This new frontier in rhythm gaming is electrifyingly fun, but the cover charge is steep.

The Good

• Diverse, entertaining tracklist  
• Well-crafted turntable peripheral  
• Difficulty levels range from very welcoming to very challenging  
• Captures the thrill of creating a hot mix.

The Bad

• Costs as much as two full-price games  
• Crossfader tab can be tricky  
• Doesn't embrace creativity of actual mixing.

As is the case with almost every rhythm game out there, playing DJ Hero will not prepare you to be an actual DJ. The songs are premixed, the sound effects are preloaded, and the wheel (just one) of steel is actually plastic. Yet, as is also the case with many rhythm games, this is no barrier to having a whole lot of fun. DJ Hero comes with a turntable peripheral that is well engineered and responsive, though it may take a little ingenuity and creative furniture rearrangement to find your optimal playing position. There's a large, diverse catalog of energetic mixes to choose from, many of which are fun just to listen to, let alone play. As you get the hang of tapping, scratching, and crossfading, DJ Hero grabs a hold of you like the best rhythm games do, drawing you into the music and triggering the adrenal rush of performance. Unfortunately, the price of admission to this show is steep: the game and the required turntable cost as much as two full-price games, and significantly more than other single-instrument rhythm games. And those hoping to flex some creative muscle will likely be disappointed with the limited opportunities to do so. Yet despite these drawbacks, DJ Hero is immensely entertaining, and manages to earn its place as a sparkling new star in the rhythm game heavens.