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Preview: DJ Hero for the PS2
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Activision's Guitar Hero has been a critical and financial success for the company. The original game spawned four sequels (including the upcoming Guitar Hero 5), several portable versions, and numerous expansion games. All signs indicate that the fantasy of being a star guitarist is enough to sustain a video game series. Therefore, it's no surprise that Activision has decided to expand into the world of turntables with DJ Hero for the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii.
DJ Hero will ship with its peripherals, a turntable and a mixer. These items are made by Red Octane, the same group that manufactures the guitars for Guitar Hero. They work almost exactly like their real-world equivalents. Players can mix tracks, fade, and even scratch by turning the table (with no risk of damaging the precious record). The devices will even include a USB microphone port for budding emcees and a connection for the Guitar Hero controller. If all goes well before the game's release, it should faithfully emulate the DJ experience.
A good rhythm game isn't based on peripherals alone, though. The soundtrack needs to be varied and exciting. DJ Hero's developer, FreeStyle Games, is in tune with dance music. It's licensed over 100 songs by artists as diverse as Gwen Stefani, Beck, and Marvin Gaye, and some interesting mixes appear to be in store for players.
DJ Hero appears to be a game to watch in the upcoming months. Although the new control scheme might take a while to get used to, it's good to see the makers of Guitar Hero applying its principles to a new genre. The shift from a guitar to a turntable and mixer should diversify gameplay and make the experience even more entertaining.
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