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  • -- General Info --
    Title (Japan)
       Samba de Amigo Ver.2000
    System
       Arcade (Naomi)
       Sega Dreamcast
    Developer
       Sonic Team
    Genre
       Rhythm

    -- Release Info --
    -- Arcade Version --
    Japan
       December, 2000

    -- Dreamcast Version --
    Japan
       December 14, 2000

    -- Game Credits --
    Researching...

    -- Options --
    Arcade (Naomi)
       Samba de Amigo Ver.2000
    Sega Dreamcast
       Samba de Amigo Ver.2000


    Samba de Amigo Ver.2000

    Notice: This page is out-of-date and is no longer being maintained. Some of the information may be erroneous and the writing may be embarrassingly bad. Proceed at your own risk.

    -- Quick Jump --
       [Story | Gameplay Info | Stages | Comparison | Codes | Behind the Screens | Cultural Notes | Miscellanea]


    -- Gameplay Info --
       Unlike Sonic Team's other upgrades, Samba 2K both adds and subtracts from the original formula. Gameplay mechanics and goals are all exactly the same as in the original, so to get the scoop on that, check out the Samba de Amigo museum page. This page just covers the Ver.2000-specific changes and enhancements.

       The most significant addition is the new Hustle mode. Before starting any game, you're given the option to play in Original mode or Hustle mode. Original mode's the same old same old, but when doing the Hustle, shaking takes a backseat to swinging. While there's still a bit of rattling to the direction of (green) Rhythm Dama, for the most part you'll be playing follow-the-leader to Pose's maraca swinging shenanigans. Swinging is exactly what it sounds like: move one or both maracas back and forth between two of the indicator points at varying speeds, and every once in a while you'll be prompted to make a complete circle around all six indicators. (When using the standard control pad, "hustling" is done by rotating the D-pad in the pattern of Pose's swing.)

       All but two of the original songs is back. "Mas Que Nada" and "El Mambo" are mysteriously missing, but Sega was able to talk Sony into allowing them to include "The Cup of Life" and "Livin' La Vida Loca." Download songs notwithstanding, there are fourteen new additions, including "Vamos A Carnaval!" and "Mambo de Verano", two original songs produced by our main maestros at Wavemaster. Here's the complete song list, with the new additions listed in bold:

    -- Default Songs --
    Vamos A Carnaval! Written by Naofumi Hataya, Tomoko Sasaki; vocals by José Alzamora
    Volare Written by M. Modugno; vocals by David Bowie
    Tout, Tout, Pour Ma Cherie By Michel Polnareff
    Hot Hot Hot By Alphonsus Cassell
    Salome By Estefano
    Tubthumping Written by Nigel Hunter, Bruce Duncan, Alice Nutter, Louise Watts, Paul Greco, Darren Hamer, Allen Whalley, Judith Abbott; performed by No Smoking (1997)
    The Cup of Life By Robi Rosa and Desmond Child
    Samba de Janeiro Written by Arito Moreira, Ramon Zenker, Gottfried Engels (1997)
    Mambo Beat (aka Al Compas Del Mambo) Written by Perez Prado
    Livin' La Vida Loca By Robi Rosa and Desmond Child
    -- Hidden songs --
    Bamboleo By The Gipsy Kings
    Games People Play By Joe South
    Mambo de Verano Written by Masaru Setsumaru; vocals by José Alzamora
    Sway By Gimbel, Ruiz
    Take On Me Written by Pal Waaktaar, Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket; performed by Reel Big Fish
    El Ritmo Tropical Music by Claude Morgan (1974)
    Love Lease Written by Masao Honda (1998)
    Macarena Written by A. Romero, R. Ruiz, C. DeYarza, M. Triay
    Djobi Djoba By Collectif Gipsy Kings, Los Reyes
    S.O.S. By Robert Uhlmann, C. Zamini
    Cha Cha Cuba By Matt Bianco
    La Bamba Written by Richie Valens (1958)
    Tequila Written by Chuck Rio (1958)
    Soul Bossa Nova Written by Quincy Jones
    The Theme of Inoki (aka Ali Bombaye) Written by Michael Masser (1977)
    Samba de Amigo (Samba de Janeiro 2000) Written by Arito Moreira, Ramon Zenker, Gottfried Engels
    The Theme of Rocky (aka Gonna Fly Now) By Bill Conti, Carol Conners, Ayn Robbins
    Wedding March By Felix Mendelssohn
    -- Download songs --
    It Doesn't Matter Sonic Adventure (1998), composed by Jun Senoue
    Open Your Heart Sonic Adventure (1998), composed by Jun Senoue
    Sonic - You Can Do Anything Sonic CD (1993), composed by Masafumi Ogata
    Super Sonic Racing Sonic R (1997), composed by Richard Jacques
    Burning Hearts Burning Rangers (1998), composed by Naofumi Hataya
    Dreams Dreams NiGHTS into Dreams... (1996), composed by Tomoko Sasaki
    After Burner After Burner (1987)
    Magical Sound Shower OutRun (1986)
    Opa-Opa! Fantasy Zone (1985)
    Rent A Hero No.1 Rent A Hero (1991)
    We Are Burning Rangers Burning Rangers (1998), composed by Naofumi Hataya
    My Sweet Passion Sonic Adventure (1998), composed by Fumie Kumatani
    Lazy Days Sonic Adventure (1998), composed by Jun Senoue
    Let Mom Sleep Jet Set Radio (2000), composed by Hideki Naganuma
    Let's Go Away Daytona USA (1994), composed by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi

       To the terror of Samba fans everywhere, the feared Challenge mode returns, and it's badder than ever. (God, just let me DIE!) Sure, it doesn't seem so bad at first... it's not easy, but no harder than the original Challenge mode from Samba 1. Until, of course, you actually clear what seems to be the entire series of challenges. In Samba 1, this rewards you with the game's credits -- not much, but at least your torment was over and you had bragging rights. That was back when Sonic Team was kind and merciful. This time around, you unlock a whole new fucking Challenge mode that's even harder than the first. Welcome, children, to hell.

    -- Challenge mode --
    -- Maracas Kids --
    1. Vamos A Carnaval! (Original/Easy) with a C
    2. Hot Hot Hot (Hustle/Easy) with a C
    3. Samba de Janeiro (Original/Easy) with an A
    4. Tout, Tout, Pour Ma Cherie (Hustle/Easy) with an A
    5. The Theme of Inoki (Original/Easy) with an A

    Unlocks: The Theme of Inoki

    -- Maracas Junior --
    1. Mambo de Verano (Original/Normal) with a C
    2. Games People Play (Hustle/Normal) with a B
    3. Livin' La Vida Loca (Original/Normal) with a B
    4. Volare (Hustle/Normal) with 10 or fewer misses
    5. The Theme of Rocky (Hustle/Normal) with 100,000 Points

    Unlocks: The Theme of Rocky

    -- Maracas Idol --
    1. The Cup of Life (Original/Normal) with an A
    2. Salome (Hustle/Normal) with an A
    3. Djobi Djoba (Hustle/Normal) with 500,000 Points
    4. Mambo Beat (Hustle/Normal) with an A
    5. Wedding March (Original/Normal) with an A

    Unlocks: Wedding March

    -- Maracas Star --
    1. Sway (Hustle/Hard) with a C
    2. El Ritmo Tropical (Original/Normal) with 600,000 Points
    3. S.O.S. (Hustle/Normal) with an A & 98%
    4. Samba de Amigo (Hustle/Normal) with a Perfect
    5. Hot Hot Hot (Original/Normal) with a Perfect

    Unlocks: Survival mode

    -- Maracas Hero --
    1. Bamboleo (Hustle/Hard) with an A
    2. Tout, Tout, Pour Ma Cherie (Original/Hard) with an A
    3. Tubthumping (Original/Hard) with a Perfect
    4. Mambo de Verano (Hustle/Hard) with a Perfect
    5. Vamos A Carnaval! (Original/Hard) with a Perfect

    Unlocks: Ura Challenge mode, credits

       And if you think clearing all that makes you badass, try this little number:

    -- Ura Challenge mode --
    -- Maracas Kids --
    1. Take On Me (Original/Normal) with a Perfect
    2. Hot Hot Hot (Hustle/Normal) with a Perfect
    3. Tout, Tout, Pour Ma Cherie (Original/Normal) with a Perfect
    4. Macarena (Original/Normal) with a Perfect
    5. The Theme of Inoki (Origina/Normal) with a Perfect
    -- Maracas Junior --
    1. Mambo de Verano (Original/Random) with an A
    2. Games People Play (Original/Hard) with an A & 98%
    3. Bamboleo (Hustle/Normal) with a Perfect
    4. Salome (Original/Hard) with 1 or fewer misses
    5. The Theme of Rocky (Hustle/Hard) with 800,000 Points
    -- Maracas Idol --
    1. El Ritmo Tropical (Hustle/Hard) with 1 or fewer misses
    2. Sway (Original/Hard) with 1 or fewer misses
    3. Djobi Djoba (Original/Hard) with a Perfect
    4. La Bamba (Hustle/Hard) with a Perfect
    5. Wedding March (Original/Hard) with a Perfect
    -- Maracas Star --
    1. S.O.S. (Original/Random) with a Perfect
    2. Vamos A Carnaval! (Original/Super Hard) with a B
    3. Love Lease (Original/Super Hard) with an A
    4. Samba de Amigo (Hustle/Super Hard) with an A
    5. Soul Bossa Nova (Original/Super Hard) with an A
    -- Maracas Hero --
    1. Mambo de Verano (Original/Super Hard) with a Perfect
    2. Salome (Original/Super Hard) with a Perfect
    3. Volare (Original/Super Hard) with a Perfect
    4. Djobi Djoba (Original/Super Hard) with a Perfect
    5. S.O.S. (Original/Super Hard) with a Perfect

       The Survival mode, unlocked after clearing the Maracas Star level in Challenge mode, is the mother of videogame endurance tests. You start what on the surface seems to be a normal Original mode game, where you can choose any one of the songs you've unlocked or downloaded. Once you begin, however, you'll note that you have a life bar represented by a line of maracas. You'll also note that every time you miss a beat, the life bar shrinks. When your life bar hits empty, it's game over. The object is to clear through as many songs as you can on the same life bar. Now, if you're a reasonably experienced player (and you'd have to be to unlock Survival mode in the first place), you're in for a bitch workout. (Unless you're using the regular controller, of course, in which case I have nothing to say to you.)

       The Mini-Game mode is back, but gone are the five timed challenges of the original. Instead, the lot of them are replaced with a single sub game: volleyball. Amigo's making his way through five increasingly difficult opponents (Linda, Bingo & Bongo, Chumba & Wamba, Rio, and Pose) in a bizarre volleyball marathon. The screen is divided into two segments with a net right down the middle. All you see of your character are two floating hands: one is controlled with the left maraca, one with the right. Move the maracas around to move the hands. The rules are just like real volleyball: don't let the ball hit the ground on your side of the net, and you can only touch it three times. You can simply knock the ball around by moving the maracas around, or you can spike it by shaking the maraca as you hit the ball. In order to do the power spike technique: when the ball is on your side of the net, shake one maraca until that hand starts flashing, then hit the ball with the flashing hand to send it exploding into your opponent's side. This technique is nigh unblockable, and is the only trick later opponents will fall for.

       The 19 artificial maraca sound effects of the original are back, but this time you don't need to meet any requirements to unlock them. There are also 9 different noises you can apply to Hustling: the default is Hi, with additional selections including Viva, Samba, Wao, Ha, Soiya, Yeah, Hey, Whistle, and Love.

    title Normal mode Hustle mode Love Love mode

       That's all the new stuff, but the transition from Samba to Samba 2K was not without casualties. As pointed out above, the inexplicable absences of "Mas Que Nada" and "El Mambo" from the song list are notable mentions. While the ever-popular Love Love mode returns in all its horny glory, the Battle mode is reduced to a memory. The five mini-games of the Party mode are history, replaced with a single (rather uninspiring) volleyball game. While the enhancements mostly make up for the losses, it's kind of odd to make an 'upgrade' which removes cool old features that didn't disrupt the balance.


    -- Codes --
    Super Hard Mode -- At the difficulty selection screen, shake the left maraca 15 times high.

    Random Mode -- At the difficulty selection screen, shake the left maraca 15 times low.


    -- Cultural Notes --
    There Goes the Bride: The Wedding March (not to be confused with Wagner's "Bridal Chorus") was composed in the 1800's by Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy as incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream. It became popular as a recessional at marriage ceremonies after Mendelssohn's death in 1858. Why it is featured in Samba de Amigo Ver.2000 is anybody's guess.

    Rocky Road: The Theme of Rocky, "Gonna Fly Now," is literally the theme song to the original 1976 boxing flick, Rocky. In the movie, an underdog Italian-American boxer named Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) faces the fight of his life against heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. The match is set up as a bicentennial publicity stunt by Apollo's managers, who assume the fight will be a sure thing against such a born loser as Rocky. But "born loser" Rocky trains viciously for the impending match, and although he ultimately loses in a split decision by the judges, he fights with the heart of a champion. The movie became a smash hit, receiving 3 Academy Awards and earning a permanent place in America's pop culture.

    Rolling Start: In 1994, Sega released an arcade racer utilizing their state-of-the-art Model 2 board. The game was Daytona USA, which would become the spiritual successor to OutRun, particularly in its catchy music. Let's Go Away is the game's main theme.

    Jet Set: Smilebit broke all the rules and made their own with the hip, stylized Jet Set Radio for the Sega Dreamcast. Players control members of the GG's, a street gang in a future Tokyo where off-the-wall skating separates the cool kids from the wannabes. With a stylized cel-shaded look and a hip soundtrack to match, JSR turned into a cult hit that has become synoptic with the entire Dreamcast era in the same way that NiGHTS symbolizes the Saturn. Let Mom Sleep is the game's showcase theme song.


    Written content and original graphics copyright © 1997-2005 Jared Matte. Hosting and administration thanks to Nathan Tsui. Samba de Amigo characters, logos, and images are trademarks of
    SEGA Corporation. The GHZ is an independent fansite and is not affiliated with SEGA Corporation.