D-Pad Hero
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''D-Pad Hero'' is a 2009 video game
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of the '' Guitar Hero'' series developed for the
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. An unofficial release, the game is a ROM which must be dumped onto a cartridge or played via emulator. A sequel, ''D-Pad Hero 2'' was released in 2010.


Gameplay

''D-Pad Hero'' is played as a rhythm game. Notes fall from the top to the bottom of the screen in sync with music. As they reach a threshold players hit buttons on the controller which correspond with the note. If the player hits the correct button sequence at the right moment the guitar track in the song will continue to play. If the note is missed the guitar track will silence until the player successfully hits a note. This is similar to the '' Guitar Hero'' and ''
Rock Band A rock band or pop band is a small musical ensemble that performs rock music, pop music, or a related genre. A four-piece band is the most common configuration in rock and pop music. In the early years, the configuration was typically two guita ...
'' video game series, in which notes appear on a virtual highway which progressively moves lower onto the screen. The games feature
chiptune Chiptune, also known as chip music or 8-bit music, is a style of synthesized electronic music made using the programmable sound generator (PSG) sound chips or synthesizers in vintage arcade machines, computers and video game consoles. The t ...
versions of popular rock songs such as
Guns N' Roses Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1985. When they signed to Geffen Records in 1986, the band comprised vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKa ...
' " Sweet Child o' Mine", Michael Jackson's " The Way You Make Me Feel",
Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal along wit ...
's " Countdown to Extinction", and Elvis Presley's " Burning Love".
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's Chris Kohler noted that the game's learning curve is quite steep, and that upon its release it better served as "more of a curiosity." The game also features a listen mode which allows players to listen to the song and watch the notes progress without playing.


Reception

The game received coverage from media outlets.
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listed it in their 31 Homebrew Games You Must Play feature, and called the game "punishingly hard." In 2009 it was featured in the German magazine Games, Entertainment, Education. Both games were featured again on 1UP.com, who called the sequel "twice as hard".


References


External links

* {{Guitar Hero series 2009 video games Fan games Guitar Hero Guitar video games Multiplayer and single-player video games Nintendo Entertainment System games Nintendo Entertainment System homebrew games Nintendo Entertainment System-only games Rock music mass media Unauthorized video games Video game demakes Video games based on musicians Video games developed in the United States