Guitar Hero is not officially sold for PS5 right now

The original Guitar Hero franchise does not have a current release for PlayStation 5. Activision, the company that owns Guitar Hero, has not made a new Guitar Hero game for PS5 since the console launched in 2020. The last Guitar Hero game released was Guitar Hero Live in 2015 for PS4, and that game is not backward compatible on PS5.

If you own a physical copy of Guitar Hero Live for PS4, your PS5 will not play it. The PS5 can play many PS4 games, but Guitar Hero games are not among them. This is partly because the games require special controllers — the guitar-shaped peripheral — and licensing agreements for songs expire over time, making older versions harder to re-release.

Key Takeaways

  • Guitar Hero games are not currently available as new releases on PS5, and older PS4 versions will not work on the console.
  • The PS5 can play some PS4 games through backward compatibility, but Guitar Hero titles are not on that list.
  • You can play rhythm games similar to Guitar Hero on PS5, including Rock Band 4 and other music-based titles.
  • If you want to play Guitar Hero, you would need to use a PS4 console or look for alternative rhythm games designed for PS5.

Why Guitar Hero games don't work on PS5

The PS5 has a backward compatibility program that lets you play hundreds of PS4 games on the newer console. However, not every PS4 game is included. Guitar Hero games fall into a category of titles that Sony and Activision have not cleared for PS5 play, for several reasons.

One major reason is the guitar controller. The PS5 uses different hardware architecture than the PS4, and the wireless guitar peripheral from Guitar Hero games may not communicate properly with the newer system. Rather than update the controller drivers or release new controllers, Activision has not invested in making the old games work.

Another reason is song licensing. Guitar Hero games include hundreds of licensed songs from real artists. Those licenses have expiration dates. Once a license expires, the game cannot legally be sold or distributed. Older Guitar Hero titles have expired licenses, so even if Activision wanted to re-release them for PS5, they would have to renegotiate with every artist and publisher — a costly and time-consuming process.

Rhythm games you can play on PS5 instead

Rock Band 4 is the closest alternative to Guitar Hero on PS5. It is a rhythm game that uses a similar guitar controller and lets you play songs from a large library. You can buy the game and controllers separately, and it has online multiplayer. Rock Band 4 was released for PS4 and is backward compatible on PS5, meaning you can play it on the newer console.

Other rhythm games available on PS5 include Beat Saber, a virtual reality rhythm game where you slash blocks to the beat of music, and Crypt of the NecroDancer, a dungeon-crawling game tied to rhythm mechanics. Neither uses a guitar controller, but both offer music-based gameplay that appeals to Guitar Hero fans.

If you want a more casual experience, Just Dance games are available on PS5 and use motion controllers instead of a guitar. These games focus on dancing to pop and current hits rather than rock songs, but they offer a similar party-game feel.

Playing Guitar Hero on older PlayStation consoles

If you want to play Guitar Hero, your best option is to use a PS4 console. All Guitar Hero games from the franchise work on PS4, including Guitar Hero Live, Guitar Hero: Metallica, and earlier titles. You can find used copies of these games and the guitar controllers on the secondhand market, though prices vary.

You can also play Guitar Hero on PC if you have a gaming computer. Some older Guitar Hero games were released for PC, and fan communities have created custom songs and mods that extend the game's life. However, finding legitimate copies and compatible controllers for PC can be difficult.

What Activision has said about Guitar Hero's future

Activision has not announced plans for a new Guitar Hero game on PS5 or any other current console. The company has been quiet about the franchise since Guitar Hero Live ended support in 2018. This does not mean a new game will never come, but there is no official timeline or confirmation that one is in development.

The rhythm game market has changed since Guitar Hero's peak in the 2000s. Games like Beat Saber and Rock Band 4 have found success by focusing on smaller, dedicated audiences rather than trying to be mainstream hits. If Activision does return to Guitar Hero, it would likely target a similar niche market rather than attempt a blockbuster release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my old Guitar Hero controller on PS5?

No. The PS5 does not support Guitar Hero controllers from PS4 or earlier systems. Even if you own the controller, the PS5 will not recognize it because the games themselves are not compatible. You would need to play on a PS4 console to use those controllers.

Is Rock Band 4 the same as Guitar Hero?

Rock Band 4 and Guitar Hero are similar rhythm games, but they are made by different companies and have different song libraries. Rock Band 4 includes vocals and drums in addition to guitar, while Guitar Hero focuses mainly on guitar play. Both use guitar-shaped controllers and work on PS5 through backward compatibility.

Will Guitar Hero ever come back to PS5?

Activision has not announced any plans for a new Guitar Hero game on PS5. The franchise has been inactive since 2018. While it is possible a new game could be released in the future, there is no official confirmation or timeline from the company.

What if I buy a used copy of Guitar Hero for PS4?

A used PS4 copy of Guitar Hero will not work on PS5 because these games are not on the backward compatibility list. You would need a PS4 console to play it. Additionally, many online features in older Guitar Hero games have been shut down, so you may only be able to play offline modes.