wii
Wii Music Gets More Cowbell
Posted by Michael McWhertor at 12:40 PM on September 13, 2008
We had our doubts about Wii Music after the "dog incident," but we're skeptics no longer. Nintendo, you had us at "dink dink dink dink dink dink DOONG! dink dink dink dink dink dink DOONG! dink dink dink dink dink dink DOONG!" See you there on day one.

Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Chaoticevl
Posted 1:21 PM 13/9/08
@TheIrishNinja: @mfwahwah: As I said the current commercials are corny, they really should be showing a full composition instead of individual instruments for their adds.
Chaoticevl
smuckers is good
Posted 1:20 PM 13/9/08
@Chaoticevl: Well it seems pretty lame to me. At least in mario paint you made the music. This is just waving your arms in time with a bunch dumb public domain songs. Sounds pretty crappy to me.
smuckers is good
PhantomSpaceman67
Posted 1:16 PM 13/9/08
Future internet video trend:
User videos recreating popular songs via Wii Music.
YOU HEARD IT HERE MAYBE FIRST!
PhantomSpaceman67
alfredofroylan
Posted 1:15 PM 13/9/08
Cowbells are pretty interesting. They're common in Latinamerican folk music and even some bands like Radio Head, Rage Against the Machine and The Rolling Stones use cowbells in some of their songs
alfredofroylan
BossMonk
Posted 1:14 PM 13/9/08
Wii motion controls are going to be a revolution in gaming! Unparalleled immersion!
Here's some cowbell.
BossMonk
OneManFreakShow
Posted 1:11 PM 13/9/08
Let's all hope for Don't Fear the Reaper to be in the game.
OneManFreakShow
UberNeuman
Posted 1:08 PM 13/9/08
Nintendo - y'all gonna be wearin' gold plated diapers...
UberNeuman
mfwahwah
Posted 1:08 PM 13/9/08
@Chaoticevl: "I don't get all the hate for this program"
I implore you to watch that video again. Just look at it.
*dink dink dink dink dink dink DOONG!*
Does that sound... fun?
I'd rather spend $40-60 on some CDs and air guitar myself to that instead.
mfwahwah
theuglyteradon
Posted 1:05 PM 13/9/08
Just... why? WHY!? WII MUSIC IS MADE OF PEOPLE!
theuglyteradon
MCKWZ
Posted 1:01 PM 13/9/08
I put my pants on, like everybody else, one leg at the time.
MCKWZ
bobtheduck
Posted 1:01 PM 13/9/08
@tok1879: I've had tons more fun playing with air... Rockband, guitar hero, eyetoy play 2...
I'm sorry, my sarcasm meter broke a long time ago... It's in tiny shards that have been scattered across the cosmos and now i need to travel from world to world to collect them... Only problem is, I'm a child again, and my granddaughter... um... nevermind. (sorry, still thinking about the budokai thing)
bobtheduck
Mr.Monkey
Posted 1:00 PM 13/9/08
moo baby moo....
Mr.Monkey
TheIrishNinja
Posted 12:59 PM 13/9/08
@Chaoticevl: a mid-90's midi maker felt like innovation.
an arrangement of waggling atrocities in the day & age of rock band...im not saying it cant work, or be fun, but what we've seen so far indicates neither of these.
TheIrishNinja
Klemmins
Posted 12:58 PM 13/9/08
Wow, Cowbell is definitely going to be a needed accessory in every big game after this one. Imagine beating a hooker over the head with a cowbell to the beat of Don't Fear The Reaper in GTA4. Imagine.
Klemmins
Chaoticevl
Posted 12:57 PM 13/9/08
I don't get all the hate for this program, people made tons of music with mario paint some good some bad, but i don't remember and hate for it. This should just be a stand alone version of that. granted the commercials are corny it will still probably sell quite well and we'll see tons of videos on you tube with decent to crappy song remixes.
Chaoticevl
DylanGallagher
Posted 12:56 PM 13/9/08
So do you control when the instrument plays a note or not? This is the big question.
DylanGallagher
tok1879
Posted 12:55 PM 13/9/08
MGS4 who? GTA4 wha?? Make way for the new king of games........Wii Music!!
...you've never had so much fun playing with air!!!
tok1879
bakagaijin
Posted 12:54 PM 13/9/08
I had to.
+ Watch video
bakagaijin
mfwahwah
Posted 12:53 PM 13/9/08
It was literally painful to watch that. I'm not even joking. Seriously, right when the music started and she was dink-dink-dinking in the background, my face cringed and contorted in pain. It was like:
|;+
Wow, Nintendo is the first company to make something painful for me to watch. I'll never forget this. Just to reiterate, I'm completely serious: it hurt to watch this.
mfwahwah
SnakesSolids
Posted 12:50 PM 13/9/08
That was the lamest shit I've ever seen. Nintendo really knows how to suck the coolness out of playing fake instruments, and dancing around like a jackass in your living room.
SnakesSolids
goldwings
Posted 12:48 PM 13/9/08
...no!
Were my childhood memories of the Super Nintendo era just a dream? The only thing not making me depressed is the DS, but even that's waning on me.
Chrono Trigger cannot come fast enough
goldwings
bakagaijin
Posted 12:47 PM 13/9/08
needs more cowbell.
bakagaijin
Morpork
Posted 12:44 PM 13/9/08
I bet she killed herself after making that commercial.
Morpork
TheHeeyyy
Posted 12:44 PM 13/9/08
R.I.P. Nintendo
1989 - 2008
TheHeeyyy
MagnusGman
Posted 12:44 PM 13/9/08
I HAVE A FEVER! AND THE ONLY PRESCRIPTION....IS MORE COWBELL!!!
someone was bound to say it....
MagnusGman
mizzle
Posted 1:42 PM 13/9/08
Look at all the hate. If they stuck a cowbell peripheral in Rock Band 2 you all would be all smiles. I hope 500 Wii Music clones flood the market.
mizzle
Chopper_Mike
Posted 1:40 PM 13/9/08
Wow, Nintendo really died in creativity (that or they actually think that people are dumb)
They finally used the last drop of Miyamoto's coolness and there aren't another developers in the company... 50$ for this? Yeah.... right... Not even 15$
Chopper_Mike
Bokusatsu_Tenshi
Posted 1:35 PM 13/9/08
Wow... it's like looking at a horrifying catastrophe... only I don't think I want to see more of it.
I fear that someday those even those fond memories I have from NES and SNES will end up dying with those Wii Music ads...
Bokusatsu_Tenshi
alfredofroylan
Posted 1:31 PM 13/9/08
@InHumanGamer
Agree. Also almost every orchestra have cowbells, it's a common percussion instrument, Why people think that this's funny? Do you consider harps funny? Are Xylophones funny too? Music is more than just Guitar, Bass and Drums guys
alfredofroylan
smuckers is good
Posted 1:27 PM 13/9/08
@smuckers is good: Actually, ive googled and it seems to me that there is some sort of composition mode. If thats the case well i guess thats better than what i thought it was. Still dont like it though.
smuckers is good
InHumanGamer
Posted 1:23 PM 13/9/08
The Cowbell sketch is one the most overrated PsOS to be embraced by internet nerds...
InHumanGamer
eternalsunshineofcoralfang
Posted 2:08 PM 13/9/08
cowbell, a real one, $17
[cgi.ebay.com]
eternalsunshineofcoralfang
alfredofroylan
Posted 2:02 PM 13/9/08
@EmeraldDragon
Many, but that SNL joke is so old that isn't funny anymore.
alfredofroylan
EmeraldDragon
Posted 1:54 PM 13/9/08
You can never go wrong with more cowbell.
Just out of curiosity, how many of the commenters here actually get the joke?
EmeraldDragon
EmeraldDragon
Posted 2:35 PM 13/9/08
@WDYC: You seem to have expected better. Wii Hate should be it's own game at this point.
@alfredofroylan: I don't know about that. I get the impression that many commenters here aren't old enough to remember the sketch.
EmeraldDragon
roflwaffles
Posted 2:31 PM 13/9/08
I gotta have more cowbell!
roflwaffles
Wolfers
Posted 2:26 PM 13/9/08
I'm not sure who the intended audience is, but I'm not it.
Wolfers
WDYC
Posted 2:24 PM 13/9/08
The drama queens here are astounding, you should all go to the theater I'm sure there is a play there for you to shout how Nintendo made you bleed.
Get over it, if you don't like don't play it, also ignore the fact that there are other games like I don't know, fucking Captain Rainbow developed by them. Yep lets forget it and jump aboard the Nintendo hate bandwagon.
WDYC
Cactuar
Posted 2:20 PM 13/9/08
well, if it ends up remotely like this:
+ Watch video
I'll be getting it as well. Though to be fair Osaka is not playing a cowbell, but who cares about details?
Cactuar
kryzhal
Posted 2:12 PM 13/9/08
This game reminds me of playing toys as a kid to have them resemble other things and using my imagination. I don't know how in depth this game will go but I think this game may go back to Miyamoto's childhood in the same way link and his other games did.
I think it's a great way to get people interested in music. Also it allows people who've wanted to lead an orchestra to do so.
Games are afterall partially about living vicariously in the shoes of (mostly) heroes.
Personally, I get tired of trying to conquer or save something and would like more unwinding.
kryzhal
Mact
Posted 3:01 PM 13/9/08
What WOULD have made an effective commercial is to start with the cowbell, then have someone appear playing another instrument, then another person, and so on.
That would actually have been rather cool.
What this commercial HAS told me is that Wii Music is not for people without friends.
Mact
Mact
Posted 2:59 PM 13/9/08
@EmeraldDragon:
Or... ya know... it wasn't that funny in the first place?
Mact
Mact
Posted 2:55 PM 13/9/08
@Chaoticevl:
Because Super Mario Paint didn't involve flailing.
Mact
Mact
Posted 2:53 PM 13/9/08
I love my Wii.
I love the anticipation of even more great games to come.
I love the great first party games that have encouraged third parties to put in great effort.
That being said, this can only do harm. Great job, Nintendo. Just as third parties are sinking in their teeth with games like The Conduit and Madworld, you go and release this monstrosity which any idiot can play by holding the Wiimote with their teeth and shaking their head.
I thought you wanted to step away from the "pure waggle" image.
Mact
GamerMx
Posted 2:38 PM 13/9/08
If I didn't have a gf, I would have thrown away my Wii long time ago... and now this?
GamerMx
kjcwashere
Posted 3:25 PM 13/9/08
whats next
wii music: annoying ringtone edition?
kjcwashere
SnakesSolids
Posted 3:23 PM 13/9/08
@alfredofroylan:
It's like making fun of the kicker on the football team.
They are by far the most unimportant person in the band, so they get the scorn.
SnakesSolids
ThatSpecialSomeone
Posted 3:04 PM 13/9/08
SNL and Will Ferell FTW
ThatSpecialSomeone
Thorax
Posted 3:38 PM 13/9/08
@Mact: I agree, on all points. I'll eat my glasses if this game turns out to be any good.
Thorax
SilentAssassn87
Posted 4:32 PM 13/9/08
I mean really...Explore the space!
SilentAssassn87
k!dman
Posted 5:04 PM 13/9/08
i simply couldn't close my mouth for a minute after seeing this... thing. Nintendo, please...
k!dman
TrjnRabbit
Posted 5:17 PM 13/9/08
I don't mind the concept here. . .I just don't see how this is going to sell it to anyone.
Nintendo: "Hey everyone! Come play our air instrument game!"
Joe Average Consumer: "You mean like Guitar Hero?"
Nintendo: "Nonono, there's more instruments than just a guitar."
Joe Average Consumer: "Oh, like Rock Band then?"
Nintendo: "Nope, got more instruments than that too, even a cowbell!"
Joe Average Consumer: "Sounds cool, but I'm not wasting my money on a bajillion peripherals. . . "
Nintendo: "That's the cool part, you just use the Wiimote to simulate playing the instrument in the air!"
Joe Average Consumer: "Dude. . . gay. . ."
TrjnRabbit
friscom99
Posted 5:54 PM 13/9/08
I agree...needs more cowbell!
friscom99
Mike's Stalker
Posted 5:41 PM 13/9/08
Somehow, even though this is the most stupidest idea, it will still be a fun part to the target audience. Also, needs more cows.
Mike's Stalker
Balance_In_Life
Posted 5:38 PM 13/9/08
@Cactuar: Ohhh that was great. Thanks.
Balance_In_Life
TheIrishNinja
Posted 6:07 PM 13/9/08
@WDYC: you shut your mouth, i love Fucking Captain Rainbow.
TheIrishNinja
TheUnlovingSonOfCammieDunaway
Posted 6:04 PM 13/9/08
Wii music adds has become the funniest show on earth
TheUnlovingSonOfCammieDunaway
Cagny
Posted 6:01 PM 13/9/08
This game will sell millions!.. once some hot chick plays the cowbell in her underwear.
Cagny
basseman
Posted 6:51 PM 13/9/08
@TheHeeyyy:
1989-2008?!
Nintendo is much older than that. maybe it´s just misspelled. More like 1889-2008.
basseman
Akin
Posted 8:06 PM 13/9/08
Looks horrible. That said, if they made a cowbell hero with an actual cowbell peripheral, I would buy it.
Come on baby (Don't fear the reaper)
@EmeraldDragon:
Wii Hate? would that involve a camera? The wii has a camera by now, right?
Akin
Kung
Posted 9:03 PM 13/9/08
Best music game ever.
Kung
digitalmorphine
Posted 8:49 PM 13/9/08
I actually liked the dog better.
digitalmorphine
Anto103
Posted 9:36 PM 13/9/08
Oh Nintendo where did you go wrong? And where's the games for your hardcore fans?
Anto103
BTFzor_Freestyle
Posted 10:04 PM 13/9/08
*I've heard, not I'm heard...
BTFzor_Freestyle
BTFzor_Freestyle
Posted 10:04 PM 13/9/08
So the adverts concentrate on the more quirky aspects of the game, and everyone immediately starts, saying "Nintendo is dead" "RIP Nintendo" etc etc. I'm sure I'm sure I heard this before with the DS, and then with the Wii...
BTFzor_Freestyle
sweetie55
Posted 11:30 PM 13/9/08
You know, it just clicked in my head how this game could possibly be any fun. All it took was some cowbell. INSTABUY!!!! :P
sweetie55
bainelaker
Posted 11:11 PM 13/9/08
The music at the beginning of that ad makes me feel like I'm about to enroll in the finest of finishing schools.
And as funny as Wii cowbell is, you KNOW we're all just waiting for Wii-music-slide-whistle and washboard. THEN we'll have some good times...
bainelaker
twinturbo2
Posted 12:35 AM 14/9/08
Not mine, but still funny.
+ Watch video
Duke Nukem 3D XBLA on the 24th!!! FUCK YEAR.
twinturbo2
meltyman
Posted 12:22 AM 14/9/08
@DylanGallagher: yeah, i think that might change everything, especially when the youtube composers get their hands on this
meltyman
Rebochan
Posted 1:09 AM 14/9/08
@BTFzor_Freestyle: I dunno, I usually just hear a lot of whaaaaambulances in threads about Nintendo these days.
Rebochan
Kral2
Posted 1:48 AM 14/9/08
So.. yeah. I don't think I'm going to be buying another Nintendo console ever.
Kral2
DavidFU
Posted 1:44 AM 14/9/08
FUCK YEAH cowbell.
Anybody else notice that in Spore there's an object called cowbell, then another called more cowbell?
DavidFU
Combichristoffersen
Posted 2:05 AM 14/9/08
..What the Hell did I just watch? At least the dog commercial was slightly entertaining due to it being so utterly absurd, but this was just plain daft.
Combichristoffersen
twinturbo2
Posted 4:09 AM 14/9/08
Also, this one is awesome, too.
+ Watch video
twinturbo2
Super Bunny Princess
Posted 5:25 AM 14/9/08
She looks like she's having the time of her life.
Super Bunny Princess
JudgeNutmeg
Posted 6:09 AM 14/9/08
Somebody please kill me.
PM me for name and address.
No garrotes, .22 to the base of the skull at point blank range for preference.
Surprise me.
k thx
JudgeNutmeg
y2kenjination
Posted 6:34 AM 14/9/08
Pre-ordered. Day 1.
...or not. >_>
y2kenjination
ThisCharmingMan
Posted 6:34 AM 14/9/08
I wish it would get more gameplay.
ThisCharmingMan
NintendoFanBoy64
Posted 4:00 PM 13/9/08
Hot damn Wii Music is going to make piles of yen for Nintendo!
( If I had photoshop skills, I would insert a picture of Scrooge Mc Duck with Shiggys face as a replacement for Mc Duck's face - while he is diving into his huge ass 'money vault'
Me vault!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NintendoFanBoy64
chris_wing
Posted 8:15 AM 14/9/08
@Klemmins:
"Wow, Cowbell is definitely going to be a needed accessory in every big game after this one. Imagine beating a hooker over the head with a cowbell to the beat of Don't Fear The Reaper in GTA4. Imagine."
You read my mind!
chris_wing
chris_wing
Posted 8:24 AM 14/9/08
@TheHeeyyy:
Nintendo is 119 years old and worth billions, I hardly think WiiMusic will kill, or even harm them in any way. More money in the bank means more freedom to do what they want meaning more innovation which equals more Nintendo.
They've been doing this for awhile.
chris_wing
chris_wing
Posted 8:19 AM 14/9/08
@basseman:
More like September 23, 1889. Somebody has a birthday coming up!
chris_wing
quen
Posted 9:38 AM 14/9/08
@mfwahwah: 'Does that sound... fun?'
Um... Yes?
Playing a virtual cowbell - what's not fun about that?
I'm not sure it sounds fun enough to spend $50 on, in fact I'm pretty sure it isn't as a single-player experience (if you're going to play with whole family or 3 friends? probably worth it), but even so it sounds fun - if only for ten minutes.
@Mact: I don't know if you've missed it, but this is like number 17 or something in a series - yes they appear to be doing separate commercials for every single instrument, following the same format (description of what the instrument is, somebody playing it). That's why the commercial is like that.
I don't think it's really supposed to stand alone - you're expected to see several commercials. Probably they will do an 'all together' commercial later?
@DylanGallagher: As far as I'm aware, you do control *when* the instrument plays the note, but you don't control what the note is (it plays through a preset song you chose).
quen
Mact
Posted 1:29 PM 14/9/08
@quen:
Oh. I'm perfectly aware.
However, I hate series commercials. Especially annoying series commercials.
Also, it's not as ear-catching as I think they'd like it to be.
Mact
edheaded
Posted 7:19 PM 14/9/08
Jeez... some of you are acting like you're going to be forced to play this games, that you're the only target audience in the world, and that this is the last and only game Nintendo are ever going to release. Stop being such self-centered drama queens.
It does look pretty ridiculous though, and I admit that it is leaving me pretty bewildered.
edheaded
Thomaticus
Posted 3:16 AM 15/9/08
sadly... millions will play it and love it.
Thomaticus
WittyUserName
Posted 8:12 PM 15/9/08
What's the next instrument? Air Guitar?
WittyUserName
scumdog
Posted 3:41 AM 14/9/08
*Oh Nintendo where did you go wrong? And where's the games for your hardcore fans?*
You mean like Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, Mario Kart, Smash Bros. Brawl, Fire Emblem, Mario Strikers, Super Paper Mario, Mario Party, Big Brain Academy, Battalion Wars and soon Animal Crossing and Pikmin...
They may not be "hardcore" games but they are for the hardcore Nintendo fan, and there have been plenty of them. Nintendo has one less than spectacular Christmas and one less than amazing game and you all cry like a bunch of fucking three year olds.
scumdog