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Instruction Manual confirms pedal for Guitar Hero's future
When you get your hands on a copy of Guitar Hero II, tomorrow, you'll find in the instruction manual the answer to the question which many inquisitive gamers have been pondering: What's that port on the bottom of the axe for? While it's been rumored for an effects pedal since the first shots showing it were released, it can now be confirmed. The manual explicitly states three things, first that it's for an effects pedal. Secondly, it will, naturally, be sold separately, and finally, that the feature is currently unavailable. We'll probably see it get use in the next iteration of Guitar Hero's series. Would you welcome some footwork when rocking out?
Guitar Hero II getting original's tracks
In their recent Guitar Hero II review, IGN confirms that the original Guitar Hero tracks will be available for purchase from the XBLM. They are reporting that one week after GH II's release (which would be next week) Red Octane will be releasing various original GH tracks for the Xbox 360 version including Ozzy's "Bark at the Moon", Incubus' "Stellar", and "Higher Ground" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The other obvious question would be how much each track will end up costing, something we'll only know when the new tracks hit the XBLM. We're hoping the downloadable tracks end up being relatively cheap, but we're wondering how much you would be willing to shell out per new song.[Thanks, murph]
Video: Fan Made Mjolnir Mix on GHII
So, last month we reported the OXM rumor about Halo 2's "Mjolnir Mix" getting into Guitar Hero II for the 360. Well, GameTrailers user moistpjs (heh) made a video from the PS2 version of the game that gives an interesting take on how it would play. Due to our newbian skills, however, we can't figure out if we can embed User made content from Gametrailers, or how he made it all happen. Either it was some very impressive editing skills, or most likely, he haxx0red the song into the game on his PS2 and set the note structure to the music. Whatever way he managed to pull it off, it's a job very well done on his part and we hope to see something official from RedOctane that follows suit in the form of downloadable content off of Xbox Live Marketplace. What did you think of the video? Would you play that song on your 360 version of GHII in a heartbeat?[Via HBO]
A Guitar Hero noob: the obsession begins
So, we went to Best Buy earlier today to nab a replacement headset -- Fancast recording sessions can get a little ... rough -- and then we saw it. Sitting next to the demure Wii kiosk and the somewhat more imposing PS3 kiosk was, naturally, the 360 kiosk. But what was this attached to it? A ... a guitar? We strapped on the white X-plorer guitar, hit up the tutorials, and began to learn about rocking. It wasn't long before we were champing at the bit to play the real thing. Picking Nirvana's "Heart-shaped Box," we began our first foray into Guitar Hero II (die-hard Xbox fanboys that we are, we hadn't experienced the game on PS2). We were ready to rock, or at least that's what we thought. The song, in a twisted reversal of the natural order, proceeded to own us, and on medium (medium!) difficulty, no less. After a quick switch to easy difficulty (oh the shame), we slowly came to grips with the controls and managed to recreate a reasonable facsimile of Nirvana.But that was on easy and our fingers were already cramped. Still, we want more, a lot more. It took some willpower to walk out of that Best Buy and continue blogging, knowing that Guitar Hero II was only 2 miles away. We take considerable comfort knowing that $90 will be ripped from our wallet next week when Guitar Hero II finally arrives. We take comfort because that transaction is no longer a choice. It's a necessity.
Snag Guitar Hero II for $10 less
360 Fanboy reader, Nitin, sends us word that he received a coupon from Best Buy offering $10 off games and accessory purchases of $75 dollars or more. Now, it just so happens that Guitar Hero II will set you back 90 clams when it debuts on Arpil 3rd, and it just so happens that the Best Buy coupon expires on April 4th. You see where we're going with this? Of course, there is one possible caveat. According to the fine print, the coupon doesn't include video game hardware. Now, we're pretty sure that refers to actual consoles, but don't blame us if the guy behind the counter says the guitar counts as hardware.At any rate, you were going to pick up GHII anyway, right? You might as well try and save 10 bucks.[Thanks, Nitin]
Guitar Hero II tourney in Florida April 7th
With Guitar Hero II mere weeks away from release, competitions were bound to start to get planned. GameHQ is holding a tournament on April 7th, sponsored by Red Octane. The catch, of course, is that it takes place in Deland, Florida at the Sunshine Bowling Center. Festivities start at 7:00 pm and there are unspecified prizes to be given to true rockers. We do like the name of the group, though: G.H.O.U.L., the Guitar Hero Organized Underground League. So, if you live in that region of America's wang, are you going to see what all the fuss is about? If so, will you start practicing now on the PS2's version, or wait until you pick it up for 360?
Guitar Hero II hits UK on Good Friday
So on Friday, or maybe it was Thursday, we told you that Guitar Hero II was releasing on April 3rd in North America. Well, fortunately the blokes over in the UK won't have to wait too much longer after the fact to get their grubby hands on a guitar controller. According to Eurogamer, Activision US also announced that the UK should have Guitar Hero II hit store shelves on April 6th, Good Friday. Hopefully there will some stores open for business to sell it to eager gamers looking to rock out on the long weekend. [Via QJ.net]
Guitar Hero II rocks 360 on April 3rd
Screw Guitar Hero II demo stations! Why waste time with a puny demo station when you can bag the real thing in just two weeks? That's right, Activision has officially announced that Guitar Hero II will release on April 3rd. Wait a minute, that sounds awfully familiar. Oh, that's because we reported it two months ago, booyah!At any rate, in just over two weeks, budding 360 rockers will finally get to lay down some righteous chops with the best of them. The 360 version of GHII features the all new X-plorer guitar, updated graphics, and 10 exclusive new songs. Not only that, but Red Octane already has a ton of downloadable content in the pipeline.So, 360 fanboys, we ask you: are you ready to RAWK?![Via Joystiq]
Guitar Hero II surfs Xbox 360 crowd on April 3
Activision has grabbed the nearest microphone and screeched out the official release date for the Xbox 360's Guitar Hero II. "Pay attention you motherfrackers, drop the keyboards PC hackers, Guitar Hero II drops April three, get out your wallets these frets ain't free! Woooowrgh!" You'll likely be able to obtain much better tunes than that lyrical atrocity later on, thanks to this version's ability to download a "consistent stream of new tracks" from Xbox Live. RedOctane's Dusty Welch notes in the press release that the online component "is going to provide an incredible opportunity for our fans to extend the gameplay experience, and we have ambitious ideas to continue to fully support these efforts." Sadly, said ambitious ideas don't include online multiplayer just yet. [Image: NeoGAF]
Guitar Hero II demo stations next week?
One of X3F's regular anonymous tipsters has given us ... um ... an anonymous tip. What tip you ask? It looks like we might start seeing Guitar Hero II demo stations as early as next week in retailers like Wal-Mart. Our tipster reports that demo units are already being delivered to retailers. What is more, the X-plorer guitar that comes with GHII will feature a normal USB connection -- not exactly a surprise really -- which may allow PC users to find ways to utilize the controller.So, there you have it, start looking for Guitar Hero II demo kiosks starting next week. Be sure and send the news to X3F when you find one. We're just as excited to get our hands on the game after all.[Thanks, Anonymous Rep]
Badges of Honour back at Blockbuster
For you fellow Canadian fanboys out there, Blockbuster Video is carrying the "Badges of Honour". For a toonie, you can get your hands on one of five limited edition badges, from GRAW 2, to Guitar Hero II to Halo 3. Proceeds are going to be donated to the Children's Miracle Network, so its definitely for a good cause. They will only be available until Sunday, April 1st, 2007, so next time you're renting something over at Blockbuster, pick up a couple badges to help show gamers care.[Thanks, DjDATZ]
Halo 2 Theme on Guitar Hero II? Schweet
OXM's exclusive article and review combo of Guitar Hero II in their March issue had an interesting tidbit on an exclusive song. Apprarently, the Xbox 360 version will get a little spartan nostalgia as they get to rock out to the Mjolnir Mix of the Halo 2 theme. In terms of the song itself, it sounds like a lot of fun, as the guitar is very distinctive. Honestly, who wouldn't want to play the Halo 2 theme? Still, when we read the magazine's article prior to coming across this news, we didn't see any mention of the song, but perhaps we overlooked it in a sidebar or something. So, until we double check our issue of OXM, or a Fanboy reader confirms it, we're going to classify this as a rumor. No word if it is going to be available on the disc off the bat or through a download off of Xbox Live Marketplace. We're going to look into this as soon as we can. Let's say this is true, how do you feel about the Halo's theme showing up in other games? [Via GameStooge]
Video: Guitar Hero II DLC Details and More???
GameTrailers sat down with Bryan Lam of Red Octane to talk about Guitar Hero II, and he touches on a lot of the latest topics regarding the title. He brings up the amount of downloadable content they're bringing, the availability of the original Guitar Hero songs on Marketplace, wireless guitar controllers, Neversoft taking the helm for the next game, and even implementing online co-op in the future. All in all it's a very interesting sheds light on many things that are on gamer's minds about GH II. It's also available in HD if you're into that resolution.
Guitar Hero II aims to have the most Marketplace content
In an interview that featured more ducked questions than a limbo contest at a mallard convention, Red Octane's Ted Lange managed to boast a little regarding their plans for Guitar Hero II and the Xbox Live Marketplace. When asked about the service, Lange points out that while they're still working on the fine details, Red Octane's current plans include having the most content available for any game to date. This can, of course, be a very good thing or a very bad thing. Still, a bold statement nonetheless.What could Red Octane possibly offer in order to follow through with these plans? The most obvious chunk of content are songs from the original Guitar Hero, but it could also be anything from new characters skins to original songs. Our wallets can only hope that they recognize the thin line between what is a micro- and what is a macro- transaction.
GH II wireless guitar arriving "hopefully rather shortly"
Associate Producer for Guitar Hero II, Ted Lange, was asked a few questions by IGN Australia. They touched on downloadable content as well as the exclusive tracks and even licensing issues with other bands. The main thing that caught our attention was Ted's thoughts on a wireless guitar. He said that he hopes they'll be able to provide a wireless solution rather shortly to fans, which is definitely a good thing. Hopefully this indicates that their talks with Microsoft about bringing this to the market is making significant progress. After getting Guitar Hero II with its wired guitar, would you buy a second one if it was wireless, and for how much?
"Dead!"ly Master Track Goodness Video
On Friday, IGN added another one of Guitar Hero II's Xbox 360 exclusive songs to their video page. It is, of course, none other than My Chemical Romance's "Dead!". It, alongside "Possum Kingdom", are the only "Master Tracks" of the new songs included. This is definitely a good thing, as Gerard Way's distinctive vocals would be hard to reproduce by the cover artists used. The video is pretty good, and available in High Definition for IGN Insiders, showing how difficult the Expert rendition of the song is. For the purists out there, it seems the complete lyrics are intact (2:50 in the video, 2:40 in the song). In any case, everyone here at Fanboy Towers is pining for this game and can't wait for its release. This video, along with the others available on the same page, makes the wait all the more difficult. Are you guys ready to rock out?
Guitar Hero II for $79.99 [update 1]
Update: Oops, looks like shipping isn't free. Instead, all customers will be upgraded to 2nd day air for the normal shipping cost of $7.67. Still, you'll get Guitar Hero II for $87.66 delivered. Not too shabby.Anyone looking to save a little scratch on the upcoming Guitar Hero II need look no further than Costco. Costco is offering the bundle, including the game and X-plorer guitar controller, for $79.99. That's a full $10 off the retail price. As an added bonus, Costco will throw in a 2 day shipping upgrade for free. According to the website, this deal will only be available for a limited time, so those who prefer to rock on the cheap better get moving.If any of you frugal rockers find any more great deals, be sure to send us a tip.[Thanks, james fearn]
Gears of War wins big at Interactive Achievement Awards
The 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards have at long last confirmed a growing, industry-wide suspicion: Gears of War is pretty good. In a ceremony held last night at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences bestowed eight shiny statuettes upon Epic Games' monsters vs. testosterone epic. In addition to winning overall Game of the Year, it picked up gongs for Console Game of the Year, Online Game Play, Animation, Art Design, Visual Engineering, Outstanding Character Performance and Action/Adventure Game of the Year.Wii Sports waggled three awards out of the academy, including ones for Outstanding Innovation, Gameplay Engineering and Game Design. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Guitar Hero II and Loco Roco all came away with double wins, whereas The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess made off with a single prize for Outstanding Story and Character Development (in your face, Saint's Row!). Inaugural Lifetime Achievement awards went to Minoru Arakawa and Howard Lincoln, for their involvement with the NES and the rebuilding of a shattered games industry during the 1980's.Check out the full list of winners after the break.Read -- AIAS press release [PDF]
RedOctane mourns the death of 'air guitar'
RedOctane recently held a Guitar Hero II PR stunt mock cremation service for its dearly departed predecessor 'air guitar.' Slash, Buddy Holly, and Ace Frehley -- at least the cheapest look-alikes RedOctane could score in East London -- filled in as pallbearers. Since no funeral parlor would disgrace its reputation by hosting such a preposterous mingle, the gang said "goodbye" in a Shoreditch art studio. "People generally took it seriously," observed RedOctane's Dave Noble.Multiple sightings of the departed have since been reported.
Did RedOctane confirm GHII's release date?
RedOctane, developer of Guitar Hero II, posted a pre-order for the game's Xbox 360 version on their corporate store. Look closely though, because they listed an April 3rd ship date for the Guitar Hero II bundle. This has to mean something, because this isn't Gamestop or Toys R Us listing a release date. This is the developer's official online store listing the release date. This has to be accurate, unless RedOctane is just as clueless to the release date of their game as the rest of us. And as an added bonus you'll get a free gig bag when you preorder the game directly from them. Can you say rock on to an April release?[Thanks, Tig]
