Imagine that a music track is like a road, spreading away into the distance. Now put several of those ‘roads’ side by side to represent the different tracks on a CD – drums, acoustics, vocals, etc. Then, scroll the screen towards you and fill all the background with psychedelic images and futuristic-looking surroundings, and don’t forget to twist the tracks like a mini rollercoaster, and you are ready to play…! All you have to do now is press the correct button for your ‘Beat Blaster’ as the ‘notes’ pass below you.

Each sequence of notes is joined to form a musical section and you must complete the entire section before it is accepted. Miss a note and the section starts again. You’ll also lose some energy each time you miss so you’ll either have to get it right or at least right enough to get you to a checkpoint for an energy boost. Then there’s the little trick of jumping tracks… Don’t forget, different track, different part of the acoustics. The more you get right the more complete the song will be – the more you get wrong, the less chance of success, and, believe me, it gets pretty fast and furious…!

There is a points system for those of you who enjoy record-breaking attempts but in AMPLITUDE the secondary function of the score is to earn enough points to unlock the game’s secret tracks and playing arenas. Other challenges can be found in the play options, such as online head-to-head with up to 3 other players and a re-mix challenge where you can completely remix the tracks from scratch. You can even challenge other players to play your re-mix or take on all comers in a game of ‘Horse’ where the aim is to tackle increasingly more difficult sequences of notes, so there’s a lot on offer for the musically gifted (or in fact anyone with a few extra fingers and the reactions of a cobra).

Rock, rap, techno, jazz and all manner of other musical styles are included in the title’s 26 tracks and the line up of artists include Garbage, Weezer, Blink 182, David Bowie, Run DMC, Pink, Quarashi, Herbie Hancock, The Baldwin Brothers and P.O.D. to name but a few.

Price: £39.99 for PS2.