From the makers of PaRappa the Rapper and Um Jammer Lammy comes another off-beat rhythm game, but this time, it uses the Wiimote to cast the player as a marching bands drum major. Does Major Minors Majestic March match my must-play model?
From the makers of PaRappa the Rapper and Um Jammer Lammy comes another off-beat rhythm game, but this time, it uses the Wiimote to cast the player as a marching band's drum major. Does Major Minor's Majestic March match my must-play model?
Unique Among Games
If there has ever been a game devoted to only marching bands before, I haven't heard about it. In Major Minor, you get to keep the beat for the whole band by moving the Wiimote up and down like a drum major's baton or mace, while also swinging it to the left or right to collect power-ups and new band members. Each band instrument likes the tempo to be a different speed, so you have to balance their needs or they'll leave mid-song. This all gets pretty hectic when combined together, as you'll find keeping the beat is harder than you think very quickly. When you win, though, you feel pretty cool.A Bit Wacky
This isn't really a bad thing at all, but the game, like PaRappa before it, is a bit weird. So, yeah, you're a cat and your best friend's a bear, but more importantly, the baton/mace you are using belonged to your great grandma and it talks to you in her voice all the time. Before every level, there is a short cutscene, and most of them just say "You're now going to the [blank] to march!" except for the one where you are confronted by a police officer who tells you not to litter for some reason. So, it's just sort of odd. At least in PaRappa 2, there was some storyline in-between levels (though it did involve all the world's food turning into noodles, which didn't always make sense either).
The Beat Must... End, Eventually
The biggest problem with this game is its length. If you're good, you can beat the game in under an hour, which just isn't satisfying. You have to play the game on "Beginner" difficulty the first time, so you can get the hang of it, but you might not feel the need to play it again on "Normal" after that. There are new band members when you play it again, which makes all the music sound different, so it has some replay value, but not a lot. Even though it's only $40, not $50, it's still not a lot of game for your buck. It's fun, just short.
Rating:
Price: $39.99
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
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