Kurt Cobain Reanimated For Guitar Hero 5

The next installment of the hit video game Guitar Hero® is set for release tomorrow, September 1. Guitar Hero 5 will offer the predictable array of "new features" as it's publisher Activision prepares for a video game showdown with rival series Rock Band. The much hyped The Beatles: Rock Band set for release on September 9.

How can you possibly compete for video game supremacy when your going up against the Fab Four? You can't. I mean, of course its possible that the makes of Guitar Hero can make a game that is technically superior or whatever, but the reality is that both games have a similar format and gaming experience. So when one game brings the music and characters of The Beatles to life then that's really quite the scoop and the toughest of acts to follow. Judging from the screen shots and videos that I've seen of both games, Rock Band: The Beatles seems to be a much more visually stunning and imaginatively crafted project too, as its developers Harmonix Music Systems seem to have gone to town to make the most of their exclusive license.

So, again, the begging question: What does Guitar Hero 5 do to try and score sales in it's showdown with The Beatles: Rock Band It aims low. Below the belt in fact. Guitar Hero 5 will include Kurt Cobain as a playable guest character (among bonus characters will included Matt Bellamy of Muse and Shirley Manson of Garbage). My knee-jerk reaction: this is a shameless cash-in and just bad taste. I'm sure Activision could attempt to come out with some PR spin about the inclusion of Cobain, but take one look at the teaser in-game footage released on YouTube two days ago and tell me that this doesn't look shoddy. It's not exactly the best likeness - I know its "only a video game" but what exactly happened to his mouth? (Check out the video here or embedded below.)



The makers of the new Rock Band game had to 'reanimate the dead' if you'll pardon the pun, by recreating the likenesses of two deceased band members George Harrison and John Lennon. The general consensus (and really the whole marketing strategy) is that The Beatles game will be a fitting tribute to the music of The Beatles with the game set to be another medium for their music and imagery to flower and flourish. Whereas the inclusion of Kurt Cobain in the latest Guitar Hero looks like an act of last-ditch desperation to score as many sales as possible.

For the record, Guitar Hero 5 will feature two Nirvana songs, those being Lithium and predictably Smells Like Teen Spirit.