Disney Announces Wii/DS Rhythm Game Ultimate Band

Publisher Disney Interactive has announced a new Wii and DS exclusive rhythm game, Ultimate Band promising big names in "rock, alternative, popular, emo and indie rock music" and peripheral-less play, in development by its Fall Line studio (Chronicles of Narnia DS). The Wii version of the game "allows players to live the life of a rock star, by advancing their music careers and popularity from playing in a neighborhood garage to performing in front of an international audience at a world famous venue," and will use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk for all band roles like drums, bass, guitar and vocals. Disney describes the DS version of the game as "a rhythm-based music game with a built-in recording studio," letting players use the stylus to "jam to current and classic songs using the drums, lead guitar, bass guitar, or rhythm guitar," and create their own tracks and apply mixing effects. The publisher will be working with London-based music consultants Radial Music to combine familiar classics with new hits, which the company says will give the game "global appeal across all age groups." Said Disney marketing senior VP Craig Relyea, “Ultimate Band invites kids, tweens and teens to join in the jam session. And whether they choose guitar, drums, bass or front man, members don’t need to buy costly, single-function peripherals to play their way through Ultimate Band’s deep song list, dynamic venues, and customizable characters. The Wii Remote and DS stylus are the only tools they’ll need to reach rock stardom in Ultimate Band.”