Miyamoto still hopeful Wii Music will catch on

by David Hinkle { Dec 1st 2008 at 1:47PM }

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto recently conducted a rather large Q&A with Edge, talking about all kinds of fascinating things. Actually, to tell you the truth, the man could talk about used Q-tips and we'd still find it fascinating. To call it a crush would be a severe understatement.

It's no secret that Wii Music hasn't been selling too well, but Miyamoto still has hope that the game will be a success. "I think a very large audience can enjoy Wii Music," Miyamoto said, adding that when Nintendo demoed the game, "many took to it." That can't really be said for the critics, however, who've not enjoyed the game overall.

"I really appreciate that the gaming media has a different view of anything as new as Wii Music today," Miyamoto stated. He said these scores help show "how different and unique Wii Music is" and that he has this "big ambition" for the game and "that it can eventually be something very influential so that it might be able to influence what music means in the world."

It's a pretty lengthy interview, so click here to read the whole thing. It's always nice to get a glimpse into Miyamoto's mind.

Gallery: Wii Music

Tags: miyamoto, music, rhythm, shigeru-miyamoto, wii-music

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

SoshiKitai @ Dec 1st 2008 1:54PM

Dunno bout you guys. But Wii Music's pretty awesome.
And it actually sounds pretty good if you PLAY WELL.
(most people don't, that's why it doesn't sound that good when you see it)

...it's more about creativity than anything else. :D

Aaron @ Dec 1st 2008 2:03PM

We just bought it, and I have to admit that (after about a 2-3 hr learning curve) the game is absolutely amazing.

I think the critics didn't understand this game. They thought it was Nintendo's take on Guitar Hero, and a party game. By those benchmarks, it would fail.

It is, however, an incredible music tool that can actually TEACH YOU MUSIC. Seriously, for the first time in my life, I'm understanding music theory and how to arrange music using different styles (rock, jazz, reggae, etc). I understand the subtle differences of the parts of a song (percussion, melody, harmony, etc).

Once you "get" the purpose of Wii Music, you will see that it has unlimited depth and replay value, far more than the Guitar Hero's of the world (and yes, I do own GH3 on Wii). Comparing Wii Music to any previous "music game" is apples to oranges.

I think it's one of Nintendo's best products, and I probably own every first party Nintendo title since 1986. Wii Music is incredible, seriously.

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Dec 1st 2008 3:28PM

You picked strange nick, Miyamoto, to show up here.

The point is whether the WiiMusic has anything to offer past the "2-3 hr"...

I'm not going to buy it until I see it in action with my own eyes. Though it is already intriguing to hear that it is not another "rhyme matching"/"press the button *now*" game.

Moose @ Dec 1st 2008 2:29PM

I also wasn't very excited about this game when I heard about it but I'm anxious to give it a try. Luckily, my son will be getting it for Xmas from his G-parents so I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to try it out. If nothing else, it sounds like a GREAT tool for a young child to learn about music.

ROb @ Dec 1st 2008 2:31PM

I completely agree, Wii Music is one of the more impressive titles I have played in my 20+ years of gaming. It's too bad that many won't let themselves get into it, but perhaps its "EverGreen"ness means it will still be there for them when their gaming skills mature.

Some of us wiifanboys have worked on some collaboration and sharing. Add your friends code if you're interested - it's been pretty fun so far!

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ZaxCG2 @ Dec 1st 2008 2:45PM

Didn't know it had online functions...

Hmm. Maybe I should get this. I feel bad that I haven't bought a new Wii game since Brawl (I wait for prices to drop for most of my games: NMH for 12$). I just think that this will be boring compared to Guitar Hero which I play avidly.

Also heard that it's more for the younger crowd... which we have none of in our household. :P

Aaron @ Dec 1st 2008 2:55PM

Like I mentioned in my earlier post above, I love Guitar Hero. I also love Wii Music, but for totally different reasons.

I think if you're the kind of person who can get enjoyment out of not just trying to mimic a song, but also by embellishing it, or by improvising and re-arranging tunes using a array of instruments, then you will come to love both Guitar Hero and Wii Music.

LordD @ Dec 1st 2008 2:50PM

I agree with SoshiKatai in the first post - it's an awsome game, but it's funnyness (sorry) relies on playing well, and really getting in to the role of the producer/arranger, trying to perfect the different parts and breaking out from the original arrangements. It's definately not the pick-up-and-play game they tried to make people think in the beginning. So I doubt sales will pick up anytime soon, unfortunately. It's unfortunate that there's no way (afaik) to send the videos directly to youtube, that would really help spred the word about this cool game!

My number is 6403-3181-6833-0135 , collaboration is fun!

il_duce620 @ Dec 1st 2008 3:16PM

I personally have very little interest in Wii Music, or music games as a whole (I played World Tour over Thanksgiving for the first time...wasn't all that impressed), BUT I'm very glad to hear that there are voices of support out there for an interesting product.

I'm glad Nintendo is trying some different things, which was the intention of the Wii in the first place. The people that "didn't get" the Wii two years ago have since been silenced, and hopefully those that "didn't get" Wii Music will get the same treatment.

R @ Dec 1st 2008 3:48PM

I am glad this game is a flop.
I love the Wii and glad it brings in new gamers BUT I am tired of this dry spell and want Disaster Day of Crisis which had good reviews but lack of advertising it has sold badly,I want Fatal Frame 4,Kid icarus,pilot wings,fzero etc..

No more lame wii this wii that titles as the only focus from 1st party. The Wii this titles sales show people are still happy buying Wii play while more core gamers have nothing since April pretty much.

3rd party looks good next year but I still would like some real 1st party games.
And no Shiggy I love the guy but please give us some of the classics back and new ones not cube ports.

KaBob799 @ Dec 1st 2008 5:13PM

Compared to its other consoles Nintendo is making plenty of 1st party games, if you look at the usual amount of mario, zelda, etc for a console the Wii is right on track.

Arex @ Dec 1st 2008 5:00PM

I can't help but think this title might have been better received by the gaming public/media had Nintendo not over-hyped the title and attempted to cram it down the throats of enthusiasts by making it a cornerstone of its E3 presentation. Sadly, having done so, it's going to take some time for Nintendo to overcome the backlash against the title, irrespective of how good a product it actually is.

Based on everyone's descriptions, above, it sounds neat for what it is, but I can honestly say the title doesn't really interest me. I may check it out, but that's only if a friend buys the title first. That is highly unlikely unless there's some way to turn WiiMusic into a drinking game...

Anon_LC @ Dec 1st 2008 5:22PM

It's sad how many comments I've made myself like the ones above. I really love Nintendo and so do these people, alas, I'm selling my Wii this winter and buying me a 360 with some games; either that or putting it towards a good PC that will play all aforementioned 360 games.

Getting a DSi as soon as it comes out though, love my DS.