Collection essentials #460-#462: Samba de Amigo (DC), Samba de Amigo ver. 2000 (DC) and Maracas Controller (DC)

Rhythm games are known for utilizing unique control schemes. They certainly can use a regular controller like any other video game, but many utilize some kind of unusual controller, such as one based on a real musical instrument to give the player a feeling like they are some kind of musician. In this case, we have a rather unique and creative example of a rhythm game that uses a special controller. It’s Samba de Amigo, a game that you play by shaking a special set of maracas!


How does this game work? Well, as you can see in the screen shot, there are six circles displayed during gameplay. These represent different regions around your body. As the game starts, dots will appear originating from the center of the circle, moving towards one of them, and the player must shake one of their maracas in the designated region as the dot hits the circle, and this usually corresponds to the beat of the song in some way. Sometimes there’s a string of dots which require you to constantly shake the maracas for a short time rather than just once. And sometimes you will be required to pose in a specific randomized way. In addition to the main rhythm game modes, there are minigames too, though to be honest I’ve barely touched them so I can’t say much about them or their quality.


The maracas have sensors so that the game knows where you’re holding them. (Before the game, you are asked the general range of your height so the experience should be roughly the same for everyone.) Holding them up high, for example, is necessary to hit notes that go into the two red circles. Sega made sure to put something inside the maracas so that they make a sound much like real maracas when you shake them. And I don’t know precisely what substance they used, but you can feel that there is something physically in there shaking to make the noise. The controller truly makes for a unique and very cool experience.


Although this game was developed in Japan, it is clearly a Latin American-themed game. The game’s soundtrack consists largely of Latin American pop music, though not exclusively. Songs are, as far as I know, almost always covers of the original versions, and many were recorded specifically for this game. Examples of popular songs found in the song list include Livin’ la Vida Loca, Macarena and La Bamba.


As you can see, there are two Samba de Amigo games featured here. The second one, Samba de Amigo ver. 2000, was sadly only released in Japan, with the international release being cancelled around the time when Sega chose to drop support for the Dreamcast. Ver. 2000 is more of an update than a sequel, and it has all the songs from the original game and more. In addition to new songs, it also features “Hustle” mode which adds new elements to the gameplay. In Hustle mode, sometimes you’ll have to rapidly shake the two maracas in a certain corner of the play area, and you may also have to do a smooth 360-degree rotation all around your body at times. In recent years, fans have made an English translation patch for Ver. 2000 which makes it a little more convenient to play.


My attention was brought to Samba de Amigo in early 2005 when I meet my friend Mr. Fwibbles online, as Ver. 2000 was his favorite game of all time. He strongly encouraged me to invest in a pair of maracas. And I wasn’t disappointed! It quickly became one of my favorite rhythm games. I set quite a few high scores back then, and at some point I probably ought to go see if I can beat any of them!


Samba de Amigo has been resurrected a few times since these original releases. But Sega has never released a proper maracas controller for any future system, so these Dreamcast originals are absolutely the way to go. This is, seriously, low-key one of the biggest reasons to own a Dreamcast in modern times, in my opinion. In my book, these games and the official controller are quintessential essentials, perfect examples of creative and fun rhythm gaming.

Seguimos cantando,

Seguimos bailando,

¡Es un día de carnaval,

Lleno de felicidad!!

 

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