Video: DJ Hero turntable and guitar gameplay

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 2nd 2009 at 7:15PM }

You might not believe it, but the Beastie Boys and the Foo Fighters go pretty well together. During a quick behind-closed-doors session with DJ Hero, we got to see the folks at FreeStyleGames rock out to a mix of "Sabotage" vs "Monkey Wrench." This particular two-player mode allows players to use both a guitar and the turntable peripheral, which is sure to make the pain of adopting yet another plastic instrument a little more bearable. Also, you can check out how the turntable actually controls. Watch and learn, kids, these guys are the pros.

Tags: activision, dj-hero, e3-2009, FreeStyleGames

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

rohan @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:19PM

still don't understand how the turntable works o___O

waynski1457 @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:25PM

Seriously. Do the buttons spin with it? And he looked like he was sliding his table all over the place so you may need a solid place to put it.

waynski1457 @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:38PM

For anyone else like me, this vid helped a lot in understanding things.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-dj-hero/50118

pat1202003 @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:11PM

Thank you wayski1457 that helped a lot! From what I got out of the video if you can master the hard and expert modes, you could be a DJ for real. Seems like a cool game.

FdUmCh @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:52AM

pat1202003 no playing this game will not make you a real DJ, Ive been a dj for 11 years mixing techno and trance and its harder than this game you might get a appreciation for djing out of this game and then work at becoming a DJ .i play rock band drums that does not make me think that i am a drummer

VaultICEE @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:21PM

Its pathetic that the best Guitar Hero developed for Activision isn't Guitar Hero at all.

To be honest... this looks pretty fun.

Bagels: Commander in Chief of the lolcat sarcasm alert force. @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:33PM

First off these guys are the pros?

Second, I might just consider this and GH5 IN ADDITION to my current RB scheduled purchases if the turntable was compatible with GH5. I understand some of the mixing element would be lost but... it's possible.

traceur_ryuk_shinigami @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:22PM

gs942002 @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:22PM

wow, DJ hero doesn't look half bad now!

Sam @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:26PM

My Activision loathing side wants me to hate this but honestly, i'm just glad this is at least an attempt at using their copious money and power to branch out and try and bring something new to the industry. This actually looks like a good bit of fun, and a fairly nice departure from guitar hero. It doesn't even really look like its just riding on the franchises success for a quick buck on a sellout game.

This looks amazingly refined already, and i might even pick it up. Looks like they've actually put some real effort, time and money into developing this thing and maybe, just maybe, it'll pay off.

Sam @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:27PM

Also please don't misunderstand my "new to the industry" comment. I am fully aware of the beatmania series of games and have played them for years.

VaultICEE @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:29PM

That's what I've been thinking as well. Maybe this is the effect when Acti gives the Hero franchise to somebody other than Neversoft...?

Hashbrown Hunter @ Jun 3rd 2009 8:46AM

Nah, Activision is just trying to get it right the first time so they can resell it to you a few more 100 times until they release Ocarina Hero which restarts the whole cycle once again.

Troy Powers (PSN: TroyPowers) @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:04AM

Exactly, Sam. I've wanted to hate this game since it's unveiling, but with every trailer...it's just breaking me down, man. Monkey Wrench and Sabotage?!!? How can you hate that?

ray954 @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:27PM

i dont know about this song in paticular, but this game will sell whether a certain demographic likes it or not

Cheezeman3000 @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:28PM

It... suddenly makes sense... and I'm liking what I see. Hmmm. Never thought I'd say this, but... well played, Activision.

mr nimblewick @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:29PM

I thought the fun of a turntable was remixing your own stuff. Following someone else's guide just seems lame.

I think I would have more fun with this if it were just a digital turntable with a bunch of songs to play around with.

Kodros @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:57PM

Soo...I don't think you're looking for a game then. Rhythm games kinda need guides.

pat1202003 @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:04PM

@mr nimblewick

I agree. That's why I wish someone would make something like MTV Music Generator.

Doombot (zuburi) @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:30PM

Nimblewick;

I don't know why I've been having such a hard time expressing what you said. It's like the words refused to come out right.

I hope it offers more flexibility in regards to the rhythms.

Troy Powers (PSN: TroyPowers) @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:01AM

Ummm...mr nimblewick...it's called a dj controller and a library of mp3s. I think that's what you're looking for, not a video game at all.

Young_Nastyman @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:30PM

I need to see Scratch before I make a final decision

Eh @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:31PM

I was wondering how they would do multiplayer, still not nearly as cool as being at a party with 4 people playing different instruments but not as bad as I thought it would be.

If they can incorporate the turntable as a band instrument instead of just remixing songs then it has potential as being a hit at parties like Rock Band.

Slust @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:39PM

I hope they're not the pros, otherwise I'm the Motherfucking Master. Although that would be pretty cool, too...

Anyhow, it's funny, I linked a friend this morning's video of DJ Hero and he said "No thanks, I'll stick to the guitar." And now I can show up and say "...Orly?" with as much of an owl expression on my face as I can humanly muster.

I hope at some point in the future there could be a patch with an algorithmic module to install into the engine that can "read" the note chart and generate a turntable note chart so that you can scratch a remix of a one song while your buddy plays the guitar (instead of mashing up 2 songs, which playing both at once the whole time is pretty much what DJs don't do).

S. Tiger @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:14PM

Konami did this with beatmania and DDR. Something called "skill" was required to play. 8o

clyde the tomato @ Jun 3rd 2009 6:22PM

don't get me wrong, this game looks cool.
but the tracklist will probably suck amazingly.

Kdiggy @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:08PM

Needs more cowbell.

CJLopez @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:42PM

+100 to AMV HELL REFERENCE!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlqLLZQLNiA

Azbulldog @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:14PM

@CJLopez

Fail.

S. Tiger @ Jun 3rd 2009 1:37AM

+1mil to SNL reference?

max @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:10PM

sounds like ass. just sounded like the two songs playing at the same time.

s256 @ Jun 3rd 2009 1:57PM

That would be the definition of a Mashup, which is what all the music in this game is.

Morbo- (PSN: ummfada) @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:37PM

I'm 12 years old and what is this?

VaultICEE @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:44PM

Wrong website bro

S. Tiger @ Jun 3rd 2009 1:37AM

I recognize this!

Teddy Hwang @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:44PM

i don't think DJ Hero is same as Beatmania. Looks similar but different.
For Guitar Hero it is just like GuitarFreaks. Harmonix did not change any gameplay for GH except more buttons and better songs. I am glad that it's not another Beatmania game

Doombot (zuburi) @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:44PM

Hmm. How is this any different from Beatmania then, aside from just "more buttons and better songs?"

Hafkie @ Jun 3rd 2009 1:15AM

Beatmania doesn't have the buttons on the turntable. That is a major difference in design.

Whereas, the guitar freaks and guitar hero controllers were virtually the same. Strum bar, buttons, and start/select. Guitar Hero added 2 more buttons and a whammy bar to the mix.

This is more like if the Guitar Hero controller had more than one bar for each string, or something completely different.

S. Tiger @ Jun 3rd 2009 1:42AM

*COUGH* I've yet to find any American music artists that can truly considered to be "good", save for maybe DM Ashura. Bill's cool. And has real inspiration.

Katmassive @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:49PM

I think i'ma get this ... get my " Spin " on

trancehapps @ Jun 3rd 2009 1:11AM

pleaseeee, some tiesto, paul van dyk, armin and daft punk action!

Slick @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:19AM

However much I LOVE Sabotage (I'm a big Beastie Boys fan) I can't help but think that a different Beastie Boys song would be better in DJ Hero.

Silence7 @ Jun 3rd 2009 6:05AM

Funny that the DJ Hero guy is talking about their relationship with the Beastie Boys being pretty great, while Mixmaster Mike is working on Scratch - Ultimate DJ...

Hafkie @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:04AM

It's very possible to support both platforms. Not everybody in the world is a raging fanboy.

Luddiz-Boi @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:16AM

This game went from "im not sure...." to "wow, interesting!"

Taylor Barratt @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:43AM

Honestly. This looks too easy. I suspect there'll be a bit of a learning curve, but unless that is one of the easiest songs, it looks way too simple. I suppose the directional scratching will be a little tricky as it stumped that guy a couple times but it's not like sustained 1/32nd notes or limb independance, the beat is consistent too. Rewind is a cool feature.

Anyhow I'm certainly looking forward to proper hands-on reviews to get a better idea of it's longevity as I don't see the controller being cheap.

As for being a real DJ? Uhh... I see no beat matching or cueing involved. It's also only 1 turntable. Now if they support a dual turntable mode for 4 tracks, or allow you to mix and cue your mp3 library through the console or something, that would be sweet. Actually make your own mixes with the controllers with your own music with with a visual interface. Suddenly the Rock Band smoke machine makes so much more sense. :p

Maybe a future iteration of the game could sense your timing and complexity by analysing the tracks you use. Setup a playlist, use the dial to select tracks (like the effects switch on the RB guitar), spin the turntable to cue via the headphone peripheral then fade. THAT would be like a real DJ. This is guitar hero guitar to real guitar.

Still.. looks like it could be fun.