OK now this is neat. One Eric Ruth, retro games enthusiast, has created an 8-bit playable version of DJ Hero for the PC. And the 70s and 80s mashups sound pretty incredible in chiptune form. They include Ray Parker Jr’s “Ghostbusters”/Huey Lewis & the News’ “I Want A New Drug” (demonstrated in the video above) and Queen’s “We Will Rock You”/Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock & Roll” (see it in action after the break). There are six mashups to play using keyboard keys. And if I must be honest here, the NES-influenced remake is more addicting than Activision’s modern take. Go on and download the game for free at Ruth’s website; there you’ll also find a “pixel force” edition of Left 4 Dead.
Update: Reader “laus_hel” has pointed out that the game is no longer available to download from Ruth’s website. Bummer! But there must be other ways of finding it…
DJ Hero 2, the Activision music game that features 83 original, exclusive mixes, is available for all wannabe amateur DJs today! Let’s talk bundles. The Party Bundle ($149.99) includes a copy of the game, two turntable controllers, and a microphone. The Turntable Bundle ($99.99) includes a copy of the game and one turntable controller. You can also purchase the standalone game ($59.99). In addition to these bundles, retailers are offering limited-time extras. If you purchase the game at Amazon between 10/17 & 10/23 you will receive a free copy of Linkin Park’s album A Thousand Suns; if you purchase the Party or Turntable Bundle at Best Buy you will receive a premium hard-shell turntable carrying case that converts to a performance-ready DJ stand; and if you get the Party Bundle for Xbox 360 or Wii at WalMart you will receive a free copy of the original DJ Hero. Not bad, eh? Look after the break for the full PR.
With an October 19 release date lingering just around the corner, Activision deemed it appropriate to unveil the DJ Hero 2 tracklist. The list includes 105 songs in total, and these will be stratigically mashed together to create 85 unique playable mixes. Says Dan Neil of FreeStyleGames: “The individual songs that have been mixed into the DJ Hero 2 soundtrack have been viewed online more than 1.5 billion times, which really speaks volumes to both the size and scope of our music. Working with some of the best DJs in the world, we were able to take this amazing collection of the biggest pop, hip-hop and dance hits, and with some turntable magic, craft the best soundtrack in entertainment.” The tracklist includes songs from 2Pac, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, A-Trak, B.o.B., Daft Punk, David Guetta, Deadmau5, Eminem, Justice, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Tiesto, Timbaland, Young Jeezy, and oh-so-much more. Jump after the break to view the full tracklist.
For about a month now we’ve known that DJ Hero 2 is releasing on all major consoles starting at $99 sometime this fall. [Update: It releases October 19.] What we’ve eagerly been waiting for is the official tracklist. Though the mashups have yet to be revealed, we now know all 108 artists that will be featured in the game. Some of the standouts include 2Pac, B.o.B, Bruno Mars, Daft Punk, David Guetta, Deadmau5, Dr. Dre, Drake, Eminem, Gorillaz, Jackson 5, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Lady Gaga, Metallica…ah who am I kidding? The list is pretty stellar so just jump after the break to check it out.
DJ Hero is getting significantly upgraded in its second installment. DJ Hero 2 will feature over 70 never before heard mixes with artists ranging from Dr. Dre, The Chemical Brothers, Kanye West, Metallica, and Rihanna. Only three mixes have been revealed: Lady Gaga “Just Dance” Mixed With Deadmau5 “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff”, Pussycat Dolls “Don’t Cha” Mixed With Pitbull “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”, and MSTRKRFT “Bounce” Beat Juggle. Deadmau5 will also be featured as an in-game playable character. This game will include something the original did not–a story mode. In Empire Mode, “players start out as an up-and-coming DJ on the road to becoming the head of a major entertainment empire, all of which is founded solely on their success as a DJ.” There will also be a couple new multiplayer modes. DJ Battles will “pit DJ against DJ in mixes produced specifically for battle gameplay.” This mode differs from the multiplayer experience in the first game. Previously both players played the same notes and battled for the high score. This new mode has players take turns with the notes, making it feel more like a genuine head-to-head DJ battle. Gameplay is separated into checkpoints, and the objective is to collect the most checkpoints.
With the original DJ Hero, players were given the option to connect their own mic into the deck’s USB port to freestyle vocals over mixes. DJ Hero 2 integrates the mic as a standard intrument in gameplay. If you choose to play along with/as a vocalist, on-screen lyrics will appear at the top of the screen and you’ll be scored on pitch and accuracy.
DJ Hero 2 will arrive this fall on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Wii. The “Party Bundle” includes the game, two turntables, and a microphone (if you opt for this bundle, you can select a white deck). The “Turntable Bundle” includes the game and one turntable. They will go for $149.99 & $99.99, respectively. Also the game will sell standalone at $59.99. Pre-order here. More details will spill next week at E3, so stay tuned. For now, check out the awesome trailer above!
For all you DJ Heros out there here’s something to scratch about: the turntable accessory is now available to purchase separately from the game. It’ll cost you about $70, but it’ll enable two-player DJ battles to commence. Think about it.
Last week DJ Jazzy Jeff sat in with house band The Roots for an episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He was there to scratch out with the band and promote the release of DJ Hero. This clip is a ‘best of’ that shows off Jazzy Jeff’s best material throughout the night; it also features a segment where Fallon and guests Ian Somerhalder (Lost‘s Boone) and Rosie O’Donnell give DJ Hero a try.
Also, look after the break for two IGN behind-the-scenes making-of DJ Hero videos.
DJ Hero is available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii at $119.99. The standard bundle comes with the game and the turntable. Don’t forget about the Renegade Edition. For $199.99 you get the game, a sleeker premium turntable, a carrying case and stand, and a 2-CD pack containing Jay-Z and Eminem tracks. Look after the break for a video featuring Eminem talking about the product.
Still on the fence about this pricey purchase? Head on over to IGN and read their rave review. They awarded DJ Hero a 9.0/10 and say “In an overcrowded genre of music games, DJ Hero resides at the very top with the best of ’em. The original mixes are stunning and scratching the turntable is just as fun as it seems.” “…DJ Hero is already the most exciting music game around and is guaranteed to get the party started.”
And if that’s not enough for you, IGN has recently reported that downloadable tracks will be making their way to DJ Hero starting tomorrow. Joining the original 93 songs are “All Of Me” by 50 Cent featuring Mary J. Blige vs. “Radio Ga Ga” by Queen and “DARE” by Gorillaz vs. “Can’t Truss It” by Public Enemy. A David Guetta Mix Pack is also on its way, coming November 24.
We already knew that the special edition of DJ Hero will include a custom turntable, a DJ stand, a carrying case, and tracks from Jay-Z and Eminem. This week the included tracks were fnally revealed to the public. Each rapper will be bringing 12 songs to the mix and will be loaded on two separate CDs. Some of Jay-Z’s songs include “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” “Show Me What You Got,” “Roc Boys (And the Winner Is…),” “Brooklyn Go Hard (Featuring Santigold),” and “D.O.A. (Death of Auto Tune).” Some of Eminem’s (hand-picked) songs include “Public Enemy No. 1,” “Say What You Say (featuring Dr. Dre),” “Lose Yourself,” “Say Goodbye to Hollywood,” and “Soldier.” Keep in mind, though, that these songs are not playable in-game; they are audio CDs soley for listening to. Bummer, I know!
DJ Hero ($119.99) releases alongside its special edition counterpart ($199.99) on October 27.
Today Activision announced a special version of its new DJ Hero video game. Dubbed DJ Hero Renegade Edition, the bundle will include a deluxe turntable peripheral with premium metal controls and finish, a hardshell carrying case that transforms into a stand, and 2 CDs that contain some unreleased Eminem and Jay-Z tracks. With the standard edition of DJ Hero priced at $120, expect to pay a premium on this upgraded version of the turntable and included extras. Check out the gallery of images below. DJ Hero is due out in late October.
Update:DJ Hero Renegade Edition will cost $199.99. This is an $80 premuium over the standard edtion. Make your choice when it ships on October 27.
You may have noticed the DJ Hero turntable peripheral in the Kid Cudi “Make Her Say” music video. This promotional tie-in was no coincidence. It has been made official that a remix of Kid Cudi’s “Day n’ Nite” will be featured in the upcoming video game this October. His single will be mixed with the Black Eyed Peas hit “Boom Boom Pow.” Check out the video above for a sneak peak.
