Guitar Hero: Metallica vs Guitar Hero: Smash Hits
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Guitar Hero: Metallica brings the iconic metal band to life on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 2. Featuring 28 master recordings and 21 curated tracks, players can shred on lead or bass guitar, pound drums, or sing vocals. The game builds on Guitar Hero World Tour's engine with expert+ drum mode, online competition, and a robust career mode, plus behind‑the‑scenes videos and pop‑up facts that celebrate Metallica's legacy.
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.
- Extensive Metallica song catalog with master recordings
- Expert+ drum mode adds authentic challenge
- Robust multiplayer and online features
- Rich extra content like motion‑capture videos and pop‑up facts
- 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
- No additional downloadable content beyond pre‑existing tracks
- Career mode storyline is cartoonish and simplistic
- Limited platform availability compared to newer consoles
- 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 Guitar Hero: Metallica
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Rock out as Aerosmith from garage to stardom in this guitar‑hero adventure.
Play the full band experience with guitar, bass, drums, and vocals in one game
Rock out with epic tracks and battle mode in Guitar Hero III.
Alternatives to Guitar Hero: Smash Hits
View all →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 dataGuitar Hero: Metallica offers a higher‑rated, Metallica‑centric experience with expert drum mode, while Guitar Hero: Smash Hits provides a broader classic track list and four‑player split‑screen but received poor reviews.
Key differences
- •Song catalog: Metallica features 28 master Metallica recordings vs Smash Hits' mix of classic tracks from earlier games.
- •Critic reception: Metallica scored 90/100, Smash Hits only 43/100.
- •Multiplayer: Metallica supports co‑op and split‑screen; Smash Hits limited to split‑screen only.
- •Platform support: Metallica limited to older consoles; Smash Hits available on PS3, Xbox 360, and PS2.
- •Difficulty: Metallica includes Expert+ drum mode with second bass pedal; Smash Hits has no comparable advanced difficulty.
Gameplay & fun factor
Metallica’s Expert+ drum mode and master recordings deliver deeper, more authentic gameplay (90/100 critic score).
Platform availability
Smash Hits runs on PS3, Xbox 360, and PS2, whereas Metallica’s platform list is unspecified and likely older.
Price & value
Both games retail at $59.99, offering comparable cost.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Metallica supports both co‑op and split‑screen multiplayer; Smash Hits only split‑screen.
Content & replayability
Smash Hits includes a larger variety of classic songs from multiple artists, increasing replay options.
Difficulty & accessibility
Metallica provides Expert+ drum difficulty for seasoned players; Smash Hits lacks comparable challenge.
Graphics & performance
No graphics or performance data provided for either title.
Choose Guitar Hero: Metallica if…
Metallica fans or players seeking high‑skill, authentic drumming experience.
Choose Guitar Hero: Smash Hits if…
Casual party groups wanting diverse classic tracks and four‑player split‑screen.
Common questions
Do I need extra peripherals for full‑band play?
Both titles require guitar, drum, and microphone controllers for full‑band mode.
Is there any downloadable content (DLC) for these games?
Metallica has no additional DLC beyond its built‑in tracks; Smash Hits also offers no new DLC.
Which game has better critical reception?
Metallica received a 90/100 critic score, while Smash Hits scored 43/100.