2009 - it was the year of way too many music video games.  The prime culprit was Activision, releasing a whopping 25 different SKUs last year.  Even for die-hard fans, that's too much of a good thing, and it's no surprise sales were lower than expected.  According to a conference call to investors, Activision plans for only two Hero games this year, both coming in the second half.  A sequel to DJ Hero and an unnamed Guitar Hero game are coming.  No PS2 versions, nor instrument bundles will ship for either.  Could there be trouble with the oversaturated franchise?

Today, we conclude our look at the shape of band-centric games to come. In part one, we identified the qualities that the current band-centric games all share. Now, we'll take these traits and see how some of the biggest acts of all time stack up. Which bands will have their own video game?

What always happens when you have two couples playing co-op? That's right: a spouse swap. The party is heating up!

In a truly tempting deal, the official Guitar Hero store on Red Octane's site is offering Guitar Hero 5 along with a two wireless guitars for only $99.  It's instant co-op in a convenient package.  

We get press releases all the time, and most are pretty boring.  But every once in a while, one comes along that blows us away.  Such was the case when we received the news that the next Game With Fame night features "Weird Al" Yankovic, and one of our favorite music games, Guitar Hero 5.  We just might wrap up and roll around in a roll of bubble wrap, we're so excited!

If you missed out on Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 earlier today, perhaps you'll want to try to snag the recently released Guitar Hero 5?

Quite an impressive deal comes to us via Amazon.com today.  After just over a month in release, Guitar Hero 5 is on sale for 50% off.  The deal unfortunately only applies to the Xbox 360 version (sorry Wii and PS3 rockers).  We found the game impressive and gave it a very good review.  Don't forget that the Guitar Hero World Tour DLC that's on sale this week is compatible with Guitar Hero 5 as well.  If you're a music game fan, and haven't picked this title up yet, now's the time to nab it!

"Guitar Hero 5 has Johnny Cash in it!" "No." "It lets more than one person play the same instrument!" "No." "I get Guitar Hero Van Halen for free with it!" "Nope." "It lets you play as your Avatar..." "Really?"

With another week comes another deal for Xbox Live Gold members.  This week's offering is for music game fans, offering a few Guitar Hero World Tour tracks at a 25% discount.  Pick them up at just 120 points for some head banging goodness.

Just when we thought the Guitar Hero franchise might actually be headed in the right direction, Bobby Kotick has to go and ruin it.  The oft-despised, Machiavellian Activision CEO offered some hints as to his plans to, in essence, ruin Guitar Hero specifically, and video games in general, eventually.

"All right you two, I want a good clean fight, nothing below the belt.  That means you, Bobby.  We've moved past twitter and now we're gonna settle it out in the open.  Courtney didn't know about Kurt Cobain appearing in Guitar Hero 5.  Bobby's representing Activision in this little bruhaha.  Here we go..."

Guitar Hero 5 hits the shelves and the fall rush begins.  What's new this time around?  Is this just more of the same from Activision?  Does Guitar Hero 5 redeem the franchise, from a co-op perspective?  Find out in our review!