Guitar Hero

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 229 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 191 out of 229
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 229
  3. Negative: 18 out of 229
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Stankshop
    Mar 15, 2023
    0
    Know what's cool? Playing actual guitar. Glad to see this fad has died off.
  2. hector_bcn98
    Nov 11, 2022
    8
    Hizo historia en la industria. Lástima que la calibración era bastante mala y era imposible clavar los hammer-ons, por no decir que era un milagro detectarlos a simple vista.
  3. GabePhoenix
    Feb 21, 2022
    7
    It doesn't have enough of the very popular rock, or metal, but it does have a handful of hidden gems to be discovered. I do respect this entry a lot, for it is the very first in the series, and creates a gameplay foundation so fun, challenging and iconic that still remains very influential these days.

    I wish, though, there was a way to make some extra cash with the bonus songs in the    It doesn't have enough of the very popular rock, or metal, but it does have a handful of hidden gems to be discovered. I do respect this entry a lot, for it is the very first in the series, and creates a gameplay foundation so fun, challenging and iconic that still remains very influential these days.

    I wish, though, there was a way to make some extra cash with the bonus songs in the career mode, instead of repeating the base ones. I know, I know it's fun to repeat them, and eventually master them, but I'm just sayin' there's no reason to block income from bonus tracks. Having them pay us for playing them would actually encourage such attempts.

    The career mode is very simplistic, but functional and fun; it doesn't really feature any endings or cutscenes like future games, though.
    The unlockables are nothing special except for the bonus tracks you can unlock. Other than that, there are just cosmetics and new guitars and character, which is... nice.

    GUITAR HERO built something to be remembered, and eventually, upgraded into much better installments. I do recommend you give it a try; there are some fun songs to be "rock n' roll'd".    … Expand
  4. Ardho
    Aug 29, 2021
    9
    Very revolutionary game, never liked rhythm games before, but guitar hero with rock and metal concept made me fall in love, perfect gameplay, and cool songs
  5. fuyuyuki
    Sep 7, 2020
    6
    great concept, poor execution.

    this is great as a casual party game, with many iconic rock songs. but as a rhythm game, the engine leaves much to be desired
  6. neojotic
    Aug 29, 2020
    9
    Great game with an awesome tracklist and in-game venues!

    Awesome controller as well however, it's not original a game in Japan developed this controller originally during generation 5. The patent had just ended for it around the time this game was developed.
  7. Andremax
    Sep 10, 2018
    9
    Innovating for its time, but fun to play nowadays. This game simply revolutionized video game's story. Although having same mechanics and being very looking like its successor, GH2 would get better and expansive in playing mods and bringing more songs and more fun.
  8. AKthaBeast
    May 7, 2018
    10
    This game opened my mind to a lot of different rock music and was a very innovative game at the point of release
  9. LalsakWolas
    Mar 2, 2017
    7
    Well the game is fun, but the song list is kinda week. It could have been better, like the Rock Band one, that was way better. Still is a good game and I really enjoyed it.
  10. ursynhu
    Mar 10, 2016
    10
    Este jogo é incrível! Eu recebi e ainda não posso parar de jogar. Os gráficos são tão detalhadas para um game e é desafiador, mas divertido e terá que jogar por horas! A história é complexa e profundamente pensado. O melhor jogo que eu já joguei de forma
  11. jeffharrison
    Sep 5, 2012
    8
    This game is pretty good. I am reviewing this at a time where guitar hero has been bankrupted. The venues in this game are maybe the best ever. The music has great picks but then you have all covers where on Killer Queen its off key, Take Me Out the guy sounds creepy at times and Steller has a weird starting. This game is worth a buy.
  12. MIkeM.
    Mar 17, 2008
    8
    I bought GH1 as soon as it came out. As most everyone with some functional brain cells knows, it was just flat out amazing and it most certainly would've garnered a 10 from me. But within 3 short months, the cheaply constructed controller stopped working (eventually found out it was a well-publicized cord issue), and it took Red Octane several months to replace it (with aI bought GH1 as soon as it came out. As most everyone with some functional brain cells knows, it was just flat out amazing and it most certainly would've garnered a 10 from me. But within 3 short months, the cheaply constructed controller stopped working (eventually found out it was a well-publicized cord issue), and it took Red Octane several months to replace it (with a RECONDITIONED one at that). I've bought a TAC wireless controller as well, and it's also absolute rubbish. I have every single GH game to date, and really enjoy them when I can get the sodding controllers to function. I'd gladly give twice the price for an actual quality made product with which to play these (mostly) awesome games.
    Anyway, GH1 still has THE BEST set list, even some of the unlockables were just fantastic. Very glad the set list was much improved for GH3, after the near-fiasco of GH2, which had about 6 good songs, counting unlockables.    … Expand
  13. CaioK.
    Sep 28, 2007
    10
    Very creative and very fun to play! No matter if you are a real guitar player or someone who never touched an musical instrument before, you going to love this game! The song selection is awesome! The kind of game that brings anyone
  14. JohnM.
    Jun 9, 2007
    10
    Without a doubt the best game ever! So addictive!!!
  15. [Anonymous]
    Apr 25, 2007
    9
    Fun, cool, and the best party game ever, presuming your friends like to play video games at a party.
  16. JustinS.
    Mar 30, 2007
    10
    Freaking awesome. Most of rocks greatest songs are included such as iron man by black sabbath and many others.Dan R. there is no ghey rap because is rock and rock retard. Thats why its call GUITAR HERO! Jeez no freaking rapper plays a electric guitar or base which rock bands make their own music and beats. What do u mean no one like these songs? The songs are probably one of the most Freaking awesome. Most of rocks greatest songs are included such as iron man by black sabbath and many others.Dan R. there is no ghey rap because is rock and rock retard. Thats why its call GUITAR HERO! Jeez no freaking rapper plays a electric guitar or base which rock bands make their own music and beats. What do u mean no one like these songs? The songs are probably one of the most famous and greatest songs from the 70's and 80's. to rap rap is a bunch of bull crap and its not even singing but people just saying a poem to music thats not even made by them. to me rap isn't the greatest music genre ever because its new. rock has been around since the 50s. "Instead, it's all like lame guitar music from losers I've never heard of like Queen, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, The Ramones... I guess those people are all new and not very popular or something, and I don't like them because they don't have any top 40 hits right now..." new my ass they are the greatest rock bands in history. Jimi hendrix had one of the greatest guitar licks in the history of guitar. and plus they are not new because they have been around for more the 30 years and they are still famous. you just dont know them because mtv only has new music and u probably spend ur time on BET which a retarded channel btw. I swear rap is getting on my nerves. besides u heard of Queen, do u know where "We Will Rock You" came from? You know the song where during sports games the stamp their feet and clap and all that good stuff.not very popular my ass. as if u really knew the history of music.but next time developers , u should add some AC/DC songs like Back in Black, or add ipod connect so i can add my songs to play on the guitar controller. It would be fun to play My Chemical Romance Welcome to the Black Parade on Guitar Hero 3 or play System of a Down Chop Suey or Toxicity.… Expand
  17. TomG.
    Mar 26, 2007
    10
    Be a rock star, without being famous. Guitar Hero is a must for rock stars who wanna impress the ladies, but have no idea about guitar chords, frets, etc. Basically, take DDR, add hardcore rock music, with a bloody guitar controller, and you get this. As with AC-DC, "For all those about to rock, we salute you". Get your axe and make good a promise for them. Ten out of ten.
  18. MikeS.
    Mar 11, 2007
    10
    The greatest game ever made the first time I played this game I feel in love with it I love it.
  19. TravisG.
    Feb 28, 2007
    10
    I don't understand the people who said they don't like this game. This game is really fun and very easy to get into. All of you people who actually play guitar, dont play this game because I don't play guitar at all and even i know this is nothing like a real guitar. Anyway, all of you DDR fans I think you will truly appreciate this game.
  20. LyleM.
    Jan 18, 2007
    9
    Ok, first of all, I'm a guitarist, and a decent one at that. So to all these idiots flaunting their guitar knowledge and ranting about how it's nothing like playing a real guitar: Shut up, nobody cares that you play guitar, plus: IT'S A GAME! And an INCREDIBLY FUN one at that. Buy this at all costs.
  21. JoeM.
    Sep 28, 2006
    10
    Of all the games I've ever played, this probably has the most hours clocked into it (except CounterStrike, but I prefer to forget that period of my life). I love music games like BeatmaniaIIDX, DDR, ITG, PiP, Pop'n, etc and I gotta say this one is my favorite. For one it has tolerable music that range from classic rock songs to little known indie songs as secret unlockables. And Of all the games I've ever played, this probably has the most hours clocked into it (except CounterStrike, but I prefer to forget that period of my life). I love music games like BeatmaniaIIDX, DDR, ITG, PiP, Pop'n, etc and I gotta say this one is my favorite. For one it has tolerable music that range from classic rock songs to little known indie songs as secret unlockables. And it is almost all awesome (Farewell Myth is terrible, though). Cream, Ozzy, Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Blue Oyster Cult, and then even groups like Audioslave, Franz Ferdinand, and Queens of the Stone Age represent rock in its various forms. It isn't prohibitively hard, but it isn't easy at the higher levels of play. I would reccomend you keep moving on and not focus on getting the best ratings possible on the first playthrough on any difficulty. The only person I know who doesn't like it thinks its cooler to play music games on a standard controller rather than a speaciallized peripheral. Don't listen to the guitar elitists that say you should pick up a real guitar. Its a god damn game. You don't tell someone to join the military when they are playing an FPS (unless it is Americas Army). But don't be surprised if you end up picking up the guitar anyway. I certainly did.… Expand
  22. CandlerF.
    Sep 3, 2006
    10
    This is the best game ever. I can't wait until the release of GUITAR HERO 2 comes out on November!
  23. RandyM.
    Aug 13, 2006
    10
    Guitar Hero is simply hands-down, one of the funnest games i've had the honor to play. This game makes me feel like a rock star. A must have for anyone, Guitar veterans or not.
  24. RobertO.
    Aug 7, 2006
    10
    Best game ever created they should come out wit a thousand more like it.
  25. [Anonymous]
    Jul 27, 2006
    10
    Simply the best music game ever!! The songs selection is amazing... Oooooh Come On!
  26. AaronW.
    Jul 24, 2006
    10
    Best game I've played in a while. Rocking out is the best!! You can really get into the performance. Song selection is fantastic. It's one of the only ps2 games I've really enjoyed so far.
  27. jamessmith
    Jul 23, 2006
    5
    jim j and dan r you two are dumasses and no everyone knows that if the music is on mtv it most likely sucks and why you've never heard of the bands is beacuse thye were before you and i were born and if you think they have no top 40 hits your wrong just go to riaa.com and look at the best sellers list and you'll find the people you were saying ain't popular actually aresojim j and dan r you two are dumasses and no everyone knows that if the music is on mtv it most likely sucks and why you've never heard of the bands is beacuse thye were before you and i were born and if you think they have no top 40 hits your wrong just go to riaa.com and look at the best sellers list and you'll find the people you were saying ain't popular actually areso how about you get a life (besides watching myv and listening to gwen stefanie) and try to educate yourself on music before you make dumass comments about bands and by the way hers some songs by people you've never heard of retard, queen sings, "we will rock you, and we are the champions" also ozzy osbourne was in black sabbath and ozzy had a tv show on mtv so how about you keep your opinions to yourself until you know what your talkin about… Expand
  28. TannerW.
    Jul 13, 2006
    10
    It's Awesome! Great game for everyone. Wide range of difficulty for beginner to experts. Plus, it has great songs!
  29. DanielG.
    Jul 10, 2006
    0
    stupid why dont you play a real guitar instead?
  30. Nathan
    Jul 9, 2006
    10
    The best interactive game since DDR.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PS2 Game of 2005
8
#8 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 65 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 65
  3. Negative: 0 out of 65
  1. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    90
    When it really comes down to it, what this game's about is no-frills rocking. And no-frills rocking is what it does very well. [Nov 2005, p.98]
    Read full review
  2. GameSpot
    90
    With its extremely smart approach to difficulty, its great guitar controller, and its killer song selection, Guitar Hero might just be the best rhythm game ever made.
    Read full review
  3. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    90
    I am frankly astonished by how much playing this game feels like playing the guitar for real.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »