Summary
- Release Year: 2008
- Genres: Music
- Platforms: Nintendo DS
- Developers: Vicarious Visions
- Publishers: Activision Publishing Minneapolis Inc., RedOctane
Guitar Hero: On Tour (2008)
Released in June 2008, Guitar Hero: On Tour was the first installment in the Guitar Hero series to be released on a handheld console, the Nintendo DS. Developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Activision, the game brought the popular rhythm-action gameplay of the console versions of Guitar Hero to a portable format, with a unique “Guitar Grip” peripheral that allowed players to use the DS’s touch screen and stylus to simulate playing a guitar.
Gameplay
Guitar Hero: On Tour features gameplay similar to other games in the Guitar Hero series. Players use the Guitar Grip peripheral to simulate playing lead or bass guitar by pressing fret buttons and strumming on the touch screen in time with colored notes that scroll towards them on-screen. The game features four difficulty levels: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Expert, as well as a variety of single-player modes, including Career mode, Quickplay mode, and Practice mode.
Career mode is the main single-player mode in Guitar Hero: On Tour. In this mode, players create a custom character and progress through a series of venues, playing songs and earning money to unlock new songs, venues, and equipment. Quickplay mode allows players to jump into a game of Guitar Hero without having to progress through Career mode, and Practice mode allows players to practice individual songs or techniques.
Multiplayer
Guitar Hero: On Tour also features local multiplayer modes for up to four players. Players can compete against each other in head-to-head matches, or they can team up to play cooperative songs. The game also supports online multiplayer modes, allowing players to compete against each other over the internet.
Songs
Guitar Hero: On Tour features a soundtrack of over 25 songs, including a mix of classic rock, alternative rock, and metal songs. The soundtrack includes songs from artists such as Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Green Day, Metallica, and Jimi Hendrix.
Reception
Guitar Hero: On Tour was met with positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its innovative use of the DS’s touch screen and stylus, as well as its solid gameplay and soundtrack. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.
Legacy
Guitar Hero: On Tour was followed by two sequels, Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades and Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits, which were released in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The On Tour series was discontinued in 2010, but the games remain popular among fans of the Guitar Hero franchise.
Conclusion
Guitar Hero: On Tour is a solid rhythm-action game that brings the fun and excitement of the Guitar Hero series to the Nintendo DS. With its innovative use of the DS’s touch screen and stylus, as well as its solid gameplay and soundtrack, Guitar Hero: On Tour is a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
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