Guitar Hero III and Rock Band both rocked store shelves this Christmas, selling out online and in most retail stores. Now that the holidays are over, the games are becoming more readily available. Both cost $100 or more, if you get the hardware along with the game. They both have identical game play, with one major difference... In Guitar Hero III, you can only play guitar, but in Rock Band, you can play guitar, drums, and sing.

Guitar Hero III is the third edition of a highly-successful and highly-entertaining game series, where you can play along with many of your favorite rock songs using a game controller that's shaped like a guitar. The game play is fairly simple and straightforward. You press the buttons on the controller in time with the notes that appear on the screen. It's a music rhythm game, similar to Dance Dance Revolution. As you progress through the game, the button combinations (or "chords") get more difficult. There is definitely skill involved in mashing buttons with the rhythm of the song. Unfortunately, that skill doesn't translate into being able to play a real guitar. You can purchase the new version of Guitar Hero for all the popular game systems (Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2). You can buy the game alone (if you already have guitar controllers), or get the game packaged with a new wireless guitar controller for about $100. The Guitar Hero III controller is the first wireless guitar controller to be made so far.

Rock Band combines the guitar playing of Guitar Hero with karaoke-like singing. The singer will have to do his or her part to stay in tune and sing the right words on time. Likewise, the drummer will have to hit the right color-coded drum pads at the appropriate time, as well. If any player fails, the whole band fails. Rock Band definitely requires a bit more patience with the people you're playing with. Rock Band can be purchased as a bundle for $170, which includes the game, and three controllers (guitar, drums, and microphone). This is great, if you have two other people to play with. The guitar controller is different from the Guitar Hero controller, in that it's in the shape of a full-sized guitar (the Guitar Hero controller is like a small toy guitar), but is similarly wireless. Unfortunately, the Guitar Hero controllers will not work with Rock Band, so if you want to add an additional bass guitar into the Rock Band mix, you'll have to wait for their guitar controllers to be sold separately on January 31, 2008.

All-in-all, Rock Band is clearly the way to go, if you have multiple people who'll play along with you. If you're by yourself, stick with Guitar Hero III. Before choosing Rock Band, make sure you live in a house or townhouse with thick walls. The drum pads are inexplicably noisy and the singing can be loud, as well. Personally, I went with Guitar Hero III, because I live alone in a one-bedroom condo with thin walls. I also don't have space for all the bulky Rock Band instruments/controllers.

But both games are fun. And you'll have a blast rockin' out to either one!

Shop Now for Guitar Hero III...
Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock Bundle for Nintendo Wii >>
Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock Bundle for Xbox 360 >>
Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock Bundle for Playstation 3 >>
Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock Bundle for Playstation 2 >>

Shop Now for Rock Band...
Rock Band: Special Edition for Xbox 360 >>
Rock Band: Special Edition for Playstation 3 >>