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Wii | Simulation | Band Mashups

Boxart for Band Mashups
Band Mashups 12 screen shots
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Preview: Band Mashups

Preview by Tae Kim | 02/08/2008 | 10:46:06 AM PST

The Wii finally gets its own exclusive rhythm game with THQ's Band Mashups. But can it compete with Guitar Hero and Rock Band?

The rhythm game genre is big business these days, thanks to the success of mega-franchises Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Even DDR is still going strong, if our recent trip to the local arcade is any indication. So it's a little confusing as to why the Wii, which is without a doubt the best selling console of the current generation, has gotten so little love from rhythm game publishers. Rock Band still hasn't made an appearance on the Wii stage and the Wii version of Guitar Hero III was hampered by an audio bug that has yet to be completely resolved.

So it's nice to see a THQ step-up to the plate with developer Planet Moon Studios' quirky take on the rhythm game: Band MashUps. We were recently treated to a demo of the game and walked away nodding our heads to the beat.

Guitar Hero cash-in, or fun Wii rhythm game?

Guitar Hero cash-in, or fun Wii rhythm game?

Mash Game

The concept of Band MashUps is like a stripped down acoustic set compared to the elaborate stage show experience of Guitar Hero and Rock Band: first, there are no funky peripherals to deal with-you play with just the Wii Remote. The game also skews away from the reality based formula where you try to recreate songs note for note; the game's premise, which is where most of the title's originality lies, is as follows: instead of creating a no-name character and taking them up through the rock god ranks, you play as one of several bands who specialize in a specific musical style. You and your bandmates then go out and battle other bands for musical superiority.

There's a mariachi band, a marching band, and a goth band, just to name a few. The gameplay breaks down into a sonic tug of war: by outplaying your opponent, you gain control over the song and filter it through your style. This results in some hilarious moments, as you're treated to some unique renditions of hit songs such as Cypress Hill's 'Insane In The Brain.'

Choose Your Weapons

In order to gain aural dominance, you manipulate the Wii Remote in a variety of ways. Both players have a moving icon that floats above a moving fretboard similar to the one found in GH and Rock Band. Movement commands will begin to float up in time to the music and you have to flick the Wii Remote in the appropriate direction: the game requires you to go left and right for most of the notes but you will also thrust the Remote inwards and wiggle it left and right rapidly.

Adding another interesting twist is the addition of weapons; you can lock and load with a varied arsenal that affects your opponent's ability to stay on track. It plays a lot like Guitar Hero III's weapons but with more variety and a bit more strategy. It makes for an interesting dynamic as you set your foe's fretboard on fire or speed up the frequency of their notes to a dizzying degree.

There are no goofy peripherals to deal with in Band Mashups.

There are no goofy peripherals to deal with in Band Mashups.

The Sound Of Music

We were only treated to a brief taste of the game but we found Band MashUps to be instantly accessible. The movements required aren't taxing, which means this title is sure to be a good fit for failed video game musicians who find Rock Band and GH too challenging. The game is also dripping with charm: the visual style is unique, the varied musical styles make for some hilarious moments and the developers made sure that the recorded music was done right. It's also a great fit for the overall vibe of the Wii in that it's fun, quirky and refreshing; it has the potential to do well with the more casually minded Wii owner.

We were a little worried about how well the game would translate with the hardcore rhythm game crowd, however. If you've ascended the heights of Rock Mountain by five-starring every single song out there, then Band MashUps probably won't provide much of a challenge. We also wondered if the game's main gimmick would wear out its welcome over the long haul. But during our limited play time, we saw a lot of potential for this title and we'll definitely be keeping it on our radar. If anything, it's nice to see a developer try something new to expand the genre; it's like seeing an experimental garage band trying to push the envelope and regardless of whether they succeed or fail, it's nice to see someone try to innovate.


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