DJ Hero vs Guitar Hero: Smash Hits
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
The game features a single‑player career, competitive and cooperative multiplayer, and a Party Play mode that lets anyone jump in at any time. Ten tracks even support hybrid play with Guitar Hero controllers, and a microphone adds extra flair without affecting scores.
Guitar Hero: Smash Hits brings together the most memorable tracks from the early Guitar Hero titles, letting players strum, drum, and sing along with iconic songs from Nirvana to Queen. The game supports full‑band play on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 2, offering both single‑player and split‑screen multiplayer modes. Featuring a curated setlist from Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero II, Guitar Hero: Rock the 80's, and Guitar Hero III, the title delivers a party‑ready experience for music lovers and gamers alike, with an ESRB rating of T and a PEGI rating of 12.
- Innovative turntable controller with tactile feedback
- Engaging mix of rhythm and scratching mechanics
- Strong multiplayer and party modes
- Cross‑compatible tracks with Guitar Hero
- Huge selection of classic Guitar Hero tracks
- Full‑band support with guitar, drums, and vocals
- Split‑screen multiplayer for up to four players
- Available on three major consoles
- Controller can be bulky for small living spaces
- Learning curve for mastering crossfader and scratching
- Limited song library compared to modern rhythm games
- Critic score is low (43/100) indicating mixed reviews
- Limited to songs from earlier titles, no new tracks
- Requires multiple peripherals for full band experience
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to DJ Hero
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Rock the classics with full band controllers in Guitar Hero Smash Hits.
Alternatives to Guitar Hero: Smash Hits
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Rock out with epic tracks and battle mode in Guitar Hero III.
Play the full band experience with guitar, bass, drums, and vocals in one game
Rock out as Aerosmith from garage to stardom in this guitar‑hero adventure.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataDJ Hero offers a more innovative, better‑reviewed experience with a unique turntable controller, while Guitar Hero: Smash Hits gives a larger classic rock song list but with poorer reviews.
Key differences
- •Controller: DJ Hero includes a dedicated turntable; Smash Hits relies on standard guitar/drum/mic peripherals.
- •Music focus: DJ Hero centers on DJ mixing and scratching; Smash Hits is guitar‑driven rock.
- •Song library: Smash Hits has a larger selection of classic tracks; DJ Hero has only ten specially mixed songs.
- •Critic reception: DJ Hero scored 85/100 versus Smash Hits 43/100.
- •Multiplayer scope: DJ Hero supports both co‑op and competitive split‑screen; Smash Hits supports up to four players but only split‑screen.
Gameplay & fun factor
DJ Hero’s turntable mechanics and scratching add novel interaction, praised by its 85/100 critic score.
Platform availability
Smash Hits runs on PS3, Xbox 360, and PS2; DJ Hero platform not specified beyond release.
Price & value
Both list MSRP $59.99; value differs by content size but price identical.
Multiplayer / co‑op
DJ Hero offers both competitive and cooperative split‑screen modes; Smash Hits only split‑screen up to four.
Content & replayability
Smash Hits includes many classic tracks from four GH titles, giving more replay value than DJ Hero’s ten songs.
Difficulty & accessibility
Smash Hits uses familiar guitar/drum controllers, likely easier for newcomers than DJ Hero’s turntable learning curve.
Graphics & performance
No graphics or performance data provided for either title.
Choose DJ Hero if…
Buyers who want a fresh, well‑reviewed party game with unique DJ mechanics.
Choose Guitar Hero: Smash Hits if…
Buyers who prioritize a large classic rock song list and own compatible guitar/drum kits.
Common questions
Do both games require special controllers?
DJ Hero includes a dedicated turntable; Smash Hits needs standard guitar, drum, and microphone peripherals.
Which game has better critical reception?
DJ Hero received an 85/100 critic score, while Smash Hits scored 43/100.
Can I play with more than two people?
Smash Hits supports up to four players split‑screen; DJ Hero supports two‑player competitive or co‑op split‑screen only.