First, let's look at what the two games have in common. The Guitar playing is essentially the same in both games, where the player holds down "fret buttons" while strumming a paddle representing the guitar's strings. They both have wireless controllers, online co-op, and downloadable tracks.
However, Rock Band is a little more ambitious in scope because it also includes drums that involve using a controller with 4 drum pads and a base kick pedal, and vocals using a microphone (think "Karioke revolution, another Harmonix game). Players can also opt to form online "bands" (clans, essentially) with custom band logos and avatars.
Also, another difference is the controllers. Guitar Hero III offers a familiar looking guitar controller that fans will quickly recognize. Based on the Gibson Les Paul, the GH3 wireless controller offers a removable neck for easy storage, and has changeable face plates to give you whichever look you're after.
Rock Band on the other hand, has a wireless controller based on the Fender Stratocaster. It does not have a removeable faceplate or guitar neck, but it does have five additional fret buttons for solos (as if GH isn't hard enough already, lol). Harmonix is clearly going for more of the "replica" look on their controller, rather than an openly video game one.
So, we have two fairly similar games coming out around the same time, with one offering more of the Guitar Hero action we know and love, and the other trying to more closely simulate actual instruments. While on paper Rock Band sounds like it should blow every other music game out of the water, two questions loom over the horizon: is it too ambitious for it's time; and will it be more expensive than it's worth? I mean, Rock Band will offer similar guitar thrills as the GH series, but when you get to having 10 fret buttons, you really have to wonder if it'd be almost as easy just to pick up a real guitar. The same question could be applied to the drums, or the vocals. And since the whole package will supposedly cost nearly $300 (2 guitars, drums, and a mic), it starts to come into question how much harder it'd be to start a real garage band.
Still though, Rock Band does sound exciting none-the-less. I personally am on the fence as to which title I will buy, so I'm going to wait and see what kind of reaction they get publicly before I throw my full support behind either. After all, what good is a robust online mode if you can't find anyone to play with, right? I still want to know if Guitar Hero is on it's way out and Rock Band will be the new king, or if GH will still reign supreme while RB fizzles into obscurity.
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