Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits

Guitar Hero: On Tour – Modern Hits is a great addition to the portable franchise with some significant new gameplay enhancements that really broaden the scope of the gameplay.

Really what you're getting with this latest entry is improved input recognition, better song compression, and 28 new master tracks to jam to while on the go. In other words, it's a tight package you've likely been longing for.

Essentially, it’s the setlist that will sell you on Modern Hits. The new features don’t add much to the experience, but it’s still a fun game that gives you that dose of Guitar Hero on the run you crave.

The new features are certainly welcome, and the track list is solid.

Guitar Hero: On Tour Modern Hits is the third time the franchise has made it to the Nintendo DS in less than a year and overall it is even better than the previous instalments.

Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits is made for the Guitar Hero fan.

It’s very hard to get a rhythm game right on a handheld, but Activision has really accomplished that.

Modern Hits' career mode still has more going for it than the previous two handheld outings in the series. [Sept 2009, p.87]

A decent game, although there are going to need to be big changes for the next game in the series if the publisher wants to take advantage of the DSi userbase.

Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits' set list is solid, and the change in venue structure shifts things around a bit, but it's not as easy getting excited for this edition simply because the idea feels played out: now that the novelty of "OMG Guitar Hero on DS!!!" is over, Modern Hits has to stand on its own.

If you don't mind a little bit of discomfort awkwardly gripping your DS, Modern Hits is a continuation of a great series.

It's a neat idea but it would shine with a greater variety of tracks. [Oct 2009, p.68]

Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits offers an interesting new gameplay feature with Fan Requests and a new tracklist. However, the game’s fundamentals are still exactly the same, meaning that if you aren’t a fan of the On Tour mechanics yet, then this one won’t change your mind.

Even with these minor additions, Modern Hits never really justifies itself as an upgrade from the stellar Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades. Still, any on-the-go rock star is bound to have a blast with the ageless GH gameplay, not to mention the return of plenty of classic characters and brand new venues.

The improved graphics do make the game more pleasing to look at when you actually get a chance to drift your gaze away from the fret board. However, constant repetition of songs makes the set list obnoxious after awhile – even the songs that you do like.

Don't expect many surprises. [Aug 2009, p.90]

It can be considered Guitar Hero's little brother when compared to other versions, but the series' spirit is intact in this release.

It's hard to recommend Modern Hits to anyone who has either played the other On Tour titles, it's just so similar to the previous titles.

Very similar to previous titles and still suffers from the same issues we had with the fret-button peripherals. [Oct 2009, p.80]

If you're a Guitar Hero fan or someone with a passion for music, you're bound to like Modern Hits just as much as the previous two games. However, Activision needs to shake up the system and add more features and DSi support. Without it, this series will flame out.

Too little evolution from past GH games.

It's only marginally different to the previous games, and more or less features the same issues that have plagued the series from the beginning (the peripheral itself being the biggest problem), but the track list is good and the multiplayer should provide hours worth of fun. It's getting a bit too samey, but fans will likely lap it up.

A glorified track pack.

Career mode really needs alterations for the next version, as the repetitive nature of progression is just not fun.

More importantly though, the mere fact that Activision and Vicarious Visions have allowed these major problems to go unfixed for three titles needs addressing; Guitar Hero is one of the biggest franchises in gaming right now so this continued level of near broken gameplay is inexcusable.

Basically, Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits is like any other Guitar Hero sequel that doesn't drastically change the gameplay experience. If you like the track list, or have friends you want to play multiplayer with, then get the game. If you don't like the songs, then don't.

The third Guitar Hero game for the DS isn't as lazy as you'd think but the concept is still deeply flawed.

Modern Hits is more of the same uninspired and painful gameplay you've already experienced!