Guitar Hero: On Tour DS Preview
Nintendo DS Music Game Features Diverse Song List and Special Grip
The Guitar Hero craze is now going portable with Activision's Guitar Hero: On Tour for Nintendo DS, complete with a special grip controller and a diverse song set list.
No doubt about it, Guitar Hero is one of the hottest video games around. The title has been released on a variety of consoles, such as PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. The game has spurred a variety of copy-cat titles, such as the upcoming Battle of the Bands for Wii. It was only a matter of time, then, before the popular series reached the handheld Nintendo DS in the form of Guitar Hero: On Tour.
What is Guitar Hero?
Though Guitar Hero is a very popular title, a bit of background information never hurts. The concept behind Guitar Hero is rather simple -- holding a special guitar controller, players hit buttons (instead of strings) and strum along as notes flash across the screen. Those who succeed in hitting the right buttons at the right time can unlock dozens of songs in all, from classic to modern rock hits.
New Controls for the Nintendo DS
Obviously, it would be a bit hard to use a guitar controller with a portable handheld like the Nintendo DS. Thus, along with the game, Activision is packaging in a special guitar grip that will attach to the Nintendo DS. Once attached, 4 buttons will be at the bottom of the player's Nintendo DS which gamers must hit when certain notes come across the screen. (No, Guitar Hero veterans, that's not a typo -- the DS will have only 4 buttons rather than the normal 5).
Activision is also including a special Guitar Hero pick that can be used on the DS' touch screen instead of the normal Nintendo DS stylus.
New Twists for the Nintendo DS
The basics of the game will remain in place for the Nintendo DS version of Guitar Hero. However, there are several twists that make the game a unique experience on the DS. In the battle mode, for instance (which works like the normal game, except players can gain certain power-ups and weapons to throw off their opponents), Activision has included a weapon in which players must blow in the microphone in order to extinguish fire, as well as an obstacle in which players must quickly autograph a fan's t-shirt in the middle of the game using the touch screen.
The game makes use of the DS' wireless features for co-op play. The DS also features two new characters exclusive to the DS.
Song Selection
The song list for the DS game has not been fully unveiled yet. According to the company's press release, though, the game features "the most diverse set list of master tracks ever offered in a Guitar Hero game, including classic rock, alternative and pop favorites such as Nirvana, OK Go and No Doubt." And at Nintendo's recent Media Summit, Activision announced that "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by Jet and "We're Not Gonna Make It" by Twisted Sister will be included in the game.
Outlook
If Guitar Hero on DS is anything like it is on the consoles, Guitar Hero: On Tour should be a very fun game. The biggest question right now is just how intuitive the controls are. The buttons on the bottom of the DS seem a bit awkwardly placed on the pictures, but it's very possible the controls could work well. Also, the song list can make or break a game like this. The company is promising a diverse song list, but hopefully the full list is released soon.
Fans of the music and rhythm genre who don't own the Nintendo DS may be interested in EA's upcoming Rock Band for Wii or Activision's Guitar Hero: Aerosmith for Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. Otherwise, look out for Guitar Hero: On Tour when it releases in North America in summer 2008.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
