Something went wrong. Try again later
    Follow

    DJ Hero

    Game » consists of 21 releases. Released Oct 27, 2009

    FreeStyleGames' DJ Hero uses a turntable controller to bring Guitar Hero-like gameplay to more genres and styles of music.

    DJs Are Not Rockstars. But Are They Heroes?

    Avatar image for jeff
    jeff

    6357

    Forum Posts

    107208

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 20

    Edited By jeff
    DJ Hero is a bit easier to wrap your mind around once you've watched someone play it.
    DJ Hero is a bit easier to wrap your mind around once you've watched someone play it.
    DJ Hero is a game that you'll probably need to see in motion before it makes much sense. And I'm not talking about just watching a gameplay video. You'll need to see someone actually using the controller. Now that I've seen someone using the controller and gotten a brief demo of what, exactly, the different buttons do, DJ Hero looks like an interesting and unique twist on the rhythm game formula.

    Initially, the only part that seems to directly translate over from the Guitar Hero games are the three note lanes that come down the highway. When gems come down those lanes, you need to hit the matching buttons on the turntable. When lengthier stretches come down the pike, you can start scratching the turntable back and forth. And when the lanes move out to one side or the other, that's your cue to slap the crossfader in one direction or the other.

    There are also opportunities to turn a multi-effect knob that seems to function sort of like the whammy bar on a Guitar Hero guitar and a button that will turn on euphoria mode, which is the game's equivalent to star power. All told, it looks more dynamic and more authentic than, say, the piano keys and unexpressive turntable used by the Beatmania series. Also, the controller is surprisingly light and feels pretty nice. The rubber mat used on the turntable make gripping it for scratching or rewinding easy. You can detach the mixer section from the turntable and connect it to the other side, allowing for a left-handed configuration. This also allows for two turntables to be hooked up simultaneously, but that's not going to actually do anything in-game. Hey, they have to save something for the inevitable sequel, right?

    Musically, DJ Hero is described as a mash-up game that combines two tracks into one. When word of that first got out, I was sort of depressed about it, because most of the mash-ups that get out there simply slap the vocal track from one song onto the instrumental from the other. Maybe the guy putting them together takes the time to chop up the vocals a bit or transpose one track into the key of the other, but most of the mash-up work out there feels like amateur hour. So it's good that Activision and FreeStyleGames are going further than that. These mixes--some of which have been created by skilled individuals such as DJ Shadow and DJ Z-Trip--have some genuine turntablism to them, with chopped-up vocals, elements of both instrumental tracks, and some extra samples to fill it out even further.

    You'll still build streaks in DJ Hero.
    You'll still build streaks in DJ Hero.
    So crossing songs like Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl with Rick James' Give It To Me ends up sounding a lot better than you'd initially think. And Activision's licensing department has obviously shifted into overdrive to make DJ Hero happen, since they'll have to license twice as many tracks than they have songs in the game. So don't assume that the announced numbers of somewhere over 100 songs being licensed for the game will mean that this will have the longest set list of any modern rhythm game. Chop that number in half and you'll have a better idea about where the final number of playable tracks may end up. Speaking of numbers, it's also been announced that ten of the game's tracks will feature support for the Guitar Hero guitar, setting up a "DJ vs. Guitar" mode where one player cuts it up on the ones and ones while a second player plays guitar, complete with a very GH-like highway on-screen. The game will also have microphone support, but not for any actual gameplay. If you plug in a mic, it will let you speak through it during gameplay. So if you want to be one of those awful club DJs that's always shouting their own name while they mix, go right ahead. Jerk.

    Previous attempts to turn record spinning into gameplay have left me almost totally disappointed. That's not to say that the Beatmania games are bad, but the turntable in that game may as well have been a button. Despite some weird-sounding stuff, like putting buttons on the record itself, DJ Hero ends up looking and feeling a bit more like the real thing than the games that have come before it. And after seeing it in action and talking to a couple of the people behind the game, I've come away from the demo feeling pretty excited about the game's 2009 release. The one big question still remaining is the price. While retailers have been listing the game as a 10/27 release for $120, Activision isn't confirming that date or that price, and would only say that the price would likely be closer to the neighborhood of the guitar-and-game Guitar Hero bundles, which are more like $99.99.

      

    Avatar image for jeff
    jeff

    6357

    Forum Posts

    107208

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 20

    #1  Edited By jeff
    DJ Hero is a bit easier to wrap your mind around once you've watched someone play it.
    DJ Hero is a bit easier to wrap your mind around once you've watched someone play it.
    DJ Hero is a game that you'll probably need to see in motion before it makes much sense. And I'm not talking about just watching a gameplay video. You'll need to see someone actually using the controller. Now that I've seen someone using the controller and gotten a brief demo of what, exactly, the different buttons do, DJ Hero looks like an interesting and unique twist on the rhythm game formula.

    Initially, the only part that seems to directly translate over from the Guitar Hero games are the three note lanes that come down the highway. When gems come down those lanes, you need to hit the matching buttons on the turntable. When lengthier stretches come down the pike, you can start scratching the turntable back and forth. And when the lanes move out to one side or the other, that's your cue to slap the crossfader in one direction or the other.

    There are also opportunities to turn a multi-effect knob that seems to function sort of like the whammy bar on a Guitar Hero guitar and a button that will turn on euphoria mode, which is the game's equivalent to star power. All told, it looks more dynamic and more authentic than, say, the piano keys and unexpressive turntable used by the Beatmania series. Also, the controller is surprisingly light and feels pretty nice. The rubber mat used on the turntable make gripping it for scratching or rewinding easy. You can detach the mixer section from the turntable and connect it to the other side, allowing for a left-handed configuration. This also allows for two turntables to be hooked up simultaneously, but that's not going to actually do anything in-game. Hey, they have to save something for the inevitable sequel, right?

    Musically, DJ Hero is described as a mash-up game that combines two tracks into one. When word of that first got out, I was sort of depressed about it, because most of the mash-ups that get out there simply slap the vocal track from one song onto the instrumental from the other. Maybe the guy putting them together takes the time to chop up the vocals a bit or transpose one track into the key of the other, but most of the mash-up work out there feels like amateur hour. So it's good that Activision and FreeStyleGames are going further than that. These mixes--some of which have been created by skilled individuals such as DJ Shadow and DJ Z-Trip--have some genuine turntablism to them, with chopped-up vocals, elements of both instrumental tracks, and some extra samples to fill it out even further.

    You'll still build streaks in DJ Hero.
    You'll still build streaks in DJ Hero.
    So crossing songs like Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl with Rick James' Give It To Me ends up sounding a lot better than you'd initially think. And Activision's licensing department has obviously shifted into overdrive to make DJ Hero happen, since they'll have to license twice as many tracks than they have songs in the game. So don't assume that the announced numbers of somewhere over 100 songs being licensed for the game will mean that this will have the longest set list of any modern rhythm game. Chop that number in half and you'll have a better idea about where the final number of playable tracks may end up. Speaking of numbers, it's also been announced that ten of the game's tracks will feature support for the Guitar Hero guitar, setting up a "DJ vs. Guitar" mode where one player cuts it up on the ones and ones while a second player plays guitar, complete with a very GH-like highway on-screen. The game will also have microphone support, but not for any actual gameplay. If you plug in a mic, it will let you speak through it during gameplay. So if you want to be one of those awful club DJs that's always shouting their own name while they mix, go right ahead. Jerk.

    Previous attempts to turn record spinning into gameplay have left me almost totally disappointed. That's not to say that the Beatmania games are bad, but the turntable in that game may as well have been a button. Despite some weird-sounding stuff, like putting buttons on the record itself, DJ Hero ends up looking and feeling a bit more like the real thing than the games that have come before it. And after seeing it in action and talking to a couple of the people behind the game, I've come away from the demo feeling pretty excited about the game's 2009 release. The one big question still remaining is the price. While retailers have been listing the game as a 10/27 release for $120, Activision isn't confirming that date or that price, and would only say that the price would likely be closer to the neighborhood of the guitar-and-game Guitar Hero bundles, which are more like $99.99.

      

    Avatar image for zmilla
    ZmillA

    2519

    Forum Posts

    195

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 4

    #2  Edited By ZmillA

    After watching videos of people playing it, I'm fairly certain that im going to buy this. And I haven't bought ANY guitar hero/rockband games.

    Avatar image for trnck
    Trnck

    456

    Forum Posts

    151

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 4

    #3  Edited By Trnck

    I liked beatmania, it's so much fun.

    Avatar image for darkspirit138
    darkspirit138

    504

    Forum Posts

    442

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 3

    User Lists: 0

    #5  Edited By darkspirit138

    hmm..

    Avatar image for shaunwoo
    shaunwoo

    49

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #6  Edited By shaunwoo

    Once I see the track list, I will know if I get this or not.

    Avatar image for andyx0wnedxu
    ANDYx0WNEDxU

    107

    Forum Posts

    1119

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 3

    #7  Edited By ANDYx0WNEDxU

    Here is a video of it being played with dj skee talking through it:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NChO-LJHf4

    Avatar image for rotbot
    RotBot

    32

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 1

    #8  Edited By RotBot
    Scratch: The Ultimate DJ revealed its controller too.  It looks a bit more like the Beatmania controller than DJ Hero.  The screenshots also give off a heavy Beatmania vibe.  Any news on that lawsuit?  It doesn't seem to be affecting DJ Hero much at E3, contrary to the prediction in the Bombcast.
    Avatar image for gearhead
    gearhead

    2381

    Forum Posts

    1594

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 7

    #9  Edited By gearhead

    I only bought GH3 just to see what Guitar Hero was about, and I thought it was ok. I play guitar, so I see real need for me to play it. Though with this, I don't know how the fuck to operate a turn table so it could be quite fun. 

    Avatar image for venatio
    Venatio

    4757

    Forum Posts

    288

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 6

    #10  Edited By Venatio

    This looks alot better then I expected, I wanna see the full setlist before deciding on buying it though

    Avatar image for brendan
    Brendan

    9414

    Forum Posts

    533

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 7

    #11  Edited By Brendan

    This video made me want this game.  Done.

    Avatar image for sick_sick_sick
    Sick_Sick_Sick

    104

    Forum Posts

    5

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 1

    #12  Edited By Sick_Sick_Sick

    if justice and daft punk are in then this will probably my game of the year

    Avatar image for jon93
    jon93

    167

    Forum Posts

    468

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 3

    #13  Edited By jon93

    That song was awesome, I want it on my ipod hardcore.

    Avatar image for cazamalos
    Cazamalos

    991

    Forum Posts

    11

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 3

    #14  Edited By Cazamalos

    til dj hero goes out, im still be playing DJ Max and going out to play beatmania, but dj hero looks more fun than beatmania i must confess

    Avatar image for absurd
    Absurd

    2932

    Forum Posts

    2200

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 0

    #15  Edited By Absurd

    That looked good, and those guys were awesome.

    Avatar image for kallistosprom
    kallistosprom

    52

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #16  Edited By kallistosprom

    so um any dance music in it? those other brits out there will know what i'm on about. Those are the ones in the UK which usually get mashed up.

    Avatar image for addictedtopinescent
    addictedtopinescent

    3634

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 1

    I'm really glad this looks like it won't suck

    Avatar image for kingshorty
    KingShorty

    3

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #18  Edited By KingShorty

    I'll be purchasing this fo sho!

    Avatar image for damnboyadvance
    damnboyadvance

    4216

    Forum Posts

    1020

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 20

    User Lists: 4

    #19  Edited By damnboyadvance

    This is exactly what I thought. I told all of my friends, you can't just watch the gameplay. You have to watch the peripheral being used. It's sweet! I'm getting this, no doubt.

    Avatar image for manks
    Manks

    862

    Forum Posts

    208

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 3

    User Lists: 6

    #20  Edited By Manks

    Much better than I thought it would be.  I may purchase this.

    Avatar image for gruff182
    Gruff182

    1065

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #21  Edited By Gruff182

    Rick James, Bitch!!

    Avatar image for knifeyspoony
    KnifeySpoony

    1281

    Forum Posts

    41

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 1

    #22  Edited By KnifeySpoony

    I like that they have DJ Shadow, but most likely I will never see this game.

    Avatar image for fox01313
    fox01313

    5256

    Forum Posts

    2246

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 19

    #23  Edited By fox01313

    Are dj's heroes, nope. Questionable on if they can call themselves musicians either. Some songs I've heard remixed by djs turn out rather well but I can never understand why some dj will put out an album instead of just letting the artist who had their work sampled by the dj, put it on one of their cds.

    Also agreeing with the podcast where the dj will just steal your girl, never play the music you want, etc. The game might be fun to people who like it but I don't see this one game taking off like Guitar Hero or Rock Band. Lego Rock band also falls in the same catagory as DJ hero, if that game (LRB) was more like a band's journey through the world collecting instruments/studs/band ppl and then have the occasional concerts in a simplified lego version of Rock Band. To me both these make not a whole lot of sense on the demand for them being that high. 

    Avatar image for gunslingernz
    gunslingerNZ

    2010

    Forum Posts

    300

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 5

    #24  Edited By gunslingerNZ

    Kinda lame, music will suck and this isn't a party game in the way guitar hero and rockband are.

    Avatar image for clubsandwich
    clubsandwich

    3961

    Forum Posts

    2399

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 9

    #25  Edited By clubsandwich

    I still don't get it :( I mean it looks amazing but I just don't understand how you use it :/ :(

    Avatar image for kraznor
    kraznor

    1646

    Forum Posts

    14136

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 5

    User Lists: 12

    #26  Edited By kraznor

    Still don't entirely get it, but I am intrigued. Hopefully this Brutal Legend lawsuit business will be sorted out by then so I can once again purchase Activision products.

    Avatar image for aaron_g
    Aaron_G

    1694

    Forum Posts

    3259

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 8

    User Lists: 6

    #27  Edited By Aaron_G

    Thumbs up!

    Avatar image for paradigmer
    Paradigmer

    263

    Forum Posts

    43

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 2

    #28  Edited By Paradigmer

    Can't wait to hear the full song list, and can't wait to buy it either!

    Avatar image for hamst3r
    Hamst3r

    5520

    Forum Posts

    7837

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 11

    User Lists: 2

    #29  Edited By Hamst3r

    I...am...playing...to the rhy-thm! Look at me succeeding!

    Avatar image for toadstule
    toadstule

    299

    Forum Posts

    17

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #30  Edited By toadstule

    This game looks like so much fun to play. Too bad peripherals add so much to a game's cost...

    Avatar image for crazedjoker
    CrazedJoker

    332

    Forum Posts

    120

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 3

    #32  Edited By CrazedJoker

    This is horrible.

    Avatar image for gesi1223
    gesi1223

    266

    Forum Posts

    111

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 1

    #33  Edited By gesi1223

    Really excited for this game, looks like it'll be a lot of fun, and since I'm a fan of the music styles this game caters to I doubt i'll be disappointed.

    Avatar image for skrutop
    skrutop

    3810

    Forum Posts

    23630

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 48

    User Lists: 14

    #34  Edited By skrutop

    The demo was really impressive, but I'm not really into mash-ups.

    Avatar image for rhcpfan24
    RHCPfan24

    8663

    Forum Posts

    22301

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 16

    User Lists: 8

    #35  Edited By RHCPfan24

    This looks cool, but I am still not buying another peripheral for another music game. I just....can't.

    Avatar image for patchinko
    Patchinko

    885

    Forum Posts

    509

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 2

    User Lists: 6

    #36  Edited By Patchinko

    I really loved Beatmania back in the day (is that back in the day), but this looks pretty different. Still excited about it, though.

    Avatar image for media_master
    Media_Master

    3259

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #37  Edited By Media_Master

    That looks like fun

    Avatar image for gesi1223
    gesi1223

    266

    Forum Posts

    111

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 1

    #38  Edited By gesi1223
    @ShaunWoo said:
    " Once I see the track list, I will know if I get this or not. "
    http://www.djhero.com/music

    Here are 4 of the songs that will be playable. All they've shown so far.

    This edit will also create new pages on Giant Bomb for:

    Beware, you are proposing to add brand new pages to the wiki along with your edits. Make sure this is what you intended. This will likely increase the time it takes for your changes to go live.

    Comment and Save

    Until you earn 1000 points all your submissions need to be vetted by other Giant Bomb users. This process takes no more than a few hours and we'll send you an email once approved.