'Guitar Hero,' 'Rock Band' strum up big sales

Two video games make for holiday battle of the bands under the Christmas tree.

ByABC News
December 18, 2007, 1:04 AM

— -- A battle of the bands is at center stage this holiday season.

The opening act, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, has been a tough ticket at retailers in all versions (Xbox, Wii, PS2 and PS3, about $50, or about $100 with controller) since its release in late October. It's the latest in a 2-year-old franchise in which players strum along with rock tunes using a guitar-shaped controller.

New competitor Rock Band, released a month ago for Xbox 360 and PS3, is a near-sellout despite a $170 price tag (including microphone, guitar and drum controller). "Clearly, this is the hot genre of the moment," says analyst David Cole of market researcher DFC Intelligence.

Each game's song list has Rock Hall of Fame credentials: Guitar Hero III includes Paint It Black (the Rolling Stones), La Grange (ZZ Top) and The Seeker (The Who), while Rock Band boasts Should I Stay or Should I Go (The Clash), Next to You (The Police) and Orange Crush (R.E.M.).

"It really plays into the idea that somehow you are re-creating these famous songs," says Adam Sessler, managing editor for the G4 video game TV network.

Each game's song list also features more modern hits from bands such as The Killers and Queens of the Stone Age.

Initially designed as a solo affair for virtual guitarists to play against the computer or take their turn against an opponent, Guitar Hero games have added cooperative play, in person and online. Rock Band transforms music video games into a virtual jam session, ideally for four players (two on guitar, a drummer and a vocalist).

"If you have four players, there is no game more fun than Rock Band," says Joe Gibes, 17, of Janesville, Wis. "It's many people's dream to be able to rock out in front of a huge, screaming crowd. Rock Band enables you to do this, all while having a great time with your friends."

The makers of Rock Band Electronic Arts, MTV Games and Harmonix say that nearly every game shipped has sold. "We have tapped into something that is very big here," says MTV's Jeff Yapp.