While many “core” gamers have frowned upon Wii Music almost since conception as just another gimmick, the recently released song list has not helped ease these preconceptions. With songs like “Twinkle Twinkle” as well as “Yankee Doodle” the conception of Wii Music as anything but a kids game has been solidified. However the track listing is really worth a second gander; in it can be found some really interesting things. While it seems that Nintendo played it safe, while not trying to invade the Rock Band/Guitar Hero space, Wii music has provided an outlet for music that really couldn’t find a place in the music games space as it had previously existed.

When the first proof of concept of Wii Music was shown at E3 2006 it was nothing more then a tech demo, which involved using the wii-mote to conduct an orchestra, mainly consisting of controlling the tempo at which the orchestra performed. While the final product is a bit different, focusing on communal play and the mimicking of over 60 different instruments ranging from trumpets to cheering (but still including the orchestra mode as a in game mode), one aspect has thankfully remain unchanged in the final retail version: the inclusion of classical music.

Some may see this as Nintendo one again abandoning the core, and to an extent they would be correct. Wii music was conceptualized with one thought in mind: growing the video game consumer market, so the preconception that core gamers have had about the game has been true since the beginning. While both Rock Band and Guitar Hero continuing a path towards an even more niche experience it is great to see that the rhythm game industry won’t live and die by the sword.

As someone that has grown up with music being a huge part of my life, I can’t stress how great I think the concept of Wii Music is, especially when considering the impact it could possibly have on the Wii’s targeted demographic. While going to a Symphonic performance may not be on the Christmas List of many 10 year olds, I am hopeful that Wii Music will be, all while providing a broader scope of music then Guitar Hero or Rock Band could every hope for. While Rock Band and Guitar Hero have inspired hordes to pick up a cheap electric guitar and start rocking, Wii Music is in the unique position to instead encourage players to pick up a trumpet, or a violin and become a part of a school band or orchestra.

While I am not saying that everyone that plays Wii Music will drop whatever they’re doing in the pursuit of becoming the next great string bass player, the exposure to a broader scope of music, especially classical, won’t hurt. While the games industry is often criticized for it’s supposed agenda focused on violence and sexual exploits, Nintendo once again proves that games can be, and are often much more then what they appear at first glance.

As an aside, I am glad that Gustav Mahler has finally made his way to the games space.

-Eric Wall

Tags: Game Design, music, Nintendo, Wii, Wii Music

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