And IGN UK gave it a 7.9

http://wii.ign.com/articles/910/910755p1.html

Closing Comments
A welcome return for what threatened to be a Dreamcast only curio, Samba de Amigo Wii dances to a 10-year-old tune that’s just as infectious now as it was back in 1999. With multiplayer now taking its rightful place at the heart of the game, it’s a party pleaser for those with discerning tastes and no qualms about acting the fool. It’s a shame then that the inefficiencies of the Wii control method occasionally compromise the game. Frustrations emerging on higher difficulty levels mean that while as a basic multiplayer experience Samba excels, for the solo player it sadly isn’t a lasting prospect.

8.5 Presentation
Brimming with colour plus enthusiastic design to match, the whole package screams joy.

8.0 Graphics
Miis are integrated into the vibrant backdrops, which prove as infectious as the tunes.

9.0 Sound
There's a Latino version of the Rocky theme. Need you know more?

7.0 Gameplay
Shaking maracas to a samba beat is as fun now as it ever was, but the Wii controls are not quite up to the task.

7.5 Lasting Appeal
Downloadable track packs will prolong the life of the game, but expect to turn away in frustration once the going gets hot in the main game.

7.9
Good OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

finally, Wii gets great games as it deserves!

Personally, I think 9 is a little high. It's a really fun game but I see it ending up right around the North side of 8. Of course I've only played one of the modes so maybe the other modes are just too awesome.

Just checked that site.

Nintendo Power gave 4 wii games 8 or higher; samba, de blob, wario, & ddr, and only one of those games are from nintendo o_O

3rd parties finally trying on the wii?

I wonder what other reviewers have to say on this game? It seems interesting...

Just found the summary for this review on GoNintendo:

Samba de Amigo

Pro:
- controls work extremely well; two remotes benefit from rumble

Con:
- may take a few songs to get used to the new pointing mechanics for series vets


This is pretty interesting, considering that controls are pretty much the only gripe other reviewers have had with the game. Did Nintendo Power not play it on hard, did other reviewers not realize you could use dual wiimotes, or do most reviewers just suck with motion controls?

I think IGN rated it too low it seems. They focused on the Hard Mode aspect of the Story Mode too much. It probably shouldn't have got a 9 either. A place around the middle is where I'm assuming the game really is, like an 8.5.

Yes, we don't like waggle and we want out arms rested either on our lap or chair-arms or cushions.

that's no different than saying "judging a game by it's ending is misunderstanding the game, the vast majority of people buying the game will never finish it anyway"

both true in cases. But if a game is flawed in any way, it deserves to be judged harshly.

I read the reveiw in the magazine. They said that the 2 wiimotes were the best controls because you can hear sound out of both of them or something. they didnt like the others as much.