Samba De Amigo Review

By Kristan Reed Published 17 September, 2008

Maracaulous.

Version tested: Wii

Re-issuing dusty old back-catalogue titles on the Wii isn't perhaps the most imaginative or exciting thing SEGA could have done. Some new games would have been nice. But with a completely overlooked ace up their sleeve like Samba De Amigo, you can't blame them at all. Fondly remembered for being one of the more outlandish rhythm-action games of the early part of the decade, its GBP 99.99 price point and ridiculously limited release on Dreamcast meant that Sonic Team's effort became little more than a collectible curio. If you're one of the 2000 UK gamers who bagged one, lucky you. The superb maraca controllers remain, to this day, the most joyfully silly gaming peripheral ever made.

The premise is utterly daft, and the game is all the more endearing for it. You play an unhinged-looking, square-headed, sombrero-wearing, maraca-shaking monkey. You can tell he's happy. He's undoubtedly had his fill of bananas, and now wants to express his undying love for latin rhythms by shaking a set of maracas in time to the joyous music. Don't we all.

The gameplay couldn't be much simpler, and nothing fundamental has been changed from the DC original (including the visuals; these remain as striking as they ever were, with the addition of Miis). In what amounts to a slight variation on the Dancing Stage gameplay, you have to shake the maracas (in this instance the Wii remote and nunchuk) in the appropriate direction at the right time. An amusing, brightly coloured animated scene plays out in the background and the screen is overlaid with six markers, telling you whether to shake up, down or in the middle as the blue dots hit them. As you might expect from a rhythm game, the objective is to get the timing right and build up your score multiplier, ending each song with the highest possible score and grade.

Occasionally during all this maraca shaking madness, you have to "pose" or "hustle" in the manner depicted. Posing involves holding the maracas still in the direction of the highlighted circle, while hustling is a little more involved and tasks you with rapidly waving one or both of your maracas between the illustrated positions. In short, you'll look like an absolute banana while you're doing all of this, but that's obviously the point. While suitably inebriated, this could be the stuff of legend.

'Samba De Amigo' Screenshot 1

Best not to engage in close quarters multiplayer gaming. You WILL smash each other to bits.

As with the Dreamcast original and its Japanese-only Ver.2000 upgrade, there are quite a few modes eked out of such a straightforward game mechanic. The main career mode serves as a means of unlocking the 40-odd songs and numerous throwaway unlockables (like maraca sounds). Within each of the four difficulty levels are roughly five stages, each with a number of songs to run through. It's not the most inspiring way to experience the game, but becomes a necessary evil if you want to be access particular songs that otherwise remain off-limits in the regulation single or multiplayer modes. Easy and Normal difficulty prove to be an absolute doddle, with A grades routinely dished out to those with even the vaguest sense of timing.

Beyond that, the limitations of the Wii remote's motion-sensing capabilities become apparent at the exact point you really need them to be reliable. Try as Gearbox might, the bald truth is that the Wiimote is far from an exact instrument in precisely judging where you're shaking. Time and again, just as you're building up a great multiplier, a simple repetitive moment can be misinterpreted, leaving you staring balefully at your hands, wondering why that shake was deemed incorrect when all the others were fine. At lower skill levels, you can afford the odd hardware-related slip-up; you'll make it through anyway. But, really, the routines are basic enough that you shouldn't be making any mistakes.

Needless to say, the imprecise nature of the controls starts to weigh heavily once you're faced with more complex routines and manoeuvres. You'll go from being able to do each song with your eyes shut to hitting a brick wall the minute you progress to Hard mode. It almost works perfectly when asking the player to perform very deliberate actions, but demands an unreasonable level of precision later on - a level of precision that is currently beyond the Wiimote. While the expensive Dreamcast system employed was capable of triangulating the position of each maraca relative to the sensor bar, Gearbox's Wii system relies on static acceleration data. While this is a clever alternative on paper, it has limitations when you're being asked to move from high to low to medium positions in quick succession - while also shaking in time. It's a nice workaround up to a point, but it doesn't quite work in the white heat of maraca-shaking insanity.

That's not to say you won't have fun with Samba De Amigo anyway. The fact that you can now easily engage in multiplayer goes some way to making up for some of the worse faults, while some of the throwaway modes are fun in small doses. There are five basic multiplayer options: Quickplay, Battle, Love Love, Classic and Mini-games. Classic is, as the name implies, the standard game. Quickplay is just you and a mate competing for the best score. Battle is a tug o' war, as you aim to pull off enough successful moves so that a bomb is lobbed over to your opponent's side and takes away some of their energy. Love Love (a.k.a. Couples) is utterly throwaway; your "compatibility" with your partner is based on how synchronised you are with one another during play.

The mini-games, meanwhile, are similarly lightweight distractions and none linger in the memory. Pinata is a rather pointless game of seeing how quickly you can bust one open, Guacamole is a basic riff on whack-a-mole, Monkey See, Monkey Do is a Simon-Says move-matching affair, and Volleyball is an unforgivably awful, completely unplayable take on the sport. Strike A Pose, meanwhile, tasks you with pulling off as many poses in the alloted time, Power Rush has you shaking the maracas as fast as possible, while Dance Dance Amigo involves keeping up with the frantic on-screen routine.

'Samba De Amigo' Screenshot 2

This screenshot makes me want to gorge on Opal Fruits.

With those simple gameplay mechanics at its core, there's not a great deal of substance to Samba De Amigo once you get over the initial novelty value. But that's not, and never was the point. Its role is as drunken party distraction, with winner-stays-on contests and belly laughs as a succession of people look completely stupid while waving imaginary maracas and generally dancing around like an excitable sombrero-wearing monkey. But how long will the fun last?

Much of the potential enjoyment comes down to how much you enjoy lightweight rhythm-action party games, and how much booty-shaking latin flavoured tunes and kitsch pop you want in your life. If doing the Macarena and punching the air to Ricky Martin sounds like your idea of a top night out, then perhaps Samba De Amigo is the game for you. Me? I'm more of a dirty rock slut, so you shouldn't take any notice of what I think. Pushed into party game shame, I'd personally much rather noodle away at Rock Band and practice my rock falsetto while donning a fetching Brian May wig. Horses for courses. When it comes to monkeys shaking maracas, I'll do my best Ian Brown swagger to Fool's Gold, thanks.

Apart from the obvious fact that party games have moved on an awful lot since Samba De Amigo first appeared, there's no denying that the control system just doesn't quite translate as well as it might have - and that can only hurt its appeal in the long run. There's still a decent amount of daft fun to be had out of this joyous little game, but it's definitely best sampled in small doses.

6 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (55) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • andywilkie35 #1 3 years ago

    looks and sounds shit

  • Dizzy #2 3 years ago

    Pity... still this will probably be number one selling XMas game this year.
    Edited by 1 at 17/09/08 @ 11:44

  • Fernando #3 3 years ago

    hmm expected a higher score considering its from gearbox

  • septimus #4 3 years ago

    Surprise.

  • mingster #5 3 years ago

    How accurate where the dreamcast miracas?
    What sort of sensing technology did they use?

  • jamespo #6 3 years ago

    I thought wii maracas were coming out, now I see they're just a "skin" for the remote & nunchuk. How crap.

  • krudster #7 3 years ago

    According to Wikipedia:

    "each maraca has an ultrasonic transmitter mounted on its cord; presumably this allows the system to triangulate the position of each maraca as the player holds it"

  • mechamonkey #8 3 years ago

    *cry*

  • DB2k #9 3 years ago

    i see Kristan is back out for potential A titles ;)

  • Darren #10 3 years ago

    ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

    Sorry but I was so hoping this would be good... if only so I could buy... you know... a *good* game for my poor neglected Wii, which is in serious danger of forgetting what good games actually are.

    Damn!
    Edited by 1 at 17/09/08 @ 15:13

  • The_Inquisitor #11 3 years ago

    The original is still the most I've ever sweet playing a computer game, no Wii title has come close. When you shake the maracas to the music, it's impossible not to start shaking your hips as well. Then it's gets into arse wiggling territory and with more than once person in the room, fun is impossible to avoid.

    This was always going to be a poor mans version.

  • escapedape #12 3 years ago

    I had 4 copies of Samba De Amigo for Dreamcast (yes, 4 complete sets!), and the maracas/sensor combo wasn't always perfect. In fact, it wasn't until Hard mode that it was such an annoyingly big deal. I regretted selling them all for some time...now that it is back, I can't wait to play it!


    @andywilkie35

    Comment of the month! You, sir, are a winner!

  • Banksy #13 3 years ago

    Surely this should have been reworked for the Wii Motion Plus thingy...

  • escapedape #14 3 years ago

    Motion Plus would have made a lot of sense!

  • CallousB #15 3 years ago

    I'll buy..but only when it's in the bargain bin.

    Shame they didn't release the original style controllers and have a seperate mode for that as well.

  • Pac-man-ate-my-wife #16 3 years ago

    /waits for Samba De Amigo: Motion Plus Version

  • peteb #17 3 years ago

    So glad I sold my Wii this week...

    If this had have been good, I may have regretted it though

  • JohnnyWashnGo #18 3 years ago

    Was crap on the dreamcast, looks crap on the Wii

  • yupyup #19 3 years ago

    Another Wii classic.

  • BartonFink #20 3 years ago

    Another stellar Wii game. Surprise surprise.

  • brainbird #21 3 years ago

    People who don't like Samba De Amigo torture little children and set fire to kitten.

  • ukslim #22 3 years ago

    Such a shame. I have the original, which is ace. I was really hoping they'd pull it off with the WiiMote, but it sounds like a fail.

    :(

  • Zander #23 3 years ago

    "a decent amount of daft fun to be had out of this joyous little game, but it's definitely best sampled in small doses"

    Just like most wafer thin party style wii games then. Still it will sell loads, the kids will love it and Nintendo can do no wrong.

  • jellyhead #24 3 years ago

    Damn, i loved the DC Samba De Amigo and was looking forward to this, shame they've even ported the squiffy controls. :(
    Oh well, i'll keep playing the DC version then.

  • iago71 #25 3 years ago

    Seriously ... this is very frustrating. Although as a few have correctly stated this will sell by the bucket load and kids and families will no doubt love it they really need to think about developing some decent third and first party stuff for the machine. Ive been a supporter of Nintendo since day one and even I am doubtful (by current standards) that I would bother with what ever they come out with next unless of course they go back to form of doing quality stuff.

    I wish them all the best with their financial success and new fan base but Im afraid I dont think that I will be continuing to support them. I just enjoy 360 and PS3 so much more this time around. Boooo! :(

  • Zander #26 3 years ago

    @iago71

    It's not the ps3/xbox you love. It's the shooting people in the face (with a gun before anyone starts!).

    Seriously though, are we getting bored of Nintendo? Or are we just getting too old :-(

  • PinkSpider #27 3 years ago

    :(

    /takes off list.

  • crazyhorse174 #28 3 years ago

    @iago71

    Thats the problem though isn't it - as long as Nintendo are making money from all the stuff they're doing just now, they won't ever change their plans and start producing some better quality titles.

    And games like this will sell by the bucketload because these releases are so and far between that when they do come, the millions of Wii owners will rush out to buy it, regardless of its quality. Then after a few weeks, the Wii will be back in the corner gathering dust again.

    Its sad really - Nintendo have the potential to convert so many people to videogames and to make the hobby more mainstream, but seem to be squandering the chance.

  • Raya #29 3 years ago

    Hold on EG said that RE4 had terrible controls - I'd check more reviews first...

  • ukslim #30 3 years ago

    Some of these comments aren't fair.

    Samba de Amigo is not a shovelware party game. It's a port of one of the best rhythm action games ever made on any platform. It's as worthy a game as Guitar Hero.

    That the Wiimote isn't quite up to the job is a great shame. But let's not lump this in with My Pony Adventure.

  • BanjoMan #31 3 years ago

    My Pony Waggle Trainer looks better than this tbf.

  • Camorrista #32 3 years ago

    Page 1, bottom: "wondering why thatshake was deemed incorrect"

  • krudster #33 3 years ago

    It badly needs Motionplus. I happened to think RE4's controls were fine, but this just didn't work properly. I promise you I wasn't simply being shit.

  • HyperShadow #34 3 years ago

    I'm pretty sure it was Opal (the precious stone) Fruits, not Opel (the car manufacturer) Fruits.

  • dr_faulk #35 3 years ago

    Dammit....
    I spent hours wandering around Tokyo looking for a copy of the Dreamcast original to pick up. Not to be found anywhere. I guess eBay...

  • Tonka #36 3 years ago

    Did krudster just call McCarthy shit? I think he did didn't he?

  • GordonCaladan #37 3 years ago

    Looks like my Wii library won't be growing beyond three games anytime soon.

  • morriss #38 3 years ago

    AAA

  • smelly #39 3 years ago

    >It badly needs Motionplus

    I dont see how motionplus would improve it.

    The problem stems from the controllers not really knowing your height, etc.

    Motionplus only gives you proper orientation.

  • iago71 #40 3 years ago

    @ Zander, crazyhorse174

    Yes, Perhaps I do like shooters and the whole ethos of the afore mentioned consoles. However, I really miss the Metrioids, Marios, Zeldas and so on ( yes I know that they're out already and I have all of them) but wouldn't it be nice if there was more of that quality fare ?

    The SNES years were so damn fine as were the 64 days even the Cube had its moments of glory. That I can remember my twenties in that manner perhaps would confirm your point - we are getting too old!!!!!! As I touched on before I still have great respect for their success but just wish they would keep the conscientious attitude we once enjoyed.

    As you say crazyhorse - its such a crime that they have introduced a new group to the pasture (which is a good thing and it appears that thats what their aim was) only to settle with feeding them mediocrity. What a wasted opportunity.

    Oh well......... Heres hoping . :(

  • smelly #41 3 years ago

    @ Zander, crazyhorse174 & iago71.


    Erm.. you f-wits do realise this is a SEGA game and NOT a nintendo one dont you?

  • Mr_Brown #42 3 years ago

    I wonder if that device Nintendos bringing out that improves motion sensoring will improve this game at all? Big missed opotunity, many may have missed this the first time around. I'll probably just get it on dreamcast when I have spare cash.

  • smelly #43 3 years ago

    "I wonder if that device Nintendos bringing out that improves motion sensoring will improve this game at all? "


    Answer - no.

  • SomeBody #44 3 years ago

    I played the Wii version of this game at a private event and was able to get 90% or higher on most songs in hard mode, this review is not accurate.

    I've played the original game too, and if you try and play it like the original, you will get frustrated, you have to learn how to play it on the Wii which is slightly different from the original game.

  • iago71 #45 3 years ago

    @ Smelly....

    Yes bellend I think I'm aware of that fact seeing as I have the Dreamcast version. I would go as far as to vouch for the other two gentlemen as well. I think it was pretty clear that we were discussing the general line up and whole situation of a NINTENDO machine.

    As ever you're splitting hairs. Try reading comments with a broader mind and learn to read between the lines - it's something that comes in quite handy for wholesome adult discussion. Who knows you might even manage to make some decently considered comments on here and - shock horror - gain some respect.

    Though that I would heartily doubt.

    Hits ignore poster, leaves discussion.

  • Vinicity #46 3 years ago

    Why all the hate? Samba De Amigo and its sequel Samba De Amigo ver.2000 are the two best rhythm games ever conceived. Even if the Wii conversion isn't quite up to scratch control wise, I'm sure the game remains excellent all the same...

  • bad09 #47 3 years ago

    "Was crap on the dreamcast, looks crap on the Wii "

    +1 never understood the appeal myself even then, not SEGA's finest moment.

  • tardo #48 3 years ago

    Hmmm, shame about the review, as I loved the Dreamcast game (until one of my maracas broke- I still have it, but never got around to getting replacement maracas).

    Still, it's only £25 online, and I consider that worth a short seeing how much I used to love it, so I'm going to pre-order it now.

    Now all I need is for Sega to make a new Burning Rangers game. Then I'd be ecstatic. (although their track record with NiGHTS and possibly Samba shouldn't really make me hopeful for a great job!)

  • johnny_death #49 3 years ago

    Eventual Motion Plus version it is then. :/

  • Ryze #50 3 years ago

    I liked the Eyetoy version on Sega Superstars.

    Fun - as was Virtua Fighter and Puyo Pop EyeToy.

  • smelly #51 3 years ago

    >Eventual Motion Plus version it is then

    Motion plus wont fix the issues here.

    I fail to see why some people think motion plus is the be-all-and-end-all?

  • Mashum #52 3 years ago

    I loved the eyetoy version which was spot on if you had the camera set up correctly.

    After a few initial hours taking turns with the Wii one this evening the control issues were pretty apparent. Getting the calibration section right does make a big differenc but I didn't think that part of it was very well handled.

    Still fun though :)

  • kariya9 #53 3 years ago

    While I do agree that the Dreamcast maracas were more precise (although not perfect by any means), I think the Wiimote and Nunchuk (the Wiimote for certain) do a great job as stand-in maracas. My initial run on Superhard resulted in 90%+ on every song but one. I've read though that the controls seem to be more accurate when 3rd part maracas shells are attached, which they are in my case, so perhaps that's a reason why I don't experience trouble achieving those scores. Conclusion: The Wii version of Samba de Amigo is far better that I expected, hence the controls aren't as bad as all reviewers tout, at least not when playing the game as it was supposed to be played - with maracas :)
    Edited by 2 at 05/01/09 @ 22:08

  • Khab #54 3 years ago

    £5 on play.com right now. Don't mind if I do...

  • Gemma88 #55 2 years ago

    how do I find people to play this against through wi-fi connection?