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Harmonix is no stranger to creating rhythm-based video games. From Amplitude to Guitar Hero to Rock Band, the musically-minded has a lot of success in the space, releasing some of the most popular rhythm games of all time. In the same stroke, Hasbro is no stranger to turning a profit on pricey hunks of plastic.
While these two companies both dominate in their respective fields, they might not seem like the most obvious coupling at first it's but one that makes immediate sense when you see their love child, the card/board/video game hybrid, DropMix.
Harmonix' foray into the (semi)physical space has always sounded good on paper, but now it's here and it's just as good in reality.
What you pay for with DropMix is the NFC-enabled playing board and the playable NFC cards but the game itself is played in tandem with the DropMix app and preferably a portable speaker.
Each player picks a set of cards which feature a mix of samples from licensed tracks then throws down whatever matching colours or levels they have in their draw. The card game itself is quite simple and is best compared to Uno with a point system, but there a few unique bonuses, like having a run of 5 cards, that give you extra points. There are also opportunities to lose points and clear the board, thanks to the game's roulette-style DropMix function. There are also modifier cards and wild cards that fit wherever, not unlike Uno's own wild cards.
But that's just the card game component. Dropping a card onto the board also lays a track into the mix. Throwdown one card to add the vocals from Childish Gambino's Heartbeats and another to lay the synthesised strings from Carly Rae Jepsen's Call Me Maybe over the top and so on and so on.
DropMix is on sale in most places you can find toys and board games. However, it's also offered by other online retailers like Kogan and Dick Smith.
Here's a list of DropMix prices in Australia.
Prices were last checked on 22 Dec 2017 and may be subject to change. Prices include any discounts but exclude potential shipping charges.
Product | Brand |
Retailer Prices
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DropMix Music Gaming System![]() ![]() |
HASBRO |
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DropMix Playlist Pack![]() ![]() |
DropMix |
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DropMix Discover Pack![]() ![]() |
DropMix |
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At $179.00, the DropMix is a pricey chunk of plastic, especially considering it's your smartphone pulling most of the weight here. But the game can't be played without it. It's important to note that the starter kit comes with four Playlist packs (each valued at $24.99) so you're paying roughly $79 for the game board, which is a little easier to swallow.
With all that said, everyone I've played DropMix with has left grinning from ear to ear. A casual game of Clash usually ends with the players toying around with the cards and creating their own mixes, blown away by the concept. While the co-op mode isn't exactly the life of the party, you'll have a riot clashing with friends to some solid tunes of your own creation.
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