Christmas season is upcoming yet again so I thought it would be appropriate to introduce something that will be quite popular over this holiday season. Great gift ideas depending on your budget…

Guitar Hero World Tour

Guitar Hero has an interesting marketing campaign out trying to build awareness for their latest release. As you may know, they are directly competing against the Rock band series of music video games. When Neversoft developed the original Guitar Hero they had a first mover advantage with it’s release, but Harmonix Music Systems eventually released Rock Band and took away a lot of their built up hype.

Rock Band is the main competitor for the Guitar Hero series as it essentially has the guitar hero game built into it (not the exact game).

So what have they done to compete with Rock Band? Well, the release of Guitar Hero World Tour (Previously referred to as Guitar Hero IV) tells the story.

Guitar Hero World Tour maintains it’s main guitar-shaped controller which users have come to love. It also however features drum and microphone controllers which perform the percussion and vocals for the game. Now you may be thinking…so, they have released Rock Band??? Well, essentially yes they have…just in their own unique way …

Like Rock Band you are able to download new songs to use in the game. They are introducing the ability to upload and share songs that you have created within their “Music Studio” mode.

Below you can see some commercials for Guitar Hero World Tour

Heidi Klum Guitar hero ad

Guitar Hero World Tour ad – Kobe Bryant, A-Rod, Phelps, Tony Hawk

Guitar Hero World Tour Trailer

Check Out Ebay For Guitar Hero And Rock Band Deals!

Rock Band 2

When Harmonix Music Systems developed the original Rock Band it quickly began to gain very positive reviews. Now they have released Rock Band 2 and critics seem to be maintaining their positivity. In it’s first 2 weeks following it’s release 363,000 copies were sold.

Over the original game, Rock Band 2 has improved it’s drum and guitar controllers, but if you have the older version controllers they are compatible. They now feature a drum trainer mode along with a unique battle of the bands mode, and online capabilities that offer merchandising opportunities for the players in your virtual band.

Below you will see some commercials for Rock Band 2.

Rock Band 2 Commercial – AC/DC “Let There Be Rock”

Microsoft XBOX 360 Rock Band 2 Commercial

Overall, if you are stuck choosing between purchasing Guitar Hero and Rock Band, take a look at what they both offer and choose the one that offers the extras that you prefer. They both have their own unique upsides.