CVG previews Samba De Amigo (Wii)
Posted by Graham. Filed under G, News, Nintendo Wii, Preview, Retro. Tagged with Dreamcast, Peripheral, Samba De Amigo.
CVG has posted up a preview, from NGamer, for the upcoming Wii version of Samba De Amigo. The preview conveys some mixed emotions.
On the one hand the Wiimote and Nunchuck controls are (apparently) perfectly fine, and the controls are tight enough for players to make some funky beats.
“Mechanically, Gearbox have done a sound job. The concept is as simple as it ever was: a right maraca and a left maraca, you just have to shake each one at the height the game tells you.”
However it seems that, even with good reactions, the Wii’s controller is still no match for holding the Dreamcast original’s big, plastic maracas in hand.
“This is where the importance of the original maracas reveals itself - with the lightweight remote and nunchuk in your mitts, there’s little in the way of physical connection with the mad game world.
It looks, sounds and plays right; it simply doesn’t feel right. Here’s hoping Sega can tighten things up in time for release.”
I’m not sure exactly what they expect Sega to do about this though, other than release a new set of Wii-compatible maracas. The idea of releasing these Wii-versions of older games (such as Ghost Squad, Sega Bass Fishing, House of the Dead etc…) is so that fans can once again feel the joy, but for a low price. If Sega were to release the maraca set again, then the price of the game would certainly go up, especially if they were wireless.
Sure it would make the experience better, but back in the Dreamcast days one of things that people (gamers and reviewers) moaned about was how expensive the game was to buy. I could imagine the same thing happening again here, with some reviewers saying something like; “Why should we spend £60 on a game that’s 7 years old?”
Perhaps if reviewers pushed for people to actually buy the games when they were originally out, rather than putting down the Dreamcast system, then maybe it would be a whole different story today.  {By that I, of course, mean that we would be playing on our Dreamcast 2’s, swimming in endless (but fantastic) sequels to Shenmue, Skies of Arcadia and Jet Set Radio… ah if only…}
Moral of the story? Buy good games when they are released!
Well fingers crossed that the experience (magically) betters itself in time for release. For the full preview check CVG, here.
[Special Thanks: RoJM Via The Forums]
Comments on this article
There have been 9 responses to this article.
I’m pretty sure that if Sega don’t make some sort of plastic maraca attachments with rattle in them, a third party will; just look at all those other odd attachments that have been put out for the Wii like all the various fishing rods, swords, and even paddles for thr release of Rockstars table tennis.
Still, I own the original Dreamcast maracas so all is well for me, at least =)
The Gagaman
Posted March 28th, 2008 at 1:09 pm.
Well my understanding is that the Wiimote actually makes the rattle sound anyway - so I’m not sure if having some rattling bits attached will really help much.
I think the bigger issue is that players aren’t holding actual maracas, instead they have to pretend… which is clearly no fun. Imagine Guitar Hero with a normal controller? … ewww.
Graham
Posted March 28th, 2008 at 1:41 pm.
Well, could SEGA not make an inexpensive Plastic Maraca shell? One that the Wii-mote slips into? It seems like a simple fix to me, I can’t see two pieces of plastic costing $19.99, but then again, I didn’t buy a Wii Zapper.
NiGHTSfan360
Posted March 28th, 2008 at 3:20 pm.
Sega needs to advertise these wiimotes more effectivly or the point in porting them will be pointless since these games will hopefully resurrect game series that are in limbo at the moment.
ROJM
Posted March 28th, 2008 at 3:53 pm.
Basically, it sounds like a “Damned if you do, Damned if you don’t momment,” regardless of the outcome(If they use Maracas shells and if they don’t)
udx
Posted March 28th, 2008 at 5:00 pm.
You’d think a review of a “Sequel” would at least mention some of the new songs!
Daniel Kurland
Posted March 28th, 2008 at 6:35 pm.
This isn’t a Sequel and its not a review. Its a preview for a remake of the original ;) .
George
Posted March 29th, 2008 at 1:53 am.
I thought Sega’s new system was called Evolution?
cube_b3
Posted March 29th, 2008 at 1:53 pm.
Meh I have the original and the cable of the maracasu was annoying, you had to concentrate in the position of the cable/sensor to be correctly detected instead of enjoying the gameplay, I hope the wii controller is perfectly detected then just with some tape and salt shaker you have the perfect maracasu xD
landman
Posted March 30th, 2008 at 7:07 am.