Guitar Hero II (game only) (PlayStation 2, 2006)

Everything I wanted to do with the first Guitar Hero, they are putting into the second. Bass or Rythym guitar for second player, different difficulties for each player, a practice mode to slow down and learn the hard parts, more and more songs, non-cover studio tracks, colorful SG controllers.

The dueling banjo multiplayer is fun for a while, but gets old quick. Harmonix and Red Octane have really expanded the depth with co-op multiplayer. The ability to have each player on their own difficulty level and play different guitar parts is an answer to my prayers.

Practice mode is something I've become accustomed to with Beatmania. The ability to slow down the song and learn the hard parts is a big improvement to the Guitar Hero set list. I hope this feature is easy to use.

The creaters have announced there will be 40 licensed tracks and some 55 songs total. Even better is they are trying to get studio master tracks instead of covers for the songs. Primus has already announced they're song will be a master track and not a cover. Primus plus bass mode equals heaven.

The thought of jamming out Cowboys from Hell on a pink SG controller makes my eyes water with happiness. Red Octane says all of the styles at E3 will be available for sale. Let's hope so. Maybe I won't feel so weird playing a toy guitar if it's pink...

I cannot wait for this game. Wanting to play the game is the only thing keeping me from going into a drunken, cocaine-induced coma.