Michael Jackson : The Experience

Michael Jackson: The Experience Review

I distinctly remember watching Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" music video for the first time, back when I was a college sophomore. I kept it on repeat for hours; as was the case with many people before me, watching Michael dance was an incredible experience. It marked a turning point in my life, where my interest in dance began to blossom. Though I still had much to learn, Michael Jackson's brilliant work was an important building block for me. Imagine, then, my excitement for Michael Jackson: The Experience... and marvel at how quickly that excitement faded. Sure, this portable version isn't quite as bad as its Wii counterpart -- it's a more traditional rhythm game that requires simple button inputs in time with classic Michael Jackson tunes -- but it's still obnoxiously simple. Thriller! Michael Jackson: The Experience offers less than 20 songs on three different difficulty levels, which isn't much to choose from. Despite a few duds in the track list, classics like "Billie Jean," "Bad," and "Beat It" are all included, and they sound great (especially if you have a pair of headphones plugged in). However, interactivity with the music is severely limited. Each song involves two buttons: left on the d-pad, and the circle button.