
ONM UK didn't just grill Shigeru Miyamoto on Mario, they also asked him some questions about other games. One of these was Wii Music.
It's quite logical to think that after Wii Fit Plus, Nintendo would also want to offer an enhanced version of Wii Music. But although Miyamoto would like to do more with the game, "Wii Music Plus" is not on the cards yet. Here's what he had to say to ONM:
"I think it sold lower than our expectations but on the other hand it was a really unique game, I have to say. And also, even today, we are receiving several different offers from people in the field of music education, so as far as Wii Music is concerned, I think it still has great potential. And in the future there might be some developments.
We may want to think about the possibility of making some improvements, based upon the original Wii Music.
Unfortunately we don't have any news we can talk about at the moment. But like Wii Fit Plus, it's not really a sequel to the original Wii Fit - but we have added some features to improve the overall experience. It's a kind of an enhanced version of the original Wii Fit..."
Would you buy a new version of Wii Music?
[source officialnintendomagazine.co.uk]
Comments 28
I'm surprised they would take another stab at it with low sales of the original.
do NOT want
Absolutely. I think the best way forward would be to solicit user input into any potential sequel. The package was pretty good, but I would have liked a more robust search engine for video viewing, a Wii Music Channel for easy uploading and downloading of user videos without the need for friend code exchange (though basing it around Wii System codes rather than separate codes did work really well and NL has a little Wii Music community to show for it) and DLC for adding more tracks.
I would like to see a larger share of public domain songs: classical, blues, folk; as well as more world music: salsa, mariachi, various African forms, Arabic pop, traditional Chinese, Japanese etc.
The drum lessons were great; having more complex guitar or other instrument forms could be interesting as well, but that might be too difficult.
The ability to save jam sessions would be good; it's possibly my favourite part of Wii Music. Oh and more mini-games as they are a good deal of fun, but there's too few of them.
I am not a huge fan of Wii Music, but I would seriously consider a Wii Music Plus. With a few changes/additions, it could be awesome.
No, just no. It was a failure, Nintendo, move on to better projects.
I love music, I come from a professional singer family, but Wii music just never interested me. I would rather play the real instrument, and I think that a lot of the instruments like clarinet don't sound anything like a real clarinet. I don't think it's worth it anyways, considering how low sales were for the original wii music.
I love Wii Music (one of my most-played Wii games without question), but there were a few things that could use some improvement.
Switching Miis between the recording of parts, for instance, was very clunky. And I'd kill for a mixing board feature that would allow you to alter the volume of certain instruments after the fact. Oh, and the ability to set your own runtime, so that I can pretend I'm Phish and record a 45-minute version of Daydream Believer.
In short, yes, absolutely, I would buy an improved version of Wii Music, and I wouldn't hesitate for even one second.
EDIT:
@Sean Aaron:
"a Wii Music Channel for easy uploading and downloading of user videos without the need for friend code exchange"
Yes please!
What Sean said; an improved sequel could be a wonderful thing, particularly if they make sharing / watching videos more streamlined with a "Check Mii Out" -style channel complete with contests, etc. Motion Plus support would also be a nice addition.
@110percent
If you try to look at the game from the perspective of simulating a single instrument, you'll completely miss the point. It's not a game geared towards providing an accurate or in-depth simulation of playing instruments on a singular basis; instead it's a game that encourages you to experiment with arrangements and ensembles, so that you may take a familiar tune and work it into something entirely your own.
For those who don't have any clue what I'm talking about and who haven't experienced a good original Wii Music arrangement of a tune, check out this rendition of "Happy Birthday," which departs so far in its own direction that you'd need quite a fine-tuned ear to pick up how the original song's structure is underneath this result.
They think of making a sequel for this thing, but not Elite Beat Agents? Blasphemy! I'd MUCH rather see Elite Beat Agents 2, or even an Ouendan 3, than Wii Music 2.
Anyway, I'll only get a copy of a Wii Music title if they heavily alter the offered music. Because, honestly, songs like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star aren't exactly songs that could get Nintendo off of their (so-called) kiddy image, and I don't think I could have any fun playing that song.
@Those who call Wii Music a "failure:" In what universe is selling over 2 million copies of a game a "failure?" Just because it wasn't as big a success as Wii Fit with it's 16 million plus sales doesn't mean it didn't make Nintendo money, and it doesn't mean it's not worth revisiting.
I never actually bought Wii Music, but I did get a chance to play it, and I really liked it! If I had the money, I would buy it now. A Wii Music Plus with the kinds of improvements mentioned above would be AWESOME!
"Wii Music Plus Possible?"----Yes, I hope.
@Yosher:
"Anyway, I'll only get a copy of a Wii Music title if they heavily alter the offered music. Because, honestly, songs like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star aren't exactly songs that could get Nintendo off of their (so-called) kiddy image, and I don't think I could have any fun playing that song."
This is the mindset I had when the game came out, and it's very much erroneous. (Honestly, though, I blame nobody for that more than Nintendo's marketing people.)
It's not about "playing" Twinkle Twinkle, or any other song for that matter. It's about being taught why songs function the way they do, and using them as platforms toward creating your own compositions.
I really wish I could get some of my stuff on youtube...not for bragging purposes, of course, but so I'd have something to link to when this argument comes up. And it comes up a lot. And, again, I blame nobody more than Nintendo themselves for that, as it was all too easy for people to assume that this was a Nintendo-badged version of Guitar Hero...and they never bothered to dispel that rumor.
It has to be said the inclusion of Earth, Wind and Fire's "September" was a stroke of genius. Every rendering of that I've received has been gold. I've put the original in my wish list on iTunes, just waiting until I've added some more tracks to the basket before purchasing.
Thanks again Miyamoto-san!
Of course there will be a Wii Music Plus. Think about it, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus. Now we only need a Wii Play Plus (please god let it happen).
I mean, it's the casual four, sports, play, music and fit. It wíll print money so they keep making sequels, let's just hope this one will be quality...
Wii Music truly is a brilliant game, and thankfully there are several people here on Nintendo life that share my sentiment. The reason the game was panned by critics was that they didn't know what the heck the game was. As Chicken Brutus said above, it's not about playing Twinkle Twinkle little star, it's about deconstructing the song, and rebuilding it in a musically interesting way. Wii Music is a music composition game. I think if Nintendo markets that aspect of it it will sell a lot better.
They also need to create an online database or channel where users can upload their Wii Music Videos, and other users can rank and comment on them (like Skate 2).
Nintendo just needs to show people what exactly Wii Music is, and I think the difficulty with that is the game is whatever you make it.
Wii Music is a game busting with potential. The lack in number and variety of music tracks is a big problem.
The core gameplay is genius. It's sort of the opposite of the popular rhythm games in that it gives you the opportunity for a Jazz style vibe between the players and the audience (which is sometimes just the band lol). It rewards improvisation and experimentation and you really have to work together as a band to make it sound good at all.
Wii Music Plus is a great idea. I'd love to see this game fulfill more of its potential.
@Chicken Brutus:
It probably is Nintendo's fault as you say, but such songs in between the selection along with the low review scores doesn't really do the game any justice. I don't doubt I can have fun with the game if I gave it a try, with a few songs at least, but as I see it now it's not worth the price it's sold for at the moment.
if it uses motion plus and if they can make it feel a bit better, then yes
If it has more nintendo songs, or maybe DLC, I would buy it.
And if there was some way to have the drum lessons with WM+, that would be nice.
i think that the best thing would be a pay per play service. I'd buy new songs if i could.
I'd buy it. It would have to be way cheaper though.
I've stated my hatred for the crap that is known as Wii Music over and over, so I'll just say I'm hoping they don't waste their time on another.
"It has to be said the inclusion of Earth, Wind and Fire's "September" was a stroke of genius. Every rendering of that I've received has been gold. I've put the original in my wish list on iTunes, just waiting until I've added some more tracks to the basket before purchasing."
Are you kidding me? THis song is on Wii Music? goes to buy the game
@GabeGreens: Good to see another fan of classical music on the board!
@MattL: Absolutely. I would definitely pay to download licensed music for use in Wii Music; the appeal of games like Rock Band is completely lost on me.
Anyone hear that? That was the sound of millions of fanboys crying foul.
That would be cool if it's the same price as Wii Fit Plus.
Definitely. I passed on it for a long time because retailers were slapping £39.99 on it thinking it would sell as well as Wii Fit long after that was clearly not going to be the case.
I'd love a Wii Music+. I've wanted the original for a while, but a plus should have more content. I'll wait them out.
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