazon-using-wii-music-as-a-gateway-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/amazon-using-wii-music-as-a-gateway-game/#commentsFiled under: ,

Right now, if you buy Wii Music from Amazon, they'll give you a $20 voucher that you can use on video games. To get the obligatory Wii Music joke out of the way, you can buy Wii Music and another game worth $20 and come out with a total of one game for the price of one.

The deal is valid until Halloween, and the cards will be mailed out within ten days after that end date (yes, they're apparently mailing cards out rather than the sensible option of emailed coupon codes). That means it should arrive just in time for Animal Crossing!

JoystiqAmazon using Wii Music as a gateway game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazoncasualmusicwii-musicThu, 23 Oct 2008 11:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music debuts at No. 1 in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/wii-music-debuts-at-no-1-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/wii-music-debuts-at-no-1-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/wii-music-debuts-at-no-1-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,

Another day, another bajillion dollars. Sure, we all may give Wii Music some flak, but we never thought for a second that the game wouldn't sell like gangbusters. In its first week of release, Nintendo's rhythm experiment moved 92,000 units, according to Famitsu (via Chart Get!). That's about half of Wii Sports' first week of sales in Japan (approx. 182,000, via VG Chartz) -- and that launched unbundled alongside the console.

Rounding out the top 5 software for the week of October 13 to 19 are Pokémon Platinum (DS; 72,000), Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida Or 2 (PSP; 59,000), Rhythm Tengoku Gold (DS; 51,000) and Culdcept DS (50,000). According to the data, the top 30 was comprised of 14 titles for DS, 8 for Wii, 4 each for PSP and PS2 and zilch for PS3 and Xbox 360. The Media Create figures will be out this weekend. We won't get the North American sales data from NPD until next month.

[Via CVG]

JoystiqWii Music debuts at No. 1 in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japannintendosoftwaresalesWiiwii-musicThu, 23 Oct 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview -- Wii Music]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/metareview-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/metareview-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/metareview-wii-music/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We haven't had a lot of nice things to say about Wii Music, largely because, to this point, it's brought nothing but sadness into our lives. First there was Ravi Drums, then it made us watch Shiggy play the saxafaux, then there was that absolutely bizarre track list. Now, some major review hubs are weighing in on the game(?) and we're just as perplexed as ever.
  • 1UP (A-): "Wii Music may have a hard time winning over the skeptics who just want to laugh at it, but give the game the chance it deserves. You just might realize it's pretty damn fun being in on the joke."
  • Kombo (50/100): "Initially, there's an element of novelty to Wii Music. Admittedly, it's kind of fun to motion the controller as if you're playing a real instrument -- especially when playing with something like a violin, which simply feels good to play in the game -- but the enjoyment quickly dissipates."
  • Gamespy (70/100): "Now that we've spent a good deal of time with Wii Music ourselves, we're confident in saying the following: If you have young children, buy this game and enjoy it with them. ... However, it's very safe to say that gamers who prefer the likes of Rock Band, first-person shooters and Solid Snake's espionage antics will not care about Wii Music in the slightest."
  • GamePro (70/100): "Playing almost any instrument in the game requires a bit more practice than say, swinging a bat bowling a ball in Wii Sports, which mires the game in a muddy territory between pick-up-and-play casual and memorizing and practicing hardcore. When you're able to successfully balance the two and create wonderful music, Wii Music can provide an experience you've never felt before. Not in a music game, not in any other Wii game."

JoystiqMetareview -- Wii Music originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metareviewnintendoWiiwii-musicTue, 21 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Miyamoto talks to Channel 4 about gaming and the current financial crisis]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/miyamoto-talks-to-channel-4-about-gaming-and-the-current-financial-cri/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/miyamoto-talks-to-channel-4-about-gaming-and-the-current-financial-cri/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/miyamoto-talks-to-channel-4-about-gaming-and-the-current-financial-cri/#commentsFiled under:


If you were to tell us that Shigeru Miyamoto could see into the future and fire rainbows from his fingertips, we'd totally believe you. We just love the guy so much that we believe he's not even human and some kind of freakish evolutionary leap for our species, as his mind churns out these amazing things on a regular basis. So, it's no wonder that Channel 4 in the UK interviewed him out of all of the prominent figures in gaming about the current financial woes and if they'll have an impact on gaming. He plugs Wii Music a bit, but, for the most part, tells us how Nintendo has and always will make gaming affordable.


[Via CVG]

JoystiqMiyamoto talks to Channel 4 about gaming and the current financial crisis originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbusinesseconomic-crisiseconomymiyamotoshigeru-miyamotoshiggywii-musicMon, 20 Oct 2008 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Wii Music]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/metareview-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/metareview-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/metareview-wii-music/#commentsFiled under:


We'll say this much for Wii Music: it's probably the game/toy/whatever that has become the most debated release of 2008. It's caught a lot of flak, particularly since E3 and that presentation, but it's also had its fair share of defenders. Unsurprisingly, this uncanny knack of dividing opinion has spread to professional reviewers.
  • GameSpy (70%) concedes that the title isn't for everybody, but thinks it will appeal to families and the chil'n: "It is far from a traditional videogame, and more akin to a tech demo or social audio experiment. The fact that it is so very basic means it's completely accessible to anyone, but at the same time there's not much here to interest regular and core gamers. It'll be a definite hit with younger children and in turn, parents and family members will love to watch the reactions of this demographic."
  • 1UP (A-) was the first online outlet to get its review up, and managed to get us nicely hyped for the game with an absolutely stellar review and score: "Wii Music may have a hard time winning over the skeptics who just want to laugh at it, but give the game the chance it deserves. You just might realize it's pretty damn fun being in on the joke."
  • ... Only for IGN's (50%) Matt Cassamina to deflate our enthusiasm with a fairly crushing verdict: "I think most adults will quickly recognize that Wii Music is little more than a noise maker tied to a series of gestures and grow bored of the experience in a matter of hours, if not minutes. The controls aren't particularly intuitive, but gimmicky, and the selection of music is fundamentally flawed with dated public domain songs rendered in equally dated MIDI."

JoystiqMetareview: Wii Music originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>musicrhythmwii-musicMon, 20 Oct 2008 19:13:00 EST<![CDATA[It's official: Wii Music has most random track list ever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/its-official-wii-music-has-most-random-track-list-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/its-official-wii-music-has-most-random-track-list-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/its-official-wii-music-has-most-random-track-list-ever/#commentsFiled under: ,


Imagine someone planted a bomb in the heart of Championship Vinyl, blowing record fragments across several blocks of downtown Chicago. If you went along and picked up 50-odd pieces of those shattered albums and then glued them together, what you compiled would still not be as random as the Japanese track list for Wii Music, which you can read right here. Here are a few examples:
...and so on. We thought maybe we had just gotten an odd slice, but no. They're all that bizarre. Not bad, mind you. Just really, really out of left field. The kicker is, we still can't tell if this makes us more or less excited for the game.

JoystiqIt's official: Wii Music has most random track list ever originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendoWiiwii-musicMon, 20 Oct 2008 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Retail and download releases for the week of October 20th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/retail-and-download-releases-for-the-week-of-october-20th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/retail-and-download-releases-for-the-week-of-october-20th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/retail-and-download-releases-for-the-week-of-october-20th/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's a pretty big week for releases. On top of plenty of games available at retail, there's a couple of imports available on the Virtual Console, as well as one awaited WiiWare release (can you guess what it is?). Head past the break and start thinking about cracking open that piggy bank.

Continue reading Retail and download releases for the week of October 20th

JoystiqRetail and download releases for the week of October 20th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>releasestetristetris-partyturbografx16wii-musicMon, 20 Oct 2008 12:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music shifts 50k on day one in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/17/wii-music-shifts-50k-on-day-one-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/17/wii-music-shifts-50k-on-day-one-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/17/wii-music-shifts-50k-on-day-one-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Don't they look happy? That's because they all bought Wii Music, along with 49,996 others. Yup, you read that right: the Wii Music day one sales data from Japan is in, and according to Famitsu publisher Enterbrain, the magical figure is 50,000 units sold. How does that compare to the Japanese launches of other large first-party Wii games? Not that well, as it happens; hit the break to see for yourself.

Continue reading Wii Music shifts 50k on day one in Japan

JoystiqWii Music shifts 50k on day one in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enterbrainjapanmusicrhythmwii-musicFri, 17 Oct 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Show tunes: Wii Music licensed tracks revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/show-tunes-wii-music-licensed-tracks-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/show-tunes-wii-music-licensed-tracks-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/show-tunes-wii-music-licensed-tracks-revealed/#commentsFiled under: ,

wii music
Finally! A rhythm game track list built exclusively for grown folks: 60s pop? Check! Motown hits? You betcha! Show tunes? Groovy! Inspirational motion picture themes? Far out! George Michael? Oh hells yeah!

While Nintendo has yet to release the complete track list for Wii Music, expected to feature some 50 tunes, Variety simply popped open the game manual and plucked out a list of credited, licensed music. (All 14 tracks are listed after the break.) It might not "rock," but hey, props to Nintendo for almost getting a Beatles song in the game -- John Lennon's ode to Yoko is close enough, right?

Continue reading Show tunes: Wii Music licensed tracks revealed

JoystiqShow tunes: Wii Music licensed tracks revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wiiwii-musicThu, 16 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music: Disappointed preview talks features, songs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/wii-music-disappointed-preview-talks-features-songs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/wii-music-disappointed-preview-talks-features-songs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/wii-music-disappointed-preview-talks-features-songs/#commentsFiled under:




With Wii Music very nearly out, we're starting to see, if not reviews, final pre-review previews. IGN's Matt Casamassina, who often seems quite motivated to stump for Nintendo, may be expected to provide the most glowing of writeups after his hands-on with the toy. That is not what happened. Despite the fact that it's not a review, Wii Music gets evaluated pretty harshly.

But in the process of mentioning that he still doesn't like Wii Music, Casamassina offers a few gameplay details we didn't know. For example, you can randomize the song and lineup for a "quick jam," allowing you to experiment even more freely than your brain allows.

Casamassina also lists some more songs found in the game, including (MIDI versions of) classics "Chariots of Fire, Daydream Believer, I'll Be There, Every Breath You Take, I've Never Been Me, Material Girl, Please Mr. Postman, September, Sukiyaki, The Loco-Motion, Woman, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Jingle Bell Rock."

JoystiqWii Music: Disappointed preview talks features, songs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualmusicwii-musicThu, 16 Oct 2008 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Musicians rock out with Wii Music]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/musicians-rock-out-with-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/musicians-rock-out-with-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/musicians-rock-out-with-wii-music/#commentsFiled under:


The Nintendo Channel updated today with some new videos for upcoming games, like Away: Shuffle Dungeon, Art Style: Cubello, World of Goo and, as seen above and past the break, Wii Music. Above, you can see rapper Cee-Lo rocking out with Wii Music's beatbox instrument. After checking out that video, cruise past the break for some footage of funkadelic artist G. Love enjoying some gameplay.

Continue reading Musicians rock out with Wii Music

JoystiqMusicians rock out with Wii Music originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cee-log-loveg-love-and-special-saucemusicrhythmwii-musicMon, 13 Oct 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Miyamoto shows the kids Wii Music]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/miyamoto-shows-the-kids-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/miyamoto-shows-the-kids-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/miyamoto-shows-the-kids-wii-music/#commentsFiled under: ,


Since we all know Wii Music is not a game, but a toy, the target audience has to be the really young. Why else would Miyamoto be at a Japanese preschool, showing off the title? But, hey, we have to give it up to Shiggy and Nintendo. If there's a great way to gather interest in a title, it's with a dozen or so cute, smiling children.


[Via Wiiblog]

JoystiqMiyamoto shows the kids Wii Music originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demodemonstrationelementary-schooljapanmiyamotoschoolwii-musicThu, 09 Oct 2008 18:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Playing invisible instruments more complex than you think]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/playing-invisible-instruments-more-complex-than-you-think/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/playing-invisible-instruments-more-complex-than-you-think/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/playing-invisible-instruments-more-complex-than-you-think/#commentsFiled under:


That's according to Reggie Fils-Aime, at least. The Nintendo bossman thinks that his company did Wii Music a big disservice when it was displayed at E3, and feels the game is a lot more complex than people realize.

In fact, Reggie believes that Wii Music, like all the best music games, will be simple to pick up, but a tricky beast to master. "We may have done that title an injustice at E3 by showing something that looked so easy," stated Fils-Aime to technology and media site Venturebeat. "Now we're showing the tremendous variety of instruments and tones and how challenging it is to make music that sounds good."

Reggie also revealed that Nintendo expects Wii Music to become one of the "top sellers" on the system. We can totally believe that, but "challenging"? Really? We don't want to jump conclusions without a few major Wii Music sessions, but these assertions do seem to go against the evidence we've seen so far.


[Via Eurogamer]

JoystiqPlaying invisible instruments more complex than you think originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>difficultymusicreggiereggie-fils-aimewii-musicMon, 06 Oct 2008 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music 'games' within the 'game' detailed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/wii-music-games-within-the-game-detailed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/wii-music-games-within-the-game-detailed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/wii-music-games-within-the-game-detailed/#commentsFiled under: ,


On Friday we had our final hands-on session with Wii Music before its October 20 release. Our feelings about it remain more or less unchanged from our time with it at E3. It's not a "gamer's game;" it's not even really a game in the traditional sense. Its novel mechanics will be best appreciated by young children or groups of non-gamers. Nintendo itself has said as much.

Still, we wanted to finally see the "games" of Wii Music - the three modes where players are actually scored. The first is conducting with the Wiimote as a baton, which was demo'd by Nintendo back at the system's unveiling. The gist of this game is staying true to the tempo of the original work. How close you maintain the flow determines your score.

There's also a choir bell game for up to four players, which involves "ringing" your two bells as ones matching their colors scroll past. Finally, there's the most simple of the games, which tests you ability to hear different pitches. There are 10 "levels," where you are asked to place the Mii that's producing a specific tone onto a platform - match and win.

Simple stuff indeed.

Gallery: Wii Music (10-06-2008)



JoystiqWii Music 'games' within the 'game' detailed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nfms08-hands-onnintendo-fall-media-summit-08Wiiwii-musicMon, 06 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[From The Conduit to Call of Duty: New screenshots from Nintendo's media summit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/from-the-conduit-to-call-of-duty-new-screenshots-from-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/from-the-conduit-to-call-of-duty-new-screenshots-from-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/from-the-conduit-to-call-of-duty-new-screenshots-from-nintendo/#commentsFiled under:


click to embiggen
While we can't talk about what we played at today's Nintendo fall media summit in San Francisco (embargoes lift Monday), we were able to snap plenty of pictures from the event, including The Conduit, Dead Rising, Call of Duty: World at War and Animal Crossing. More galleries after the break.

Continue reading From The Conduit to Call of Duty: New screenshots from Nintendo's media summit

JoystiqFrom The Conduit to Call of Duty: New screenshots from Nintendo's media summit originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossingcall-of-dutycall-of-duty-world-at-warconduitdead-risingnintendoraving-rabbidsraving-rabbids-tv-partythe-conduitWiiwii-musicThu, 02 Oct 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music keeps on trucking]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/wii-music-keeps-on-trucking/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/wii-music-keeps-on-trucking/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/wii-music-keeps-on-trucking/#commentsFiled under:


You know that intro movie in Rock Band, where all of the rocking types are jamming out on top of a speeding car, all XTREME-like (click here to jog your memory)? We guess this is Nintendo's take on the thing, as Wii Music's truck-riding, world-rocking ensemble very much resembles that, at least in our mind. Just, you know, Nintendo's take is a bit more pleasant and a lot less full of leather-clad individuals rocking the desert.

For a more traditional trailer of the gang rocking out an honest-to-goodness venue, cruise past the break.

Continue reading Wii Music keeps on trucking

JoystiqWii Music keeps on trucking originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>musicrhythmrock-bandwii-musicTue, 30 Sep 2008 18:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music reflects on Nintendo's past with playable Famicom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/wii-music-reflects-on-nintendos-past-with-playable-famicom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/wii-music-reflects-on-nintendos-past-with-playable-famicom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/wii-music-reflects-on-nintendos-past-with-playable-famicom/#commentsFiled under:



Nintendo has been happy to think outside the box when selecting Wii Music's line-up of instruments, and over the weekend, the company revealed another unconventional choice: the Famicom. This isn't as weird as the dog suit -- there is, after all, a whole scene dedicated to making music from old game sounds (and even household names have dabbled) -- but is an interesting and fun addition nonetheless.

The other recently unveiled instrument, the Timbales (there's a video after the break), is less interesting as a result, though Wikipedia (yes, we call this "journalism" -- Pulitzer, here we come) taught us that "Timbales" doubles up as a Spanish euphemism for, well, a rude word. Expect much childish giggling in Spanish-speaking households later this year, then.

Continue reading Wii Music reflects on Nintendo's past with playable Famicom

JoystiqWii Music reflects on Nintendo's past with playable Famicom originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famicommusicnestimbalestodays-instrumentwii-musicMon, 29 Sep 2008 16:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo: Wii Music assists musical education]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/nintendo-wii-music-assists-musical-education/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/nintendo-wii-music-assists-musical-education/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/nintendo-wii-music-assists-musical-education/#commentsFiled under:



In what is now a time-honored tradition for Nintendo's first-party releases, Satoru Iwata and Shigeru Miyamoto came together over a cup of tea and a Jammie Dodger* to have a chinwag about Wii Music. Neither man fell about laughing hysterically at any point in the interview, so we assume the game is actually going ahead.

As usual, Shiggy came up with some corking soundbytes, in between reflecting on the ukelele he received as a youngster and other trivial details. These included the shocking revelation that he had never been so excited while making a game as when making Wii Music -- not even when he was crafting Super Mario Bros. In an even more controversial twist, the conversation then turned to how Wii Music could (in Iwata's words) "raise people's basic level of music education." Not surprisingly, Miyamoto agreed, adding, "I've even thought it would it would be great if kindergartens or elementary schools got Wii Music and began kid's music education with that ..."

So there you go: according to Nintendo's top men, Wii Music could kickstart basic music skills in kids ... by making them play invisible instruments. Eh?

* Awaiting confirmation on this.


[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqNintendo: Wii Music assists musical education originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iwata-asksmusicsatoru-iwatashigeru-miyamotoshiggywii-musicFri, 26 Sep 2008 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music accommodates our de facto banjo theme]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/wii-music-accomodates-our-de-facto-banjo-theme/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/wii-music-accomodates-our-de-facto-banjo-theme/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/wii-music-accomodates-our-de-facto-banjo-theme/#commentsFiled under:


It's totally a banjo kind of week. We were just talking about Banjo-Kazooie (and its apparent banishment from Virtual Console), and now Nintendo presents a Wii Music video demonstrating that game's interpretation of the instrument of the same name. It's air banjo! Like air guitar, but folksier. While holding the nunchuk aloft, whipping downward with the Wiimote will approximate a single pluck, or a strum, depending on the song. Maybe tomorrow the featured instrument will be the kazoo. Wouldn't that be an odd coincidence?

All this banjo talk makes us want to watch Space Ghost Coast To Coast. BANJOOOOOO!


Looking for more on Wii Music? You can catch an E3 trailer here, read about our time with the game here, and learn how to play the steel drum, handbell, trumpet, timpani, acoustic bass, shamisen, harmonica, cello, harpsichord, cheerleader, saxophone, sitar, cowbell, electric bass, drums, dog, accordion, taiko, clarinet, conga, electric guitar, harp, flute, marching drum, violin, piano, guitar, and marimba.

JoystiqWii Music accommodates our de facto banjo theme originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banjocasualmusicwii-musicFri, 26 Sep 2008 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music: UK date, minigames, and the daily instrument]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/wii-music-uk-date-minigames-and-the-daily-instrument/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/wii-music-uk-date-minigames-and-the-daily-instrument/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/wii-music-uk-date-minigames-and-the-daily-instrument/#commentsFiled under: ,


The biggest Wii Music news today is that it's been dated for the UK. Nintendo has announced that the game will be in stores on November 14.

Of course, being a day, there's also a "Today's Instrument" video! Today's featured Wii Music instrument is one that is, in our estimation, almost universally associated with fun: the steel drum. Most people hear the sound of a steel drum and think of beach vacations, and of time spent relaxing in some resort. We think of Super Mario World. Either way, the sound makes people happy. On an even more basic level, it's a big bowl that you hit with hammers! Neat! Of course, as usual, the model is too cool to let any of our hu-man emotions show through.

Also, it may be a bit confusing, but two Wii Music websites have updated with new content. The nintendo.co.jp Wii Music site features, in addition to basic info about the game, descriptions of three minigames contained in Wii Music: Narikiri Orchestra (something like "Becoming an Orchestra"), Awasete Handbell ("Connect Handbells"), and a very weird tone-matching minigame, all with video. The wii.com Wii Music website now has an Iwata/Miyamoto Creator's Voice interview, which we expect to see in English soon, and a series of seven commercials.


Looking for more on Wii Music? You can catch an E3 trailer here, read about our time with the game here, and learn how to play the handbell, trumpet, timpani, acoustic bass, shamisen, harmonica, cello, harpsichord, cheerleader, saxophone, sitar, cowbell, electric bass, drums, dog, accordion, taiko, clarinet, conga, electric guitar, harp, flute, marching drum, violin, piano, guitar, and marimba.

JoystiqWii Music: UK date, minigames, and the daily instrument originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>musicsteel-drumtodays-instrumentwii-musicThu, 25 Sep 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music captures the handbell lovers demographic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/wii-music-captures-the-handbell-lovers-demographic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/wii-music-captures-the-handbell-lovers-demographic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/wii-music-captures-the-handbell-lovers-demographic/#commentsFiled under:



The handbell, an instrument that is surely only one grade of difficulty up from the triangle, is the focus of the latest Today's Instrument video. It comes across as cheery and Christmassy, an ap-peal-ing sound which contrasts sharply with the model's gloomy-as-a-wet-Monday expression. Not that we're complaining; such solemnity is infinitely preferable to fake enjoyment.


Looking for more on Wii Music? You can catch an E3 trailer here, read about our time with the game here, and learn how to play the trumpet, timpani, acoustic bass, shamisen, harmonica, cello, harpsichord, cheerleader, saxophone, sitar, cowbell, electric bass, drums, dog, accordion, taiko, clarinet, conga, electric guitar, harp, flute, marching drum, violin, piano, guitar, and marimba.

JoystiqWii Music captures the handbell lovers demographic originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>handbellmusictodays-instrumentwii-musicWed, 24 Sep 2008 20:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music breaks out the trumpet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/23/wii-music-breaks-out-the-trumpet/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/23/wii-music-breaks-out-the-trumpet/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/23/wii-music-breaks-out-the-trumpet/#commentsFiled under:


Another day, another playable instrument for Wii Music is revealed. Today is none other than the trumpet, that instrument that is the scorn of so many soldiers lives. Other than rousing soldiers from their sleep, the thing is able to produce some sweet sounds, as evidenced in the video above. And you don't even need to be Louis Armstrong, either!


Looking for more on Wii Music? Check out the E3 trailer by clicking here, read up on our time with the game here, and learn how to play the timpani, acoustic bass, shamisen, harmonica, cello, harpsichord, cheerleader, saxophone, sitar, cowbell, electric bass, drums, dog, accordion, taiko, clarinet, conga, electric guitar, harp, flute, marching drum, violin, piano, guitar, and marimba.

JoystiqWii Music breaks out the trumpet originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>todays-instrumenttrumpetwii-musicTue, 23 Sep 2008 16:23:00 EST