Guitar Hero: On Tour vs Guitar Hero: On Tour - Decades
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Guitar Hero: On Tour brings the classic Guitar Hero experience to the Nintendo DS, using a unique Guitar Grip peripheral and the stylus for strumming. Players can jam to over 25 rock tracks across single‑player, co‑op, and competitive multiplayer modes. The game leverages the DS’s Wi‑Fi for local battles and supports region‑specific song lists, making it a portable party staple for music lovers.
Guitar Hero: On Tour – Decades expands the handheld guitar‑hero experience by letting players jam to iconic hits from four musical eras. Each decade features its own characters, venues, and visual style, taking you on a nostalgic tour of rock history. The game supports single‑player, competitive multiplayer, and cooperative play, making it a perfect party title for music lovers of all ages. Developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Activision, it brings the console‑style rhythm action to the portable platform.
- Innovative use of DS hardware with Guitar Grip
- Portable and easy to pick up and play
- Robust local Wi‑Fi multiplayer
- Large song selection with regional variety
- Engaging decade‑themed song selection
- Portable and easy to pick up
- Multiplayer via local wireless
- Adjustable difficulty levels
- Grip is not compatible with DSi/3DS models
- Song list limited compared to console versions
- Requires stylus which can be less precise than a real guitar
- Limited song library compared to console versions
- DS hardware constraints affect audio quality
- No online leaderboards
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Rock through the 70s, 80s, 90s and today with decade‑themed stages
Alternatives to Guitar Hero: On Tour - Decades
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataGuitar Hero: On Tour – Decades (A) is cheaper and offers decade-themed songs, while the standard On Tour (B) costs more but includes a larger, region‑varying rock catalog and the optional Guitar Grip.
Key differences
- •Price: A $39.99 vs B $59.99.
- •Song library: A limited decade‑themed set; B >25 licensed rock tracks with regional variations.
- •Hardware: A uses built‑in DS strum bar; B requires the separate Guitar Grip (incompatible with DSi/3DS).
- •Critic scores: A 60/100, B 65/100.
- •Release date: A later (Nov 2008) than B (June 2008).
Pricing & value
A costs $39.99, $20 less than B, giving better upfront value.
Gameplay & fun factor
B’s Guitar Grip adds tactile fret buttons, enhancing the guitar‑like feel.
Platform availability
A works on any DS model; B’s Grip fails on DSi/3DS, limiting hardware compatibility.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both support local wireless multiplayer and co‑op modes.
Content & replayability
B offers >25 licensed rock songs with regional variety, more than A’s limited decade set.
Difficulty & accessibility
A’s difficulty scales from beginner to expert and uses simple touch controls, easier for casual players.
Graphics & performance
Both run on the same DS hardware; no distinction in specs.
Choose Guitar Hero: On Tour if…
Enthusiasts who value a larger rock song list and tactile grip despite higher cost and hardware limits.
Choose Guitar Hero: On Tour - Decades if…
Casual players who want a cheap, portable experience without extra accessories.
Common questions
Which version is cheaper?
A is $39.99; B is $59.99.
Do I need extra hardware for either game?
A uses the DS’s built‑in strum bar; B requires the separate Guitar Grip, which does not work on DSi/3DS.
Which has more songs?
B includes more than 25 licensed rock tracks with regional variations; A’s setlist is limited to decade‑themed songs.