Guitar Hero 5 vs Guitar Hero: Van Halen
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Designed for both casual parties and competitive players, it offers a variety of challenges, Rockfest modes, and online multiplayer while letting players create avatars and customize instruments. The title received strong reviews for its accessibility and social features, despite a mixed reception to its broad setlist.
Step into the shoes of the legendary rock band Van Halen and master 25 of their iconic songs, three signature Eddie solos, and 19 guest‑artist tracks. Play on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, or PlayStation 2 with friends in split‑screen or go solo to prove your guitar prowess.
- Easy drop‑in/out gameplay for spontaneous sessions
- Robust song library with 85 tracks
- Full compatibility with existing instrument controllers
- Strong online and local multiplayer options
- Extensive Van Halen song catalog
- Includes popular guest‑artist tracks
- Split‑screen multiplayer for parties
- Authentic guitar solos to master
- Setlist considered too broad by some fans
- Kurt Cobain avatar can be used on any song, causing controversy
- Sales were lower than previous installment
- Critic score is low (53/100)
- Limited to two players in split‑screen
- No online multiplayer support
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Guitar Hero 5
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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 to Metallica's greatest hits in a full-band rhythm experience.
Alternatives to Guitar Hero: Van Halen
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Rock out as Aerosmith from garage to stardom in this guitar‑hero adventure.
Rock the classics with full band controllers in Guitar Hero Smash Hits.
Rock out to Metallica's greatest hits in a full-band rhythm experience.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataGuitar Hero 5 offers broader multiplayer flexibility and a larger song library, while Guitar Hero: Van Halen focuses on a tighter Van Hallen setlist but scores lower with critics.
Key differences
- •Guitar Hero 5 supports up to four players online and drop‑in/out local play; Van Halen limits split‑screen to two players with no online mode.
- •Guitar Hero 5 includes 85 songs from 83 artists; Van Halen provides 25 Van Hallen tracks plus 19 guest songs.
- •Critic scores differ markedly: 81/100 for Guitar Hero 5 versus 53/100 for Van Hallen.
- •Guitar Hero 5 works with any existing Guitar Hero instrument controllers; Van Hallen’s controller compatibility is not specified.
- •Release dates: Guitar Hero 5 (Sept 2009) predates Van Hallen (Dec 2009) but both share the same price point.
Gameplay & fun factor
Drop‑in/out sessions and varied scoring challenges keep play spontaneous and engaging.
Platform availability
Both titles are released for the same consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, PS2) – no advantage.
Price & value
Both cost $59.99; Guitar Hero 5 offers more songs, giving higher content value.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Four‑player online and flexible local drop‑in/out versus Van Hallen’s two‑player split‑screen only.
Content & replayability
85‑track setlist plus user‑created tracks versus 44 total tracks in Van Hallen.
Difficulty & accessibility
Van Hallen’s focused catalog may be easier for newcomers; Guitar Hero 5’s breadth can overwhelm.
Graphics & performance
No graphics data provided for either; assume comparable given same generation hardware.
Choose Guitar Hero 5 if…
Buyers who want robust multiplayer, a large diverse song list, and compatibility with existing instruments.
Choose Guitar Hero: Van Halen if…
Buyers who are die‑hard Van Hallen fans and prefer a concise, themed setlist for casual two‑player parties.
Common questions
Do both games support online multiplayer?
Guitar Hero 5 supports online multiplayer for up to four players; Van Hallen has no online multiplayer support.
How many songs are included and can I add my own?
Guitar Hero 5 includes 85 songs and allows user‑created tracks via GHTunes; Van Hallen includes 25 Van Hallen songs plus 19 guest tracks, with no user‑track feature mentioned.
Is the price different between the two?
Both are priced at $59.99 (one‑time purchase).