Michael Jackson : The Experience

Michael Jackson: The Experience Review

I distinctly remember watching Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" music video for the first time 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, and spurred my interest in dance. 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 when I played the Wii version. Fortunately, Michael Jackson: The Experience on the Nintendo DS is the best version so far. It's not perfect, but its rhythm-based gameplay is clearly lifted from the excellent Elite Beat Agents (called Ouendan in Japan). The touch-based challenges in Elite Beat Agents were great, and the gameplay in Michael Jackson: The Experience is just as enjoyable, but its poor visuals and limited track list keep it from achieving its full potential. Billie Jean In Michael Jackson: The Experience, players have twelve of Michael's recognizable tracks to choose from, including hit songs like "Bad," "Thriller," "Beat It," and "Smooth Criminal." Players select a song and choose a difficulty level to play on.