Goldberg74

I went to BestBuy to try and get a set of Nintendo Branded Bongos ($35) using a Gamer's Gift Card, but all the have in the inventory is the Pelican Brand ($30; $25 w/ GGC; available in 5 colors).

Having been burned by 3rd Party controllers before, I just hopped over the parking lot to Circuit City and picked up a pair over there.

Does anyone have a set of the Pelican Brand? Is there much difference? Are they sturdy?

Note: Both Donkey Konga and the 2nd set of bongos are under the tree, so it'll be awhile until I play it.

NitroJMS

I'd buy the Nintendo brand ones always. At my store, we have a set on display that have been taking constant beatings from customers for going on 3 months now and they still work like a charm.

tanman

For controllers and memory cards always go with first party. And why is it $35 dollars? I thought the MSRP was $30 making it $25.

Oh, and don't underestimate the fun you can have with multiplayer bongos. They were a hit at the Thanksgiving hoopla.

asianxcore

definately the first party nintendo bongos. the controller is so specialized I wouldn't trust a third party company with something like that.

I do believe the MSRP is 29.99 on those extra bonogs.

Goldberg74

I have not seen the extra bongo set for less than $34.99. But I haven't opened it yet, so if I find it for $30, I'll take 'em back.

Groucho

I only have the Nintendo bongos, since that's what comes with the game. Plus, my rule of thumb is to only buy first party controllers and memory cards.

PixyJunket

Get Taiko Drum Master.

buzzdalf

I bought the nintendo drums from Toys R Us for $30.

tanman

Or if you decided to keep it anyways, go ahead and open it and if you find it cheaper buy that one and return it to the higher priced store.

Pbear

I have both Taiko Drum Master and Donkey Konga and I tell you I really like Taiko Drum Master more. I have not had the opportunity for some 4 bongo action though. I think that probably would be a riot.

TendoBoy

Target sells the Nintendo Bongos for $29.99, if you apply for a Target credit card, you can get 10% off of that......I got them for this price.

Dah-Dee

Found the Nintendo bongos at my local Wal-Mart, after unsuccesful hunting at Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, Toys-R-Us, for $29.96

bahgee

DUMB Question: do you need the bongos to play the game, or can you use the regular controller?

BeckysBoy

You can use a regular controller, but a great deal of what makes the experience fun is lost.

Normally I'm a first-party only guy, but my brother-in-law got me the Pelican bongos for Christmas and they're not too bad. Plus, it's nice to have one set in black to differentiate them. They're a little bigger and the mic seems to be a little more sensitive. The only thing I find I don't like as much is the feel of the drum heads themselves, which seem flatter and stiffer than the OEM drums (in fairness, making them more reminiscient of real bongos). Anyway, after many bongo bouts this weekend, there were no complaints and no one really noticed a difference.

CharlesC

I got the Pelican bongos for Christmas (couldn't find any Nintendo versions anywhere) and I actually like them better than the Nintendo version. For exactly the same reason that BeckysBoy mentioned, they are stiffer and feel more like real bongos. You don't get the sensation of pushing a button when smacking them, they just feel like a regular drum head.

They seem very well made to me.

BeckysBoy

Yeah. I guess I feel free to beat the snot out of the Pelican ones, whereas I'll unconsciously hold back a little on the Nintendo set because the heads are soft.

Breakfast with Girls

You would apply for a credit card in order to save $3?