October 28, 2007, was a peak moment for a hugely popular gaming trend: rhythm-based music games. These games brought people together, turning living rooms into spaces for playful performance rather than just traditional gameplay. In the mid-2000s, they exploded in popularity, appealing to both casual and dedicated gamers. By the fall of 2007, the plastic instruments used to play these games had become instantly recognizable, almost as famous as the gaming consoles themselves, and October 28th represented the height of this exciting time.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock was a huge hit that really changed how people thought about video games. I have fond memories of playing it with my whole family – even my parents, who weren’t usually gamers – almost every night. Guitar Hero and the games that followed were special because they brought people together. But even though it felt like Guitar Hero would always be popular, new competitors soon emerged.
Guitar Hero vs. Rock Band: Battle of the Bands
Rock Band launched on November 20, 2007, just weeks after Guitar Hero III became popular. Both games were the peak of the music game genre and quickly became rivals. Guitar Hero III emphasized skillful guitar playing, while Rock Band let players collaborate on guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. One game was about achieving the highest score, and the other focused on the fun of playing music together.
These two games significantly boosted the popularity of the genre, sparking a heated debate among players similar to the classic Xbox versus PlayStation rivalry. They highlighted how far the genre had come, becoming some of the most popular games available. A key to their success was how accessible they were, attracting even people who don’t usually play video games. You can still see their impact on other titles, like Fortnite Festival.
When Living Rooms Became Arenas
The success of Rock Band inspired Guitar Hero World Tour, which also included multiple instruments. Although Neversoft and Activision were new to this style of gameplay, Rock Band 2 continued to refine and improve upon it. The two games were released very close together—only a month apart—which sparked ongoing discussions about which one was superior.
Both Guitar Hero and Rock Band started experimenting with new ideas, often imitating each other. Guitar Hero began releasing games centered around specific bands like Aerosmith and Metallica, and Rock Band followed suit with games dedicated to The Beatles and Green Day. They also created spin-off titles like DJ Hero and Lego Rock Band. It was a great time for music and video game fans, with a steady stream of new releases no matter which game they preferred.
Like all popular fads, the height of music-based gaming eventually passed. After years of numerous sequels and as gaming consoles aged, the excitement began to fade. It’s been over ten years since a new major Guitar Hero or Rock Band game was released, and it’s uncertain if either franchise will make a comeback. However, in 2007, it truly felt like everyone dreamed of being a rock star. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, released on October 28, 2007, kicked off one of the most memorable periods in gaming history.
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2025-10-28 19:11