While I might not be the biggest fan of Activision's approach to bringing Guitar Hero to the DS, the On Tour games have apparently sold like gangbusters, so they must be doing something right. It's an approach that is now being taken to its logical conclusion with the newly announced Band Hero for the DS. While the Band Hero name on other platforms mostly seems to suggest a more family-friendly playlist and aesthetic than a regular Guitar Hero game, it will also bring significant new gameplay options to the DS. In addition to the screen-strumming guitar gameplay that has been the staple of three Guitar Hero: On Tour games so far, Band Hero will also feature support for vocals and drums, with the percussion gameplay necessitating the new drum grip seen below.

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For Band Hero DS we chose to focus our development efforts on the primary DS platform, where millions of fans have already embraced the handheld innovation we brought to the Guitar Hero On Tour games. The new Drum Grip does not require the use of DS Lite’s expansion port.  The grip itself slips over the DS Lite replacing the directional arrows and buttons with 4 drum pad buttons that allow for a more natural, responsive and enjoyable play experience.  While we will continue to innovate the portable music game experience and we are very excited about the emerging technologies available with the DSi, Band Hero is not compatible with DSi at this time.

Gallery

While I might not be the biggest fan of Activision's approach to bringing Guitar Hero to the DS, the On Tour games have apparently sold like gangbusters, so they must be doing something right. It's an approach that is now being taken to its logical conclusion with the newly announced Band Hero for the DS. While the Band Hero name on other platforms mostly seems to suggest a more family-friendly playlist and aesthetic than a regular Guitar Hero game, it will also bring significant new gameplay options to the DS. In addition to the screen-strumming guitar gameplay that has been the staple of three Guitar Hero: On Tour games so far, Band Hero will also feature support for vocals and drums, with the percussion gameplay necessitating the new drum grip seen below.

Gallery

For Band Hero DS we chose to focus our development efforts on the primary DS platform, where millions of fans have already embraced the handheld innovation we brought to the Guitar Hero On Tour games. The new Drum Grip does not require the use of DS Lite’s expansion port.  The grip itself slips over the DS Lite replacing the directional arrows and buttons with 4 drum pad buttons that allow for a more natural, responsive and enjoyable play experience.  While we will continue to innovate the portable music game experience and we are very excited about the emerging technologies available with the DSi, Band Hero is not compatible with DSi at this time.

Gallery

The Guitar Heros on DS cramped my hands while playing, so I think I'm going to pass on this one.

So instead of eliminating the gimmicky and unnecessary additional hardware that stopped me from buying GH: On Tour in the first place, they are actually adding MORE of this crap.  Unbelievable.  Ill stick to playing Rhythm Heaven, thanks.

I'll stick with Elite Beat Agents. Still the best rythmn game on the DS.

sheesh why not just print Band Camp on the thing and be done with it, way to make us look even dorkier on a bus or train.

Wow Activision.....just wow......

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

I think I'll just stick with GH/RB on my 360.

Why not make Trumpet Hero and have you blow into the mic while pressing buttons?

Don't like the idea..

A for effort, but I'm pushing 30, this will not be marketed to me. But kids are gonna lap this up. At the very least it's a rhythm game for young boys who don't want to play a game that's Disney produced.

Actually looks kind of cool; and I'm not much for the Guitar Hero\Rock Band games.

Who the fuck buys this crap?

" Who the fuck buys this crap? "

Something specifically for DS Lite owners like me, ones who are holding out on the DSi, and this turns out to be it.  That's lame.  But how could it work for the DSi anyway?  There's no GBA/accessory slot.

This looks aaaawwwwkkkkaaaarrrdddd.

Man, Activision is just... I don't even... I mean why would... it's just... I don't know.

Why do they keep making games with plastic things that... ruin  the purpose of games, ugh.

Wow Activision is getting worse and worse lol.

How low can they go, how low can they go.

Whaattt at drums haha! That's pretty lame, I mean you could easily just use the buttons, unlike the guitar piece.
I actually got pretty good at using the guitar peripheral for the previous games, expert isn't really a problem for me anymore, but it does make your hand cramp up if you use it for too long. And it is pretty embarrassing using it in public >_>.

I'm gonna buy it and start my singing career on the bus.

" Why do they keep making games with plastic things that... ruin  the purpose of games, ugh. "

A shame, seeing as trhough there is improved sound quality with the DSi speakers.

Sucks, that they removed the other slot in the DSi.

terrible just terrible

That's it. It can't get any worse. Finger drumming on your DS for Band Hero. Holy shit, no. Why does this have to exist, what the fuck.

LAME!

FUCK OFF

for the kiddies