Game Review: Ultimate Band

Jeb Haught - Charleston Gazette

'Ultimate Band' -- 2.5 stars

Disney. Nintendo Wii. $49.99.

ESRB rating: E

While "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" engage in a virtual battle of the bands for consumer dollars, Disney hopes to lure the younger crowd with its interactive musical offering, "Ultimate Band." While this title does save its players a few greenbacks by not requiring the purchase of separate instruments, the experience suffers greatly as a result.

To begin with, budding musicians must use the Wiimote and Nunchuk controllers to strum their "air guitar" or hit a set of invisible drums. While this can be fun at first, it seldom gets challenging due to the inaccuracy of the motions. Because there is no strum bar and no drum set, players simply perform the motions and hope that the Wii sensor bar registers them properly.

With no microphone there can be no singing, so a "front man" replaces the lead singer. Their job is to get the crowd psyched by performing poses, punching the air and waving their hands. I may be getting old, but this sounds more like Jerry Springer tryouts than leading a band.

Oddly enough, music takes a backseat to "the band experience" as there are special moves, like "flourishes" and "grandstanding," to perform. However, the game only features around 35 tunes. Popular songs from bands such as Devo and Weezer make an appearance, but every single track is a cover. While other music games strive to provide exclusive master tracks, Disney is content to feature second- rate music in their second-rate music game.

It's a good thing that "Ultimate Band" is rated E for Everyone, because no one over the age of 8 will find it to be anything more than a starter kit.

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