Still, there are some things that Pop'n Music does get right. Though the control was a consistent problem, if don't mind just flailing your arms to get points there are some fun multiplayer modes to be had. One of the most memorable was a robot mode where players are split into teams that can control each side of a robot with Pop'n bubbles. There are also more standard multiplayer modes including a points-based versus mode. I really think the developers were on to something with their multiplayer modes, and I wish the control was up to par so that they could have been fully enjoyed.

Another thing that Pop'n Music has going for it is its visuals. The game looks surprisingly crisp on the Wii, and everything from the background to the character animations runs smoothly and without jagged lines. The overall style of the game is also quite good. There are plenty of bright colors and fun characters that include everything from an ancient chicken to a funky rabbit. It really is a shame that the visuals are so good, yet the gameplay is so bad. The great graphics prove that there was some solid effort put into the development of the game, and it is truly unfortunate that this effort was squandered with poor controls.

Pop'n Music is one of the most popular franchises abroad, and it would have been nice to see its success translate to an American market. If the button control from the original titles had been kept for this release, the review would have been a lot different.

Fans abroad have consistently praised other versions of the game for its uniqueness and difficulty. However, Pop'n Music for the Wii doesn't feel unique or difficult; it just feels like a lot of frustrating shaking set to bad music. Here's hoping Konami doesn't give up on the American market and gives this game a proper release with button control (or at least improved motion control) sometime in the near future.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor