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Stage Tour brings back Guitar Hero-style games this December
Stage Tour, a new rhythm game inspired by Guitar Hero, is set to launch on December 10, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Developed by a team including former members of RedOctane, Neversoft, and Harmonix, the game will feature over 90 licensed songs, four-player multiplayer, and a unique roguelite-inspired "Tour Mode". The base game will cost $39.99 USD, with additional songs planned as post-launch DLC.
I'm excited for Stage Tour, but Rock Band 4 will take a lot to beat
Rock Band 4 remains the last active title from the plastic-instrument rhythm game era, a decade after its release. Despite challenges with peripheral availability and music licensing, the game continues to receive weekly track additions and maintain an active online community. While Fortnite Festival offers a new Harmonix experience, it does not fully replace the legacy or song library of Rock Band 4.
Shack Chat: What was your favorite reveal from Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026?
Shacknews staff members shared their favorite reveals from Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026. Highlights included Stage Tour, LEGO Skylines, Mega Man Dual Override, The Witcher 3 Remastered, and Rainbow Six Tactics. Several staff members expressed particular excitement for LEGO Skylines, a new city-building game from Paradox Interactive.
Stage Tour guitar controller bundle pre-orders are live and ready to rock, but only the PS5 version comes with a…
Stage Tour, a spiritual successor to Guitar Hero, will launch on December 10, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Pre-orders are now live for bundles including the Kramer Wireless Guitar Controller, priced at $129.99, with the PS5 version being the only one to feature a physical disc. The game will also support a wide range of existing instrument controllers from series like Rock Band and PDP.
The highlights of Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 showcased a variety of new titles and updates, with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's free remaster and upcoming expansion stealing the spotlight. The event also featured reveals for Nodusfall, Final Fantasy 7: Revelation, Metro 2039, and numerous other games from both established and emerging studios, highlighting a strong international presence. Host Geoff Keighley acknowledged the industry's current challenges, including layoffs and hardware price increases, while celebrating developers' continued innovation.
When is Stage Tour coming out?
RedOctane's rhythm game Stage Tour, a spiritual successor to Guitar Hero, will be released on December 10, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC. The game will feature over 90 songs and include all necessary peripherals like a guitar, microphone, and drum kit.
Plastintstrumentens gyllene era
The article reflects on the golden era of plastic instrument rhythm games, primarily focusing on the Guitar Hero and Rock Band series. It highlights how these games, with their unique guitar controllers and accessible gameplay, allowed players to live out rockstar fantasies. The piece also touches upon the genre's eventual decline due to market saturation and the attempts at comebacks in 2015.
"The player base never disappeared; they just didn't have anything to play" – Echo Foundry on reviving the rhythm game genre
Echo Foundry Interactive, a studio founded by veterans of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, is aiming to revive the rhythm game genre with their upcoming title, Sound System. CEO Marcus Henderson and President Lennon Lange discuss the genre's past oversaturation and their approach to creating a sustainable, community-driven platform with modern technology. Sound System is set to launch on October 16th with a focus on user-generated content and affordable microtransactions.
Indie rhythm game Beat Weaver looks like a mix of Amplitude and Thumper
Beat Weaver is an upcoming indie rhythm game from solo developer Christopher Lerch, inspired by Amplitude and Thumper. Players control a ship on tracks, hitting notes to activate and maintain instrument tracks, with a unique energy system that disables tracks if depleted. The game is slated for release on Steam later this year and supports Steam Deck.
RedOctane's 'next evolution in rhythm gaming' sure looks a lot like 2007's Rock Band
RedOctane Games has announced Stage Tour, a new rhythm-action game that heavily resembles Harmonix's Rock Band. The game aims to revive the plastic-instrument rhythm genre with new features and a focus on long-term content and live events, rather than sequels. Sign-ups for a closed alpha test are expected soon, with a holiday season release planned for PC.
