Guitar Hero: Smash Hits vs Guitar Hero: Van Halen
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
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.
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.
- 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
- Extensive Van Halen song catalog
- Includes popular guest‑artist tracks
- Split‑screen multiplayer for parties
- Authentic guitar solos to master
- 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
- 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: 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.
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 dataBoth games cost $59.99, but Guitar Hero: Smash Hits offers a larger, full‑band song list and up to four‑player split‑screen, while Guitar Hero: Van Halen focuses on a niche Van Halen catalog with guitar‑only play for two players.
Key differences
- •Song catalog size: Smash Hits includes many classic tracks; Van Halen has 25 Van Halen songs + 19 guest tracks.
- •Instrument support: Smash Hits supports guitar, drums, and vocals; Van Halen supports only guitar.
- •Multiplayer capacity: Smash Hits allows up to four players split‑screen; Van Halen limited to two.
- •Critic reception: Van Halen scores 53/100, Smash Hits 43/100.
- •Focus: Van Halen targets fans of that band; Smash Hits targets broader classic‑rock party gamers.
Gameplay & fun factor
Smash Hits adds drums and vocals plus a broader track list, creating richer band gameplay.
Platform availability
Both titles are released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 2.
Pricing & value
Same $59.99 price, but Smash Hits provides more songs and full‑band support, offering higher content value.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Smash Hits supports up to four players split‑screen; Van Halen supports only two.
Content & replayability
Smash Hits draws from four previous Guitar Hero games, giving a larger, more varied setlist.
Choose Guitar Hero: Smash Hits if…
Groups seeking a party game with many classic tracks and full‑band instrument support for up to four players.
Choose Guitar Hero: Van Halen if…
Fans who want to master Van Halen guitar solos and only need two‑player guitar play.
Common questions
Do both games cost the same?
Yes, each has an MSRP of $59.99.
Which game supports more players on the same console?
Smash Hits supports up to four players split‑screen; Van Halen supports up to two.
Do I need extra peripherals for full band play?
Smash Hits requires guitar, drum, and microphone controllers for full band; Van Halen only needs a guitar controller.