Guitar Hero: Aerosmith

 Review

Common Sense Media says

A very good but not great music game.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that besides some lyrics that may raise an eyebrow (after all, this is classic rock n' roll), there isn't much to be concerned about with this game. Suggestive lyrics touch on sex, drugs, alcohol, and insubordination. A few swear words can be heard, but it's not gratuitious.

  • Not applicable.
  • Not applicable.
  • Some scantily-clothed female musicians and suggestive lyrics including lines from "Sweet Emotion" ("You stand in the front just a shakin your ass/I'll take you backstage, you can drink from my glass") and Ted Nugent's "Cat Scratch Fever" ("Make the pussy purr with the stroke of my hand")
  • Some lyrics include words such as "ass," "s--t" and "damn."
  • This is part of the Guitar Hero series of music video games.
  • Some drug-related lyrics in The Clash's "Complete Control" ("This is punk rockers, we're controlled by the price of the hard drugs we must find") and an alcohol reference in "Back in the Saddle" ("Barkeep gimme a drink/That's when she caught my eye").

What's it about?

The Bad Boys of Boston get their own video game in GUITAR HERO AEROSMITH, the first in the popular series to offer an interactive retrospective of the legendary rock group. Join legendary singer Steven Tyler and drummer Joey Kramer onstage as guitarist Joe Perry or Brad Whitford, or bassist Tom Hamilton (or by selecting another virtual musician) and play through the band's early days at a high school and landmark clubs all the way up to sold-out stadiums.

You know the drill: by using a guitar-shaped controller you jam along to rock songs by pressing the correct colored button on the neck at the right time; play well and the crowd cheers you on but hit too many sour notes and you might just get booed offstage. By progressing through the game, players unlock new Aerosmith songs, ranging from '70s classics including "Draw The Line," "Dream On," "Back in the Saddle," "Sweet Emotion," "Toys in the Attic," and "Kings and Queens" to '80s and '90s hits, such as "Let the Music do the Talking," "Livin' on the Edge," "Love in an Elevator," and "Rag Doll." Handpicked by Aerosmith, songs from other bands in the game include Cheap Trick's "Dream Police," The Clash's "Complete Control," Joan Jett's "I Hate Myself for Loving You," Run DMC's "King of Rock," The Cult's "She Sells Sanctuary," Lenny Kravitz's "Always on the Run," Ted Nugent's "Cat Scratch Fever" and Stone Temple "Pilot's Sex Type Thing.


Is it any good?

 

Single-player options include Career and Quick Play, while multiplayer modes add Face-Off and Pro Face-Off (two gamers play notes at the same time or in an alternating fashion to see who is more accurate); Co-op (play an unlocked song on guitar or bass with a friend); and Battle (compete against a friend including "attacks" that try to mess up the opponent). Besides new songs, not much is different in "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" as compared to past Guitar Hero games, therefore this disc can best be described as "Guitar Hero 3.5" rather than a whole new game. Plus, if you're not much of a fan of the band, then you will want to take pass and wait for Guitar Hero: World Tour this fall.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about whether companies like Activision should release "Guitar Hero" games based on one band (for the most part) or keep it more general with a selection of a few dozen acts? Is this money well spent on such as specialized game? Rumor has it next up is "Guitar Hero: Metallica."


This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
 
aerosmith the rock
its really good they madde it.

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Kid, 13 years old
June 1, 2009
 
great
my dads friend was having a party we went my dads friend had a son he was playing this game there were eight kids so when it was my turn i played sweet emotion and boy it was sweet that is why i bought the game and it is the best one in the seruis

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Yellow for 10 plus
E 10

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Teen, 18 years old
February 27, 2009
 
Aerosmith is the best band centered gh game compared to metallica.
On assumption, I think that gh aerosmith is the best guitar hero game centered on one band. The game features about 30 of their hits. The only thing is they should have included I Dont Wanna Miss a Thing, Angel, and Devils got a new disguise. Other than that, its great. This was my first Gh game for a consol.

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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 
greatGREATgreat
perfect but it need more varity

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Teen, 15 years old
August 24, 2009
 
BEST GH GAME. BETTER THAN WORLD TOUR:)
I got this for my Wii since it was on sale. I love Aerosmith and rock music, so I was so motivated to get home and play it. I play Guitar Hero a lot, so I was getting good scores on the game. Great setlist by the way!! I beat it within 2 days,and that hasn't stopped me from playing it :) Worth every penny.

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Teen, 14 years old
July 3, 2009
 
fine
Rockband 2 is better

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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
 
This is a very fun game
Guitar hero Aerosmith is a great game. I believe it is good for kids from ages 8+. The only not-so-great parts of the game are 1 a-s 1 s--t and 2 d--ms. other than that it is a great game with no other inappropriate parts. Bye!!!

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Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Platforms:Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2
Available online?Available online
Genre:Music
Developer:Activision
Release date:June 28, 2008
Price:$49.99+
ESRB rating:T for Lyrics, Mild Suggestive Themes

This review was written by Marc Saltzman

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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