This Week’s Rhythm Game Track Finder Update (Aerosmith, Weezer, and S.T.P. Return)

pinkerton.jpgThis week’s Rhythm Game Track Finder Update brings your weekly “Rock Band” update, another two “Dance Dance Revolution” titles, as well as a surprise release for “Guitar Hero 3“.

This past week, it was announced that Aerosmith will star in the next version of “Guitar Hero.” To get the fans ready, Activision released a free (for a limited time) download of the rock classic “Dream On.” “Guitar Hero 3″ received the update, bringing it to a total of 94 playable songs. (”Guitar Hero: Aerosmith” wasn’t added, but as soon as the soundtrack information is released, the Track Finder will be updated.)

We also added two very popular “Dance Dance” games in “Konamix” and “Ultramix.” The latter of which was the first “Dance Dance” game to offer downloadable tracks via Xbox Live. Check out the list below for all of this week’s updates.

Dance Dance Revolution Konamix (PS1) 53 Songs Added
Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix (Xbox) 76 Songs Added
Guitar Hero 3 (Xbox 360, PS3) 1 Song Added (Aerosmith’s “Dream On”)
Rock Band (Xbox 360, PS3) 3 Songs Added (Garbage’s “Why Do You Love Me,” Stone Temple Pilots’ “Sex Type Thing,” and Weezer’s “El Scorcho” — from the best Weezer album ever.)

As always, check trackfinder.mtv.com to search for your favorite songs and bands in the world’s biggest rhythm games.

This Week’s Rhythm Game Track Finder Update (’Karaoke Revolution,’ ‘Mad Maestro!’ And More)

mm_281.jpgAfter two weeks of updating the Rhythm Game Track Finder we continue to roll in the games you’ve been asking for. We are making some pretty good headway.

This week’s update covers a couple of the “Karaoke Revolution” titles (as requested), as well as one of the most unique PS2 rhythm games “Mad Maestro!” We also present your weekly dose of “Rock Band” DLC. If there are any titles that you think are still missing, let us know, and we will do our best to get them added as quickly as possible.

So head over to trackfinder.mtv.com to find the following new content…

Karaoke Revolution Party (Gamecube, PS2, Xbox) 50 Songs Added
Karaoke Revolution Volume 3 (PS2) 37 Songs Added
Mad Maestro! (PS2) 34 Songs Added
Rock Band (Xbox 360, PS3) 6 songs added (Oasis’s “Wonderwall,” “Don’t Look Back In Anger,” and “Live Forevever,” as well as the OXM Xbox 360 exclusive songs Freezepop’s “Sprode,” Bang Camaro’s “Rock Rebellion,” and Count Zero’s “Shake.”)

The Track Finder will be updated regularly and we’ll be telling you about all new addition via Multiplayer. So keep checking every Monday.

Totilo Games Played In 2007 - The PlayStation 2 And Xbox List

God of War 2This is the fourth in a series of posts about the games I played and/or finished for fun for the first time in 2007. For comparisons’ sake, see my 2006 list. My previous post in the series was about the PS3 games I played.

I’m so retro that in 2007 I still played some PlayStation 2 and Xbox games. Who can turn their back on old classics from yesteryear?

In fact, the ludicrously high quality of PS2 games I played in 2007 was another reminder of how wonderful the late part of a console’s lifespan can be.

My PS2 Games I Played For Fun 2007 Playlist
(Games I finished are in italics)

1) “Bully

Like “Resistance: Fall of Man,” this is a special-case game on my list: I started it in 2006, but finished it in 2007. Given the “Manhunt 2” madness that happened since I finished this game, it really feels like “Bully” came from a more innocent time. Really, there’s nothing more scandalous here than the ability to throw your schoolmates into their lockers or give them wedgies.

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How They Put Card-Playing in ‘KOTOR’ (The Mini-Game Interview)

KOTORSputtering, coughing, sloooowly progressing, the MTV Multiplayer Mini-Game Interview Series somehow manages to reach the far reaches of Edmonton today, with a quick interview about card-playing.

Space-age card-playing in the BioWare-developed “Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic,” that is. Pazaak.

Who comes up with these things? And why? And how do they make sure the game doesn’t get dull? Sure this interview topic is a tad dated, but, hey, this is the one you readers asked for.

BioWare’s Preston Watamaniuk, assistant lead designer on “KOTOR” and lead designer of “Mass Effect” recently explained things to me over e-mail.

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Repeat Spender - Which Game Have You Bought Multiple Times? The Most?

Pokemon SnapNintendo announced this morning that “Pokemon Snap” is now available on the Wii’s Virtual Console system. I plan to buy the game. It will be the second — possibly third — time I’ve bought “Pokemon Snap.”

Earlier in the year, when “Sin & Punishment” was released on the Virtual Console, I bought it too — my second time owning that game.

And back when I got the Wii and downloaded “The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time“? Let’s see, how many that was:

  1. The Nintendo 64 original
  2. The “Ocarina of Time” Master Quest GameCube disc that was a pre-order for “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
  3. The “Zelda” compilation GameCube disc (though, if memory serves this wasn’t really bought, but traded-in for)
  4. The Wii virtual console edition

There you go. I bought that game four times. And it’s not even my favorite game or anything. I just like having an accessible version. (My reason for having multiple “Pokemon Snap”s, however, is that I keep meaning to play it, I keep never getting around to it, and I keep trying to make it easily accessible to myself.)

I’ve bought “Yoshi’s Island” twice, on the SNES and GBA. I bought “Halo” twice, because I lost my first disc — and I’m considering buying it a third time through the new Xbox Live Originals program, just because I like the idea of having lots of games available on my hard drive (which reminds me, I guess I’ve now bought “Psychonauts” twice).

So I’m wondering: which game have you bought the most?

[UPDATE/ CLARIFICATION -- Which game have you bought the most, across any format the game has been released in?]

I bet there are a lot of you out there who keep buying “Super Mario Brothers.” Or “Pac-Man.” Again and again, on your Atari, your cell phone and so on. Admit it.

Why The Video Game Industry Needs More Re-Makes

Remake this.

In my GameFile column today at MTVNews.com I ran an interview I did last week with Morgan Gray, a senior producer at Crystal Dynamics.

He had been in New York last week to talk about “Tomb Raider: Anniversary” for the Wii.

That’s all well and good, but I wanted to talk to him about re-makes.

Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes” … “Metroid: Zero Mission” … “Final Fantasy III” on the DS … “Resident Evil” on GameCube.

And now a re-make of the first “Tomb Raider.” Do we need them? (Gray says they’re essential.) And if we get them, what should developers keep from the originals and what should they chuck?

There’s much to consider, including how faithfully a developer should stick to what was in the original vs. what people remember vs. what you think the ESRB will let you get away with in this day and age (no more Lara impalements, Gray told me.)

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Gilbert Arenas on “NBA Live,” Why The Official “Halo” Sneaker Is Not Green, Why He’s Still Playing “Halo 2″

Gilbert Arenas wasn’t just nice enough to pass judgment on our Multiplayer blog when I sat down with him last Thursday. He was also kind enough to talk about some video game-themed sneakers he’s backing, why “NBA Live 08” is worth buying this year, why “Halo 2” might be better than “Halo 3,” and a whole lot more.

Think celebrities don’t know their games? Watch the two videos in this post (one is after the jump!) or just check Arenas’ “Halo 3″ stats.



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E3 Predictions, Rumors, Hopes and Dreams, Pt. 1: Microsoft

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With E3 less than a week away, we here at GameDrop wanted to offer up some of our predictions, rumors, hopes and dreams we have for the new, downsized show. With all the big hardware out of the way for the next five years or so, everyone is going to be focused on the games. In part one of this feature, we’ll take a look at what Microsoft could be announcing, as well as some of our more outlandish ideas about potential surprises they may have in store. (And check back later this week to see our predictions, rumors, hopes and dreams for Sony and Nintendo!) Please remember that nothing in this post has been confirmed and it is 100% speculation, as well as 90% manifestation of our hopes and dreams.

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Madden ‘08 Goes Long… SCORES! With Soundtrack

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Madden NFL is back this year (SURPRISE!) with an all new, amazing soundtrack (SURPRISE!) to please your ears while you’re kicking butt on the gridiron. Queens of the Stone Age, Murs, Ozzy, Sum 41, Pitbull, and even J.T. makes an appearance. With artists from every different genre, there’s something to make everyone happy. Hit the jump for the full list.

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What’s Wrong With D.O.A.? … Nothing!

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In honor of last weeks theatrical release of DOA: Dead or Alive. I’d like to address a topic that has had a lot of people up in arms since the release of the first DOA game, the ladies.


First of all, I’m going to openly admit, right here, right now, I am a fan of the DOA series. Yes, it is the button-mashiest of all the current fighting games around, but it does have some really good fighting mechanics without the super complex combos of your Tekkens or Virtua Fighters. In fact, DOA4 has been accepted as a standard in a handful of professional gaming leagues, and there are some truly amazing players out there. That alone should give it enough cred to not be brushed off as a “bad” fighting game.

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Yeah. I’m Jealous. So What?

So when the collector in me sees game rooms like this (and this) it really makes me question my commitment. I fully understand that I, in fact, do have a life, and other things that I have to spend money on than video games. At least that’s what I tell myself, because, frankly, I’m jealous… very, very, very jealous.

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Help Plan a Video Game Wedding

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I always thought Lara Croft and Hitman would make a cute couple, but that’s not what we’re talking about here. Famed MTV video games journalist Stephen Totilo is in need of a bit of help putting a gaming twist on his upcoming wedding reception. At the suggestion of his future wife, they have decided to name all their tables after locations in video games. Hit the jump for the list as it stands right now, but they need about six more. Any suggestions are completely welcome.

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