Customer Reviews on Amazon.com
- Most Helpful First |
- Newest First
-
14 of 15 people found this review helpfulBy 13 December, 2010Great Fun for Any MJ Fan
Before I start the review I just want to let you know that I am both a hardcore videogame and Michael Jackson fan. When I first heard the announcement of a new game (since Moonwalker on the genesis) at E3 in June, I was very excited. When screenshots and videos came out for the Wii version I was very concerned. Ubisoft has created an ugly looking Just Dance clone lacking any distinguishable traits or visual charm. The main character didnt even look like Michael and following along while waving a remote in the air seems silly to me, I think casual gamers might like it though.
In the weeks leading up to the release of both the DS and PSP versions I was surprised to find little to no information about them. It wasn't until a few days after their releases that any videos were up about them. I saw the PSP version only used 2 buttons and looked way too easy, and that the DS version was like the rhythm game Elite Beat Agents. Being a fan of the Elite Beat Agents series I decided to get the DS version which was only 5$ after buying Batman Brave and The Bold for DS as part of a special sale.
The game features a cartoony Michael (in vain of the Beatles Rockband) who dances around performing various moves. During each song you tap, slide, and spin circles in the order they are numbered and while it may sound simple, like Elite Beat Agents it is very fun. There have been many Elite Beat Agents clones over the years but this is easily the best. The game is just as responsive and the notes are laid out just as good as EBA. There are Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulty. Being a bit rusty on my EBA skills I was having trouble doing well on Medium difficulty from the getgo. Some may find this good, others bad, but unlike Elite Beat Agents you wont fail for missing just a few notes, although you definitely can fail a song. The true fun in this game comes from trying to get all the golden coins (which are like the star system in guitar hero). This involves building up a great combo and knowing when to use your built up star power(Again an idea taken from guitar hero), which is gained by hitting glowing notes at the right timing in succession. Another great addition that adds replayability is the ability to "Crown" a song, which involves getting a ridiculously high score knowing exactly when to use your star power and being able to spin Michael really fast.
Trying to achieve 5 coins on medium difficulty is hard enough, but hard mode will keep players trying for more. Which is great because the games tracklist is lacking. Getting more coins and crowns allows you to unlock new songs on the tracklist, collectible Memorabilla, and Jukebox mode. The memorabilla is digital recreations of props from his short films and dance routines like the Billie Jean socks, or the Scream spaceship. Although they are pointless to view it adds more replayability to the game as getting the more difficult ones involve crowning songs on hard mode. The worst part about this game is the tracklist, they are all great MJ songs but the problem is with a few of the choices and the small amount of songs:
Another Part of Me
Bad
Beat It
Billie Jean
Black or White
Dont Stop Till You Get Enough
Heal the World
Leave Me Alone
Smooth Criminal
Streetwalker
The Way You Make Me Feel
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin
Most of these songs are great choices but the slow tempo Heal the World is not to fun to play. I personally love Streetwalker (which was an unreleased song included on the Bad 2001 rerelease) but it is too obscure for a mainstream audience. Disappointingly there are no songs from HIStory, Blood on the Dancefloor, or Invincible. Some of the songs feature him dancing on a stage in various customes, and others are recreations of the music videos they correspond with. The biggest surprise is that there is no Thriller, which is his biggest hit to casual fans. It is great to have a nice, well made rhythm game on the go and I'd much rather have a well made game with a short tracklist than a game that has a long tracklist but unpolished gameplay (PSP and Wii Versions). So look at the tracklist, if you like the songs, Elite Beat Agents, Michael Jackson, and can find this for cheap than pick it up. -
15 of 18 people found this review helpfulBy 25 November, 2010A Bad Elite Beat Agents With Michael Jackson Music
If you're wishing for more Elite Beat Agents (EBA), and you like Michael Jackson, then you'll have a little fun. But don't expect the same quality as EBA. The system is very dumbed down. It doesn't rate the accuracy of your taps, making it too easy.
Pros:
Michael Jackson Music
...It's a rhythm game
Cons:
Interface is too simple
Difficulty is too easy
No enough songs
Not even close to as good as EBA
Overall:
6 / 10
Sorry MJ, we still love you. -
8 of 9 people found this review helpfulBy 14 January, 2012Addictive stylus-tapping gameplay for your Nintendo DS? THIS IS IT!
**Warning - includes gameplay footage**
In this video I show you how the game is played and I also discuss its pros and cons.
+ PROS:
+ 12 classic Michael Jackson songs
+ Unlockable collectibles
- CONS:
- Jukebox mode is a little clunky
- No 2-player mode???
The 12 songs on this game are:
Another Part of Me
Bad
Beat It
Billie Jean
Black or White
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
Heal The World
Leave Me Alone
Smooth Criminal
Streetwalker
The Way You Make Me Feel
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' -
4 of 5 people found this review helpfulBy 11 December, 2010Not King Enough
When it has came down to Michael Jackson, his death remains one of the saddest moments in music history. But over this past year, people have honestly re-discovered his classic songs that have withstood the testiments of time. But when it has came down to video games, he also has shown what it was like, considering the video game based on Moonwalker his 1988 film, and helping compose the classic Sonic The Hedgehog 3 for the Sega Genesis. But with Michael Jackson: The Experience for the Nintendo Wii, people all over really got the opportunity to do their rendition of the classic Moonwalk. But, with the Nintendo DS version, it is a sad state of affairs. The game feels more like Elite Beat Agents, for trying to tap your way to his dance moves from his hits like Billie Jean & Beat It. Overall, it isn't bad hearing his classics, but truthfully if you has the chance, just stay with the one for the Nintendo Wii.
Graphics: C
Sound: B-
Control: C+
Fun & Enjoyment: D+
Overall: C- -
1 of 1 people found this review helpfulBy 6 April, 2011
- Most Helpful First |
- Newest First
