Guitar Hero, the iconic rhythm game that swept the globe, remains a beloved classic for gamers and music enthusiasts alike. From its explosive debut, Guitar Hero captivated millions, spawning 23 editions between 2005 and 2015. However, for many years, PC gamers faced a hurdle: most Guitar Hero titles were exclusive to consoles like Xbox and PlayStation. This meant PC users were limited to a mere three official PC releases or had to invest in a console to join the fun.
Thankfully, times have changed. The gaming landscape has shifted, with PC gaming surging in popularity and capability. Dedicated fans and innovative platforms like Clone Hero have bridged the gap, making it possible to play Guitar Hero on a PC, and even enjoy almost every version ever released.
In this KillerGuitarRigs guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get strumming on your PC. We’ll explore the methods to play Guitar Hero on PC, including the necessary software, hardware, and even delve into the thriving community that keeps the Guitar Hero spirit alive.
If you’ve dreamed of shredding iconic riffs on your PC, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in and get you ready to rock!
Is Playing Guitar Hero on PC Actually Possible?
Yes, absolutely! You can play Guitar Hero on your PC. While it might require a bit of setup, the process is entirely achievable. You’ll need a compatible controller and access to the game itself, but the good news is there are multiple avenues to explore. While official PC versions exist, the most versatile approach involves leveraging emulators or embracing community-driven platforms like Clone Hero.
Of the official releases, only Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, and Guitar Hero: World Tour were specifically designed for PC. Acquiring these genuine copies is one option. However, for those seeking a broader Guitar Hero experience, emulators unlock access to console-exclusive titles, and Clone Hero provides a free, expansive, and constantly evolving Guitar Hero-style experience.
If you’re less concerned with playing official career modes and more interested in endless song libraries and community content, Clone Hero stands out as the premier fan-made Guitar Hero-inspired game, and best of all, it’s completely free.
Why Play Guitar Hero on PC?
Playing Guitar Hero on PC offers several compelling advantages, making it an attractive option for both long-time fans and newcomers to the franchise:
- Accessibility and Convenience: For many gamers, the PC is their primary gaming platform. Playing Guitar Hero on PC eliminates the need for a separate console, making it more convenient and accessible.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Especially with free options like Clone Hero, playing Guitar Hero on PC can be significantly more budget-friendly than purchasing consoles and original games.
- Expanded Game Library: Emulators and Clone Hero unlock access to a vast library of Guitar Hero titles, far beyond the limited official PC releases. Clone Hero further expands this with virtually limitless community-created songs.
- Customization and Modding: PC gaming excels in customization, and Guitar Hero on PC is no exception. Clone Hero, in particular, is highly moddable, allowing for custom songs, skins, and gameplay tweaks, creating a personalized experience.
- Community and Longevity: The PC Guitar Hero community is incredibly active, especially around Clone Hero. This vibrant community ensures a constant stream of new songs, mods, and support, keeping the game fresh and engaging for years to come.
- Superior Performance Potential: Depending on your PC hardware, you can potentially achieve higher frame rates and resolutions compared to older consoles, resulting in a smoother and visually enhanced gaming experience.
The Enduring Popularity of Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero’s impact extends far beyond the realm of video games. It has permeated popular culture, appearing in movies, books, and inspiring countless individuals to pick up a real guitar.
The game’s cultural significance is undeniable. It transcended both music and gaming, becoming a recognizable icon of pop culture. Just show someone a Guitar Hero controller, and they’re almost certain to recognize the game.
This widespread recognition is no accident. By early 2008, the franchise had already surpassed $1 billion in North American sales alone, with over 16 million copies sold, not even accounting for downloadable content and game expansions.
By 2009, global sales had reached a staggering $2 billion, solidifying its position as the third-largest video game franchise worldwide, trailing only Super Mario and Madden NFL. It had found its way into over 15 million households.
Guitar Hero’s appeal isn’t confined to home gaming. Guitar Hero competitions are held globally, both online and in person, some with substantial prize pools. Even in casual settings, bars and pubs frequently host karaoke-style Guitar Hero nights.
Perhaps most remarkably, Guitar Hero has motivated millions to learn real musical instruments. A 2012 study in the British Journal of Music Education demonstrated that games like Guitar Hero help develop genuine musical skills and, at the very least, make learning real instruments more appealing to many young people.
Another study by UK group Youth Music found that an astonishing 2.5 million out of 12 million children in the UK were inspired to learn real instruments after playing Guitar Hero and similar games. These are truly remarkable figures, highlighting the game’s positive influence on music education and appreciation.
Playing Guitar Hero with Emulators: Accessing Console Exclusives
For those eager to experience Guitar Hero titles originally exclusive to consoles, emulators provide a gateway. Emulators are software programs that allow your PC to mimic the hardware and software environment of a console, enabling you to play console games on your computer.
It’s important to preface this section with a cautionary note: using emulators and downloading unofficial ROMs (game files) carries potential risks. Downloading files from unverified sources can expose your PC to malware and security threats. Always exercise caution and download emulator software and ROMs from reputable sources only.
Furthermore, emulator performance can vary, and ROMs may not always run flawlessly. You might encounter sluggishness or glitches, and the experience may not perfectly replicate playing on the original console.
If you choose the emulator route, RPCS3 is a highly regarded PlayStation 3 emulator compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS. If you opt for RPCS3, download it only from the official website to minimize security risks.
Once you have RPCS3 installed, you’ll need to obtain ROMs for the specific Guitar Hero editions you wish to play. A web search will typically yield ROMs, but again, exercise caution with download sources. After downloading, you can open the ROM file within the RPCS3 emulator to start playing.
Official Guitar Hero PC Versions: The Original Releases
While emulation opens up a vast library, three Guitar Hero titles were officially released for PC, offering a more straightforward and potentially smoother experience:
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Image alt text: Gameplay screenshot of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock on PC, featuring two players rocking out on guitars.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, despite being the third installment in the series, marked the first official PC release and remains a fan favorite. Developed by Neversoft and published by Activision in 2007, Legends of Rock introduced online multiplayer, allowing players worldwide to compete in “Guitar Battles.” It also featured a cooperative career mode, enhancing the band experience.
Expanding on previous versions, Legends of Rock allowed up to three players to play cooperatively as lead guitar, bass, and rhythm guitar, mimicking a real band dynamic. Even for solo players, the addition of bass and rhythm guitar parts added depth and replayability to the 70+ included songs.
A standout feature was the inclusion of legendary guitarists like Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Slash of Guns N’ Roses as guitar battle opponents and playable characters, adding star power and authenticity to the game.
Widely considered the most challenging Guitar Hero game, Legends of Rock became the best-selling game of 2007 and received widespread critical acclaim, earning scores like 8.9/10 from IGN, 8/10 from GameSpot, and 5/5 from Common Sense Media.
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
Image alt text: Guitar Hero Aerosmith PC game cover art, featuring the Aerosmith band logo and guitar hero branding.
The Guitar Hero series spawned artist-specific spin-offs, and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is the only such title officially released on PC. Launching in October 2008, a few months after console releases, this edition was the last to feature only guitar and bass parts.
Interestingly, only 11 of the 25 songs were by Aerosmith, with the rest from other artists. As an expansion of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Aerosmith retained identical gameplay, including career and co-op modes.
A highlight of the Aerosmith edition was its career mode, which followed the band’s real career trajectory, featuring tracks inspired by actual gigs, from their first high school concert to the Super Bowl Halftime show and their iconic Moscow performance. Interviews and band trivia enhanced the experience for Aerosmith devotees.
While praised for its Aerosmith immersion, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith didn’t achieve the same review scores as Legends of Rock due to its limited tracklist, but it provided fresh content for dedicated fans.
Guitar Hero: World Tour
Image alt text: Gameplay view of Guitar Hero World Tour on PC, showing full band performance with guitar, drums, and microphone.
Guitar Hero: World Tour, the successor to Legends of Rock, arrived on PC in November 2009, about a year after its console debut. This installment was highly anticipated due to the introduction of drum and microphone controllers, finally allowing players to simulate a full band experience.
World Tour also debuted the “Music Studio” mode, enabling players to create and share their own songs, adding a creative dimension to the game.
Beyond the new instrument controllers, gameplay remained largely consistent with previous versions. A notable change was the ability to play additional notes while sustaining a guitar note, adding complexity to guitar gameplay.
Like Legends of Rock, World Tour featured a career mode playable across all instruments and a band career mode for cooperative play.
The drum and microphone controllers were a major success, driving the game’s popularity. Guitar Hero: World Tour remains available for purchase from various retailers, testament to its enduring appeal.
Installing Official Guitar Hero Games on your PC
Installing official Guitar Hero PC versions is a straightforward process.
If you have a physical copy, simply insert the game disc into your computer’s CD/DVD drive and follow the on-screen installation prompts.
The exact steps might vary slightly depending on your Windows version, but the installation wizard should automatically launch in most cases.
Guitar Hero Controllers Compatible with PC
No Guitar Hero controllers were specifically designed for the PC versions of the game. However, several existing controllers, both officially licensed and third-party, are perfectly compatible with PC.
PlayStation 3 Guitar Hero controllers (from GH1, GH2, and GH3) are excellent options. They came with USB cables in addition to the PlayStation connector, minimizing latency issues.
If you own a wired controller with a PS2-style connection, a PS2 to USB adapter is an inexpensive fix. These adapters are readily available online and are quite affordable. For wired Xbox controllers, you’ll need a different adapter.
Later controllers, including the Guitar Hero Live version, incorporated Bluetooth connectivity. While convenient for wireless play, Bluetooth can introduce latency, which can be detrimental in rhythm games.
Wireless controllers can be slightly more complex to set up and generally require a wireless USB dongle, if one wasn’t included with the controller.
Connecting Your Guitar Hero Controller to your PC
Connection instructions vary based on your controller type.
Wired Controllers
The first step is simply to plug your wired controller into a USB port on your PC. If using a controller with a console-style connector, ensure your adapter is properly connected. Windows should automatically detect the controller and attempt to install the necessary drivers.
Once drivers are installed, the controller should be ready for use as soon as you launch the game.
Wireless Controllers
Guitar Hero Wireless Controller Setup
For wireless controllers, ensure the USB dongle is plugged into your PC before powering on the controller. Most wireless controllers include a dongle in the box. If you acquired a used controller without a dongle, you’ll need to purchase one separately.
The dongle may or may not initiate automatic driver installation. If not, check for a driver disc included with the controller. Alternatively, identify the controller’s make and model and search for drivers online from the manufacturer’s website.
Once drivers are installed, the controller should function without further configuration.
Bluetooth Controllers
Bluetooth controllers, like those from Guitar Hero Live, connect via Bluetooth if your PC is Bluetooth-enabled. To connect, power on the controller, ensure your PC is in pairing mode, and press the sync button on the guitar.
If pairing is successful, the controller should appear in your PC’s list of Bluetooth devices.
Clone Hero: A Thriving Community-Driven Guitar Hero Experience
The limited number of official Guitar Hero PC releases spurred dedicated fans to create their own Guitar Hero-inspired games. While several exist, Clone Hero has emerged as the most popular and successful.
Clone Hero is a freeware game developed by Ryan Foster. Originating as a small project in 2011 named GuitaRPG, it evolved through several iterations, including a name change to Guitar Game, before becoming Clone Hero. The Alpha release was on March 1, 2017, with the full release following on November 29, 2022.
Clone Hero’s aesthetics and gameplay closely mirror the original Guitar Hero games. This fidelity was enhanced when the game transitioned from the simpler 2D graphics of the XNA engine to the more advanced 3D capabilities of the Unity engine.
Clone Hero’s primary appeal lies in its ability to play community-created songs. The massive and passionate fanbase has generated thousands of downloadable song charts, significantly boosting the popularity of this rhythm game genre on PC.
A key distinction between Clone Hero and official Guitar Hero games is song selection flexibility. Official titles have fixed track lists, with limited downloadable content in some versions. Clone Hero, however, allows any audio file to be converted into a playable chart. This effectively means you can play virtually any song imaginable, including tracks beyond traditional music genres.
Because song charts are community-made, track difficulty is entirely user-defined. This has led to the creation of incredibly challenging songs that far exceed the difficulty of standard Guitar Hero tracks, catering to players of all skill levels.
Installing Clone Hero on your PC
Beyond official Guitar Hero games, Clone Hero is the top choice for a free, accessible, and expansive Guitar Hero-style experience on PC. It eliminates the need for emulators and avoids the risks associated with downloading ROMs from unverified sources.
Clone Hero is not only safer but also unlocks a virtually limitless song library, freeing you from the constraints of pre-set track lists.
To install Clone Hero, visit the official website and download the latest version from the homepage. The website also links to their Discord server, a valuable resource for community interaction and support.
Clicking “download” presents various options, with “Windows 64-bit” being the standard choice for most users. If this isn’t compatible with your system, click “Can’t find your operating system?” for alternative download links.
The download package is a 7z compressed file, requiring an extraction tool like WinRAR to open. Extract the folder to your desired location on your PC.
Once extracted, open the folder and create a new subfolder named “songs”. This “songs” folder is where you will store your downloaded song charts.
Numerous websites host pre-formatted Clone Hero songs. The Discord channel is another excellent source for song charts and community recommendations.
Download songs you want to play and place them within the “songs” folder you created. Then, launch Clone Hero, navigate to “Settings” -> “General” -> “Scan Songs.” This step ensures the game detects your downloaded songs and adds them to your playable library.
After scanning, you’re ready to rock! Clone Hero is compatible with a wide array of guitar controllers, including Guitar Hero models and even controllers from the Rock Band series.
Clone Hero Controller Compatibility
Clone Hero offers broad controller support, including keyboard controls, gamepads (like Xbox or PlayStation controllers), Guitar Hero guitar controllers, and drum kits (both gamepad-style and MIDI-style) as long as they have a USB output and are PC-compatible.
While compatibility is extensive, certain controllers are particularly well-suited for Clone Hero. These include the Gibson Explorer guitar from Guitar Hero 5, the Les Paul guitar from Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, and any guitar options from Guitar Hero: World Tour (including drum kits).
These specific controllers are generally easier to set up and provide an optimal gameplay experience. Original controllers can often be found used on platforms like eBay and Amazon (and occasionally new old stock). GameStop is also worth checking for used controllers. Be cautious of brand-new aftermarket controllers from sites like Temu, DHGate, Aliexpress, or even Amazon, as reports of poor quality and inconsistent compatibility are common.
Used controllers are often much more affordable, especially if you find them at thrift stores. Aim to spend around $30 or less for a guitar or around $70 for drums. New original controllers can command premium prices, so unless you specifically want new, consider used options.
Factor in the potential additional cost of dongles for wireless guitars or breakaway cables for wired controllers. If you intend to use a Wiimote controller, you’ll need WiitarThing, a software utility required to install the necessary drivers on your PC. Follow setup guides carefully, especially when updating from older versions of WiitarThing.
Customization and Modding in Clone Hero
A significant advantage of PC gaming is the ability to modify and customize games, and Clone Hero fully embraces this. Beyond custom songs, Clone Hero allows players to modify various aspects, from visual elements like custom note highways and skins to gameplay tweaks. This makes Clone Hero ideal for players seeking a truly personalized gaming experience.
These customization options ensure Clone Hero remains fresh and offers a unique experience for each player.
Finding Songs for Clone Hero
For those not inclined to create their own Clone Hero charts, thousands of community-created charts are readily available for download. A quick web search will reveal numerous reliable sources. Popular options include Rhythm Gaming World, Chorus, and Reddit communities dedicated to Clone Hero. As with any PC downloads, be mindful of potential malware risks. Keep your antivirus software updated and download only from trusted sources.
Once downloaded, place song charts in the designated “songs” folder within your Clone Hero directory. The game should automatically detect and add these songs to your playable library upon scanning. This simple process allows players to continually expand their song collections, keeping the game dynamic and exciting.
The Future of Guitar Hero on PC
Despite the Guitar Hero series’ massive success, its discontinuation remains a surprise. While Guitar Hero Live, the final installment, experimented with a first-person perspective, this new format was largely unpopular with the core community.
The online Guitar Hero community has long speculated about a reboot or new games in the original franchise style. However, Activision Blizzard has yet to make any official announcements regarding new Guitar Hero titles for PC or any other platform.
For the foreseeable future, Clone Hero appears to be the future of rhythm games on PC. Its community-driven nature, vast song library, and ongoing development ensure its continued relevance and growth.
Final Thoughts: Rocking Out on PC
The Guitar Hero series undeniably ranks among the greatest video games ever created. Beyond entertainment, these games have inspired countless individuals to pick up real guitars and explore music. The sense of community surrounding Guitar Hero and its inspired games is remarkable. Thanks to community efforts to make it PC accessible, you don’t even need a console to enjoy this iconic experience.
Playing Guitar Hero on PC is readily achievable, especially with official game copies and compatible peripherals. If you opt for emulators, be diligent about scanning files for malware and be aware of potential performance limitations. For a free and expansive alternative to official games, Clone Hero is highly recommended as the best option available. So, grab your guitar controller, fire up your PC, and get ready to rock!
