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Nintendo DS, Guitar Hero on Tour bundles coming this June
For the launch of Guitar Hero: On Tour, Nintendo and Activision are planning to sell bundles of the handheld system and game. Said Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith in a conference call (34:50 mark), "Nintendo has been impressed with this innovation and part of our launch will include selling the game bundled with Nintendo DS hardware." On Tour has 15 confirmed songs so far and is due out this June. %Gallery-18848%
Plugging in the Guitar Hero: On Tour peripheral
You know, for how much we've seen on Guitar Hero: On Tour, we haven't seen too much on the peripheral. But now, thanks to a German gaming site that got their hands on the device, we all have something to look at. The images not only show an up-close look at the peripheral that attaches to the DS so that you may rock out, but also the whole set-up all ready to go and in someone's hands.Click the image to the right (or right here) to check out the images of Guitar Hero: On Tour's peripheral.%Gallery-19362%
Analyst: Guitar Hero: On Tour will play to huge crowds
While the media reactions to Guitar Hero: On Tour seem to range from dismissive to skeptical to vaguely intrigued, analyst Todd Greenwald believes that the game will arrive at retail as less of an oddity and more of ... a Guitar Hero game. Which means big-time sales."We think this title, never having been released on any handheld platform, has the potential to sell several million units at launch, at a $49.99 price point." (Note about the novelty of the release: there is Guitar Hero III Mobile, but that doesn't count.)He also said that large retailers like Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart will feature the handheld title prominently in their stores, contributing to the sales. That makes the most sense to us: a Guitar Hero game in a smaller box must be a very attractive item for retailers.%Gallery-19362%
Free headphones with Guitar Hero On Tour at Gamestop
Headphones are an absolute must for handheld music games, unless you're a) alone or b) a jerk. You're almost required to have the sound on, unlike other portable games, and it would be quite rude to subject the other bus passengers (or other neighbors) to your racket. Guitar Hero: On Tour also puts your neighbors in danger of a serious jostling should your fake solos get too energetic, but there's not really an accessory that could help with that, aside from elbow pads.GameStop has taken the extremely sensible step of bundling a pair of On Tour-branded headphones with copies of the game. If you're going to be buying the thing anyway, might as well get extra free stuff with it!In other On Tour accessories news, the "Ruby Red" accessory pack is now pictured on GameStop's website.
OK Go, Jet, Daughtry in Guitar Hero: On Tour
If you've ever been enjoying the music of No Doubt or Twisted Sister and thought "Yes, this is good, but it's just not compressed enough for my tastes," you'll be happy to hear that they and 13 other bands were recently announced for the upcoming DS release Guitar Hero: On Tour. Perhaps considering the popularity of the system outside of the hardcore, the song selections do seem a bit more ... mainstream than we've become accustomed to. But overall, they don't seem like bad picks. Check out the full list after the break and let us know what you think.
On Tour devs on the challenges of cramming Guitar Hero into the DS
Vicarious Visions, developer of Guitar Hero: On Tour, talked to MTV Multiplayer's Steven Totilo about the process of creating, Frankenstein-style, the bizarre DS version of a game that usually relies on a giant peripheral. They broke their discussion of its development into a list of six challenges, and then addressed each challenge specifically. The most obvious challenge: the DS isn't shaped like a guitar, and it's doubtful that any useful peripheral could make it be. According to Vicarious Visions' Karthik Bala, the company never considered adding a full Guitar Hero fretboard, due to a desire to remain compact.Another challenge, and one that we find particularly interesting, was convincing Nintendo to allow Vicarious Visions to add buttons to the DS. Rather than providing a different interface for the existing buttons (like other Guitar Hero controllers), the Guitar Grip actually adds new buttons to the system that aren't mapped to anything else. And Nintendo had to get involved to make sure the peripheral was up to their standards.%Gallery-19362%
Joystiq impressions: Guitar Hero: On Tour (DS)
Activision and Nintendo briefly demonstrated Guitar Hero: On Tour at last week's Nintendo Media Summit. As previously announced, the portable rhythm game includes a four-fret controller that slips into the DS GBA slot. A stylus shaped like a guitar pick can be stored inside and pulled out for portable rocking. Guitar Hero: On Tour includes the same kind of career mode and single-song play as Guitar Hero III; many of the portable songs also overlap with other versions of the game. But 20 new tracks, a few control twists, and a new versus mode should make it more than Guitar Hero Lite. %Gallery-18848%
Guitar Hero DS accessories on the way
Someone is willing to gamble a significant amount of money on the idea of a shrunk-down Guitar Hero on the DS. BD&A, who make officially-licensed Nintendo hardware cases and accessories, will produce accessories for Guitar Hero: On Tour, meaning that they think the product is non-wacky enough (or lovably wacky enough) to sell -- and sell other stuff.Two listings at Gamestop hint pretty strongly at their initial products: a $10 DS Lite Guitar Hero Stylus and a $20 DS Lite Guitar Hero Ruby Red Kit, which comprises "a glitter case, 2 system wraps, and a cleaning cloth." We assume they mean a DS Lite/Guitar Grip case that is glittery, and not a case for your glitter. They're saving that for Guitar Hero: Rip Taylor Edition.
A short-term deal on a short-term Guitar Hero: On Tour order
If, in the great Guitar Hero: On Tour debate, you fall on the side of "looks pretty good, I might get it, maybe," then you may be interested in this timed deal from Gamestop. Their "stopwatch deal" for today offers free overnight shipping on orders for the game (with included Guitar Grip peripheral, of course). You could be rocking out basically the same day it shows up in stores (June 23rd), without having to actually enter a Gamestop.You only have until noon EST tomorrow to get on this deal, so if you're still on the fence about the ridiculous peripheral, now's the time to start soul-searching.
Point/Counterpoint: Guitar Hero: On Tour
Welcome to Point/Counterpoint, in which two DS Fanboy bloggers get into a verbal slap-fight over a divisive topic in the field of DS gaming. Few DS-related topics are more divisive right now than Guitar Hero: On Tour. Activision and Vicarious Visions have tried to cram the experience of one of the best-known party games onto the DS by grafting a big ... thing onto the side of the system. We can all agree that the Guitar Grip doesn't look anything like a guitar, but is it sufficient for Guitar Hero? Is there any chance that this game could shred, or is it going to be all guitar face and no totally sweet solos? On Tour could strike a power-chord %Gallery-19362%
Guitar Hero: On Tour grip works with DS Phat
We have to admit that the first time we saw the elegant, though not particularly guitar-like peripheral Activision had created for the DS' Guitar Hero: On Tour, we were concerned. It wasn't the missing orange button (we're fans of anything getting easier, whether it's fake guitar playing or cutting things), no, we were more worried that owners of the original DS (the DS Phat, on the streets) would be excluded from the fun by their system's girth. But now, Activision has dispelled our fears with the announcement that the Guitar Grip will work with both of the models. Now, Phatties, as for actually being able to see the notes in anything but perfect lighting, we're afraid you're on your own on that one. [Thanks, Kaelora]
Gamestop shreds out Guitar Hero price, release date
A listing for Guitar Hero: On Tour has appeared on the site of retailer Gamestop, revealing both a release date and price for Vicarious Visions' shred-a-thon. While neither has been officially confirmed by publisher Activision, Gamestop's date (June 29th) does at least fall in line with Activision's announcement from Wednesday regarding a summer release. What's probably of greater interest is the price. Because the title is to ship with the much-discussed Guitar Grip, Gamestop has On Tour listed for $49.99. Which begs the next, obvious question: will you pay the extra monies to rock out portably? [Thanks, Max!]
Guitar Hero: On Tour to feature Nirvana, No Doubt, OK Go
Okay, so maybe they don't look all that elated to hear about Nirvana's inclusion in Guitar Hero: On Tour, but we struggled to contain our glee upon reading that Kurt and co. would be appearing in the game (despite some reservations about how it actually plays). We consider ourselves experts, don'cha know. Nirvana will be joined by west coast warblers No Doubt and OK Go, but there's no news on which songs will feature. That said, we're going to go out on a limb and suggest that the OK Go song will be the only OK Go song that anybody knows anything about. Bet we're not wrong. We'll be able to play as one of six characters, and there'll be five different venues for us to get kicked off stage at. Don't think the DS's other features are getting neglected, either -- the microphone can be used to "extinguish a pyrotechnics effects gone wrong," (hark, do we hear the sound of barrels being scraped?) and it's possible to autograph the shirts of your adoring fans in the middle of a set (which actually sounds quite novel). [Via Games Press]
DS Daily: A less-than-perfect solution?
For so long, the prospect of a Guitar Hero game on the DS was a source of intrigue to this blogger. During long, sleepless nights, I would ponder how such a game could reproduce the magic of the home console versions with just two screens, the DS's tinny speakers, and no guitar peripheral.Yesterday, Activision revealed its solution to these conundrums: the "Guitar Grip." The idea seems straightforward enough: plug the above accessory into the GBA slot of your DS, grab your guitar pick stylus, and strum away on your touchscreen while pressing buttons to coincide with cascading on-screen notes. Fair enough. Considering the limitations of the DS, this isn't a terrible idea.But here's what irks me: a considerable -- no, a huge -- part of Guitar Hero's appeal is the guitar controller itself. When I'm (cough) "rocking out" on one of the home console versions of Guitar Hero, I'm Brian May on stage at Live Aid, at least in my head. In reality, of course, I'm a deluded cretin, but the point still stands: Guitar Hero is at its best when it's letting us live out our rock star fantasies, and that's fun. Yours truly is going to struggle to get the same sensation of being a total rock god just by plugging in the Guitar Grip. I hate to say this but ... perhaps Guitar Hero should have stayed on home consoles, if the Guitar Grip truly is the best solution. Is that too harsh?
Guitar Hero: On Tour and 'Guitar Grip' DS peripheral revealed
click to enlarge Finally, after months of speculation and funny Photoshop mockups of little guitars, Activision has spilled some details on the portable DS release of Guitar Hero dubbed, as expected, Guitar Hero: On Tour. Most notable is the hardware peripheral that looks decidedly unlike a mini-guitar. Instead, the "Guitar Grip" gives you not only a place to grip your DS while playing, but four "fret" buttons and a storage slot for the game's sure-to-be-lost-quickly "guitar pick" that you "strum" on the touch-screen. Since the luckier amongst us have a full set of five fingers – with our poor thumbs reduced to simply gripping things – we're anticipating a significantly easier gameplay experience than On Tour's five-buttoned siblings. But what about the music, man? Karthik Bala, CEO of developer Vicarious Visions, says "There are more than 20 songs in the game, with the majority being exclusive to Guitar Hero: On Tour." he continues, "We've done custom note tracking for all the songs and over 80 percent of the songs are original, master recordings." We're not sure what 20 master recordings are going to sound like once they've been squished into a DS cart, but we're hopeful they've addressed that concern. Close-up shot of the Guitar Grip and cheesy marketing vid embedded after the break. Read – Exclusive Reveal: Guitar Hero DS [IGN] Read – Guitar Hero: On Tour Interview [Yahoo]
At last: Guitar Hero on Tour, now with wacky peripheral
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Guitar_Hero_DS_confirmed_with_pics_of_wacky_peripheral'; More like Tiny Accordion Hero, amirite? Dying to know how you'll shred in portable fashion? The wait is over, Guitar Hero fans -- at least, the DS peripheral has been revealed, along with some screenshots from the title. It's called the Guitar Grip, and it will fit snugly into the GBA slot and wrap around while players hold the system sideways. Gameplay-wise, it's -- no surprise here -- Guitar Hero, as it should be. The touchscreen is where it all happens; you follow the song on the left screen, and strum on the right. You even get to throw down with Star Power, and for those of you who take your throwdowns seriously, there's a strap to ensure that your handheld stays held. The Grip also includes a slot for a special pick stylus. However, as you can see, there are only four buttons for the DS version ... and we can't help but wonder how the different slot on the Lite vs. Phat will be handled. On Tour features multiplayer via local wireless, in which players will have access to unique powerups that disrupt their opponents by, among other things, setting their guitars on fire and forcing them to extinguish the blaze with the microphone. Guitar Hero on Tour is set for some time, some day this summer -- all we know is that it's not soon enough. For now, hit the jump for some additional shots, as well as a video.
Rumor: Guitar Hero DS nameless no longer
It looks like the filing of a new trademark may have inadvertently exposed the real name of Guitar Hero DS, after online trademark-spotters at Trademork picked up on Activision's registration of the words "Guitar Hero On Tour." Obviously, some company filing something doesn't always mean what we think it means. But then again, there's decent evidence in this case to suggest that the DS game will be known as Guitar Hero: On Tour (indeed, we're so confident that we're already italicizing it). For a start, that "On Tour" suffix suggests portability. Secondly, the game is supposedly due out soon. And finally, French site Wiiz mentions the game under the title of, yep, Guitar Hero: On Tour. [Via Joystiq]
'Guitar Hero: On Tour' trademarked, possible name for DS version
The trademark hunters over at Trademork have latched on to a Jan. 19 trademark filing by Activision for the words "Guitar Hero On Tour." "Big deal," you might well say. "That trademark could be for anything. A national promotional tour ... a Guitar Hero themed safari adventure ... a new show on the Travel Channel ... anything!" That's a good point, but when you put the trademark together with a Wiiz.fr post (picked up by GoNintendo) that lists Guitar Hero: On Tour as the name for the previously confirmed DS version of the game, then things get interesting. Of course, knowing the probable name of the upcoming DS game doesn't really tell us much about how Activision is planning to squeeze Guitar Hero's larger-than-life gameplay onto the DS' small screens. Still, this information could be useful for impressing friends. Try this: The next time Guitar Hero comes up in conversation, casually mention that you "can't wait for Guitar Hero: On Tour" and watch your buddy's face sink in awe of your amazingly wide gaming knowledge. You can thank us later. We accept checks and money orders. [Via CVG]
