Guitar Hero first came out in 2005 and has been quite successful. The idea behind the game is that the player is a guitarist competing to be accurate in "playing" the music using a controller shaped like a guitar as the screen instructs him or her which notes to play. No musical knowledge is needed as the notes correspond to colored buttons on the control's fretboard. By hitting the notes correctly and keeping time with the game, the player earns points and keeps the virtual audience interested and excited.
This game is more than a test of coordination in that the player has to mimic many of the techniques that real guitarists use. Fast fingers are required for hammer-ons and pull-offs as well as note bending through use of the whammy bar. Once a player successfully completes one song, he or she moves on to the next until they reach the end of the game. The songs become more complex, of course, and are quite a challenge even for people who actually play the guitar.
There are several versions of Guitar Hero, most of them supporting competitive, multiplayer and single player mode. To add to the fun, a player can choose to play as himself or as a member of a band such as Metallica or Aerosmith. He or she can even use in-game money to buy flashy stage costumes for their virtual performances, making it even more realistic. Needless to say, Guitar Hero has been a big hit with guitarists and non-musicians alike.
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Frets on Fire 1.3
