Wii Music

Overview

First demoed at E3 2006, Wii Music is a rhythm game which utilizes the Wiimote to simulate over 60 instruments. As part of the "Wii" series and " Touch Generations", the game is designed for accessibility and its particularly geared toward younger players. The game includes songs ranging from Nintendo's signature tunes, such as the Super Mario Bros. theme, to orchestral classics and cultural favorites such as "Yankee Doodle."

Gameplay

Playing the virtual instruments is based on the timing of button presses with the Wiimote and Nunchuk, and not the motion sensing capability of the controller. For instance, a saxophone demo shown at E3 by the game's executive producer Shigeru Miyamoto requires alternating between the 1 and 2 buttons, with actions not impacting gameplay but meant to add to the experience. Using these instruments, players control a band with up to six Mii musicians in a number of locales, such as a grassy field or a music classroom. Pressing buttons in time with the music will make the music sound better, and this is the only reward the game offers: there is no way to fail a song, no onscreen indication of whether a song is being played correctly or not, hence relying on both the player's knowledge of the music and personal preference. Players are, however, ranked at the end of a song by their score as a conductor. 

The Wii Balance Board is compatible with the game, and can be used as part of a virtual drum kit. The drum kit and orchestra modes are two extended "minigames", with more depth to them than other instruments. For instance, the drum mode has lessons programmed in for players to learn, and possibly apply their skills to a real drum kit. 

Multiplayer

One Wii console supports four players simultaneously, and was used at the E3 2008 Nintendo Media Briefing as a finale. It also uses the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for recorded video sharing. It is unclear, but likely, that the game will use the friend code setup. It does not feature online play.

Songs

There are 50 songs in the game, with 4 different categories. All Popular songs are instrumental covers, with the original artist for each song listed in parentheses.

Classical

• Ode to Joy
• Bridal Chorus
• Swan Lake
• From the New World
• Minuet in G Major
• A Little Night Music
• The Blue Danube
• Carmen

Traditional

• American Patrol
• The Entertainer
• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
• Do-Re-Mi
• My Grandfather's Clock
• Happy Birthday to You
• Yankee Doodle
• Frère Jacques
• Sur le pont d'Avignon
• The Flea Waltz
• Turkey in the Straw
• Oh, My Darling Clementine
• Scarborough Fair
• Long, Long Ago
• Little Hans
• O Christmas Tree
• From Santurtzi to Bilbao
• Sakura Sakura
• Troika
• La Bamba
• Over the Waves
• La Cucaracha

Popular

• Daydream Believer (The Monkees)
• Sukiyaki (Kyu Sakamoto)
• Jingle Bell Rock (Bobby Helms)
• Please Mr. Postman (The Marvelettes)
• The Loco-Motion (Little Eva)
• Woman (John Lennon)
• Every Breath You Take (The Police)
• September (Earth, Wind & Fire)
• Material Girl (Madonna)
• Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (Wham!)
• I'll Be There (Jackson 5)
• I've Never Been to Me (Charlene)
• Chariots of Fire (Vangelis)

Game

• The Legend of Zelda
• F-Zero -- Mute City Theme
• Super Mario Bros.
• Animal Crossing
• Animal Crossing -- K.K. Blues
• Wii Sports
• Wii Music

Instruments