Today we spent some personal time with Ubisoft's new Nintendo DS game: Jam Sessions here at the Screenburn exhibition at South by Southwest. As you can see from the promotional video, it's more of a virtual guitar interface than it is a game, but is very entertaining nonetheless if you're into these types of products. They surprised me at the booth by handing us a guitar pick instead of a DS stylus and it worked rather well.
You can safely say that I represent the niche market that Jam Sessions will reach out to -- I'm a huge fan of Bemani and always look for similar games on my portable and home consoles. If I ever travel, I keep Eletroplankton, Elite Beat Agents, and Rhythm Tengoku at striking distance. They're a fun release for me because I can't actually play instruments to save my life and I'm really into music. Naturally, when we heard about it so I couldn't wait to jump on a plane and get here. Guitar noob impressions, design sketches, and screen shots follow the jump.

You're going to suck at this game
You see, in those other games I like I'm an instant great musician without much effort or learning curve. Thus, I was disappointed to find that this game is the direct opposite -- you can produce an infinite amount of music with it, but you better well be prepared to spend some hours learning songs.
Ever tried to play a rock song on a Yamaha keyboard? Jam Sessions is sort of like that, but with an easier visual and tactile interface -- more like an alternative input system than a game. It took me 20 minutes or so to get a half-decent Mary Had A Little Lamb going. They had the notes there to Tom Petty's Free Falling, just like in the video. I think I might be able to hang with that guy after a few months of practice at best.
If you take anything away from this impression, it should be that you know know that you'll enjoy it more by accepting the fact that you're more than likely going to suck at it. Unless you can play a real guitar, chances are you'll sound like a Fender going down a flight of stairs for a few hours.
Jerks that are quick to point out that they can play "real guitar" when you fire up Guitar Hero can now switch to referencing this game instead and look less toolish.
Harder than expected
The concept is simple enough: program the notes you want on the directional pad (up to 9 notes at a time for each corner of the D-pad) and your stylus controls the string. If you're not holding down the D-pad you'll hear a dry note as if the musician is pinching down the string. I have zero problems with the interface or the sound it reproduces: the pressure-sensitive control will play notes as hard as you strum them. The problem though is that I wasn't having fun because how hard it was to sound good when doing so.
I spoke to a few other gamers that also shared my musical handicap while others that shared my frustration, while others had different reservations: one guy was upset that you couldn't hit multiple chords at once. "You have to make a button for (multiple notes held together) so power cords are kinda weird."
There's other stuff in the game: a Karaoke mode and Tutorial mode help you break out of the novice sandbox. All in all the game is solid and will interest a small niche of music gamers. You'll get more out of it than an Electroplankton experience, but it isn't designed nor destined to become the next Guitar Hero.
So in conclusion ... I was a little disappointed because it wasn't as infectuous as the other music games I've picked up this year. I thought I would love it hands down, but to my surprise it was going to take some work before I could. And by work I don't mean "keep trying to beat this level over and over" -- no, this is different. You have to learn a dumbed down version of sheet music if you want a shot at sounding decent.
Will I buy it? Yup; but with the knowledge that it will take much longer than my other DS games before I can actually rock out with it.
Every week, I see a DS game that makes me wish I still had a DS.
I'm SO looking forward to this.
It seems a lot more fun than GH.
Just don't be a bunch of pussies and I think you'll do fine.
I'll be buying this game fo sho.
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Digg love, that is
I'm kinda iffy on the pick on how soft or hard the tip is. Might scratch up the DS screen when you strum alot?
men .. i really want have a DS again T_T
I call Dibs on the pick!
Unless you weren't giving it away of course.....
bemani fo life, nikkas.
That's a pretty awesome idea... I suck at music, but I might actually check this out.
I got this a couple months or so ago, and ive been using it quite a bit. It's really simple for me, maybe because I already play guitar, but yea. Picked it up and in a few minutes I was playing full songs.
And by the way, I wouldnt really consider this a game, it's an app. And a pretty good one if you ask me, you can even do power chords! hehe.
P.S. I'm way better than that noob in the video, muhahahaha!
I think I'd still pick it up, but it's one of those things you buy for the sheer respect of it's coolness factor knowing you'll probably never have/make the time how to use it.
One thing I left out is that they are going to make it easy to download notes (or probably build a community around it) so you can learn songs for it. I know that when I go to nerdcore music parties I'll ultimately find myself with guys acting like David Lee Roth with this cranked up on an amp. Maybe we'll even see some playful musicians pick this up to use it commercially in performances and songs. Maybe not.
@Charlie
So could you safely say this could be a good alternative for a "portable guitar" I mean just playing some songs on the beach and stuff because having to bring a whole guitar is too bulky. From the recording, the guitar samples really sound good.
I'm really really interested in this game ever since the Japanese version came out
"sheer respect of it's coolness factor knowing you'll probably never have/make the time how to use it"
The import, despite being in Japanese (which I can't read), was easy enough to pick up that my roommate, who can't play guitar or read Japanese, was playing songs in about three or four minutes.
My DS now lives in the living room with the consoles so we can pick it up, hook it up to the surround sound, and we jam with me on my guitar.
Seriously, it's the most addictive gadget that's come out for the DS, and that's saying a lot. I'll probably be getting the English version (I didn't think it was going to come over) and giving the import to a friend.
I'm interested to see what songs are in its tutorial mode - the packins weren't familiar, it'd be nice to get some licensed songs (Karma Police plz kthx)
Oh, and:
"Maybe we'll even see some playful musicians pick this up to use it commercially in performances and songs. Maybe not."
James Kolchaka posted up two short songs he wrote and performed with the M-06 on guitar and Rhythm Tengoku on drums.
YOOOOO!!!!
I'm definitely geting this game. I love playing guitar. I also love playing DS. So its 2 things that I love crammed together in one. Count me in.
ALSO. THEY SHOULD MAKE A GAME LIKE THIS WITH THE BASS GUITAR TOO. THAT WOULD BE THA SHIZNIT!!!!!
Oh, and.
"Maybe we'll even see some playful musicians pick this up to use it commercially in performances and songs. Maybe not."
If I was in a famous band, I would definitely do that.
They should also make a drumming game for the Wii. Because I play drums and I would like it a lot.
When does this come out!!!?
@inque
It definitly can be used as a portable guitar. Just not a very functional one. As a guitarist you are very limited in your playing. But if all you are looking to do is play some chords in a key, then it's suitable. I'm glad I have it because I do just that. I write songs and sometimes when I'm on the go and I have an idea and really want to get it down or hear how it sounds before I forget, I pull out my DS, pop in this app, and try it out. It's definitly a must get if you have a DS and are a songwriter or guitarist.
Yo whats up. Its me again. I've been obsessed with this game ever since I heard about it. Can you play actual notes instead of chords in this game. That would be cool. Whats the release date again?