Band Hero is the music game that tried to make guitar hero cool again. It launched on PS3, Wii, X360 and NDS in 2009, and it asked players to pretend they were in a band instead of playing as a single rock star. The idea was simple: pick a character, pick an instrument, and play through songs while pretending you were on stage. Simple enough. The execution had problems.
Trailer, via gametronex.
The Instruments
Band Hero gives each player a different instrument to play. One person plays lead guitar, another plays bass, another plays drums, and another plays vocals. That split changes how the game feels compared to Guitar Hero, which put all four parts on one controller. Here is what stands out about each role:
- Lead guitar carries the main melody and solos.
- Bass holds down the low end of the song.
- Drums keep the rhythm steady.
- Vocals handle the singing parts.
Each instrument has its own set of buttons and its own way of reading the screen. That means four people sitting together can feel like they are doing four separate games, even though they are sharing the same stage.
The Wii Controller
The Wii version of Band Hero uses the motion-sensitive Wiimote for drums and guitar. Players move their arms to hit notes instead of pressing buttons. That sounds like a clever idea. In practice, it can be hard to hit notes accurately, since the game reads arm movements rather than button presses. The difference between the two versions shows how much the hardware matters here.
The Songs
Band Hero includes a mix of pop songs from artists like Rihanna, Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas. The selection leans heavily on recent hits rather than classic rock. Some fans of the genre will find that disappointing. Others will welcome the chance to play newer music they know well.
The game also lets players choose their own songs and import them from an online service. That opens the game up beyond its built-in tracklist, which is a smart move. It means the library can grow over time, even after the box leaves the store shelves.
The Party Mode
Band Hero is built around people playing together in the same room. The party mode brings everyone into one room to play through a set of songs, with scores tracked across instruments. This is where the game works best, because it rewards cooperation over individual skill. Nobody wins unless everyone finishes a song.
This is a real strength of the game. It turns a solo activity into a shared one without losing the precision that made the series popular in the first place.
The Problems
Not everything goes smoothly. The motion controls on the Wii version can be frustrating to use, since they rely on arm movements rather than button presses. Players who are used to Guitar Hero’s precise timing may struggle with the less exact motion detection. The game also lacks a ranked multiplayer mode, which means there is no way to compete against other players online.
The lack of a ranked mode is a notable omission. Online competition is a major draw for music games, and its absence here leaves a gap in the package.
The Character Customization
Players can dress their characters up in different outfits and hairstyles. That customization adds some personality to the experience, letting people make their band look exactly how they want it to look. It is a small touch, but it matters for a game that is otherwise focused on performance.
The Difficulty
Band Hero is easier than Guitar Hero in general. The difficulty curve is gentler, which means players who expect a challenge may be disappointed. The game is designed to be accessible to new players, which is a fair goal. It just means the seasoned veterans may not find much to hold their attention.
That ease is a double-edged sword. It makes the game welcoming to beginners, but it also removes some of the depth that longtime fans of the genre will miss.
What Remains
Band Hero is a solid, if unremarkable, entry in the music game genre. It succeeds at what it sets out to do: let four people play together and pretend they are a band. The party mode is the standout feature, and the song selection draws from current pop hits rather than sticking to the rock roots of earlier games. The motion controls on the Wii version are a mixed bag, and the lack of a ranked multiplayer mode is a noticeable absence.
The game does not push the genre forward in any major way. It simply offers a different way to play with friends, one that trades some of the precision of Guitar Hero for a looser, more social experience. For groups looking for a casual night in, that trade works. For players chasing the thrill of a hard difficulty, it falls short.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.
