Strengths: Song list & demos let you jump in and play songs.
Weakness: Creating your own songs is a lesson in patience.
Jam Sessions turns your DS into a guitar simulator. Though the game, if you can call it that, only allows you to play chords, it is a neat little product that can be pretty satisfying if you have the patience and time to put into it. It comes with some preloaded songs that will even demo how to play them for you. It's probably the quickest way to jump in and feel like you have some guitar chops. I bought this thinking it would be a nice aid for learning chords for the real guitar and sadly was disappointed. I think there's definitely something good here, even if it is a niche title that most gamers will pass on. The problem is that it isn't really a "game" like Guitar Hero, and if you're going to put some effort into learning this system it would probably be better spent learning to play the real guitar. I hate hearing that criticism of the Guitar Hero games, but for Jam Sessions it seems more appropriate. I think this game could have really been better by including a chord reference for the real guitar so that you could learn as you play around. The best thing I can say about Jam Sessions is that it demonstrates the versatility of the DS system and breaks the mold of what to expect from a portable game system.
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Strengths: Easy to use, can record and playback what you play, unique experience, ability to learn to play popular songs, great effects
Weakness: No electric guitar - acoustic only, can only play chords, recording time is somewhat short
Jam Sessions is a really great little product. You can't really call it a game, but hopefully people are already aware of that. It essentially lets you play chords on a virtual acoustic guitar. The free play itself is worth the price of admission alone, but Jam Sessions also includes the ability to learn to play a collection of popular songs by showing you the chords and the lyrics. It would be nice if the maximum recording length were longer than 2 minutes, but that is understandable given the limited storage capacity of a DS cartridge. The interface is simple and straight-forward to navigate through, making it easy for people of all skill levels to enjoy. However, actually playing is somewhat uncomfortable for someone with average sized hands. It takes a little getting used to, but after a while it becomes easier to manage. The strumming is performed by sliding the stylus up and down across a virtual guitar string. Chords are formed by pressing the D-pad with or without the L trigger to switch notes. Lefties need not worry, the controls can be swapped to accommodate you.
The sound is decent when played through the wimpy DS speakers, but it really sounds great through headphones or external speakers. With the right adapter you can even plug in to a real guitar amp if you like. Also, the paltry 2-minute recording length is not much of an issue when you consider the fact that you can simply plug in to some other recording device (like a computer) to accomplish an unlimited recording length. In addition to the standard acoustic guitar sound, you can also apply effects to the guitar, such as distortion, delay, chorus, tremolo, and flange. After configured the desired effect(s), they can be triggered during play by pressing the R button.
Although I do have a couple very minor gripes, I am quite impressed with Jam Sessions overall. As a $30 title, its hard to say that Jam Sessions is for everybody, but if you'd really like to be able to jam out on your DS, this is an excellent buy. If it ever drops to $20, I would recommend it whole-heartedly.
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Strengths: Can play guitar chords on the DS, instructions for many songs on the game, can record original material onto the ds
Weakness: can only play chords, not individual notes
Jam Sessions is a fun musical game. In it you can play guitar chords on your Ds. Jam Sessions has many songs to play to built in the game and a free play mode where you can play whatever you want and even record several of your own guitar chord songs onto the game. I would recommend Jam Sessions to anyone who likes music or musical activities. My one problem with it is that you can only play guitar chords, not individual notes.
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Strengths: Jam Sessions turns your DS into a guitar. Guitar effect actually sounds like a guitar.
Weakness: Not enough songs included
Jam Sessions lets you turn your DS into an acoustic guitar. There's really not much more to it than that. You can write your own songs and record up to five of them on the cartridge or you can play one of the 17 songs included in the software. The first 10 songs have a demo that you can listen to, but for some reason that's not available for the other songs. There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to record your own voice because the DS has a built-in microphone, but the game doesn't allow it. Jam Sessions is a great idea. Musicians and wannabe musicians will likely get a lot out of the this game, but it's not for everyone.
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Strengths: Lots of options to tweak the sound of your virtual guitar. 16 chords at your finger tips when you play. Can save you creations.
Weakness: Effects like Distortion don't sound quite as good as the guitar without it. Only play chord songs accurately since there is only one string. Need speakers or headphones to get it to sounds great.
Let me just get this out of the way and say that Jam Sessions isn't really a game. Jam Sessions is a tool or software application for the Nintendo DS that allows you to learn to strum a guitar. There is only one string and you can strum up and down. To start you off there is a tutorial that shows you how to do some basic strumming. Then you have four options to choose from in the main menu. Free Play is the mode where you can strum to your delight, record you songs, and of course practice. You can also turn on the DS mic(when using external speakers or headphones only) to hear yourself sing to your strumming. Tutorials menu will give you tips and show you have to play a song. It also includes ear training so you can tell the difference between chords. Then you have Song mode where you can select a song and sing it. In Song mode the lyrics are displayed and about a third of the songs have a demo to watch and learn. Some songs in Song mode are difficult and with others you can play within hours of using this software. There are themes for the background of your virtual guitar. Distortion to bring in some of that "rock" sound as while as other option to change the sound or your virtual guitar. No power chords, but you can change the palette of existing chords and save them. Also you can use the "L" shoulder button to switch to a secondary set mid song. There are also options to switch strumming up to down and down to up. Options to change the sound coming out of your DS because of how quickly you strum to where you strum and more. You can save five of your creations and then play them back later with effects like Delay. If I had to score Jam Sessions like a typical videogame it would get a 3/10, but as a software application it gets an impressive 8.5/10.
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Strengths: Authentic guitar sounds. Early title feel of guitar simulation.
Weakness: Really only a simulation. Has not aged truly well after release of Guitar Hero DS.
Jam Sessions does what it was created to do well - simulate a guitar. The game is fairly straightforward and users will pick up on it quickly. However, you'll realize teh limitations that the game has. As an earlier DS title, this was likely groundbreaking, but in a DS era post-Guitar Hero DS, most users will probably want to opt for that game.
Still, using your finger/stylus to pick chords is pretty neat and it gives you a sort of feel of playing a guitar. The preloaded songs and ability to play chords are fine and dandy, but I'd still go with Guitar Hero DS.
This game can be found cheap, as well - $20 new in most retailers, or under $10 if found on clearance at large retail chains.
Strengths: Free Play mode let's you jam even if you aren't musically inclined. Ability to record and save.
Weakness: Clipping of sound if you switch notes too quickly. Not that in depth.
Not being able to read music hasn't stopped me from enjoying Jam Sessions. You'll probably get more out of it if you knew what you were doing, but sometimes it's just about being able to express yourself by strumming your own kind of song. Thank goodness for Free Play.
*
The other component of this "game" has you following along to songs from various artists from pop to rock -- one note at a time. Visual cues prompt you to press the D-pad direction that is virtually labeled onscreen with the proper keys while you use the stylus like a guitar pick on the touchscreen. Pretty simple.
*
Since I don't actually play the guitar, I'm not sure that this is supposed to help in that capacity or hurt. But you can follow along as you go at your own pace. It doesn't move to the next note until you hit the previous one. You can sort of recognize the song if you aren't too slow, but don't expect to translate any skills to the real instrument. It's still an enjoyable title as long you aren't critical.
*
The box art certainly didn't draw me in, but darn it I was going to play guitar with no strings attached.
Weakness: Just don't expect it to be a music game like Guitar Hero
On the surface Jam Sessions may appear to be a Guitar Hero knock-off. However, that is not the case at all. Jam Sessions is, in fact, a virtual guitar, with very authentic guitar sounds and the ability to play different chords, strum in different ways, etc - all with the reproduced sound being very realistic. Of course the interface puts certain limitations on the experience. You only strum one string while selecting chords with the d-pad. You can record your creations and even add different effects to the guitar sound. There isn't much to this title as a game - simply play along with some music presented in the top screen. But as a tool for learning guitar or simply messing around it is a great piece of software.
Strengths: Great for just playing around with, good sound effects
Weakness: This isn't really a game-- so don't buy it expecting "Guitar Hero"
First off-- Jam Session IS NOT a game!! This is really more of a very simple music creation tool for the DS. You can play a variety of chords as you would on an acoustic guitar, and the program allows you to record and play back those chords. It won't teach you much about a real guitar (Although it's probably great for portable tweaking/composing-- if you get a great idea you can at least try some stuff) but at the same time I think it's probably a good program to have around if you're musically inclined-- you never know when genius will strike.
There is a "game like" aspect in trying to play some of the built in songs, but really, that probably won't keep you interested in it for very long.
That said, the quality of the sound is quite good when using headphones (the DS' speakers are pretty bad), and it does allow you to make music, however simple it may be on a guitar with one string.
I'm giving it 4 stars-- for what it is, it's great. It's a portable guitar composition tool, that could do with some tweaking (like the ability to play individual notes) In that sense it's a great thing. There is no game here, and as such probably only appeals to a very niche crowd, but if you like music, and feel the desire to do quick compositions (or just pull it out to mess around with occasionally), it's a great addition to the DS library.
Testseek.com has collected 12 expert reviews for Jam: Sessions and the average expert rating is 67 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
Jam Sessions receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS rating of 2.98 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #2,747 game of all time, #14 game of 2007 for the Nintendo DS and #66 Nintendo DS game of all time. The rating and ranking is based on an average of 15 critic scores, awards and other criteria. To see a breakdown of the game ranking, read individual critic reviews, or see how other games ranked, click on...
These days, between the mainstream successes of Dance Dance Revolution, SingStar, and especially Guitar Hero, music-based games are all the rage. Titles that would have been niche releases just a year or two ago are now mainstream hits — just ask Elite Beat Agents. Their current popularity also allows more obscure titles a shot at a major release. This is the situation regarding Jam Sessions, a...
Amusing Guitar Simulator
Strengths: Song list & demos let you jump in and play songs.
Weakness: Creating your own songs is a lesson in patience.
Jam Sessions turns your DS into a guitar simulator. Though the game, if you can call it that, only allows you to play chords, it is a neat little product that can be pretty satisfying if you have the patience and time to put into it. It comes with some preloaded songs that will even demo how to play them for you. It's probably the quickest way to jump in and feel like you have some guitar chops. I bought this thinking it would be a nice aid for learning chords for the real guitar and sadly was disappointed. I think there's definitely something good here, even if it is a niche title that most gamers will pass on. The problem is that it isn't really a "game" like Guitar Hero, and if you're going to put some effort into learning this system it would probably be better spent learning to play the real guitar. I hate hearing that criticism of the Guitar Hero games, but for Jam Sessions it seems more appropriate. I think this game could have really been better by including a chord reference for the real guitar so that you could learn as you play around. The best thing I can say about Jam Sessions is that it demonstrates the versatility of the DS system and breaks the mold of what to expect from a portable game system.
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