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Virtual Wares: Pirates suffer a Masterful Pitfall
It's Monday, which means that the Nintendo faithful get a slew of new downloadable content. DSiWare is the place to be this week, with two new titles available for download, one of which is the first third-party offering on the service. For the Wii, both WiiWare and the Virtual Console each have one item available for download this week.
Vicarious Visions introduces DSiWare party game Mixed Messages
It just occurred to us how perfect the multiplayer-only LOL would have been on DSiWare. As a 500 Nintendo Point download, four players could download the quirky application whenever they had five minutes to spare, and enjoy it immediately, for the cost of just one copy of Agetec's retail game. We just realized this because Vicarious Visions' Mixed Messages is pretty much just that.Well, it's a bit more directed and gamelike than LOL, but very similar nonetheless. Mixed Messages is a take on "telephone," in which players alternately type sentences and draw pictures based on them. One player writes a sentence, then another draws it, and then the next player writes a sentence based on that picture, and so on. The game saves sessions for the enjoyment of all afterward.VV has been playing with this idea for two years, but the program was too small for retail and required too much rewriteable memory for the DS. DSiWare to the rescue! Mixed Messages is slated for the DSiWare "launch window," which is basically anytime now!
Guitar Hero: Greatest Hits' smashing new title
Activision must have been under tremendous pressure to develop an empirical method of determining the greatest songs in the Guitar Hero series for Guitar Hero: Greatest Hits. It would be difficult to pick the determining factors: fan votes? Number of notes? Length? Sales as DLC? Sales of the original record? Some kind of measure of volunteers' brain activity while playing? It's a big question. And what if songs came out after the release of the collection that were even greater than the Greatest Hits? Then the title would be a lie!Activision's solution: change the title to Guitar Hero: Smash Hits. That's safe from potential inaccuracy, because it doesn't really mean anything! That "The best of Guitar Hero music" line at the bottom kind of ruins our theory about the name change. Ignore that part.%Gallery-46942%[Via GoNintendo]
The modern hits in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits
In an interview with IGN, Vicarious Visions confirmed that the new DS Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits will not be compatible with the DSi. "Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits was developed prior to the Nintendo DSi release and supports the more than 27 million DS Units that have already been sold in North America," Vicarious's David Nathanielsz said. "The game requires a GBA slot – either on the original Nintendo DS or the Nintendo DSLite – to play." Surprise! Of course, the team is looking into DSi compatibility and is "very excited about the possibilities open to us in the future."In less obvious news, IGN posted the "preliminary" tracklist for the third DS Guitar Hero, which now features a nonlinear "fan request" based progression. 12 of the game's 25+ tracks were revealed, in addition to Sum 41's "Still Waiting," Franz Ferdinand's "The Fallen," and Finger Eleven's "Paralyzer," revealed by the ESRB.%Gallery-47080%
Full Guitar Hero: Metallica track list revealed, Wii version arriving late
It looks like we might get our wish: Guitar Hero: Metallica will consist mostly of songs from the band's first five albums, with only eleven post-1991 tracks appearing. Metallica's official site has leaked the full track list, which also contains twenty songs from artists such as Queen, System of a Down, Slayer, Motörhead, and Thin Lizzy. You can view the full line-up past the break.Also, some less-than-great news: the release of the Wii version is set to lag behind the competition. Whereas the Xbox 360 and PS3 will be ready for March 29, Metallica themselves (or whoever writes on the website pretending to be the band) say we can expect the game "in the Spring, most likely in early May." Sad But True, indeed.
ESRB confirms Guitar Hero Metallica songs, presence of succubi
The ESRB just rated Guitar Hero Metallica, and in its synopsis gave away lyrics to four of the songs that would appear in the game. Thanks to Game Informer, we knew about the presence of "Armed and Ready" by MSG, but Destructoid discovered three fresh specimens: "Am I Evil?" by Metallica "Whiplash" by Metallica "Mommy's Little Monster" by Social Distortion Some of the lyrics that the ESRB pointed out include "sweet and timely whore, take me home" and "We're gathered here to maim and kill." My, they are terribly rock 'n roll, aren't they? Also CONFIRMED: one of the selectable guitarists is "a fantastical succubus with cleavage and panties."[Via Destructoid]
Guitar Hero: Metallica dated in Europe (and possibly North America)
Once again, GameStop has fuelled release rumors by posting a North American launch date for Guitar Hero: Metallica: March 29 is the date you'll want to circle (lightly, in pencil) on your Lars 2009 calendars.Though that's obviously not a confirmed date, it is a plausible one. "March 29" is a little too random to be a placeholder date, and is also a Sunday, a popular release day for big-name titles. Even if the franchise has reached the peak of its popularity, we still feel pretty confident about calling Guitar Hero: Metallica "big-name."Meanwhile, Activision had no qualms about revealing release details for Europe, informing Eurogamer that the game would reach the region in May. Source: Possible North American date [Via Destructoid]Source: Confirmed European date
Deals for Guitar Heroes of all levels
If you're one of the eight individuals on the planet yet to acquire Guitar Hero Something, roughly now would be a good time to start. In a heartwarming display of post-festive cheer bid to rid itself of excess stock, the troubled Circuit City is offering savings on two Guitar Hero game/guitar bundles: Guitar Hero III and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, both for $47.99. Alternatively, if you're a grizzled, orange-button-happy Guitar Hero veteran whose home and life is being gradually consumed by plastic peripherals, Amazon is willing to sell you Guitar Hero World Tour for $34.99 -- sans another instrument. Source: Guitar Hero III Wireless Bundle -- $47.99Source: Guitar Hero Aerosmith Special Edition Wireless Bundle -- $47.99Source: Guitar Hero World Tour -- $34.99 %Gallery-23491%[Via Punch Jump]
DS Daily: No More Guitar Heroes?
The ESRB spilled the beans on yet another version of Guitar Hero: On Tour for DS, this time including "modern hits" like "Paralyzer." We could debate the worth of the annual updates of the main Guitar Hero series, but we thought we would focus on the DS version for this topic. There are a few differences between the main GH and the portable series that could affect the worthiness of the (even more frequently than) annual releases: on the one hand, there's no DLC to extend the DS games, and on the other hand, there are (probably) no new instrument controllers to add to the experience. Putting aside for a moment the question of whether Guitar Hero should ever be on the DS, should there be multiples? So often?%Gallery-29876%
More Guitar Hero coming with Modern Hits
In the last six months, we've seen two Guitar Hero titles for the DS -- and, of course, a peripheral -- and just in case that's not enough, there's another title on the way. After all, it's important to wring as much out of the Guitar Hero DS games as possible before the advent of the DSi. With three games in less than a year, Guitar Hero has been more of a presence, in a shorter span of time, than probably any other franchise! The ESRB let the cat out on this one: Guitar Hero Modern Hits just appeared in their listings, with warnings about lyrics that reveal some of the songs included in the title. Sum 41's "Still Waiting," Franz Ferdinand's "The Fallen," and also "Paralyzer" by Finger Eleven will be among the included songs. Modern hits? Perhaps. No idea yet on a release date for Modern Hits, but we'll guess it's going to be soon. Surely they're going to be trying to squeeze in a fourth before the DSi's release next year! [Via Kotaku]
Oasis, Blink-182, Wolfmother join World Tour next month
Activision has revealed the January line-up of downloadable content for Guitar Hero World Tour will be fronted by Mancunian professional scowlers Oasis. On January 29, the eight tracks from 2008 album "Dig Out Your Soul" that haven't already appeared as World Tour DLC will be yours to download.* Other than that, we'll be getting various themed weeks: one on country music, one with Australian bands, and one based on, um, the works of Travis Barker.* INCOMING: Wii Fanboy opinion on modern music to show we are 'down with the kids': "Dig Out Your Soul" is probably their best album since 1995 -- not difficult to believe, because they've recorded some real nonsense since then.December 23: "Use Me" by Hinder "Because of You" by Nickelback "Light it Up" by Rev Theory January 8th: "Me and My Gang" by Rascal Flatts "Ticks" by Brad Paisley "Hillbilly Deluxe" by Brooks & Dunn January 15th: "What's My Age Again" by Blink-182 "Lycanthrope" by +44 "Low" by Travis Barker January 22nd: "Tomorrow" by Silverchair "Dimension" by Wolfmother "Outtathaway!" by The Vines January 29th: (Oasis) "Dig Out Your Soul" by Oasis (full album, each track available separately) See embedded footage of these on the other side of the jump. %Gallery-23491%
First tracks, deets for Guitar Hero: Metallica
With all the recent chatter about Guitar Hero World Tour, you can be forgiven if Guitar Hero: Metallica slipped from your radar. It's still very much coming, though, and the latest issue of Game Informer has fresh details and the first tracks, from both Metallica themselves and the other acts that will feature.The game will come with the full suite of World Tour instruments, and Vicarious Visions plans to add "Metallica drum sounds" and a selection of guitar and bass "tones" used by Metallica's James Hetfield and Tom Araya of Slayer to the GH Tunes music studio. There will also be a new, extra-hard drum difficulty for those with a splitter and two kick pedals. Having picked up Guitar Hero games again after a long break, the last thing we personally need is greater difficulty, but freaks experts will appreciate that.Check out the first Metallica and non-Metallica tracks after the break!
European bands sign up for World Tour
Because Activision loves you all equally, it's decided to offer a bunch of downloadable Guitar Hero World Tour tracks from European bands.Our knowledge of non-UK European music extends to ABBA, Kraftwerk, and, embarrassingly, 2 Unlimited, so we're laughably out of our depth commenting on these (though Swedish group Backyard Babies already appeared in Guitar Hero III, so that name does ring a bell). Mind you, some of them sound pretty good (videos of all six follow the break), and we're certain our millions of Dutch readers are going wild over the inclusion of Di-Rect. 200 Wii points each, if you're interested. "'54, '74, '90, 2010" by Sportfreunde Stiller (Germany) "Dis Moi" by BB Brunes (France) "Por La Boca Vive El Pez" by Fito Y Fitipaldis (Spain) "Mama Mae" by Negrita (Italy) "Degenerated" by Backyard Babies (Sweden) "Johnny" by Di-Rect (Holland) %Gallery-23491%
Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Eagles in latest World Tour DLC
Activision will continue feeding your unhealthy Guitar Hero World Tour addiction with more DLC throughout December, and it looks like Wii owners will be getting all of it this time.Along with three songs each from The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, and The Eagles, a further three tracks from the "Reggae Rock Track Pack" will be offered for the price of nothing. The rest, as usual, will be 200 Wii Points apiece. The full list is below, and videos of all twelve (yes) are past the break:The Smashing Pumpkins Track Pack (December 4)"1979""Everlasting Gaze" "G.L.O.W." Nirvana Track Pack (December 11) "Negative Creep""Sliver""You Know You're Right" The Eagles Track Pack (December 18) "Frail Grasp on the Big Picture" "Life in the Fast Lane" "One of These Nights" Reggae Rock Track Pack (Free -- December 23) "Sacrifice" - Expendables (Free) "Your Face" - Pepper (Free)"Jimi" - Slightly Stoopid (Free, and probably a digit-crippling nightmare on Expert)%Gallery-23491%
Guitar Hero World Tour gets Yahtzeed
For his latest Zero Punctuation review, renowned intertubes misanthrope Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw has cast his jaded eye over Activision's Guitar Hero: World Tour.Things start off well between reviewer and game (though Rock Band's troubled relationship with Australia undoubtedly has something to do with this) but Yahtzee soon finds assorted holes to pick at, with some of his targets including the pointlessness of Spanish language songs in an English language release, the new slide bar on World Tour's guitars, and the game's credentials as a karaoke simulator. Hit up The Escapist for the review in full or simply jump past the break.%Gallery-23491%
Be a Guitar Hero for $59 this Black Friday
If you're still deciding where to take your sleeping bag and flask of cocoa for this Black Friday's queues, Target's deal on the Guitar Hero: World Tour Guitar Kit may sway you. The store will be offering the SKU, which includes the game and a wireless guitar, for a mouth-watering $59, a generous saving on the original MSRP of $99.99. It certainly beats paying close to three hundred big ones for the full band experience.%Gallery-23491%
The Killers DLC coming to Guitar Hero: World Tour
Activision will shortly be serving up another three Guitar Hero: World Tour tracks for download. This latest batch is from The Killers, who should really cheer up a bit, considering they're international rock stars with their music in a Guitar Hero game. Smile, you ungrateful sods!"Human" and "Losing Touch" are both from the band's new album Day & Age, and are joined by "Mr. Brightside," an older Killers track and one that everybody under 85 is probably familiar with. These will be made available from November 25th, and like previous tracks, will cost 200 Wii Points each. Videos of all three follow the break.%Gallery-23491%
Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades compressed into one minute
Guitar Hero: On Tour is, in general, an inherently solitary activity. There are more barriers to playing with friends, most notably that each one needs a DS and a copy of the game, and it is impossible for more friends to watch your performance. So you end up playing alone with your headphones on. It's only natural for the only Guitar Hero that can be quickly hidden in a backpack.But On Tour: Decades does have interaction in mind -- with other On Tour owners, in its song-sharing capability, and of course the multiplayer gameplay. And the way this ad suggests such a meeting will occur is not through the party setting, but by chance meeting. If you want to find another Guitar Hero player, go out on tour!%Gallery-29876%
Guitar Hero franchise tops the charts for '08 (so far)
As part of today's quarterly financial wrap-up, Activision Blizzard struck a high note with the announcement that the Guitar Hero franchise has topped the NPD Group's software sales chart for the first nine months of 2008. This includes, of course, every permutation of the rhythm game series combined across all console platforms and Nintendo DS, with the exception of the newly released Guitar Hero World Tour.In its report to shareholders, Blizzivision pointed out that Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Guitar Hero: On Tour, in particular, contributed most to its bottom line for Q2. With World Tour out in Q3 followed by the holiday release of GH: Decades for the DS, we could see a similar chart-topping performance for the franchise come the end of December.
Activision targeting real musicians with fake instruments
Activision has revealed the next stage in its plan to take over the world with plastic instruments: selling Guitar Hero: World Tour to real musicians. From November 14th, World Tour will start appearing in a number of musical instrument outlets.Now that we think about it, this could be a winner for everybody concerned, really. Guitar Hero players who want to progress to the real thing might have their head turned, musical instrument stores get a small slice of Activision's money-filled pie, and seeing fake instruments next to the real thing should further irritate the anti-fun types who sniffily ask why people "can't just learn a real instrument" whenever the subject of music games is raised. And hurray for that.%Gallery-23491%[Via MCV]
