Guitar Hero III Songs and Features Released

Songs from Weezer, the Smashing Pumpkins and the Rolling Stones are all slated to appear in the next game, along with new controllers modelled after Gibson and Kramer guitars.

Activision took the wraps off the latest version of Guitar Hero on Wednesday, revealing details about some new modes of play, game controllers, and of course, the much-anticipated song list.

On the gameplay side of things, a new multiplayer battle mode will be available for players to take each other on, either in the same living room, or with people from across the globe. The single-player game will feature new boss battles, along with new venues and unlockable content.

Fresh hardware is also on the way. The next Guitar Hero controller will be wireless, and modeled after the Gibson Les Paul. Removable faceplates will also be available so that users can customize their guitars as they see fit. Playstation 2 players will get a different guitar from Kramer, making choices vary from platform to platform a bit.

"We’ve been able to incorporate a host of fresh new online and multi-player game play modes, along with exciting content into this version of Guitar Hero that our fans have been asking for,” said Dusty Welch, head of publishing at RedOctane, in a statement. “Also, many of the top bands and songs we’ve tried to get in the past are now on board, and we’ve definitely got some giant aces in the hole to say the least."

What might those top bands and songs be? Glad you asked.

• Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones)
• Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins)
• Sabotage (by Beastie Boys)
• The Metal (by Tenacious D)
• My Name is Jonas (by Weezer)
• Knights of Cydonia (by Muse)
• Rock And Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss)
• School’s Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper)
• Slow Ride (as made famous by Fog Hat)
• Cult of Personality (by Living Colour)
• Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)

The game will be available for Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii this coming fall (for those of us in North America.)