Midnight Guitar Hero III launches this weekend

More than 3,000 stores set to begin selling Activision's latest in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

It's well established in the rock canon that Saturday night's all right for fighting, but Activision thinks it's pretty ideal for waiting as well. Activision announced today that 3,000 stores in the US will be hosting midnight-launch events for the game, which will let Guitar Hero groupies get their hands on the latest installment at 12:01 a.m. Sunday--in other words, late Saturday evening.

As the subtitle implies, Legends of Rock will be the first Guitar Hero game to feature actual musicians in-game, with Guns N' Roses' Slash and Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello appearing in boss battles, and Poison lead singer Bret Michaels also making an appearance. The game also adds a multiplayer battle mode, online play, and more to the established series formula.

An Activision rep was unable to say which chains would be hosting the events, but he did say that at least one Best Buy and several GameStops were among the 3,000 locations in question. Those interested in picking up the game at a witching-hour event should call their local retailers.

This weekend, Guitar Hero III will launch on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and PlayStation 2. PC and Macintosh versions are due out next month. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

111 Comments

  • shortster1

    Posted Nov 3, 2007 4:07 pm PT

    I already beat this game

  • EldarLord123

    Posted Nov 1, 2007 11:00 am PT

    one thing if anyone has noticed is WHY DOES NO SHOP (online or not) IN THE UK SAY THERE IS GOING TO BE A PC VERSION!!!! It should come out about Xmas though cos all the Europe launch days are like in Late November maybe December.

  • DJ_Quack_Quack

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 7:24 pm PT

    Say it ain't so! PC VERSION??? OMG!!! I AM WAITING FOR THAT INSTEAD!

  • thegame1980

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 7:37 am PT

    @iamprey

    I was there at midnight to get my copy of Guitar Hero III and there were about 60 people (or should I say annoying 16 year old emo kids) waiting to get the game. I got there rather early (10:30pm) cause I wasn't sure what the line was going to be like and I was third. It was a fun expierence because i was with three of my best friends and it was the first time I had odne anything like that. I haven't beaten the game yet (I have lots of other things to do in my life besides play the game for 15 hours straight) but I REALLY like it so far although I find it a bit harder then the other GH games.

  • will_i_am_11

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 7:37 am PT

    did it live up to the hype????

  • shortster1

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 4:47 am PT

    i already beat the game but still, no review

  • VfighterX

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 10:09 pm PT

    *gasp* no 50 cent?! XD

  • UnstopppableSol

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 8:09 pm PT

    My friends mad lucky, he juss got this 360 in time for this game. I ended up getting this game for the Wii tho, same thing, and i dont care about downloadable tracks too much, i'll juss wait for him to download them and play them on his console. But ya can get a free 360 elite on this site. My friend got one and all u gotta do is one of the offers, the stamp offer is the best one, juss cancel it within 4 weeks. Its only like $15 so just think of it as $15 for an Xbox360, and to top it off, its the 360 elite, so more bang for that $15. http://www.360Elite4free.com/index.php?ref=4275080

  • lamprey263

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 6:57 pm PT

    To those that waited at the midnight launch, any idea of how many waited in line where you got your copy, or maybe post a link to pictures of the lines?

  • spawn611

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 4:20 pm PT

    just finished playing it was cool, been player for 4 hrs straight. Playing One was sweet. Im not a fan of wirless controlers a little lag besides that. IT ROCKS

  • Moldy10

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 1:58 pm PT

    I already have this. HEE HEE.

  • redskinStu

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 12:57 pm PT

    What does Rap, Hip-hop etc. have to do with this game?

  • Noobberry

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 11:25 am PT

    kill the rapper, protect the fine art

  • 705H1R0

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 11:03 am PT

    Let me set it straight-

    Rap sucks.

    Hip-hop is great.

    Sorry to all you posers who don't know the difference.

  • jclthegreat

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 9:19 am PT

    SSDSkid-
    "Yep Rap does suck"

    old school rap doesn't suck!

  • SSDSkid

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 9:00 am PT

    Yep Rap does suck

  • earlthecannibal

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 8:45 am PT

    Where are all the rap music fans now?..Nothing worse then posers! this is why Metal/rock music will always dominate planet earth..because you need talent to make rock music. What would a rap band game come with? guns , gold teeth and shinny rims? Rap sucks!!

  • Gaticus

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 7:25 am PT

    nope it takes them like one week per game to get a review. If you want a review now go to IGN or a better gaming new site.

  • shortster1

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 6:20 am PT

    okay, gamespot why don't you have a review yet, i thought that since this was a really big game you would have reviewed it by now plus it already shipped and i thought you would already have it but no oh well i will wait to see the game for myself at 11

  • jimboboklashaur

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 10:43 pm PT

    At 9 AM I will be very gladly playing a wonderful round of GH3 on my gorgeous PS3 and will not set down the controller ever. Ever again. Until the drums for Rock Band that is.

  • MetalContra

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 10:43 pm PT

    i just picked it up at gamestop at midnight

  • zallo

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 10:31 pm PT

    yes its out already where i live and im going to get my copy soon becuse i preordered

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 10:28 pm PT

    *sigh*

  • moppy43

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 10:01 pm PT

    I remember, I was the first guy outside my GameStop to pick up Encore, and that was pretty sweet. I almost camped overnight outside the mall where I preordered GH3, and if it weren't for the Sox in the World Series and the really bad crime problem in the area, I'd be there. But it should be absolutely awesome!!!!!

  • gnbfd

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 9:26 pm PT

    Must. Get. GHIII.
    Then my wii's disk slot will live once again!

  • MisterNail

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 9:17 pm PT

    Or for some people the release was today. My local Blockbuster broke the street date and I got a copy.

  • greystone227

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 7:24 pm PT

    PC version not until next month? Darn. Maybe I'll just pick up the disk for 360.

  • Superchris130

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 5:22 pm PT

    "zerohour12"

    " I still cannot see, at all, how GH III can be done on a Mac and a PC." Guitar Hero PC and MAC = USB controller, Installation disc. Why wouldn't it work?

  • Superchris130

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 5:20 pm PT

    3 hours, 40 min. Our EB Games is in the mall, which is usually closes at 8. Wonder if its all gonna open...

  • rykh

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 5:16 pm PT

    Too bad in North Dakota, stores arent open at midnight Saturday until noon Sunday. State law....ya it does suck.

  • blackend514

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 5:10 pm PT

    It's so hilarious i have had this game for 3 day s now!!! It is pretty amazing i am stuck on 2 player expert career at one, number of the beast, knights of cydonia, cult of personality. I haven't tried 2 do online yet but yesterday it wasn't working.I really need a setlist onluck cheat!!!

  • Imperial_Colone

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 5:06 pm PT

    anyone else in dallas picking this up?

  • dirty55409

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 4:13 pm PT

    I don't know about Super Smash Brows Brawl... but GH3 is gonna be HUUUUUGE!!!! I know so many people that play it (a lot of girls too) the game appeals to a large audience.... plus parents can feel good about letting their child play a game that has no violence in it. (maybe some subtle sexuality in lyrics) but yeah the game is gonna be sick I can't wait!!!

  • zerohour12

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 4:05 pm PT

    Hell, I think even SSB:B deserves a midnight launch. Not incredibly revolutionary, but a game people would wait until midnight for. I still cannot see, at all, how GH III can be done on a Mac and a PC.

  • redskinStu

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 4:03 pm PT

    Gots to get it for PS 2.
    The box set comes with a top hat, right?

  • FLYmeatwad

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 3:13 pm PT

    Target should have a midnight launch because I'm forced into purchasing it there.

  • FoxMcCloudDS

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 3:01 pm PT

    We have over 200 pre-orders in our gamestop. This game is going to be the biggest hit since halo 3... I look at it like this, if we have so many games in the back room that we need to stack them in the bathroom, then it deserves a midnight launch !

  • videogamr49

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 2:51 pm PT

    I love the Guitar Hero series, but a midnight launch...? Doesn't seem like that big of a game for a midnight launch.

    Super Smash Bros. Brawl better have a midnight launch

  • umd1998

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 2:35 pm PT

    i pre-ordered and i'll be there at midnight for the serIes' first foray onto a nintendo console... can't wait - wii will rock you!

  • akshon

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 2:26 pm PT

    @Vampire
    your best bet is actually the PS3 version. Then you can play GH 1-3.. however i just read today that for whatever completely lame reason, you cant play GH 2 with the new wireless controller... lets hope thats fixed by an update of some sort.. with the Wii version, the other ones arent even available.

  • urine72

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 2:10 pm PT

    I didnt no that GH had this big of a fan base. over 3000 retailers nationwide are staying open 3-4 hours longer than normal for GH? It just seems silly to me.....I dig the game i got 1 and 2 but i can wait till 9 tommarow morning to get 3 geez!

  • earlthecannibal

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 1:23 pm PT

    This would be cool if you could use a real guitar

  • VampireAlliance

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 1:21 pm PT

    GH3 will ROCK MY SOCKS OFF!!! SEVEN TIMES IN A ROW!!!!! Should I get it on Wii? I don't think I want to. I might just wait until I get my PS3..........tell me what you guys think.

  • okassar

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 1:11 pm PT

    This game is going to own!GHIII is probably going to whip Rock Band,I'm going to wait and see...and then make my decision.

  • jakman2004

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 12:46 pm PT

    earl the COMPLETE NUT SACK!

  • earlthecannibal

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 11:48 am PT

    The only games worth opening at midnight for are Pc games ...otherwise /yawn

  • Sora529

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 11:40 am PT

    Hey, I think that Best Buy mentioned in the article is the one here. Literally 5 minutes from my house. Go finally getting mentioned on the interwebz!

  • bocephus_01

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 11:10 am PT

    I tell you what

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Boxshot
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    184 of 59,148
    (up by 20)
    PS2 Rank:
    7 of 3,664
    Tracking:
    2,753 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    1,026 Wish It»
  • Users Now Playing:
    1,295
  • Number of Players:

    1-2

  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. guitar
    2. guitar hero
    3. guitar hero 3
    4. music
    5. activision
  • Teen Rating Description

    Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language. Learn more

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Recent News

See All News »

Site Blogs