Michael Jackson: The Experience is a rhythm game built around the catalog of one of pop music’s biggest stars. It asks players to hit buttons to the beat of tracks like “Billie Jean” and “Thriller,” and it promises a full experience across platforms. The game launched for PS3, Wii, iOS and Mac in 2010, and it was designed to work the same way on each of them.
Trailer, via GameSpot.
What the Game Asks You To Do
The core task is simple. Players press buttons to the beat of a song while watching a video feed of Michael Jackson performing. The timing windows are tight, and missing a note costs points. The game also includes a camera mode that lets players record themselves dancing along with the video, which can then be shared online.
How It Looks Across Platforms
The presentation varies depending on where you play. On PS3 and Wii, the game relies on motion controls for some songs, though most tracks stick to standard button presses. The PS3 version uses motion controls, while the Wii version adds a mode where players can move their hands through the air to hit notes, which gives it a distinct feel from the other versions.
The iOS and Mac versions strip away the motion controls entirely. Instead, they use touch screens and mouse clicks to replace the button presses, which changes how the game feels on those platforms.
The Songs And Their Difficulty
The track list draws from Jackson’s career, from early hits to later material. Some of the most famous songs are included, and the difficulty settings let players choose how hard they want to play.
- “Billie Jean”
- “Thriller”
- “Smooth Criminal”
- “Beat It”
Each track has multiple difficulty levels, so players can start with simpler arrangements and work their way up. The hardest settings push players to hit notes at a very fast pace.
What Works Well
The camera mode is the game’s standout feature. Recording a dance video with Jackson’s image behind you is a clever idea, and the sharing options mean players can post their results online once they’re done.
The song selection is strong enough that even longtime fans of the artist will find new favorites among the list. The videos are presented in full screen, which gives the songs a cinematic look during play.
What Falls Short
The motion controls on PS3 and Wii aren’t always accurate. Missing a button press because the system doesn’t read your movement correctly can be frustrating, especially on harder tracks. That issue doesn’t appear on the iOS and Mac versions, which rely solely on touch and mouse input.
Some players will find the game too easy on its lowest difficulty setting, while others will struggle with the hardest modes. The gap between the two extremes is wide, and that can make the game feel less consistent from session to session.
Final Score
Michael Jackson: The Experience is a solid rhythm game with a great premise and a strong track list, but it struggles with inconsistent controls and uneven difficulty. The camera mode and song selection are the highlights, while the motion controls on PS3 and Wii hold the game back. It’s a game worth trying if you’re a fan of the artist, but it’s not a perfect execution of its idea.
The game holds a critical score of 6.6 out of 10.
