is the third release in the Guitar Hero series of music video games. This game is the first in the series to be developed by Neversoft, and was distributed by RedOctane and Activision. The game was released on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 game consoles, and also for Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh personal computers.
Guitar Hero III features 73 songs on the game's media; this includes the 39 single-player songs, three "Boss Battle" songs, six co-op career exclusive songs, and 25 bonus songs. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions support downloadable content in the form of new songs for the game. As of September 12, 2008, there are 59 songs available as downloadable content for both platforms, bringing the total number of available songs for these versions to 132. Four downloadable songs were only available for a limited time. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions each had an exclusive song.
Guitar Hero III features 73 songs spread across both the Solo and Co-Op Career modes.[1] These songs are arranged in eight sequential tiers based on their relative difficulty. The player(s) must complete some or all of the songs in one tier (based on the career difficulty selected), including the Encore, to access the next one. During the Solo Career mode, the player will also encounter three Boss Battles, a new mode introduced in Guitar Hero III, at the ends of three tiers as listed below, prior to performing the Encore song. The player must attempt the Boss Battle three times, but after the third time the player has the option of passing the Boss Battle in order to continue progression in the game. However, this option is only available for the first two boss battles (Slash and Tom Morello). In Co-Op Career mode, the players only perform the first six tiers, do not encounter any Boss Battles, and have different Encore songs from the Solo Career mode.[2]
Once a tier is open at any difficulty level, all songs except the Encores and Boss Battle songs become available for all other game modes; the Encore songs become available once they are completed. The three Boss Battle songs are not playable outside of Solo Career mode. However, these songs were available as free downloadable content for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game. All songs (except Boss Battles) can be unlocked for all modes through special cheat codes for the game, as to, for example, allow a solo player to access the Co-Op Encore songs without having to play through Co-Op mode.[2]
Being based on the same engine as the seventh generation versions of Guitar Hero III, Guitar Hero Arcade features a set of 50 songs chosen from the main, bonus and downloadable content lists.
| width=70 | Year | width=250 | Song title | width=250 | Artist | width=70 | Genre | width=70 | Master recording? | width=200 | Solo tier | width=200 | Co-op tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "3's & 7's" | Hard Rock | 7. Live in Japan | 5. Jailhouse Rock | |||||||||
| 2007 | "Anarchy in the U.K." | Punk | 4. European Invasion | 3. Over Night Success | |||||||||
| 1977 | "Barracuda" | Classic Rock | 2. Your First Real Gig | 1. Getting a Band Together | |||||||||
| 2004 | "Before I Forget" | Nu-Metal | 7. Live in Japan | – | |||||||||
| 1970 | "Black Magic Woman" | Blues Rock | 6. Hottest Band on Earth | 4. Getting the Band Back Together | |||||||||
| 1992 | "Black Sunshine" | Metal | 6. Hottest Band on Earth | 5. Jailhouse Rock | |||||||||
| 1996 | "Bulls on Parade" | Nu-Metal | 2. Your First Real Gig Encore | 1. Getting a Band Together | |||||||||
| 1993 | "Cherub Rock" | Alternative | 6. Hottest Band on Earth | 4. Getting the Band Back Together | |||||||||
| 1972 | "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll" | Classic Rock | – | 4. Getting the Band Back Together Encore | |||||||||
| 1990 | "Cliffs of Dover" | Rock | 8. Battle for Your Soul | – | |||||||||
| 2007 | "Cult of Personality" | Rock | 7. Live in Japan Encore | 6. Battle for Your Souls | |||||||||
| 2007 | "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" | Steve Ouimette (Inspired by The Charlie Daniels Band) | Speed Metal | 8. Battle for Your Soul Boss Battle | – | ||||||||
| 1991 | "Even Flow" | Grunge | 4. European Invasion Encore | – | |||||||||
| 2007 | "Guitar Battle vs. Slash" | Rock | 5. Big House Blues Boss Battle | – | |||||||||
| 2007 | "Guitar Battle vs. Tom Morello" | Rock | 2. Your First Real Gig Boss Battle | – | |||||||||
| 2004 | "Helicopter" | Alternative | – | 5. Jailhouse Rock Encore | |||||||||
| 1980 | "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" | Classic Rock | 1. Starting Out Small | – | |||||||||
| 1980 | "Holiday in Cambodia" | Punk | 5. Big House Blues | 4. Getting the Band Back Together | |||||||||
| 2006 | "Knights of Cydonia" | Alternative | 7. Live in Japan | 6. Battle for Your Souls | |||||||||
| 1990 | "Kool Thing" | Alternative | 4. European Invasion | 2. We Just Wanna Be Famous | |||||||||
| 1973 | "La Grange" | Blues Rock | 5. Big House Blues | – | |||||||||
| 2006 | "Lay Down" | Hard Rock | 3. Making the Video | 3. Over Night Success | |||||||||
| 2006 | "The Metal" | Rock | 6. Hottest Band on Earth | 5. Jailhouse Rock | |||||||||
| 2006 | "Miss Murder" | Alternative | 3. Making the Video | 2. We Just Wanna Be Famous | |||||||||
| 1970 | "Mississippi Queen" | Hard Rock | 2. Your First Real Gig | – | |||||||||
| 2006 | "Monsters" | Alternative | – | 6. Battle for Your Souls Encore | |||||||||
| 1994 | "My Name Is Jonas" | Alternative | 4. European Invasion | 5. Jailhouse Rock | |||||||||
| 1982 | "The Number of the Beast" | Metal | 8. Battle for Your Soul | 6. Battle for Your Souls | |||||||||
| 1988 | "One" | Metal | 8. Battle for Your Soul | 6. Battle for Your Souls | |||||||||
| 1966 | "Paint It Black" | Classic Rock | 3. Making the Video Encore | – | |||||||||
| 1970 | "Paranoid" | Metal | 4. European Invasion | 3. Over Night Success | |||||||||
| 1983 | "Pride and Joy" | Blues Rock | 6. Hottest Band on Earth Encore | – | |||||||||
| 1986 | "Raining Blood" | Metal | 8. Battle for Your Soul | – | |||||||||
| 2003 | "Reptilia" | Indie Rock | – | 2. We Just Wanna Be Famous Encore | |||||||||
| 1975 | "Rock and Roll All Nite" | Classic Rock | 1. Starting Out Small Encore | – | |||||||||
| 1984 | "Rock You Like a Hurricane" | Metal | 5. Big House Blues | – | |||||||||
| 1994 | "Sabotage" | Hip-Hop | – | 1. Getting a Band Together Encore | |||||||||
| 1974 | "Same Old Song and Dance" | Rock | 5. Big House Blues | 4. Getting the Band Back Together | |||||||||
| 1972 | "School's Out" | Rock | 2. Your First Real Gig | 2. We Just Wanna Be Famous | |||||||||
| 1970 | "The Seeker" | Classic Rock | 3. Making the Video | 2. We Just Wanna Be Famous | |||||||||
| 1975 | "Slow Ride" | Classic Rock | 1. Starting Out Small | 1. Getting a Band Together | |||||||||
| 1990 | "Story of My Life" | Punk | 1. Starting Out Small | – | |||||||||
| 2005 | "Stricken" | Nu-Metal | 7. Live in Japan | – | |||||||||
| 1991 | "Suck My Kiss" | Alternative | – | 3. Over Night Success Encore | |||||||||
| 1968 | "Sunshine of Your Love" | Blues Rock | 2. Your First Real Gig | – | |||||||||
| 1987 | "Talk Dirty to Me" | Glam Metal | 1. Starting Out Small | – | |||||||||
| 1987 | "Welcome to the Jungle" | Rock | 5. Big House Blues Encore | 3. Over Night Success | |||||||||
| 2006 | "When You Were Young" | Alternative | 3. Making the Video | 1. Getting a Band Together | |||||||||
Unlike the previous two games, whose bonus acts mostly comprised bands from the Boston scene (some of which have had members who worked at Harmonix and were involved with the games' development), Guitar Hero IIIs bonus song selection showcases a variety of European bands in addition to American bands signed to independent labels. All but one of the bonus songs are purchased in the in-game store using the virtual money earned through the Career modes of the game.[1] The exception, "Through the Fire and Flames" by DragonForce, is unlocked after the player completes the solo Career mode on any difficulty, and can be played during the credits, though is not required (but the player cannot exit during the sequence).[2] The song cannot be failed while being played during the credits.
| width=70 | Year | width=250 | Song title | width=250 | Artist | width=70 | Genre | width=70 | Master recording? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "Avalancha" | Hard Rock | |||||||
| 2006 | "Can't Be Saved" | Emo | |||||||
| 2006 | "Closer" | Metal | |||||||
| 2006 | "Don't Hold Back" | Alternative | |||||||
| 2007 | "Down 'n Dirty" | L.A. Slum Lords | Punk | ||||||
| 2005 | "F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X." | Post-Hardcore | |||||||
| 2005 | "Generation Rock" | Pop Rock | |||||||
| 2006 | "Go That Far" | Hard Rock | |||||||
| 1988 | "Hier kommt Alex" | Punk Rock | |||||||
| 2005 | "I'm in the Band" | Hard Rock | |||||||
| 2007 | "Impulse" | An Endless Sporadic | Progressive Metal | ||||||
| 2006 | "In Love" | Scouts of St. Sebastian | Garage Rock | ||||||
| 2006 | "In the Belly of a Shark" | Post-Hardcore | |||||||
| 2007 | "Mauvais Garçon" | Garage Rock | |||||||
| 2007 | "Metal Heavy Lady" | Hard Rock | |||||||
| 2003 | "Minus Celsius" | Hard Rock | |||||||
| 2006 | "My Curse" | Metal | |||||||
| 2007 | "Nothing for Me Here" | Nu Metal | |||||||
| 2006 | "Prayer of the Refugee" | Melodic Hardcore | |||||||
| 2004 | "Radio Song" | Pop Rock | |||||||
| 2007 | "Ruby" | Indie Rock | |||||||
| 1989 | "She Bangs the Drums" | Alternative | |||||||
| 2006 | "Take This Life" | Metal | |||||||
| 2006 | "The Way It Ends" | Progressive Metal | |||||||
| 2006 | "Through the Fire and Flames" | Power Metal | |||||||
Both the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 version of Guitar Hero III feature the ability to download additional songs from the consoles' respective online stores; all are master recordings. Most songs must be purchased in "track packs" of three and cannot be purchased individually while only some songs are available as "singles." There are several free songs available. The downloadable songs have been released on the same day on both the Xbox Live Marketplace and the PlayStation Store, with five exceptions. Besides the two console-exclusive songs, the three songs from the Companion Pack were not released for the PlayStation 3 until August 7, 2008. The two console-exclusive songs come from console-exclusive games; the "Halo Theme" is from the Halo series and is only available for the Xbox 360 version and "The End Begins" is from the God of War series and is only available for the PlayStation 3 version.
| width=70 | Year | width=250 | Song title | width=250 | Artist | width=100 | Release date | width=200 | Single / Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Carcinogen Crush" | Oct. 31, 2007 | Companion Pack[3] [4] [5] [6] | ||||||
| 2007 | "Tina" | Oct. 31, 2007 | Companion Pack | ||||||
| 2007 | "Putting Holes in Happiness (Nick Zinner Remix)" | Oct. 31, 2007 | Companion Pack | ||||||
| 2002 | "All My Life" | Nov. 8, 2007 | Foo Fighters Pack[7] [8] [9] | ||||||
| 2007 | "The Pretender" | Nov. 8, 2007 | Foo Fighters Pack | ||||||
| 1995 | "This Is a Call" | Nov. 8, 2007 | Foo Fighters Pack | ||||||
| 2007 | "She Builds Quick Machines" | Nov. 8, 2007 | Velvet Revolver Pack | ||||||
| 2004 | "Slither" | Nov. 8, 2007 | Velvet Revolver Pack | ||||||
| 2007 | "Messages" | Nov. 8, 2007 | Velvet Revolver Pack | ||||||
| 2007 | "Tom Morello Guitar Battle" | Nov. 15, 2007 | Boss Battle Pack[10] [11] [12] | ||||||
| 2007 | "Slash Guitar Battle" | Nov. 15, 2007 | Boss Battle Pack | ||||||
| 2007 | "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" | Nov. 15, 2007 | Boss Battle Pack | ||||||
| 2004 | "Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix" | Nov. 22, 2007 | Single[13] | ||||||
| 2007 | "Ernten Was Wir Säen" | Dec. 20, 2007 | Single[14] [15] | ||||||
| 1996 | "So Payaso" | Dec. 20, 2007 | Single | ||||||
| 1980 | "Antisocial" | Dec. 20, 2007 | Single | ||||||
| 2007 | "We Three Kings" | Dec. 20, 2007 | Single[16] | ||||||
| 2007 | "Pretty Handsome Awkward" | Dec. 20, 2007 | Warner/Reprise Track Pack[17] | ||||||
| 2007 | "No More Sorrow" | Dec. 20, 2007 | Warner/Reprise Track Pack | ||||||
| 2006 | "Sleeping Giant" | Dec. 20, 2007 | Warner/Reprise Track Pack | ||||||
| 1980 | "Any Way You Want It" | Jan. 24, 2008 | Classic Rock Track Pack[18] | ||||||
| 1981 | "Jukebox Hero" | Jan. 24, 2008 | Classic Rock Track Pack | ||||||
| 1976 | "Peace of Mind" | Jan. 24, 2008 | Classic Rock Track Pack | ||||||
| 2007 | "Dream On" | Feb. 16, 2008 | Single[19] | ||||||
| 1996 | "Excuse Me Mr." | Feb. 28, 2008 | No Doubt Track Pack[20] | ||||||
| 1996 | "Don't Speak" | Feb. 28, 2008 | No Doubt Track Pack | ||||||
| 1996 | "Sunday Morning" | Feb. 28, 2008 | No Doubt Track Pack | ||||||
| 2007 | "The Arsonist" | Mar. 6, 2008 | Modern Metal Track Pack[21] | ||||||
| 2006 | "Hole in the Earth" | Mar. 6, 2008 | Modern Metal Track Pack | ||||||
| 2007 | "Almost Easy" | Mar. 6, 2008 | Modern Metal Track Pack | ||||||
| 2007 | "Famous For Nothing" | Mar. 13, 2008 | Dropkick Murphys Track Pack[22] | ||||||
| 2007 | "(F)lannigan's Ball" | Mar. 13, 2008 | Dropkick Murphys Track Pack | ||||||
| 2007 | "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya" | Mar. 13, 2008 | Dropkick Murphys Track Pack | ||||||
| 2008 | "Nine Lives" | Apr. 24, 2008 | Def Leppard Track Pack[23] | ||||||
| 1983 | "Rock of Ages" (Live) | Apr. 24, 2008 | Def Leppard Track Pack | ||||||
| 1983 | "Photograph" (Live) | Apr. 24, 2008 | Def Leppard Track Pack | ||||||
| 2006 | "Exo-Politics" | May 8, 2008 | Muse Track Pack[24] | ||||||
| 2006 | "Supermassive Black Hole" | May 8, 2008 | Muse Track Pack | ||||||
| 2003 | "Stockholm Syndrome" | May 8, 2008 | Muse Track Pack | ||||||
| 2008 | "(We Are) The Road Crew" | June 5, 2008 | Motörhead Track Pack[25] | ||||||
| 2008 | "Stay Clean" | June 5, 2008 | Motörhead Track Pack | ||||||
| 2008 | "Motorhead" | June 5, 2008 | Motörhead Track Pack | ||||||
| 2008 | "The End Begins (to Rock)" | June 7, 2008 | Single[26] | ||||||
| 2006 | "Shoot the Runner" | June 12, 2008 | Isle of Wight Festival Track Pack[27] | ||||||
| 2004 | "I Predict a Riot" | June 12, 2008 | Isle of Wight Festival Track Pack | ||||||
| 2008 | "Problems" (Live at Brixton) | June 12, 2008 | Isle of Wight Festival Track Pack | ||||||
| 2008 | "Violet Hill" | June 19, 2008 | Coldplay Track Pack[28] | ||||||
| 2000 | "Yellow" | June 19, 2008 | Coldplay Track Pack | ||||||
| 2002 | "God Put a Smile upon Your Face" | June 19, 2008 | Coldplay Track Pack | ||||||
| 2008 | "I Am Murloc" | June 26, 2008 | Single[29] [30] | ||||||
| 1986 | "Top Gun Anthem" | Steve Ouimette[31] | July 3, 2008 | Single[32] | |||||
| 1987 | "Surfing with the Alien" | July 24, 2008 | Guitar Virtuoso Track Pack[33] | ||||||
| 1990 | "For the Love of God" | July 24, 2008 | Guitar Virtuoso Track Pack | ||||||
| 2006 | "Soothsayer" | July 24, 2008 | Guitar Virtuoso Track Pack | ||||||
| 2006 | "Operation Ground and Pound" | Aug. 21, 2008 | DragonForce Track Pack[34] | ||||||
| 2006 | "Revolution Deathsquad" | Aug. 21, 2008 | DragonForce Track Pack | ||||||
| 2008 | "Heroes of Our Time" | Aug. 21, 2008 | DragonForce Track Pack | ||||||
| 2008 | "That Was Just Your Life" | Sept. 12, 2008 | Death Magnetic[35] [36] [37] | ||||||
| 2008 | "The End of the Line" | Sept. 12, 2008 | Death Magnetic | ||||||
| 2008 | "Broken, Beat & Scarred" | Sept. 12, 2008 | Death Magnetic | ||||||
| 2008 | "The Day That Never Comes" | Sept. 12, 2008 | Death Magnetic | ||||||
| 2008 | "All Nightmare Long" | Sept. 12, 2008 | Death Magnetic | ||||||
| 2008 | "Cyanide" | Sept. 12, 2008 | Death Magnetic | ||||||
| 2008 | "The Unforgiven III" | Sept. 12, 2008 | Death Magnetic | ||||||
| 2008 | "The Judas Kiss" | Sept. 12, 2008 | Death Magnetic | ||||||
| 2008 | "Suicide & Redemption J.H." | Sept. 12, 2008 | Death Magnetic | ||||||
| 2008 | "Suicide & Redemption K.H." | Sept. 12, 2008 | Death Magnetic | ||||||
| 2008 | "My Apocalypse" | Sept. 12, 2008 | Death Magnetic |
| Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Companion Pack | |
| Type: | soundtrack |
| Artist: | Various artists |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Length: | 42:10 |
| Label: | Interscope |
| Producer: | Tim Riley, Steve Sherr, Tony Seyler |
A special soundtrack CD titled Guitar Hero: Legends of Rock Companion Pack was released as part of the promotion for the game's release. The CD has songs that are included on the game disc, as well as two of the three songs from the "Companion Pack", and one from the Velvet Revolver pack.[6] [38]
A special code is packaged with the CD that allows Xbox 360 users to download the "Companion Pack" on Xbox Live Marketplace for free. The song pack was exclusive to the Xbox 360 and was only obtainable by using the code that came with the CD. On August 7, 2008, the song pack was made available to all on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Store.