DJHero -- Engadget

DJHero posts

DJ Hero now rolling out around the world, around the world

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 27th 2009 at 12:48PM

It's been a long haul since it was first announced way back in May, but Activision's DJ Hero is now finally available in North America, and will be making the trip across the pond on October 30th. That includes both the standard $120 version, and the "premium" Renegade Edition, which runs a full $200 and includes an upgraded turntable, a hardshell carrying case that converts to a DJ stand, and a Jay-Z and Eminem two-CD set -- and the game, of course. Anyone have any brief first impressions? Let us know in comments.

Update: Looks like Eminem is doing more than just slapping his name on the Renegade Edition. Check out the video after the break in which he sits down to talk about the game and issues a challenge to none other than DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Continue reading DJ Hero now rolling out around the world, around the world

Altec Lansing Stage-Gig monitor further enforces faux rock fantasies

by Darren Murph posted Oct 21st 2009 at 9:59AM

And you thought $300 fake guitars were too much? They ain't got nothing -- nothing -- on this. Altec Lansing, the outfit famous for making those tinny speakers slammed into your laptop, has just popped out what could very well be the most hilarious non-KIRF product of the year. The Stage-Gig is modeled after a traditional wedge monitor, complete with the perforated grille, white spray-paint logo and carry handle (for "authentic roadie portability"). Within, you'll find a 6.5-inch driver and a 40-watt amplifier, and the idea here is to plug your console's audio directly in, enabling the Rock Band / Guitar Hero axe-slinger in your life to feel as if they're "playing in a live concert." It'll land next month for $99.95, and despite the fact that we can't stifle our chuckling, we want one in the worst way. And so do you, Dr. Love.

[Via Electronista]

DJ Hero controller hands-on faceoff with an SL-1200MK2

by Nilay Patel posted Sep 15th 2009 at 1:51PM

Activision was kind enough to send over an early evaluation copy of DJ Hero, and while we haven't had a chance to dive deeply into the game yet, we thought you might want to see how the controller itself stacks up against one of our Technics SL-1200MK2s. As you might expect, compared to the legendarily tank-like construction of the MK2, the DJ Hero controller looks and feels exactly like the plastic game controller it is, although the wheel itself is nice and weighty and the buttons are pleasantly clicky. We definitely have some doubts about how this is all going to work when actually trying to mix tunes together, but we're eager to try it out -- in the meantime, hit the gallery for the full set of pics.

Gallery: DJ Hero hands-on faceoff with Technics SL-1200

DJ Hero gets sized up by Mixmaster FCC

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 28th 2009 at 1:58PM

Activision's DJ Hero controller hasn't exactly been making itself scare since its debut way back in May, but those looking for their closest look at it yet need look no further than the FCC, which recently got its hands on the device for the usual tests and dissection. Of course, there's not a whole lot of surprises to be found, but we do also get a look at a somewhat sparse but straightforward user manual, and a couple of the usual dark and dreary test setup photos, which unfortunately don't feature the FCC folks showing off their skills. Hit up the link below to check out the whole lot for yourself.

[Via Joystiq]

Screen Grabs: DJ Hero makes cameo in Kid Cudi video, comes back full circle

by Ross Miller posted Aug 5th 2009 at 10:21PM

Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com.

Something very peculiar popped up while we were watching Kid Cudi's "Make Her Say" music video. Just as the song is winding down, Mr. Cudi (also known as Scott Mescudi) can be seen "air scratching" while someone in the above frame takes the pantomime one step further with DJ Hero's turntable peripheral. The connection runs much deeper, though: the song was produced by Kanye West, whose rise to fame arguably came when he produced Jay-Z's critically acclaimed album The Blueprint... and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, in turn, happens to be one of the two artists (along with Eminem) promoting DJ Hero. Funny how that works out. Video after the break, and jump to the 3:03 mark if all you really want is another glimpse of the controller.

[Thanks, Laxuo and AG Beast]

Continue reading Screen Grabs: DJ Hero makes cameo in Kid Cudi video, comes back full circle

DJ Hero Renegade Edition now accepting callers, lists for $199.99

by Ross Miller posted Jul 30th 2009 at 11:56PM

So how badly do you want that metallic DJ Hero turntable? The game's official website is now directing your attention to GameStop and Amazon, both of which are now accepting pre-orders for the Renegade Edition (due to launch October 27th alongside the standard bundle) for just one copper Lincoln under $200. That's a $80 premium over the regular bundle but does also include a stand / carrying case hybrid and a two-CD collection. Then again, it's also well over the cost of the entire instrument bundle for Rock Band 2 or Guitar Hero World Tour. Anyone gonna bite?

[Thanks, HArry]

DJ Hero goes renegade with premium edition turntable, DJ stand

by Ross Miller posted Jul 29th 2009 at 10:58AM

If your virtual disc-scratching needs something a little less silver and little more dark, brooding, and bronze, Activison today announced the DJ Hero Renegade Edition bundle, which includes just such a peripheral with promised premium metal controls and finish. The full package also comes with a hardshell carrying case that doubles as a stand, and less impacting on the gameplay itself, a Jay-Z / Eminem two-CD collection with unreleased tracks and a collectible case designed by Shepard Fairey. No word on price, but if that rumored $120 tag for the standard edition pans out, you can expect to be paying a prettier penny here. Browse the new gear, including the Wii version of the standard turntable, in the gallery below.

Gallery: DJ Hero goes renegade with premium edition turntable, DJ stand

DJ Hero spinning a $120 price tag, October 27th ship date?

by Ross Miller posted Jun 18th 2009 at 9:25PM

While far from being a confirmation, major online retailers Gamestop and Amazon have independently of one another put up listings for the DJ Hero / turntable bundle with the same October 27th ship date and $119.99 price tag for Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 owners -- the PS2 version is either the same price or $20 cheaper, depending on which site you trust. That's a good $70 less than the two-instrument Guitar Hero World Tour package, but of course you're paying for a more single-player setup. Again, we haven't heard word one from Activision, and with over four months until this supposed date, things are likely subject to change (assuming these even came from the publisher in the first place, and weren't just magically pulled out of a large, black cap with frilly edges). We wouldn't be surprised to see this being the final price, though, and either way, it serves as a nagging reminder that the life of a fake plastic musician doesn't come cheap.

[Via Joystiq]

Read - Gamestop listing
Read - Amazon listing

Neversoft interested in bringing turntables to Guitar Hero, making large amounts of money

by Paul Miller posted Jun 13th 2009 at 5:32PM

We've already seen a bit of guitar in DJ Hero, but apparently it might not just be a one way street: Neversoft (developer of the Guitar Hero franchise for Activision) hinted to Eurogamer at E3 that they're interested in bringing the DJ Hero turntable to future versions of Guitar Hero. They also aren't ruling out the possibility of bringing drums to DJ Hero -- which seems to us an even more exciting prospect -- and we're sure in a few years time you'll be able to direct wire Activision to your bank account and fill you living room to the brim with more-or-less interoperable pretend instruments.

[Via Joystiq]

DJ Hero hands-on

by Ross Miller posted Jun 4th 2009 at 10:38AM

Activision's being pretty guarded with DJ Hero at the moment. Not only is it available only behind closed doors at its E3 2009 booth, but even then we weren't able to get our own hands-on time with the game, relegated instead to playing guitar along with someone else on the deck through that Monkey Wrench / Sabotage mashup. We did, however, get a chance to play take it out of the darkly-lit room and get a good feel of its weight and build quality, which we might add is pretty solid. Click on through for our full impressions and a video showing off the DJ vs. guitar mode.

Gallery: DJ Hero hands-on

Continue reading DJ Hero hands-on

Video: DJ Hero in a two-player turntable and guitar sabotage

by Thomas Ricker posted Jun 3rd 2009 at 5:38AM

Look Cochese, we know you've been wondering what DJ Hero live play looks like in a multi-player setup. So check the two-player turntable and guitar mashup after the break that pits the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" against the Foo Fighters' "Monkey Wrench." You'll be much sexier for doing so. Promise

Continue reading Video: DJ Hero in a two-player turntable and guitar sabotage

Video: DJ Hero rocks the Activision house party

by Tim Stevens posted Jun 2nd 2009 at 9:46AM

To give its latest Hero franchise a solid berth, Activision lined up quite a special night last evening --you know you're in for a good party when the opening act is a percussion overload courtesy of Travis Barker and DJ AM. Once the rafters stopped vibrating, attendees were treated to the first glimpse of DJ Hero being played in public, and we caught it on video (embedded below), showing the new (and repetitive-stress inducing) scratch and fade mechanic. It looks to be familiar enough that Guitar Hero fans should be able to get into it, but different enough to deliver would-be mixers a challenge. Think you can carry the beat? We'll see when it ships in October.

Gallery: DJ Hero

Continue reading Video: DJ Hero rocks the Activision house party

DJ Hero website and pre-orders go live, Jay-Z Special Edition seen in the distance

by Darren Murph posted May 30th 2009 at 11:34AM

With just days to go before the gaming world goes wild at E3, the hotly anticipated DJ Hero is now spinning on its very own website. Granted, a few of the sections are still labeled as "coming soon," but we're given a few more sneak peeks at the hardware, the gameplay and even a duo of handy links to pre-order it. According to listings on both GameStop and Amazon, the software and turntable are slated to ship on October 27th, with the bundle priced at $119.99 for all four of the major consoles (yes, new games are still being made for the PS2). Better still, the latter e-tailer has the Jay-Z Special Edition Bundle listed for Sony's PS3 and Nintendo's Wii, though neither of those are accompanied by MSRPs or expected ship dates. And to think, those are just two of our 99 problems...

[Thanks, Joey]

Read - DJ Hero official website
Read - GameStop pre-order page
Read - Amazon pre-order page
Read - DJ Hero game trailers

Continue reading DJ Hero website and pre-orders go live, Jay-Z Special Edition seen in the distance

Jay-Z / Eminem limited edition DJ Hero planned, Rappin' Rodney Dangerfield can't be far behind

by Joseph L. Flatley posted May 29th 2009 at 10:43AM

Bedroom DJs who can't actually be bothered to, you know, mix records and such: You're gonna be thrilled by this next bit of news. According to USA Today, Jay-Z and Eminem have joined our man DJ Shadow in attaching their names (and beats) to Activision's latest. The special-edition release of DJ Hero will reportedly bundle greatest hits CDs from both artists, a limited edition controller, a "DJ stand" (whatever that is -- perhaps a gilded pedestal like the one Sven Vath performs on?) and a metal traveling case. If you're into this sort of thing, hit up the gallery of screenshots below, and do make sure you peep Shadow's lengthy interview with Game Informer, where he goes over his involvement with the project in significant detail. Trust us, it's quite a read.

Gallery: DJ Hero screenshots

[Via Joystiq]

Read - Jay-Z and Eminem spin a musical game out of 'DJ Hero'
Read - DJ Hero Interview With DJ Shadow

Video: First DJ Hero game trailer promises living room celebutantes

by Thomas Ricker posted May 29th 2009 at 3:59AM

The folks behind DJ Hero know something we can't even admit to ourselves: we're losers, a deep disappointment to our parents who wanted us to ride with the cool kids. That's going to change in October when DJ Hero puts us on stage with nothing but a silver thong and faux deck peripheral to bring down the house. It'll be just like hanging out with Michael Alig only without the ketamine and murder. Video of what to expect from your avatar stripper after the break.

Continue reading Video: First DJ Hero game trailer promises living room celebutantes