Konami trademarks "Guitar Revolution"
by Christopher Grant 
{ Jul 12th 2006 at 12:27PM }
Following the rockstar reception Harmonix's Guitar Hero has received, it appears Konami might try to emulate that success by bringing the heretofore Japan-only Guitar Freaks series to the US under the recently trademarked moniker, Guitar Revolution.
Filed on 6/29, the Guitar Revolution trademark covers, "video game machines for use with televisions with video game controller in the form of an electronic toy guitar, sold as a unit." So we think what they're trying to say is you'll be able to buy a killer guitar controller to shred your way through a game. Now it comes down to who gets what songs and whose guitar controller rocks harder. That one just ain't cutting it, Konami.
[Via Gamespot]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tcc3 @ Jul 12th 2006 12:35PM
We still need Xbox support. C'mon Harmonix, Konami, someone help us out. New songs packs over XB Live would be killer.
therpham @ Jul 12th 2006 12:44PM
I wonder if they'll make it compatible with the Guitar Hero controller for the US release, or at least let us custom-map the controls? On all the Japanese versions that I've played, you can only switch between three different control setups (for the Dual Shock), only one of which kinda works with the Guitar Hero controller but makes menus difficult and the buttons that match up to Guitar Freaks' three aren't all next to each other on the GH controller in that setup. I guess it just depends on how kind Konami is feeling.
32_Footsteps @ Jul 12th 2006 12:52PM
Interesting, especially as Guitar Freaks was at Konami's booth at E3, on the little pavillion that had 6 DDR setups and a room for Karaoke Revolution.
Of course, as someone who has played both games, I don't see how Guitar Freaks (or Guitar Revolution - I'd put even money on Konami trademarking both) could possibly compete with Guitar Hero. GF is to GH the same way as Wolfenstein 3D is to Doom - it might have come first, but it isn't the best.
Loque @ Jul 12th 2006 1:01PM
If I have to buy another guitar controller, I quit.
vidGuy @ Jul 12th 2006 1:11PM
Oh how I long for Guitar Hero 2! And I can't wait to have the two guitar setup (I'm not dropping that much coin to get a second ax without the new game).
I may check this game out if it's available without the guitar and allows use of the GH setup. If not, meh. They need to standardize these guitar controllers... I wouldn't mind buying new expansions since I love playing the songs.
Samuel McConnell @ Jul 12th 2006 1:11PM
They would do well to make the game compatible with the Guitar Hero controller (and the other way around). In fact, do that, include your OWN guitar controller, and add a killer 2-player mode. That way, people with Guitar Hero will get a second guitar, and have instant access to this awesome 2-player action (like Guitar Hero 2 should/will have)
murph @ Jul 12th 2006 1:21PM
Guitar Hero 3 wish list:
* wireless X360 guitar controllers
* XBL online VS., Co-Op, and Leaderboards
* XBLM Downloadable Song Packs
otherwise, i ain't buying new guitar controllers. GH2 is still going to rock hard this fall oo/ oo/
jc @ Jul 12th 2006 1:24PM
doesn't guitar hero have four buttons on the fretboard?
(honest question, not flaimbait) Also can someone tell me what the fascination with these games are? Are they just basically a way to jam with your friends without needing to know how to play real instruments?
Devwar @ Jul 12th 2006 1:25PM
I've played both, and I have to say, Guitar Freaks is leagues beyond Guitar Hero in difficulty. Although I will admit that Guitar Hero definitely wins in the presentation.
However, I do prefer the musical selection from Guitar Freaks. I find it a little more... varied.
Babylonian @ Jul 12th 2006 1:30PM
I recognize this picture from when I tried to compare the GH and GF controllers for a friend. Someone at Joystiq just put 'guitar freaks controller' into Google Images, didn't they? :P
vidGuy @ Jul 12th 2006 1:39PM
@ jc
I don't know what the fascination is, other than they are FUN. Just like DDR, you look stupid playing them, but they have a great attraction and can make you an addict.
Personally, I picked up the GH controller at Best Buy to test the game out a few months ago. I played through I Wanna Be Sedated and Ziggy Stardust on Easy and was hooked. For a challenge, I upped it to Medium and played Bark at the Moon. Man, was that hard! I plunked down the cash, an admittedly expensive $75, and have played it almost continously since. It's challenging, too. I've earned a 5 star rating on everything on Medium, but getting that on Hard is near impossible. There's even an Expert setting to make things really interesting. On Expert, you play at least one note for every note in the real song.
I've been playing guitar for 6 years, and while the controller is very far from a "teach-yourself guitar" item, it's fun to play around with.
The only thing is, I'm not willing to put down $75 every time for a new load of songs. Let me use my guitar controller, provide button-mapping screens if you have to, and give me the new set of songs for $30 to $40. Add in some new game types and I'll pay $50 for the disc.
forceofelroy @ Jul 12th 2006 1:42PM
#6: Guitar Hero has FIVE fret buttons.
It's that hardcore.
baberg @ Jul 12th 2006 1:46PM
Guitar Hero's controller actually has 5 fret buttons, which means you have to slide your left hand up and down the fret bar to hit all of the notes. Of course, that's only on Hard or Expert level - Easy only uses 3 buttons (index, middle, ring fingers) while Normal throws in a 4th button (either sliding your ring finger down, or using the pinky)
As for the question of "Why is it popular", it's just fun and intuitive. Guitar Hero is a game where you see the controller and instantly know how to play the game. Combine that with a wide variety of easily recognizable songs and you've got the ultimate "party" game. I'm not sure exactly why it's "fun", but I can't explain why Civilization 4 is fun either. It just is.
I'm currently working my way through the last 3 songs on Hard level, then it's on to Expert.
Tucker @ Jul 12th 2006 1:50PM
There are five "fret" buttons. And the fascination with these games is that they're fun. I'm sick and tired of people saying "blah blah, learn a real instrument, blah blah, wannabee." I've played guitar for over 10 years and I love the hell out of Guitar Hero. So, no, these types of games are not "a way to jam with your friends without needing to know how to play real instruments."
murph @ Jul 12th 2006 1:56PM
Sony will not allow (or is just VERY discouraging) of "expansion packs" on the PS2. That is one of the reasons why Harmonix is doing GH2 and not an add-on.
jc @ Jul 12th 2006 2:10PM
Thanks vidguy and baberg. I will check out GH as soon as I get a chance.
Tucker, easy on the hostility dude. I really wasn't trying to put you down.
Maybe I should have qualified my question by stating that I have been playing guitar for over 20 years, record my own original music and own a 60's reissue LesPaul and Peavey classic tube amp... but honestly, I didn't want to come off as ostentatious.
Some of the best times of my life were during jams with friends. I can't even describe how awesome that feeling is, but to be able to even capture a portion of that feeling while playing a videogame would be... well it would allow me to see why GH is so popular.
I thought it's popularity might be just a 'driving a race car' without having to invest in anything more than a PS2 and GT3... but was curious if some of the 'jam feeling' carried over as well.
The ZeroCorpse @ Jul 12th 2006 2:49PM
The way I read Konami's statement, it sounds like they're making a STAND-ALONE game, like the TV Games series, that plays like Guitar Hero.
baberg @ Jul 12th 2006 2:54PM
@jc
Head over to your local Best Buy. Every one that I've been to recently has Guitar Hero setup as one of their display models for the PS2, controller and all. Odds are that all of the songs won't be unlocked though. Here's how you unlock them:
Press RED until you're at the Options screen (pressing RED again won't do anything at this screen, so just keep hitting it until you stop going back in screens.
Press Yellow, Orange, Blue, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Yellow. YOBBOYY. "Yo, bboyy!!". That should unlock every song in the game.
Then go into Quick Play mode and jam a bit. I receommend Normal to start - Easy is far too easy. Pick a song you know for the first few times, because the rhythm of the song will help you get the rhythm of the game right (i.e. it was much easier for me to pickup and play a RHCP song than it was some of the older, "easier" songs because I knew the general beat of the song)
Pal @ Jul 12th 2006 2:54PM
I love Guitar Freaks! I have two controllers and every GF game to date. Let me tell ya, the songs are much better. They're a lot happier.
Guitar Hero, while fun and challenging with the flashier guitar with two more buttons, is bundled with a bunch of "serious" songs. While "rocking out" is fun, I really enjoy GF's colorful music library (Christmas songs to metal) and the non-stereotypical background graphics (not some 3D dudes headbanging). I can't wait!
Dmnkly @ Jul 12th 2006 4:53PM
Clearly, it's a matter of personal preference, but I'm another guy who was in on the ground floor with Guitar Freaks (since the first PlayStation release), and I think Guitar Hero kicks the everliving snot out of Guitar Freaks. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore Guitar Freaks... Bemani was the real innovator, here... but Harmonix just took it over the top.
I think it comes down to what you enjoy about the games. GF definitely has a larger variety, songwise, and despite only having three fret buttons, it gets much, much, much more difficult (though GH certainly could move in that direction if they so chose). But while there's less variety with GH, I think the songs are better to an infinite degree, and the fingering better captures the feel, as it were.
If you're all about insane difficulty and don't mind a heavy dose of weird funky J-Pop, you might get into Guitar Freaks. But I always played it for the sheer enjoyment, and Guitar Hero has, unfortunately, totally ruined Guitar Freaks for me in that regard.
GH Fan @ Jul 12th 2006 8:20PM
Im with murph, but cant wait for GH2. Just got through playing Bark at the Moon on expert like 7 times in a row, and failing at 98%.. 7 times in a row... BUT ITS SO FRIGGIN AWESOME!!!
Made me learn real guitar... but Guitar Freaks sucks, its like playing Guitar Hero on medium speed but only 3 frets... So Guitar Revolution better have some good licenced music (not konami's strongpoint,) and have ATLEAST 5 frets (I'd love to have more!)
Guitar Hero II is going to be great though, better music, better options & features, and much better GH multiplayer sessions!
Donutta @ Jul 13th 2006 1:39AM
I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority, as I dislike Guitar Hero and I love Guitar Freaks (V). I dislike Guitar Hero for the following reasons:
- Easy is bland and the harder settings use too many buttons. 5 buttons simply induce RSI.
- Said number of buttons stops any casuals from enjoying the harder difficulty levels, meaning that most people get bored quickly and soon suggest playing SingStar instead.
- Most of the music on Guitar Hero sucks.
Before fanboys try and flame me, opinions are always subjective and I'm entitled to mine. All I'm saying is that I'm pleased that Guitar Freaks is getting released outside of Japan, because that means that maybe, just maybe we'll see a PAL release.
But then again, after the wait for Guitar Hero, I wouldn't bank on it.
vidGuy @ Jul 13th 2006 8:12AM
The number of frets on the GH guitar is one of the things I like. You can play through all the songs with three frets on Medium, but go up to four frets on Hard and five on Expert. This keeps the game exciting and challenging, keeping me coming back for more. If all I had was the Medium difficult, I would have felt ripped off paying $75.
And for those that are wondering, here's the song list from Guitar Hero. Hopefully they'll release the song list for GH2 pretty soon.
GUITAR HERO SONG LIST from FAQ by KARL LEON
I Love Rock & Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
I Wanna Be Sedated - The Ramones
Thunder Kiss 65 - White Zombie
Smoke On The Water - Deep Purple
Infected - Bad Religion
Iron Man - Black Sabbath
More Than A Feeling - Boston
You Got Another Thing Comin' - Judas Priest
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top
Killer Queen - Queen
Hey You - The Exies
Stellar - Incubus
Heart Full of Black - Burning Brides
Symphony Of Destruction - Megadeth
Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie
Fat Lip - Sum 41
Cochise - Audioslave
Take It Off - The Donnas
Unsung - Helmet
Spanish Castle Magic - Jimi Hendrix
Higher Ground - Red Hot Chili Peppers
No One Knows - Queens of the Stone Age
Ace Of Spades - Motorhead
Crossroads - Cream
Godzilla - Blue Oyster Cult
Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Frankenstein - The Edgar Winter Group
Cowboys From Hell - Pantera
Bark at the Moon - Ozzy Osbourne
Fire It Up - Black Label Society
Cheat on the Church - Graveyard BBQ
Caveman Rejoice - The Bags
Eureka I've Found Love - Boston's Upper Crust
All of This - Shaimus
Behind The Mask - Anarchy Club
The Breaking Wheel - Artillery
Callout - The Acro-brats
Decontrol - Drist
Even Rats - The Slip
Farewell Myth - Made in Mexico
Fly On The Wall - Din
Get Ready 2 Rokk - Freezepop
Guitar Hero - Monkey Steals the Peach
Hey - Honest Bob and the Factory-to-Dealer Incentives
Sail Your Ship By - Count Zero
Story of My Love - The Model Sons
I guess it matters where you live, too. I live in the US and feel that this is an amazing, varied list. There's some great classic rock, some newer rock, metal, pop, and techno. The shear amount of tracks keeps it fresh, too.
Merus @ Jul 13th 2006 8:23AM
Guitar Hero works because of its design - the buttons you need to press, even on easy, are keyed to the music so you feel like you're playing the song. I don't know how well Guitar Freaks does that, but it's crucial to making you rock out.
bobbyo @ Jul 13th 2006 10:57AM
quoted from a post from a bemani site
"Music games are a fickle genre here in the United States. They were supposed to be one hit wonders, gimmicks with small print runs and fetching large sums on eBay several years after their release. But foreign markets interfered, and the rest is a confusing history.
DDR in US arcades was a bizarre case of globalization gone awry - the domestic division couldn't fill a need, so foreign interests obliged - Konami of US couldn't provide a slew of arcade mixes, but Konami of Japan (and Hong Kong bootleggers) could. The US home releases of DDR were initially in the shadow of the foreign arcade releases, as the licensed songs were an integral part of DDR. Konami was competing with itself until Konami of Japan stopped making DDR mixes and Konami of US could or catch up.
But by that time, everybody stopped caring about DDR.
Guitar Hero came out of nowhere and took the American market by storm. It capitalized on all the areas that DDR neglected - the gameplay is based on a ubiquitous musical instrument and has a bevy of licensed songs.
Guitar Hero is the most successful music game in the US since DDR because it was originally designed and released for the American market. America doesn't like techno music unless it's in a car commercial. Music with non-English lyrics (especially Japanese) is too narrow a market to capitalize on in the US. Guitar Hero took something recognizable, something “American”, and bet the farm on it.
And it worked.
All new music games in the US are going to be in the shadow of Guitar Hero and will be judged accordingly. Beatmania was branded a “lame ripoff of Guitar Hero” when it was released stateside. Though we know Beatmania practically invented the music-making genre, Beatmania had three aspects preventing its success – market penetration, recognizable gameplay, and a lesser focus on licensed songs. Beatmania IIDX priced itself out of the US arcade market and has no bootleggers to fill the void, reducing it to niche status. Though DDR is far away from being actual dancing, Beatmania has almost nothing to do with actual turntabling, and the turntable isn't the most popular “instrument” for that matter. Beatmania is powered by the ingenuity of Konami's in-house artists, not by licenses – you can afford to do that in the electronic music genre, as it isn't driven by personalities as rock music is. Adding that the US release was poorly handled, Beatmania was down for the count before it stepped into the ring.
And now, Konami is going to attempt to take on Guitar Hero with its foreign tailored guitar game with little market penetration.
Guitar Hero should be a wakeup call to Konami when they market “Guitar Revolution” or any other 'new' Bemani game the US. You have no street cred, you must give concessions to the American market (personalities), and foreign markets will not help you this time. If you fail to do this, the Guitar Revolution is going to be unstrung rather quickly.
"
omelet @ Jul 13th 2006 11:39AM
Sources say, GH for 360 is coming.
Flashfire @ Aug 1st 2006 10:59AM
I agree that it's about personal preference. I'm a bit of a bemani fanboy, owning many different DDR, IIDX and Pop'n Music games. I have played every Bemani game in the arcade with the exception of Pop'n. I strongly disliked In the Groove, because I believe it removed a lot of the simple fun factor for difficulty and an intense drive to score well. Of course, when Guitar Hero came out, I was very skeptical. I didn't expect much, and then I got a chance to see it.
I will say, it is a well done game and with all the songs people know, it's not a surprise it did well here. Most people in the US don't want to here the Japanese music that is typically in the Bemani games. I, on the other hand, do not want to hear the US music. I personally enjoy little to no American techno, and I REALLY dislike most American rock/metal/most of the other songs on GH. Sure, Bad Religion is one of my favorite bands, but one band won't get me to buy the game.
I have played a bunch of Guitar Freaks since for some reason my college had a machine, and I must say it was WAY harder. Even on early mixes, I could see the difference. I only mention this because I'm waiting to hear the commentary on it when it comes out from the same people who prefer ITG. I hear quite often "ITG is better because it's more challenging" but I'm sure I will also hear "Guitar Revolution is harder? So? That doesn't make it a better game."
I hate to admit it, but I just don't think it can win with the usual Bemani song list. I strongly prefer songs like Midnight Special and Dragon Blade, but I'm probably in the minority.
Ozzy @ Sep 10th 2006 6:21AM
Here's what I want, 360 GH, PS2 to 360 controller cables(should be easy as all it is is a conversion to USB, simple), and XBLM downloads of any and every song that Harmonix can make. I would pay $2 for a song on XBLM in a heartbeat! That would MORE than cover the liscencing cost, and make then some profit too.