Guitar Hero: Smash Hits vs Rock Band 3
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
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.
Rock Band 3 expands the franchise with 83 brand‑new songs, bringing fresh challenges for both seasoned players and newcomers. For the first time the game supports a keyboard/keytar peripheral, letting you play melodies alongside guitars and drums. The title runs on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, offering single‑player, co‑op, and split‑screen multiplayer modes that make it perfect for parties and family gatherings. With a PEGI 12 / ESRB T rating, it delivers a balanced mix of fun and challenge for teen and adult audiences.
- 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
- Huge new song library
- First game with keyboard support
- Robust local multiplayer
- High critic score
- 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
- No online multiplayer
- Limited to PS3 and Xbox 360
- Additional songs require extra purchase
More alternatives & similar tools
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.
Alternatives to Rock Band 3
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Play the full band experience with guitar, bass, drums, and vocals in one game
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataRock Band 3 offers a larger, newer song library and keyboard support with higher critical acclaim, while Guitar Hero: Smash Hits provides broader console coverage but fewer songs and lower reviews.
Key differences
- •Rock Band 3 adds 83 brand‑new tracks and introduces keyboard/keytar play; Smash Hits only reuses classic tracks.
- •Keyboard and keytar support are exclusive to Rock Band 3; Smash Hits lacks any melodic instrument beyond guitar.
- •Critic scores differ sharply: 88/100 for Rock Band 3 vs 43/100 for Smash Hits.
- •Console compatibility: Smash Hits runs on PS2, PS3, Xbox 360; Rock Band 3 limited to PS3 and Xbox 360.
Gameplay & fun factor
Rock Band 3 adds keyboard/keytar and 83 new songs, expanding melodic gameplay beyond guitar and drums.
Platform availability
Smash Hits works on PS2, PS3, and Xbox 360, while Rock Band 3 is limited to PS3 and Xbox 360.
Price & value
Both cost $59.99; value differs by content and reviews, but base price is identical.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both support up to four‑player split‑screen, but Rock Band 3 also lists cooperative and single‑player modes explicitly.
Content & replayability
Rock Band 3 offers 83 new songs plus downloadable packs; Smash Hits only offers curated classics.
Difficulty & accessibility
Smash Hits includes a party mode with easy‑play settings, making it more accessible for casual players.
Graphics & performance
No specific graphics data provided for either; cannot differentiate.
Choose Guitar Hero: Smash Hits if…
Players who need PS2 compatibility or prefer classic Guitar Hero tracks.
Choose Rock Band 3 if…
Players who want the newest songs, keyboard support, and higher critical quality.
Common questions
Do either games support online multiplayer?
Rock Band 3: No online multiplayer; Smash Hits: No online multiplayer mentioned.
Can I play with a keyboard on Smash Hits?
No, Smash Hits only supports guitar, drums, and microphone.
Is the price different between the two titles?
Both are priced at $59.99 (one‑time purchase).