Guitar Hero: Smash Hits Track List and Impressions

  • By Chris_Watters, GameSpot
  • Posted Jun 20, 2009 10:14 am AEST

Last year, Guitar Hero World Tour expanded the seminal franchise to include vocals and drums in addition to guitars and bass. A slew of new songs for the full band have since been released, but what about the tracks from the axe-only days of Guitar Hero? For those hoping to revisit those tracks,...

Last year, Guitar Hero World Tour expanded the seminal franchise to include vocals and drums in addition to guitars and bass. A slew of new songs for the full band have since been released, but what about the tracks from the axe-only days of Guitar Hero? For those hoping to revisit those tracks, Activision has released Guitar Hero: Smash Hits. This full-priced retail game is packed with 48 songs drawn from previous GH games. We recently spent some time rocking with the Xbox 360 retail release of Smash Hits. This blog entry will tell you what to expect from Smash Hits, and whether or not it's worth the asking price.



Guitar Hero: Smash Hits sports the expected array of game modes, including Career (unlock songs and venues as you progress), Quickplay (select up to six songs at a time from the full tracklist), Head to Head (two players duel using their instrument of choice), Xbox Live (Band Quickplay, Band vs. Band, Head to Head, Downloadable Content), Music Studio, and assorted other options. It looks and plays pretty much exactly like Guitar Hero World Tour, with the exception of some graphical flourishes and new venues.

With no new features to speak of, Guitar Hero: Smash Hits is essentially a track pack. So is it worth the price? Well, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions are priced at $59.99: 48 songs for about $60 works out to $1.25 per song. This is a significantly lower price than you'll pay when purchasing downloadable tracks individually or in bundles, so in that sense it's a reasonably good value. However, there's no picking or choosing your favorites here. You get these songs, and these songs only:

Guitar Hero

• "Godzilla" by Blue Oyster Cult
• "More Than a Feeling" by Boston
• "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple
• "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand
• "Unsung (Live)" by Helmet
• "Stellar" by Incubus
• "I Love Rock N' Roll" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
• "Bark at the Moon" by Ozzy Osbourne
• "Cowboys From Hell (Live)" by Pantera
• "Killer Queen" by Queen
• "No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age
• "Take It Off" by The Donnas
• "Hey You" by The Exies
• "Thunder Kiss '65" by White Zombie


Guitar Hero II

• "Them Bones" by Alice in Chains
• "Beast and the Harlot" by Avenged Sevenfold
• "Mother" by Danzig
• "Monkey Wrench" by Foo Fighters
• "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden
• "Stop!" by Jane's Addiction
• "Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas
• "Laid to Rest" by Lamb of God
• "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• "Shout at the Devil" by Motley Crue
• "Heart-Shaped Box" by Nirvana
• "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine
• "Psychobilly Freakout" by Reverend Horton Heat
• "YYZ" by Rush
• "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart" by Stone Temple Pilots
• "Message in a Bottle" by The Police
• "Freya" by The Sword
• "Cherry Pie" by Warrant
• "Woman" by Wolfmother


Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s

• "Caught in a Mosh" by Anthrax
• "Play With Me" by Extreme
• "Electric Eye" by Judas Priest
• "Nothin' but a Good Time" by Poison
• "Round and Round" by Ratt
• "I Wanna Rock" by Twisted Sister


Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

• "Miss Murder" by AFI
• "Through the Fire and Flames" by DragonForce
• "Barracuda" by Heart
• "Rock and Roll All Nite" by Kiss
• "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour
• "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar
• "Lay Down" by Priestess
• "Raining Blood" by Slayer


Guitar Hero: Aerosmith

• "Back in the Saddle" by Aerosmith


So what do you think? There are certainly some classics in there, just as there are some not-so-classics. Though Smash Hits' appeal will vary from person to person, it's unlikely that anyone other than a true World Tour enthusiast will view this as a particularly good deal. Since the dawn of the full-band rhythm game, players have been able to pick and choose their own tracks from a large list of downloadable content. Shoppers accustomed to purchasing tracks individually or in small bundles will likely balk at the prospect of buying in bulk. Those who regularly consume large amounts of World Tour may appreciate the wholesale discount, but more casual rockers are advised to exercise patience. Smash Hits may never be broken out into more bite-size downloadable packages, but the price is sure to drop eventually, which will make this track pack much more appealing.

276 Comments

  • VideoGamerNerd

    Posted Sep 19, 2009 9:34 am PT

    I love this game!

  • Mysterywriter

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 10:39 am PT

    to StJimmy15, It's not that it's all that difficult. I just had Left shoulder surgery not that long ago and trying to play ANY instruments using BOTH hands is harder for me at least right now anyway. Give me a few months and I will some how get it done! No offense.

  • StJimmy15

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 1:33 pm PT

    @MysteryWriter you were on easy? thats really not a testament to the games difficulty but, no disrespect, your own inexperience. and is it wrong that the only appealing thing about this game to me is Beast and the Harlot..? haha

  • Mysterywriter

    Posted Jul 10, 2009 10:25 am PT

    Oh and the game is GH greatest Hits, my bad.

  • Mysterywriter

    Posted Jul 10, 2009 10:25 am PT

    I am currently playing this game as a solo and band career on drums. It's sometimes hard but that's good. Even on easy it can be difficult, that is what makes this one so different to play. I got to the end and had to do Through the Fire and the Flames on drums on Easy and could not play it! No kidding.LOL

    I kept trying and trying, no luck. I had to switch over to singing to actually get through it. That is gonna haunt me until I CAN do it!! wish me luck!

  • niner212

    Posted Jul 9, 2009 8:22 am PT

    3 was the last good one, and the last one I've bought. I'm a rockband guy now.

  • supermike6

    Posted Jul 8, 2009 5:07 pm PT

    I always thought Guitar Hero would be for the hardcore guitar people and rock band would be more for people with lots of friends. Rock Band songs are so easy on guitar because they have to pick songs that are good for all instruments. I thought Guitar Hero would be for the people who just want to play guitar. I'm sad they decided to copy Rock Band and instead of going after their own market try to go for the same market.

  • supermike6

    Posted Jul 8, 2009 5:03 pm PT

    How is it smash hits if they don't have "Jessica" from GH2? That was the second-best song in the game.

  • Ne_rome

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 1:25 am PT

    every time i hear or see Guitar hero: smash hits
    the word rip-off comes to mind.
    this is a horrible game to even try to sell without the actual good songs in it.
    even though there is free bird and stuff like that, i still question why they use the "Band that only sounds good with a studio" (dragonforce).
    next thing is probably going to be guitar hero: smooth rock or something like that..
    gosh i hate all these ghs.

  • spikymike123

    Posted Jul 6, 2009 11:25 am PT

    These arnt the smash hits =(

  • Action_Cat

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 11:54 am PT

    The songs taken from GH3 is such a crappy list! why do they have Raining Blood?? Slayer's drummer is pretty much just banging on the drums, and Hit me with your best shot? wtf? Barracuda? And why TTFAF? No one is going to play anything but guitar on that song, drums would be to repetitive in it. Wow this really burns me up.

  • ironscoug

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 12:27 pm PT

    No Guns N' Roses = Suck.

  • andyb1233

    Posted Jul 1, 2009 2:19 am PT

    @ jakler123 - wasn't GH out quite a bit before RB? @ alpha546 - I think it doesn't have Metallica's One on it because GH:Metallica has only just been released.

  • jakler123

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 9:00 pm PT

    Man guitar hero is just a copy of rock band and now its called guitar hero yet you use drums singer and base guitar I mean I understand base guitar but drums and singer just doesnt match I only like guitar hero for through the fire and flames expert.

  • swordsweep1

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 5:44 pm PT

    to meany of guitar hero im tired of it not enof songs

  • Hayden10Noah

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 3:41 pm PT

    no more guitar hero, don't get me wrong, it's a fun game, but there is way 2 many coming out right now. and there is no guns & roses, not cool.

  • alpha546

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 12:43 am PT

    why is there no one by metallica that was a great song!!!

  • chronoice9

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 6:12 pm PT

    @ cquinn357

    isnt there going to be Rockband: The Beetles? or did i just think that up myself?

  • hollow_prozak

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 10:39 am PT

    why in this game there's only like 40-50 tracks and on world tour there are like 200 songs? they have the same price... why not put more songs on it?

  • xbox360555

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 8:56 am PT

    Nirvana rocks. Its bad enough the singer to nirvana is dead!

  • xbox360555

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 8:55 am PT

    The PS2 version has a problem. It crashes and its sucks getting up restarting your PS2 hundreds of times. If only the xbox360 version was there to rent.

  • zouhou

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 3:23 am PT

    activison needs 2 stop to much g.h

  • cassio_sep

    Posted Jun 28, 2009 8:23 pm PT

    Where is Guns N'Roses? I would buy if there was at least one song... by the way nirvana sux

  • Hoss-The-Boss

    Posted Jun 28, 2009 12:12 pm PT

    Unless your a die hard fan of GH these days, or throw alot of parties, I don't see anyone buying this. Most people are having trouble with money why spend it on something you've already done. You should drop the price of it at least. Politics at its best i guess.

  • x_Allan_x

    Posted Jun 28, 2009 10:25 am PT

    Give me "Guitar Hero - The Ultimate Collection" with ALL the songs from all the games in one game and charge me $99 and be done with it. This is why I rent so many games like this....it's always hit or miss on the song lists and I have shelling out $60 and only really liking 1/3 the songs.

  • Jshaw71

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 7:43 pm PT

    dose sound like a hit and miss play list there, i would have liked to see some more tracks from 'rocks the 80's' like 18 and life, one of my favorite songs from skid row, i saw the game today at walmart and scoffed at the 60 dollar rpice tag, i think i'll pick up the classic rock track instead...

  • gilbert19

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 6:57 pm PT

    there are few great songs there

    heart shaped box, them bones, free bird, smoke in the water! yeahhh, YYZ and cowboys from hell, bark at the moon= FTW

    but c'mon..... Hit Me With Your Best Shot"? -.- Miss Murder? =\.... and the worst one.... Through the Fire and Flames :S ( the rock posers anthem ) No Iron Man from GH1 = epic fail =/

  • protoroc

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 3:22 pm PT

    No Holy Diver = fail

  • XxHELLonEARTHxX

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 12:12 pm PT

    @crazyjdog7 - yes skid rows like the best evr

  • Dark_Dude701

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 10:33 am PT

    I'm only getting this cos guitar hero 4's setlist and gameplay sucked

  • toast-and-beans

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 7:43 am PT

    i dont see the point in this game

  • andyb1233

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 2:50 am PT

    @room234 - good point, I thought they were already milking the cash cow with this game & I really wasn't thinking ahead to a smash hits 2. Makes perfect sense now you've pointed it out.

    Still think that some people complain about anything & everything to do with GH or RB playlists & you ain't going to change my mind on that.

  • Kokuro_Kun

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 8:57 pm PT

    I almost bought GH3 the other day when it was on the cheap, but ill think ill get this instead. Been wanting some Ozzy and rage against the machine.

  • crazyjdog7

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 7:10 pm PT

    What I want to know is where the hell is Skid Row how can you call it "smash hits" if you don't include that. I think 18 and life was one of the best songs on Rocks the 80's

  • walmsley88

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 5:15 pm PT

    id only get this for Laid to Rest...but i can just go upstairs and play that on real drums anyway. Im just waitin for Activision to release GH:Metal. Like a full game of the GH:Metallica extra tracks.

  • room234

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 2:40 pm PT

    andyb1233

    I don't think they were trying to "please" anyone when they picked this list... that's probably why so many people are so upset.

    What they were TRYING to do was to create a set list tempting enough to get $50 out of people, but they wanted to use as few of their triple A songs as possible so they could save them for a 2nd "Smash Hits".

    Which is the truly frustrating part... making the set list mediocre on purpose just so you can squeeze a 2nd game out. Because, honestly, can you look at that list and say they tried as hard as they could to get all their most popular songs on one game?

  • Vancha_15

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 12:29 pm PT

    barrcuda.....barracuda..............barracuda.. WHYWHYWHY IS THAT THERE
    How can that be there, and pearl jam not be there, this is epic fail and btw they are some greedy b!tches, its like people have to pay again for what made the franchise popular in the first place.. gah this really annoys me.

  • Housechamp

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 11:46 am PT

    I dont think it would of been too much of a problem to have the complete track list from the previous games. (Unless there are unlockable tracks that havent been mentioned). Would of paid full whack for it then.

  • cquinn357

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 10:10 am PT

    I personally think that they should make a Guitar Hero: Boston or Beatles.

  • Zehydra

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 9:01 am PT

    @squallx999: I never played Guitar Hero, and plenty of people have never played Guitar Hero, just Rock Band. So they obviously don't use the term "Star Power".

  • andyb1233

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 8:46 am PT

    All I'm reading here is WHINE WHINE WHINE MOAN MOAN MOAN!!! I'm sure that if it had every song known to man on this game some of the people here would still be complaining. Personally I think the track list isn't that bad. There are a few songs I'd swap for others in the series but unfortunately you can't please all of the people all of the time in this world.

  • Bobro

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 5:18 am PT

    RB and GH were the same game and then Neversoft took over at GH3 and who ever made rock band went there way, and as much as they are simalr they feel totaly different to play. also if there was only one game it would be a monopoly and they could charge stupid prices for the guitars etc... better to have compotition... as for the song line up.. its ok there could of been better songs but im sure someone else would complain about the ones i would choose!

  • adrian-j

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 4:30 am PT

    This track listing is pretty sh!t.

  • squallx999

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 4:16 am PT

    Been reading everyones comments and I just have to say. Harmonix and neversoft need to come together to create a music game that will satisfy players of both GH and RB franchises. And it should be called Guitar Hero Vs. Rock Band. Just think...both games pretty much play the same with some slight differences. Why not just make it one game, with the option of letting your track play by either gems, or block notes depending on which franchise you like the best. And really when you play Rock Band, you still call it "star power" I don't hear anyone ever call it "overdrive." As far as customizable characters, well I think we can leave that to the pros and let them figure it out. One game, with both franchises gameplay and music, GUITAR HERO VS. ROCKBAND. Anyone agree?

  • AlekzW

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 1:45 am PT

    No Hangar 18, no Cliffs of Dover, WTF is "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" doing there? :/ I'll certainly wait for the price drop (shouldn't take long).

  • To0Sk3tChY

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 1:02 am PT

    Never played GH1 but i agree that the GH3 selection is poor. Number of the Beast should be in there and as for Through the Fire and Flames..... has this been included for all the wrong reasons? because its not neccessarily a good song it should be left with GH3 and not be included because it got tons of hype for being ridiculous but then again it is called smash hits but im just gutted other better song got left out probably for it. Welcome to the jungle should be in its place. ill probs buy this game again anyway mainly because the GH2 songs may be better on the more up to date fret board.

  • Thanos1960

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 12:59 am PT

    I feel they definitely could have put more "true hits" on this series, there are simply some songs here that don't belong. Also the apparent fact there are no specific DLC for the Smash Hits makes it less desirable. Also, the music genre has got to broaden to include other types of music where it is not all just rock & roll. How about R&B, more top 40, more known songs and less of this underground or lesser known stuff. If you put in more "known" music (Led Zeppelin, Earth,Wind,& Fire, better Aerosmith songs, Thompson Twins, depreche Mode, Duran Duran, Rolling Stones, Whitesnake, Parliament/Funkadelic,Ohio Players, etc) man, there's a lot out there that appeals to all of us music fans. Give us our fair portion of music rich in true roots of classic rock, along with some r&b, 80's & 90's rock! Guitar Hero franchise is sitting on a gold mine, they should grasp all that's there from every music group, others (companies) out there know the 411 about GH success and want a piece of the pie. GH better take advice from Metallica by all means and "sleep with one eye open" and don't give in to the "here & now". Come on GH bring dat true rock!

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:10 pm PT

    They could have picked a much better tracklist from the songs on GH1-3. =\

  • score89

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 8:00 pm PT

    With out the "export" option, Rock Band will crush GH, Why?
    1.-Previous DLC is not compatible
    2.-your complete RB library against 48-song stand alone games is a huge difference

    (GHWT+DLC,GHMETALLICA+DM,GHGH VS ___RB1+RBACDC+RB2+DLC___)
    May seem pretty even, but as a owner of them all [except GHGH], I can say that is not the same, you feel that you are paying ALMOST for the same GH once again, not like RB there you feel like feeding the same game

  • Beastcake

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 5:18 pm PT

    I'll probably get it when its on clearance.

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