Guitar Hero: The U.S. equivalent to Guitar Freaks

[Oobgarm]

I noticed this one on my radar a while back, particularly since it's being done by Harmonix, the people behind Frequency, Amplitude, and the Karaoke Revolution games. RedOctane is publishing it(much like this year's In The Groove), and they're also making a guitar to be used while playing the game. It looks to be an excellent blend of Amplitude and Guitar Freaks.

The guys over at Penny Arcade updated their site today with some impressions of it, as they met with Harmonix recently.

It's advertised to have over 30 songs, past and present-just about something for everyone. I've seen these songs mentioned thus far:

-- Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground
-- Boston - More than a Feeling
-- Megadeth - Symphony of Destruction
-- The Donnas - Take it Off
-- Jimi Hendrix - Spanish Castle Magic
-- ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man
-- Black Sabbath - Iron Man
-- White Zombie - Thunderkiss 65
-- Queens of the Stone Age - No One Knows
-- David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
-- The Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated
-- Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
-- Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water
-- Cream - Crossroads
-- Sum 41 - Fat Lip
-- Pantera - Cowboys From Hell

I've also seen mention of Helmet and Bad Religion as inclusions. There has also been a contest for bands to send in their stuff to be included in the games as bonus tracks.

Supposedly it's out Novemeber 1st...but it might slip from that date. List price is $79.99.

To quote davidbrit:

COMMENCE RAGING HARD-ON.

http://www.guitarherogame.com

[Kroogah]

I hate the RedOctane guitar controllers, but I'll probably end up buying this just for "Spanish Castle Magic" and especially "Cowboys From Hell". Hot DAMN.

[Six Switch]

this should be good

[petewhitley]

Sounds pretty good, but $79.99? C'mon. Donkey Konga put 'em out at a reasonable price, and this is more than the Konami/DDR combo for chrissakes. That RedOctane guitar can't cost that much more than a mat. Who knows.

[punkoffgirl]

I just peed my pants. I think I'm going to have to break out the credit card.

[davidbrit2]

I think I'm going to wait for the final reviews to come in so I know a little bit more about the guitar controller they're bundling. If they just try to shove a bunch of their Topway guitar backstock into the bundles, then I'm not touching that with a 10m pole. Those Topways SUCK. But if they're making an all new guitar like they claim, then YAY. Hopefully it'll work with Guitar Freaks, too. Heh. If it does, then the bundle will be worth every penny.

[Austin]

Awesome song list. I love these types of games, but that price tag hurts a bit!

[heyricochet]

Bah, they can't do the bass properly for Higher Ground, but otherwise it'll be awesome and I'm debating about plunking down 80 for it.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Well, they aren't using any current stock of guitars, because this game is supposed to have 5 (yes, 5!) different buttons, not like Guitar Freaks' 3. So, theres a little bit of added challenge for you.

[davidbrit2]

Well, they aren't using any current stock of guitars, because this game is supposed to have 5 (yes, 5!) different buttons, not like Guitar Freaks' 3. So, theres a little bit of added challenge for you.

The shitty Topway guitars, which Red Octane currently sells, have exactly 5 neck buttons. So I'm understandably wary.

[Oobgarm]

Well, they aren't using any current stock of guitars, because this game is supposed to have 5 (yes, 5!) different buttons, not like Guitar Freaks' 3. So, theres a little bit of added challenge for you.

The shitty Topway guitars, which Red Octane currently sells, have exactly 5 neck buttons. So I'm understandably wary.

But I'd say the inclusion of a whammy bar might help ease the wariness. Plus, Gibson has lent their trademarked body styles to the game, and the guitar controller is supposedly an SG. I don't think Gibson would lend their name/image to a sub-par product.

[Mianrtcv]

$80.00 . I've spent more for less.

The issue is here... where the hell does it go. My R/O/D is busting. Seriously. There is no physical space. Who am I kidding, there is always somewhere...

[Austin]

Yeah, I just took the time to look at this online. I guess I'm going to have to splurge and treat myself. Game looks like too much fun, and I'm a big fan of Harmonix.

[Cmosfm]

Already pre-ordered a month ago and put down 50.00 on it, so I'm ready to go!

[devilman]

I wonder what the odds are of it getting a PAL release? Pretty slim I'd imagine. I only have a UK and a Jap PS2 though so I might end up forking out for a US machine just to play this game... this could be expensive!

[GameSlaveGaz]

Saw the set list...WHOOOO!

Rumor that the guitar controller is SG shaped....WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

If it's $80, I'm waiting, but I HAVE to have that game. I Love games like that. If only they'd make an American drummania. I should just get a mod chip...GRR I need more monies for gameses!

[heyricochet]

To shut you all up about the controller I found a picture for you :-p official website even! Cmon people.

http://www.guitarherogame.com/controller.asp

[Oobgarm]

To shut you all up about the controller I found a picture for you :-p official website even! Cmon people.

http://www.guitarherogame.com/controller.asp

Cmon, that's a mock-up. The general muddiness gives that away. Look at the buttons.

[heyricochet]

The buttons and the strap pins look almost exactly like the ones I have on my guitar freaks guitar. I'm pretty sure thats what it will be.

[davidbrit2]

The buttons and the strap pins look almost exactly like the ones I have on my guitar freaks guitar. I'm pretty sure thats what it will be.

That's what worries me. Those Topway Guitar Freaks controllers they sell flat out SUCK.