Rock Band vs. Guitar Hero

Both Rock Band and Guitar Hero have been successful enough to release multiple games. The following is an attempt to quickly and elaborately describe the pros and cons of both sides. It is hoped that after a quick review the reader can discern which would be the best game for them.

This will be a written out Venn diagram explaining the advantages and disadvantages that the games' versions have presented the author. Please understand this is opinion and yours may vary, but it is hoped that this analysis is useful.

• Rock Band may have less games released, and therefore less gross amount of songs available. Rock Band also has featured The Beatles and ACDC, while Guitar Hero has one more. Guitar Hero spotlights Metallica, Aerosmith and Van Halen.
• Only Rock Band allows users who are not connected online through their system to purchase track packs at the physical store.
• Rewards in game are different. Both games involve fans and money (to purchase clothes and instruments in game), however Rock Band seems more realistic, but not totally. What band that has over a million fans makes less than a grand for a 6 song set list?
• Specific strumming, drumming or singing is more important to Rock Band scoring. Guitar Hero lets you slack a millisecond before you actually "miss" the note. Can't be proven, just my own theory.
• Downloadable content. I can't say anything about Wii or PlayStation games, as I use xbox live. I see far more new songs up each week for Rock Band than any of the Guitar Hero Games.
• Controllers are iffy. I have had 3 Guitar Hero Guitars of 4 purchased bite the dust. However, I have bought 2 Rock Band guitars, and only one of those broke. (I might add the 1 broken Rock Band Guitar lasted twice as long as the longest lasting Guitar Hero guitar).

Besides the obvious set up for game play there are some other similarities to make the consumers decision hard. Be wary of what's important to you in that previous differences list.

• Pausing allows countdown before game starts again, except for on the first few releases of the games
• Difficulty levels are similar
• Drumming is hard, physically and mentally (more "buttons" than other instruments)
• Not really a singing game. Yes they have that option but if you want to strictly sing try Lips. (Beatles Rock Band is the most vocal tho if this is your forte, it even has 3 person harmonies on songs they did!)
• Great party game. Even people who are against trying at first, can not put it down after they understand the controller and find their instrument of choice.
• Neither game is really like playing an instrument. Also, DJ Hero is not what a DJ really does. These are games that have simplified it so the gaming public can have fun with music.