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Band Hero gets DS Lite gig

New palm-sized edition of pop-oriented Guitar Hero spin-off will feature guitar, drums, vocals, and all-new drum grip.

Publisher Activision-Blizzard has been taking advantage of the "Hero" franchise for some time now, and with good reason. The series has so far seen over $2 billion in sales, and with the upcoming release of Guitar Hero 5 and DJ Hero this autumn, the franchise looks set to become even more of a cash cow for the publisher. There was another upcoming Hero title that made the rounds on the rumour mill recently, Band Hero. Not much information is known about it, except that it will be a family-friendly entry into the series, will feature more top-40 hits than previous Guitar Hero games, and will work on consoles with instruments from other music games.

The game features an all-new drum grip.

The game features an all-new drum grip.

Now, Activision has confirmed that Band Hero will be coming to the DS Lite. Previous retail listings showed the game on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii, but made no mention of a DS version. The game will allow gamers to not only play guitar but also vocals and drums on the portable. The Game Boy Advance-slot-dependent guitar grip from the previous Guitar Hero on Tour titles makes a return, as well as an "innovative" new drum grip.

According to Activision, Band Hero will also feature a new multiplayer mode, allowing gamers to play with any combination of guitar, bass, drums, and vocals with friends, but the megapublisher did not explain how this would be implemented on the DS platform. The game's 30 master recordings will feature in the game and include artists such as Blink-182, Avril Lavigne, The Killers, KT Tunstall, and Fall Out Boy. Other features include a Rockstar editor for customising band members, plus No Fail and Stage Stunts modes.

No release date for the title has been announced, but GameSpot will bring you more news as information on the game becomes available.

Unleash the rocker in you with this new trailer!

61 Comments

  • Megamanx266

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 9:50 am GMT

    Looks like DSi owners are screwed when it comes to the Guitar thingy.

  • Oozyrat

    Posted Jul 26, 2009 5:09 pm GMT

    I DO think they should slow down on the music games, but once they stop, people are going to complain that they're tired on the songs. It's kind of a bad spot to be in when you think about it because they're going to get complaints about something either way.

  • RTS____EX

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 6:07 pm GMT

    WTF... even gh on ds werent so good... anyone think that this is gonna be good?!

    Why they cant make guitar hero metal hits instead this!?

  • InnerSenses

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 8:49 am GMT

    @SirRiffAlot
    "I thought these games were supposed to simulate the feeling of actually playing an instrument, not just tapping away at some buttons. If you ask me, this needs to stop."

    Well ever since Guitar Hero 1, I think it was pretty obvious that the franchise was NEVER intended to actually simulate the playing of a real instrument, and I'm sure Harmonix knew that when they made the first game. It's more a party game than anything else, and if you had played it from an objective point of view, without comparing the GH experience to playing a real guitar, I'm sure you would think it was a fun game.

    And although I won't agree that the GH franchise must stop altogether, I do think that they should stop making so many games to milk their fans.

  • Jedilink109

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 1:39 am GMT

    I'm hoping the drum controller piece isn't only usable on the DS lite, as I have an original DS.

    And what is the frickin deal with Activision ALWAYS putting either Blink-182 or Fallout Boy into the handheld guitar hero games!?!?!?!? Both bands are awful and don't need to be in these games EVER AGAIN. Stop putting THOSE 2 bands in the games and put songs from other bands that people HAVEN'T played along with yet!

    Be original. And stop putting blink182 and fallout boy in these games.

  • gormo4

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 11:59 pm GMT

    band hero? wth..

  • SirRiffAlot

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 7:47 pm GMT

    I thought these games were supposed to simulate the feeling of actually playing an instrument, not just tapping away at some buttons. If you ask me, this needs to stop.

  • jrabbit99

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 6:51 pm GMT

    they needed to one up Rock Band PSP

  • Caer_Death

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 6:23 pm GMT

    Ehh... Ehh... Somehow I wouldn't pay money for this... I dunno if it's the inferiority to the console versions (not like Guitar Hero's the best game to play on the run, for that matter) or if it's the bands they mentioned, but... I just would never pay money for this.

  • POkemonfreak101

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 4:10 pm GMT

    I think the drum grip looks pretty cool. I might consider thinking about getting this

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 4:08 pm GMT

    "plus No Fail and Stage Stunts modes." should be rewritten to: "plus Extra Fail and Lame Peripherals that cover keys ...."

  • j-tron

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 2:43 pm GMT

    Uh i have a DSi activsion!!! (no gba slot btw)

  • Roger_Smith

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:50 pm GMT

    Lame.

  • NeverEndingXx

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:42 pm GMT

    give up on the games that cause arthritis.

  • towelie892

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:34 pm GMT

    Not that I've bought or will buy them anyway, but what's with the DS games' track lists always being atrocious? Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavigne? C'mon, seriously?

  • tremor33

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:29 pm GMT

    I'm just imagining dorks drumming the touch screen/ drum pad on expert with their fingers. lol.

    I've played all the Guitar Heroes and Rock Bands and have beaten them all on mostly expert... but I can't allow anymore of my money to go to rhythm games. This looks like it has potential and DJ Hero looks like loads of fun, but before I invest in anymore rhythm based peripherals, I'm going to save up for an MPC or some turntables and learn the real thing.

    Funny... Guitar Hero got me started on making real music.

  • supermike6

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:27 pm GMT

    Won't you need two styluses to play the drums?

  • legogamesrule

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:26 pm GMT

    i dont care if they charge and extra £5 please give us little drumsticks

  • Humikimi

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:13 pm GMT

    Band Hero on DS makes sense, since the GH games on DS are only Guitar...but with GHWT and GHM...and the upcoming GH5...what on EARTH are they thinking making another band game on the consoles as well? This is freaking ridiculous. I understand the need to make money, but this is going way too far. I mean then again I know little about Band Hero, but why couldn't they just incorporate all the good things from that into GH5? I DON'T UNDERSTAND!

  • NuKkU

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:13 pm GMT

    looks cool but i doubt it will feel like the console versions of drums

  • sun_rider95

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:02 pm GMT

    I think I want buy this one I'll wait some reviews

  • darkhalo_666

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 12:52 pm GMT

    i wounder if they give you litle sticks to !

  • darkhalo_666

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 12:51 pm GMT

    wow

  • Death_Blade_182

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 12:38 pm GMT

    This is Ridiculous, do they think everyone is willing to buy that? And even if anyone buys it, it's not like you are gonna be carrying around your DS, the drums AND guitar grips?

  • DaneGamer

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 12:36 pm GMT

    "There once was a man that came up with an idea and it was called: Guitar Hero..." well to make the story short: Stop butchering the franchise, it was fun to begin with, now it's just stupid

  • the_danny

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 12:35 pm GMT

    whahaha hilarious great

    but i never gonna play it -.-

  • hank_101

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 12:03 pm GMT

    Ok the drum grip looks really stupid. I mean, are they freakin serious??

  • gnbfd

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 12:00 pm GMT

    LMAO!!!! This is hilarious. The drum grip? LOL
    And to think I believed Activision when they said the last one would be the last GH for DS...
    This makes me wonder how Lego Rock Band will work on the DS. Will it be Amplitude-esque or like... this

  • WaterLord0

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 11:58 am GMT

    (the negativity in the comments) well who can blame us. Activision makes a 100 music games a year now

  • jessmaster13

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 11:46 am GMT

    Hmm... interesting...still not buying but interesting

  • enix165

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 11:32 am GMT

    "More Top 40 hits"? Well, I don't have a DS anymore anyways, but don't expect me to pick up another for junk like this...XD

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 11:25 am GMT

    What can I say that hasn't already been said? Consider the shark "jumped".

  • dr-snowman

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 10:44 am GMT

    why not mini drumpads that plug into an sd card slot

  • IkedaTeramusa

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 10:09 am GMT

    Am I the only one who is downright pissed at Nintendo for allowing Activision to do the stupid GBA slot again? I shelled out some decent money for a DSi and you know what I get? Half the compatibility and a couple of C- games available to download. No videos, only AC3 music, and no functionality. Course I also had the DS when it first came out and for the first 6+ months had a GARBAGE library of games. So I shouldn't be surprised. At least I didn't pay 500 bucks for a system who's company hates itself :-P

  • awssk8er716

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 10:03 am GMT

    Creative, but no.

  • solidsnakedude1

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:46 am GMT

    Wow Mini-Drums! Just another guitar hero game I am totally NOT buying!

  • DarkProwl

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:43 am GMT

    No, Activision. Just no. Maybe later if this doesn't turn out to be crap.

    But I swear on all things holy if this has even one Disney song...

  • missonrs

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:24 am GMT

    @scar4ever: acctually on tour was just a good idea gone wrong. If the peripheral wasn't so crappy then it would have worked

  • cutmaclass1

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:23 am GMT

    How innovative! Little pads that you can pound with your fingers like drums.... oh wait. This has been done before. It's called "buttons".

    So hilarious that there were two much easier ways (the buttons, touch pad) to do this than to invent some useless peripheral, but Activision invented a useless peripheral anyway. Gotta make dat money!

  • Zatunks

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:20 am GMT

    I honestly wouldn't rule out trying this game, as long as there was actually good music in it. Unfortunately, based on the example bands given, the majority of the songs most likely won't be for me.

  • calvinx6

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:19 am GMT

    @RedSoxfan67

    Guitar Hero games on the DS sold 3-4 million copies combine so think again.

  • Mister__Awesome

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:10 am GMT

    I don't like the idea.

  • RedSoxfan67

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 8:56 am GMT

    wow does activison want the money, all im gonna say its going to be a big fail because peripherals cant be used for handhelds

  • FusionRain

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 8:48 am GMT

    *since

  • FusionRain

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 8:47 am GMT

    omg wtf
    this is type of stuff that u can't get away being seen playing lol i think it is kinda cool but in the on sence of stay at home and play it and if ur at home then play the console version (bad for portables)

  • Slaughtahouse

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 8:46 am GMT

    WTF!

  • 20darkspirit

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 8:46 am GMT

    good

  • scar4ever

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 8:38 am GMT

    And I thought On Tour was bad...

  • JCASHUFL

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 8:35 am GMT

    looks like rock band unplugged, only with the thing that made you get music games in the first place, the peripherals...

  • lukas1051

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 8:24 am GMT

    Haha, that's so stupid. I'll probably pick it up though, also looks kind of cool.

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