We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.
Wii

$100? No Thanks, Mr. Tyler.

by Jonathan Metts - June 23, 2008, 9:04 am EDT
Total comments: 26

Not much, according to the impressions Steven wrote last month. The guitar is exactly the same and still benefits from using the Wii Remote's wireless components, meaning it probably costs less to manufacture than the other guitar models (but those savings are obviously not passed on to us). The gameplay is just "Guitar Hero III+", as there are no new modes or features whatsoever. And the song list, aside from being loaded with awful Aerosmith material, is about 30 songs shorter than what we got in the last game. So, you're paying a higher price for just over half the content. The sad thing is, despite my indifference towards Aerosmith, I should be a potential customer for this game just because I already have a Wii guitar and have been addicted to Guitar Hero multiple times already. I might actually consider this purchase if the price matched the value (~$30/$70).

The only improvement Steven pointed out is that the graphics are better, because the Wii version of Aerosmith was actually designed for the Wii instead of being ported from the PS2. While that's nice, it doesn't affect most of us whatsoever because the graphics clearly don't matter in Guitar Hero; you spend most of the time staring at the note charts. Are better graphics worth a $10 markup? No, we should expect better graphics in every sequel. Anyone who says this game deserves equal pricing with the 360/PS3 versions because of the Wii-specific graphics engine is a lousy apologist. When Activision releases this year's real Guitar Hero sequel, World Tour, and the Wii version matches its brethren on every feature and still includes controller rumble, etc. to offset the inferior graphics, then I won't mind paying the same price as my HD-gaming friends. Until then, I'll walk the other way.

Talkback

KDR_11kJune 23, 2008

GH3 is 90 Euros in the bundle here, GHAS is 60.

RizeDavid Trammell, Staff AlumnusJune 23, 2008

"Aweful Aerosmith material"  Couldn't have said it better myself.

AVJune 23, 2008

meh. i never cared for any music game besides Donkey Konga.

I just don't get what the big deal is of Guitar Hero. I can listen to my iPod and pick up a controller and press random buttons and imagine myself a superstar for free.

Vega, have you PLAYED Guitar Hero? It's something you have to experience to really understand.

Quote from: Mr.

meh. i never cared for any music game besides Donkey Konga.

I just don't get what the big deal is of Guitar Hero. I can listen to my iPod and pick up a controller and press random buttons and imagine myself a superstar for free.

And I could sit on the playground with kindergarten students singing "Duck Duck Goose" while slapping my knees to the beat rather than play Donkey Konga.

You can SING duck duck goose?

.... I really hope you pop onto RFN someday to demonstrate this talent.

shammackJune 23, 2008

Well, I don't get what the big deal is of playing any video games at all.  After all, I can just randomly twiddle my thumbs and use my imagination (our greatest gift) for free.

NinGurl69 *hugglesJune 23, 2008

I'll just imagine MGS4...

*imaginary 30min installation*

OK I'M RETURNING THIS GAME BACK TO IMAGINARY GAMESTOP

I'm willing to pay equal prices if I have to to get equal quality in multiplatform releases. I don't think I should have to, but I would do it if I do.

AVJune 24, 2008

yeah i played the game. MEH I just don't feel for it.

animecyberratJune 24, 2008

Someone should make a music game with turntables where the point is to take popular video game themes and "remix" them. That would be the next step and the first music game I'd buy, if I had the money. I want GH for sure but it's pretty damn expensive.

blackfootstepsJune 24, 2008

I'm shocked that they are charging a regular game price for what is essentially a gimped expansion pack. Gimped because you'd have to change discs to play GH3 songs.

I'm not sure whose idea it was to make GH installments focusing on single bands but it is daft. Doing a Rock Band and making whole albums available in addition to the regular tracklist is much more sensible.

MarioJune 24, 2008

Quote from: Halbred

Vega, have you PLAYED Guitar Hero? It's something you have to experience to really understand.

Halbred, have you PLAYED guitar? It's something you have to experience to really understand.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorJune 24, 2008

Quote from: Mario

Quote from: Halbred

Vega, have you PLAYED Guitar Hero? It's something you have to experience to really understand.

Halbred, have you PLAYED guitar? It's something you have to experience to really understand.

Obviously, everyone gets to have their own opinion, but those who are all "Guitar Hero sucks, play a real guitar" annoy me.  Are you going to tell people that racing games suck and, instead, people should get a real race car?

Some people (like me) are completely tone deaf.  I couldn't play the Cow Bell if I tried.  Guitar Hero is a fun game (are are similar Music/Rhythm games).  Some people have fun pushing buttons at the right time to match the colors on the screen.  Some people have fun pushing buttons at the right time to match the little character's actions on the screen.  It's all good fun.

RABicleJune 24, 2008

Poor analogy Bob. Racing a real car is dangerous, expensive and against the law in public. Playing a real guitar is none of those things.

animecyberratJune 24, 2008

Not if you deliver pizzas Rab.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorJune 24, 2008

Quote from: RABicle

Playing a real guitar is against the law in public.

You obviously haven't heard me attempt to play.
The point stands though.  Is racing a real car more expensive than getting together a talented band, renting out a stadium and putting on a rock concert?  Perhaps - but both are probably out of reach for the large majority of people.  Why not let them have some fun with the plastic guitar and colored buttons?  So long as they're not one of those snooty people who are all "Oh, I'm cool because I play Guitar Hero", all's good.

Nick DiMolaNick DiMola, Staff AlumnusJune 24, 2008

I play REAL guitar and I still found Guitar Hero to be fun. Now the novelty has worn off as it has been something like 3 years since I started playing GH. Point still stands though, the experience can be gratifying regardless of whether or not you can play real guitar.

By the way, the Wii version of Rock Band (just released) also costs the same as 360/PS3 versions despite major features not being included.  Meanwhile, the identical PS2 version, which cost ten bucks less at launch, is now being sold for $60 less than the Wii version at the GameStop website.  If I was going to buy a gimped version of Rock Band, I would definitely get the PS2 bundle for $110. (Yes, that includes the drums and everything.)

Actually, the gimped PS2 Rock Band was at Best Buy last night for $99. I almost picked it up, but then remembered that I didn't really like the 360 version, and Guitar Hero IV will be much better.

MorariJune 27, 2008

Quote from: blackfootsteps

I'm shocked that they are charging a regular game price for what is essentially a gimped expansion pack. Gimped because you'd have to change discs to play GH3 songs.

I'm not sure whose idea it was to make GH installments focusing on single bands but it is daft. Doing a Rock Band and making whole albums available in addition to the regular tracklist is much more sensible.

Hear, hear!

D_AverageJune 29, 2008

Quote from: Mr.

I play REAL guitar and I still found Guitar Hero to be fun.

Same here, I'll never buy Guitar Hero b/c its always more satisfying to play a real guitar, but its a great game for those that will never learn.  Just as playing No More Heroes is a great game for a guy like me, given that I'll probably never learn to swing a real Beam Katana.

MarioJune 29, 2008

Except no, because No More Heroes is a completely unique experience and an actual legit videogame.

Spak-SpangJune 30, 2008

Quote from: RABicle

Poor analogy Bob. Racing a real car is dangerous, expensive and against the law in public. Playing a real guitar is none of those things.

I think Uncle Bob's analogy works.

Hey, Instead of racing Karts why don't you race Go-Karts for real.

Instead of playing any Sports game play the game for real.

Instead of playing a First Person Shooter, play paint ball for real.

Guitar Hero isn't about learning to play Guitar it is a really fun rhythm and reflex game. 

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorJune 30, 2008

Quote from: Spak-Spang

Instead of playing a First Person Shooter, play paint ball for real.

I was slightly confused by the paintball video games... a video game to simulate a sport that simulates shooting... ;)

Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement