Guitar Hero: On Tour sells 300K in NA

Activision crows that palm-sized edition of billion-dollar rhythm genre is biggest North American DS launch in its corporate history.

When Guitar Hero: On Tour was announced--after nearly a year of rumors--it sounded like the perfect combination of the two-game phenomenon. Using a four-button attachment, it would bring Activision's billion-dollar rhythm franchise to Nintendo's DS handheld, which boasts a worldwide installed base of 41 million users.

Now, apparently perception has become reality. Despite mixed reviews--including a 6.0 from GameSpot--Guitar Hero: On Tour has sold more than 300,000 units in North America in just seven days. According to Activision, the game's debut marks "the largest North American launch for the Nintendo DS in the company's history by more than a factor of eight." Previous high-profile Activision DS games include Tony Hawk's Proving Ground, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

Rated T for Teen and priced at $49.99, Guitar Hero boasts 25 songs, 20 of which are new to the series. These include Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl," ZZ Top's "La Grange," and Steve Miller Band's "Jet Airliner." Besides the standard single-player career mode, the game boasts several wireless modes, including guitar duel, co-op guitar/bass play, face off (players alternate riffs), and pro faceoff (play the same notes).

116 Comments

  • cooldude03

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 3:57 pm PT

    This looks awesome. I don't play my DS very often but I think this game will get me playing it again.

  • PacoL250

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 12:00 pm PT

    @Karjah: While I agree with your sentiment, reviewers need to back up their score with some solid evidence from the game. In this case, it was extremely subjective, leaving room for lots of speculation in regards to the review.

    About Prey, yeah I remember it. Did it deserve anything above a 7? I agree with you, no it didn't.

    Personally, after another play-through, I'm giving the game a 7, no more, and maybe a tad less only because once you're done, with it, the replay value shrinks if multiplayer is a slim possibility.

  • necronaux

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 8:42 am PT

    Whoa... $15 mil in seven days! Just in the US. Guess the high gas prices haven't killed the gaming industry... yet.

  • samusarmada

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 8:22 am PT

    Im still thinking of getting this. Well either this or advance wars days of ruin.

  • Wetty01

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 6:24 am PT

    It looks pretty awesome, I think i will buy it

  • CVM_123

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 4:20 pm PT

    cool i guess

  • Karjah

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 12:38 pm PT

    "Aaron Thomas is a poor reviewer. Period. How many games has he reviewed where the aggregate score via GameRankings was almost 1-2 points higher?"

    seeing how easily and how pathetic the current 7-10 scale is I trust a reviewer a LOT more if they are willing to give games a wider range of scores. For example take Prey. Don't remember it...well you shouldn't. Yet the game got over a 7 when it came out and it was even a mediocre shooter then. Frankly game reviewers these days rate too many games far too highly. Let's see some 4s and 5s agian and a LOT more 6s becuase frankly it's time to get tougher.

  • acsam12304

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 9:50 am PT

    Ok yeah they dont make the on add but they sure licensed the add on under there name.

  • TaintedSaint666

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 6:42 am PT

    I think it looks awesome and will purchase it as soon as it hits Europe.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 5:13 am PT

    so acarrillo. yo mirra tu commente. tegusta la juego. es bueno si.

  • acarrillo

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 8:08 pm PT

    Que exelente! ese juego me lo voy a comprar!!!!

  • PacoL250

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 2:13 pm PT

    A few things:

    Aaron Thomas is a poor reviewer. Period. How many games has he reviewed where the aggregate score via GameRankings was almost 1-2 points higher? Also, the negatives he lists (e.g. poor audio fidelity) is a reflection of the system on which the game is on. The DS is a portable system that uses SD card based media. UMD might have been better, but we're talking about the DS, not the PSP. Also, the controls may be a bit tough to get used to, but do remember: one's hand/finger size plays a role in this as well. Bottom line: the game is on a portable device and you absolutely cannot expect it to be like the home console versions.

    Also, ZZ Top's "La Grange" was in GH 3. So no, it's not new to the series.

    My take on the game? It's around a 7.5. It's great to play GH on the road, etc. and the contol scheme is most certainly interesting, but the short track list really kills it for me. Plus, the grip/button controller add-on is small even for my hands. If it was $40, then I might consider it.

    Another thing: why is Freezepop in the game? They're an HMX band; as in, the band members work for HMX, etc. How'd they make it in the game?

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 1:57 pm PT

    luke i have a question. i heard that the grip causes a lot of hand cramps is that true.

  • lukedadukeToKeR

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 6:15 am PT

    i got this game and even though the grip is a tad small its alot of fun to play and really responsive. some of the songs do suck but theres some really fun ones in there too. i would give it an 8/10

  • daveg1

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 4:24 am PT

    the format the ds uses gimped this version..

  • m4x1

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 2:15 am PT

    What the hell are you talking about? Nintendo didn't make the add on.

  • acsam12304 posted Jul 5, 2008 12:33 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    acsam12304

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 12:33 am PT (hide)

    well Nintendo alwasy makes a add on for there hard ware like the old school game glove, the zapper bazoka, that 9 button floor pad, rock roller, Virtual boy ( well that was a new hard ware it self be4 the N64), that head set where you say fire int o the mic, I mean Nintendo just makes hardware add on to make a quick buck.

  • MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 11:48 pm PT

    gamespot only gives good reviews to shooters. they don't know what fun games are. they think they would look "uncool" if they give a game like this the score it deserves. i myself was skeptical when i bought this game. i don't think it deserves a very high score but a 6? 2 of my friends bought this game as well and we played each other while we were waiting in line for a movie. being in line for 30 minutes, people took notice and saw how fun the game was and some said that they will also get the game, especially the teens. 2 more of my friends also bought the game 'coz they were left out the last time.

  • ahyumifan

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 7:11 pm PT

    that's quite surprising. I mean I bought this, but I never thought this would be the same case for the other people.

  • UltimateXShadow

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 2:25 pm PT

    @ anyone who has criticized this game:

    "Don't knock it until you try it."

    (emphasis on the "until you try it" portion)

  • rgame1

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 1:55 pm PT

    wait is that 41 million users in USA alone? no way. Last I heard 70 million DS worldwide...GS plz sort yourselves out...plz.

  • smashfanatic

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 1:04 pm PT

    doesnt suprise me,its a great game

  • bannermanner

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 12:55 pm PT

    Put the GH name on anything and it will sell nowadays.

  • Aleks-619

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 11:33 am PT

    At USA this game price is $49.99 dollars
    In México the price is almost $85 dollars = $850 pesos mexicanos

    I´m from México and i was plaining to buy guitar hero: on tour, but after i saw the price i decided tu buy nd skimboard

    Man this game it´s son expencive almost like a 360 xbox videogame in méxico.

    Aleks

  • Pinkyimp

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 11:09 am PT

    i loved gh3 and i liked GHOT as well..i dont really see what many peoples problems are with thie game..its plays just fine..the songs do suck ill admit..but they can always make another one with better songs..but other than that i enjoyed the game very much

  • Lord_Alan

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 10:46 am PT

    Clearly my finger's not on the pulse of America.

  • modem22

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 10:00 am PT

    They have a proven record so even if they put crap out on the market with a "Guitar Hero Crap Edition" game tag its still gonna sell well. Names Sell Well, thats why they use them. Doesn't mean the game is any good.

  • maskedgamer_

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 9:23 am PT

    it just proves gamespot reveiws aren't acurrate anymore like mystery dungon or megaman they all ruled and only got 5.5 or 6.0

  • deadkingdg

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 9:10 am PT

    I'm just wondering "who the hell bought that?"

  • uber1337ness

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 7:26 am PT

    well with vicarious visions second spin on the guitar hero franchise its good as long as you don't consider it a guitar hero game, because you shouldn't compare on tour to the bigger games such as 1-3 because on tour graphically less impressive and having guitar is better than that grip thing because it brings substance, and thats like what over half of guitar hero is . I have on tour and I believe it deserves a 7.5 or an 8 and just because something new and different doesn't mean its bad

  • musicaz70

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 7:26 am PT

    The sales don't suprise me too much... But yeah, I can't imagine this will be that great (I may get it) the song list is so small and easily the most "meh" out of any GH game yet. At least it's got a very creative set-up. I just hope the next one has 40+ songs and some better ones.

  • willauqs

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 7:18 am PT

    Despite mixed reviews--including a 6.0 from GameSpot--Guitar Hero: On Tour has sold more than 300,000 units in North America in just seven days

    haha Killer2401 you said it best

  • Killer2401 posted Jul 4, 2008 5:52 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Killer2401

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 5:52 am PT (hide)

    Poor uneducated casuals.....

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 11:54 pm PT

    In truth I thought the graphics look impressive for the DS, but yea from what im hearing its not worth the hand cramping. Even the 360 games makes my wrist hurt after 30-60 minutes, I usually try to put it down for a little while when that happens. And yea im 27 and there would be no I mean NOOOO way I would pull this thing out at work and start playing it, it does look a bit dorky lol. But in all truth I can understand Activision wanting to take advantage of the huge DS user base.

  • FrankenLife

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 11:19 pm PT

    I wish GS would can Aaron Thomas. That man writes horrible reviews that are poor reflections of the games actual quality. I not going to buy the game, but it does deserve a higher score. I realize that a review is the opinion of the reviewer. However a mass media reviewer needs to review for the masses. If a reviewer's opinion is so far out of whack, then they need to be disposed of.

  • BigDaddy973

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 10:16 pm PT

    I guess, but on the bus you will not look cool playing this game! now if you can download tracks that you want and play it it could be cool. But meh.

  • Wet_Sand

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:23 pm PT

    La Grange was in GH3... Also the game is rated E10.

  • revelations

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:09 pm PT

    Considering it was released into a massive user base yeah, makes sense. It's just so silly looking. I can't imagine anyone over the age of 14 walking through a public place playing a DS, let alone playing it with some Fisher Price buttons sticking out the side.

    Just my opinion though. 300,000 people disagree.

  • CVM_123

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:07 pm PT

    i cant believe that gutar hero on tour will sell so much on the ds...*cough* HINT:lame and awful game lol!

  • frankfurter209

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:54 pm PT

    Uh....hurray?

  • SDSkarface

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:39 pm PT

    lol even with the r4( which i have and has never left my DS),and heavy piracy the DS has such a huge installed base that companies still continue to take huge risks like this..thats awesome.

  • Brandon1107

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:38 pm PT

    There's actually 26 songs, you get another song when you beat every song in guitar duel mode

  • shoeman12

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:25 pm PT

    i thought this game deserved a 7.5-8.0. the sales seem bad compared to games on home consoles but those numbers aren't too bad.

  • conformist

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:00 pm PT

    People vote with their dollars, not with reviews. I'd keel over and croak if people actually believed Gamespot was the 'end-all-be-all' of videogame reviews.

  • polsci1503

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 6:17 pm PT

    that's an awful lot of hand cramping... this is going keep alot of occupational therapists (physcal therapists who specialize in hands) very busy.

  • sparkypants

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 5:57 pm PT

    Congratulations Guitar Hero, your the next Madden....

  • marco245

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 5:41 pm PT

    300,000 in a week doesn't sound like much compared to other games. I have seen the trailers for this and it's hilarious watching these "hip and cool" fresh teenagres "rocking out" and dancing around the place like dogs with their arse on fire. It's hilarious! I have to say, this is pathetic, it's the first example of Activision milking the Guitar Hero brand dry by publishing this crap to gain younger, hipper kids with less money and DSs.

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  • Rank:
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    DS Rank:
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    Highest Rank:
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