Opinion: Guitar Hero: Smash Hits lineup isn’t very, well, smashing

As you probably know by now, Activision has let slip the tracklist for Guitar Hero: Smash Hits through IGN. I was excited too. After all, the only Guitar Hero I actually own is the original PS2 game, and the remake is going to feature master recordings by the original artists and be compatible with the drums and mic. Yet, after looking at that list, I can’t help but be disappointed. I’m not sure if it’s favoritism, or if the collection of songs in each entry of Guitar Hero weren’t as good as I remember, but the final list disappoints me.

It all began when I started looking over the tracks selected from the original Guitar Hero. Many of my favorite songs, ones I’d routinely play in the game, weren’t there. Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man,” David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” and The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated” are missing in action.

I can understand that everyone favorite song(s) can’t be in the game and such, but these are legendary tracks from bands that are known throughout the world. “Ziggy Stardust” or “I Wanna Be Sedated” would fit better in Guitar Hero: Smash Hits, a collection of the absolute best songs, than The Donnas’ “Take it Off” or The Exisentialist’s “Hey You.” Maybe replace Incubus’ “Stellar” with ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man” while you’re at it…