Samba de Amigo Review for the Nintendo Wii

System: Wii	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Gearbox Software	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: SEGA	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Sept. 23, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Visuals in this game start out looking fairly good. The opening cinema scene is very smooth and features some cool details. However, the in-game graphics are substantially less impressive then the opening cutscene and fall somewhere around the average mark in terms of Wii graphics. Characters and animations are fairly good here, but there is nothing truly remarkable about the way this game looks.

Samba de Amigo screenshot

The song list in Samba de Amigo, however, is what truly redeems this title. The game does an excellent job of pulling together classic mambo and samba tunes with a little hint of pop thrown in just for kicks. The soundtrack features many classics like "Baila Me" and "Bomboleo" by the Gypsy Kings, and "Oye Como Va" by Santana, as well as modern hits like "The Ketchup Song" by Las Ketchup and "Pon de Replay" by Rihanna. There is a lot to love about the music in this title, and if you care more about the music than the gameplay, then you can't go wrong with this title.

Unfortunately, even though this game sounds great, the controls reduce it to a mediocre status. The game is lots of fun to play in short bursts as long as your experience is relegated to the easier modes using the double Wii-mote control scheme. Also, this game really disappoints with its lack of any substantial online mode. Samba de Amigo may be great for a quick shake or two with friends, but it just can't hold its own and isn't the must-own game it should have been.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.5

Graphics
Opening credits look awesome, but the rest of the game looks average at best.

3.0

Control
The controls are great at the very beginning, but Nunchuk sensitivity is an issue throughout, and harder modes are impossible to control.

4.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Music selection is very good and there is a nice collection of mambo, samba, and pop music.

2.5

Play Value
The game is fun to play for a little while, but controls become increasingly frustrating. The limited Friend List-only online mode is basically useless, and mini-games are forgettable.

3.1

Overall Rating - Fair
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

The Samba-infused soundtrack features over 40 upbeat, festive favorites from the original game, plus many new tunes including some current pop favorites.

Fun for two players in both competitive and co-op multiplayer modes.

Using the Wii's online capabilities, download new songs to keep the beat going strong.

Ability to play with either a Wii Remote and a Nunchuk or two Wii Remotes for untethered freedom.

Multiple game modes including Career, Single-Player, Multiplayer, Training, and Records.

Special modes expand gameplay with Quick Play, Classic, Battle, Survival, Hustle, and Mini-Games.

Special SEGA Levels include beloved characters from past SEGA games.

High scores can be uploaded to global leaderboards and compared against all friends.