Guitar Hero 3: new songs announced

Yes we know it's not the real thing but everyone seems to be going crazy for it - including some of the Guitarist team - the third installment of the popular Guitar Hero video game is due to be released in the Autumn and already featured songs are being announced, including tracks from Muse, The Rolling Stones, Smashing Pumpkins and Heart.

The game uses a guitar-shaped controller to mimic the real thing with coloured buttons as frets and even a whammy bar. This time round, Guitar Hero 3 will be released on the next generation of games consoles - Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii - as well as the console it made its name on, Sony's Playstation 2. For the new game the controllers will now be in the shape of a Gibson Les Paul and also feature wireless connectivity.

Tracks confirmed by the game's developer Activision so far are as follows:

Alice Cooper - School's Out
Beastie Boys - Sabotage
Foghat - Slow Ride
Heart- Barracuda
Kiss - Rock And Roll All Nite
Living Colour - Cult of Personality
Muse - Knights of Cydonia
Smashing Pumpkins - Cherub Rock
Tenacious D - The Metal
The Rolling Stones - Paint It Black
Weezer - My Name is Jonas

Many more songs and artists are yet to be announced and Dusty Welch, head of publishing at Activision's RedOctane operation said, "Many of the top bands and songs we've tried to get in the past are now on board, and we've definitely got some giant aces in the hole to say the least."

Welch added that "the new line of Gibson wireless guitars for each platform is going to truly add to the authentic rock star experience like no other."

But does it improve your playing on the real thing? Hmmm...