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Stage Tour Fixed Everything That Killed Guitar Hero

Cyler Ray

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Stage Tour's official deep dive is out, and nearly every feature in it reads like a fix for something that killed Guitar Hero the first time. Hall effect strum bar. A slot in the neck for your dongle. Drum pads you can replace one at a time. And a roguelite Tour Mode I'm way too excited about.

Then I went back through how the genre actually died (a 2009 flood of sequels, RedOctane shut down, Harmonix sold for a reported $50) and looked at who owns the reunion this time.

Watch the full official breakdown: Stage Tour Backstage: Official Deep Dive
Stage Tour Backstage: Official Deep Dive

STAGE TOUR QUICK FACTS
Release: December 10, 2026
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2
Game only: $39.99 (digital preorders not open yet)
Kramer Guitar + Game bundle: $129.99 (physical disc on PS5 only)
Pro Band Kit bundle: $349.99
Modes: Quickplay, Judgements, Karaoke, Tour (roguelite), plus Practice
Tour Mode at launch: guitar and controller only
Setlist: 54 of 90+ songs confirmed as of September 23
Closed Beta: moved closer to launch (September 22 update)
Works natively with: Rock Band 4 instruments, CRKD guitars, Riffmaster

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#StageTour #GuitarHero #RhythmGames #RedOctane #GamingNews

10 Comments

@Synkoda 3 hours ago

The Gibson CEO basically admitting it was his pet project gives me grand hope for Stage Tour especially setlist wise

@beardalaxy 3 hours ago

I wish there was a drum + game bundle because my drums are falling apart and it would be nice to get a brand new set with replaceable parts. I've already got two guitars that are modded so I'm doing alright there. But yeah otherwise I think I am just going to buy the base game, wait a little bit to get the vibe of how things might progress, and then pick up a drum set afterwards.

@brettmacumber8198 3 hours ago

Bro I was so pumped to see this announced. Big bundle was an easy buy when I started looking into who was making the hardware. CRKD! And also learning YARG was a thing. Since these work with those it felt less dependent on stage tours success and or longevity. With that said I hope Stage Tour is a massive success!

@brianblanco6141 10 minutes ago

Too late, bought the big bundle. I love my CRKD les paul and all other controllers I've bought from them. I believe in Red Octane games and think this will be the game to revive the franchise.
Been trying to push clone hero to friends for years but when it's not something they can just get from Steam or their console, it's harder to sell.

@drsmith1231 1 hour ago

I pre ordered the $350 full kit! worth it to save the $150 more it will be at release date. x)

@davidmcaninch4714 1 hour ago

You know what would really be cool? What if, instead of only one band bundle, you get 2? That way, you can play a 4-on-4 Battle of the Bands!!!!!! 2 mics, 4 guitar controllers, and 2 drum controllers!!!!!!!!! And whoever gets the most amount of notes correct is the winning band!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course, one would need to make room for everything, especially the drum controllers, but it’s a sacrifice I am willing to make.

@Clone1212 3 hours ago

The PS5 disc is just a key to access the game. No game data on disc

@M9_Prime 48 minutes ago

I bought the full bundle (not the pro one though)

I have kids and a partner that want to play with me. I am probably going to spend most of my time in whatever the quickplay mode is.. if the kids really like it I might buy a second guitar. I’m in Canada so it’s so damn expensive but that’s all good. I hope this guitar will work on a PS3, I have rockband for my PS3 but I have no working guitar. If it works great, if not, ohh well.

@jamlemon 3 hours ago (edited)

Looking forward to Stage Tour launching. Because of a trailer a few months ago, I’m going through a Guitar Hero mid life crisis. 😂

Started with Guitar Hero Live due to the stupidly expensive Rockband 4, it sucked but it was a start. I’ve now dusted off my old Xbox 360, bought a few games (GH World Tour, Rockband 3, Beatles Rockband), found out about Retro Cult Mods and bought an ACE adapter to hook up my e-drums as well as a revival kit to install in a Logitech guitar I bought cheap on eBay. The plan is to use it with my Xbox and PS5 as well as Clone Hero and YARG, just waiting on it to come in the post!

I’ve also still got my original Guitar Hero USB mic so hopefully all ready for Stage Tour in December.