Although EA’s Rock Band is shaping up to be pretty exciting, it’s worth remembering that Activision’s Guitar Hero III is just on the horizon too. Incidentally, the game has now been given a subtitle, as required by any game in a long-running franchise, so please say hello to Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

As well as a new name, Activision has also been showing off some pics of the new Gibson guitar models. PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii players will get to rock out on a mock Les Paul model, while PS2 players get the Kramer model. The main difference, presumably, is that all the next-gen versions will be wireless. The wireless models are also believed to have removable faceplates for added customisation.

Evidently, Guitar Hero’s developers aren’t being cowed by the grand ambitions of EA and Harmonix’s Rock Band, and I think this may well make it the one to watch. Rock Band’s plan to take rhythm gaming online with multiple peripherals may be more technically impressive, but at its core it will still have to offer a solid rhythm gaming experience. Guitar Hero III’s tried and tested formula, although less original, may just offer greater appeal to more casually minded gamers.

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