Rock & Roll Rules at E3 Gaming Expo

Genre originator Karaoke Revolution is additionally returning in a new edition for PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 come November. Features like customizable avatars, personalized venues and online play on PS3/360 will be bolstered by 50 master tracks including the All-American Rejects' "Gives You Hell" and Lady Gaga's "Just Dance," plus additional track downloads. Kids can instead look to Disney Sing It: Pop Hits for their interactive fix of Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers, arriving for the PS3 and Wii this fall. Families that prefer jam sessions a little less saccharine can always turn to LEGO Rock Band, which gives the popular series' set list a whitewashing and visuals a blockheaded makeover instead. Expect the game this holiday season for PS3, 360 and Wii.

A new Dance Dance Revolution is planned for the same timeframe on all set-top platforms too, offering 50 tracks (Ne-Yo's "Closer," Gorillaz' "Feel Good Inc.") to shimmy along with. Emphasizing fitness, Balance Board support will be built into the Wii version as a hernia-inducing extra in an effort to help players burn additional calories while shaking a leg.

Downloadable outing Fret Nice for PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, which splits the difference between rhythm game and 2D platform-hopping outing, may also win fans when it launches in 2010. Compatible with Guitar Hero axe controllers, riff-powered combos and cooperative play options add to the offbeat title's esoteric approach.

Due this fall, equally quirky button-mashing Japanese import Pop'n Music, which sees players using the Wii's remote and Nunchuk controllers to hit notes in time with on-screen prompts, is also aimed at users with more eclectic tastes. Even those on the go can't avoid the onslaught of acoustic-themed outings, with DJ Mix Tour and Guitar Rock Tour 2 both coming in June for iPhone from Gameloft.

As presaged by the May 26th release of Rolling Stone's own Wii title Drum King, it promises to be a banner year for music simulations. With well over a dozen hoping to follow in the knee-high patent leather boots of the billion-dollar Guitar Hero franchise in the next six months alone, here's hoping at least a handful end on a high note.