Remember when controllers were controllers and the only type of music video game was played in bars by drunk people singing out of tune? Well those days are far behind us and now controllers have become instruments and the most popular home video games for kids are music based. This is the world that Guitar Hero and Rock Band games have created. With the huge success of the first Guitar Hero in 2005 it was only natural that more would follow. Since then there have had four more releases of Guitar Hero, new games like Rock Band that incorporate even more instruments and numerous special editions of each game released.
You just can’t escape it, your kids won’t let you. But unlike other video games, these games can be played by the entire family all at the same time and all without any sort of violence so it just may be worth getting wrapped up in. But how do you know which one to get wrapped up in? With all the choices that are available this fall, it could be a little difficult to choose. So below you’ll find a couple of the new versions coming out and why you may (or may not) like them besides the obvious rock filled family fun. Rock on!
Guitar Hero 5
The latest edition to the original game that started it all. This version has over 80 songs by more than 80 bands and while it doesn’t have the word “band” in the titles, don’t let that fool you. You can use all your band equipment (from the Guitar Hero World Tour set) and form an entire band to rock through the night. But unlike any other games, this one lets you customize exactly which instruments you want your band to have. Say for instance you have three guitars, a microphone and no drums; no problem! You can comprise your band to experience the music your way. Featuring new modes of play like Party Play and RockFest and others available via download. This new version is the cream of the crop for Guitar Hero fans.
Why Parents Will Like It
- No more discarded old equipment, that stockpile of guitars you have in the closet can be busted out and used again.
- Features Johnny Cash, Carlos Santana and Shirley Mason from Garbage
Why Kids Will Like It
- The entire song list is available from the beginning of the game
- Any combination of peripherals is allowed
- New play modes
Why Parents Will Not Like It
- More modern songs than classic rock
Release Date: Out now
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, X-Box 360, Playstation 2
Price: $56.99 from Amazon.com
The Beatles: Rock Band
This is the first of the music games to be directly tied into a specific band (and use their songs explicitly) and I don’t think they could have pick a better one. With the Beatles extensive song library finally available in some sort of digital format this is the perfect form to gets your kids to love the music you love. Get this game for your kids and in no time they will know these Beatles songs better than you do. One of the coolest things that you can get for this game is the replica instrument controllers to get an even more “realistic” feeling to being a Beatle. This is also the first game that will challenge the players to offer harmonies as part of the game-play, making players recreate the band’s distinct vocal blend. If you want a deeper review of this game click here to read the KidGlue review.
Why Parents Will Like It
- Features The Beatles and more than 40 of their greatest hits
- Follows the Beatles history and you play at the venues they made famous
- Works with all Rock Band and most Guitar Hero controllers and microphones
Why Kids Will Like It
- Cool retro replica instruments to play with (in the limited edition set)
- New challenges to keep interest high
- Additional content available via download
Why Parents Will Not Like It
- May entail even more peripherals laying around
Release Date: September 9, 2009
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, X-Box 360
Price: $56.99 for software only, $249.99 for software and instrument bundle, from Amazon.com
DJ Hero
With all of the rock inspired games it was only a matter of time before a different genre was available. This will be the first video game to feature turntables as controllers instead of musical instruments. Be the DJ and spin, mix and scratch the beats of your favorite songs and create your own. The bundle includes the game as well as the turntable/mixer controller that will allow the player to reach hero status. With the ability to battle friends or jam together from home over the Internet, this game will bring about a whole new way to use the video game console and even those other guitars controllers you have laying around. With a variety of multi-player co-op and competitive modes included DJ vs. DJ, DJ + DJ and DJ + Guitar this game will keep the kids playing for hours. The new turntable designed game play is an easy to pick-up rhythm based system in the tradition as the Guitar Hero games. This will be a hot ticket item for the upcoming holiday season.
Why Parents Will Like It
- More music based game-play with no violence
Why Kids Will Like It
- New DJ theme will give them something new to talk about
- New challenges
- New music to interact with
Why Parents Will Not Like It
- New peripherals to lay around
- DJ equipment may not be familiar
Release Date: October 27, 2009
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, X-Box 360, Playstation 2
Price: $118.99 includes turntable/mixer from Amazon.com
Lego Rock Band
Lego has already had its way with Star Wars, Batman and Indiana Jones it was only a matter of time before they got their little building block hands on the Rock Band games. Like previous Rock Band games, this will feature players using instrument controllers to play and interact with their favorite music. But this time Lego will allow users to customize their characters, venues, instruments and entourage. With new Lego themed challenges gamers can perform amazing feats such as defeating a giant octopus, summoning a storm or demolish a skyscraper. Build Lego fame by completing songs to unlock cool vehicles, venues, characters and instruments. This game will be rock based but have a family friendly song list that can be added to with downloads so you and the kids can rock out with your blocks out.
Why Parents Will Like It
- The most little kid friendly of the music based games
- Fun game-play besides the instrument playing
- Doesn’t require any new controllers
Why Kids Will Like It
- Lego themed
- Fun, interactive games to unlock new features
- Customizable to their rock style
Why Parents Will Not Like It
- Really is just a rehash of previous Rock Band games just with Legos
Release Date: November 3, 2009
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, X-box 360, Nintendo DS
Price: $46.99 from Amazon.com
Comments
Kids Music
September 22nd, 2009 - 11:26:14 PM
Your blog is like an encyclopedia for those who want to know more about this. Thanks for the interesting information.