Ah, Nintendo. Whenever I need a system that releases 25 new video games a day, I always turn to you. Since the NES, we’ve all had to deal with sifting through the myriad of bad Nintendo games to find the few immaculate games that make the system worth its price tag. Call me a pessimist, but I couldn’t help thinking about the many ways that Wii Music could fail before I even rented it—low expectations are always best when dealing with this system. Wii Music did exceed my pathetic expectations, but it’s clear to see where the corners were cut to rush production on this game.

The worst aspects of this game are surprisingly the main components of it. Jam Sessions are the bulk of Wii Music, and is basically a Rock Band “free play” without the adjudication system. Now I don’t know what kind of hippie, “every kid gets a trophy” bullshit they’re trying to pull, but I don’t see the point of continuously playing a game if there’s no grading system. Maybe it’s because I’m a crazed college student who relies heavily on what his actions do for his grades, — you can tell that as my reviews abruptly stopped as soon as school started… and resumed for Christmas break — but I need the ability to strive to be better at a game for me to keep interest in it.

So where do we find any semblance of the criticism and judgment that we, as humans, thrive upon? The mini games section! For me, this is the only reason to play this game.

Mii Maestro is a game where you get to conduct an orchestra through one of five pieces. This could have literally been the entire premise of the game, and I would have been completely content — does anyone remember Mad Maestro for PS2? Anyway, Mii Maestro has some control issues, and will make you want to commit suicide because of its adjudication system. It’s still a lot of fun to play, even if you do look like an imbecile, haphazardly flicking your Wii remote as your developmentally delayed orchestra produces a jumpy and awkward version of the Legend of Zelda theme.

Another mini game, Pitch Perfect, is actually quite amazing for children. It basically teaches the user a crash course in Aural skills, ranging in difficulty from “match this pitch” to teaching students the difference between major and minor pieces, and the theory behind building chords. All very basic, but this is a great way to teach yourself or a youngster the basics of music.

Okay, let us get to the absolute best part of this game. HANDBELL HERO! Okay, Handbell Harmony is its name, but it’s basically guitar hero with handbells. I used to be in a handbell choir when I was younger, and let me tell you, it is not even close to as hardcore as this game is. Again, there are only five pieces you can play, but this could have been the entire premise of the game and I would have been content. This is actually a really great game to play with family members or friends.

Altogether, this game is worth giving a shot. It would have been much better had there been more time given to the unique mini games and less time smoking the reefer while developing the obnoxious instruments in the free play mode. (“I have no more ideas for instruments, man…” “Why don’t you like.. put the Mii in a dog suit… and it can like.. bark the pitch and stuff.”)

Put down the blunt, Shigeru Miyamoto.