Rhythm and music-based video games have been around for quite some time. Only recently have their influence and presence in society been as strong as it is today.
A rhythm- based game is defined as any game that tests the user's ability to stay with the beat while pressing particular buttons on a standard controller or specialized device.
What that definition equates to is basically two epic franchises and their relative successors and spin-offs.
"Guitar Hero" and "Dance Dance Revolution" (DDR) have revolutionized the video game industry in the very short time they have been available.
DDR, produced by video game giant Konami, was first released in Japan in 1998. Back then, DDR was only available at arcade halls where teens would get together and compete for the "fastest feet" title. DDR challenges the enthusiast to move his or her feet at varying degrees of difficulty in the correct pattern and in place with the correct rhythm.
Today, DDR has been released on every home console to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars and an undeniable presence in popular culture.
The other franchise that has infiltrated our households and television sets is the epic Guitar Hero, and now Rock Band. The Guitar Hero series launched in November 2005 from developer Harmonix and publisher RedOctane in partnership with Activision.
It seems as if everyone wanted their name on this flagship title, and rightfully so. Today, the Guitar Hero franchise has sold over 21 million units, earning over $1 billion in global sales.
In Guitar Hero, the player wields a plastic facsimile of a guitar and presses colored buttons on the neck of the guitar corresponding to the notes flying by on the simulated fret on the television.
Guitar Hero has removed the hours of tiresome and monotonous practice sessions that are required to become proficient at real guitar and has provided the opportunity for anyone anywhere to become the next Eddie Van Halen or Jimmy Paige.
Rock Band is the next step in the evolutionary process of rhythm-based video games. For the very first time, gamers can not only jam along with a guitar, but also with three friends playing the drum set, bass guitar and lead vocals.
Rock Band has built upon the foundation laid by Guitar Hero and elevated it to a global phenomenon. At the end of October, the Guitar Hero franchise will be releasing "Guitar Hero: World Tour" complete with drum kit, microphone, a new and improved guitar and a plethora of unique and innovative features that complement the game play.
Family-friendly Nintendo, put off by the scantily-clad women in DDR and offensive and vulgar lyrics in Guitar Hero, released their own set of rhythm-based games. Nintendo launched the "Donkey Konga" series in 2004.
Like Guitar Hero, the user would hit the conga drums when particular notes cascaded across the screen to the tune of many popular songs from the late '90s into the new millenium. Nintendo also released "DDR Mario Mix" which was essentially DDR with songs from the Mario World. Both series went on to sell very well for their GameCube console.
Guitar Hero and DDR is like that girl or guy you're afraid to talk to. You know you want to, but you're not sure how it will go. You're not sure you'll get back everything you put in, but you go for it and the enjoyment it brings is comparable to none.
Eddie Makuch can be contacted at emakuch@keeneequinox.com.
Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now