Showing posts with label Jam with the Band. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jam with the Band. Show all posts

Thursday, August 08, 2013

Nintendo needs to release a Daigasso! Band Bros-branded 3DS LL (plus a few more musings on yesterday's Nintendo Direct broadcasts)

As soon as I realized that yesterday morning's trio of Nintendo Direct broadcasts (one each for Europe, Japan and North America) would focus entirely on previously announced 3DS and Wii U titles, I decided to take a pass on them.

At least that was the plan until someone suggested that the latest entry in the company's Daigasso! Band Bros. might show up in the Japanese one.


So, I watched it. And guess what? That random NeoGAF commenter was correct. And not only did the game pop up, but it was given a couple of minutes of airtime. 

In many ways, it looks to very similar to the first two Daigasso! Band Bros. music games that were released for the Japanese DS back in 2004 and 2008, respectively. (The second also earned a European release, as Jam with the Band, in 2010.)

That's not to say this third one is going to be a total rehash of its predecessors. For example, there's a hilariously weird (and kind of creepy, admittedly) looking mode in this one that allows players to snap a photo of their faces and have them applied to in-game singers.



It also appears as though another of the game's modes features an entirely new style of gameplay, although I may be wrong about that.

And then there's the fact that the title, which will hit Japanese store shelves (and presumably that region's 3DS eShop) later this year, is going to be called Daigasso! Band Bros. P, with the "P" standing for both "Producer" and "Professional"--which implies we may be in store for additional gameplay surprises between now and whenever the finished product ships.



Regardless, I'm on board, and I'll be pre-ordering this sucker as soon as amiami.com allows me to do so.

That said, you know what would get me even more on board (if that were possible)? If Nintendo of Japan announced that a Daigasso! Band Bros.-branded 3DS LL system--especially a purple one, in honor of Barbara the Bat--would be sold alongside copies of the game.

As for the rest of the Japanese Nintendo Direct: about all I can say is that I think The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (boy, is that a mouthful--and not the good kind) looks marvelous, while The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds looks better than I thought it did at E3.



Oh, and I absolutely adore the look of the One Piece: Unlimited World R "Chopper Pink" 3DS LL system that will launch in Japan on Nov. 21 (just in time for my birthday).

If you missed any of yesterday's Nintendo Directs and would still like to see them, the European one can be seen here, the Japanese one can be seen here and the North American one can be seen here.

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Reason #402 I could be considered an 'eccentric' (aka bat-sh*t crazy) gamer

I have a bit of a "thing" for European DS game cases.

Oh, get your minds out of the gutter. I don't mean that I, uh, do things with them; I mean that I have an odd attraction to them.

It all started when I bought a copy of Freshly-Pickled Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland from the UK. For some unknown reason, that game's clear, thicker-than-the-ones-we-get-in-North-America case (see it in this photo) appealed to me so much that I wanted a few more.

I got my wish a few months later when I picked up a copy of the Euro version of Professor Layton and the Curious Village. (Here's a photo of it, in case you're, er, curious.)



There was, it seems, no turning back after that, as I quickly added Euro copies of Professor Layton and Pandora's Box, Professor Layton and the Lost Future, Last Window (the sequel to Hotel Dusk: Room 215) and Jam with the Band to my collection of DS games. (Photos of the aforementioned games can be seen here, here, here and here, respectively.)

Sadly--for my bank account, especially--I'm not through purchasing such games. I plan on picking up a copy of the Euro release of Inazuma Eleven at some point this year, for instance, and I also hope to buy a copy of Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call (the fourth in the series--it was called Professor Layton and the Last Specter in the States).

After that, though, I probably put a cork in this particular obsession--or at least that's what I'm hoping to do.

See also: Other reasons I could be considered an 'eccentric' (aka bat-sh*t crazy) gamer

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Five DS games you should have played, but probably didn't

I hate to start posts like this with a disclaimer, but in this case I really feel I have to do so.

You see, although I've played a ton of DS games over the last few years, I've yet to play a number of the titles that tend to be included on lists such as this--titles like Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure, Kirby Mass Attack (which is on its way to my doorstep), Solatorobo and The World Ends With You (which I'll be picking up shortly).

Still, I've played and enjoyed enough of the system's releases that have been overlooked by the masses that I'm fairly confident the following list--which is organized, for once, in reverse alphabetical order--will be helpful to at least a few game-starved DS fans.

1. Rhythm Heaven--Sure, this is hardly an unknown game, thanks in large part to Nintendo's use of Beyonce in its TV ads, but it also hardly lit up the charts. That's too bad, because it's one of the funnest, wackiest games I've ever played. It also includes one of the best soundtracks you'll ever hear in a handheld title. It's horrendously cheap these days, so you may want to pick it up now if you've yet to give it a try.


2. Retro Game Challenge--This one has received a lot of press since it was released in 2009, but even then it didn't make enough for the folks at Xseed to translate and release its much-wanted sequel. Why is that unfortunate? Well, Retro Game Challenge is chock-full of witty writing, which ties together a bunch of well-made retrotastic titles that call to mind the classics of old (like Dragon Quest and Galaga). If you're a fan of such games, you're sure to quickly become a fan of this one, too.


3. Kirby: Canvas Curse--For me, this was one of the first games to really show the potential of Nintendo's dual-screened handheld, thanks in large part to its intriguing stylus-only control scheme. Sadly, I seem to be one of just a handful North Americans to feel that way about the game, as it was all but ignored by my brothers and sisters despite the fact that it bore Kirby's name (usually an attention-getter in the States, as far as I'm aware). Used copies can be found on eBay for a song, though, so it's not too late to snatch one up if you're at all into innovative platformers.

Monday, October 03, 2011

The Great Gaymathon Review #37: Jam with the Band (DS)


Game: Jam with the Band
Genre: Music/Rhythm
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
System: Nintendo DS
Release date: 2010

Before I get to the heart of this little write-up, I have to say that it's a crying shame that the brass at Nintendo decided against releasing this title in North America. Granted, they probably would have sent it to die (i.e., released it without an ounce of promotion) like they did in Europe, but at least I would have been able to pick it up for a decent price. As it is, I spent about $60 on the Japanese version, Daigasso! Band Brothers DX, shortly after it was released in 2008, and another $40 on the UK version. Is the game worth such a sum? In a word: Yes. That's mainly, if not totally, due to the fact that it's a ton of fun--or at least I think it is. Playing it is kind of like playing Dance Dance Revolution with your fingers, as you have to press the DS' buttons and directional pad in time with a particular song's score. (Confused? Watch this video.) Speaking of songs: 50 of them--in a variety of genres and styles (a few examples: Beethoven's "Für Elise," "Material Girl" and a Super Mario medley)--are included on the cart. That's not the end of this title's content, though, as Jam with the Band allows players to create their own compositions that can then be uploaded for others to download and enjoy. It also allows people to play together locally (as opposed to online) or sing songs (à la karaoke) using the system's built-in microphone. All of those options are welcome additions to the overall Jam with the Band package, of course, but the main reason to pick up the game is the basic, play-along-with-a-particular-tune mode--which, in my mind, could/should have served as a blueprint for Nintendo's much-maligned Wii Music title--detailed at the beginning of this review.


Friday, September 17, 2010

Jam with the Band get!

Look what I just found on our doorstep:



Yep, it's the copy of Jam with the Band that I ordered (from this fine European establishment) just over a week ago. I'll play around with it this weekend and share some impressions shortly after.

See also: 'Coming soon to a DS near yours truly: Jam with the Band'

Thursday, September 09, 2010

Coming soon to a DS near yours truly: Jam with the Band

I've had my eye on Jam with the Band--the European version of Nintendo's Daigasso! Band Brothers DX--for some time now, but I've held off on buying the DS-based music game because of the high cost of importing it.

That changed yesterday afternoon when I discovered that UK-based retailer sendit.com--which thankfully ships to the US--is selling the game for a mere £4.89 (about $7.50). (Even better: Shipping added just $4 to the total.)

Should the game reach my doorstep in a reasonable amount of time and in the promised condition, I'll probably turn to sendit.com later in the year when I buy Last Window: The Secret of Cape West and Professor Layton and the Lost Future.

Buy: Jam with the Band

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

So, is it the LaBelle version of 'Lady Marmalade' or the Christina Aguilera/Lil' Kim/Mya/Pink version?

Does it really matter? I guess not.

Anyway, "Lady Marmalade" is just one of the fabulous pop songs that will appear on Nintendo of Europe's upcoming music game, Jam with the Band. Others: "I’m A Slave 4 U," "Material Girl," "Stop! In the Name of Love" and "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?"

The DS title--a localized version of 2008's Daigasso! Band Bros DX--will include a number of Nintendo game songs, too, including tunes from F-Zero, The Legend of Zelda and the Super Mario Bros. series.


Jam with the Band will come with 50 pre-installed songs, according to the press release Nintendo of Europe sent out this morning, while approximately 50 more will be downloadable via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Also, users will be able to upload their own tracks and download those created by other users.

The title will hit European store shelves on May 21. Hopefully Nintendo of America will announce its release soon.

See also: 'DS owners: Get ready to Jam with the Band'

(Via gonintendo.com)

Thursday, April 08, 2010

DS owners: Get ready to 'Jam with the Band'

Early this morning, the PR folks at Nintendo of Europe shed a little light on their employer's summer software line-up. All of the games included on said list were expected except one: Jam with the Band.

Pat yourself on the back if the title sounds familiar, as it was first mentioned nearly six years ago when Nintendo of America announced it would be bringing Daigasso! Band Brothers, a DS launch title in Japan, to the States.


Nintendo's American and European mouthpieces have had little to say about the music game since--until today, of course. Unfortunately, a few mysteries remain. For instance, is Jam with the Band a localization of the original Daigasso! Band Brothers or its sequel, Daigasso! Band Brothers DX? Also, we know it'll be released in Europe on May 21, but will it be released in North America too? If so, when?

I'll be picking it up regardless, but I'd rather buy it locally than import it from some European game shop like Play.com.

(Via gamasutra.com)