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Rolling Stone names the 50 best rock & roll games

by Jason Dobson { Nov 11th 2008 at 6:30PM }

The game industry's head-banging love affair with rock and/or roll stretches back as far as we can remember -- sometime around the late '70s. Now Rolling Stone has strummed its keyboard to capture what it calls the Top 50 Rock & Roll Video Games of All Time, laying accolades at the leather boots of Rock Band and Guitar Hero, while giving the likes of Revolution X and Crüe Ball the chance to scream into the mic one last time as if to shout, "Remember me!!?"

Lumping together the good (Loom, Frequency) with the awful (Spice World, really?) and just plain odd (are Simon's 'bleeps' and 'boops' really considered music?), the laundry list is something of a mixed bag. Though admittedly we're still reeling from the fact that whoever put together the feature managed to overlook Audiosurf and Gitaroo Man, but managed to give props to Sensible Software's canceled flamebait, Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll.

Top 5: Multiplayer Experiences

by Kaes Delgrego { Nov 3rd 2008 at 1:37PM }

As someone who writes on the Internets, I do a lot of reading as well. As just about any successful author will advise, if I want to be a better writer then I should be reading as much as possible. Thus, I tend to spend a good amount of time scouring the gaming websites and reading commentary from just about anyone. I wouldn't insult anyone by pointing out flaws in their work (as I'm host to many of my own), but it is sufficient to say that there is great diversity in the quality and other general attributes of gaming commentary. One source that I do consistently enjoy comes from GoNintendo's head honcho, known as RawmeatCowboy. Equal parts Nintendo fan and beard enthusiast, RMC has a passion for gaming unmatched by nearly anyone else in the entire industry. Whereas some journalists and commentators may give off an impression of jaded cynicism, this particular blogger is a bundle of video game-loving joy. Though he's not quite the wordsmith of a Jerry Holkins, his joy and optimism transcend any potential criticism. And after all, that should be the reason we play video games: for happiness.

Stepping away from worshipping his shrine, I'll get back on target. In a recent post, RMC discusses offline multiplayer via a get-together involving several friends of his trying out Guitar Hero: World Tour. He states that multiplayer is more enjoyable in person than online, and I find it difficult to disagree. That is not to say that online multiplayer is garbage; quite the opposite is true. Aside from the obvious pragmatics of not always being able to round up a few friends to play a game you enjoy, there's the global aspect behind online gaming. Though I've been battling people online via chess years before any major console had such capabilities, the enormous power of the technology didn't register with me until very recently. As I was connecting to an online race in Mario Kart Wii, the identification of racers on the globe really hit home. Realizing that I was simultaneously connecting with individuals from Japan, China, Germany, and England was strangely beautiful.

Despite the fascinating global implications of such connections, I remain a bit of a luddite in that I don't think there's anything better than having your friends in the same room with you while fighting with or against each other. Here's the Top 5 ways we recommend that you enjoy such opportunities.

NEXT >>

The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.

Guitar Hero World Tour's mystery instrument: a MIDI sequencer

by Jason Dobson { Sep 17th 2008 at 8:45AM }

That's right, a MIDI sequencer. While a far cry from our keytar-brandishing dreams, the addition will allow those savvy enough to wrap their heads around the process to compose music on the PC and then import their creations into Guitar Hero World Tour. The feature, however, doesn't sound like it's suited for the faint of heart, as Neversoft's Brian Bright tells Shacknews that "it's going to take an FAQ on the Guitar Hero site--it's not something that your average user is gonna do."

However, MIDI aficionados planning to compose their digital masterpieces on the Xbox 360 will likely find the experience lacking. While the PS3 sequencer will reportedly support a variety of instruments, including rhythm and lead guitars, bass, keyboards and drum tracks, the Xbox 360 alternative will be limited to drums alone due to "hardware issues." Then again, for those planning on channeling their inner John Bonham, what more do you need?

Warner Music wants more money for licensed songs

by Jason Dobson { Aug 7th 2008 at 4:00PM }

Developers vying for a slice of the rhythm game pie may soon find the cost to dig in to be increasing -- at least if they want players to nod along with music they know. According to Reuters, Warner Music's top exec Edgar Bronfman has come forward, stating that game companies should pay more to the music industry in order to include licensed tunes in their music-based games.

Says Bronfman, who compared the relationship to the likes of MTV or Apple's iPod, "The amount being paid to the music industry, even though their games are entirely dependent on the content we own and control, is far too small." Given Warner's interest in music currently flowing through both Guitar Hero III and Rock Band, not to mention the war that is about to unfold on living room stages later this year, it will be interesting to see who will 5-star this game of financial tug-of-war.

Rumorong: Activision, Red Octane call shenanigans on World Tour set list

by Jason Dobson { Jul 25th 2008 at 11:25AM }

We hope you didn't get your hopes up regarding Guitar Hero World Tour's hypothetical set list, which included songs from such bands as REO Speedwagon, Rob Zombie, and whole lot of Tool. Game Informer reports that both Activision and Red Octane have come forward, denouncing the list as a fraud.

While some of the tracks listed will make it into the game, such as Van Halen's Hot for Teacher, the report calls the lion's share of the list "wishful thinking and pure speculation." We're sorry Tool fans, but you'll have to get your progressive rock fix somewhere else.

Activision plans to launch iTunes alternative

by Alan Tsang { Jul 10th 2008 at 9:00PM }

Most of you should know that two days ago Activision merged with Vivendi's games division Blizzard to form the new publisher Activision Blizzard. The chief executive of the new company, Bobby Kotick, told the Financial Times today the company plans to create an iTunes alternative based off the Guitar Hero franchise. Kotick feels this is "the natural evolution" and Guitar hero has the "potential" to be a "credible alternative to iTunes."

These plans, of course, emerged at least partly due to Activision now having access to Universal Music, which is owned by Vivendi. Vivendi is also known to have payment processing capabilities in "virtually every country." The newly formed company ain't kidding around -- with $3.5 billion dollars lying around that was originally going to be used for a tender offer, there are rumors of them after everything from the Beatles catalogue (which iTunes failed to gain access to), to entering the bidding for Take-Two. Will Activision finally get its act together with the new sources it has at hand? Rock Band has obviously become a major threat by taking market share for rhythm games away from the profitable Guitar Hero franchise. Thoughts?

Deal of the Day: Guitar Hero wireless Les Paul guitar for $36

by Alan Tsang { Jul 3rd 2008 at 3:00PM }

Looking to rock out with an extra wireless controller for Guitar Hero III? Look no further than this deal. The official Guitar Hero III Les Paul wireless guitar controller for the PS3 shipped to your door for $35.24. Retail is $59.99 but some like Best Buy are asking for $69.99. And remember, this will not work with Rock Band. We are not sure how long this deal will last, so act fast.

[Via CAG]

Guitar Hero: On Tour peripheral lends a hand to homebrew painting app

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 29th 2008 at 1:30PM }

We know there are probably one too many prerequisites for you to find this story truly interesting -- but if you're one of those rare DS Lite owners who recently purchased Guitar Hero: On Tour, and is also into homebrew applications for the handheld, and also fancies themselves a modern day Botticelli, then there's a new homebrew painting application with some surprising peripheral functionality that the four of you should really consider picking up.

The app in question is BassAceGold's UAPaint (v1.02), which allows the use of the On Tour guitar grip buttons for easily accessible short cuts to important tools, streamlining the digital painting process. It's a really sleek setup -- unfortunately, we're not entirely convinced that DS doodlers really need faster, more powerful methods of etching poorly-rendered genitalia into their luminescent screens.

McFarlane Toys casting Guitar Hero in plastic

by Jason Dobson { Jun 27th 2008 at 10:00AM }

You have room on your desk, right? Right there between the Varia Suit Samus statue and Battle Armor Skeletor sits a space just begging to be filled. Now, McFarlane Toys, whose figs have more in common with plastic sculptures than actual toys, has announced plans to fill that space on your already crowded desk with figures based on Guitar Hero this November.

Already known for creating figures based on other video game properties such as Metal Gear Solid and Halo, McFarlane Toys has announced a manly lineup of four Guitar Hero personalities, each featuring 15-18 moving parts and a price between $10-15. The first wave of plastic rockers will include Johnny Napalm, Lars Ümlaut, Axel Steel, and God of Rock, while Casey Lynch and Judy Nails cheer lead the first wave from the sidelines.

Gallery: Guitar Hero McFarlane Toys

Joystiq eyes and ears-on: Guitar Hero: World Tour

by Kevin Kelly { Jun 20th 2008 at 1:00PM }

Activision invited us out to the House of Blues last week, which was a fitting place to give us a first look at Guitar Hero: World Tour in action. Though we didn't get to play it, we did watch the folks from RedOctane take a spin through all the new features. Suffice it to say, this isn't simply Guitar Hero: Rock Band ... which is what we thought it might turn out to be. Read on after the break to find out why you'll soon have a closet filled with enough peripherals to make your own one-man band.

Gallery: Guitar Hero: World Tour (06-20-08)

Continued →

Ozzy-signed GHIII package up for auction

by David Hinkle { Jun 19th 2008 at 12:30PM }

This is a pretty interesting auction, if we may say so. For one, we can understand if, say, Slash or Tom Morello, signed this Guitar Hero III package, but why would anyone get Ozzy to sign this? He's not in the game!

Still, it's pretty impressive to have Ozzy sign your toy guitar. The auction ends on June 25th, so get while the getting is good.

[Via Gamesniped]

Possibly the best Guitar Hero III player ever

by David Hinkle { Jun 5th 2008 at 11:00PM }

We've seen our fair share of fantastic Guitar Hero performances here at Wii Fanboy, but this one takes them all, pushes them to the ground and buries them beneath mounds and mounds of dirt. YouTube user iamchris4life comes out of the ending song in Guitar Hero III, DragonForce's "Through the Fire and Flames," with a 100% completion. As much as we'd like for you to already be watching the video at this very moment, we had to place it after the break. The end of the video has a lot of naughty words being screamed in celebration. So it's NSFW.

Continued →

Coldplay to make Guitar Hero debut

by Majed Athab { Jun 3rd 2008 at 5:30PM }

According to Entertainment Weekly, British music act Coldplay have said that their single, Violet Hill, will be on Guitar Hero. The article did not specify which Guitar Hero this will be, but it's more likely than not to be Guitar Hero III since it was mentioned that the track will be DLC.

The downloadable song is part of a huge publicity campaign for the band's new album, Vida La Vida, which is out June 17. A date was also not specified, but it's safe to assume that Violet Hill will appear sometime before, around, or on June 17.

[Via X3F]

Guitar Hero: On Tour video of genius

by Eric Caoili { May 28th 2008 at 9:30AM }

Our two immediate thoughts upon loading up this Guitar Hero: On Tour "How To Rock Out" video:

Pshaw, like we really need anyone telling us how to rock out
Ugh, not this Patrick Fugit wannabe from the first trailer again

As it turns out, despite the almost Almost Famous kid, it's a hilarious video very reminiscent of Budweiser's "Real Men of Genius" campaign! And, even when the accompanying singer gets annoying towards the end, the video stays informative with previews of multiplayer attacks -- like swapping their screens or sending shirts for your opponents to autograph. "Now, who do I make it out to? To your mama?"

Gallery: Guitar Hero: On Tour

Gamestop prices Guitar Hero: World Tour bundle at $189

by Griffin McElroy { May 25th 2008 at 1:30PM }

In order to remain competitive with Harmonix's pre-existing multi-instrument rockstar simulator, Activision's upcoming entry in their insanely lucrative franchise, Guitar Hero: World Tour, needs to match the price of the game it so closely resembles, Rock Band. According to a recent listing on Gamestop, it'll do just that -- the game alone will cost $59.99 on PS3 and 360 ($49.99 on Wii and PS2), a "guitar kit" bundle will run you $99.99, and the full band kit (which we assume will contain a guitar, a mic, and a drum kit) will run you $189.99 on 360, Wii and PS3, and $179.99 on PS2.

If these prices are accurate, you'll be paying $20 more for Activision's bundle than Harmonix's -- perhaps their five-piece drum kit costs more to produce than Rock Band's four-head. We don't mind shelling out the extra Jackson to get our hands on Activision's new skins -- the thousands of dollars we'll spend expanding our living room to contain two fake drum kits and four fake guitars, however, may have a noticeable impact on our finances.

[Thanks, Hashbrown Hunter.]