Music-inspired video games were once immensely popular, such as Guitar Hero. Such titles allowed users to experience what it would be like playing their favorite rock songs live on an actual instrument.
Kids will love getting up on the dance floor to show their hip hop rhythm skills with this hip hop rhythm game! Pressing arrow keys at designated times can help your rapper perform well in concert and earn money for himself/herself; use earnings to personalize his/her look later!
Get On Da Mic
Get On Da Mic is a rap music game that allows gamers to take on multiple characters as they rise from humble beginnings as hip hop stars. The game includes over 40 licensed tracks originally made famous by famous rappers, and boasts up to four player multi-player mode where contestants battle it out to become rappers themselves and earn flashy gear for themselves and their homes in this battle royale mode game.
Graphically, this game doesn’t look too impressive. The blocky graphics don’t match well with its lyrics that scroll across the screen and the rapping motions don’t exactly correspond with them. There are a few special effects such as strobe lights and video cutaways but these don’t give enough atmosphere to this title.
The gameplay for DJ Hero 3 is similar to other music games; players start out as an amateur MC performing in small bars and house parties before progressing up to larger venues like MTV’s Total Request Live (TRL) and TRL (Total Request Live). Along the way, celebrities such as Jadakiss, MTV’s Sway, and Shady Records DJ Green Lantern may appear as supporters to help your success.
Song performances are evaluated based on their ability to match up lyrics with beat. A bar indicates when to speak the lyrics aloud; an indicator changes colors when words should be highlighted or highlighted when matching up with beat. If words line up perfectly with rhythm, a meter fills and “rock the mic” sequence is activated.
An outstanding performance earns bonus points and a multiplier that increases future performances’ likelihood of success. Additionally, this game includes a practice mode in which the player can freely rap along to the beat without being limited by words displayed on-screen.
Get On Da Mic requires a microphone to play, as well as the Eye Toy system for multiplayer play. It censors profanity and works with hand-held karaoke microphones made by Logitech which are sold separately with PlayStation 2. Despite its niche focus, however, Get On Da Mic shares many similarities with popular music games such as SingStar and Karaoke Stage.
Def Jam Rapstar
Rap stars have long been featured in video games, but Def Jam Rapstar is the first music game designed specifically for rappers to shine. Players use microphones to rap over 45 of today and yesterday’s hip hop hits while real music videos play back behind them, using rhythm and pitch to hit beats while singing lyrics to lyrics based videos that play behind. Like singing games with good controls and features such as uploading freestyles directly onto its website to showcase talent, Def Jam Rapstar provides players with their opportunity to become superstar MCs!
Hip hop fans have plenty of content here with 40 songs available to rap to and share with the community, a short career mode, and Freestyle arena to occupy them. Unfortunately, however, this title lacks an online rap battle area and its achievements focus too heavily on community rather than gameplay itself.
The soundtrack is truly impressive and includes mainstream hits from Kanye West, Nelly, and DMX as well as vintage cuts by Public Enemy’s Fight the Power; Run DMC’s Run This Town; the Beastie Boys Brass Monkey; Root Manuva Wiley Dizzee Rascal as well as classic UK hip hop from Root Manuva Wiley Dizzee Rascal and Dizzee Rascal – among many others – in its entirety. Additionally it also contains tracks from Def Jam US counterparts, such as Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP as well as LL Cool J’s Cool Like That from their respective US cousins, alongside UK hip hop tracks such as Root Manuva Wiley Dizzee Rascal.
Though the song list is impressive, due to no way of clearing songs for inclusion in this game some more recognizable titles are missing from it. It’s understandable why EMI would sue those behind this game for failing to obtain necessary clearances; rap songs tend to involve multiple contributors and samples that require extensive paperwork clearances for inclusion.
Still, the gameplay is enjoyable and with some adjustments to Career mode and online sharing capabilities would put this game on par with Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and SingStar. Hip hop fans finally have an entertainment title dedicated to them; plus its potential for online rap battles makes this worth checking out!
The Hip Hop Experience
This hip hop music game boasts the widest selection of hip hop songs ever found in a dance video game, from Billboard chart-toppers to old school party jams. Produced by acclaimed music game developer iNiS, The Hip Hop Experience features dance routines arranged by world-renowned choreographers Laurieann Gibson and Dave Scott as well as progressive difficulty levels designed to test players of all ages’ dancing ability.
Dancers can use their feet, hands and head to mimic the on-screen dancers’ movements through Kinect motion sensor readings on Xbox 360s Kinect sensor comparing all their body moves with those on screen to see how well they’re performing. High scores will get them placed on online leaderboards for that song or routine while Power Skooling provides users with an opportunity to practice before challenging friends in an arena style environment.
The Hip Hop Experience features vibrant graphics with pulsating beats that excite players to move. The wardrobe options for in-game computer generated characters range from short skirts and halter tops, while dance moves can range from side step shuffles to complex upper and lower body movements.
Although The Hip Hop Experience doesn’t break new ground among Ubisoft dance games released since Kinect for Xbox 360 launched, it does feature some nice additions that make the experience enjoyable to play. Voice selection of songs makes voice control effortless while its wardrobe tab lets dancers customize their avatars with new outfits.
The game features four game modes: Dance Party, Dance Battle, Dance Marathon and Power Skooling. Dance Battle allows gamers to compete against three friends in high-energy dance battles that can be quite fun; Dance Marathon tests stamina while Power Skooling provides users with an opportunity to practice difficult moves step-by-step tutorial style – providing anyone looking to learn hip hop an enjoyable workout experience! This engaging dance game will prove both educational and enjoyable!
DJ Hero
Hip hop music has quickly become one of the most beloved forms of contemporary music, spreading into all areas of popular culture – including video gaming. Video game developers have capitalized on hip hop’s appeal with games like 2009’s Pimped which features hustlers, dollar bills and hip hop tunes with each spin of its wheel.
DJ Hero represents a departure from Guitar Hero’s style of gameplay by using a controller resembling turntables to allow players to engage with tracks by pressing buttons to add beats or adjust crossfader. Featuring an eclectic variety of music genres that should appeal to most music enthusiasts, it received mostly positive reviews from critics despite disappointing sales results and an increase in rhythm-based music games in general that year.
FreeStyleGames developed DJ Hero 2, offering more of the same “scratch” and rhythm-based play while adding additional multiplayer options. A special “two player mode” allowed two DJ players to compete against one another while playing the same song; additionally, an add-on version supported an additional DJ controller player.
In 2010, the final DJ Hero entry in the series was released, offering more of what players had come to love from previous entries in this franchise. It features classic, contemporary hits and remixed tunes; Daft Punk even provided vocals to cover one of their classic tracks ‘Human After All’ from earlier in their career!
Def Jam Rapstar is a free online rapping dance game similar to Dance Dance Revolution in which players control a rapper performing for virtual audiences, earning money with each performance to purchase new “bling.” Players must tap arrow keys or WASD in time with cues that appear on screen to perform well for the crowd; any incorrect movements or cues missed will cause money earned during that performance to be forfeited as penalties for missed performances or incorrect keypresses results in money lost that performance.
Hip hop and gaming have always had a close connection. Releases such as PaRappa the Rapper and NBA 2K have seamlessly integrated hip hop culture into gaming in a realistic way.
Get On Da Mic provided a unique approach to music genre by enabling players to battle with their microphone. 50 Cent’s Bulletproof offered players a glimpse into Staten Island as he sought revenge against hitmen through an immersive third person shooter experience.
Rap Jam: Volume One
Although many rappers had contributed their voices to video game soundtracks before 2003’s Def Jam Vendetta was the first game devoted solely to hip hop culture. That changed with this fighting game’s launch as it truly encompassed everything about it from music, fashion, slang and beyond – featuring real rap superstars Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent and Lil Kim as playable characters as well. Subsequent titles of this franchise would follow like Def Jam Fight for NY with several non-rapping celebrities like Carmen Electra joining these legendary figures in battle royale!
DJ Hero made its debut in 2009 and immediately became an immensely popular game among gamers, giving gamers an immersive way to experience hip hop music. By using a controller modeled after a turntable, players could match beats and scratches from songs performed by legendary DJs such as Grandmaster Flash to recreate famous tracks on DJ Hero’s game controller. It provided players with an intimate glimpse into what goes into creating hit records while simultaneously spotlighting influential hip hop artists such as Grandmaster Flash.
Rap and basketball may seem like two genres that should go together well in a video game, yet Rap Jam Volume One belies this assumption. Released in 1995 as an imitation of NBA Jam featuring popular rappers like Coolio, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Naughty By Nature and Queen Latifah among others as avatars; unfortunately the experience proved disappointing with players on court that do not reflect real life!
PaRappa the Rapper
PaRappa the Rapper is an original rhythm game designed by NanaOn-Sha and SCEJ featuring paper-thin characters and an upbeat soundtrack. Players use button tapping system to perform rhymes that earn points as they advance through its six levels.
The gameplay resembles that of classic 1980s game Simon, with one key distinction. Players must press buttons in time with the rhythm of song lyrics and any mistakes result in unintelligible gibberish that makes this simple mechanic challenging for even experienced players and demands that players pay close attention to song timing.
Story is predictable and predictable, yet PaRappa’s infectious excitement makes the game enjoyable. Additionally, this title features an impressively large variety of songs to keep gameplay engaging; and also offers call-and-response with famous rappers such as Chop Chop Master Onion and Instructor Mooselini! However, with modernizing the control system could have prevented lags in button presses and steep survival penalties altogether.
B-Boy
B-boying may now be seen on iPod commercials or music videos, but its roots began as an underground subculture that flourished alongside graffiti writing and MCing as part of hip hop’s holy trinity. Documentaries have highlighted two prominent b-boying legends such as Crazy Legs and Rock Steady Crew as prominent b-boyers.
B-Boy offers players an immersive dance battle experience similar to DJ Boy, yet with improved roller skating physics and improved combat mechanics. Furthermore, it features an updated soundtrack and storyline involving defeating an evil crime boss.
The game allows players to select from various b-boys or b-girls, each with their own style and moves. Cyphers allow b-boys and b-girls to team up against other teams; competitors must abide by certain standards of practice such as maintaining an identifiable “breaker identity” by controlling appearance and language to set themselves apart (Fogarty 2010). Eric B. and Rakim, Tha Alkaholiks and Biz Markie’s music perfectly captures this genre
NBA 2K
Hip hop and basketball come together in an intriguing tale that transforms both sports and entertainment. From Atlanta Falcons fan favorite Jeezy’s “Put It On” to Philadelphia Eagles adopting Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nightmares,” NBA and hip hop have established an intimate bond, translating to both their games as well as gaming experiences.
NBA 2K, first introduced to gamers in 1999, has grown into an immensely popular video game series that boasts popular athletes and celebrities as playable characters, along with an abundance of hip hop artists featured on its soundtracks.
One of the early releases in NBA Street infused street basketball with hip hop culture by featuring playable personalities such as DJs Xzibit and Just Blaze as DJs; later, this franchise extended its love for hip hop by including Lil Wayne and Jack Harlow rappers as playable characters.
NBA 2K has long relied upon legendary DJs such as DJ Mustard, DJ Premier and DJ Khaled to produce its soundtracks – often including up to 50 songs that span various genres including alternative hip hop – but this year the franchise has joined forces with Def Jam Recordings for even more motivation while running through The City or building teams in MyTEAM mode.
Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style
This 1999 3D fighting game, popularly known as Wu-Tang: Taste the Pain in PAL territories, combines music-themed elements with martial arts-based gameplay. Take on the role of one of nine members from Wu-Tang Clan (RZA, Method Man, Raekwon, GZA, OG, Ol’ Dirty Bastard Masta Killa U-God Inspectah Deck and Ghostface Killa) as you fight Mong Zhu’s evil warlord army in battle!
The story takes place on Staten Island, where Shaolin and Wu-Tang temples compete for power. Qing Lord believes he can dominate both styles with one mastery; therefore he kidnaps Xin, the last living Wu-Tang Master. Jun-kit from Shaolin temple, Fung-wu from Wu-Tang temple and player character must pursue Mong Zhu while fighting through various Kung Fu alleyways to save Xin.
Paradox Development’s special engine for their unreleased PlayStation game Thrill Kill allowed up to four players to fight simultaneously and included three songs recorded exclusively for it, packaged as a separate CD that can be played in any regular CD player. Players engaged in up to four-player martial arts brawls where attacks and weapons of each character had to be mastered before unlocking up to 36 “chambers”, featuring over 50 cinematic fatality sequences.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
GTA series has made hip hop an integral part of its gameplay and narrative, making rappers like JAY-Z playable characters. This franchise proves how music-based games can alter cultural landscapes while changing paradigms; furthermore it ushers in a new era of gaming that encourages players to become active participants within virtual realities.
Rockstar North collaborated with various hip hop artists to select songs for each radio station; many even appeared in-game to give shout outs! The game features eleven radio stations dedicated to hip hop music and talk shows. Genre and era specific playlists span from the 1990s through present day.
As well as classic hip hop tracks, the game also offers experimental sounds of modern hip hop. iFruit FM in San Andreas features Geto Boys songs; other stations such as Radio Los Santos document the rise of gangsta rap while Playback FM delivers nostalgia for hip hop’s golden era. Furthermore, Space 103.2 in San Andreas features Mobb Deep tracks while Los Angeles FM plays “What Would U Do” by Tha Dogg Pound.
DJ Hero
Released in 2009, DJ Hero offered gamers an entirely new way to experience hip hop music. Equipped with a controller modeled after a turntable and using mixes created by legendary DJs such as Grandmaster Flash and DJ Jazzy Jeff, players could use DJ Hero as a means of mixing beats and scratches. It provided gamers an unprecedented look into the technical skill that lies behind rap music production.
The game featured classic rappers as playable characters. Players could either battle against computer-controlled opponents, or other human players. Furthermore, there was also a limited edition featuring Jay-Z and Eminem; this edition included a DJ turntable decorated in gold foil as well as a briefcase that transformed into a mini table plus two discs with music from both artists.
This game is designed for hip hop and soul fans who appreciate the samples that make songs work. Players compete to be the first team to score 20 points by racing against the clock to identify song snippets from hip hop and soul songs; more correct identification leads to higher scores! As well as classic artists such as DJ Shadow, Z-Trip, DJ AM, and Daft Punk’s songs have been mixed into over 80 mix tracks by popular DJ/mix artist icons such as DJ AM or Shadow himself!