First, the big question that's been on everyone's mind: yes, Samba will ship with its very own peripheral maracas. They won't be required to play the game, but if you don't have 'em, it's probably like trying to eat soup with a fork. But you'd better be ready to mow a few extra lawns and walk a few extra dogs. The maraca controllers will be sold seperate from the game for ¥7800, which is about $75. The set includes two maracas and a base unit used to determine movement. The game itself will sell for ¥5800, about $55. Throw in shipping costs and the price of a DC mod and it could easily cost in the neighborhood of $200 just to play Samba de Amigo here in the states. That's no small bananas, and the very fact that such a costly peripheral controller is necessary to play the game pretty much rules out the possibility of a domestic release.

   Okay, but say you're insatiably fanatic like me and will end up importing the game with maraca controllers regardless of the cost. What will be your reward? Here's a rundown of the new ways to shake your thang exclusive to the DC version:

• Arcade Mode -- It's just like the arcade. Except now you can samba in your underwear without getting arrested. Admit it, you know you want to.
• Challenge Mode -- Take on a series of songs at five difficultly levels in order to unlock an additional song. Play that funky music, monkey boy!
• Original Mode -- Features three new DC-exclusive songs to shake along with, as well as the option to download new songs from the Samba website. How the songs are stored is still a mystery.
• Party Mode -- Now this is where the real goodies are. Grab a friend and go head-to-head or co-op in one of two special modes or five mini-games:
  • Battle Mode: See who the swingingest of the maraca-shakers is in this direct head-to-head challenge. Each player has a power bar, which deplenishes as bombs are dropped on their heads, which happens when their opponent is performing well enough. That's injury to insult, man.
  • Love-Love Mode: Grab your girl and have your love fortune told, Samba-style! Go a co-op round with your sweetheart, and the game then determines your "compatability" by reading how similarly you shook your respective maracas. It then offers you love advice. Aww...
  • Mole Panic: It's Whack-A-Mole with maracas! Now that's what I'm talkin' about!
  • Pose & Pose: Strike a pose and see who can hold it the longest. Heheh...
  • Monkey Replay: It's PaRappa with maracas! Or about as close as you'll ever play, anyway. Memorize the rhythm then repeat it.
  • Power Rush: ???
  • Speed Judgement: ???

   Sega will apparently be releasing more info in the coming days, and hopefully we'll get to see a pic of just what these wallet-destroying maraca controllers look like.

   -- Green Gibbon!

Compiled and arranged by Jared "Green Gibbon!" Matte. Hosting provided by Emulation Zone and Emulation World.