So we finally got our hands on a copy of DJ Hero, and we have to say that it’s probably one of the most fun and interesting video games to date. The cool, new, innovative DJ turnable, complete with a hard-cover carrying case, a copy of the DJ Hero game, an exclusive Eminem & Jay-Z CD, and some little extras, truly complete the special edition Renegade version of this game. Four screw-on legs are also included, which turn the hard-cover case into a stand for the turntable. While the $199 may be a little steep for this version of the game [Renegade Edition], the extra $50 is probably worth it for the hard carry-case case, the stand, and the endorsements of Jay-Z and Eminem.

Set-up was relatively easy, everything was included in the hard-cover box. All that was needed to be done was to attach the four legs to the stand, insert the disc into the console, and insert the batteries into the turntable. Other than that, we simply turned our console on, synced the turnable to the Xbox360, and we were ready to start DJing! First things first, since this game and concept are relatively new, we strongly suggest taking the beginner and advanced tutorials to find out what DJ Hero is all about. The tutorials are only a few minutes each and will really teach you all the neat tricks and rules of the games, one lesson at a time. Although it may get a little annoying since they play the same song over and over for each tutorial, it’s still well worth the lessons.

Graphically and visually, DJ Hero provided from the start a pretty pleasant experience. The graphics were pretty on par with the rest of the Guitar Hero/Rock Band series, although we felt the presentation was a little nicer, although more eccentric on DJ Hero – which is fitting for the genre. Flashy lights, hip-hop MCs, and lots of ‘funkiness’ are some things you can expect from DJ Hero.

Music and audio selections are great throughout DJ Hero. With 93 tracks to choose from, and a large array of playlists, you’ll have plenty of tracks and modes to DJ to. Daft Punk, Jay-Z, Eminem, Jackson 5, Blondie, MC Hammer, David Bowie, Queen and Third Eye-Blind are just some of the many artists available to choose from in the game. Furthermore, there is sure to be some downloadable content and additions for DJ Hero in the near future. For the most part, the track selections are set up into different playlists. Most have to be unlocked at the beginning stages. By completing the beginner and advanced tutorials, you can unlock a few different playlists. For example, there is a Jay-Z Mixtape playlist which included four tracks featuring Jay-Z. An important concept to understand throughout the game is that each track incorporates two songs. With the use of the mixer, you are able to switch and sample between the two songs throughout the track to masterfully blend them together.

There are basically three concepts to understand in order to play the game correctly. First and foremost, you must chose whether you want the turntable buttons on the right side of the disc, or on the left side. Make sure to set your preferences accordingly within the game settings. Simply enough, just like in any other Guitar Hero/Rock Band game, you must push the green, red or blue button accordingly as they appear on the screen. Where the game takes a twist is with the use of the mixer on the left. Throughout each track, you will be see the green and blue lines stray to the right of left sides. You must flip the mixer switch in sequence with the moving lines. To keep things simple, the mixer switch should always be centered. If it’s not, you will see it burning in red on the bottom right and left of the screen if its out of position. If the green line moves to the left, you must flip the mixer switch to the left in sync with the music. The same goes for the blue button as you must flip the mixer to the right when the line strays off to the right. This can get a little tricky to get used to, especially if you’re jamming along to the music. As in all these games, it is important to feel the beat of the music and maybe tapping your feet to it may help. Essentially the flipping of the mixer enables you to change from one track o the other.

The third element of the game includes a few little extras that can help you get higher scores. If you see an elongated green or blue line, you must hold down the button and skip the disc back and forth, probably the most popular DJ move there is. If you see an orange line hover over one of the buttons or the entire track, you can turn the knob right above the mixer to the left or right. This is a fader, which if you turn all the way to the left incorporates heavy bass, and if you turn to the right, incorporates treble over the bass. Moreover, if you see two green rewind arrows during the song, simply spin the disc around, and the track will rewind back a few seconds. This is imperative to get high scores in DJ Heroe, as you are essentially adding more time and more buttons to the track. Lastly, as in all the games of this series, you can get star power by hitting the highlighted blue notes in the sequence order. This will allow you to double your multiplier, and achieve higher scores than before possible. Simply push the button to the left of the fader which will light up when ready.

Although DJ Hero is a great game overall, there are some downfalls in its production. DJ Hero definitely provides a unique gaming experience, especially for music lovers, as some will find this game very addicting. Most people can’t argue that this game isn’t fun, as it is truly a unique concept that can provide entertainment for all. One thing we thought was a little strange was that you cannot fail song. Even if you miss every button and disc-skipping, the track will continue going even if you don’t earn any points. On another note, although the music selection is decently large, many of the songs may not appeal to you depending on your liking.

Overall DJ Hero is a great game to buy, and will provide lots of hours of fun for you and your friends. While the game will take some time to master, it will truly become more fun as time passes and as you unlock more levels and bonuses. The more you play, the more rewarded you will feel! Go out and buy a copy, or split it with your frat brothers so you can throw a DJ Hero mixer this weekend!