Gamertell

As you probably know by now, Activision has let slip the tracklist for Guitar Hero: Smash Hits through IGN. I was excited too. After all, the only Guitar Hero I actually own is the original PS2 game, and the remake is going to feature master recordings by the original artists and be compatible with the drums and mic. Yet, after looking at that list, I can’t help but be disappointed. I’m not sure if it’s favoritism, or if the collection of songs in each entry of Guitar Hero weren’t as good as I remember, but the final list disappoints me.

It all began when I started looking over the tracks selected from the original Guitar Hero. Many of my favorite songs, ones I’d routinely play in the game, weren’t there. Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man,” David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” and The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated” are missing in action.

I can understand that everyone favorite song(s) can’t be in the game and such, but these are legendary tracks from bands that are known throughout the world. “Ziggy Stardust” or “I Wanna Be Sedated” would fit better in Guitar Hero: Smash Hits, a collection of the absolute best songs, than The Donnas’ “Take it Off” or The Exisentialist’s “Hey You.” Maybe replace Incubus’ “Stellar” with ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man” while you’re at it.

Then, there’s the selection from Guitar Hero II. I especially take issue with Guitar Hero II‘s “Message in a Bottle” by The Police being included. I can recall playing said said song in Guitar Hero II at a friend’s, and about half way through we were hoping that message would get lost at sea. Funny how a song can seem awesome, until you start playing it for what feels like 10 minutes straight, hearing the same lyric over, and over, and over. Just thinking about it gives me flashbacks.

Do people a favor, replace “Message in a Bottle” with Guns n’ Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine” or Van Halen’s “You Really Got Me.” In fact, take off “Woman” by Wolfmother as well to make room for one of those other songs. Wolfmother’s still a new band, they’ll have plenty of time to generate more Guitar Hero hits.

The Guitar Hero: Smash Hits selections from Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80’s is pretty tight as it is, but it’d be nice if a few extra songs had been included. Everybody knows, and loves, Krokus’ “Ballroom Blitz.” Sure, it’d be difficult to sing along with, but that’d just make it more entertaining. “We Got the Beat” from the Go Gos and “I Ran (So Far Away)” from A Flock of Seagulls would be great additions as well.

I have to say I’m a bit surprised at the Guitar Hero III selection included, simply because Guitar Hero III has the largest tracklist. Of course, the game’s already available on all major consoles, so I’m sure that played a factor in song selection. The selection of songs that will be appearing in Guitar Hero: Smash Hits is pretty good. It’d be nice to see The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” but it the decision isn’t crucial.

I was surprised at the single song picked from Guitar Hero: Aerosmith - “Back in the Saddle” by, you guessed it, Aerosmith. It’s a decent song, but not one of their all time greatest hits. It only hit #38 on Billboard. I’m surprised Activision didn’t go with “Walk This Way,” “Dream On,” “Rag Doll,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Love in an Elevator” or “Pink,” since all of those songs did better on the Billboard 100. If anything, “Sweet Emotion” should have been the logical choice. It was Aerosmith’s first Top 40 hit and played a big part in the band’s success. 

I’m sure that the merits of Guitar Hero: Smash Hits’ soundtrack is subjective. There are always people who are going to be satisfied, or dissatisfied, with the tracks Activision picked for the game. So what do you all think? Is the Guitar Hero: Smash Hits tracklisting going to go platinum, or are your favorites curiously absent?

Read [IGN] Site [Guitar Hero: Smash Hits]