Wii Music Official Thread - Either Waggle Mindlessly or Play to Make Some Real Music

[The M.O.B]

(info from wiki)



Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Wii

Release date(s)
JP October 16, 2008
NA October 20, 2008
AUS November 13, 2008
EU November 14, 2008



Wii Music is a music video game for the Wii that simulates playing musical instruments using the Wii Remote and the Wii Balance Board. The game is part of Nintendo's Wii Series and Touch! Generations series of games.

Wii Music was originally suggested as a Wii launch title, but was not released at launch and received little coverage from the company over the next several months. However, in 2008 Nintendo explained more about the game in preparation for its release scheduled for later that year.

Wii Music is directed by Kazumi Totaka, while famed Nintendo composer Kōji Kondō was one of the people who oversaw the project.

Wii Music was also first shown, along with the Wii Remote, at the Nintendo press conference at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show. The two minigames briefly featured were Drums and Orchestra. The game was also the first Wii game ever to be demonstrated during Nintendo's E3 2006 press conference, where Shigeru Miyamoto came up to the stage to perform the The Legend of Zelda Overworld Theme for the audience using the Orchestra game. Both Drums and Orchestra were also made playable to attendees. Additional details of the game were released in conjunction with a Nintendo press conference held on October 11, 2007.

Wii Music was showcased during Nintendo's press conference for E3 2008, revealing much more information, including support for the Wii Balance Board to play the drums. It was revealed later on that the game has lessons for the drums programmed in. Miyamoto later announced that over 60 instruments will be playable in the game, and explained the control scheme that uses the Wii Remote's buttons to play notes on various instrument while holding the Wii Remote in a similar fashion to the actual instrument.

Be sure to check out the Iwata ask sessions below, they give a lot of insight into the development of Wii Music

Volume 1
Volume 2

Some Good Quotes below, provided by DunpealD

Hmm… It's something we made with the idea of turning the joy of music into a game. It isn't a musical instrument, but it isn't a video game, either. It's something like no other. That's why I want everyone to try it out. It conveys the true joy of music. When I saw the final product, I thought it was most unusual. One attractive aspect is that while it's not a musical instrument, it provides the same joy as playing a musical instrument. Someone who can't play an instrument can experience playing in an ensemble.

Totaka That's what we call a special technique on a musical instrument. Wii Music is designed so that anyone can easily play any of the instruments by swinging the Wii Remote, but in addition to this basic operation of the game, by pushing buttons or moving the analog sticks, you can elicit special sounds for each particular instrument. On the piano, for example, if you slide your fingers across the keyboard, you get a glissando. On the guitar, there's a technique called choking, whereby you dampen the strings.

This is where Matt at IGN failed:

Totaka Right. For example, when I set up self-evaluation in Wii Music. The software doesn't score me, I score myself. Iwata You can give yourself full points, or be strict with yourself.

In Wii Music, the player uses both motions and button presses on the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to control a six-member Mii band. Unlike other music games, Wii Music does not require the player to press certain buttons at certain times but only requires the player to move the Wii Remote and Nunchuk like they were playing the instruments. Solo players can either control four band members simultaneously or relegate the computer to the other musicians.

Over 60 instruments are available in the single and multiplayer modes, including the violin, cowbell, piano, guitar, trumpet, harps, bongo drums, maracas, sitar, and the marimba. In addition, the Wii Balance Board can be utilized to play the drums.

You can also use WiiConnect24 to share replay videos with your friends.



Wii Music features a combination of public domain songs, classic nintendo tunes and a variety of licensed tracks.

This list is provided by Gaf-Member "Supa". 1up's to him

1. “American Patrol” the march by F.W. Meacham
2. “Animal Crossing’s K.K. Blues” by K.K. Slider
3. “Animal Crossing: Wild World” Theme
4. “Bridal Chorus” by Richard Wagner
5. “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis (from Chariots of Fire)
6. “Daydream Believer” by The Monkees
7. “Do-Re-Mi” by Rodgers and Hammerstein (from The Sound of Music)
8. “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
9. “Every Breath You Take” by The Police
10. “F-Zero Mute City” Theme
11. “Happy Birthday To You” the birthday celebration song
12. “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5
13. “I’ve Never Been to Me” by Charlene
14. “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms
15. “La Bamba” the Mexican folk song
16. “La Cucaracha” the Mexican folk song
17. “Legend of Zelda Overworld” Theme
18. “Material Girl” by Madonna
19. “Minuet in G major” by Johann Sebastian Bach
20. “My Grandfather’s Clock” the bluegrass song by Henry Clay Work

You can Click HERE for a complete listing of the songs.

Please note that this info is based mostly on the Japanese version and thus certain obscure songs will likely be replaced with others depending on the region you live in. Other songs in the Japanese version include: “Butterfly” the German folk song, “Fir Tree” the German children’s song, “Memories” by Frantisek Drdla, “Santouruse from Bilbao” the Spanish folk song, “Hum Literature” the German folk song, and the unknown “Love Is Like A Dragonfly”.

Iwata It's like how surprising it can be when on the Mii Channel you see a Mii that's been made in a way you never imagined. Miyamoto Exactly! Anyone can easily make a Mii, but you can also achieve some pretty fancy results. Wii Music is like that, but for music. There are 50 songs and 60 instruments to choose from. You can play six parts yourself, record your performances, play them back, and save them. So when it comes to long-time enjoyment for single players, I don't think there's any need to worry.

And don't forget, if you don't care for these, you can change it up to your liking!


credit to the Balance Board Blog for the list

Day 01: Marimba
Day 02: Folk Guitar
Day 03: Marching Drum
Day 04: Piano
Day 05: Violin
Day 06: Western Concert Flute
Day 07: Harp
Day 08: Electric Guitar
Day 09: Conga Drum
Day 10: Clarinet
Day 11: Taiko Drum
Day 12: Accordion
Day 13: Dog
Day 14: Ukulele
Day 15: Drum Kit
Day 16: Electric Bass Guitar
Day 17: Cowbell
Day 18: Saxophone
Day 19: Sitar
Day 20: Cheerleader
Day 21: Harpsichord
Day 22: Cello
Day 23: Harmonica
Day 24: Shamisen
Day 25: Timpani
Day 26: String Bass
Day 27: Trumpet
Day 28: Handbell
Day 29: Steel Drum
Day 30: Banjo
Day 31: Timbales
Day 32: Famicom
Day 33: Marching Snare
Day 34: Acoustic Guitar
Day 35:
Day 36:
Day 37:
Day 38:
Day 39:
Day 40:

*List will be updated



Impressions come from pax08,nintendo's october media summit, and anything after E3.

MTV Multiplayer

NeoGaf's Sporsk

Gamespot

Game is nearly out so instead I will focus more on the reviews


Provided by Ign











Ign: 5.0/ "fundamentally flawed"

Gamespy: 3.5/5 "there's not much here to interest regular and core gamers"

1up: A- "but give the game the chance it deserves. You just might realize it's pretty damn fun being in on the joke"

From what most people are saying, review don't mean $*&^ for this game. Try it for yourself.
Moar to come


IGN
Gamespot
Gamevideos
Random Youtube Videos

[WiiMusic] Tour - Drum Mode

Wii Music -Twinkle, twinkle, little star

JC Rodrigo Video(MUST SEE)

Sp0rsk Show Episode 3

Cee-Lo(Rapper) plays Wii Music

Drum Mode
thx nincompoop

Wii Music - Expert Legend of Zelda Weirdness thx kilrogg

JC demo offscreen

NicoNico vids
Drum lessons 1-3
Drum Lessons 4-6
Drum Lessons 7-9

For what it's worth, the Nintendo World Store here in NYC is hosting a Wii Music event tomorrow from 12 noon through 4pm. The game will be sold early at some point during this 4 hour window.

-Rent it,Play it before putting it off
-Be Happy Have Fun
-Make sure to point out any broken links in OP,or any probs/suggestions you have
-If you have an argument, be sure to back that up
-MIDI is music.

Either Waggle Mindlessly or Play to Make Some Real Music

[The M.O.B]

Im fixing the Banners now:

[Count Dookkake]

Here is a list of people whose opinions have changed from negative to positive.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost...&postcount=178

It has not been updated to reflect the last couple of threads, but I have yet to see a list of people whose opinions have gone in the opposite direction.

[Starchasing]

And don't forget, if you don't care for these, you can make your OWN music!

how so????



also you should put out of what in the review scores.... because gamespy is 3.5 out of 5 i think

[Count Dookkake]

how so????

Not hardcore enough to remember Mario Paint? :p

[nincompoop]

Put this video in the OP, it pretty much sold me on the drum mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa_cTiMUjJQ

[Yes Boss!]

Thank you. Haters Away! Stay in the IGN thread.

[Nintaiyo]

Yeah, you should specify that the Gamespy review is out of 5, or just make it a 7.

I don't think that that's the complete track list...the Iwata Asks interview said there'd be around 50 songs.

[Kilrogg]

Uploaded the IGN video with the Zelda theme played by a dog, a cat and a cheerleader, because it's so damn awesome . The IGN links seem to be broken right now, hence my uploading the video on youtube.

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=pk8zCd4i2CI

Also, great job, OP!

[Starchasing]

Not hardcore enough to remember Mario Paint? :p

But how can you make you our music on wiimusic??? i thought it was just variations

[Count Dookkake]

I don't think that that's the complete track list...the Iwata Asks interview said there'd be around 50 songs.

I think that's what the MOB is implying when he says that the list will be updated...

But how can you make you our music on wiimusic??? i thought it was just variations

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe you enter the composition similarly to Mario Paint THEN when you play you do the variations.

[Gaborn]

regarding songs:

Iwata It's like how surprising it can be when on the Mii Channel you see a Mii that's been made in a way you never imagined. Miyamoto Exactly! Anyone can easily make a Mii, but you can also achieve some pretty fancy results. Wii Music is like that, but for music. There are 50 songs and 60 instruments to choose from. You can play six parts yourself, record your performances, play them back, and save them. So when it comes to long-time enjoyment for single players, I don't think there's any need to worry.

[goomba]

You can make your own music!!?.

Thats a game changer if true, why hasn't this been talked about more?

[The M.O.B]

Updating Now

[Nintaiyo]

I think that's what the MOB is implying when he says that the list will be updated...

Ah okay, didn't see that.

[dannie]

GET the game yesterday~[japan version]

it great fun

the feeling is very good.....
video can't feel it,you really need to try it yourself

conducting mode is fun too!!!:P

Mii@wii music rock~~~!!!! me & joker jam together

[Iced_Eagle]

I need some proof that you can create your own songs. People keep comparing it to Mario Paint but I have yet to see any videos showing off that feature, and I don't think Nintendo has discussed this. Miyamoto only mentioned that there were 50 songs and the variations is all you'll need. You would think he would mention the ability to create your own songs as well.

Anyways, while I get the game is going over, I still don't like it. The track list is unappealing, and I don't see myself picking up Wii Music just to fuck around with by playing as dogs and cats and what-not with the Super Mario song.

When I play games, I expect there to be challenges in my way, and obviously with Rock Band the challenge is passing the songs. What's cool is that you can see who is better with online play, and your friends can help you along the way by using Overdrive to save you, which makes you feel more like a group.

I'm usually not the douche who will say this, but for the experience that Wii Music is going after of improv music and such, if I want that, then I have an alto sax that I can play. Obviously not everyone can play it though, so that's why Nintendo is going to make it a bit more open, which is why I see what they are trying to achieve. I just don't like the gameplay experience I get from it when I go on, just fuck around, and don't really feel like I did anything but create MIDI sounds on a pre-set song.

The ability to create your music, if true, would be interesting if true, but even that wouldn't change my mind.

I tried to not flame and I tried to justify my reasons for disliking the game and how I feel it doesn't appeal to me. Hopefully I did that.

[Regulus Tera]

The FAMICOM is an instrument?

Awesome.

[Mejilan]

For what it's worth, the Nintendo World Store here in NYC is hosting a Wii Music event tomorrow from 12 noon through 4pm. The game will be sold early at some point during this 4 hour window.

[D-Pad]

Can't wait 'til Monday. This is going to be the game to hold me through November 16 I'sa going to the city!.

Also:

And don't forget, if you don't care for these, you can make your OWN music!

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe you enter the composition similarly to Mario Paint THEN when you play you do the variations.

PLEASEDONTBEWRONG! PLEASEDONTBEWRONG!

[The M.O.B]

OP Updated with

-added nincompoop's vid
-corrected gamespy review
-fixed banners
-added Kilrogg's vid

OP finished,unless something really needs to be added/changed.

[Cheez-It]

I'm usually not the douche who will say this, but for the experience that Wii Music is going after of improv music and such, if I want that, then I have an alto sax that I can play. Obviously not everyone can play it though, so that's why Nintendo is going to make it a bit more open, which is why I see what they are trying to achieve. I just don't like the gameplay experience I get from it when I go on, just fuck around, and don't really feel like I did anything but create MIDI sounds on a pre-set song.

I play tennis at a very high level, but I never think "boy, I could be playing REAL tennis!" when I enjoy it with company. I could also play some guitar "if I feel like that", but don't see how this would make anyone less inclined to enjoy the game. From what I've read, most people who actually enjoy creating music are responding positively to the game.

[D-Pad]

OP Updated with -added nincompoop's vid -corrected gamespy review -fixed banners -added Kilrogg's vid OP finished,unless something really needs to be added/changed.

Sweet, nice job! You didn't link to sp0rk's post though.

[The M.O.B]

Sweet, nice job! You didn't link to sp0rk's post though.

i did now :)

[Kilrogg]

I don't see my video in the OP...? I don't know about nincompoop's, though.

[DunpealD]

JC demo offscreen

This would be a good addition too.

You should also include the Iwata ask sessions:

Volume 1
Volume 2

If you need some quotes I search some out for you.

[The M.O.B]

I don't see my video in the OP...? I don't know about nincompoop's, though.

you must of missed it


now it's there :p

Thx DunpealD, that would be much appreciated
added your vids and iwata sessions, i forgot to add those.

[Model 500]

I've seen people talk about "making music" and I've asked clarification for it many times before, I just don't think you can compose your own music. It would be awesome if you could, but hey, the game sounds excellent the way it is. Almost a month to go..........argh :) I'm finding the single player experience more and more interesting all the time, but I just can't wait to start a band with my friends! This is going to be huge!

Nice op M.O.B.!

[Volcynika]

I've always been really interested in this title, but I'm gonna have to hold off on it, maybe ask for it as a gift for the holidays, or wait till January, because I'm spending too much as it is

[jrricky]

Ill see if I can rent this next week since I am buying Castlevania and I dont have enough money. Will buy this month though.

[The M.O.B]

Alright I have added everybody's links, imma take a break now

Will get back to updating in a couple hours

Gaffers, If you have the game now, give us some detailed impressions(which modes,tracks,etc). Ill add them.

[Bogus]

Uploaded the IGN video with the Zelda theme played by a dog, a cat and a cheerleader, because it's so damn awesome . The IGN links seem to be broken right now, hence my uploading the video on youtube. http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=pk8zCd4i2CI Also, great job, OP!

Awesome! I think that video and the Enter Sandman drum clip have sold me on this. And to think that I compose and play music in real life, too! It's almost like I shouldn't enjoy this game on principle.

But fuck it.

[Haunted]

Most interested in the balance board-supported drums and the conducting mode ( thought conducting was out?!).

Still on the fence overall, though. Will probably wait for the gf's verdict on whether to get it or not.


edit: and just for the record, I still think the doc/cat/cheerleader/8bit sounds are fucking stupid.

[jgwhiteus]

So apparently Amazon is offering $20 off a future video game purchase if you order Wii Music through October 31, 2008. I'd already preordered mine, but I think it should still apply. Nice way to pick it up:

Amazon Link

Order your copy of Wii Music for the Wii and get $20 off a future video game purchase. Offer valid from August 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008. The promotional code will be e-mailed within 10 business days after the promotion end date. Offer valid when shipped and sold by Amazon.com. Amazon reserves the right to change or terminate the promotion at any time.

[Mejilan]

So apparently Amazon is offering $20 off a future video game purchase if you order Wii Music through October 31, 2008. I'd already preordered mine, but I think it should still apply. Nice way to pick it up: Amazon Link

Fuck the NWS tomorrow. Many thanks! *orders*

[DunpealD]

you must of missed it now it's there :p Thx DunpealD, that would be much appreciated added your vids and iwata sessions, i forgot to add those.

Ok here are some quotes:

Hmm… It's something we made with the idea of turning the joy of music into a game. It isn't a musical instrument, but it isn't a video game, either. It's something like no other. That's why I want everyone to try it out. It conveys the true joy of music. When I saw the final product, I thought it was most unusual. One attractive aspect is that while it's not a musical instrument, it provides the same joy as playing a musical instrument. Someone who can't play an instrument can experience playing in an ensemble.

Iwata As a musician, did it feel like you were enjoying the music? Totaka No, not at all. When I play music in my free time, the enjoyment lies in letting myself go. But I didn't feel like that was happening when I was so intent on following a score. The same thing happens even when I play a real musical instrument. If I cling to the score, I don't feel that sense of liberation. Getting the general gist of the score and then letting yourself go while playing is significantly more enjoyable.

Totaka This is a bit of a digression, but when I started working on Wii Music, I hadn't played many conventional music games, so I tried some out. When I was playing one of them, I was having fun, and decided to try to play one of the songs perfectly. I played flawlessly through the last note, and in triumph laid on an extra note at the end of the song. But when I looked at my score…it wasn't perfect! Iwata Because of that extra note? Totaka Yeah, it said I'd done something I shouldn't have. But isn't adding a note in keeping with the music a good thing? So I wondered if we could make a game that would allow such embellishments, and came up with the design we have now, whereby you can play normal melodies or elaborate however you see fit.

Totaka That's what we call a special technique on a musical instrument. Wii Music is designed so that anyone can easily play any of the instruments by swinging the Wii Remote, but in addition to this basic operation of the game, by pushing buttons or moving the analog sticks, you can elicit special sounds for each particular instrument. On the piano, for example, if you slide your fingers across the keyboard, you get a glissando. On the guitar, there's a technique called choking, whereby you dampen the strings.

This is where Matt at IGN failed:

Totaka Right. For example, when I set up self-evaluation in Wii Music. The software doesn't score me, I score myself. Iwata You can give yourself full points, or be strict with yourself.

Wada Let's see… We've tested it on someone (points to Morii) who stinks at music, and even he enjoyed it (laughs), so I hope Wii Music gives everyone a chance to enjoy getting to know music.

This one is a little big, but honestly I personally really like that one since I had to take drum sessions(had to do a session after some classes which was graded) in my school at the mandatory music lesson and somehow it makes me wish that Wii Music should have come out sooner which probably would have helped me a lot.

Morii Some staff members and I were going through the lessons in order, and since hardly any of us had any experience on the drums, we had a lot of trouble at first. Iwata Because each limb has to keep its own rhythm. Morii Right. It's really hard! Most of us were sure we'd never get it, but everyone gradually got better. In the end, nearly everyone had made it through all the lessons! Iwata Huh? You mean to tell me that even though no one had any training in the drums or had the coordination at first, everyone mastered the lessons? Morii That's right. Iwata I'm impressed. Totaka Yeah, and there's more. Iwata Huh? Totaka After that, I wondered if they would be able to play real drums, so we went to a practice studio near the office. Iwata No way! How did it go? Totaka I made a video recording. I had them try beats with quarter note, eighth note and sixteenth note patterns, and they could do it. On real drums!

7 Quotes... Maybe it's a little bit much, so if it's too much feel free leave some out

[The M.O.B]

Thanks, i appreciate that. I will update once i get back to my pc.

[freddy]

This is the quote I really like

Totaka Right. For example, when I set up self-evaluation in Wii Music. The software doesn't score me, I score myself. Iwata You can give yourself full points, or be strict with yourself

.

[Linkup]

I've seen people talk about "making music" and I've asked clarification for it many times before, I just don't think you can compose your own music. It would be awesome if you could, but hey, the game sounds excellent the way it is. Almost a month to go..........argh :) I'm finding the single player experience more and more interesting all the time, but I just can't wait to start a band with my friends! This is going to be huge!

I think this is what the title is referring to

Either Waggle Mindlessly or Play to Make Some Real Music

Not that you can compose completely original music, but that you make complete crap or something nice.

[Scrubking]

Why don't we have a full song list yet? Don't people already have the game?

[Shaheed79]

Great OP.

They should of just split the game into two franchises. First "Music Training" and then this "Wii Music" might have been better than shoving the two ideas together into such a small package. I absolutely love the concept though and hope that they continue to build upon the franchise. I don't see any other company tackling instruments like violins, clarinets, trumpets, pianos, saxophones ect. in their music games which have been very narrow in focus up till now. I definitely plan to give this a go this Christmas.

[Ezduo]

Play to Make Some Real Music

I love the drums in video. Hopefully my roommate buys this so I can screw around because this looks fun.

[VOOK]

Why don't we have a full song list yet? Don't people already have the game?

Yeah but I can't read Japanese nor figure out how to get any more tracks :/ - It's probably really simple but, and I tried to do what someone told me in the other thread but it didn't work.

In other news,

I'm hopefully doing some videos later today so I'll post them up here too, but the basic concensus is play it yourself and if you have fun that it's done its job.

But I still don't think it should be $99AU (a full priced game).

[egocrata]

Uploaded the IGN video with the Zelda theme played by a dog, a cat and a cheerleader, because it's so damn awesome . The IGN links seem to be broken right now, hence my uploading the video on youtube. http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=pk8zCd4i2CI Also, great job, OP!

Fuck you. Know I have to buy this game.

It is beyond awesome.

And no, I am not kidding.

[_Alkaline_]

Are there only 3 Nintendo songs or have more been confirmed?

I'm hoping there's more than just that.

[Buttonbasher]

JC Rodrigo Video(MUST SEE)

Sold. Not that I was ever really uninterested in the first place.

[vareon]

The inability to create your own music from scratch quite killed the interest in me, though I already knew it long ago. I can't expect to see awesome musics in Nicovideo now :/

Whether I'll buy it or now depends on the track list, so I'll be grateful if someone posted it

[Iced_Eagle]

I play tennis at a very high level, but I never think "boy, I could be playing REAL tennis!" when I enjoy it with company. I could also play some guitar "if I feel like that", but don't see how this would make anyone less inclined to enjoy the game. From what I've read, most people who actually enjoy creating music are responding positively to the game.

I should note that first off, I'm not big into playing music. I did four years of band when I was in high school, had some fun, but was never big into it.

Even then, if I ever for whatever reason wanted to jam, I wouldn't pick up a wiimote and load up Wii Music.

Honestly, even though I'm not going to get GH:WT I'm still more excited for it than Wii Music due to the fact that you have the music creation and can trade your own songs around and such and try to compete on them.

That's just my views though!

[Gaborn]

Sold. Not that I was ever really uninterested in the first place.

And another convert thanks to JC Rodrigo. Nintendo, give the man a raise.

[Buttonbasher]

And another convert thanks to JC Rodrigo. Nintendo, give the man a raise.

Amen.