Line #21 VideoGame/SambaDeAmigo


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/SambaDeAmigo_4985.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:''SAMBA!'']]
3	Developed by Creator/SonicTeam, released in 1999 as an arcade game, and for the Platform/{{Dreamcast}} in 2000, ''Samba de Amigo'' was a RhythmGame that had elements that were ahead of its time: such as motion controls, a diverse soundtrack of mostly pop music (primarily from Latin pop artists like Music/RickyMartin and Music/JenniferLopez, along with many others ... like Music/ReelBigFish and Music/{{Chumbawamba}} for some reason), an early form of console DLC (going online merely "unlocked" them, as they were apparently on-disc already. They were mainly remixes from other Sega franchises), and a vibrant cast of characters headed by a crazy looking monkey in a sombrero.
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5	The game is simple enough, as balls travel to the music into an array of rings representing various angles and heights (low, middle, high, and left and right), you shake a maraca (or two for more points) at that angle or location (the arcade version used magnetic sensors, the Dreamcast used infrared sensors, while the Wii uses the Wiimote, of course). There's also moments where you have to correctly strike a pose. As one performs well, the environment transformed into a wild party atmosphere. Doing poorly, on the other hand, does not.
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7	And of course, the game was a hit grande in both America and Japan; scoring a 32/40 from foremost Japanese gaming authority Famitsu, a Best of 2000 award from [=GameSpot=] (where, as many music games of the time were, it was classified as a ''puzzle'' game. Yes, you heard us.) It even spawned a MissionPackSequel, ''Samba de Amigo ver. 2000'', which added more songs, new modes such as "Hustle" (which adds more posing to the mix) and "Survival" (multiple songs in a row), and more. It almost got released in the U.S. in 2001, except this came at around the same time the Dreamcast was being phased out, so it was left unreleased.
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9	Gearbox (of ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' fame) ended up producing a [[VideoGameRemake remake]] for the Wii in 2008, which maintained many of the original songs, added more features (like a Career mode, some modes from the [[NoExportForYou "Ver. 2000" that got cancelled for the U.S.]], and paid DLC -- it was the first Wii game to support such content.), and uses the much more rigid motion tracking system already provided by the console (Maraca shells for Wiimotes not included. They ''do'' exist though). While it didn't get as much acclaim as the original, it's still quite good.
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11	A proper sequel, ''Samba de Amigo: Party Central'', was announced on February 8, 2023 and was released for the Platform/NintendoSwitch on August 30, 2023 and later on [[Platform/OculusQuest Meta Quest]] systems in the fall of that same year. The sequel preserves the classic maraca-shaking action while introducing fresh new gameplay elements, such as new posing mechanics, CharacterCustomization for Amigo, and online multiplayer. A mobile counterpart, ''Samba de Amigo: Party-to-Go'', was also released for the Platform/AppleArcade subscription service on the same day.
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14	!!This series provides examples of:
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16	* AmazingTechnicolorBattlefield: If you perform well enough during a routine, the background will change into a dazzling hyperspace of rainbows.
17	* AntiFrustrationFeatures: Likely to compensate for the inherently less accurate motion controls of the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Cons, the hit detection when using motion controls in ''Party Central'' is astoundingly lenient, to the point where you can hit a note by simply shaking in the general direction of the "hitbox" without too much fuss. This is in contrast to ''Samba de Amigo'' on the Wii where the motion controls had a tendency to be a bit too picky.
18	* ArtShift: In the Wii opening, Amigo, Linda and Rio are briefly shown in 2D
19	* BootstrappedTheme: While it was a previously existing (and licensed) song, Samba de Janeiro (by Bellini, now Paffendorf)[[note]]Which also appears as a remixed version also called "Samba de Amigo"[[/note]] is considered to be the theme song of the game, and tends to come up whenever the game gets referenced in other games.
20	* TheCameo:
21	** The game was popular enough for Amigo to make cameos in other Sega games (primarily the MassiveMultiplayerCrossover ''VideoGame/SegaSuperstars'' series); and in return, ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' and ''VideoGame/SpaceChannel5'' themed stages also make appearances in the Wii version.
22	** In ''Party Central'', Sonic the Hedgehog appears as Amigo's dance partner on the [[VideoGame/SonicGenerations Modern City Escape]] stage when playing [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 Escape from the City]] or [[VideoGame/SonicForces Fist Bump]].
23	* DamnYouMuscleMemory: Playing the Platform/{{Wii}} version after the [[Platform/SegaDreamcast Dreamcast]] original can be disorienting.
24	* FamilyThemeNaming: The two main characters are siblings named Amigo and Amiga. They're the same name except of different genders.
25	* FurryFemaleMane: Inverted. Linda's head is always covered and Amiga only has a TuftOfHeadFur. However the very male but {{bishonen}} Rio had a full head of reddish blonde hair.
26	%%* JigglePhysics: Linda has a mild case of this going on.
27	* LohengrinAndMendelssohn: A maraca version of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is featured in the ''Ver. 2000'' and Wii versions.
28	* MsFanservice: Linda, a skimpily-dressed dancer with JigglePhysics going on.
29	* PlayerVersusPlayer: ''Party Central'' has World Party mode, where you compete with 19 other players in a three-round elimination challenge. All players play 3 songs in a row, with the top 14 moving on from Round 1, the top 8 moving on from Round 2, and final standings determined in Round 3. During gameplay, players can randomly obtain items that can be activated with ZR to disrupt their opponents, such as temporarily destroying other players' hit circles or muting their music.
30	* NoPlotNoProblem: The manual mentions a backstory however there isn't an actual plot besides "These characters are performing music".
31	* SirCameosALot: Despite there being only one ''Samba De Amigo'', a MissionPackSequel, and a remake, the characters either are referenced or outright appear in many Sega titles.
32	* SpinOff: A spin-off was released in Japanese arcades known as ''Shakatto Tambourine''; it's basically ''Samba de Amigo'' ... [-[[JustForFun/RecycledInSpace WITH A TAMBOURINE!]]-] (and with at least one ''Manga/InitialD'' song too).
33	* ThemeTwinNaming: The series features twin bear cubs named Bingo and Bongo.
34	* TrademarkFavoriteFood:
35	** It's mentioned that Amigo's ComfortFood consists of bananas from his home town.
36	** Rio eats onion rings every morning to give him luck.
37	* WingdingEyes: Sometimes Amigo will have star eyes.

Context VideoGame / SambaDeAmigo