Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock vs Guitar Hero: Smash Hits
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock lets players shred classic rock anthems like Heart’s “Barracuda” and Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” across authentic venues. The game adds a new multiplayer battle mode, grueling boss battles, and a wealth of unlockable content for endless replayability. Available on PlayStation 3, PC, Mac, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 2, this title delivers a party‑ready experience with single‑player, co‑op, and split‑screen options, all rated T for teens.
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.
- Huge track list featuring classic rock hits
- Innovative battle and boss modes add depth
- Supports both solo and multiplayer experiences
- Authentic venue visuals enhance immersion
- 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
- Requires a guitar controller for full experience
- Track selection may feel dated to newer players
- Split‑screen performance can suffer on older consoles
- 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 Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
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Rock out as Aerosmith from garage to stardom in this guitar‑hero adventure.
Rock out to Metallica's greatest hits in a full-band rhythm experience.
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 dataGuitar Hero III offers a richer single‑player experience, higher critical scores, and a larger track list, while Guitar Hero: Smash Hits focuses on party play with up to four full‑band players but has lower reviews.
Key differences
- •GH3 includes battle and boss modes; Smash Hits does not.
- •GH3 supports up to 2 split‑screen players; Smash Hits supports up to 4 full‑band players.
- •GH3 has a higher critic score (84 vs 43).
- •GH3’s track list is broader and includes unlockable songs; Smash Hits only recycles earlier titles.
- •Smash Hits requires additional drum and microphone peripherals for full band, GH3 only needs a guitar.
Gameplay & fun factor
GH3 adds battle mode, boss battles, and a larger song pool, giving more varied play than Smash Hits.
Platform availability
Both are released on multiple major consoles; specific platform lists are comparable.
Pricing & value
Same $59.99 price, but GH3’s higher review score and larger content set deliver better value.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Smash Hits supports up to four players with full‑band instruments, whereas GH3 caps split‑screen at two.
Content & replayability
GH3 offers unlockable tracks and battle challenges; Smash Hits only recycles classic songs.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both require a guitar controller; Smash Hits adds drums/mic for full band, but both are similar in entry barrier.
Choose Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock if…
Players seeking deeper single‑player modes, battle challenges, and a broader rock catalog.
Choose Guitar Hero: Smash Hits if…
Groups wanting full‑band party play with up to four players on one console.
Common questions
Which game has better critical reception?
Guitar Hero III has a critic score of 84/100; Smash Hits scores 43/100.
How many players can play together?
GH3 supports up to 2 split‑screen players; Smash Hits supports up to 4 split‑screen players with full‑band instruments.
Do I need extra controllers?
Both need a guitar controller; Smash Hits also requires drum and microphone peripherals for full‑band play.