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DJ Hero
A game cover, with the logo for "DJ Hero" in the center of a mosaic of numerous images and words (representing the various genres within the game), bordered by a grey boxes with text and pictures identifying the turntable controller and contents of the package.
DevelopersFreeStyleGames
Exient Entertainment (Wii and PS2)
PublisherActivision
SeriesHero
PlatformsPlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
Release
  • AU: October 28, 2009
  • EU: October 29, 2009
GenreRhythm game
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

DJ Hero is a 2009 rhythm game developed by FreeStyleGames and published by Activision. It is the first spin-off of the Guitar Hero series. It was released on October 27, 2009, in North America and on October 29, 2009, in Europe. The game is based on turntablism, the act of creating a new musical work from one or more previously recorded songs using record players and sound effect generators, and features 94 remixes of two different songs across numerous genres.

To score points, the player must press buttons to activate accented beats, adjust their crossfade between the two songs, and "scratch" the turntable on the game's custom controller in time to marks that scroll on the screen to score points and perform well for the virtual crowd. The game features both a single player Career mode and cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes. The game also features a mode for selected songs for a DJ player to play alongside another player using a Guitar Hero guitar controller. Many DJ and mix artists have contributed to the game both in the game's development, the creation of mixes, and in lending their images for playable avatars in the game; these including DJ Shadow, Z-Trip, DJ AM, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Daft Punk.

DJ Hero was generally well received by game journalists, praising the departure from the Guitar Hero series–style of gameplay, the use of the turntable controller to simulate the motions of a DJ and how the game's difficulty curve helps the player to become skilled on it, and the game's soundtrack; several smaller issues were identified as potential improvements for a possible sequel. However, the game did not perform as strongly as expected by industry analysts, believed to be due to the waning interest in music games during 2009; regardless, DJ Hero is stated by NPD Group to be the highest-grossing new intellectual property of 2009 in North America.

Gameplay

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A video game screen. At the bottom, a curved arc shows three colored lines (green, red, and blue) that have round gems on them as well as move back and forth along the arc. A meter shows a scoring value and number of stars. Above and behind this, two human characters are using shown using a turntable mixer; the two characters are wearing black, futuristic objects and wear helmets to mask their identity.
DJ Hero presents the player with three tracks corresponding to the buttons on the turntable controller, along with features to insert beats or to adjust the crossfader. The game features avatars of several popular mix artists, including Daft Punk, shown here.

DJ Hero primarily simulates turntablism, a musical style used by disc jockeys to create a new mashup song by incorporating one or more previously recorded songs played on record players along with sound effect generators. The game features score attack gameplay similar to the Guitar Hero games. The controller consists of a wireless deck consisting of a movable turntable that supports 3 "stream" buttons, an effects dial, a crossfader, and a "Euphoria" button; a hidden panel contains additional controller buttons to interact with the gaming console outside of the game.[2] A portion of the controller can be detached and reattached to adapt the unit for left-handed players.[3] Notes travel in an arc across a spinning record on screen, and the player holds down one of the 3 stream buttons to play notes; two buttons reflect the two songs used in that particular mix, and the third represents samples to add to the mix which can be adjusted with the effects dial.[2] The player must also constantly adjust the crossfader to match onscreen symbols, which alters the relative volume of the songs as to bring one song to the forefront of the mix for a short time.[2] Certain tracks are shown on screen as a series of up or down arrow, representing scratching sections, requiring the player to turn the turntable in the direction of the arrows while holding down the button to score points, mimicking the scratching of the record needle on vinyl albums.[2] "Euphoria" is equivalent to Guitar Hero's Star Power, collected by successfully completing specific phrases in the song mix, called Perfect Regions, and can be released by pressing the Euphoria button, doubling the player's current multiplier as well as automatic crossfading when active.[2] There is also a "Rewind" meter that builds through consistent successful playing, and once full, allows the player to rewind the song to fix errors in their performance.[2][3] The player must continue to perform well or their performance meter will drop and the music track will cut out. Failing the song is not possible, unlike in Guitar Hero games.[2]

A single player career mode is available, as well both competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes ("DJ vs DJ"), playable locally or remotely. Ten songs have been specially mixed to also support gameplay with Guitar Hero and other compatible guitar controllers in a "DJ vs Guitar" mode, which uses gameplay UI elements from Guitar Hero 5.[2][3] Players can also use a microphone for a non-scoring addition to the mix.[2] A Party Play mode allows the game to automatically play the songs with the ability for a player to jump in and play at any time.[2]

Development

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A black turntable with three buttons on the rotating deck.
The turntable controller includes a rotatable turntable and three "stream" buttons, a crossfader, effects dial, and Euphoria button.

Activision had initially applied for a trademark on the name DJ Hero in early 2008, leading to speculation that Activision was making plans to compete against Konami's Beatmania series of music video games with their own DJ game as a possible spinoff of their popular Guitar Hero series.[4] FreeStyleGames, a small developer of music games, was employed to help produce localized downloadable content for Guitar Hero games and develop another yet-to-be announced music game.[5] This game was later revealed to be DJ Hero.[6][7] Activision CEO Bobby Kotick confirmed the existence of DJ Hero in an interview with CNBC on January 20, 2009, revealing a release "later this year".[8] Activision CFO Thomas Tippl stated that DJ Hero would be aimed at a broader audience than the Guitar Hero games primarily through the use of more contemporary music in its soundtrack.[9] Producer Will Townsend stated they opted for a wide variety of music to "make sure that everybody has something in there that they want."[2] DJ Hero was designed as a party game and to make the player "the life of the party", giving ways for them to be "in control of the music", according to Townsend.[2]

FreeStyleGames teamed up with London based music production company Crossfade Cartel owned by Ofei Sakyi and Dan Neil to ensure the overall quality of the soundtrack.[10][11] The 16 person music production team used a combination of MIDI software along with the music sequencer program, Ableton Live; the MIDI information was used to construct the gameplay elements such as crossfading and scratching with additional custom export software.[10] Because of this nature, Neil stated that it was much easier to alter a mix to meet certain gameplay goals, taking only a few minutes to complete, compared with the development of songs for Guitar Hero.[10]

The team worked alongside artists and DJs for incorporation of songs into the game.[10] Neil stated they brought to artists and DJs working prototypes of the game and hardware to show them what the sampled music and final mixes sounded like, garnering interest from these groups.[10] This led to securing of rights from several groups for their songs, though this did occur late in the development process.[10] Mixing with celebrity DJs was performed either though electronic communications, or at FreeStyleGames' studios or the homes or studios of the DJs themselves; the team outlined the goals of the game and requested mixes that emphasized the gameplay featured, but avoided hampering the creativity of the artists.[10]

The "Renegade" edition of DJ Hero includes the turntable controller and a case that can be converted into a stand for the controller.

DJ Shadow was brought in by Activision during November and December 2008, at least a year into the development into the game, to help select individual songs, help with creating the mixes, and provide additional input for the game, and will also be a playable DJ avatar in the game.[12][13] He was able to identify old effects samples that were used in the past for scratching for the developers to include the game.[12] To create the mixes, DJ Shadow first created a "dry version" of each mix which did not include any embellishments. DJ Shadow then proceeded to build off that to create the "wet version" with added effects that was used as the base for the gameplay's mixes.[12] Artists Eminem and Jay-Z have also served as consultants for the game; a special edition of DJ Hero was branded with their names, and included a limited edition of the controller, a music CD of their songs, a DJ stand, and a travel case for the units. This version is titled "Renegade Edition."[14] Jay-Z stated that he "[loved] the freedom" that the game gives him, and was able to work closely with Activision to put in new mixes that he envisioned, and considered the game "a DJ's universe", while Eminem believed DJ Hero was a game that he could "see [himself] actually playing".[14] DJs Z-Trip and DJ AM both created mixes for the game and will also be playable DJs in the game; Z-Trip will also help demonstrate the game at the 2009 E3 Conference.[15][16] Cut Chemist and J.Period will also be assisting in creating mixes for the game.[13][17] Grandmaster Flash and DJ Jazzy Jeff have contributed remixes to the soundtrack. All the Daft Punk remixes were created in-house by the team in London. All of these artists appeared as playable avatars.[18][19][20] In the case of Daft Punk, a special venue inspired by the group's Alive 2007 tour was created, that Tim Riley, Vice President for Music Affairs at Activision, considered to be "the next best thing to being at a Daft Punk concert".[21] David Guetta has also contributed three mixes that were made available as downloadable content for the game; Guetta would also serve as a spokesperson in the game's European marketing.[22] As part of the game's promotion, the DJ Hero controller appears in the music video for Kid Cudi's "Make Her Say".[23]

The "Renegade" edition of DJ Hero being played with the controller converted into a table

On August 28, 2009, DJ AM, a significant contributor to DJ Hero, was found dead in his apartment in New York City. His death did not affect the release of the game. Tim Riley, vice president of music affairs for Activision, stated that "We are deeply saddened by the loss of DJ AM. We hope that his work on the game will be a fitting tribute to his creative spirit and musical talent".[24] Also, at least one promotional video for the game has included a screen commemorating the deceased DJ, with the message "DJ AM, 1973–2009. In memory of a visionary."[25]

Neversoft's Brian Bright revealed that the use of Guitar Hero guitar controllers within DJ Hero arose when they tried to create mixes of guitar-heavy and rock tracks in the game; they felt something was missing in these mixes and added in the Guitar Hero-style of play alongside it.[26] Bright has stated that, while too late for the planned release of Guitar Hero 5, they are looking towards future instrument controller interoperability, including use of the DJ Hero controller into gameplay for future Guitar Hero titles, or using drum controllers within DJ Hero.[26]

DJ Hero 2

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Main article: DJ Hero 2

DJ Hero 2 was officially announced in June 2010 and was released in October 2010, featuring more than 70 mashups from over 85 artists.[27] The game includes several new gameplay modes, including an "Empire" career mode, head-to-head DJ battles, social multiplayer modes, and a jump-in and out Party Play mode similar to Guitar Hero 5. The game includes more vocal options for singing and rapping to songs, and a freestyle mode for players. Artists include Eminem, Daft Punk, Chamillionaire, Dr. Dre, Chemical Brothers, Kanye West, Metallica, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna, while Deadmau5, DJ Qbert, David Guetta and Tiësto are playable avatars in the game.[27]

Prior to the game's announcement, Activision revealed a month before the game's release that it is actively seeking artists for downloadable content and a sequel to the game.[28] One DJ in speculation to appear is DJ BJ, including mixer DJ Qbert.[29] David Guetta has stated that he is set to work on the game's sequel to arrive late in 2010.[30] Activision CEO Bobby Kotick stated that despite low sales of DJ Hero, they are committed to continuing the series, with the sequel due in 2010.[31] The sequel, DJ Hero 2, was further confirmed during an Activision investors report for 2009, citing it as one of only 2 major Guitar Hero titles to be expected from Activision in 2010, with an expected late-2010 release date.[32]

DJ Hero 3D

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At Nintendo's E3 press conference on June 15, 2010, the Nintendo 3DS handheld console was revealed. At the conference Nintendo listed a number of publishers and franchises coming to the 3DS, one of whom was Activision with DJ Hero 3D, a new installment in the DJ Hero series and the first handheld DJ Hero title. The gameplay is similar in nature to DJ Hero, where the stylus and touchscreen are used to mimic scratching and crossfading between songs.[33] It was later cancelled due to poor sales of DJ Hero 2.

[edit]

On April 15, 2009, the publishers of Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, Genius Products and Numark, sued against Scratch's developer, 7 Studios and Activision. The lawsuit contends that Activision purchased 7 Studios to both gain access to proprietary technology and to delay publication of the game so DJ Hero could come out first.[34] The Los Angeles Superior Court in which the suit was filed did not grant the requested restraining order against Activision on DJ Hero. Activision states that Scratch was already delayed by as early as October 2008, before they made contact with 7 Studios, and their acquisition of the developers did not impede them from completing Scratch.[35] However, on April 20, the court reversed its decision, awarding Genius and Numark a temporary restraining order, and ordered the "immediate return" of all of the material from 7 Studios from Activision,[36] including all source code related to Scratch.[37] 7 Studios subsequently filed a counter-suit against Genius Products, claiming that they engaged in "unlawful and unsavoury business practices" that limited 7 Studios from completing the game as planned.[38]

Soundtrack

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Main article: List of songs in DJ Hero

Over 100 individual songs based on master recordings were licensed by Activision, composed into 93 DJ mixes by both participating internationally known DJs and an in-house remix team. Unusually, the audio team also acted as the design team, playtesting all mixes and creating gameplay in tandem with producing the mixes. All mixes were produced using Ableton Live, with most of the scratch routines being performed by former DMC World DJ Champion DJ Blakey.[2][39] All mixes used in the soundtrack were unique at the time of the game's release.[40] Celebrity mix artists include DJ Shadow, DJ Z-Trip, DJ AM, and Daft Punk in addition to other mix artists listed below, although Daft Punk did not create their levels - they were all created by the in-house remix team.[2][41] Initial industry speculation stated that DJ Tiësto would be involved with the game, but this was eventually denied.[42] Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys was reported to have signed an exclusivity deal with 7 Studios to appear in their game Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, meaning that he would also not appear on DJ Hero.[41]

The individual songs themselves were pulled from a large number of music genres, including Pop, Grunge, Soul, R&B, Techno, Hip Hop, House, Drum & Bass. Most mashup concepts were conceived by the in-house remix team.[2][9][43][44][45] In addition to mixes using individual songs from both Eminem and Jay-Z, including Jay-Z's "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and "Dirt off Your Shoulder".[14] Eminem also stated that he will have additional songs included later in the year as downloadable content for the game,[14] such as the "Jay-Z vs. Eminem Mix Pack" released in March 2010, featuring three mash up-style songs combining the works of both artists. Universal Music Group is providing much of the content for the game.[9][19]

Reception

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Reviews

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DJ Hero has received positive reviews from the gaming press, who consider the title as a fresh restart of the music genre given the large number of titles based on guitar play.[49][53] The turntable peripheral was considered to be well designed to meet the needs of the game.[53][56] The unit's weight, size, and shape, and ability to cater to both left- and right-handed players was commended.[48][51] Many reviewers noted a need to alter the action of the crossfader, either by having better physical feedback to the player to indicate the center of the knob's track, or by reducing the width of the track to better handle the rapid crossfade maneuvers.[49][51][52] Reviewers also noted that there was a certain weight to the turntable portion of the controller which made scratching imprecise, particularly with the inner blue button where only minimal torque can be applied.[48][52] The learning curve of the game across the various mixes was highly commended by reviewers for helping players to get used to the new controller. When progressing from "Medium" to "Hard" and "Expert" levels and encountering more complex mixes, reviewers thought the game felt transformed, bringing a difficult but more rewarding experience to the player as they begin emulating every part of a real DJ's motions.[50][53] Johnny Minkley of Eurogamer considered that while the learning curve is steep, with the "Easy" difficulty being "less thrilling and engaging" compared to Guitar Hero, the game was "structured fabulously to nudge you gradually closer to the summit" with each successive career set and difficulty mode.[49] Cam Shae of IGN Australia felt that the changes in "Hard" mode over "Medium" were somewhat excessive, introducing both more crossfade effects and button-pressing, and felt these could have been introduced separately in "Hard" and "Expert" modes.[55] Richard Li of 1UP.com noted that the inability to fail a song is both "a bane and a boon"; newer players would not feel frustration at trying to get used to the controller and would be able to quickly unlock all the sets in the game's career mode, but without knowing where they failed, they would not have an idea of where they need to hone their skills to improve their performance at the game.[48] The omission of a practice mode was noted by Daemon Hatfield of IGN, believing it would help in some of the more complex mixes by the DJ celebrities.[53] Reviewers believed that the small faults in DJ Hero can be easily fixed for potential sequels.[57]

Reviewers found the on-disc soundtrack to be generally strong; Hatfield believed that "the entire soundtrack is superb and could easily stand on its own outside the game".[53] Matt Helgeson of Game Informer considered it to be one of the "most adventurous" soundtracks of any music game, and said though it often relied too much on pop hits, it remained true to the spirit of the DJ mix scene.[50] Minkley thought the game to have "vital, varied, surprising and vast musical content" and to be a fresh experience compared to previous music games.[49] Other reviewers felt the soundtrack had some weak areas. Shae noted that many of the mixes felt like "random mash-ups that take disparate songs", which would be appropriate for a live DJ, but does not reflect well on the art of mixing that can be performed today.[55] Li noted a clear distinction in the quality of the mixes between the early sets—those mostly created in-house by FreeStyleGames—and the latter sets centered on the work of famous DJs.[48] While Ben Kuchera of Ars Technica felt the soundtrack was good, he asserted that individual songs were unrecognizable because of modifications made to them for the mixes, and that they were more difficult to adjust to within the gameplay itself.[58]

Many reviews for DJ Hero felt the addition of the non-scoring freeform samples during certain parts of mixes were unnecessary and difficult to use, and with the limited number of samples available, ultimately would lead to overuse and make the mixes sound worse.[49][52][53] Reviewers were critical of the game's lackluster multiplayer modes. The DJ-vs-DJ mode was considered poor as both players play the same mix, in consideration of current band-based music games where different players can play different parts of a song.[53] This leads to minimal engagement between players, with each just attempting to maximize their score whenever possible on the controller.[49] While some reviewers considered the DJ-vs-Guitar modes to be fun,[53] others felt it was more a novelty due to the current tracks offered for this mode in the game.[50] The game's graphics were also considered as a negative, often using many strobing lights and creating concerns about possible epileptic seizures that could occur while watching the game.[52] The character designs of the non-celebrity avatars also continued to have the same Muppet-like appearances that occur in the Guitar Hero series, and are overly stereotyped.[50]

Time named DJ Hero one of the ten best video games of 2009, considering it "the new contender for best party game".[59] USA Today considered DJ Hero the best music game of the year.[60] DJ Hero also won Best Soundtrack at the Spike Video Game Awards 2009.[61] During the 13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, DJ Hero has been nominated for "Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack" by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.[62]

Sales

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Prior to DJ Hero's release, game industry analysts had projected the title would sell 1.6 million units in its first fiscal quarter; however, after disappointing sales performances of Guitar Hero 5 and The Beatles: Rock Band in the month prior to DJ Hero's release, analysis had lowered that expectation to 600,000 units.[63] NPD Group figures for the month of October reported only 123,000 units of the game were sold in the United States,[64] below the 175,000 units projected by analysts.[65] November sales in North America were estimated at 211,000 units.[66] Through January 2010, the game has sold 789,000 units in North America.[67] Ars Technica, in considering the game as a "flop" in its present market due to these numbers, attributes the failure being due to four factors: the game was not suited for social play, the cost was prohibitive in the current market, the mixes in the game were relatively unknown despite the individual songs being well-known, and there was a lack of familiarity with how a turntable works for mixing compared with a guitar or drum kit.[58] However, despite these figures, Activision claims that DJ Hero is the highest-grossing new intellectual property of 2009 in North America based on NPD data, which reporters attribute to the game's higher cost.[68] Activision's Dan Amirch cited total North American sales of over 1.2 million units by June 2010, and commented on the "long tail" of sales that made DJ Hero initially appear to be a failure but instead has been considered a successful title by his company but they ran out of business. They still make money off their games today.[69]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

DJ Hero

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from Grokipedia
DJ Hero is a rhythm video game developed by FreeStyleGames and published by , released on October 27, 2009, for PlayStation 2, , , and Xbox 360. It serves as the first spin-off in the series, shifting focus from guitar simulation to by introducing a specialized turntable controller that allows players to scratch records, crossfade between tracks, tap effects buttons, and mix pre-created mashups of licensed songs in real-time. The gameplay centers on syncing actions to on-screen cues during song mashups spanning genres like hip-hop, electronic, R&B, pop, and rock, with modes including a single-player career progression through DJ sets, competitive battles, and cooperative play—such as a unique guitar-DJ duet option using both the turntable and Guitar Hero controllers. Its soundtrack features over 100 tracks from more than 80 artists, including Jay-Z, Eminem, Daft Punk, and the Black Eyed Peas, with exclusive mashups crafted by professional DJs like DJ Jazzy Jeff. Players can also compete using a USB microphone for emceeing or expand content via downloadable packs. Upon release, DJ Hero garnered positive critical reception for its innovative hardware and engaging mechanics, achieving an aggregate score of 84/100 based on 72 reviews, though some critics noted the controller's learning curve and limited replayability. Commercially, it sold 1.2 million units in by mid-2010, initially facing slow sales but gaining momentum through discounts and word-of-mouth, ultimately ranking as Activision's highest-grossing new of 2009 in the and . A , , followed in October 2010 with expanded features like freestyle sessions and microphone integration.

Gameplay

Core Mechanics

DJ Hero's gameplay revolves around a specialized turntable controller designed to simulate real-world DJ equipment. The controller features a central spinning platter divided into three colored plates—typically green, red, and blue—that serve as input buttons for triggering samples and beats during mixes. Adjacent to the platter is a crossfader , which players move left or right to toggle between two tracks or blend them in the center, mimicking a DJ mixer's functionality. An effects dial, positioned on the mixer section, allows players to apply filters, select samples, and other audio manipulations, while an additional button enables activation of scoring bonuses. The entire unit is wireless and ergonomically shaped for comfortable handling, with the platter capable of full 360-degree rotations in both directions. Core inputs are rhythm-based, requiring players to time actions precisely to on-screen cues that scroll along a circular "highway" resembling a vinyl record. Players tap the colored plates to hit note icons, representing drum samples or melodic elements, while simultaneously scratching the platter back and forth—holding a plate button during the motion—for scratch cues that add flair and points. Crossfading involves sliding the crossfader to match directional indicators, switching audio focus between tracks to maintain the mix's flow. Advanced cues demand full platter rotations, such as 360-degree spins, to rewind or emphasize sections, building combos by chaining successful inputs without errors; these combos increase score multipliers, rewarding accuracy and rhythm adherence. The scoring system emphasizes performance streaks and risk-reward decisions to simulate turntablism's creativity. Points accumulate from accurate plate taps, scratches, and crossfades, with unbroken combos escalating multipliers up to a maximum of four times the base score. The Euphoria meter fills through perfect sequences and can be activated via the dedicated button, temporarily doubling the multiplier and automating crossfades for easier execution, though mistimed activations risk breaking the combo. Elements like 360-degree spins introduce risk, as imprecise rotations can deduct points or end streaks, encouraging players to balance speed and precision for higher scores and star ratings per mix. In the core gameplay loop, players select pre-made mixes from the library, each a mash-up of two tracks pre-mixed into a single performance sequence. Visual feedback appears as layered waveforms on the screen, highlighting active audio channels based on crossfader position, accompanied by dynamic party animations like dancing crowds and light shows that intensify with successful combos. This setup guides players through the mix, providing cues for transitions and effects to keep the energy high.

Modes and Features

DJ Hero's single-player career mode structures gameplay around tiered sets of themed mixes, where players progress from small venues to larger ones by earning stars based on to unlock new songs, avatars, and equipment upgrades, culminating in boss battles against notable DJ characters. This mode emphasizes gradual skill-building across five difficulty levels, with quick play options allowing access to all unlocked mixes without following the career path. Multiplayer modes support both competitive and cooperative play locally or online, requiring a second turntable controller or compatible Guitar Hero guitar for participation. In competitive DJ battles, players face off on shared note highways while deploying sabotage effects, such as freezing the opponent's crossfader to halt their mixing or temporarily hiding their notes to disrupt timing. Cooperative modes enable synchronized performance on ten specific mixes that split responsibilities between DJ and guitar parts, displaying both sets of notes on screen for joint execution. The crossover introduces a hybrid DJ vs. mode on select tracks, integrating DJ turntable charts with guitar-specific notations to allow simultaneous play between a DJ controller user and a guitar player, either competitively or cooperatively, with adapted mashups like " / Beggin'" to blend the instruments. Additional features enhance and casual engagement, including avatar selection from a roster of unlockable DJ characters for career and multiplayer sessions, alongside customizable decks via sticker sheets in the Renegade Edition bundle. Party mode supports drop-in play through non-scored playlists of premade or custom sets, enabling background mixing for social gatherings without performance pressure. Post-game analysis provides detailed stats on scores, streaks, accuracy, and multipliers. During , a rewind meter allows players to rewind the song briefly to correct recent mistakes when activated by a backward platter spin.

Development

Original Game

DJ Hero was officially revealed in late May 2009, ahead of its showcase at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), as the first spin-off in the Guitar Hero series to shift focus from rock music toward electronic, hip-hop, and dance genres. The game was developed by FreeStyleGames, a Leamington Spa-based studio founded in 2002 by former employees of Codemasters and Rare, and published by Activision, which had acquired the studio in September 2008 to expand its music game portfolio. The production process involved close collaboration with renowned DJs to ensure authenticity in mechanics, including input from artists like and The Scratch Perverts, who contributed exclusive mixes and consulted on scratching techniques and mix creation. Composers crafted the game's mashups using software to blend tracks seamlessly, drawing on real-world DJ practices for rhythmic and effects layering. Development emphasized prototyping the custom turntable hardware in partnership with Numark, iterating on designs to replicate professional DJ controls like crossfading and platter spinning while adapting them for accessibility. As the inaugural title to prioritize non-rock genres, DJ Hero introduced innovative mashup-based gameplay that encouraged players to mix hip-hop, pop, and electronic tracks, diverging from the series' guitar-centric formula. The Renegade Edition bundle featured exclusive content tied to and , including unreleased tracks like Eminem's "Taking My Ball" and a themed venue inspired by their joint performances, alongside custom controller overlays and compilation discs. Initial soundtrack curation involved selecting over 100 songs for 93 unique on-disc mixes, emphasizing crossover appeal in electronic and hip-hop styles.

Sequels and Expansions

DJ Hero 2, developed by FreeStyleGames and published by , was released in October 2010 for , , and , serving as the direct sequel to the original game. The development team at FreeStyleGames, which had been acquired by in 2008, focused on refining the core gameplay while expanding the game's appeal to a wider audience amid the evolving market; the sequel was developed in approximately seven months. Key production efforts included collaborating with a diverse roster of artists to create exclusive mixes, emphasizing broader genre inclusion such as rock and pop alongside hip-hop and dance. The sequel featured a soundtrack with 83 on-disc mixes drawn from over 100 songs by approximately 85 artists. Notable inclusions were tracks from artists like , whose "Bad Romance" was remixed, and Metallica, integrated into mashups to blend rock elements with DJ techniques. Gameplay enhancements introduced a new freestyle mode, allowing players to freely crossfade between tracks, perform custom scratches, and apply sample effects during designated sections. Additional modes included competitive multiplayer options like DJ Battles, where players alternate turns to outperform each other, and an improved single-player career mode called , which structured progression through themed sets. The turntable controller remained largely unchanged from the original, though software tweaks enhanced responsiveness for freestyle actions. DJ Hero 2 supported packs to extend its library, such as the Trance Anthems Mix Pack featuring tracks from artists like , available for purchase on and PlayStation 3. These DLCs included hybrid mixes compatible with elements, promoting cross-play between the series. While the original DJ Hero received no major standalone expansions, it benefited from cross-promotions, including free DLC compatibility updates that allowed its content to integrate with the sequel.

Canceled Projects

In June 2010, at Nintendo's press conference unveiling the handheld console, announced DJ Hero 3D, a portable adaptation of the DJ Hero series designed to simulate through the system's controls for scratching, crossfading, and mixing tracks. The game leveraged the 3DS's glasses-free stereoscopic 3D display to enhance visual effects, such as a 3D-animated DJ in the background, while the upper screen showed a scrolling note highway and the lower handled interactive elements like tapping and sliding to mimic vinyl manipulation, without requiring a dedicated peripheral. Developed by Vicarious Visions, the project reached an early prototype stage by E3 2010, where attendees could play a demo featuring a single track to test the touch-based mechanics. It was positioned as a potential launch title for the in , with plans to include fresh song mixes tailored for the portable format. However, on February 9, , canceled DJ Hero 3D as part of a broader discontinuation of the DJ Hero franchise, citing ongoing declines in the market and the high costs associated with and development. This decision disbanded the company's DJ Hero business unit and halted all future titles in the series, including any additional handheld efforts, amid the post-2008 crash in music game sales. In April 2009, shortly before DJ Hero's launch, Genius Products and Numark Industries filed a lawsuit against Activision and its recently acquired studio 7 Studios in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The complaint alleged intentional interference with contractual relations, breach of contract, conversion of assets, and misappropriation of trade secrets related to the development of Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, a competing DJ rhythm game that featured a similar turntable controller and scratching mechanics. The plaintiffs claimed that Activision's acquisition of 7 Studios in February 2009 was a deliberate strategy to access proprietary technology— including game code, assets, and controller designs developed for Scratch—and to withhold them, thereby delaying Scratch's release and eliminating direct competition for DJ Hero. Numark, which had partnered with to create a specialized for Scratch, argued that the actions violated non-disclosure agreements and sought substantial damages along with the immediate return of all related . On April 20, 2009, the court issued a temporary restraining order in favor of Genius and Numark, mandating that 7 Studios return all Scratch assets, including source code, prototypes, and confidential materials, within five days to prevent further alleged sabotage. In May 2009, a follow-up ruling required 7 Studios to surrender the game's source code and pre-existing development tools. 7 Studios countered by filing its own lawsuit against Genius Products, accusing the publisher of incompetence, inadequate funding, poor communication, and unethical practices that stalled Scratch's progress. The protracted legal battle underscored tensions in the nascent DJ gaming space, where overlapping hardware and gameplay innovations raised concerns over competitive sabotage. Scratch: The Ultimate DJ was ultimately canceled and never released, partly due to the disruptions from the litigation. The case appears to have concluded without a public trial or detailed settlement terms, amid ' bankruptcy in December 2011 and 7 Studios' closure in 2011. Beyond this dispute, DJ Hero operated within Activision's broader rhythm game portfolio, which faced escalating IP challenges from music licensing agreements with artists and labels. High royalty costs and occasional royalty disputes contributed to the genre's contraction, indirectly impacting the franchise's longevity as Activision discontinued development on Guitar Hero and DJ Hero sequels after 2010.

Soundtrack

On-Disc Mixes

The original DJ Hero features 93 exclusive on-disc mixes drawn from 102 individual tracks, primarily spanning hip-hop, R&B, pop, and electronic genres to evoke authentic DJ culture. These mixes were crafted by a team including celebrity DJs such as , , and , who contributed original mashups blending vocal acapellas, instrumentals, and beats from diverse artists like , , and . The selection emphasizes crossover appeal within urban and dance music scenes, avoiding heavy reliance on rock to differentiate from its parent series. Each mix typically combines two tracks by syncing their beats per minute (BPM) for seamless transitions, layering elements like rap verses over electronic synths or grooves to create thematic cohesion—such as pairing high-energy hip-hop flows with pulsating dance rhythms. For instance, produced the mashup of ' "Here's a Little Somethin' For Ya" with his own "The Number Song (2009 Version)," fusing playful rap lyrics with intricate production. Another example is Dizzee Rascal's "Fix Up, Look Sharp" blended with Justice's "Genesis," highlighting grime's raw energy against French electro's futuristic edge. DJ Hero 2 expands the on-disc content with 83 mixes incorporating over 100 songs from approximately 85 artists, introducing greater variety including rock and metal to broaden the game's musical scope. Celebrity DJ contributions continue, with credits to figures like , , , and , who handled pairings that merge heavy riffs with contemporary hits. Notable examples include DJ Shadow's mix of Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" with Metallica's "The Day That Never Comes," syncing soulful R&B vocals to thrash metal's driving tempo for a bold hip-hop/metal fusion. This evolution totals more than 170 unique on-disc mixes across both games, with celebrity oversight ensuring professional-grade syncing and creative pairings.

Downloadable Content

DJ Hero received several (DLC) packs following its launch, expanding the game's library of mash-up mixes beyond the initial 93 on-disc tracks. These packs, released between late 2009 and 2010, typically contained two to three extended mixes each and were priced at 480 to 680 (approximately $6 to $8) on , with equivalent costs on and individual tracks available for 300 Wii Points. The first DLC, Extended Mix Pack 01, arrived in October 2009 and featured two mixes: "All of Me" by 50 Cent featuring Mary J. Blige mashed with "Radio Ga Ga" by Queen, and "DARE" by Gorillaz blended with "Can't Truss It" by Public Enemy. This was followed in November 2009 by the David Guetta Mix Pack, which included three dance-oriented mixes such as "When Love Takes Over" by David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland paired with "Sexy Bitch" by David Guetta featuring Akon. In March 2010, the Jay-Z vs. Eminem Mix Pack offered three hip-hop focused mixes, including "Can I Get A..." by Jay-Z mashed with "Lose Yourself" by Eminem, emphasizing the artists' collaborative "Renegade" style. The Domination Mix Pack, released in April 2010, brought three high-energy electronic mixes, highlighted by "Sandstorm" by Darude combined with "Higher State of Consciousness" by Josh Wink. These packs integrated seamlessly into the game's core modes, allowing players to mash DLC mixes with on-disc tracks for custom sets. Across DJ Hero's DLC offerings, more than 20 additional mixes were added through at least four major packs. DJ Hero 2, released in October 2010, continued the DLC tradition with genre-specific packs that broadened its soundtrack across hip-hop, rock, electronic, and old-school styles. Examples include the Hard Edge Mix Pack (November 2010), featuring rock-infused blends like Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?" with Jane's Addiction's "Been Caught Stealing"; the Old Skool Mix Pack (December 2010), with classic hip-hop mash-ups such as Fat Boys' "Human Beat Box" versus Mantronix's "King of the Beats"; and the Linkin Park Mix Pack (December 2010), offering three remixed tracks from the band's album A Thousand Suns, including "The Catalyst (Does It Offend You, Yeah? Remix)" and "When They Come for Me (Diplo Remix)." Electronic-focused content arrived via the Tiësto Mix Pack (November 2010), initially offered free through a Coca-Cola promotion before standard release at 640 Microsoft Points, and the Ultra Music Mix Pack (April 2011), which included three club tracks for the same price. The Indie Hip Hop Mix Pack (March 2011) highlighted underground artists with mixes like Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf's "My World Premiere" versus Jaylib's "The Red (Instrumental)." These packs, typically containing three mixes and priced at 640 Microsoft Points ($7.99 on PS3), supported all game modes including DJ Battles and could be combined with on-disc content for extended play. In total, DJ Hero 2's DLC added over 30 mixes through multiple genre-themed releases. All DLC for both DJ Hero titles became unavailable for purchase on March 31, 2014, due to expired agreements, though previously downloaded content remained playable on compatible consoles. This delisting affected the entire family, including , ending Activision's support for post-launch expansions in the series.

Release and Marketing

Launch Details

DJ Hero launched in on October 27, 2009, for the , , , and consoles, with no version released for PC. The release followed in on October 28, 2009, and on October 29, 2009. The standard edition was packaged as a bundle including the turntable controller and game disc, priced at $119.99 for most platforms, though the version was listed at $99.99. The game carried an ESRB rating of Teen in , citing lyrics and mild suggestive themes, while it received a 12 rating in Europe due to bad language and online features. No major content variations were reported across regions at launch. Its sequel, , was released in on October 19, 2010, for the , , and , dropping support for the PlayStation 2 but featuring minor enhancements to the version such as improved wireless turntable integration. The standard bundle for , including the turntable controller, was priced at $99.99. Like its predecessor, it earned an ESRB Teen rating for similar reasons involving lyrics and suggestive themes.

Special Editions and Promotions

The DJ Hero Renegade Edition was released as a limited premium bundle in 2009, themed around the collaboration between and on the track "Renegade" from 's album . Priced at $199.99, it included the standard game disc, a custom black turntable controller with premium metal finishes and controls, a hard-shell carrying case that doubled as a portable performance stand, and an exclusive two-disc CD pack featuring unreleased tracks and rarities from and Eminem's catalogs. This edition also provided in-game exclusives, such as a unique venue inspired by the "Renegade" track and 10 bonus mixes created specifically by Jay-Z and Eminem for the game, enhancing the hip-hop focused gameplay experience. The packaging was designed by artist Shepard Fairey, adding a collectible appeal to the bundle. For DJ Hero 2, promotions emphasized party-oriented bundles and partnerships to drive sales. Retailers offered limited-time gift-with-purchase incentives, including turntable controller carrying cases/stands, free soundtrack CDs, and standalone game copies bundled with the turntable controller, available at stores like GameStop and Walmart starting from the October 2010 launch. A notable collaboration with Coca-Cola provided free downloadable content, such as the Tiësto Mix Pack and My Chemical Romance tracks for Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, redeemable via codes distributed through Coca-Cola's promotional channels from November 2010. Demos were showcased at E3 2010, allowing hands-on previews of multiplayer features and new mixes to generate buzz ahead of release. Broader marketing efforts for the series included high-profile TV advertisements featuring celebrities like , , and , which highlighted the mechanics and star-powered mixes to appeal to music fans. In-store promotions involved demo stations at select retailers, such as PUMA stores in November 2009, where players could try the game with branded apparel tie-ins, and launch events with celebrity appearances to boost visibility.

Reception

Critical Reviews

DJ Hero received generally favorable reviews upon release, earning a Metacritic aggregate score of 84/100 based on 72 critic reviews. awarded it a 9/10, praising the innovative turntable controller that allowed for authentic and mixing mechanics, as well as the creative mashups that blended diverse tracks in unexpected ways. gave it an 8/10, highlighting the controller's responsive design and the excitement of superstar DJ-curated mixes that simulated real DJ performance. Critics commonly lauded the game's authentic simulation of DJing fundamentals, such as crossfading and , which provided a fresh twist on rhythm gameplay. The soundtrack's variety was another frequent positive, featuring 93 exclusive mashups from over 100 licensed songs across genres, drawing from artists like , , and to create energetic, party-ready sets. Among the criticisms, many reviewers noted a steep , particularly with mastering the crossfader for smooth transitions, which could frustrate beginners despite accessible difficulty options. Multiplayer modes were seen as unbalanced and limited, often requiring additional hardware for local play and lacking depth in competitive scoring. Some outlets also pointed to dated graphics and uninspired art direction that failed to match the vibrancy of the audio experience. The game earned recognition as one of the top video games of 2009, appearing on Time magazine's list of the ten best and being named the top music game by . , released in 2010, scored 86/100 on from 66 reviews, with critics noting improvements like enhanced multiplayer battles and freestyle modes, though some observed market fatigue in the oversaturated rhythm genre.

Commercial Performance

DJ Hero experienced a slow initial launch in October 2009, selling 123,000 units in the during its debut month. Despite early concerns, the game benefited from holiday season discounts, which propelled sales to around 800,000 units by the end of 2009 in . By June 2010, cumulative n sales reached 1.2 million units, marking a "" effect where sustained post-launch purchases contributed significantly to its performance. reported DJ Hero as the highest-grossing new of 2009 in both the and based on revenue data. Although global sales figures are not comprehensively documented, n sales comprised a significant portion of its performance. The sequel, DJ Hero 2, launched in October 2010 amid a broader decline in the rhythm game market, which saw U.S. sales drop over 50 percent from 2008 to 2009 and continue to fall in 2010. It sold approximately 59,000 units in North America during its launch month, hampered by the high $199.99 bundle price including the turntable peripheral. Total global sales for DJ Hero 2 fell under 500,000 units, contributing to Activision's decision to scale back rhythm game releases and ultimately end the franchise without further updates after 2010.

Legacy and Community

Cultural Impact

DJ Hero played a significant role in popularizing within mainstream gaming, introducing players to the mechanics of , crossfading, and mixing through its innovative turntable controller. By featuring playable avatars of renowned DJs such as and , the game simulated real-time remixing, fostering an appreciation for DJ culture among a broad audience previously more familiar with rock-oriented rhythm titles like . This bridged the gap between rhythm games and electronic genres, crediting the title with expanding the scope of music gaming beyond traditional instruments. The game also inspired increased interest in EDM and hip-hop among players, serving as a gateway to genres like techno and dance music for those with limited prior exposure. For instance, retrospective accounts highlight how DJ Hero's diverse mashups, including Daft Punk's remix of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," shifted players' preferences from classic rock to electronic sounds, fundamentally altering their musical tastes. In hip-hop contexts, it democratized mixing by allowing home users to blend tracks from icons like Jay-Z and Eminem, reflecting sampling traditions and potentially influencing aspiring DJs. These elements positioned DJ Hero as a cultural touchstone during the 2009-2010 music game boom, contributing to the genre's temporary explosion before market saturation led to its decline. Retrospective analyses in the 2020s praise DJ Hero for its innovation, often citing it as one of the most creative rhythm games due to its unique tracklist and that emphasized musical malleability over rote performance. Developer FreeStyleGames drew on DJ Hero's prototyping techniques—such as rapid controller experimentation—to inform later titles like , which revitalized rhythm gaming with accessible yet challenging mechanics.

Modern Playability and Fan Activity

Since its delisting from digital storefronts, DJ Hero has seen sustained playability through emulation on modern hardware. The game is fully compatible with the Dolphin emulator for the Wii version, allowing users to run it on PCs without original consoles, complete with setup guides for integrating the turntable controller via adapters like Raphnet. Similarly, the PlayStation 3 edition operates on RPCS3, with community-developed configurations enabling turntable input and online server emulation for multiplayer, though some audio latency adjustments are recommended. Fan-created patches further enhance these setups by restoring access to delisted downloadable content and enabling widescreen support, preserving the full experience beyond original hardware limitations. The fan community actively maintains and expands DJ Hero through custom content creation. Tools developed by enthusiasts allow players to craft new mixes and charts, integrating unlicensed songs or restoring packs like the vs. collection via software modifications on emulated platforms. Dedicated servers facilitate sharing of these customs, with members collaborating on charting software to add contemporary tracks. In 2025, hosts numerous playthroughs of these fan-made content, showcasing expert performances of custom battles like " vs. Horsepower" and demonstrating ongoing innovation in mix design. As of November 2025, original DJ Hero hardware remains accessible on resale markets, with turntable controllers and bundles typically priced between $45 and $100 on , depending on condition and included accessories. The community, while niche, persists through emulation and customs, with no official re-releases or remasters announced, though the formation of Games—a studio by former and DJ Hero developers—signals renewed interest in revivals, potentially inspiring future ports.

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  106. https://myrient.erista.me/files/Miscellaneous/ArbysHasTheMeats/DJ%2520Hero%2520stuff%2520-%2520shockdude/DJ%2520Hero%2520%252B%2520DJ%2520Hero%25202%2520DLC%2520%255BPS3%255D/NTSC/DJ%2520Hero%2520Jay-Z%2520vs.%2520Eminem%2520Pack/
  107. https://www.reddit.com/r/DjHero/comments/cb1vfq/customs_are_here_a_comprehensive_guide_to_dj_hero/
  108. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn3xdrk2Ce4
  109. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhfHYOsL9uM
  110. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz4x4cAhivc
  111. https://www.ebay.com/itm/144978178591
  112. https://www.polygon.com/guitar-hero-redoctane-new-rhythm-game
  113. https://www.gematsu.com/2025/08/redoctane-games-established-rhythm-game-studio-led-by-genre-veterans
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