A great Wiimake that tops the original. Bring your friends!
Actual score: 8.2
It's party time in the Caribbean and everyone is shaking their maracas, which apparently is quite difficult! Can you master the rhythm?
Game play: Despite colourful scenery, trippy grahics and over the top character design, the difficulty is no lauging matter. Some, of course will find it easier then others, but even after watching the basic tutorial it's easy to come off still confused, despite this, the game has quite a "Pick up and play" appeal, expect everyone to want to try it during parties. Thankfully, this game actually pulls off "losing" being fun! The beginning trial and error is compensated by a wide range of controller options and the fact that it grades your "shake" rather then use a pass/fail system ala Guitar Hero. Sadly, while the game bubbles up with replay value on multiplayer, it almost completely fizzles out when there's only one player in the vincinity. Opening video aside, there is no plot to speak of and the only true single player mode is "challenges", where a game character challenges you to beat a specific song. Too bad.
However SEGA and co. have done better here than usual, it's fun watching the characters come out, dancing and shaking, Broadway style, and the design is cute and original.
Graphics/FX: While the eye-popping opening video certainly sets the bar high, the game itself isn't so. Not quite pushing itself to the Wii's limits, the beautiful stages are offset by poor lighting effects. Though, on the flipside, it tends to give Samba de Amigo the air of a Saturday morning cartoon.
Music/sound: The sound is crisp and clear without the hint of static. The licensed songs themselves are, of course, themed. But are generally a bizarre mix of Latin-American beat, pop, and 80's music. Most of which you're likely haven't heard, most of which are worth hearing.
End Note: There are a few other small gripes, such as no "get ready" lag after resuming mid-session, and some simplistic minigames. And also some big chinks in the games armour, but if you like music, and a bunch of friends getting a little tired of guitars, Samba de Amigo could be for you.