The next DJ Hero game will be out this fall with a whole bunch of new options, including new multiplayer modes, microphone support for singing and/or rapping and, well, I think they want you to possess two turntable controllers.
The official word from the game's publisher today is that DJ Hero 2 is all about "two turntables and a mic," though that phrase so often associated with hip-hop shouldn't make you think DJ Hero 2 is a rap-centric game. The Activision press release puts hip-hop third as it attempts to pump you up about the big sequel:
"DJ Hero 2 spins together the hottest tracks blazing up the charts and legendary club anthems from the biggest artists in pop, dance and hip hop including Dr. Dre, The Chemical Brothers, Kanye West, Metallica, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and over 85 others."
The music for the game will be mash-ups again, the first of which is actually available today — yes, months before the game is out. The preview track is a mash-up of Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" and Deadmau5's "Ghosts 'n' Stuff." It will be available for DJ Hero 1 players for a week as a download on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
The first DJ Hero game shipped with a single turntable controller and was used more as a single-player, pass-around experience than a multiplayer jam like Guitar Hero or Rock Band. The DJ Hero sequel, however, seems to be tailored more in the manner of those more popular music games. According to Activision's press release about the game, the game will support DJ battles as well as co-op rapping and singing. To emphasize just how serious they are about making sure DJ Hero 2 is a multiplayer experience, Activision is going to sell a "party bundle" that includes two turntables, a mic and a copy of the game.
The sequel seems to be backwards compatible with the first DJ Hero turntable controller, as the publisher recommends that those who have the original settle for either just buying the new DJ Hero 2 game disc or a bundle that contains just one new controller.
DJ Hero 2 is slated for release in the fall on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii.
For more on the year's big music games, check out Kotaku's E3 Music Game Preview.