DJ Hero will feature a combination turntable/mixer controller that allows players to scratch, mix, cross-fade, blend and sample many of the game's songs. The controller features a movable platter with three stream buttons, an effects dial, a crossfader and a hidden "Euphoria" button. There is also a hidden panel that features more buttons for players to interact with.
Developed by FreeStyleGames, DJ Hero will feature score attack gameplay similar to Guitar Hero, with the player matching scrolling notes as they move towards the screen. Green and blue notes represent the two songs in the mix, while red notes indicate various effects. Underneath each note are symbols that represent the position of the crossfader control, which players must constantly adjust during gameplay for successful execution. The arrow underneath the blue represents the direction the players need to turn the turntable.
The "Euphoria" feature is the DJ Hero equivalent of Guitar Hero's Star Power, gained by successfully hitting the notes and performing the right actions, and in turn adding more points to your score. There is also a rewind meter that fills up during each performance, which allows players to rewind the song and correct the mistakes they made during the performance. Constantly missing the notes and actions will result in an abrupt end to your concert.
DJ Hero's single-player career mode has the player competing in different venues around the world. There will also be competitive multiplayer modes such as "DJ vs. DJ". Ten songs have also been mixed in order to include a special "Guitar vs. DJ" mode, in which players can connect a Guitar Hero guitar and compete against the DJ; players can also connect a microphone and participate as an MC. Finally, there will be a Jukebox mode that allows a player to drop in or out of a song at any time.
In order to add more authenticity to the experience, DJ Hero will feature many professional DJs in the game. Some of these include DJ Blakey, DJ Shadow, DJ AM, DJ Z-Trip, Grand Master Flash, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Some of them have even lent their likeness to create in-game avatars for players to interact with and compete against.
DJ Hero will feature over 100 master tracks of various music genres which include R&B, pop, electronic, techno, hip-hop and house. The artists confirmed so far are 50 Cent, Gorillaz, Blondie, Gwen Stefani, Beastie Boys, David Bowie, Queen, Justice, Marvin Gaye, Rick James, and many more. The title will feature 90 mixes done by FreeStyleGames and the feature DJs themselves.
The mixes confirmed to be in the game include:
Other rumored songs include:
Other artists rumored to be included are Billy Squier and Beck, and there will supposedly be Rihanna vs. Motorhead and Queen vs. Beastie Boys mixes as well. DJ Hero also contains some mixes by the late DJ AM, but Activision has confirmed that his passing will not affect the release of the game.
DJ Hero will hit retail in two different versions. The standard version will be sold at $119.99 and features the turntable controller and a copy of the game. The Renegade Edition will feature a Renegade Turntable controller in a metal finish that comes with a carrying case and folds into an easy, ready-to-perform DJ stand. It will come with a two-disc CD set featuring tracks from Jay-Z and Eminem and will set you back $199.99.
DJ Hero has been rated T for Teen and is slated for an October 27 release.
