Joystiq hands-on: Buzz! Quiz TV
by Jem Alexander 
{ Mar 27th 2008 at 1:30PM }
At first glance, Buzz! Quiz TV looks just like any other Buzz game on the PS2, but watching the game on a 40 inch TV really shows off how much of a facelift the game has undergone. Due to the relatively simple nature of the scenes shown on screen, the game's transition to Hi-Def looks great. All the characters have been remodeled for their HD debut and as a result the game is much more pleasing to the eye. Not that it's what Buzz! is really about.
Gameplay-wise everything's the same (just like Singstar) with the biggest change being the buzzers; Buzz! Quiz TV will ship with wireless controllers. Other than being wireless, they're no different from the PS2 versions with the big red buzzer on top and four colored buttons below. Classic gameplay modes are still around, such as "Pass The Bomb", and are mixed in with new variations exclusive to the PS3 version.
Whereas previous Buzz! releases were split between different genres (Buzz! The Music Quiz, Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz, etc) Buzz! Quiz TV will include questions from a wide range of genres, which can be chosen at the beginning of the quiz and between rounds. This makes the game more fun because you're no longer locked into a specific question set and people can play to their strengths. Mind you, if your knowledge doesn't stretch beyond the intricacies of marine biology, for example, you could encounter a very low-scoring round.
This is where some of those online features mentioned earlier come into play. Question packs will be downloadable from the PSN and players can make their own. User generated question packs are rated by other players online in the vein of LittleBigPlanet. We've learned that a Video Game question pack will be available for download shortly after launch, though we're curious to see exactly how Sony can get past any obvious licensing issues. Perhaps the questions are all based on Sony properties?
Buzz! Quiz TV is playable against your friends online but, without voice chat support, we're left wondering what the point is. Buzz! has always been made for a party environment, so removing that social interaction just turns that aspect of it into a glorified flash game. Better to invite your friends to the physical couch, we think.
Buzz! Quiz TV is currently aiming for a Summer release in Europe, with no word yet on an American release.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mig @ Mar 27th 2008 2:47PM
Summer release....awww....Hope it means it comes end of may. First waited to the March which was first said release date. But like 99% of games, DELAYS and DELAYS.
Lijik @ Mar 27th 2008 3:43PM
Singstar isn't a big hit in the US? Every girl I know has that game.
Dan Dickinson @ Mar 27th 2008 4:26PM
"With PS3 versions of both franchises heading to America this year, Sony plans on using the internet to expand the feature set into something much more appealing to American tastes."
"Buzz! Quiz TV is currently aiming for a Summer release in Europe, with no word yet on an American release."
Er. Which is it, guys? Is it releasing this year, or are there no plans yet for an American release?
Mig @ Mar 27th 2008 5:00PM
OMG - Everyone look here http://www.buzzthegame.com/ - There was info about PS2 Buzz! -games, but now there is "Buzz is coming soon" - First it was said it is coming in March, but that info on above say its changed to Summer. Is it just the website what they are updating?! Many places have been informed first that 28-03-2008 is release date, but now many places have changed to 30-05-2008. !!
refinedsugar @ Mar 27th 2008 5:14PM
I'm been wanting to get into Singstar, but with the PS3 edition release on the summer horizon, it really makes me stop and ponder if buying the current PS2 editions is a waste, especially now. $50 to start, $20-30 ea. for the add-ons I want, and then because I don't have BC on my 40gig PS3, they stay with my PS2 exclusive.
Hmm, I remember someone talking about the European launch right here on the 'stix a few months back and they said there was a iTunes-like store ability to buy new tracks, but a lot of them to start were just regurgitated from the old "classic" releases. If that's the case, sounds like I should buy the PS3 edition and then just buy the "old" tracks I want over the PSN when they come out with their own form of a payable points/cash system.
My thoughts anyway.
KykkeliKokkos @ Apr 2nd 2008 3:10PM
I have eagerly been anticipating this game since I first heard of it last autumn. I was sad to see the release date was pushed from March to end of May (2008), but as long as it doesn't get delayed any further, I gues it will have to do. The interactivity over the Net will be an amazin new feature.
One thing though, I e-mailed a couple of webshops where you can pre-order this product and they all claim that it comes with "normal" wired Buzzers...is this because it comes in to versions or beacause the retailers don't have a clue??
miester @ May 19th 2008 2:14PM
I challenge you to a game of trivia! Click here to battle against me online at ConQUIZtador. Let's see who's the winner...
https://www.conquiztador.com/?a=26041