United Gamer Online (UGO)

by Ben Silverman

October 12 11:44 A.M.

"Music games are dead!" they say. Oh yeah? Well, apparently "they" just turned down the volume, because a chorus of new rhythm games are showing up just in time for the busy fall video game season. Unlike standard games, they often come with high price-tags and goofy peripherals, making it hard to just scoot out and grab one on a whim. Which of the following games will be music to your ears, and which will have you running for earplugs? That depends a lot on you, actually.
For the Aspiring Musician...

Rock Band 3

Release Date: 10/26

Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii
Athletes love sports games and brainiancs dig strategy sims, but ask a musician to play a music game and there's a good chance they'll scoff and mumble something about it "not being real." Here's your chance to shut them up. Though Rock Band 3 touts a songbook's worth of notable updates, upgrades and tweaks, its biggest trick will bring gamers and rockers together at last. Built in conjunction with professors at the Berklee School of Music, "Pro Mode" is an included guitar-training tool that will actually teach you how to play for real. It won't come cheap -- you'll need to pick up an awesome new guitar controller (two models, each sold separately, each pretty pricey) to get the most out of it -- but compared to guitar lessons, it's a steal. And if guitar isn’t your thing, you can also play Pro Mode on both drums and the game's new keyboard peripheral.




For the Hardcore Talent...

Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock

Release Date: Out now

Platforms Xbox 360, PS3, Wii




It might not be the best-reviewed game in the storied franchise's catalog, but if you've got epic music game skills and are itching to flex them, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock will sound just about right. In addition to a story-driven solo mode that culminates with a trip through Rush's classic "2112" record and a scorching battle with metal masters Megadeth, a new Quickplay+ mode adds thirteen new achievements to every song. With over 90 tracks on the game disc, that's over 1,000 challenges out of the box. Yikes. It's also more competitive than other music games, packing loads of multiplayer insanity perfect for those who consider themselves serious music game pros.


For the Clubbing Connoisseur...

DJ Hero 2

Release Date: 10/19

Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii

There's a reason why the original DJ Hero was the top-selling new video game property of last year: it's awesome. And if you're a fan of mash-ups, turntables and getting the party started, it's the only music game you should give a hoot about this year. Not only does it pack an all-new single player game and 83 new mash-ups from nearly as many artists, but it throws in microphone support for singing or rapping along to the mixes. If you already have a turntable controller, you won’t need a new one, but adding a second lets you take on other virtual DJs in a new suite of competitive modes. Unlike Guitar Hero and Rock Band, you actually feel like you're making the music here, not just playing along with it.


For the Wannabe Rap Mogul...

Def Jam Rapstar

Release Date: Out now

Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii

Sad that rock gets all the love in most music games while rap gets downgraded to random tracks? Then Def Jam Rapstar is the game you've been waiting for. Sporting the famed Def Jam license, it boasts 45 tracks to rap along with -- from old-school hits like A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario" to newer cuts from the likes of Kanye West and Lil' Wayne -- as well as 15 straight beat tracks for some freestyle flowing. But best of all, it nails hip-hop's strong sense of community by letting you record yourself rapping (provided you have a compatible console camera), edit the clip and upload it for a shot at in-game fame. Don't hate the playa -- love the game.


For the Air Drummer...

Power Gig: Rise of the Six String

Release Date: 10/19/10

Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3

Considering the success of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, music game newcomer Power Gig has a lot to live up to. And while the bulk of it will feel pretty similar to those titles, a few features stand out. One is the inclusion of a legit guitar -- no plastic instrument here -- that can even be plugged into a real amp and used to gig. The other? A drum-less drumset. Rather than clutter your living room with more cumbersome gear, Power Gig's "AirStrike Drum" uses special sensors to detect where you're swinging the customized drumsticks. No bulky drum heads, no cymbals -- just a bunch of invisible beams shooting out of a flat pad lying on the ground. A space-conscious music game? Who woulda thunk it?


For the Dancing Queen...

Just Dance 2

Release Date: 10/12

Platforms: Wii


More of a mover than a crooner? Then you'll probably want to pick up Just Dance 2 for the Wii. The sequel to last year's multi-million seller will let you and up to seven friends dance along to over 40 pop tracks, but it also includes a 'Just Sweat' mode that will gauge your calorie burning along the way.