Music – DownStab

Review: Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy

You have to give credit to a series being around for 25 years. Mario, Link, Mega Man, the Street Fighter gang, and even Kirby have been around for well over 20 years. And then there’s Final Fantasy. A series whose very name implies there will only be one, yet a series that has been in gamers’ hearts for 25 years. 25 years of games means 25 years of music, and that’s saying a lot for a series as respected as Final Fantasy. To celebrate the quarter century mark for the franchise, Square Enix released Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy. Bringing together the heroes of all 13 numbered games in the series and infusing the gameplay with plenty of music and rhythmical action, Theatrhythm is a love letter to Final Fantasy fans. It also happens to be one of the better games on the 3DS. (more…)

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January 5, 2013

Wii

Free Play – Pop’n Music (Wii)

My excitement was high when I saw this game sitting on the shelf. I thought to myself, “No way! Pop’n Music for only $4! And on the Wii, eh? That just might be able to work.”

Why I thought so highly of the Wii and its controls I do not know, because Pop’n Music this is not. Konami, why did you do this to me? Why didn’t you just release a true version of Pop’n Music here in the United States, with an official 9-Button controller and the actual gameplay the series is known for? I would have greatly played and praised that game, but instead I have this musical tragedy.

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December 18, 2012

Xbox 360

Review: Rock Band Blitz

Be honest: when was the last time you sat down and played a Rock Band/Guitar Hero game? If you’re like me, and undoubtedly countless other gamers, then your plastic instruments have been collecting dust somewhere, not nearly getting as much love as they use to just a couple short years ago. Well Harmonix, the creators of Rock Band, had that in mind when coming up with the newest iteration of their music simulator. Rock Band Blitz is a dramatic change for the series that gives gamers a different approach to the rhythm genre. (more…)

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August 29, 2012

Playstation 2

Modern Classics: DDRMAX: Dance Dance Revolution

It’s been a long time since I created the Modern Classics library, and I’ve completely neglected it over these pasts months. With that in mind I set out to reinvent the series, and I wanted to start with a game that easily fit into the Modern Classic criteria:
It has to be a fun, new, innovative, or personal favorite of myself and gamers;
Leaving behind a legacy for the video game world to remember is a plus, and;
There has to be something here that I can teach you about the game.
And what did I come up with? Dance Dance Revolution. And very quickly, actually.

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July 24, 2012

Nintendo 3DS

Review: Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure

I wish we could solve all our problems by dancing them away like in Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure. Forgot my money at home and need to pay a bill? Just dance and serve food. Need to enter your dog in the dog show but missed the deadline? Well just bark in rhythm with a poodle to gain entrance. Or my favorite, if you’ve found yourself outside of a prestigious event in Paris, improperly dressed, and without a ticket for admission, simply play a few chords on the violin and bam, you’re in. Unfortunately our world isn’t full of that much pizzazz but at least we now have Rhythm King & the Emperor’s Treasure to play on our 3DS’. (more…)

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July 20, 2012

Game Boy / Playstation 1 / Playstation 2 / Playstation 3 / Randomness / Retro / Xbox 360

Gaming Tunes You’ve Gotta Hear

I’ve got an experiment for you. Try and find me any gamer that doesn’t have at least one strong memory about the soundtrack of a game. You can’t do it. As endearing as the story in many a Final Fantasy, or the excellent gameplay of titles like Uncharted 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3, music in games has left an undeniable impact on gamers. Whether it’s the blips and bleeps of the Atari 2600, the MIDI music from the SNES, or the fully orchestrated masterpieces heard in the current generation of consoles, music has played an ever important role in shaping a video game. I want to take this time to share some of my personal favorites from my gaming past. I highly encourage you to sit back, pump up the volume, and bask in the warmth that a finely tuned gaming song can give you.

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April 7, 2012

Dreamcast / Game Boy / Nintendo DS / Playstation 1 / Playstation 2 / Playstation 3

Sunday Roundup: 1/29/12

Another visit to Lafayette and another trip into Disc Replay. What that all boils down to is me finding new excuses to throw my money away. Personally it’s always a small victory every time I get to buy a new old game: I feel like I’m doing the game a personal favor by freeing it from the confines of the store rack. Also, there were some great deals at Best Buy this week: Lots of new game for just about every console were on clearance. And to make things better, I felt even more victorious this week since I wasn’t able to get any new titles the previous week! Huzzah!

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January 29, 2012

Nintendo DS / Playstation 1

Sunday Roundup: 11/13/11

Ahhh…
There’s nothing quite like buying a game you’ve been looking for for well over ten years. The satisfaction of thinking you somehow beat the system, found a gem, and finally attained the sought after holy grail of your collection is exhilarating. Until you realize there’s about 400 other rare games you’re still looking for!

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November 13, 2011

Playstation 1

Modern Classics: Dance Dance Revolution Disney Mix

Wha-Wha-What?! Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Mix? Yeah, it exists, and I was more than happy to grab the game earlier this week and pop it in to the ol’ PS2. Easily one of the hardest to find DDR games available in the US, DDR Disney mix offers up the same DDR dancing experience just with a Mickey Mouse twist. What more could you want?! Well… apparently you can want more content.

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November 9, 2011