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Nov 03, 2009 By Nick Hyman Web Exclusive

And then entered DJ Hero. After a lackluster showing at E3-where the game was only demoed and was not actually playable to attendees-DJ Hero shatters skeptical expectations and (finally) adds some variety into the music video game genre. Instead of more rock songs, we get 93 original mixes from some of the biggest innovators and names in the hip-hop/electronic/dance worlds. The fact that the game features original mixes from Grandmaster Flash, DJ Shadow, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Z-Trip, Scratch Perverts, and Cut Chemist is enough to make crate-dwellers swoon. Let's not forget the presence of Daft Punk, who not only lent their likenesses to the game but also provided several tunes as well. Never imagined that I'd be cutting back and forth from Daft Punk's "Around the World" to Young MC's "Bust a Move."

The plastic turntable is compact enough to not annoy significant others' concerns about there being too many plastic instruments in the house, and after a comprehensive tutorial from Grandmaster Flash himself, you'll have to tear yourself away from this game's addictiveness. Three stream buttons on the actual platter are used to match corresponding icons in the hit zone. They'll often be held down while you scratch the record back and forth. The other key component to the controller is the Crossfader, which allows you to switch back and forth between competing tracks. The songs are plentiful and varied, with artists such as Tears for Fears battling Eric B. & Rakim, Cypress Hill facing David Axelrod, and the battle we've waited years for-MC Hammer vs. Vanilla Ice. Other artists featured include M.I.A., Beck, Gorillaz, Bell Biv Devoe, Queen, David Bowie, Gary Numan, Dizzee Rascal, Jurassic 5, Marvin Gaye, Foreigner (!), Beastie Boys, and so many more. It's about time that DJ turntablism culture gets its due in the game world, and it has in a big way. DJ Hero has managed to make the music rhythm game seem new again and in the process has become one of the best games of the year. (www.djhero.com)

Author rating: 9/10