'DJ Hero' Video Game Lets You Spin Decks Instead of Play Guitar
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'Dance Hero' Game on the Way?
We're praying that Activision copyrighted the name 'Dance Hero' just to protect the integrity of their property, but something about it just makes us uneasy. The rhythm game genre is starting to feel a little stale. With 'Rock Band' and 'Guitar Hero' essentially becoming the same game, Activision may be looking to expand on its 'Hero' franchise by resurrecting the button stomping genre popularized and dominated by 'Dance Dance Revolution.'
It's not that we have anything against leg flailing games in general, we just wonder how much success Activision plans to have with a clone of a fad of that only saw a lot of success in arcades, which are quickly dying off. [From: Joystiq]
Nintendo DS Version of Guitar Hero Launching This June
There's not a lot of details on this one just yet, but Activision CEO Mike Griffith has dropped word in a earnings conference call that the company's upcoming Guitar Hero: On Tour game / controller combo will not only be released on its own this June, but in a new Nintendo DS bundle as well. No word on a price, unfortunately, nor is there any indication that the DS itself will be undergoing any Guitar Hero-inspired changes, but it seems like those little details should be making themselves known soon enough. [Source: Joystiq]
'Guitar Hero III' Rocks Out to $115 Million Launch
At this year's Electronics Entertainment Expo, the annual gathering where the global gaming media checks out the hottest games in the pipeline, there was a lot of talk about 'Rock Band' versus 'Guitar Hero III.' Some speculated that the alternative 'Rock Band' would send the aging 'Guitar Hero' franchise back to the club scene. But, after receiving great reviews rocking in $115 million in sales over its first week, it seems 'Guitar Hero' can still hold its own compared to the young guns.
'Rock Band' is developed by former 'Guitar Hero' developers Harmonix, while 'Guitar Hero III' is the first in the series developed by Activision -- this what set up the rivalry. 'Rock Band' adds the ability to jam on the guitar or play drums or sing, which means players can form a full virtual band with friends. This multiplayer aspect is leading many to give it it the nod for winning sim-guitar game this holiday. Meanwhile, others just don't think people are ready to pay $170 for the bundle containing a guitar, drums, and microphone.
We actually think there's room for both games on store shelves, since the same guitars will work in both games.And it's quite possible that most people will prefer the richer graphics and deeper campaign of 'Guitar Hero III' once they get used to it.
Also, when people find out just how uncoordinated they are on the drums, they'll discover there's a reason why there are a lot more guitar players in the world than there are drummers.
From Joystiq
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'Guitar Hero III' Is Ready to Rock, Say Reviews
Unless you have been living in a sound and fun-proof cave for the past couple of years, you are more than likely aware of 'Guitar Hero', the rock n' roll simulator that has would-be musicians kicking ass on such guitar-heavy hits as Lynard Skynyrd's "Free Bird" and Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle".
And after a year of waiting, fans can finally get their hands on 'Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock', which was released over the weekend and the reviews thus far indicate the latest game in the series does not disappoint.
With online support, collapsible guitar peripherals and over 70 tracks from classic bands like the Rolling Stones and the Who alongside newer acts like the Killers and AFI, 'Guitar Hero III' is ever bit as entertaining as previous installments and them some.
Below are just a few review quotes from popular gaming media:
IGN.com
"The soundtrack is fantastic and the new online additions are going to take the 'Guitar Hero' community to the next level. It really is hard to argue with any facet of the gameplay."
Yahoo! Games
'Guitar Hero III' won't disappoint either diehard fans or people new to the series. This is the latest step in the stairway to heaven of home rocking.
Official Xbox Magazine
Ultimately, 'GHIII' succeeds as a polished technical workout for top-tier shredders, but the game's magic was never really about pressing buttons anyway--it was about making the player feel like, well, a guitar hero.
If there are any complaints to be had they seem to mostly revolve around the fact that the game's presentation has changed very little in three years and that has perhaps become a little easier to be good at the game.
And it remains to be seen how Guitar Hero III stands up to the upcoming 'Rock Band,' which is being developed by the creators of the original 'Guitar Hero' game and features a full rock band rather than just guitars, as well as some serious licensing deals that promise a vast collection of bands and tracks to choose from.
These nominal issues aside, we plan on spending the next month rocking extremely hard.
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Happy 30th Birthday, Atari!
It's hard to believe it's been 30 years since the release of Atari's famous VCS (Video Computer System) or as it's better known, the 2600. The 2600 was the first successful home video-game console of its kind, and the first 2,600 of them rolled out of the factory in October of 1977.
Fantastic original games and home versions of popular arcade titles helped make the 2600 the ubiquitous entertainment machine it went on to become. Atari and Activision titles are still bundled and played to this day on everything from cell phones to iPods to controllers with the games built right in -- even key chains!
Sometimes it's easy to forget what a cultural touchstone the 2600 and games like 'Pitfall!' were. But think of it this way: People are still willing to pay $5 to play 'Pitfall!' on the tiny screen of their cell phone; Can you imagine anyone doing that for 'Halo 3' in 30 years?
Check out the rather thorough Wikipedia article if you're not up on your Atari history.
From Engadget
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