Topic: PODCAST: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 125

[Tybo68]

I went into E3 thinking there was going to be a new AC game and I was excited because I had never played a game like that and I wanted to try it but that press conference turned me off of AC for the Wii it just doesn't seem like my kind of game. I haven't bought a Wii game since august but after listening to this episode I really want to try Wario Land.

[Kairon]

I went into E3 thinking there was going to be a new AC game and I was excited because I had never played a game like that and I wanted to try it but that press conference turned me off of AC for the Wii it just doesn't seem like my kind of game.

That's a pity Tybo, but then again it's a good thing that you looked before you leaped. It's much worse to find yourself thinking that AC isn't for you once you'v e already plunked down the money.

However, I don't think that E3, or the flak the game has received, has scared actual Animal Crossing fans at all. Many on the boards have picked up the game and seem to be enjoying it, and even I succumbed and bought it, against my better judgement since I quickly tired of the DS one despite loving the GameCube one.

[NWR_pap64]

To say that Wii Music appeal to five-year-olds is not to put it down.  Miyamoto himself has frequently said that the game should be particularly appealing to young children.  I have said on other episodes that the game is a lot like passing around a box of various musical instruments in a kindergarten class.  This isn't the first time Nintendo has developed a game specifically for young children -- remember that Pokemon thing for GameCube?  Even the N64 game Hey You Pikachu was that way.  I'm glad there are games for extremely young gamers.  I just don't think that is the kind of game that should be propping up Nintendo's Christmas lineup.  And I think it's fair to warn people that the game is primarily intended for children, as that may not be apparent from Nintendo's marketing campaign.

Its true that the game is aimed at kids. But its also aimed at people who love to mess around with music.

If you check out the Nintendo channel they keep releasing Wii Music tips videos that tell you the basic and advanced concept of music remixing, encouraging you to try and remix a song the way you see fit. This is something that appeals to older players who likely have the time and patience to go through the same song over and over in hopes of perfecting it.

So its a game everyone can enjoy. Its easy enough that a kid can play through it and hopefully learn something while the adults mess around with its remixing feature. Its like Mario Paint. You could either make stick houses and stick people or make a whole animated film. Maybe then you will turn it into a career...

I do agree, however, that it might not be everyone I recommend a rent. But I do say that you should play it and use your own judgment rather than listening to what everyone else says since Wii Music is an experience defined by the player, meaning that it will vary from person to person.

[shammack]

However, I don't think that E3, or the flak the game has received, has scared actual Animal Crossing fans at all. Many on the boards have picked up the game and seem to be enjoying it, and even I succumbed and bought it, against my better judgement since I quickly tired of the DS one despite loving the GameCube one.

That's pretty much the same experience I had, but I've already sunk more time into this one than I ever did on the DS.  For some reason I just had a hard time getting immersed in it on a handheld (plus I hated the DS controls).  I know this is pretty much the same game I've been playing since the Gamecube, but I just don't care because I still like it so much.

[NWR_Neal]

My friend is currently working on me to get the Wii version.
I enjoyed the Gamecube version, but it didn't totally grab me, and I passed on the DS version.

[TheYoungerPlumber]

As someone who plays actual, real musical instruments, Wii Music is not for me. And based on what I've played, anyone who does play an instrument will have a very hard time enjoying the game for the reasons discussed on this podcast.

[ShyGuy]

I've heard real musicians say similar things about Guitar Hero.

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Yes, I have a similar attitude towards most music games, mostly because it's hard to hear your own mistakes. I cut Guitar Hero and Rock Band some slack because I find them to be fun social games, and the tactile feel of the guitar works for me. I have no love for Benami stuff, though.

[Nick DiMola]

Wii Music seems to have a different effect on just about every person who picks it up. The game definitely requires the right atmosphere, and the right people to enjoy properly. Most importantly, the game requires you to play with others in order to truly experience its magic.

To say Wii Music is aimed and can only be enjoyed by children would be absurdly wrong, as would saying that Wii Music can only appeal to those who have no musical experience. I'm pretty sure there is no definitive metric to determine its appeal.

If people want to argue that the game is probably not the best of titles to carry Nintendo through the holidays, I would agree. The game has gotten an unjustifiably bad rap, and as such, it has become a hard sell with the "hardcore" crowd, and is likely not being promoted in stores staffed by such gamers. Nintendo probably should've opted to not allow hands on time with the game on the E3 show floor as it gave many journalists a bad impression of the game due to being featured in an improper setting.

[TofuFury]

However, I don't think that E3, or the flak the game has received, has scared actual Animal Crossing fans at all. Many on the boards have picked up the game and seem to be enjoying it, and even I succumbed and bought it, against my better judgement since I quickly tired of the DS one despite loving the GameCube one.

I also felt that way. I don't know why, but it was so much easier for me to get into the game with it being on my tv rather than my DS. Maybe it's because I enjoy playing it with a big screen. I appreciate it for what it is, but enjoy City Folk so much more. I do miss being able to see the flying balloons a bit easier, but not much else.