Posts Tagged ‘rhythm games’
Frequency/Amplitude reborn!
February 26th, 2009 •
Tags: Amplitude, Frequency, games, Gaming, PSP, rhythm games, Rock Band
Frequency and its sequel Amplitude for the PS2 were Harmonix‘s, Guitar Hero creators and current developers of Rock Band, first foray into console gaming. The games pioneered the modern rhythm gaming craze. In fact, the biggest difference between Rock Band and the early games are the controller. Harmonix tested the waters by releasing games that could be played with the standard PS2 controller. The games were really excellent. Granted, the PS2 controller wasn’t perfect for them, but they could have been improved with a small controller similar in size to the PS2 controller but with a different layout. Harmonix instead skipped straight into controllers shaped like instruments completing the metaphor.
That’s all well and good, but Sony recently announced a portable version of Rock Band for the PSP! Instead of some type of special controller for the portable console, the game will control with the standard PSP controlset. This gets me really excited. I was a big fan of Frequency and Amplitude, and I think it is a bit silly that Harmonix had to bundle a guitar shaped controller with what was essentially the next Frequency game to get the average gamer’s attention. If Harmonix can achieve bigger success with this spiritual sequel by exploiting the Rock Band brand, so be it! This may be the release that forces me to buy a PSP.
Primotech Exclusive: EA Publishing Rock Band Unplugged for the PSP
D-Pad Hero rocks it old school
February 2nd, 2009 •
Tags: D-Pad Hero, games, Gaming, Guitar Hero, music, Music video game, NES, rhythm games, Rock Band, roms, Video game
Have you ever stepped back and taken a look at the entire rhythm game genre (that’s Guitar Hero, Rock Band, DDR, Parappa, etcetera) and thought to yourself, “In terms of graphics, there was nothing preventing these game from existing 20 years ago.” Sure, they wouldn’t have been as pretty, but how pretty do you need arrows, circles, and text flying across the screen for it to still be fun? You can now rest assured you are not alone. A pair of developers has seen the light and retrofitted Guitar Hero as an NES rom! It’s called D-Pad Hero, and it’s harder than if Mega Man 9 and Ninja Gaiden Black consummated and gave birth. Fire up your emulator of choice and download it now. Sweet Child o’ Mine never sounded so… 8-bit.