Guitar Hero
News, coverage and analysis tracking Guitar Hero across the outlets.
Weekend Discussion - June 20, 2026This article is a weekend discussion piece from Shacknews, featuring various segments and reader engagement prompts. It highlights the staff's commitment to original content creation, free from generative AI, and includes personal anecdotes about gaming history and preferences from one of the writers.
Plastintstrumentens gyllene eraThe 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 New Guitar Hero–Err, Stage Tour–Reveals Its First SongsRedOctane Games, a studio evolved from the creators of Guitar Hero, has revealed the first seven songs for its upcoming music game, Stage Tour. The tracklist includes songs from bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, and Ghost. The game will feature traditional music game peripherals and is set to launch later this year on PC and consoles.- The Games That Defined Our Childhood: A Generation-by-Generation Guide | TAGThis guide breaks down distinct gaming generations within the millennial demographic, highlighting the defining consoles, cultural moments, and games for those born between 1984 and 1998. It explores the impact of console wars, the rise of online multiplayer, and the unique experiences of growing up with different gaming eras, from the SNES and Genesis to the N64, PlayStation, PS2, and Wii.
Guitar Hero Hardware Still Worth the Investment in 2026 | HappyGamerDespite the advent of modern consoles and GPUs, legacy Guitar Hero hardware from the mid-2000s is presented as a worthwhile investment in 2026 due to its durable build quality and enduring fun factor. While compatibility issues exist across modern platforms, the PC scene and community-driven solutions like Clone Hero keep the rhythm game alive. The article highlights that well-maintained controllers are appreciating in value on the used market, contrasting with the rapid depreciation of contemporary gaming hardware.- CRKD™ and Gibson® Expand the Gibson SG Guitar Controller Lineup: Introducing Cherry for PlayStation®5CRKD and Gibson have launched a new Cherry finish for their Gibson SG Guitar Controller, compatible with PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles. This controller is designed for rhythm games like Fortnite Festival and Rock Band 4, and also supports PC titles and legacy Guitar Hero and Rock Band games through a dedicated mode. The controller features advanced hardware, including a Hall Effect Strum Bar and Hall Effect Whammy Bar, and can be customized via the CRKD App.
Shuhei Yoshida Sees Gaming's Future As Indie, Not "Generic" AAA GamesFormer PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida believes the future of gaming lies with indie titles rather than large AAA games, which he finds too time-consuming and often generic. He highlights the creative freedom and innovation found in indie development, contrasting it with the group-vision approach of many AAA projects. Yoshida also discusses the impact of digital distribution and community building on the success of independent games.
Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and other celebs name their favourite video gamesSeveral Hollywood celebrities, including Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and Chris Pratt, have shared their favorite video games in a compilation video. While some named classic titles like Super Mario Bros. and Pitfall!, others highlighted more recent or niche games such as Returnal and Civilization 6.
"The player base never disappeared; they just didn't have anything to play" – Echo Foundry on reviving the rhythm game genreEcho 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.- Echo Foundry Interactive Announces Launch Date for Sound System: October 16, 2026 – Priced at $24.99Echo Foundry Interactive announced that their new rhythm game, Sound System, will launch on Steam on October 16, 2026, for $24.99. The game features a community-driven content catalog, custom note chart creation tools, and various multiplayer modes. It aims to revive the rhythm game genre with a mix of classic and new music.
- ‘Next-generation rhythm game’ Sound System launches in Early Access for PC on October 16The rhythm game Sound System, developed by industry veterans behind Guitar Hero and Rock Band, is launching in Early Access for PC on October 16. The game is described as a 'next-generation rhythm game'.
Sound System Launches October 16 on Steam With Custom Chart CreationEcho Foundry Interactive announced that its new rhythm game, Sound System, will launch on PC via Steam on October 16, 2026, for $24.99. The game features classic rhythm gameplay, multiple modes for different skill levels, and a robust in-game chart creation tool called PulseMap Editor for community-driven content.- Indie rhythm game Beat Weaver looks like a mix of Amplitude and ThumperBeat 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.
- Möt Stage Tour – nytt "Guitar Hero" av Guitar Hero-folketRedoctane Games, a studio founded by veterans of the Guitar Hero series, has unveiled its new music game, Stage Tour. The game, which features gameplay similar to previous plastic instrument titles, is slated for release in late 2026. New plastic instruments are planned, with support for gamepad and keyboard also confirmed.
RedOctane's 'next evolution in rhythm gaming' sure looks a lot like 2007's Rock BandRedOctane 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.