Band Hero vs Guitar Hero: Smash Hits
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Band Hero brings the popular Guitar Hero gameplay to a pop‑rock focused setlist, letting players jam to Top 40 hits across multiple consoles. The game supports lead guitar, bass, drums, and vocals with drop‑in/drop‑out play and in‑song instrument switching for a seamless party experience. The console versions use instrument‑shaped controllers while the DS version offers a Guitar Grip or Drum Skin, and features avatars of Taylor Swift, Adam Levine, and No Doubt for added visual flair.
Guitar Hero: Smash Hits brings together the most memorable tracks from the early Guitar Hero titles, letting players strum, drum, and sing along with iconic songs from Nirvana to Queen. The game supports full‑band play on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 2, offering both single‑player and split‑screen multiplayer modes. Featuring a curated setlist from Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero II, Guitar Hero: Rock the 80's, and Guitar Hero III, the title delivers a party‑ready experience for music lovers and gamers alike, with an ESRB rating of T and a PEGI rating of 12.
- Full‑band support with all four instrument types
- Drop‑in/drop‑out lets anyone join mid‑song
- Popular pop‑rock tracklist appeals to teens
- Avatar cameos add visual fun
- Huge selection of classic Guitar Hero tracks
- Full‑band support with guitar, drums, and vocals
- Split‑screen multiplayer for up to four players
- Available on three major consoles
- Only 65 songs, fewer than Guitar Hero 5
- Mixed reviews on depth for hardcore players
- No ongoing DLC after launch
- Critic score is low (43/100) indicating mixed reviews
- Limited to songs from earlier titles, no new tracks
- Requires multiple peripherals for full band experience
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Band Hero
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Rock out with Van Halen’s greatest hits and guest tracks in a party‑style rhythm game.
Alternatives to Guitar Hero: Smash Hits
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Rock out with epic tracks and battle mode in Guitar Hero III.
Play the full band experience with guitar, bass, drums, and vocals in one game
Rock out as Aerosmith from garage to stardom in this guitar‑hero adventure.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBand Hero offers a pop‑focused 65‑song set, full‑band play (including bass) and better reviews, while Smash Hits gives a larger classic rock catalog but lower critic scores and no bass support.
Key differences
- •Tracklist focus: pop‑rock hits (Band Hero) vs classic rock from first four Guitar Hero games (Smash Hits).
- •Instrument support: Band Hero includes guitar, bass, drums, vocals; Smash Hits includes guitar, drums, vocals only.
- •Platform coverage: Band Hero runs on PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS; Smash Hits limited to PS2, PS3, Xbox 360.
- •Critical reception: Band Hero 76/100 vs Smash Hits 43/100.
- •Song count: Band Hero 65 songs; Smash Hits offers a “huge” classic selection (exact number not specified).
Gameplay & fun factor
Band Hero adds bass and drop‑in/drop‑out play, and earned a higher critic score (76 vs 43).
Platform availability
Band Hero supports five platforms (PS2, PS3, Xbox360, Wii, DS) versus three for Smash Hits.
Price & value
Both are priced at $59.99 with a one‑time purchase.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both offer split‑screen multiplayer for up to four players.
Content & replayability
Smash Hits draws from four previous titles, providing a larger classic track library than Band Hero’s 65 songs.
Difficulty & accessibility
Band Hero’s drop‑in/drop‑out feature and broader instrument set make it easier for casual players.
Graphics & performance
Not specified in the provided data.
Choose Band Hero if…
Teens or casual players who want pop hits, easy drop‑in play, and bass support.
Choose Guitar Hero: Smash Hits if…
Players who prioritize a classic rock catalog and already own full‑band peripherals.
Common questions
How many songs are included in each game?
Band Hero has 65 songs; Smash Hits includes a curated mix of classic tracks (exact count not specified).
Does either game support a bass controller?
Band Hero supports bass; Smash Hits lists only guitar, drums, and vocals.
Which consoles can I play these games on?
Band Hero runs on PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, and DS; Smash Hits runs on PS2, PS3, and Xbox 360.