We stopped into the offices of D3 Publisher in LA to check out a few of the games in their Fall 2010 line up. The first game we saw was Kidz Bop Dance Party! The Video Game for the Nintendo Wii. The game is based on the popular Kidz Bop frnachise which is the #1 music brand for kids ages 5-12. Kidz Bop features today’s most popular songs – sung by kids for kids. The game features 24 Kidz Bop songs which include “Paparazzi” (originally by Lady Gaga), Thriller (originally by Michael Jackson), and “Get this Party Started” (originally by P!nk). The lyrics are modified to be kid friendly, so parents can be sure that the material is indeed age appropriate.
The game is an interactive experience that will get kids active and off the couch – dancing away to their favorite Kidz Bop tunes. The game play is simple, you follow an avatar’s dance moves which is represented by arrows on the screen. You can get as involved as you want or you can just simply move the Wii remote as instructed. You can play by yourself in the single player mode or with a friend in the 2-Player Challenge mode. You can play together co-operatively and rack up points together or you can play head-to-head for the top score.
Norm tried out the game at E3 with Mika Ortiz of D3 Publisher and today, they went for a rematch. I wish I had my camera with me as they both put on the shiny sequined white glove, grabbed a Wii Remote, and started their dance challenge. The game responded well to both players and looked like a lot of fun. It was my turn next and Norm and I danced it out to “Paparazzi”. Again, the moves were simple, yet effective and I could see that the more you play the game, the more familiar you would get with the dance moves. The game also features a No Arrow mode – the arrows are turned off and you just follow the avatar’s moves – and Mirror Mode – where the dancing is mirrored – both modes making the game more challenging to players who have mastered the dance moves and want to take the game to the next level.
For our last dance, we chose “Thriller” because it’s Thriller! All three sets were pretty close but Norm took first place all three times!
Kidz Bop Dance Party: The Video Game looks like it will be a fun game for the entire family and especially for younger kids. It’s simple, fun, and offers a nice little workout. We both broke a sweat while playing! Along with the dancing, you can collect points to purchase new outfits, accessories, and shoes for your avatar. You can change the look of your avatar at anytime. All 24 songs are unlocked at the start of the game but as you progress, you will unlock new stages and outfits to enhance your Dance Party experience.
Kidz Bop Dance Party: The Video Game is currently rated RP (Rating Pending) and is is under development exclusively for the Wii. The game is scheduled for release on September 21, 2010.
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