Plenty of developers have spoken about seeing the Nintendo Switch - and its integrated Joy-Con controllers - and being inspired with gaming ideas. That seems to have happened to Sonic Team designer and producer Shun Nakamura, which could be good news for Dreamcast fans.
The cult hit on SEGA's last console - which had a Wii re-release - was Samba de Amigo, a music rhythm game famous for its add-on maraca controllers that you would shake to the beat. On Wii it naturally made use of the Wii Remote, though ideally it would have been played with two of the controllers (rather than with a wired Nunchuk). Asked by Eurogamer whether the series could make a comeback with the Switch, Nakamura-san made clear that he'd love to do it; naturally getting the money-men to approve such a project will need more than enthusiasm, but it's a good start.
I really, really want to make it! This is coming from someone who had to make physical items you had to buy and plug into your console in order to play Samba de Amigo at home. When the Wii came out, there was only one Wii Remote, and you had to buy another one. You could still do it, but it's a bit of a hurdle to get over. The first time I saw the Switch, I thought oh my god - this is it! You don't have to buy another peripheral, you don't need to buy another controller. I'm really, really interested in that.
Elsewhere in the interview Nakamura-san is positive but a little non-committal on how the success and critical acclaim of Sonic Mania could influence future Sonic Team projects. Acknowledging that it's 30fps on Switch and 60fps on PS4 / Xbox One, he spoke about Sonic Forces as a project in the works for a number of years, and that development on the Nintendo system's version was initially tricky due to the hardware being rather surprising.
When we were doing concepts for the game, we really wanted to make it multiplatform. Regardless of what hardware you have, how you're playing the game - the base idea is for that experience to be the same on the machine. And this was back before anyone knew what the Nintendo Switch would be. Even when we were drawing the lines of having Xbox One, PS4, we were going to have Nintendo's new hardware - even though we didn't know anything about it, we got the budget and schedule sorted before we even knew what existed. It was a bit of a panic when we first got the Switch - it was a little bit different to what we were expecting, so it was a case of seeing how we could make that work. There were some challenges - but because we have our own engine, we were able to customise it very quickly in a way that could work for the Switch, and in a way that it could really be the same experience on the Switch without it having to feel or look different.
We'll see how Sonic Forces turns out very soon. In the meantime we can fantasize about Samba de Amigo on Switch - come on SEGA, make it happen!
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 47
It must be nice to want things.
I bought the Wii version of the game at a deep discount but I never actually opened it. Doesn't bode well for my interest in a potential Switch version...
More power to them. I'd like to support them but those games don't interest me one bit.
I have both samba de Amigo games for Dreamcast. Would buy a switch version day 1
Meanwhile a more sales potential of Billy Hatcher...
I liked the wii verson so sure I'll take another one.
That would be right up my ally. I seriously hope they get to make it. I honestly could care less about the sonic game though.
Old school Sega! YES PLEASE!
And nobody wants to touch Jet Grind Radio. Even the "spiritual successor" is lacking info....unless it got released?
I would take it Sega. And Mirai 3 pls.
I want it too on my switch. I like this kind of crazy and it feels very sunny.
"I really, really want to make it!"
Well, by all means then, mr. Nakamura.
Please don't let us crazy fans stop you...
Would buy if it is a $15 eShop game.
I never got the original for my Dreamcast for some reason. I did have Space Channel 5 though and loved that . I haven't really liked any other rhythm games since then though so I'm not sure a new Samba De Amiga would interest me.
I'd love it to happen. The Wii game was awesome. So much so, I reviewed it 9 years ago.
https://youtu.be/XKtgNJ2DBgU
@justin233 these are not small games
Samba de Amigo is awesome! Would be so fun on Switch! Yeah, and bring Jet Grind Radio and Chu Chu Rocket too!
cough cough Panzer Dragoon... cough
@Pahvi Unless you actually play the game yourself instead of reading on critics, you will find out that the game is actually quite fun and unique.
@thesilverbrick Why buy a game you're not going to play? Might as well just 3D print yourself the case instead.
@faint I owned the Wii version. I thought it was “small.” I’m not saying it’s a bad game by any means, though.
So many great Sega IPs being squandered. Would love for them to throw some devs on Nights, Jet Grind, Panzer Dragoon, Burning Rangers, etc.
I’d definitely welcome a remastered version to my Switch. I had the wii version but it was frustratingly hit and miss with wiimote & numchuck recognition especially so on the more challenging levels.
Something maybe with the new tech inside the switch controllers would not cause the same issue.
The game was overall fun on the easy songs. It was my favourite rhythm game, second being Dance Dance revolution series.
@retro_player_22 Mostly because I got it for five bucks or so. I was slightly curious about the series after playing Sonic and Allstars Racing Transformed on the Wii U. I figured I would get to it at some point, but I never did. It really wasn't too much of a loss, and maybe someday I'll get a chance to enjoy it.
What for?... Before dumping money on this nonsense make a remastered Panzer Dragoon Saga
Samba di amigo is TONS of fun. And the soundtrack is my favourite ever.
Id love it on switch
OH PLEASE OH PLEASE DO! I love Samba de Amigo on the Wii, I really really love it. With the HD Rumble and enhanced motion controls of the joycons IT'S A NO BRAINER! PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEN SEGA!!!
@retro_player_22 I have over 200 physical games I have never even played, but with each of them when I bought them I was sure I would play them (with the exception for 60 of my ps3 games, they came with my ps3 when I bought it.)
Everyone buys a bunch of games sometimes thinking they’re going to play each of them but than half of them ending up in your back cataloge.
Also if someone can afford why not anyway...
I have never played Samba de Amigo so I could be interested in a re-release. I would honestly probably need a demo though, to secure a purchase from me.
@Paraka I would certainly like to see that game come to modern consoles. One of the few games that bring to mind the nostalgia of games from my childhood without even playing said game.
DO IT!!
Yes! More Samba please!
Skies of Arcadia, Skies of Arcadia... Would not mind that if its even up for crowdfunding.
Considering the joycons I'm surprised a game like this is not out on the switch yet. Looks like a fun game
@thesilverbrick Me I play the heck out of all my games, though I had to admit I never really completed all of them. I'm the kind of person who bought things new then turn them old by leaving my mark in them.
@darkswabber Wow 200 games? That's way too much, it's like buying 200 books and never read them. I only own 120 or so games across multiple systems but had play them at least once or twice. The ones I could return to I would surely play again, the ones I can no longer return to I just resell them away.
@Dpullam - It's definitely a series SEGA and Sonic Team got right after transitioning to 3D.
The Wii game was... challenging. To enjoy.
I'm sure the joycon would provide much better samba suport than the out-of-the-box wiimote and nunchuck ever could.
Of all the classic franchises Sega is sitting on, Samba would be at the bottom of my personal Sega wish list. Narrowing it down to music games though, I’d much rather see a Space Channel 5 entry! Good fun!
I love Samba de Amigo! Enjoyed it on the Dreamcast and also loved the Wii one.
If SEGA doesn't want to, maybe Gearbox would be willing to make it?
Go for it SEGA!
HD Rumble Maracas? This console was made for Samba De Amigo.
Never played. Would possibly give it a try on the Switch. Always welcome to more games.
@thesilverbrick You really should, sometime. Despite its "particular" controls (which impeded the sensibilities of many a rash journalist), it's very fun.
@Gauchorino Thanks for the recommendation. I really do hope to give it a go at some point, but I'm busy beyond belief at the moment. I do love me a good rhythm game, though, and the game's aesthetic is really cool.
@Paraka Lol. And, OMG! I never see or hear anybody bring that game up!
Love Samba, but the inaccuracy of the motion sensing / my ability to consistently perform the actions properly, was frustrating, so hopefully the joy-con will improve that aspect.
Huh. What a pleasant surprise after cleaning out my old(er) games and finding the Wii version of Samba de Amigo....I recall enjoying the soundtrack, but I'm not sure if I liked the accuracy of the motion controls like @gcunit mentions..
Tap here to load 47 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...