It's official: Guitar Hero II heading to Xbox 360

by Kevin Kelly { Sep 27th 2006 at 7:55PM }

As rumored and expected, Guitar Hero II is officially making the jump to the Xbox 360. RedOctane and Activision announced today at X06 that the rumors were true -- the power of the guitar shall no longer be confined to a single console.

With the newly announced X-plorer guitar controller designed for the 360 (we wanna know, is it wireless?), the hard drive and Xbox Live Marketplace, this game is a match made in heaven for this system. Future downloadable songs, new bass and rhythm tracks, the mind just reels.

Will we be able to one day jam with Drum Hero, Guitar Hero, Microphone Hero, and Keyboard Hero, and everyone on their own wireless instrument? Dare to dream.

Tags: Activision, guitar, Guitar Hero II, RedOctane, X06

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

James @ Sep 27th 2006 8:03PM

What a glorious day...

Scoobydiesel @ Sep 27th 2006 8:07PM

No date? Be nice to see it in Nov...(or did i over look that?)

Tom @ Sep 27th 2006 8:13PM

I can't remember what sony fanbot said this would never happen but guess what? Maybe now some of them will shut the hell up till after the holidays.

The Dude @ Sep 27th 2006 8:14PM

I think a sonyfan shat on himself

foobob @ Sep 27th 2006 8:18PM

what a load of shite... i love Konami for being a long time classic game maker, but hate them for bringing up this lame musical games craze...

GunForHire @ Sep 27th 2006 8:20PM

HELL. YES.!!!!

Awesome, awesome news. Would be even sweeter if the guitar were wireless, but I guess we just have to wait and see. Cannot wait!

Milkshake @ Sep 27th 2006 8:22PM

The reason so many games are now coming to the 360 is cause its easy to program for and has a great online ablitly realised NOW! oh and they will have 10 million in homes come the end of the year, time for the sony fanboys to wake up and smell the coffee. This will be Wii60's generation

taliesin-nine @ Sep 27th 2006 8:29PM

So... 360 gets next Guitar Hero, PS3 gets Oblivion. Regardless of which game/genre you like better, who do you think is getting a better IP here for the overall health of the systems?

I think getting Guitar Hero is bigger, because Oblivion has been out since spring already.

Milkshake @ Sep 27th 2006 8:29PM

XBLive will add so much to this, cool if you can mash it up in a session over live with your friends, cant wait.

KR @ Sep 27th 2006 8:33PM

Someone go back and find the dumbass(es) who said this would never come to the 360.

That guitar is THE GREATEST CONTROLLER OF ALL TIME. Well, that and the original Saturn pad.

This is a huge dagger in Sony's heart. MGS is keeping them afloat, and Ninja Gaiden was a nice score, but of those two only MGS is an exclusive property.

Geoff @ Sep 27th 2006 8:34PM

What a glorious day for the 360. Halo Wars, Halo unnamed, Guitar Hero II, Banjo-Kazooie, Splinter Cell V, BioShock. What a wonderful day today has been.

J.Goodwin @ Sep 27th 2006 8:38PM

I wasn't expecting GH2. I think everyone knew that whatever the next version was would be headed to 360...but it's interesting that it is already happening.

Ashley Bennett @ Sep 27th 2006 8:44PM

How about the GH1 tracks included on the disc, or at least a (free?) download for those that didn't get to own the first one?

Andrew @ Sep 27th 2006 8:48PM

Will the original controller be available for the 360 too? I hate the look of the newly announced one.

chudgoo @ Sep 27th 2006 8:52PM

OMFG!

Add a multiplayer mode where everyone can play a different instrument!
with video chat!!
and vocals (via headset) with on screen lyrics! karaoke 2.0!
and a freeform improvisation 'jam' mode!!

Oh yeah...network latency....ummm...
Slow jams and ballads would work...so would an improv jam mode but certainly not "Angel Of Death" by Slayer... heh ;)

JJ @ Sep 27th 2006 8:54PM

I just wished i cared enough about GH1 to get excited about two... *sigh*

I guess the whole DDR/music game craze just passed me over. Can someone please tell me the big deal over these games?

Oh well at least i have brand new halo things to look forward too! I just hope the coming days news is as big as todays.

Wedge @ Sep 27th 2006 9:16PM

That is the crappiest looking guitar ever. I hope they remember to paint it later, coz' the Explorer design itself is nice. But seriously... the grey plastic makes it look like some kids toy. I also hope you can just use a PS2->USB adapter to use your existing SG controllers.

Jeffers @ Sep 27th 2006 9:18PM

I think for more of a challenge I'm going to use that controller to play the upcoming Halo RTS

[-Z-] @ Sep 27th 2006 9:20PM

I went to E3 this year and Guitar Heroes II was so heavily advertised on Sony booth. The developers were at Sony booth as well. It's kinda surprise to see a sudden change to XBOX 360. I guess Activision acquisition enabled them to publish to XBOX 360. Good news for gamers. Suck for Sony though..LOL

matt @ Sep 27th 2006 9:21PM

as an Explorer aficionado (sp?) I have to say ITS ABOUT FUCKING TIME!!! I always wanted an X for the ps2 version, but was stuck with the dumb SG (I sold my real SG after a week it was such junk). now I get to have fun with the X :) I do believe it's wireless, though - no cords in the pic... at least we can hope...

I also want different colors

DeadPlasmaCell @ Sep 27th 2006 9:22PM

Who cares what it looks like? As long as it works right?

vaylen @ Sep 27th 2006 9:22PM

I can't wait for Sony to get xbox exclusives on their console... like, um....

Cell Damage.. or Enclave.. or Triggerman or Bruce Lee.

I can't wait until the PS3 finally convinces the developers to bring Blinx over!!!

mrdelayer @ Sep 27th 2006 9:23PM

"Will we be able to one day jam with Drum Hero, Guitar Hero, Microphone Hero, and Keyboard Hero..."

Hey, guess who already did ALL of those games? Hint: Konami. DrumMania, GuitarFreaks, Karaoke Revolution, KeyboardMania. Please die, Guitar Hero fanboys.

chudgoo @ Sep 27th 2006 9:23PM

A truly expansive/multiplayer music CREATION tool/game has never been seen.
Maybe it's time...

Dai Gassou! Band Brothers on the DS is about the closest thing to creative freedom on a gaming system but it relies on pretty basic and 'fake' sounding MIDI FM-synthesis. Record your own samples (BUILT IN MIC!! WTF?!) ? No. Export to 'normal' formats? No. What I really would love to see is a console version of Reason, Abeltron Live, FruityLoops...

One EXTREMELY overlooked part of the next gen consoles is their sound processing abilities. Most people just think of sound as a -solved problem- but this means so much more in terms of possibilities than most can imagine.

Did MarioPaint for SNES bomb? No! People LOVE games that let them be creative. It is a vastly under-tapped market segment. (someone please change that...tap that azz already! heh ;)

NEEKS @ Sep 27th 2006 9:26PM

So...wheres our Wii Drum Hero?

chudgoo @ Sep 27th 2006 9:30PM

Heh....
Humor me, but I think this JAM mode might be possible through other means...

Find/make an adapter to allow a RCA|1/4"|1/8" cable to plug into the xbox360 controller and then run that to a mixer with instrument inputs and mic input (for band chat)....then mute all in game sounds and get to work!

On the internet distance is an illusion! heh.

Wedge @ Sep 27th 2006 9:46PM

"Hey, guess who already did ALL of those games? Hint: Konami. DrumMania, GuitarFreaks, Karaoke Revolution, KeyboardMania. Please die, Guitar Hero fanboys."

If only those games weren't total and utter crap. It took Harmonix to make Guitar Freaks into something good with Guitar Hero. Also Harmonix made Karaoke Revolution, not Konami (Konami just published it). I can only hope they find a way to make Drum Mania stop sucking as well. Tiny little bars moving 1000 miles an hour might be cool for asians and asian wannabes, but the rest of the world prefers something that shows a little thought to more practical game design.

Shagi @ Sep 27th 2006 9:59PM

Wow! Now I can look like a total dork and not get laid on 2 platforms.

mrdelayer @ Sep 27th 2006 9:59PM

Wedge: Spoken like a true fanboy. Have you ever even played any of those games? I'm sure you're one of those people who agreed with Adam Sessler when he said Beatmania was a "Guitar Hero rip-off."

Dr.Swiss @ Sep 27th 2006 10:06PM

@ Shagi

You weren't getting laid anyways so stop kidding yourself.

Your fist will always be your friend. :*(

Wild Homes @ Sep 27th 2006 10:32PM

I think it's a complete toss-up as to which IP means more. the Elder Scrolls franchise gets my vote because Guitar Hero, while awesome and great at expanding a console's fanbase to those who wouldn't necessarily feel at home mashing buttons on a joypad, is more likely to see a little of its thunder stolen by cheap knock-off competitors, and is in fact already competing with Guitar Freaks should Konami decide to really push that franchise. Oblivion, and all the Elder Scrolls games, aren't the kind of thing to be knocked by cheap imitations: these games ooze quality and the unmistakable sense of tens of thousands of man-hours of work.

so while they're both awesome series, I'll give the nod to Oblivion because it's much harder to clone.

AK @ Sep 27th 2006 10:56PM

Come on vaylen,
there are some pretty good xbox exclusives that i am sure you sony fanboys wouldn't mind having.
Just to name some from my collection:
Chronicles of Riddick, Deathrow, Doom 3, Fable, Kingdom Under Fire, MechAssault 2, Ninja Gaiden, Project Gotham Racing, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Soldier of Fortune 2, and Unreal Championship 1&2.

I am sure there are others, but I am too lazy to look them up.

I did enjoy God of War, and am glad my fiancee had a ps2.
When you don't limit yourself to just one console, you will find that you are a much happier gamer.

Andrew @ Sep 27th 2006 10:59PM

All that guitar needs is "EET FUK" written on it. (And some Metallica songs in the game too)

pence @ Sep 27th 2006 11:02PM

"Hey, guess who already did ALL of those games? Hint: Konami. DrumMania, GuitarFreaks, Karaoke Revolution, KeyboardMania. Please die, Guitar Hero fanboys."

The key difference between Bemani and Guitar Hero is that more people have heard of Iron Man than, say, The Least 100 Seconds.

Karaoke Revolution integrates with DDR. Although this is similar to what Kevin describes, somehow I just don't think it fits in with his vision of 'lol a whole band' Hero.

Most people are probably looking for something a little more affordable than a DrumMania cabinet; something that they don't have to ship across the Pacific. Even if you imported "GuitarFreaks & DrumMania Masterpiece Silver" for your PS2, I'd wager most people would be a lot more satisfied running to the Best Buy to buy GH2.

I'm guessing that what Kevin wants to see is a game that lets you and your friends play different roles in a band on a home console, with popular music at a reasonable price. I'd purchase such a game.

sweethavok @ Sep 28th 2006 12:15AM

Some where some poor Sony fanboy is going to cry themselves to sleep. Now a lot of fanboys are asking themselves how can theire beloved GH2 betray Sony and come on over to the 360 as well. But if you think about it, what other PS3 "exclusives" are going to make the crossover? Maybe Kingdom Hearts, another FF game, or DMC4, just to name a few. Just think about it the PS3 is going to have a slow start and developers are not going to have a lot of patience to recoup their money and trust me a 10 million customer install base is very tempting. Now before you get your panties twisted into a knot its time you woke up and faced reality, the PS3 is facing production problems + limited supply + expense + lack of exclusives + lack of a killer app + stiff competition + unproven tech BR = a dim outlook on the future of the PS3, Hell even Square Enix, is shying away from Sony this time around. And you got to admit that they were one company that helped make the PS2 a success, and if they are afraid of totally commiting to you after a very profitable venture for them, you have to wonder what does it mean in the long run and what are the chances of them succeding. :)

socrates @ Sep 28th 2006 12:41AM

AK -

A lot of those aren't exclusives (I briefly played, and almost immediately deleted, Doom3 on this here typing box). And you deserve to be laughed at soundly for thinking that anyone anywhere wants Fable.

HoodOrnament @ Sep 28th 2006 12:42AM

Guess im not going to go out and pre-order it for the PS2, Guitar Hero along with Shadow of The Collossus was the only thing that had given my PS2 a breath of life, but now that it is for sure going to be on the 360... I cant wait even more. My friends have been talking about it since we first heard the rumor, and now that its official. I just hope it comes in november. And wireless Guitars. I am going to lose a lot of sleep over this.

Steve @ Sep 28th 2006 12:55AM

September 27th 2006. This is the date that Sony got fully and totally owned. My god it's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Coolest looking GH axe EVER.

Steve @ Sep 28th 2006 1:04AM

By Sunday we'll here that MGS4 will ship for the 360 on the same days as the PS3. Fanboys the world over set themselves on fire in protest.

Brian @ Sep 28th 2006 2:04AM

Why are people acting like this was such a great blow to the PS3? It was never coming out for the PS3 but rather the PS2. Even if you did get it to play on the PS3 you'd have to have an adapter. This game was never selling Ps3s because it wasn't a PS3 game - this means nithing except now people who, for whatever reason, didn;t have a PS2 can now experience the 100% pure awesome of Guitar Hero.

AK @ Sep 28th 2006 2:32AM

Socrates,
4 out of 10 (2 out of 5 if we break it down) of the games I listed are on the pc.

I wouldn't really call that "a lot". It's less than half.

Regarding Fable, since when do you speak for every person, every where?
This is news to me.

vaylen @ Sep 28th 2006 3:02AM

@AK

Project Gotham Racing? Are you kiddin me?

That's like someone saying Sony fanboys are jealous because they don't have Saints Row, they only have GTA!

Gran Turismo owns PGR. PGR is to Gran Turismo as Blinx is to Jak & Daxter: An inferior copycat that we neither want nor need to come to the PS3... we have the original, thank you very much.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to start crying because Sony won't ever have Fuzion Frenzy 2...

Kris D @ Sep 28th 2006 3:20AM

Wow I called this a Long time ago.!!!

I knew it was going to happen, You can't ignore the Userbase of the Next Generation - especially the 360. The growth potentional with live is undenyable.

Few Things I noticed. The Guitar Has a Guide Button, almost certain there will be live or marketplace features for GHII on the Xbox 360.

I call it now!!! that all the GH one Songs will be avalable on Xbox live for a small fee or No fee at all.!!! New songs that will enhance GHII, will probibly be offered in packs (not individually) so they can package a good song with a bad song (or a song that won't do as well as the others - but they still got a licience for). I perdict (2) song packs or (6) or (10) song packs at $2.99, $4.99 and $7.99 (do your marketplace conversions - i think $5 = 500 points) respectively.

Looks like the 360 version (red octaine) has ESP on as a licience for a new guitar brand. - We might not be getting a metallica song on GH 2 but that Xbox 360 guitar is Deffently James Heitfields White ESP Explorer. Gibson makes an explorer too - so while they still could be going with gibson - I think ESP signed on too. I also think they might try to get other companys Eqipment Liciences for the game. Expect to See Mesa Boogie or Marshall Amps - And since Bass is a Big thing in GHII - Expect to see Bass amps licienced for Onstage Grafx (Harrke perhaps).

I wil guaranty there will be Features to the 360 version that we will not see on PS2 version. Notice the Directional Pad on there - Not only is that for Online Navigation - But I'll bet it will be used in game for some function and or online for functions too - My prediction - Round Robin guitar playing. (4) People on Xbox live (ALL WITH CAMERA's - so you can see each other rock out) and you will be able to rock out and push the Directional Pad to Highlight an online player to pass a part of the song to play - and that player can pass the song on to the next player and so on - Good for parts that are too hard for you and for catching an opponet off guard and getting him to loose audience attention. I guaranty that Directional Pad will do something other than navigate Marketplace.

I will Bet 100% that the Guitar is Wireless and will use a Wireless controller Battery Pack or standard AA batterys like a wireless controller comes with stock.

I think the game will launch either in November or in January.

I have a ton of other predictions too - but I will spare your Eyes for now.

Kris

Kris D @ Sep 28th 2006 3:21AM

@42

Wow where do you come off like that.
PGR is not a Competitor to Gran Turismo - Forza Motorsport is - and I hate to say it - FOrza 2 is looking to be everything GT was supposed to be. Sony can only be king for so long. Microsoft will get the formular right eventually.

Also Jak and Daxter - Blinx is not a fair comparison - I'll be honest I think The Aquisition of rare and todays announcement of Bango Kazooie will be the fair match for that IP.

Lastly - Fusion Frenzy 2 is not a Microsoft IP anymore - It was sold off like Mechassult was so Again don;t go all sony fanboy on that either. FF one on the original Xbox was atually fun - it was the Originals Xbox owners Mario party - Though it don't have the sales that MP had.

So learn what IP's are aimed at other IP's and Stop taking games that are not the same calibar and putting them up against AAA Sony titles just to make the PSX look better.

PS3 - has alot to prove. Sony got it right on PS1 and DId Slightly better on PS2 - though didn;t come through on alot of promices - PS3 looks like a more arrogant sony and a sony that has become complacent with their status in the game industry. It's like the Yankees of the Gaming. - Eventually (boston - Microsoft) got past them. (PS - Im a NYer and a Yanks fan - so tough annalogy for me).

GHII going to Xbox 360 - IS a blow to the PS2 Holiday lineup - But GHII isn;t going to sell a 6yr old system the way another GTA would this holiday season. BUt it will seall 360's because - the 360 is poised in a position with Xbox live that makes GHII more rewarding of a Purchase to a customer who knows that live will be fully tapped to geet the most out of this game.

PS Excuse my spelling...

Kris

Brian @ Sep 28th 2006 3:31AM

Kris,

The Yankees Red Sox analogy was a terrible one. Remeber the Sox aren't making the playoffs and the Yankees have a good chance to make the world series if Detroit and Minnesota tire each other out. Remember, Boston has collapsed under the weight of it's supposed savior (Theo Epstein)'s supposed genius and refuses to make nay consequential moves and has gutted the remains of a championship team.

Plus the fact that the Red Sox's victory was a culmination of unlikely events and only lasted for a year.

I don't think this is that big of a deal although it does make me glad that I don't have to bring my PS2 up to school to rock some Guitar Hero, here's hoping some GH1 tracks will be on the marketplace.

martin @ Sep 28th 2006 7:13AM

I just hope they bring Guitar Hero 2 to the Wii!

iTard @ Sep 28th 2006 8:14AM

Is that an xbox live shortcut button I see at the bottom corner of the controller?
Online with my friends, ooh yeah.

The Intangible Fact @ Sep 28th 2006 8:16AM

Call me anything you want! The 360 is becomming one of the best consoles I have ever played! (and I have played all of them) The games and the experience are hella fun! Oh did I mention the games and the experience!

Ps3 has ALOT of catching up to do! ALOT!