Seems that the rumors proved true after all. According to Nintendo Power magazine, a “new installment” in the Samba de Amigo series is currently in development by Gearbox Software and is scheduled for a release on the Wii later next year.

Long before Guitar Hero took the world by storm, cult classic Samba de Amigo (For Dreamcast and arcades) was helping gamers connect with the inner musicians. Players would shake a pair of plastic maracas (and occasionally strike a pose) as a sombrero-wearing monkey and other bits of assorted madness danced around the screen. If that sounds like a perfect fit for Wii, Sega agrees; the publisher will bring a new installment in the series to Nintendo’s console sometime next year. Details are scarce, but you’ll shake the Wii Remote and Nunchuk as you would the maracas (naturally), and the soundtrack will feature a mix of new and classic tunes. Surprisingly, the developer on the title is Gearbox Software, best known for its work on the acclaimed Brothers in Arms franchise.

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