Donkey Konga - Nintendo's Drumming Oddity Analyzed

Thanks to Game Informer for its hands-on look at Nintendo's GameCube rhythm game Donkey Konga, the newly Japanese-released title "that has you pounding on a drum controller to match up with beats on-screen." As well as conga-ing in time to the beat of songs which include "a few classic Nintendo tunes including the Mario Theme, DK Rap from Donkey Kong 64, as well as other western songs like the original Mambo No. 5, and La Bamba", the player has other actions to do: "A special star-like icon indicates that you need to clap your hands together (the conga controller features a nifty sound detection device.)" Lik Sang has a few more pictures, including what's inside the drum controller, and Game Informer conclude by praising the quirky title and musing: "While Nintendo hasn't officially announced it for the US, we've heard rumors that it may appear stateside in the second quarter of 2004."

Comments

I hope it sells well

[Gr33nNight]

I cant really see this taking off in the States, but I see huge sales potential for this device in Japan. I always like seeing Nintendo come up with some pretty weird stuff.

Re:I hope it sells well

[NanoGator]

Why not? Dance Dance Revolution did well here. Kids like to beat drums. Unless the price is >$60, why would this fail?

Re:I hope it sells well

[ngoy]

I have a hard time understanding the news potential. Every arcade type game comes out on a home console sooner or later. Lightguns, the dance dance revo pad, etc... The local arcade has a drum arcade game and an electric guitar one also. I am not surprised that they would make something similar for home consoles.

Re:I hope it sells well

[ngoy]

BTW, I am in Arizona, USA. I guess since I lived in Taiwan and saw lots of Japanese arcade stuff, this may be different for more European type people. I personally don't find it an "oddity"

Re:I hope it sells well

[Bradee-oh!]

The local arcade has a drum arcade game and an electric guitar one also. I am not surprised that they would make something similar for home consoles.

Me neither, considering the drum arcade game (Percussion Freaks in the states or Drum Mania in other markets) and the guitar arcade game (Guitar Freaks) have been available on both Playstations for years with drum and guitar controllers included. Granted, mainly as imports from Asia but popular ones, at that.

I love Nintendo but as a fan of Percussion Freaks, both in the arcade and at home, I must point out there's nothing truly original about this game.

However, experience with Nintendo's development encourages that it will be extremely polished and extremely fun. I hope it see's a wide stateside release to continue to bring this genre to the common American. :)

Re:I hope it sells well

[Schnapple]

have been available on both Playstations for years with drum and guitar controllers included. Granted, mainly as imports from Asia but popular ones, at that

Is it just me or does it seem like most of the really cool crap never makes it outside of Asia? Or Japan, really. My best theory has been that with fewer people (or at least fewer stores) in Japan it's easier to distribute something and not lose your ass if it doesn't sell. If you distribute guitar controllers to every Wal-Mart in America and they don't sell you're screwed. Anyone thing I'm close or way off?

Re:I hope it sells well

[SuperMo0]

I don't think the price is that much of an issue. Hey You! Pikachu did decently, even with its $100 price tag. Put the right franchise at the helm of something and you're bound to get a decent amount of buyers.

Exceptions to this rule, currently: Tetra's Trackers. I don't know WHAT Nintendo was smoking when they came up with THAT idea.

Re:I hope it sells well

[bugbread]

I'm an American living in Japan, and I can't even imagine what part of this is considered odd. Is it because it's drums? Because it's Donkey Kong? Because it's portable?

Re:I hope it sells well

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm an American living in America - which is Slashdot's core audience. Thank you for your extreme minority perspective. Please go back to your favorite underage teen panty vending machine and purchase tonight's smell-o-rific accompaniment to your scat-jerkoff session. Then later on, tell us what is and isn't odd. Thank you. Goodbye.

Re:I hope it sells well

[bugbread]

Or, how about this: I ask you, you tell me. Simple give and take. I wasn't aware that asking a question was such a big faux pas.

Re:I hope it sells well

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah, kids like to beat things, but it's not drums that will make this game popular: "Beat Off with DK! - Donkey Konga HANDS ON!!"

Active Games

[NanoGator]

I'm really enjoying these games that require you be physically active. I hope this game is successful, I'd like to see more of them.

I wonder if games like this could be used to teach music? Certainly this has to have an effect on hand-eye co-ordination. "Games are a waste of time -- my ass.

Re:Active Games

[Acidic_Diarrhea]

I think this could definitely be used as an aid in teaching music. It's probably not going to replace music lessons but for developing rhythm and synching your mind and hands together it could work well.

Of course, if you wanted a way to teach music developing the software might not be that hard. Assuming we want a system that teaches how to play a wide range of instruments, we'll let the user supply the instrument. Then provide a good mic that can be wired up to receive the sounds you're producing. On screen you can be shown notes and fingering positions and then the software can determine if you've produced the correct note or if you're too sharp or too flat. Clearly a possibility but perhaps a somewhat limited market...

Re:Active Games

[NanoGator]

I think it's certainly popular. I think we're in for some interesting times ahead. If Nintendo starts a trend of creating interesting inputs to make fun games, we could be in for some exciting times down the road.

Re:Active Games

[PainKilleR-CE]

Assuming we want a system that teaches how to play a wide range of instruments, we'll let the user supply the instrument. Then provide a good mic that can be wired up to receive the sounds you're producing. On screen you can be shown notes and fingering positions and then the software can determine if you've produced the correct note or if you're too sharp or too flat. Clearly a possibility but perhaps a somewhat limited market...

It's certainly possible. I have a piece of software on my computer (shareware iirc) for tuning guitars that allows a pretty free reign over what notes you're actually tuning each string to, and has enough range for me to tune both my guitars (one of which is strung with the low 6 from a 7-string set) and both my basses (a 4-string and a 6-string). All you would really need is a 1/4 inch jack and maybe do some co-marketing so people know who supplies the proper mics for their instruments (or, in the case of electric instruments, you just use your existing instrument cables). The only real problem I have with plugging into my computer is that the input on the SBLive Drive doesn't handle the active electronics on most of my instruments very well, so I either have to use extremely low volume or route through an effects processor with a -6 or -7 dB input, which, of course, could also be a problem for any console trying to go this route (then again, not many people get active guitars or basses when first learning the instrument).

Of course, with string instruments (and possibly some others), you're going to have to make sure the instrument is in tune before you start playing, too (so maybe build a tuner into the software as well).

The market may be limited, but there are additional possibilities once the basic framework is there, such as different expansions for specific pieces of music (much like the books for various albums you can pick up at any store that sells instruments), or for teaching different techniques.

Re:Active Games

[Acidic_Diarrhea]

Now that I think about it, wasn't there some really bad Aerosmith-branded software that came out in the mid to late 90's that tried to teach?

Re:Active Games

[PainKilleR-CE]

I'm not really sure. All I remember is some really bad Aerosmith arcade shooter game that involved CDs and possibly 'Say No to Drugs'. I've tried to block it from my mind.

A quick google search brought up this:
http://www.seanbaby.com/nes/egm10.htm
http ://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=R&game_ id=9308

and a boatload of cheap flash games.

Re:Active Games

[Magnus Reftel]

Yes, there was. Can't find a link for it, though. Anyway, the input device was just a plectrum, you could play it against a tennis racket, and the game would work just fine.

Re:Active Games

[bbkingadrock]

what does that say about people when they consider moving your wrists around a little bit "active", and focus on the gains made in hand eye coordination. it is about as active as me typing this response. if you want some activity, go shoot some hoops. play some street hockey. dont try and justify being attached to a television by slapping your wrists around. if that were true, masturbating to porn videos would be the new exercise craze.

Re:Active Games

[NanoGator]

"what does that say about people when they consider moving your wrists around a little bit "active"

Is 'moving their wrists around a little bit' how you envision somebody playing congos? Heh. Oookay.

"if that were true, masturbating to porn videos would be the new exercise craze."

Since the internet was commercialized, I think it's far exceeded 'craze' phase.

Re:Active Games

[SuperMo0]

I think this could definitely be used as an aid in teaching music.

My little brother's PE teacher got a PS2, DDRMAX2, and 2 pads, and when they do "stations", where they move around the gym and do various activities, DDR is one of them. However, my brother has enacted the "N00b alert" in me by telling stories of her only letting kids play light songs... even when a few of the kids are skilled enough to do better... *shudder*

DK Rap?

[FeetOfStinky]

I'm all for musical games, but the DK Rap makes me want to smash my head against the wall (rhythmically, of course).

Super MariOboe

[AtariAmarok]

This is to be followed by Super Mari-Oboe

Babaloo!

[JasonMaggini]

Hey Luuuuucy! You got some gamin' to do!

Is it just me...

[NanoGator]

.. or does the inside of it look like a uterus? Anybody remember what a uterus looks like?

Re:Is it just me...

[karnal]

Never stuck my head in one to look around. Kinda doubt it'd have the wires and pressure sensitive pads...

Call me crazy...

Re:Is it just me...

[Anonvmous Coward]

"or does the inside of it look like a uterus? Anybody remember what a uterus looks like?"

I'm a test tube baby you insensitive clod. :I

Re:Is it just me...

[Anonymous Coward]

idiot.

Did you fail 5th grade science or something?

Re:Is it just me...

[You're All Wrong]

Are you sure you mean uterus?
The photo of it split apart had the twisted wires giving hints of a kind of pelvic shape, and maybe there was a kind of two-thighs/vulva proporioned 'gap' in between the drums. However, I'm having a hard time trying to get a uterus into any of the pictures.

Phil

Re:Is it just me...

[Anonymous Coward]

So if I were to send you photography of a "medical" nature, you would be happy and able to spank it for a while and stuff, right?

Interesting...

[cableshaft]

...but I think DDR and Samba de Amigo were better ideas. Both are more physical, with Samba requiring you to shake maracas vigorously in different positions and DDR making you spin, jump, and tap all over the place. With drums you're just striking a stationary object repeatedly, (oh, and clapping apparently). DDR and Samba also have the advantage of being much more stylish than Donkey Konga is (judging by the current screenshots). I have a feeling the song selections will be better in those games too, once the full song list comes in (yes I know, Mamba No. 5 was in Samba).

It'd be pretty funny to "Konga" to that horrendous Kong Rap, though.

Re:Interesting...

[Acidic_Diarrhea]

I didn't see any screenshots of the game itself in any of the linked pages. Can you provide a link?

Re:Interesting...

[cableshaft]

Sure... click here. Looks just like DKC, except perhaps rendered in-game as opposed to pre-rendered sprites. Which is alright, but the interface is pretty ugly.

Re:Interesting...

[Imperial Tacohead]

I'm a liberal. Your mother seems to like us just fine.

Entertainment?

[Hamster Lover]

Am I the only person that thinks "music" and "dancing" games are just not entertaining? On top of that, you don't make any real music or do any real dancing. To me they are nothing more than a computer controlled version of Simon Says.

Mario Party is an example of a game that everyone loves, even those not playing. I remember I once threw Parappa the Rappa into the PS at one of our parties (it came on a demo disc). Five minutes in everyone was asking, "Is that all you do? Um, something else please". It didn't really seem like a "party" game like Mario, although I didn't mind Parappa for a while by myself. Perhaps it was our 25+ demographic.

No offense intended to those that love these games, but it's just not my cup of tea.

Re:Entertainment?

[Anonymous Coward]

I remember saying "is that all you do?" myself, but that was when i was just watching... Once I got the controller in my hands and was playing, next thing you know, it's a couple hours later and we're still playing.

Re:Entertainment?

[PainKilleR-CE]

Am I the only person that thinks "music" and "dancing" games are just not entertaining? On top of that, you don't make any real music or do any real dancing. To me they are nothing more than a computer controlled version of Simon Says.

I haven't played most of them, but I have found myself quite obsessed with Amplitude and Frequency. Most of the other 'rhythm' games don't appeal to me. That being said, Amplitude and Frequency are not games that I play with friends, either (though my gf occasionally watches).

Mario Party is an example of a game that everyone loves, even those not playing. I remember I once threw Parappa the Rappa into the PS at one of our parties (it came on a demo disc). Five minutes in everyone was asking, "Is that all you do? Um, something else please". It didn't really seem like a "party" game like Mario, although I didn't mind Parappa for a while by myself. Perhaps it was our 25+ demographic.

I find Mario Party completely boring with any less than 3 people, but once we hit that magic number it's quite fun. Lately, though, we've all been playing Mario Kart:DD!!, which is another example of a game that is very limited in the single player aspect but is very fun with 3 or 4 people (2 players is fun for a while, but if one person is significantly better than the other it gets old quickly). Super Monkey Ball seems a little better in the single player component while still offering a lot of fun as a party game.

Again, though, I don't really see anyone playing the dance and rhythm games with friends, though part of this might be the fact that I don't know anyone that admits to owning these games. My gf joked about getting Karaoke Revolution when she saw an ad for it on TV, but I'm still about 99% sure she thought it was pretty rediculous.

Re:Entertainment?

[ClioCJS]

The DDR games (And amplitude, for that matter) are all very fun to play with people. In fact, I almost never play single player unless everyone else is sweaty and exhausted from dancing. Get a room of about 6 drunks and there is always someone to call "I got next", and always at least 2 people completely out of breath/recovering.

Plus, doing something that "looks stupid" in front of other people is a good icebreaker. I've only managed to find 3 people that outright refused to play. We even broke it out at a party, with some weird looks from the roommate's friends (i.e. people-i'd-never-met).

And I've been trying to get my hands on Kareoke Revolution for weeks and weeks. Hopefully I'll be getting it soon. I can't wait to see my friends drunk and trying to sing "Like A Virgin". My parents have gone as far as to purchase a $500 *real* Kareoke machine that scores multiple people simultaneously; Kareoke Revolution is just a small niche thing that is basically copying an already-popular idea.

If asians are such conformists, how come they don't mind dancing and making fools out of themselves as much? Not trying to be racist here, but these rhythm/dance type games ARE more popular in Asia. Are americans just stupid? (Wait, don't answer that..)

Re:Entertainment?

[Zangief]

Are you talking about Samba de Amigo?

I remember saying "is that all you do?" myself, but that was when i was just watching... Once I got the controller in my hands and was playing, next thing you know, it's ten hours later and we're still playing Soul Calibur using Voldo.

All musical games suck. There is no strategy in them; you aren't competing against the other player, just pushing in your memory long strings of arrows, movements, whatever. It's like the difference between running a marathon and playing a game of basketball. Both provide satisfaction, but basketball is way more complex (and fun).

Re:Entertainment?

[bugbread]

" Am I the only person that thinks "music" and "dancing" games are just not entertaining? "

Probably not.

"On top of that, you don't make any real music or do any real dancing."

Unfortunately, that's the result of making the games much harder. I used to play Beat Mania when it first appeared in the arcades in Japan. The difficulty level was really low, which meant that you could hit notes during the intervals between notes without a score penalty. Most of my gaming ended out being "make a new interesting song by adding lots of embellishments to the core song". Damn fun, and I noticed each person embellished differently so each player made slightly different music. With the newer Bemani's, though, they gave a score penalty to any note struck besides the ones on screen, meaning each player played the exact same song.

There are music games that are entertaining, and that allow for personal expression as opposed to pure Simon Says, but they are getting fewer and farther between.

Re:Entertainment?

[zero_offset]

With the newer Bemani's, though, they gave a score penalty to any note struck besides the ones on screen, meaning each player played the exact same song.

It sounds like a metaphor for the entire Japanese culture...

Why do I see..

[Rudy Rodarte]

This game being insanely fun. Better yet, make it a drinking game as well!!
On a side note, the DK rap that gets stuck in my head is the one from Smash Brothers Meele. You know, the one where you are fighting the Mini DKs. Yea, that's the one.

Re:Why do I see..

[August_zero]

Well the DK rap actually goes bak to one of the N64 DKs, so if i am not mistaken we can blame it on Rare.

Did you say drinking game? I like how you think.

Western Songs

[durbinshroom]

When I first read through that and saw him mention "western" songs, I thought of Country-Western...

Just think how scary a Dixie Chicks version of La Bamba or Alan Jackson doing Mambo No. 5 would be...ok, the second one could be pretty funny

I grew up with this already.

[AtariAmarok]

It was called "my brother": I'd drum on his empty head every time he annoyed me playing NES games.

IGN has covered this game also.

[Anonimo Covarde]

They have video of it here, and they have an index of their stories about it here (The index also links to screenshots)

MOD PARENT UP!

[Anonymous Coward]

Hilarious!

I'm waiting for the Neil Peart edition

[leviramsey]

...except the controller would have to revolve and have forty buttons.

It would quickly be copied in a much less tasteful manner by the Mike Portnoy edition.

Re:I'm waiting for the Neil Peart edition

[PainKilleR-CE]

Considering that Neil Peart also has one of
these next to his kit, I think we'll need more buttons ;)

Re:I'm waiting for the Neil Peart edition

[gmhowell]

I was going to post a link to this comment in my JE, announcing to you, StB, and all the other Rush-whores.

Then I saw who wrote the comment;)

Re:I'm waiting for the Neil Peart edition

[syrinx]

hahaha, +5 funny. :)

In an attempt to be informative...

[Gothic_Walrus]

...here are the lyrics to the DK Rap.

Quest for Fame

[pagercam2]

IBM beat Nintendo to this one! The "Quest for Fame" game for the PC had on screen cartoonish graphics that showed a high schooler's bderoom, in which you practiced with your V-Pick (virtual guitar pic). The V-pick was a triangular piece of plastic that contained two contacts, when you made a strumming motion the contacts touched and this was read by the PC's parallel port. They played classic rock songs from Aerosmith and others but featuring Aerosmith. You got scored as to how close your timing was compared to the song. After getting a passing score you graduated from bedroom to garage band to road house to club and finally to stadium where you "rocked" with Aerosmith. A lot of fun but I never got past the garage band level.

http://www.rockthisway.de/game_questforfame.htm

Re:Quest for Fame

[Anonymous Coward]

IBM beat Nintendo to this one! The "Quest for Fame" game for the PC had on screen cartoonish graphics that showed a high schooler's bderoom, in which you practiced with your V-Pick (virtual guitar pic). The V-pick was a triangular piece of plastic that contained two contacts, when you made a strumming motion the contacts touched and this was read by the PC's parallel port.

So what you're saying is that IBM beat Nintendo to producing a virtual guitar pick. Wow, thanks! +5,000,000 INSIGHTFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great

[rf0]

Now I've got an excuse to dance like my dad does.

Rus

DK vs DDR?

[zwanglos]

I wonder if, in the growing trend of X vs Y such as Predator vs Alien and Krueger vs Jason, eventually they will release a Donkey Konga versus Dance Dance Revolution, where you have a dance/drum off, and the less rhythmically skilled person's head explodes. I would pay at least $4 for that.

In other news, does anyone remember the original pad play game Nintendo Track and Field, where the damn athlete never seemed to match the rate at which you ran on the pad, no matter how coordinated you were?

Re:DK vs DDR?

[M3wThr33]

Konami's own games have already connected together before.

Beatmania and DDR had combinations to play together in a horrid Club mix.

Keyboardmania, Guitar Freaks and Drummania also all link together for up to a 5-person jam session.

Re:DK vs DDR?

[zwanglos]

That's amusing. I really only meant the post as a joke but now I feel stupid since they will probably actually do it - I should never question the Japanese.

Music games are fun but....

[MarcoAtWork]

I just wish there was an area at the bottom of the screen where the beats you have to perform are written in standard music notation: it would definitely help with having kinds being able to sight read etc. etc.

Original how?

[Anonymous Coward]

Isn't this just a Nintendo-branded "Taiko no tatsujin"?

ARE YOU SERIOUS

[debugdave]

Im sorry, even under the influence, I would rather watch someone read a book then watch four of my friends jam out on Mario Party 5.

Incredible!

[SuperMo0]

After watching about 4 of the movies, I started to attempt to play along with the game on "air bongos". If that's not a sign of a good game, that you play along with a preview video... then I don't know what is.

Amazing technology!

[Guppy06]

"(the conga controller features a nifty sound detection device.)"

A microphone! What will they think of next?

Mambo what now?

[arnex]

the original Mambo No. 5

You mean Mambo 5.0?

not very impressed

[AuntJemima]

I am usually a big fan of these kinds of games. I picked up the Taiko no Tatsujin controller set alongside my PS2. I own both versions of Samba de Amigo as well as two pairs of the official maracas controllers. Whenever I'm near a game center, I usually stop in to play through a few songs on Guitar Freaks. And so on.

I had the chance to play Donkey Konga in the store the other day (Nintendo seems to be doing a huge push for this game in Japan--most stores had several pallets of the controllers). I was really not that impressed. I can't really explain why, but it just wasn't as fun as most of those other music games I enjoy. I'm sure the clapping feature would be intersting with two people (the commercials make sure to point out this use), but it wasn't as much fun slapping my hands against the tiny congo controller as it is drumming away on the taiko or shaking the maracas.

Of course, the Gamecube does have a lack of these kinds of games, so maybe it will be a big success for Nintendo. Don't think I'll be buying it though.