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Guitar Hero II: we have a winner
It takes guts for someone to dress up in a silly outfit, courage for them to pose for pictures, and a sense of humor to know that they'll end up on the internet. However, it takes real balls to do all of that while wearing a Victoria's Secret Angel costume and playing Guitar Hero. Thus, we have a winner for our contest. We apologize in advance if you can't get this image out of your head for several days, but hey ... them's the breaks.Kudos to Stacey for this winning entry, she'll receive a copy of Guitar Hero II with a guitar signed by Dave Navarro (eBay value of autograph = $1.57). Our two runners-up are Casethan and his dual-guitars of death/J.C. Penney catalog picture, and JediJoe9's proof that he might have some brain damage. They'll both receive signed posters and GH2 t-shirts.Thanks to everyone who entered!
Free Guitar Hero II game & guitar still up for grabs
The Guitar Hero II game and guitar autographed by Dave Navarro are still up for grabs, giving you an excellent opportunity to score a sweet gift for yourself, or someone on your holiday list. We'll be announcing a winner sometime soon, but in order to get into the running, simply post a link to a funny picture of yourself goofing on Guitar Hero, playing an instrument, or just generally acting mental. We'll pick the top three pix to win -- first place gets the guitar and the game and the two runners-up will get a Guitar Hero II poster signed by Navarro and a Guitar Hero II t-shirt.If you're still wanting to upload a video of yourself doing something with a guitar (keep it clean, folks), then follow the link to the original contest announcement, instructions are there. We'll take a closer look at the video submissions, but if one of you sends in a photo that makes milk squirt out of our nose, then chances are you'll be a winner.
TAC: Guitar controller issues resolved
Following Guitar Hero II's release, owners of The Ant Commandos' (TAC) generation one guitar controllers, manufactured pre-Oct. 1, 2006, discovered their units didn't work with the new title. This was because, whether sinister or not, Guitar Hero II's publisher, Red Octane, placed coding in the game allowing only their brand of guitar controllers to work. This put The Ant Commandos, who are currently in the middle of litigation with Red Octane, on the defensive with inoperable controllers for a large base of their customers. Many customers blaming TAC for the problem.The Ant Commandos says that they are offering an adapter on their website for all generation one controllers. The cost is $6.99, with 3 - 5 business day shipping built into the cost. They stress that the $6.99 is actually the cost to have the adapter manufactured in China, shipped to the states and then sent to the consumer. A TAC spokesperson says, "We feel really bad for the consumer, [Red Octane] is penalizing Guitar Hero fans ... we are charging cost, we are not making money off this adapter." Retail outlets that still have generation one controllers, which come in a red or blue box, will receive adapters soon and are asked to place them inside the units. Generation two controllers, manufactured after October 1, 2006 and come in a yellow box, work fine with the game.[Thanks to those that sent in their control problems originally]
Win Guitar Hero II, 'graphed by Dave Navarro
So, maybe the hardcore Guitar Hero thrashers that queued up at the LA Best Buy Monday night didn't care if it was Dave Navarro or Trogdor pimping the sequel to the hit rockstar simulator (groupies and crippling drug addiction not included). But that didn't stop us from getting him to autograph a guitar (and box), along with some Guitar Hero II posters.Of course, we're going to give everything away to a handful of lucky readers. The rules are simple Record a video of yourself playing Guitar Hero 1 (pizza suit optional) Upload that video to Netscape with the tag "GH2contest" Double check to make sure you tagged it right ... otherwise, no prize for you! Vote on your favorite entries, conveniently compiled at Netscape.com/tag/gh2contest We'll give the autographed guitar and game to the entry with the most votes, while the two runners-up will each get a t-shirt and autographed poster So, those are the entry rules ... but what about the fine print? Pretty simple: the contest will be open for three weeks, so you've got some time to get something together; you need to be a US resident (or at least know someone in the US who can receive your prize for you); and you need to own the video content you upload, you can't just submit something you found on the net.
Dave Navarro & Guitar Hero II at Best Buy coverage [update 1]
Hot guitar strummin' and finger pickin' action collided with the corporate man at Best Buy in Los Angeles on Monday, with Dave Navarro (because real rockers love the game too) on hand to promote Guitar Hero II, and Joystiq was there. We lined up about half an hour early to get pix and vids, quietly slipping in amidst the obsessive fans of either Navarro or this game. After talking to about a dozen people, we realized that they could have sent James Taylor to plug this thing, and the same people would've shown up. Everyone was stoked for the midnight release of the game, and one hardcore fan even drove up from San Diego, just to get his axe signed.A representative from BB handed tickets out and told us that they were only giving out 50 so that you could get in line to have things signed. Once they finally opened the doors and let us flood in, we spent some time at the various demo stations they had set up (with pretty sweet speaker systems that looked like they were on loan from a K.I.S.S. concert), and then dutifully took our spot in the signing line. We grabbed a game en route to the table and pulled the guitar out of the box, got it signed by Navarro, and then -- surprise! We were told that Activision was buying the game for those first 50 tickets. Score! Big announcement about that guitar & game soon on Joystiq, so keep your eyes open.Pictures and video after the jump, but sadly no Carmen Electra since she and Dave went splitsville earlier in the summer.[Update: added some rockers]
Microsoft not allowing Red Octane to produce wireless guitar
Red Octane, publisher of Guitar Hero, says not to hold your breath for a wireless Xbox 360 guitar controller, because the Microsoft wireless technology is "proprietary." Hopes for wireless 360 thrashing were dashed a little over a month ago after it was discovered that the Xbox 360 guitar was tethered, and following the announcement last week that Red Octane would produce a wireless guitar for the PS2, it seemed only natural that one would show up for the Xbox 360. eToyschest asked Red Octane if they were going to produce a wireless Xbox 360 guitar, "Well, that's a Microsoft issue. Their wireless technology is proprietary ... so they aren't allowing third party manufacturers to make anything at the moment ... so until they allow us to do so, we aren't able to." So, a last-gen system will have a wireless controller, made by a company that we've come to trust (especially if you're a Guitar Hero freak and put yours through its paces -- and had it survive), but a next-gen system will need to be wired? Awkward.
Incoming: official wireless Guitar Hero controllers
A technical marvel and a symbolic gesture of freedom shoved into the grimacing face of the everpresent Man, the wireless controller is practically indispensable in this day and age. As a company that's adequately adjusted to modern times, RedOctane has announced that official and, more importantly, wireless Guitar Hero controllers will be hitting store shelves next month. Eurogamer confirms that the gheetarz will be priced at $59.99 and be fully compatible with both heroic strum sims on the PS2. You can also expect RedOctane to not be sued for making these.Whether this announcement affects the currently tethered (or more "realistic," as the back of the box will point out) Xbox 360 version of the controller remains to be seen, though one can hope that RedOctane's designers are gnawing through prototype cables at this very moment. Incidentally, that suggestion leads to the visual image of their employees being gigantic rats wearing lab coats and wielding plastic guitars in an altogether frightening manner. We're not sure how we feel about that yet.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]See also: Wal-Mart selling Guitar Hero II early? Guitar Hero makes cameo in Veronica Mars The Ant Commandos counter RedOctane and Activision lawsuit
Dethklok, Trogdor on Guitar Hero II, that's metal
Metal fans rejoice, Dethklok, stars of [adult swim]'s Metalocalypse, will be featured in Guitar Hero II -- bringing them one step closer to world domination. Let us be the first to say, that's effing metal. The song to be featured in the game is called "Thunderhorse," and will be an unlockable bonus track.In other news, Guitar Hero II will also feature the Trogdor theme from Homestar Runner as a bonus track. If you're unfamiliar with Homestar Runner, you can check out the cartoon that inspired the song here. We've embedded videos of "Thunderhorse" and the Trogdor theme after the break. As if all that weren't enough, we also have the entire track list, bonus tracks and all, to share with you.
Full Guitar Hero II setlist with 24 bonus tracks
No sooner did we let y'all know that DethKlok, the fictional band in Adult Swim's Metalocalypse, would be making an appearance as an unlockable bonus track in Guitar Hero II, than we found out the entire bonus song list ... 24 tracks in total! It appears certain Wal-Marts, depending on how many copies of Guitar Hero they sold, have demo kiosks with the sequel set up and ready to rock! Twenty-four low-res pictures later, we know the entire list of unlockable songs. Combine those with the forty tracks already confirmed, and you've got yourself quite the rock feast.A notable addition: Popular Flash cartoon -- and Nintendo Tag Team Wrestling alum -- Strong Bad's metal/dragon opus Trogdor (The Burninator). Check out the video -- and the entire 64-track setlist -- after the break, then play the Trogdor game, to hone up on your burninating.[Thanks, notafan]
Guitar Hero II setlist speculation is over
Over the past several weeks, crafty netizens have managed to piece together an almost comprehensive account of Guitar Hero II's setlist, taking most of the wind out of IGN's big exclusive. Yesterday, IGN had the names of all forty songs delivered unto them on a silver platter -- or maybe it was a fax ... probably an email. The missing tracks: Living End's "Carry Me Home" and Suicidal Tendencies' "Institutionalized."Phew. It's over. Now we know all forty songs; all the names, artists, versions, everything. Except the fifteen unlockable bonus tracks that Red Octane claims are being kept under wraps until the game's November 7th release. Alright crafty internet sleuths, you know what you need to do.The rest of you can peep the entire confirmed list after the break.[Via videogamesblogger.com]
Guitar Hero II setlist finds hell with Danzig, et al
MTV Overdrive's video gaming show, The G-Hole, spent some time with Guitar Hero II at Harmonix's studios in Boston and accidentally let their nosy camera spy some of the title's top secret tracks. This isn't the first time MTV let something slip. Last month, MTV's GameTrailers property accidentally revealed Megadeath's "Hangar 18" and Aerosmith's "Last Child" before their video got pulled. Good thing MTV owns Harmonix now too, eh? The G-Hole episode is still online, but all of the unknown tracks have been blurred out ...... but not before one diligent forum-goer copied down the entire list. Included in the newly revealed tracks are Danzig's "Mother," Kansas' "Carry on My Wayward Son," The Stray Cats' "Rock this Town," and more. In total, 38 of the reported 40 licensed songs have been discovered, with 15 more bonus tracks to come.Check out the list, clipped after the break and -- before you have a temper tantrum 'cause your favorite face melter isn't on there -- tell us what's still missing? We'll take this opportunity to formally request some Tenacious D. Make it happen, Harmonix. [Thanks, Supa]More Guitar Hero:MTV snaps up Guitar Hero developerJoystiq interviews Rob Kay of HarmonixActivision paid nearly $100 million for RedOctaneSpotlight on Harmonix Music
X06: ...and the rest
Quick impressions and thoughts on some other noteworthy games shown on the X06 show floor. Guitar Hero II (360): Not playable, but demo'ed continuously by two rock gods with the stamina of heavyweight boxers (see picture). They confirmed that the final Xbox 360 guitar controller would look like a Gibson Explorer but refused to comment on wireless capabilities or the intriguing D-pad on the base. Game itself looked nice in hi-rez, but graphics lagged a bit with the music at this early stage. Viva Piñata: Playable tutorial walks you through building a house, attracting new piñatas and making baby eggs. Rare demo with ten hours of progress showed a thriving garden brimming with life and fully accessorized piñatas. Hired helpers prevent the game from becoming a micromanagement chore. Looks like it could be a hit with the Pokemon set. Forza Motorosport 2: Game had major frame rate issues, making it very difficult to play and/or judge. PR handlers say it's 60 percent complete... that last 40 will be an uphill battle. Halo 2 (PC): Game played great with the mouse and keyboard, and looked great on the decked out Dell Dimension 9150 with large widescreen monitor. Other than that, it's still Halo. Map editor was not available for demo. Crackdown: Grand Theft Auto meets Hulk: Ultimate Destruction in a mess of a game with rough graphics, sloppy controls and an awful camera system. Needs serious work to be a worthy contender. That about does it for X06 posts from Barcelona. Sorry if I didn't cover your favorite game, but there wasn't enough time to do justice to everything available on the show floor. If there's anything you're still wondering about that wasn't covered in our X06 posts, I'll do my best to answer specific questions in the below comment thread in the coming days.
Xbox 360 guitars tethered down by the man
The man, of course, being represented here by a wire. According to a posting on Major Nelson's blog, the Xbox 360 guitar controller (in its current state) is not wireless as many free souls had hoped. Given these wired confines, perhaps the guitar's name, X-plorer, wasn't the greatest of choices. Still, we got along just fine with the PS2 version, so this tidbit of news hardly represents the end of the world as we know it.If you're unwilling to let go of the wireless dream, perhaps you can read something into Major's final statement. "Not sure what the plans are for wireless and the people from Guitar Hero were not talking."
Guitar Hero coming to multiple new platforms
According to Eurogamer, Activision CEO Robert Kotick let it drop at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia XV Conference (that's a mouthful) that Guitar Hero would appear "on every significant new format." We can only guess this means whammy-barring on the Xbox 360 is pretty much confirmed, with Gamestation employees hearing earlier this week that they will be getting Guitar Hero II for that console in early 2007. With the Wii, DS, PSP and PS3 being significant new formats, chances are you might be able to jam just about anywhere.
Guitar Hero II's final boss revealed, all 11 solos of it
In the latest issue of EGM, Guitar Hero's resident axman, Marcus Henderson, revealed that we would know the identity of Guitar Hero II's final boss "when it arrives." He gushed, "This is a major, major guitar ass-kicker. It has no less then 11 guitar solos in it." Speculation led one poster on PlayStation Lounge to guess the killer track in question was Megadeth's eleven guitar solo-havin' "Hangar 18" (why not just make it eighteen guitar solos for consistency?).Guitar Hero II hasn't arrived yet, but we've gone the extra step of putting this two and that two together to get four, and we feel pretty comfortable saying that "Hangar 18" will indeed be the final boss in Guitar Hero II. You see, a now mysteriously absent GameTrailers video titled "Staying on Track" had Will Littlejohn, Senior Producer/Mixer at Wavegroup (he records all the songs), revealing that Aerosmith's "Last Child" and Megadeth's "Hangar 18" would be on the sequel, so it's pretty obvious. Of course, fans of the series will recall that Megadeth's "Symphony of Destruction" was "actin' like a robot" on the first installment, so it'll be great to spend some more time with Dave Mustaine & friends. Eleven solos? Sheesh.Read on for the confirmed songs thus far, including Cheap Trick's "Surrender," accidentally left out of 1UP's list.[Thanks, monkeydog and Aaron]
Winner of strongest fall lineup is ... PS2?
Gameworld Network has pieced together an outline of 10 upcoming PlayStation 2 titles, tagging the list "10 Reasons Not to Sell Your PS2 Just Yet." With the exceptions of Dawn of Mana and God of War 2, all of these titles will hit US retailers by early November -- and seven are exclusive to PS2. Starting with Rule of Rose's release next week, there's practically a must-play title dropping for PS2 every week through November 7: Rule of Rose (September 12) Okami (September 19) God Hand (October 10) Bully (October 17) Final Fantasy XII (October 31) Rogue Galaxy (October) Guitar Hero II (November 7) Can anyone show us a console/handheld with a stronger fall lineup? Nope, we didn't think so ... Sony might have lost points because of a pair of disappointing PS3 announcements, but that's not gonna affect PS2's continued dominance leading up to the holiday season. [Thanks, Matt]
PAX: Tycho melts faces at Guitar Hero Omegathon challenge
Tycho and Penny Arcade's biz dude Robert Khoo started round four of the Omegathon correct with an intense round of STP's "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart" in Guitar Hero II ... on Expert ... twice (it crashed half way through the first time). Then, 'cause he can, Tycho smashed his guitar. I wanted to yell out, say something about how starving kids in Africa don't even have guitar controllers at all, but the spirit of the evening washed over me, and my outrage morphed into delight.After their intro, the eight remaining Omeganauts took the stage for four rounds of one on one Guitar Hero II. Eight enter, but only four will leave. More pics and info after the break.
Free Bird in Guitar Hero II
In the original Guitar Hero, one of the loading screen tips warned potential rock gods, "They don't really want you to play Free Bird. They're just heckling you." I guess the guys at Harmonix didn't take the tip to heart, though, because a new video has surfaced showing that the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic "Free Bird" will be playable in Guitar Hero II.This comes on the heels of a recent revelation that Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child of Mine" will be in the game and brings the number of songs confirmed for the game to 14. Can a full list of all 55 songs be far off? Check out the video after the jump.
Three new Guitar Hero II tracks announced
IGN has the news and video of three new songs that will be in everyone's favorite guitar sim, Guitar Hero II. Here are the tracks we're sure you all will want to start memorizing, ASAP: Stone Temple Pilots: "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart" Anthrax: "Madhouse" Motley Crue: "Shout at the Devil" The song list now sits at 11 total with these already announced: "Reverend Horton Heat's 'Psychobilly Freakout', KISS' 'Strutter', Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs', Butthole Surfers' 'Who Was in My Room Last Night?', Van Halen's 'You Really Got Me' and Rush's 'YYZ', along with the original master recordings of Primus' 'John the Fisherman' and 'Arterial Black' by Drist."What song, for you, just has to be in the new game?
Rumor: Guitar Hero II on Xbox 360
Get this, so, some anonymous source -- don't worry, this source is, like, totally "in the know" -- has tipped off a blog -- okay, not just any blog, but GamerAndy.com -- and ... you ready ... Red Octane & Harmonix are developing a version of Guitar Hero II for Xbox 360! Rock! On!Alright, so it's just a rumor without a credited source, but it's at least worth entertaining the possibilities: a wireless 'guitar' ... downloadable tracks ... Xbox Live battles! Please...Guitar Hero II is scheduled for release in November on PS2. Neither Red Octane, Harmonix, or Microsoft has confirmed -- or even hinted at -- a version for Xbox 360. As always, take any rumor with a grain of salt (but it doesn't hurt to keep your fingers crossed).
