The future of yesterday.
However, it is important to our story, so let’s begin there.
Yet this wasn’t even Nintendo’s only rhythm game success story on the Nintendo DS.
As Elite Beat Agents grew in popularity, Daigasso!
Band Brothers similarly gained online notoriety as a Japan-exclusive import gem.
Unlike the wildness of Osu, however, this was a far more grounded and complex musical experience.
Rather than wacky hijinks, this was all about you and the performance.
Band Brothers aimed to recreate the challenge of perfecting a real instrument.
There were even special modes for replicating the use of drum kits.
Think of it like a rock band.
These could then be shared over wireless connections with friends.
Jam With The Band sank without a trace, being sold in clearance sections within months.
Outside of Japan, the story of Jam With The Band and Elite Beat Agents ends here.
Yet back in Japan, the franchise evolved in an interesting new direction.
Nintendo used Band Brothers as the company’s first major experiment in the world of live services.
Band Brothers P was a mostly-online sequel for Nintendo 3DS.
This online service gave Band Brothers the personalized character the franchise once lacked.
Additional special episodes were hosted in-game by popular Japanese celebrities such asidol group Momoiro Clover Z.
Yet what makes this online store interesting is that most songs were created by other players, not Nintendo.
If popular, Nintendo would reward these players with free tomatoes.
Yet Nintendo’s experimentation with live services didn’t end here.
Admittedly, even without a new Band Brothers, the Switch is hardly lacking for rhythm games.
Still, that’s easier said than done.
Yet these are hurdles worth overcoming.
