Developer: Vicarious Visions

Publisher: Activision

Release Date: June 22, 2008

System: Nintendo DS

ESRB Rating: E10+

Official Web site

0:00 I was a big Guitar Hero fan who turned into a bigger Rock Band fan when Harmonix moved on to their new series. The idea of a version that I can play anywhere is intriguing, even as I worry about the Guitar Grip and the lack of Harmonix involvement.

0:01 This minute was spent opening and setting up the ridiculous the Guitar Grip controller attachment, which bulges almost obscenely out of the GBA slot on my DS Lite. The pick-shaped stylus that's included is a nice touch.

0:02 The introductory screen warns me to take frequent breaks to avoid cramps. This is not encouraging.

0:03 The screen seems upside-down until I realize I'm supposed to hold the guitar grip in my left hand. Feels a bit awkward, but no more awkward than the regular Guitar Hero controllers.

0:04 I start a new Career and choose my favorite frontman, Axel Steel, partly because of his ridiculous name and partly because "he shreds his guitar like it's cheese," according to his bio. Add in a Flying V guitar and we're ready to rock!

0:05 "Before you become a rock legend, you need to master the basics." Indeed I do, although I can't imagine it's too different from the hold-a-fret-button-and-strum-according-to-the-on-screen-notes gameplay of the original.

0:06 "To strum, stroke quickly anywhere in any direction on the touch-screen." This is interesting -- Jam Sessions had a single string in the middle of the touch-screen. Here, it seems you can strum anywhere on the screen.

0:07 The game seem to detect even the slightest movement of the stylus as a strum. The only way to prevent this seems to be lifting the stylus off the screen between notes.

0:09 The tutorial covers "hold notes," chords and the rock meter. I know yawning isn't very rock and roll, but, YAWN!

0:10 You activate the whammy bar by wiggling the stylus during hold notes. I'm a fan.

0:11 "To activate star power, yell anything into the DS microphone, like 'Rock Out!'" I am decidedly NOT a fan. "If you're too much of a square to yell out in public..." you can tap a face button or the control pad instead. Thank God.

0:13 Finally, on to the game. I can usually manage most Hard level songs on a TV, but there are only four frets on this guitar grip, so I boldly choose Expert difficulty.

0:14 I choose to play a live show and already I'm sponsored by guitar string maker Decibel Hound. I didn't even do anything yet!

0:15 I know three of the first four songs, but I start with the unknown, OK Go's "Do What You Want." I'll let you know what I think when I'm done.

0:18 I hit 92 percent of the notes for a "three-star" performance. The tapping sound of the stylus against the screen is a little annoying, but no worse than clicking of the bigger guitar controller. It's hard to see which notes allow the strum-free hammer-ons on the tiny screen, and it's even harder looking over to the second screen for my multiplier/score/star power info. I find my knuckles keep bumping the touch-screen, causing unintentional notes. Grumble.

0:20 Heh. I got paid $6,900, but it gets reduced to $450 by stuff like "Stolen art, Vandalism, Shattered Cymbals and Van Repairs." ROCK!

0:23 I try to avoid lifting my stylus on Blink 182's "All the Small Things," strumming back and forth instead. I only hit 85 percent and get another three-star review. The touch-screen makes it really hard to keep the rhythm. I don't know when my movement is going to register, exactly. It's only really hard on the fast note sections, though. My pick hand is cramping before my fret hand, which is surprising to me.

0:30 No Doubt's "Spiderwebs" ends with a long solo that I don't remember from the original song. I get another 92 percent, still three stars. The game seems to be registering a lot of extra notes for no apparent reason. I really miss the precision of the strum bar. Touch-screen strumming just isn't doing it for me.

0:35 I get an 86 percent, three-star review on Jet's "Are You Gonna Be My Girl." The tiny screen makes it nearly impossible to differentiate the notes on the fast sections. The screen is just a big jumble of jewels. I'm getting better at strumming really quickly, but still not good enough. It would be easier if I could tap the screen, instead of tapping AND strumming slightly.

0:37 I put on the headphones for the encore song, Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It." I like the retractable cord, but I don't like the fact that the earbuds aren't labeled. Which one is the right channel and which is the left? I don't know!

0:43 The headphones make a world of difference, masking my stylus tapping and making it much easier to find the rhythm. I get a super-long combo at the beginning and a four-star review at the end!

0:44 "Ace, you guys were the only thing in that subway that didn't stink (literally)." Heh. This guy wants to manage us, but first he wants us to play on his rooftop pool party.

0:45 Words of wisdom: "When you have a sponsor, you are never without a free t-shirt." Very true.

0:46 Smash Mouth? SMASH MOUTH?! Really, Activision, how much did the label pay you to place "All Star" in this game? However much it was, it wasn't worth it! Sigh. Let's get this over with.

0:50 As if playing Smash Mouth weren't bad enough, the headphone cord fell in the way of the fret board mid-song. The slow parts were ridiculously easy while the fast parts were tough, but only because of the wonky strum-recognition. I was getting the rhythm for a second there, though. Maybe I'll improve with time, who knows?

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0:55 The awfulness of Smash Mouth is removed by the awesomeness of Nirvana's "Giselle," but then even that is ruined by a section where I'm asked to play a 32-bar, uninterrupted string of 16th notes. No matter how fast I strum, I can't seem to get the rhythm. Meanwhile, the palm and forearm of my strumming arm feel like they're on fire. I fail 92 percent of the way through the song. Ugh. I'll give it one more go. It's a good thing the song is so awesome.

1:00 I make it to the insane 16th note section again, but I fail just as my palm and forearm do the same. These note patterns are just masochistic. Does anyone enjoy them? Anyone? Bueller?

Would I play this game for more than an hour? Yes.


Why? Despite the input problems and occasionally annoying note patterns, it's still Guitar Hero and the only option for such when away from home. The song selection (disregarding Smash Mouth) helps gloss over the problems.

This column is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.

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