DJ: Decks and FX (PlayStation 2)

By JON MINIFIE

(Herald rating * * *)

While there are plenty of music-based titles on the market DJ: Decks and FX has a slightly different spin (pun most definitely intended).

DJ gives you the opportunity to be a DJ in your lounge by simulating a set of decks, a mixer, sampler, beat box and FX unit to give you all the tools you need to mix it up all night.

It also has more than 50 fully licenced dance tracks and acapellas giving you all the tunes you need to get some firing anthems out to the people. Well, all right, not out to the people but you'll definitely have a good laugh with your mates.

The fun starts when you throw on a track and begin to cue up another to add to the mix. While you can do this with the onscreen automatic beat matcher it takes a bit of fun out of it and it's more entertaining if you hook up your USB headset as well — cueing up the next track in your headphones while paying special attention to the beat.

Once you have two tracks going at the same time you will be amazed how satisfied you will feel, but it ain't over at that point. Start adding pre-made samples or use the sampler to create your own to spice up your creation.

Throw in the added loops and you have a recipe for DJ disaster, but practise makes perfect and soon you will be mates with Paul Oakenfold. Maybe.

To be sure, without the ability to store your creations on a hard drive or introduce new source material you will eventually start to feel a bit limited with your options, but this won't stop you from having a hell of a lot of fun in the process.

jon@tenthplanet.co.nz