Band Hero
A 2009 rhythm game spin-off featuring pop rock hits.
Band Hero is a 2009 rhythm game developed by Neversoft and published by Activision. It is the first spin-off of the Guitar Hero series, released on November 3, 2009, for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo DS. The game is structurally similar to Guitar Hero 5 (2009) and supports full band play, including drop-in/drop-out and in-song instrument and difficulty change menus.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Band Hero
- Developer
- NeversoftPorted to PlayStation 2 by Budcat Creations and to Nintendo DS and Wii by Vicarious Visions
- Publisher
- Activision
- Series
- Hero
- Platforms
- Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
- Released
- NA · November 3, 2009 · EU · November 6, 2009 · AUS · November 25, 2009
- Genre
- Rhythm
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Band Hero was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision, released on November 3, 2009, for multiple consoles. The game is functionally similar to Guitar Hero 5, including features like Band Moment and Band Revival, and supports full band play with lead and bass guitar, drums, and vocals. The console versions use instrument-shaped game controllers, while the Nintendo DS version uses either the Guitar Grip from the Guitar Hero: On Tour series or a new Drum Skin that comes with the game. Virtual avatars of Taylor Swift, Adam Levine, and the band No Doubt appear in the game, with motion capture performed by the artists.
Reader's Guide
Band Hero received mixed reviews from journalists. Some considered it an appropriately flavored version of Guitar Hero 5 for 'Top 40' pop rock hits, while others felt it was strictly aimed at teenagers or children. Critics also contested the cost of the full game, featuring only 65 songs compared with 85 songs in Guitar Hero 5, and considered if the content would have been better in downloadable form. A day after the game's release, the band No Doubt sued Activision, citing similar misuse of their avatars to the Kurt Cobain avatar in Guitar Hero 5. The game introduced an updated revision of the drum kit that shipped with Guitar Hero World Tour, with changes to address weight and size concerns. The Nintendo DS version features 30 songs from the console versions and supports up to four-player multiplayer via local wireless connections. The game's downloadable content library was removed by Activision as of March 31, 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Band Hero?
Band Hero is a 2009 rhythm game made by Neversoft and published by Activision, serving as the first standalone spin-off branching away from the main Guitar Hero line. It launched on November 3, 2009, and focuses on pop rock tracks.
How does Band Hero differ from Guitar Hero 5?
Although the two titles share a very similar gameplay framework, Band Hero exists as a separate spin-off rather than a numbered sequel in the Guitar Hero series. Its primary distinguishing feature is the emphasis on full-band cooperative play.
What platforms is Band Hero available on?
The game shipped for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo DS. It was never released for PC or mobile platforms.
What makes Band Hero's band play unique?
Multiple players can join or leave a session mid-song without pausing, and anyone may switch their instrument or difficulty level while a track is still playing. This drop-in/drop-out flexibility went beyond what the mainline Guitar Hero titles offered at the time.
What kind of songs does Band Hero feature?
The soundtrack is built around pop rock hits, giving it a different musical identity from the heavier rock-and-metal leanings of earlier Guitar Hero entries. The track selection was designed to appeal to a broader, more mainstream audience.
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