Guitar Hero is solid gold

If Japan can have a game based on the Taiko drum, then developer Harmonix stands to reason that the good old U-S-of-A can have a game based on one of the cornerstones of modern-day Western-world music: the electric guitar. And not just any electric guitar... It's talking the hammers wielded by mullet-wearin', denim-jacket-sportin', devil-horns-throwin' monsters of rock.

Harmonix has just completed work on such a game: Guitar Hero for the PlayStation 2. The master is now off to the factory for duplication, and the retail version is scheduled to arrive in stores on November 8.

The rhythm game ditches the dance pads and drumming controllers common to the genre in favor of a guitar-shaped controller with five fret buttons, a strum bar, and a whammy bar. Like in other music-oriented games, timing is critical to making it as a virtual rock god. Hit the buttons right and the character will move from performing at dive bars with chicken wire to Wembley-sized arenas.

Publisher RedOctane has several licensed songs to shred to, including Boston's "More Than a Feeling," ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man," and Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out."

Guitar Hero is rated T for Teen and will sell for $69.99 (controller included). GameSpot's recent hands-on has more information.