bit-tech Shopping: Activision Guitar Hero: On Tour Bundle (DS)

Rating: 8

Time with product: 5 Days

Strengths: Just as fun as a console Guitar Hero game, but portable.

Weaknesses: Not as many songs available as in other Guitar Hero games. Star power can be awkward/difficult to activate. May not be the social experience of a console Guitar Hero game.

Summary: I bought this game as a gift for my fiance. So far we have had a great time playing it. It took her some time to adapt to the picking motion on the touch screen, but she figured it out after a few songs. I learned pretty quickly how to play as well. I like the touchscreen picking, maybe even more than in a traditional Guitar Hero game. It feels a little more reminiscent of playing a real guitar than the strum bar of other Guitar Heroes.I also like how the whammy bar is used: you continue strumming back and forth with the pick after playing a long note. However, I don't really like the way that star power is activated. You can do this either by yelling into the microphone (awkward), push almost any button on the DS (hard to reach), or click the pick on a specific part of the screen (takes your eyes off the notes). I'm sure this is something that I could adapt to, but with my playtime I still haven't figured out how to do it comfortably.I have played the first 2 sets of songs and so far have found the songs to be a good variety. There were a few songs that I didn't know, but I'm sure with subsequent plays they will become memorable.The guitar grip that comes with the game seems to work pretty well. I used it with my fiance's DS Lite and it worked without a hitch. The game comes packaged with an adapter to use the grip with the original DS. I did not use it with my original DS, so I can't comment on how well it works, but it's nice to know the option is there.Overall, I would recommend this game, but not at full price. To me it really feels like a portable version of the console Guitar Hero games. The $50 asking price is a bit steep for only 26 songs, although it does include the grip which can be used with future portable Guitar Hero games.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Weeks

Strengths: Compact, can use on the go. With two games kids can compete and keeps them busy on road trips.

Weaknesses: Can't download songs. Small and harder to use for adults.

Summary: touch screen does not always work well, seems to miss once and a while. Easier to use than real Guitar Hero since it only has 4 buttons. Overall, fun game for the whole family. Just ordered 2 more from Amazon to give as gifts.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Great portable adaptation for the series

Weaknesses: Hand cramps hand cramps hand cramps

Summary: If you like guitar hero and have a DS, you owe it to yourself to try this out. It's a surprisingly solid transfer even without the plastic guitar. This is because the "Guitar Grip", which plugs into the GBA slot, allows you to strum (with an included guitar pick stylus) on the touch screen and still hit 4 (no orange notes here) "frets". The only downside is the way you have to hold the grip is just not as natural as holding the guitar, I tend to get a hand cramp if I play for too long. But in short doses, this is a really great game.