You’re standing in your living room. The Wii remote is strapped to your wrist like a lifeline, and the opening synth swell of "Thriller" starts to creep through your TV speakers. Suddenly, you aren't just a person in sweatpants; you're trying to mirror the most iconic choreography in pop history. This was the magic of the 2010 release from Ubisoft. Looking back, the variety of Michael Jackson The Experience songs wasn't just a random collection of hits. It was a carefully curated playable museum of the King of Pop’s career.
It’s weird to think it’s been over fifteen years since this game dropped. Yet, if you go on TikTok or YouTube today, you’ll see people still struggling to hit the "Perfect" rating on "Smooth Criminal."
The game worked because it didn't try to be a documentary. It was a vibe. Whether you were playing the Wii version with its motion tracking, the Kinect version that actually watched your whole body, or the button-mashing handheld ports, the music carried the weight. We need to talk about why these specific tracks were chosen and how they actually hold up for a modern player.
The Core Tracklist and Why It Matters
The base game featured around 26 to 30 songs depending on which console you owned. It’s a tight list. Honestly, if they had included everything, the game would have been 500 gigabytes. They had to pick the essentials. You have the "Big Three" from the Thriller era: the title track, "Beat It," and "Billie Jean." These are the non-negotiables. If a Michael Jackson game doesn't have "Billie Jean," does it even exist?
But the real gems in the Michael Jackson The Experience songs list are the deeper cuts or the ones with specific "gimmicks." Take "Speed Demon" from the Bad album. It’s not a song you hear on the radio every day anymore, but in the game, the rhythm is chaotic and rewarding. Then you have "The Way You Make Me Feel," which focuses more on the swagger and the strut than the high-energy jumping of something like "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'."
The developers at Ubisoft Montpellier and Ubisoft Paris clearly spent a lot of time analyzing the short films (MJ never called them music videos). They didn't just want you to dance; they wanted you to feel like you were on the set. When you play "Smooth Criminal," the game mimics the 1930s gangster aesthetic. It’s iconic.
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Breaking Down the Difficulty Spikes
Not all Michael Jackson The Experience songs are created equal. Some are basically a warm-up. Others are a cardiovascular nightmare.
- The Beginner Tier: "Heal the World" and "Will You Be There." These are slow. They’re about the arms. You’re basically swaying and feeling the emotions. It’s great for when you’re tired but still want to play.
- The "I’m Sweating" Tier: "Bad" and "Rock With You." These require some hip movement. You need to be loose.
- The Professional Tier: "Workin' Day and Night" and "Thriller." If you’re playing the Kinect version of "Workin' Day and Night," you better have a towel nearby. The BPM is high, and the footwork—even simplified for a game—is relentless.
The Cultural Impact of the Song Selection
There's a specific reason why this game stayed relevant while other dance games faded. It’s the "MJ Effect." Every song is a story.
When you select "Earth Song," the atmosphere shifts. It’s one of the few Michael Jackson The Experience songs that feels heavy. It reminds us that Jackson used his platform for environmental activism way before it was a corporate trend. The game captures that. On the flip side, "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" takes you back to the disco era, full of glitter and high-pitched ad-libs. It’s pure joy.
Interestingly, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions added more tracks via DLC or as base inclusions that weren't on the Wii. We’re talking about "Blood on the Dance Floor" and "Say Say Say." The inclusion of "Blood on the Dance Floor" was a bold move because it’s a bit darker and more industrial than his 80s pop. It showed that the developers respected the HIStory and Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix eras.
The Missing Pieces: What Didn't Make the Cut?
Even with a stellar lineup, fans always complain. That’s just the nature of fandom. Where was "Man in the Mirror"? Surprisingly, one of his most famous songs was absent from the main dance-heavy versions because, well, how do you dance to "Man in the Mirror"? It’s a power ballad. It appeared in some capacity as a singing track, but as a "dance experience," it didn't fit the vibe Ubisoft was going for.
"Scream" was another big omission for many. Likely due to licensing issues with Janet Jackson or the sheer complexity of recreating that specific futuristic set, it remained a glaring hole for some hardcore fans. Still, the Michael Jackson The Experience songs we did get covered 90% of what a casual fan would want.
Technical Nuances: How the Music Dictated the Gameplay
The music wasn't just playing in the background. The game's engine was synced to the specific master tracks. This is important. In many rhythm games, the "hit windows" are generic. In this game, the cues are timed to Jackson’s specific "hics," "oohs," and snaps.
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If you listen closely to "Billie Jean," the drum beat is the spine of the song. The game rewards you for hitting the pose exactly on that snare hit. It teaches you about syncopation without you even realizing it. You’re learning music theory through your feet.
- Motion Tracking: The game had to simplify MJ’s moves. Let’s be real, nobody playing this is actually Michael Jackson. The "Experience" is about the illusion of talent.
- Visual Cues: The avatars on screen reflect the era of the song. For "Black or White," you see the morphing effects and the global dance styles. It’s a masterclass in branding.
- Audio Quality: They used high-bitrate masters. This matters because when you’re playing on a loud home theater system, the bass in "Another Part of Me" needs to thrum through the floor.
Why We Still Talk About These Songs in 2026
The game acts as a time capsule. For a younger generation, Michael Jackson The Experience songs were the first introduction to the catalog. They didn't grow up watching the world premiere of "Black or White" on TV. They discovered it by trying to get a high score.
It’s about the "King of Pop" title. This game solidified that the music is evergreen. You can take a song from 1979 and put it in a 2010 game, and it still feels like the future. The sheer density of hits is staggering. "Beat It" alone has enough energy to power a small city.
Tips for Masterful Play
If you’re dusting off an old console to dive back into the Michael Jackson The Experience songs, don't just flail your arms.
First, focus on the "Pose" icons. These are the multipliers. Even if you mess up the footwork, nailing the iconic poses—the toe stand, the crotch grab (stylized, of course), the hat tip—will save your score. Second, listen to the percussion, not the vocals. Michael often sang "behind" the beat for style, but the game tracks the instrumentals. If you follow his voice, you might be slightly off-time.
Also, if you're on the Wii, hold the remote firmly but don't tense up. The sensor is looking for the arc of your movement. Smooth, flowing motions mimic MJ’s style better and register more accurately than jerky, fast movements.
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Practical Steps for Fans Today
If you want to relive this today, you have a few options.
- Check the Used Markets: The Wii version is everywhere. It’s cheap. You can usually find a copy for under ten dollars at local game stores or online marketplaces.
- The HD Versions: If you can find a PS3 or Xbox 360 with the DLC already installed, hang onto it. Those extra songs are no longer available on digital storefronts due to licensing expirations. They are effectively "lost media" for new buyers.
- Emulation: For the tech-savvy, running the game on a PC emulator can allow you to upscale the graphics to 4K. Seeing the "Ghost" stage in high definition is a totally different experience.
- Spotify Playlists: Many fans have recreated the Michael Jackson The Experience songs list as a playlist. It’s a great workout soundtrack even without the game.
The legacy of Michael Jackson The Experience isn't just in the plastic discs or the motion sensors. It's in the fact that these songs are designed to move people. Literally. Whether you're doing the zombie shuffle or just trying to keep up with the frantic pace of "Leave Me Alone," the music remains the gold standard for pop-fueled gaming.
To get the most out of the catalog, start by mastering the Off the Wall era tracks like "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" to understand the rhythmic foundation before moving into the more complex, theatrical pieces of the Dangerous era. Focus on the timing of the snare drum rather than the lyrics to ensure your motion tracking hits the "Perfect" window every time.