Guitar Hero: Smash Hits vs PopStar Guitar
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.
PopStar Guitar brings a guitar‑hero style experience to the PlayStation 2, letting players jam along to a mix of pop tracks. The game features split‑screen multiplayer for friendly competition and a single‑player mode to hone your skills. Developed by Broadsword Interactive and published by XS Games, this 2008 release offers a T‑rated music challenge that’s perfect for casual gamers who love rhythm games. Though it received mixed reviews, it remains a nostalgic choice for retro console owners.
- 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
- Easy to pick up
- Split-screen multiplayer
- Broad song selection
- Affordable retro title
- 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
- Limited controller compatibility
- Average graphics
- Low critic score
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 PopStar Guitar
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Rock the classics with full band controllers in Guitar Hero Smash Hits.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataPopStar Guitar is cheaper and simpler with Wii/PS2 support, while Guitar Hero: Smash Hits offers more tracks, full‑band play, and broader console availability at a higher price.
Key differences
- •Controller support: PopStar works with Wii and PS2 guitars only; Smash Hits adds drums, microphone, and full‑band peripherals.
- •Song library: PopStar focuses on early‑2000s pop; Smash Hits compiles classic tracks from the first four Guitar Hero titles.
- •Console compatibility: PopStar limited to Wii and PS2; Smash Hits runs on PS3, Xbox 360, and PS2.
- •Price: PopStar $29.99 vs. Smash Hits $59.99.
- •Multiplayer capacity: PopStar split‑screen for 2 players; Smash Hits split‑screen for up to 4 players.
Gameplay & fun factor
Smash Hits adds drums and vocals for a full‑band experience, increasing variety and fun.
Platform availability
Smash Hits supports three consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, PS2) versus PopStar’s two (Wii, PS2).
Price & value
PopStar costs $29.99, half the price of Smash Hits, offering lower upfront cost.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Smash Hits allows up to four players split‑screen; PopStar only two.
Content & replayability
Smash Hits includes a larger, classic‑rock catalog from four games, enhancing replay value.
Difficulty & accessibility
PopStar’s adjustable difficulty and simpler controller set make it easier for beginners.
Graphics & performance
Both have modest graphics; PopStar is noted as “average,” while no graphics rating is given for Smash Hits.
Choose Guitar Hero: Smash Hits if…
Groups seeking full‑band party gameplay, classic rock tracks, and multi‑console support, willing to spend more.
Choose PopStar Guitar if…
Budget‑focused casual players who own Wii or PS2 and want simple two‑player guitar fun.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
PopStar Guitar costs $29.99; Guitar Hero: Smash Hits costs $59.99.
Do I need extra peripherals for multiplayer?
PopStar only needs two guitar controllers; Smash Hits requires guitars, drums, and microphones for full‑band play.
What consoles are supported?
PopStar runs on Wii and PlayStation 2; Smash Hits runs on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 2.