Introducing DJ Hero (do we need another Hero?)

No more Heroes.

(Credit: Activision)

Forget new consoles: if game publishers got their wish, we'd stick with the system we have and just buy endless peripherals. Activision's latest announcement in its ever-growing Hero series is DJ Hero, a new game focusing on the joys of being a turntable-spinning club god.

While the idea could be pretty fun--in fact, Konami already semi-explored it in Beatmania--the new turntable accessory, while pretty, is yet another plastic device to tuck under the television and get dusty.

Activision claims that a big part of DJ Hero is the live remixing of popular songs across genres, as would be expected. If that means mashups, then this could get pretty wild.

Regardless, let us reflect for a moment on the plastification of modern gaming. This generation's peripheral count is skyrocketing--DDR mats, cameras, Wii Fit boards, wheels, Wii MotionPlus dongles, big-button game show controllers, and a tremendous plastic band list of guitars, drums, mikes and extra bass pedals. About the only thing we're missing is a synthesizer, a cowbell, and a didgeridoo. Count up the amount you'll spend on old and new versions of all these plastic tzochkes, and it'll make any grown person cry.

No pricing has been announced yet for the game's debut this fall, but it'll obviously cost more than a game that had no peripheral at all.

(Via Kotaku)

[jeremyling]

really its taken this long before US game makers can come out with games like rockband, guitar heros, and now this.... come on now back in asia theyve been playin these games in mid to late 90s already.

[B-McGee]

the time-to-market probably has something to do with getting the licensing agreements from the labels for the songs. gotta pay the bigwigs an exorbitant sum to be granted the rights to use a song...a song you've more than likely already purchased on some platform already (cd, mp3, etc). these games would actually be worth buying if you could import your existing music libraries, otherwise, I'm not paying $99 for a plastic toy with 3 buttons just so I can mix songs on a screen (songs I already own legally). plus, what do you do with your sweet mix - you probably can't publish it anywhere or record it, so who really cares? and i really hate to say it, but i just don't see how the demographic this game is targeted at can even afford purchasing it.

[mjsco]

NO joke the USA has some really good touch screen aplications I think that if these types of dj games are going to work people have to be interested in the artists, and the technology. I love dj z-trip not so much dj AM but they could have multiple controllers with multiple others games to come along. They are making this more about the artists than anything. http://www.djtimes.com/bestdj/vote.asp

[ZetaZeta_]

I wish Konami had brought IIDX over.

[EveningStarNM]

First a game requiring the skill to play air guitar (in lieu of the motivation to learn to play a real guitar), and now we have a game requiring the skill to rotate a disc on a fixed platform... jeez. Our educational system is the absolute pits.

[mediocrates--2008]

Amen!

[faasteddie]

Wack! What a terrible idea. There is art in good DJing. Not simply spinning one track into another. Its about have the foresite to put together multiple complimentary sounds and beats from many albums as one continous artform. keeping the crescendos coming and going!!!!! Cant see how you will do that with 3 buttons.

[baconstang]

Hero??? Who do you save?

[adasha76]

"About the only thing we're missing is a synthesizer, a cowbell, and a didgeridoo."

Surely its only a matter of time before keyboards and synths become accessories, cowbells are already in Lips and (afaik) Wii Music as instruments at least, and as for the didgeridoo, good idea, we should definitely do that. Rolf Harris Hero anyone?

[NervClaX]

The answere is: No, we do not need more "Hero" games from Activision and self-professed video game hater Robert Kotick. This is a man so proud, so smug in his ability to drive good franchises into the ground, I would like to wipe the grin off his face.

I don't understand how/why Blizzard would go through with this merger. They are the most consistent cash-cow in gaming. They didn't need Activision. You can already see what effect this is having on them. There are going to be 3 SKUs for Starcraft 2...one for each playable race.

Infinity Ward is too good to be dragged down by Activision, as well.

[On_The_Other_Hand]

well, i see that there are many negative remarks for this new product, but realistically DJ is very popular especially with the young generation. For those who like music and dont want to spend thousands on the real equipment, this is perfect. I dont think it will be a big hit like guitar hero but still a good idea for those who like to DJ for a hobby. Hey, maybe you hook this up to your surround sound at home and when you have a house party you can be the main attraction.

[mjsco]

dj z-trip is going to own on this game I can't wait. I'm all about voting for ztrip he's the man http://www.djtimes.com/bestdj/vote.asp