Guitar Hero: On Tour (DS)
© 2008 RedOctane/Activision
Our testers -- fans of Guitar Hero -- loved this portable edition of Guitar Hero, although it made their hand sore, making one mom worry about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. One tester with large hands (a high school junior) had to stop playing after just one game because his hand cramped up. You start by inserting the Guitar Hero Guitar Grip into your Nintendo DS game port (the large one, for Game Boy Advance cartridges). Like the Guitar Hero guitar peripherals, the grip has four color-coded buttons. Once the game is started, you turn the DS on it's side (long-wise) and strum on the touch screen. Next, you select a musical style and a challenge level, or you can choose to challenge others using the wireless play -- the other players must also own a copy of the game. The music selection is more diverse than most Guitar Hero games, with classic rock, alternative and pop favorites -- such as Nirvana, OK Go and No Doubt, and headphones make things sound much better. The kit includes a custom pick/stylus. A co-op mode using a local wireless network for Guitar Duel using new Battle Items is unique to the DS platform. For example, players must blow into the microphone to extinguish a pyrotechnics effect gone wrong, or use the touch screen to autograph a crazed fan’s shirt in the middle of their set. Content includes five unlockable levels. You can personalize the guitar, or select to play as one of six characters with different outfits. Created for Vicarious Visions for Activision/Red Octane. If you like the Guitar Hero concept, you won't be disappointed by the portable version of the game. Otherwise, it is a bit of a one-trick pony.
$50, Nintendo DS
Teaches: fine motor coordination, rock music
CTR Rating: 90%