after trying the work-in-progress version of Samba at Nintendo's press event, we're pleased to report that the game conversion is headed in the right direction.(...) The work-in-progress version on display at the event offered just a small taste of what to expect from the Wii game. The demo had only two modes and four songs to choose from--in single and multiplayer. Our big question revolved around the game's control, which seemed like it would be a good fit for the Wii. Our instinct proved to be pretty correct: The demo offered two control setups, a remote and a Nunchuk, and two remote options. The quirk, which is more of an issue for veteran Samba players than for newcomers to the series, is the input. The way the Wii controllers work with the sensor bar, it's not possible to track height. As a result, you'll have to hold the remotes at specific angles to register low, mid, and high shakes. It's a bit tricky at first, but after spending some time with the game, we started to get the hang of it.

The visuals faithfully re-create the look of the original Dreamcast game, with some elements taken from ver 2000. You'll see Amigo and the game's quirky cast of characters getting their groove on in the colorful stages. The graphics still pop, thanks to the game's eccentric art design and bright color palette. There were odds bits of coloring in a few spots, but those are easily attributed to the game's unfinished status.

The audio was sounding spot-on, with the familiar tunes on hand along with various sound effects. You'll hear a cheering crowd, maraca shakes, and chimes along with the songs to offer encouragement and audio cues that you're doing well.(...) Samba de Amigo is set to ship this spring for the Wii. Look for more on the game in the coming months