Nintendo’s media briefing today confirmed what we already knew (and feared). The Japanese gaming giant is focusing primarily on the casual audience. Hardcore gamers looking for confirmation of a new “Legend of Zelda” or a new installment in the “Pikmin” franchise were probably massively disappointed with today’s Nintendo press conference. Instead of a new adventure for Link, gamers got “Wii Music.”

Hit the jump for some details and my opinion.

“Wii Music” looks to appeal to the same audience that enjoyed “Wii Sports” and “Wii Play.”

“We designed ‘Wii Music’ to allow everyone, including people who can’t read music and people who can’t play instruments to experience the joy of performing music,” Miyamoto said (through a translator).

For those in need of a translation, “Wii Music” will be an easily accessible, watered-down experience that even your grandmother can enjoy. Unlike “Rock Band” and “Guitar Hero,” gamers are not cued to press a certain button at a specific time. Thus, there is no need to worry about making mistakes. “Wii Music” is not about winning and losing. It is about making awful virtual music.

“Hold the Wii remote and move your hands and your body like you would if you were playing an instrument,” Miyamoto said. “The Wii detects that and plays the note for you that matches the song.”

Basically, you play the virtual instruments as you would their real-world counterparts. For instance, to play drums you use the Wii remote and nunchuck like drum sticks. To play the saxophone, you just need to hold the remote up to your mouth with the bottom pointing outward.

“Wii Music” will feature a total of 50 instruments, including piano, guitar, violin and cowbell (sans Will Ferrell). It will also allow gamers to record their own music videos and play with up to four people simultaneously.

Personally, this game doesn’t appeal to me at all. As a hardcore gamer, this year’s press conference disappointed me even more than Nintendo’s E3 2007 briefing. At least last year we got “Mario Kart Wii.” How does Nintendo top that? By showing off “Wii Music” and “Animal Crossing: City Folk.” Wow, wait to go all out for the people that have supported your company for more than two decades (hardcore gamers).

To top off the lackluster series of announcements, Nintendo decided to close its conference with a laughably bad “Wii Music” demo. For the most part, the motions on the big screen did not mirror what was done by Miyamoto and the other Nintendo representatives. For instance, during the exhibition of some of the instruments, the game started playing before any input was made using the Wii remote and nunchuck. I realize the videos were probably pre-rendered, but for a game that is expected to ship this holiday season, they could have at least done a live demonstration.

Nintendo has let me down yet again. The company’s perpetual quest to please casual gamers seems to drive the wooden stake further into the hearts of hardcore gamers. I guess there is always next year when the third installment of “Wii Sports” is announced.

UPDATE: Here is the E3 2008 trailer for “Wii Music.”

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