Each band in Mashups represents a different genre of music: country, marching band, funk, etc. Songs are played as duels between two bands, with each band playing the licensed soundtrack in their own style. The style of the audio track alternates, with the winning group's style coming through more clearly. The game is controlled by moving the Wii remote left, right, down, and forward to match onscreen cues.
The cleverest thing about this game, we think, is how it turns a problem into a positive. Guitar Hero dealt with the issue of not having access to original recordings of licensed music by recording soundalikes. Planet Moon realized with Band Mashups that a cover doesn't have to sound like the original, and built a game around it. We are actually looking forward to hearing all the cover songs. Symphonic "Spoonman"? Latin "Blitzkrieg Bop"? Yes, please. The full soundtrack includes other weird and wonderful choices like Tenacious D's "Master Exploder" and "Man of Constant Sorrow" from O Brother Where Art Thou. More screens and even video are available at the IGN link.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-07-2008 @ 10:39AM
Dash said...
You know, this looks like a fantastic game. I think it's the first time I got excited about a music game that doesn't require a peripheral.
Not only the controls look good, I'm loving the soundtrack. "Insane in the Brain" in five diferent styles (rock, funk/hip-hop, country, Latin and marching band)? Ramones, Gorillaz, Tenacious D, the Commodores and KC and The Sunshine Band? Man, I need this game.
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2-07-2008 @ 10:48AM
GatorSax2010 said...
As a big supporter of out-of-genre cover songs, I approve and can't wait for this game!
Also, http://www.qwantz.com/archive/000967.html
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2-07-2008 @ 10:58AM
Sisyphus said...
I could definately see this as worthy of renting before I buy. Seems very hit or miss. DLC would be awesome as well.
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2-07-2008 @ 12:31PM
milk weasel said...
I have an idea. Everyone send an email to comment@planetmoon.com and ask them to get it to a band mashup representative and suggest they add multiple controller schemes, aka. DDR pad, GH controller, Rock Band drums, or any other ideas you have.
We all know that wiggling the remote will get old pretty fast but a game with all those other options plus wiggling would be amazing, not to mention it'd have the amazing music this game already seems to have coming to us.
If enough suggestions are sent in, maybe we could convince them it's worth putting extra controller playstyles in.
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2-07-2008 @ 2:09PM
gorecki said...
I want it I want it I want it I want it!
This will be loads of fun. Move over Guitar Hero, we have a new master.
The game has 30 songs, each one in 5 styles... so that makes 150 altogether! Plus orchestra recordings for bosses... that is a lot of music.
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2-07-2008 @ 9:55PM
Blue_Falcon said...
This sounds awesome. A nice surprise, especially considering it'll be popping up in a few months...
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