Wii Music preview: 40 instruments, 4-player support, compositions creator and online exchanging

Wii Music screenshot
Wii Music is a compilation of music titles from Nintendo that use the motion control aspects of the Wii controller to simulate instruments. Since in December 2007 Nintendo of Japan’s schedule (page 9) confirmed that the music-rhythm game had been delayed to 2008, we thought it would be fun to do a recap of all known features. Let’s start off with two examples of included games that were demonstrated at E3 2006: …

1. Bang on a drum set like air-drums (with both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk), for one or two players:

2. Conduct an orchestra with a wave of the wand as The Legend Of Zelda Overworld Theme plays:

… As well as acting out other music — like the Super Mario Bros. Theme or The Overture from the Opera Carmen — with your Wii.

It is unknown how many Wii Music games may be included in final package. But an October 10th Nintendo Fall Press Conference 2007 Presentation in Japan revealed that: “Players will be able to select from around 40 instruments, including folk guitar, bass guitar, trumpet, maracas and marimba. Six characters take part in a performance, although the game only supports up to four human players. You’re free to go at the game by yourself, with the CPU taking care of the remaining parts.

Gameplay is timing based. You have to time your button presses with notes. The controls vary depending on the instrument. With the trumpet, you use A and B on the Wiimote. For the drums, you shake the Wii Remote and Nunchuck. Some instruments have extra playing options, though. With the trumpet, you can aim the Wiimote up and down to simulate an increase in blowing strength. With the guitar, you can hold down the C button to get single notes instead of chords,” translated IGN.

You can see part of this press event here:

WiiConnect24 logoLastly back in April 2007 a Nintendo distributor mentioned that Wii Music will allow players to create and save their own compositions and send them to other Wii users via the online WiiConnect24 to get exchanges going.

That’s to say on top of the Nintendo and orchestral classic pieces that will be included. It should be interesting to find out what other songs will make it in the game or if there will be entirely new compositions thanks to Nintendo composer Koji Kondo (of Mario, Zelda, Smash Bros. series fame) being one of the people overseeing the project along with Shigeru Miyamoto.

When released, this should be great fun and do well for itself if the Video Games Live concerts’ success is any indication. After Wii Sports and Wii Fit, this could be the next big hit. Nintendo is expected to show off Wii Music at the E3 Summit 2008 on July 15-17th.