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E3 2008: Wii Music Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:31:27 -0500

Check out the new images of Nintendo's Wii Music.

Launch Gallery: Wii Music

(7 images)

OXM, Harmonix to Give 360 Owners Free Rock Band Songs

Shiva Stella — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 03:13:45 -0600

If you're a Rock Band owner and happen to enjoy the 360 version then you might be interested to know that the next issue of the Official Xbox Magazine (US) is offering three exclusive Rock Band tracks. The goodies include:

Freezepop - "Sprøde"
Bang Camaro - "Rock Rebellion"
Count Zero - "Shake"

You can find the issue on store shelves (or in your mail box...) on January 15.

PSP Firmware v3.80 Now Live and Internet Radio Ready

Shiva Stella — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:26:43 -0600

Sony has launched its firmware v3.80 for the PSP today, with the prized update featuring Internet Radio that enables PSP owners to listen to their favorite radio stations through the PSP via wi-fi. Simple instructions follow:

Download and install firmware update 3.80.
Ensure you are in a Wi-Fi environment before attempting use
With Memory Stick Duo containing firmware update 3.80 inserted into PSP, select Internet Radio icon under Network, and then About Internet Radio.
Select Adding the player to the Memory Stick Duo and press the X button.
When you have added the Internet Radio player, the player icon will appear under the About Internet Radio icon.
Select Internet Radio player icon.
Choose a genre and select a station.

Guitar Hero DLC on the Way!

Akshay Masand — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:44:19 -0600

Those of you who have been sitting around waiting for some Guitar Hero content are in luck! Activision has recently announced that they have a bunch of songs that will be available to download for the holidays. It's good news for Guitar Hero players tired of being left out as their Rock Band brethren secure Foo Fighters packs.

The most popular songs from the DLC include a three-song pack for Guitar Hero 3 which includes "No More Sorrow" by Linkin park, "Sleeping Giant" by Mastadon, and "Pretty Handsome Awkward" by The Used. Unfortunately these songs do not come individually so if you don't like one, you're stuck with it. There will be individual songs available as well, such as"So Payaso" by Extremoduro, "Antisocial" by Trust, and "Erten Was Wir S?en" by Die Fantastischen Vier. The individual songs are hit European tracks. We'll have to see how those turn out to be in terms of success.

Prices have not yet been revealed but they will most likely resemble the prices for packs that were available for Guitar Hero 2. For those of you who can't spend the money for these extra songs or don't want to, a free rendition of "We Three Kings" done by Steve Ouimette will be available. So pickup those guitars, pop in the Guitar Hero CD,and head over to the Playstation Network or the Xbox Live Marketplace this holiday season for some new songs. Sorry Wii owners, news for DLC content for Nintendo's console is still yet to come.

Music And Gaming Festival. January 3-6

Aaron Dunlap — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:12:23 -0600

Reader Nick M. sent in this tip:

It's coming again! The Music And Games Festival, this time in alexandria, virginia. Like last year, it will be over 3 days of gaming goodness, with 2 full evenings of video game music concerts. You'll hear some of the best VG covers ever in the style of chip tunes, rock, and even hip hop. Bands playing include:

The Advantage

The smash brothers (featuring Jake "Virt" Kaufman)
Select Start

Powerglove
WaveTheory/Planetskill
Armcannon
Shawnphase/Temp sound solutions
This Place is haunted

The gaming room is 24 hours, and features near every gaming system imaginable (including PC engines, neo geos, saturns, and a ton of arcade machines), and there are tournaments running through the whole convention. A LAN room is there and also 24 hours, so feel free to bring your PC. There are panels as well. Some of the panel topics include: various topics of game industry discussion, music composition, gaming talk in general, and drunken nintendo karaoke is going to make an appearance in there somewhere.

The convention goes from thursday morning to sunday evening, so that's over 3 solid days and nights of gaming, music and partying. Tell the hotel when you're booking your room that you're part of the magfest block, and you'll get a discounted fee of only $100 a night!

Check out the website at http://www.magfest.org to preregister and find out more about the convention and what it's all about.
Where:
Hilton Mark Center Hotel
Alexandria, Virginia
When:
January 3-6, 2008

Pre-Registration fee: $35

David Bowie Rocks You in Rock Band, New DLC

Shiva Stella — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:06:39 -0600

Rock Band fans rejoice, as the game has received its David Bowie goodness in the form of another downloadable content update. Gamers can purchase the David Bowie song pack for $5.49 (that's 440 MS points) or shell out a mere $1.99/track (that's 160 MS points). The songs include:

David Bowie Pack

Moonage Daydream David Bowie
Heroes as made famous by David Bowie (cover)
Queen Bitch as made famous by David Bowie (cover)

As usual, the pack should be available on Xbox Live today (if it's not already) and will launch for the PlayStation Store on Thursday. You can view a full listing of impending songs here.

Free Halo Theme Song Goes Live for Guitar Hero III Thursday

Shiva Stella — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:20:00 -0600

Get your groove on with the Master.

If you're a Halo and a Guitar Hero fan, you might be interested to know that Neversoft, Bungie, Activision/RedOctane, and Microsoft have teamed up to bring the Halo theme (MJOLNIR Mix) to Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock for the Xbox 360.

The song is free and launches on the Xbox Live Marketplace on Thanksgiving day, Thursday November 22.

Here's some info on the theme if you're a music buff:

The Halo theme was written, composed, and performed by Martin ODonnell and Michael Salvatori; and the MJOLNIR Mix features guitars performed by the Grammy Award winning guitar hero, Steve Vai.

"Its a real pleasure to hear one of the best loved and most iconic themes from Bungies Halo Universe in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock," said Marty ODonnell, Composer and Audio Director for Bungie Studios. "As longtime fans of the Guitar Hero franchise, it was great to collaborate with Neversoft and Activision/RedOctane to offer this exciting free download to our fans."

Harmonix Publishes Rock Band's DLC Song Listing

Shiva Stella — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:10:16 -0600

Harmonix has published a listing of its downloadable content song packs soon to be available for its Rock Band. The game is set to launch on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles on November 20 and follows the successful release of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, its prime competition at release.

The company will sell three-song packs for $5.49 (440 Microsoft points) a piece or $1.99 (160 MS points) a track. Other tracks will carry the $1.99 cost/per with additional music to be released on a weekly basis with some costing a mere $.99 (80 MS points) to $2.99 (240 MS points) a track, though the company states that most will carry the $1.99/per cost.

The three song packs releasing November 20 at $5.49 each are:

Metallica Pack

Ride the Lightning Metallica
Blackened - Metallica
And Justice for All - Metallica

The Police Pack

Cant Stand Losing You The Police
Synchronicity II The Police
Roxanne The Police

Queens of the Stone Age Pack

3s and 7s Queens of the Stone Age
Little Sister Queens of the Stone Age
Sick Sick Sick Queens of the Stone Age

Hit the jump for a full listing of individual tracks/song packs from Nov 20 - Dec 18.

Full DLC listing, week starting Nov 20:

3-Pack for $5.49 or Individual Tracks for $1.99 Each
(160 Microsoft Points per track and 440 per pack for Xbox 360)

Metallica Pack

Ride the Lightning Metallica
Blackened - Metallica
And Justice for All - Metallica

The Police Pack

Cant Stand Losing You The Police
Synchronicity II The Police
Roxanne The Police

Queens of the Stone Age Pack

3s and 7s Queens of the Stone Age
Little Sister Queens of the Stone Age
Sick Sick Sick Queens of the Stone Age

Individual Tracks for $1.99 Each
(160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360)

Fortunate Son as made famous by Creedence Clearwater Revival *
Juke Box Hero as made famous by Foreigner *
Bang a Gong (Get It On) as made famous by T-Rex *
My Sharona as made famous by The Knack *
Cherry Bomb as made famous by The Runaways *
Joker & The Thief- Wolfmother

Week of November 27, 2007

3-Pack for $5.49 or Individual Tracks for $1.99 Each
(160 Microsoft Points per track and 440 per pack for Xbox 360)

David Bowie Pack

Moonage Daydream David Bowie
Heroes as made famous by David Bowie *
Queen Bitch as made famous by David Bowie *

Week of December 4, 2007

3-Pack for $5.49 or Individual Tracks for $1.99 Each
(160 Microsoft Points per track and 440 per pack for Xbox 360)

Black Sabbath Pack

N.I.B. as made famous by Black Sabbath *
Sweet Leaf as made famous by Black Sabbath *
War Pigs as made famous by Black Sabbath *

Week of December 11, 2007

3-Pack for $5.49 or Individual Tracks for $1.99 Each
(160 Microsoft Points per track and 440 per pack for Xbox 360)

Punk Pack:

Rockaway Beach - Ramones
I Fought the Law - The Clash
Ever Fallen In Love as made famous by Buzzcocks *

Week of December 18, 2007

Individual Tracks for $1.99 Each
(160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360)

My Iron Lung - Radiohead
Buddy Holly - Weezer
Brass in Pocket as made famous by Pretenders *

*This is a cover version of a song made famous by the artist indicated. All others are original master recordings.

Halo 3 To See Official Soundtrack Release

Eric Jonathan Smith — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:20:00 -0600

As much of a video game music buff as I am, I've avoided getting into Halo's armor-plated pants for, uh, personal reasons? Regardless, if you're the type of Halo-obsessed individual who modded the Legendary Edition Master Chief helmet to fit your head, you'll be pleased to know the game's music is seeing an official album release, courtesy of Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc.

The score was composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori, vets of Halos 1 and 2, featuring that booming orchestral style that pumped you up on your first playthrough before you made a custom soundtrack of Dragonforce on your Heroic run, you heretic.

The OST will be released on November 20, and Amazon is listing it for $12.99 (!), which makes me want to cry. I pay more than that on shipping alone when I buy game OSTs from Japan! I raise my fist in defiance (and jealousy), you Halo fiends.

Hit the jump to head to the OST's official website, if only because you've probably never been to a website devoted to a game OST before.

Game Soundtrack Review - Odin Sphere

Eric Jonathan Smith — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:40:00 -0500

In the first of what will hopefully become a regular feature here on GameBump, we turn our eyes to our ears and take a closer look at one of gaming's more underrated aspects: music, of course.

For our inaugural review, we couldn't have a better contender: the soundtrack release to Odin Sphere, Vanillaware's beautiful 2D action game. While the game was released back in May for both its US and Japanese releases, the soundtrack just saw the light of day last week in Japan. This may seem strange, but it's not uncommon; even a major soundtrack release such as Final Fantasy XII's was released over 2 months after the game.

Speaking of Final Fantasy XII, if you've played that (or Final Fantasy Tactics, or Vagrant Story, or countless others) you've already heard the work of Odin Sphere's composer: Hitoshi Sakimoto. A former employee of Square, Sakimoto's time there was brief before he broke off and formed his own studio named Basiscape, who of recent have exploded in demand (and by no lack of talent).

Sakimoto leads his Basiscape crew (including long-time composing partner Masaharu Iwata, whom he worked with on Final Fantasy Tactics and others) in providing the distinct orchestral sound in Odin Sphere he is known for. While Odin Sphere is not Sakimoto's best work (nor did he compose the majority of it), there's enough color in the material to provide the perfect backdrop to the already vibrant world of Odin Sphere.

The 2-disc soundtrack starts off appropriately with the main theme of Odin Sphere, a melody that Sakimoto will weave throughout the soundtrack. This is a beautiful piece - and good thing - because as mentioned this motif appears throughout the soundtrack. But nowhere is it as stunning as in this opening vocal arrangement (well, with one exception, below).

The majority of the first disc is spent on the themes of the stages players visit in Odin Sphere. On the whole, they are hit or miss. Some are bombastic and fit the action (such as "Battle on the Snowy Mountain", the battle theme of Winterhorn Ridge) but others are downright grating ("Battle in Fairy Land", heard while fighting in Ringford Forest). This could be due to Sakimoto himself only contributing one of these stage tracks ("Battle in the Land of Fire", battle theme of the Volkanon Lava Pit). Veteran Iwata does provide the majority of them with aplomb but the weaker ones can be attributed to the newer composers of the Basiscape team. Another highlight on the first disc is Sakimoto's "Attic Archive", the theme of Alice, the little girl whose reading of dusty old books forms both the frame of the game's action and serves as a stage select. Light, airy, and playful, it serves as a great contrast to Odin Sphere's largely dramatic tone.

And for drama, look no further than the second disc. This disc contains all of the music from the game's cutscenes and series of final battles. Iwata provides appropriately somber tunes in "Sinking in Sadness" and "The One Left Standing At the World's End" but the highlight again goes to Sakimoto's sorrowful reworking of the main theme in "A Fate Accepted." Sakimoto provides other memorable tracks of a more upbeat kind with "Restaurant", the theme of the Pooka Kitchen and "Study Time", which sounds very similar to his work in Final Fantasy XII.

But for what negatives they created for the first disc, the "freshmen" of Basiscape prove themselves with the greatness of some of the final battle themes. Mitsuhiro Kaneda shines with "Rally", while Kimihiro Abe fixes his previous faux pas of "Battle in Fairy Land" with "Facing the Darkness." These themes serve to make an already memorable final sequence of battles all the more exciting.

However, possibly the greatest track is Sakimoto's ending theme ("Odin Sphere's Theme -Shanachie ver.-"), an orchestral, Celtic (!) arrangement of Odin Sphere's main theme. While the original theme was already gorgeous enough to the ear, this version is a special treat due to the Celtic arrangement, a style not normally associated with Sakimoto. To round out this disc and the soundtrack, video game music performers the Eminence Orchestra provide some string arrangements of Odin Sphere's theme and Attic Archive, to good effect.

The orchestral-sounding music of Odin Sphere as a whole may not be strong enough to stand on its own. Sakimoto's work again is the highlight, but he composed moderately few tracks in comparison to the others. But that is not to say it is not a success. The music supports the action in-game nearly flawlessly and whether or not you enjoyed the game is going to be the major factor in how positively or negatively the soundtrack affects your perception of it.

As with most video game soundtracks, the Odin Sphere Original Soundtrack is a Japan-only release. So yes, *groan*, that means it must be imported. If you want to take the plunge, an immediate and safe solution is CDJapan. Great selection with fast service, they list Odin Sphere for 3200 yen, which is just over $27. Shipping is generally $15 for 3 day air from Japan, which may seem unreasonable but it's not. All's in the cost of having a great conversation piece, eh?

Interested in a complete tracklisting? Try Game Music Revolution, my friend.