Michael Jackson: The Experience

Have only just started playing this - but it is good fun and as there are multiple levels to achieve, it will get harder as I progress!

Well, I have to say that this game isn't the most exciting, challenging or adventurous game I've ever played - but it IS one of the most addictive and somewhat frutrating games. It took me a while to get used to the actual game-play and, once I did, I was somehow infected with a surge of determination and refused to put it down until I had unlocked all the different levels and songs, then I also kept going, determined to get a gold crown (I think you get them for perfect rounds) for every song.

Alas! I had to give up after several hours because I had things to do and my eyes started going a bit fuzzy even though I only had one solid gold crown. But it gives you a good few hours of entertainment, a few hours where you can just switch off and immerse yourself in the music of Michael Jackson and get to see him dance too - in a sort of CGI kind of style.

I was delighted to find that 'Another Part of Me' was included in the playlist (it wasn't included in the wii-game), but a little disappointed that 'Thriller' wasn't there. I wasn't expecting lots of songs and I knew there wouldn't be as many as there are on the wii - but I would have thought that Thriller would have been there as it's one of - if not the - most famous Michael Jackson song. But oh well - there is still a good variety of songs including famous ones like Smooth Criminal, The Way you Make me Feel and Beat it as well some more overlooked ones like 'Leave me Alone'.

The scoring system, in my opinion is a little bit harsh. As you go on through each song, you start off at 50 point at a time, then 100, 150 and then 200 ... however ... you have to keep getting the moves dead-on because, even if you're now scoring 200 points a move, then you miss one - you go sailing back to 50 a move. Which is annoying in some ways because it then takes you longer to get back up to 200 and you might've got your final gold crown if it weren't for the fact the scoring was lowered by one mistake.

But all in all - if you want something to see you through a boring day, want to keep someone quiet or just want to have a few minutes to yourself - then I reccoment this. My eyes are still a bit fuzzy though - so I would advise you not to play it for too long - and yes, that's my fault for not following safety advice that comes with all DS games, so I have learnt my lesson.

It's great to have this in Nintendo format. I find it quite hard, but my daughter finds it reasonably easy.