Still rocking it out with Guitar Hero II on your Xbox 360? Then be prepared for a new challenge as RedOctane has recently released yet another downloadable content pack for the Xbox 360 version of the game, and this one tastes a bit more indie than the others. Different flavor, yes, but still worth a look.

Check out the entire scoop at the full article.

When a gaming company manages to churn out a hit franchise, we'd most probably think that they hit paydirt, like what Activision did when they came up with the Guitar Hero series of games. However, the benefits of coming up with a great title may be a bit of a bane as well.

According to analyst Mike Hickey from Janco Partners, the emerging competition resulting from Activision's Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk franchises may prove to be "damaging for growth prospects".

Of course, when talking about Guitar Hero's and Tony Hawk's competition, it can only mean Harmonix' Rock Band (for the Xbox 360, PS3) and EA's Skate (also for the Xbox 360 and PS3). Hickey said that Rock Band may prove to be a compelling option in the console music gaming genre, which may eventually mean trouble for Activision itself.

Hickey said that analysts are expecting the Guitar Hero series to develop and evolve with the addition of new music peripherals in the near future, which will help the franchise in staying afloat in the midst of competition.

With the imminent release of both Harmonix's Rock Band (for PS2, PS3, and Xbox 360) and Activision's Guitar Hero III coming up (for the Wii, PC, PS3, and Xbox 360), fans of the console guitar-strumming games who already own a guitar controller should be wondering if their trusty guitar will work with the two new titles.

Thankfully IGN was kind enough to check the compatibility of the three existing controllers: Guitar Hero II's X-Plorer, Guitar Hero III's Les Paul, and Rock Band's Stratocaster. With the exception of the Stratocaster, all three guitars can be used interchangeably for all three games.

However, here's the (understandable) catch: Both Guitar Hero II and III's guitars can be used for Rock Band, but they cannot activate any of Rock Band's special effects. On the other hand, Rock Band's Stratocaster sadly cannot be used for either Guitar Hero II or III.

Why is it that Rock Band's Stratocaster does not return the compatibility favor? In any case, let's just enjoy the upcoming guitar titles. Stay tuned for more updates!

So you loved the first Guitar Hero games - and it's a bet we're willing to take that you're gonna love Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock - and you grew attached to the soundtrack (from playing the level so many times) that you just have to have it. Well here's your chance to download the complete albums (plural, meaning from all the games) from the iTunes store.

iTunes is now offering features tracks from Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero II, Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s and finally, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Almost all the songs will be available, and a new version of Anarchy in the UK performed by the Sex pistols will also be downloadable as a separate track.

The series will also feature custom-created playlists featuring tracks chosen by artist and by genre, including a guitar-themed playlist. The tracks are available through the iTunes Store, following the read link below. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii) itself will be available on November 23 but you don't have to wait to listen to the soundtrack.

Target will be holding its first ever Guitar Hero event at this year's Entertainment for All Expo. Attendees will be able to shred through a pre-release demo of Red Octane and Activision's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii) at the event.

E for All attendees will also be able to showcase their shredding skills at one of the Guitar Hero II kiosks for a chance to qualify for the final Guitar Hero II showdown on Saturday, October 20. The winner will get to walk away with more than US$ 3,000 in cash and Target gift cards.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock from Red Octane and Activision hits retail stores on October 28. The Entertainment for All Expo will take place on October 18 until October 21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Buy: [Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (Xbox 360)]
Buy: [Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (PS3)]
Buy: [Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (Wii)]

It's finally time for the latest GameStop deal of the week ending on September 24. Of course, the hottest deal in town is the release of Bungie's Halo 3, so better get ready for the midnight launch on September 25. If you happen to live near the GameStop Universal CityWalk branch, then you might as well go all out and attend the launch party as well.

As for other games, GameStop also has special deals for Guitar Hero 2 on both the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox 360, giving a US$ 10 discount off the pricetags of both Guitar Hero 2 versions (US$ 69.99 for the PS2 and US$ 79.99 for the Xbox 360).

GameStop is also offering a US$ 5 discount for every reservations of Half-Life 2: The Orange Box. The Orange Box for PC and Xbox 360 will come out on October 9, with the PS3 version coming in two weeks late. Another noteworthy pre-order offer is a free Conan figure for every Conan reservation made through GameStop. Do be quick to reserve it, since Conan is slated to be released ahead of schedule.

Not a bad week for GameStop, eh? Make sure that you check the images above to get all information about GameStop's deal for the current week.

Do check this space often for the next Deal of the Week from GameStop!

Good news for game rock stars out there. The sixth downloadable pack for Guitar Hero II is coming to the Xbox Live Marketplace.

ScoreHero's JCirri announced that the upcoming Guitar Hero II DLC pack will be coming at 2 A.M. PST tomorrow and will contain the usual three songs: Detonation from Trivium, Right Side of the Bed by Atreyu, and Bury the Hatchet by Protest the Hero. And despite protests, the download will still cost 500 Microsoft Points.

We guess RedOctane is keeping fans on their toes (or fingertips) and getting ready for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock's ever looming release (Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PlayStation 3). Stay tuned for more news on this one, we'll keep you posted.

It was recently announced that the downloadable song packs for the Xbox 360 version of RedOctane and Activision's Guitar Hero II has already hit multi-platinum status. This essentially means it sold 650,000 through the Xbox Live Marketplace in less than five months.

It has also been reported that individual songs for download have already passed the two million mark and that the Guitar Hero games have sold over 5.5 million units. RedOctane's head of publishing Dusty Welsh spoke about this milestone and how they were able to reach it:

Activision was the first third-party publisher to offer downloadable content via Xbox LIVE to consumers and as a result, we have tremendous insight into the types of content that consumers want.

The Guitar Hero II downloadable video game song packs are some of the most popular content on Xbox LIVE and are quickly becoming a very lucrative revenue stream and powerful promotional vehicle for musicians and record labels today.

With the popularity of both Guitar Hero I and II, can we expect lightning to strike thrice with the upcoming Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock(Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PS3)? We'll have to see when it comes out this October 29.

Due to all the hullaballoo of E3, guess we missed out on a couple of things from last week too. Maybe you have as well, so you better thank Slipstream0 for tipping us off on this. After a lot of rumors and shuffling around of tracks among planned content packs, we've finally got Guitar Hero II's Content Pack 4.

• I Wanna Be Sedated - The Ramones
• Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple
• You've Got Another Thing Coming - Judas Priest

The pack costs 500 MS Points and some sources say that it was released back on the 11th of this month (first day of E3), while others say it was only released on the 15th. Regardless, it's now available and if you still haven't downloaded it, you're free to do so now.

Again, thanks to Slipstream0 for the tip!

Here's something for Xbox 360 owners who have yet to buy a copy of Activision's Guitar Hero II. Consumer electronics retail chain Circuit City is currently offering some free Microsoft Points to people who buy a copy of the game.

Those who take advantage of the promo will get 1600 Microsoft points for every purchase of Guitar Hero II for free. The offer is available both online and in-store. Xbox 360 Fanboy notes that you have to send in a rebate form to get your money back, though.

The Circuit City Guitar Hero II promo runs until August 18. If you haven't played the popular rhythm game yet or are planning to buy someone a copy, check this offer out (via our "Source" link below).