DJ Hero Stand Alone Software

by ACTIVISION

Product Features

• DJ Hero Renegade Edition Includes the following items -
• DJ Hero Game
• Renegade Turntable Controller featuring premium metal controls and finish
• Hardshell Turntable Carrying Case that converts to performance-ready DJ stand
• Exclusive Jay-Z and Eminem 2-CD pack featuring collectible case designed by artist Shepard Fairey

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002BHXR4G
• Product Dimensions: 16 x 8 x 31 inches ; 24 pounds
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: October 27, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,410 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #47 in Video Games > Xbox 360 > Rhythm > Musical Instruments

Product Description

Platform: Xbox 360 | Edition: Renegade Edition

Amazon.com Hands-On Review

Although the Guitar Hero series has only been around since 2005, the gobs of exposure--or perhaps over exposure--that it has received has fueled an understandable amount of skepticism among many gamers regarding the future of the overall franchise. After all, once a music game has conquered single player, two-player, artist-specific, full band multiplayer and handheld action, where does it go? Answer: into the DJ booth with DJ Hero. Recently I was able to spend some time with a Xbox 360 demo of the game that has been making the rounds, and here is what I came away with. Challenge yourself with realistic DJ gameplay mechanics and multiple point multipliers. View larger. Put your old Guitar Hero axe to work in DJ and Guitar mode. View larger. Go head-to-head against a friend in DJ vs. DJ mode. View larger. Action in DJ Hero revolves around a Guitar Hero style note highway which streams color coated prompts toward the player, in the role of DJ, who input these via the bundled game-specific wireless turntable/mixer controller. The turntable portion of the controller is made up of a realistic platter that spins all the way around in both directions when pushed by the player and has familiar green, red and blue buttons attached on top. The mixer half has a sliding three-position fader bar, a button used to activate star power like "Euphoria" gameplay sections which temporarily double point multipliers, an effects knob and a hidden control panel containing your console's standard navigational buttons. Gameplay takes you through pre matched, two-jam tracks, with the green and blue buttons oriented on the left and right edges of the note highway and on the platter representing these, and the red button in the middle providing a spot to add samples, which can be changed at various times in the game with the effects knob. Players must perform three main types of DJ actions when prompted by the note highway: taps, which are beat matching actions requiring the pushing of buttons on the platter; fader bar moves indicating either a selection of one of the two tracks during the jam, or a mix of the two; and scratching, which entails selecting one of the two tracks on the platter and moving the turntable quickly up and down. In addition, players can activate Euphoria strategically, as success throughout sections of a track fills the Euphoria meter at the left, and shoot for the additional bonus of a Rewind, given for perfection in certain sections, and allowing the player to replay that same section again for additional points. It's interesting how this latest release in the series parallels the historical deconstructive trend in actual pop music, which saw Hip-hop, Electronica, House, and other musical genres rise through the use of DJ sampling and mixing techniques, but does this mean that DJ Hero will enjoy as much success and be as good a play experience as some of the Hero games that came before it? Only time will tell, but after a few hours breaking it down on the DJ deck myself, it seems to me that the game has a major thing going against it, and an equally important positive thing going for it that together will probably decide this for most players. The negative is that the controller used is a bit more difficult to operate than any used in earlier games, except perhaps the drums of Guitar Hero World Tour, while the positive is that the overall gameplay is as fun and infectious as any seen in the series. To be clear, the controller issues alluded to are by no means a deal breaker. More than anything else, what the vast majority of players will be challenged by in the DJ Hero controller is their unfamiliarity with a DJ deck. As popular as DJ influenced music is in reality, not too many fans per capita have had hands-on experience with the tools of the trade, unlike the legions of Guitar Hero fans, purchasing in their millions, who are at least somewhat familiar with how a guitar, drum and microphone work. Another inconvenience related to the controller is its fairly cramped layout, with both sections residing right next to each other and no apparent way to create space between the two pieces without disconnecting them. This is enhanced by the fact that in many cases the controller may be more easily worked from a high platform in front of the standing player, potentially making this lack of space even more of a problem. But as with any new controller type, muscle memory will kick in with practice and players become more comfortable with the basic DJ mechanics of the game. There are also some simple hints doled out by the in-game tutorials that should be heeded, like when scratching make sure to let go at the end of each scratch, and anchor your hand to the turntable deck with your thumb to avoid spinning the platter too wildly. Also, the two pieces of the controller can be swapped to allow for left-handed play, and thankfully DJ Hero's development team recognized that discouraged players are not a good thing and did away with the familiar Guitar Hero scenario of AI audiences booing a player off the stage. If you are screwing up they will still let you know, but at least players will always get the experience of finishing. At the end of each set you are rated at 1-5 stars, where the more stars you get the more tracks are unlocked and DJ gear is made available to you. The gradual organization of the game's four play settings also help you build confidence by introducing more advanced skills as you progress. In Easy, players primarily use tapping and a simplified form of scratching. The Medium setting adds fader bar functionality. Play on the Hard level requires precise directional scratching, where you must scratch in the same direction as the note highway. The assumption is that Expert level bumps things up even farther, although this level was not available with the demo played. Finally, as part of the fun built into the game, players can expect various ways to play and experience the game. These include a variety of gameplay modes including single player, a head-to-head multiplayer DJ vs. DJ mode where two players work their way through the same track for the best possible point total, the multiplayer Guitar and DJ mode which is compatible with all Guitar Hero guitars made for the same platform, and Party Mode where scoring is turned off and you can just listen to the 80+ unique mixes by big name DJs included in the game. And as with all games in the Guitar Hero series players can expect some pretty deep character customization options to be made available as their skills rise. Taken together does all this equate to a quality music gameplay experience? Well, what I've seen is pretty solid, so if you are a fan of both Guitar Hero type gameplay and DJ music and culture, I'd say you almost certainly will not be disappointed. Also, with its new controller, as well as different and in many places, challenging gameplay, if you are more interested in DJ Hero as a departure from series' very well-worn gameplay mold, you will probably be equally happy. Tom Milnes, Amazon.com/games freelance contributor

Product Description

DJ Hero Renegade Bundle

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Additional Discs NOT In-Game., October 30, 2009

By 

Fluffhead42 "Welcome to You're DOOM" (Heathrow, FL) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Xbox 360 DJ Hero Renegade Edition Featuring Jay-Z and Eminem (Video Game)

This game is a ton of fun to play. You will definitely need to play the tutorial levels before jumping in as there are many things requiring your attention all at once, but once you get the gist, the gameplay and music will keep you coming back for more. I have a few minor issues with the renegade edition. First,I was under the impression that the point of this version was to have additional playable tracks provided by Jay-Z and Eminem. That is not the case. The two disc set you receive with this edition are music CDs of tracks from both artists. That's great and all, but I already have all of the music (except the one exclusive Eminem track) from other CDs so this is not really a selling point for me. The case in which everything comes packed is a welcome addition as I'm not sure where I would store one more peripheral in my living room. However, once I attached the legs to make the case into a DJ stand which seems like a nice feature, I found that at my height, on carpet, the stand is a bit wobbly, which makes it more difficult to effectively scratch during the game. When I placed the turntable controller on the coffee table and played from there, the game is much easier to play. My last gripe is that there are (so far) no unedited tracks. This is the perfect medium for an M rating to allow the adult players to hear profanity and suggestive content if they so choose. In fact, that two-disc set that came with this version as a bonus has the parental warning and is indeed unedited. Over all a great game, and if you have the Jay-Z and Em songs and don't have a storage issue, I'd say save your money and skip the Renegade edition in favor of the regular version. I must say that I have not actually used the non-renegade turntable controller though so I can't vouch for its feel (the Renegade version feels heavy and solid).

GO DJ!

26 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DJ Hero Renegade, November 1, 2009

By 

Erin L. Fels (BROOKLYN NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Xbox 360 DJ Hero Renegade Edition Featuring Jay-Z and Eminem (Video Game)

Before I made my actual decision on which DJ Hero to purchase, I researched and read many reviews on Amazon to help me. I kept reading reviews on how $80 on the Renegade was ridiculous because all you get is a stand/case and a CD. Amnd through reading other people's views, I was siding with them. Yes, times are hard and no, I dont really have the money to waste but when I asked my Husband we decided to do the Renegade Edition. And I am SOOO HAPPY that we did.
I found it best to set the stand up for play. If I did not have the stand, I would have been hitting myself for passing it up. This game is truly a game for all to love. It is all and more than it was made out to be. If you are unsure whether to spend the money - get the game no matter what! But, if you are able to get the stand, it more accessible for play and to put away when done.
We cannot wait for the DJ Hero 2 to come out... hopefully soon.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DJ Hero was what I was hoping for, November 6, 2009

By 

alexei - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Xbox 360 DJ Hero Renegade Edition Featuring Jay-Z and Eminem (Video Game)

The goods:
I opted for the renegade edition because I didn't want to have to setup some a hodgepodge of coffee table, stack of books, or the right size stool to jam with. In-lap could work ok, but then the arm placement is cramped. If you feel like you'll have a good setup without the stand then I wouldn't worry about getting this edition, but I'm glad that I got it despite the crazy price because I have a setup that works well while sitting or standing and doesn't get in the way. The case gives the impression of surprizing high quality but had a slight cosmetic manufacturing defect. I decided to live with that, but some quality control here would have been nice.

The turntable itself appears to be well made and has a solid feel. One thing that surpised me, is that the crossfade does in fact snap into the middle of its track, and its enough for me to have the tactile feel I need to control it well. Many reviewers have raised the issue that there is not enough feedback there, but at least for me, I have no complaints. If I move the crossfader from one side to the other it will stop in the middle if a light enough hand is applied. I don't know if this feel is exclusive to the Renegade edition or not, as I have not tried the standard turntable.

The effects dial also has a solid feel as well as the turntable. The overall impression of the hardware is one of realism and quality. So apart from the cosmetic manufacturing defect on the outside of the case/stand, the hardware itself gets a solid A.

The gameplay:
Solid hardware or not, if the gameplay suffers there is going to be a serious problem. The presentation is right for this type of game, it is flashy and technical. Laser like effects provide feedback while spinning, lines animate and light up as they are activated or disappear after a mistake, and a lot of information is packed into a small area. Button presses, crossfades, crossfader spikes, directional scratches, generic scratches, freestyle zones, effects zones, euphoria guage, and multiplier and rewind indicator are all grouped around the spinning record animation. This is the kind of technical look that is well suited for DJing (and particularly electronica) in my mind, and I really liked it.

The gameplay itself is good on medium difficulty (have not tried easy apart from the tutorial) but it really shines on hard and especially expert difficulty. One important attribute of these types of games is that they must draw one in and give the illusion that the player is creating or greatly affecting the music. This illusion is understandbly strongest when the actions and movements the player is making are closely aligned with what is going on in the music.

This is where DJ Hero shows both a weakness vs. the guitar based genres. While I still feel connected to the jam on medium, I do not get the same connection that I did in guitar hero on medium. However, when playing hard and especially expert, I feel a very strong connection to the music and I feel like I am DJing.

As a percussionist, I have an aptitude for these games and was playing on expert very quickly. But those who had a lot of difficulty with guitar hero / rock band instruments may have a different experience than me. I think to get the most out of this game requires getting to that hard and expert level as early as possible. But once there, the experience is euphoria; there is a rush, like in guitar hero, as your mind and body struggle to keep from getting overwhelmed while laying down the beat. It is awesome, and the technical nature of the gameplay combined with the music style provides an even greater rush for me than the guitar hero style games did. The optional effects and freestyle sections allow me to bump the difficulty even further (or take a breather) when those sections come up. So two DJs could both end up with a perfect play of an expert mix, but one could really rise above the other by skillfully working those freestyle sections.

So I am very happy with the gameplay and am enjoying honing my skills immensely.

The music:
My greatest love has always been trance, followed by electro house, electro pop, progressive, and other electronica variants. And even though I also enjoy most hip hop and rap, I was worried that I might not get into the music as much as I would have hoped. The truth is, if the music did not move me then this game might as well have been a glorified version of simon says. Thankfully, I was not disappointed. The track and mix selection is varied and has a bit of something for everyone, but there has not been a single mix yet that I was not bopping my feet or head to. Many of these mixes are absolutely brilliant! If you are a music fan with varied tastes the selection will not leave you wanting! I have one of the tracks going in my head as I write this. :)

Summary:
I'm arguably biased based on my love of all kinds of music, from hip hop to rock, pop, trance, house, and most of their variants, but DJ Hero captured that feeling I was hoping for: rockin to a dope set of tracks as if I was the maestro of a bouncing block party. ;) I haven't had so much fun since I discovered guitar hero and its variants. Just listening to the mixes by themselves is divine. One final note: You'll want to hook this up to a decent system with a good subwoofer. I HIGHLY recommend this. The game would still be fun with only tv-speakers, but it would be nothing like it is when you can feel the bass thumping through a room that is awash with a river of sound. If I didn't already have a decent speaker setup I would have waited until I did before purchasing this game.

If you love music do not miss this game!

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