There are 28 Guitar Hero games across all platforms and releases
The Guitar Hero franchise launched in 2007 and ran through 2015, with a revival in 2024. The main numbered series includes six core games: Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero II, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Guitar Hero: World Tour, Guitar Hero 5, and Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. Beyond the main line, the franchise expanded into spin-offs like Guitar Hero: Metallica, Guitar Hero: Van Halen, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, and Guitar Hero: Smash Hits. Mobile versions, arcade cabinets, and re-releases on newer platforms add to the total count, which varies depending on whether you count each platform separately or group them together.
Most of the original games are no longer sold through official channels because the licensing agreements for the songs expired. This means you cannot legally read or purchase most Guitar Hero titles through the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, or other digital retailers. Used physical copies remain available through secondhand markets, and some games are playable through emulation or backward compatibility on certain consoles.
Key Takeaways
- The six main numbered Guitar Hero games span from 2007 to 2010, with Warriors of Rock as the last core release before the franchise paused.
- Spin-off games tied to specific artists—Metallica, Van Halen, Aerosmith, and others—added another layer to the franchise but are also delisted from digital stores.
- Most Guitar Hero games are no longer available for purchase because song licensing agreements expired, making used physical copies the primary way to play older titles.
- Guitar Hero Live (2015) and the 2024 revival represent separate eras with different song libraries and gameplay mechanics from the original series.
The six core numbered games in the original series
The original Guitar Hero launched on PlayStation 2 in 2007 and established the franchise formula: a plastic guitar controller, a setlist of licensed songs, and difficulty levels from straightforward to informed. Guitar Hero II arrived in 2008, expanding the song catalog and adding online multiplayer on Xbox 360. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (2007 on console, 2008 on PC) introduced a battle mode and featured songs from licensed artists alongside original compositions.
Guitar Hero: World Tour (2008) marked a shift toward a full band experience, adding drums and vocals alongside guitar and bass. This game introduced the ability to create custom songs and export them to later titles. Guitar Hero 5 (2009) continued the band format and allowed any instrument to play any part of a song. Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock (2010) was the final core release before the franchise went dormant, introducing a career mode with a narrative structure and a larger focus on rock history.
Artist-specific spin-off games
Between 2009 and 2010, the franchise released four major spin-offs centered on single artists. Guitar Hero: Metallica (2009) featured 28 Metallica songs plus covers and guest tracks. Guitar Hero: Van Halen (2009) focused on the band's catalog across different eras. Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (2008) was the first artist-specific game and included songs from the band's entire history. Guitar Hero: Smash Hits (2009) compiled popular songs from across the franchise's history rather than focusing on one artist.
These spin-offs used the same gameplay engine as the main series but offered a different setlist and, in some cases, exclusive features. Metallica included a documentary-style career mode, while Van Halen featured the band members as playable characters. All of these titles are now delisted from digital stores, and physical copies command higher prices on the secondhand market because of their scarcity and the nostalgia factor.
Guitar Hero Live and the 2024 revival
Guitar Hero Live (2015) represented a departure from the original series. It introduced a new guitar controller with six buttons arranged in two rows instead of the traditional five-button layout, and it featured live-action music videos with real bands performing. The game included 42 songs at launch and supported additional songs through a subscription service called Guitar Hero Live+.
In 2024, the franchise returned with a new Guitar Hero game that uses the original five-button controller design and pulls from both classic and modern rock songs. This revival is available on current-generation consoles and marks a return to the core gameplay that made the franchise popular, though it exists as a separate product from the original series rather than a continuation of it.
Mobile and arcade versions
The Guitar Hero franchise extended beyond home consoles into mobile games and arcade cabinets. Guitar Hero On Tour (2008) and Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades (2009) were released for Nintendo DS, using a modified controller that attached to the side of the handheld. These games had smaller song libraries than their console counterparts but allowed portable play.
Arcade cabinets appeared in some venues, offering a different experience with larger screens and arcade-style controls. Mobile versions were released on iOS and Android platforms, though most have been removed from app stores. The total count of Guitar Hero games depends on whether you count each platform version separately—for example, Guitar Hero III exists on PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, PC, and Wii, which some sources count as four separate releases.
Why most Guitar Hero games are no longer for sale
The primary reason Guitar Hero games disappeared from digital stores is song licensing. Each song in a Guitar Hero game requires a license from the publisher, the artist, or both. These licenses are time-limited agreements, typically lasting five to ten years. When licenses expire, publishers must remove the game from sale to avoid ongoing royalty obligations or legal disputes.
This delisting happened gradually across 2010 and 2011 for most of the original series. Activision, the publisher, chose not to renew licenses for older titles because the franchise had moved on to newer games. The result is that games like Guitar Hero III and World Tour cannot be purchased digitally, though they remain playable on used physical copies if you own the hardware to run them.
How to play Guitar Hero games today
If you want to play the original Guitar Hero games, your options are limited to used physical copies. eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and local game stores often have copies available, though prices vary widely depending on the title, condition, and included accessories. You will need the original console or a backward-compatible system—for example, some PlayStation 3 models can play PlayStation 2 games, and Xbox 360 backward compatibility includes select Guitar Hero titles.
The 2024 Guitar Hero revival is the only new entry available for purchase through official channels. It runs on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and other current platforms. If you are interested in the franchise but do not have access to older hardware, this new release is the most straightforward way to experience the game without hunting for used copies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still read Guitar Hero games from the PlayStation Store or Xbox Store?
No. Most Guitar Hero games were delisted from digital stores between 2010 and 2011 due to expired song licenses. The only way to play them is through used physical copies on original hardware or backward-compatible systems.
Which Guitar Hero game has the most songs?
Guitar Hero: World Tour and Guitar Hero 5 both shipped with around 85 songs each, making them among the largest in the original series. The exact count varies depending on whether you include bonus tracks and DLC songs that were available at launch.
Is Guitar Hero Live still playable?
Yes, but the Guitar Hero Live+ subscription service that provided additional songs was shut down. The base game with its 42 launch songs is still playable on used copies, though the game is no longer sold new through official retailers.
What is the difference between the original Guitar Hero games and the 2024 revival?
The 2024 game uses the classic five-button controller design and modern song selection, while the original series (2007–2010) featured different setlists and gameplay mechanics. Guitar Hero Live (2015) was a separate experiment with a six-button controller that did not continue into the 2024 release.
Do I need the plastic guitar controller to play?
Yes. Guitar Hero games require the proprietary plastic guitar controller and cannot be played with a standard game controller. This is true for both the original series and the 2024 revival, so you will need to purchase or find a compatible controller separately if your used copy does not include one.