Music and videogames go together like Froot Loops and Marshmallow Fluff (just trust us on that one), so it should come as no surprise that this year's E3 saw more than its fair share of beat-centric videogames. Here's a sampling of what's in store.
RedOctane's follow-up to the game that finally put those air guitar skills to use, Guitar Hero II features a brand new track list--Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" and Primus' "John the Fisherman", to name but a couple. Even better, a multiplayer co-op mode allows players to not only play lead guitar, but also rhythm or bass as well. Go forth and whoop axe once again, young padawan.
Universe brings the classic DDR series to Xbox 360 for the first time. Brand new is the "relay mode," which invites groups of players to tag-team the dance mat for some marathon sessions, while Xbox Live and wireless four-player split-screen support brings the multiplayer action home. Oh, and 360-exclusive downloadable song packs will make sure dat ass stays tight like spandex jumpsuits.
Think of it as Tetris for glow stick sets: the original hyper-addictive music/puzzle game Lumines is coming to both Xbox 360 (as an Xbox Live Arcade download) and mobile phones, as well as back to PSP in the form of a full-fledged sequel. All versions will feature new levels, songs, and modes, as well as the ability to download new playable tunes via the magic that is the Internet. Say it with us: LOO-MI-NIS.
Didn't Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo always seem like it would make a great videogame? Every move in B-Boy is motion-captured from the experts-including world famous Crazy Legs, who also acts as the game's MC. It's all about working the beat with well-timed combos and freezes, and you'll battle around the globe in real locations and events, set to a soundtrack hand-picked by the b-boys Sony tapped for its game. Strike a pose, bros.
Unveiled by the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto as a dramatic introduction to the power of Nintendo's Wii, Orchestra Conducting is exactly what it sounds like--wave the baton at the right speed and angle, and your super-deformed orchestra plays along accordingly. Also on display at Nintendo's booth was a brilliant drumming simulator: with a Wii remote in each hand, players bang on virtual drums in an attempt to keep the beat. Wiiva la revolution!
Proving that not all music games are, in fact, exactly the same, Elite Beat Agents presents something decidedly different: namely, putting you in control of three male cheerleaders to solve various peoples' problems. Tap your stylus to the beat to help a babysitting girl ask out a boy, or a lost dog get home via a combination of skateboarding and hitchhiking. Huh? Exactly. The story plays out on the top screen, while the beat juggling take place on the touch screen below-and thankfully, the whole thing is as addictive as it is bizarre.
It was only a matter of time: American Idol combines the features of existing Karaoke Revolution games with the flashy presentation and smug attitude that has made the show so popular in these here United States. There's an all-new American Idol mode, of course, in which your own customized character (complete with an EyeToy-generated face, if you're so equipped) will enter the competition and get rated by a panel of judges-just like on TV! The game will support up to eight players, and 40 all-new songs round out the package, some of which have even appeared on the show. You know, like, on TV!
Not unlike such eccentricities as David Hasslehoff and Nutella, SingStar is "huge in Europe." Something like Karaoke Revolution (but with music videos playing in the background instead of neon convulsions), the game is integrated into Sony's online music service: you'll be able to select from hundreds of songs and download your choices for a small fee. Even better, EyeToy camera owners will be able to record videos of their own performances, save them to your PSP memory stick, and watch them on the small screen. Embarrassment to go!
