Mad Maestro!

So many rhythm games are based on rave, pop, or rock music, that I fear that too many gamers will have no idea what classical music even sounds like. Mad Maestro breaks this mold by being a game that not only tests your rhythmic nature in following familiar (and not-so-familiar) classical tunes, but also the volume through use of pressure-sensitive buttons on the controller. It is hard to master at first, but once you play around with the sensitivity settings, you may find it much easier to do (WARNING: some cordless controllers may be less compliant with the pressure settings).<br><br>The game has a campy plot (though cute characters), but is wonderfully colorful, even if the background may interfere with gameplay somewhat (evaluation voice like "Yeah!" or "Oh no!" can get annoying, but fortunately, you can turn it down in the settings).<br><br>The variety of music to play and unlock is really incredible (34 tunes, I think), and a great way to introduce the player to some of the best classical pieces!<br><br>As to cons of the game, it would have been much nicer if the music was done by a live orchestra than just synthesized music, but it still works reasonably well, enough to make it sound "bad" when you mess up, and to react well to your speed and volume direction. The plucking of strings is the most impressive part I've found in the music.<br><br>Overall, if you like classical music, I urge you to give this game a try. It really is a cool unique game among its rhythm bretheren!<br><br>IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a blue-bottom disc game, and I have discovered that if it does not appear readable in your PS2, just take three strips of scotch tape, and place them in a triangle arrangement on the label side of the CD (don't cover the hole). This will apparently add to the weight of the disc (which, being blue bottomed, is a CD, and therefore lighter than most PS2 discs), and actually make the game playable! I am hoping this technique will work for most unreadabl blue-bottomed discs.