Guitar Hero Rocks the 80s

Those who know me pretty well know that I am quite a big fan of the Guitar Hero games for PS2. I had heard of the game when it first came out, but never desired to play it. I figured that since I don't play real guitar, I would not enjoy the game. I'm the type of guy who needs to relate to something in order to appreciate it. For instance, lots of people love the movie Half Baked, but I, not being a pothead, think it's awful and unwatchable.

But I played the game around the time that Guitar Hero II was released. I was spending the night at my friend Dan's college dorm at NC State, which was my last stop on my drive from California back to New Jersey. After going to a bar to grab food and a few beers, we came back and Dan turned the game on. I was mildly excited, but far from gleeful. It was probably the same level of excitement you get when a friend of yours asks you if you want to see a picture of his new girlfriend; you're mildly curious to see what she looks like, but not exactly brimming with anticipation.

Dan plays a song first and then hands me the "guitar" and I scroll through the song list. Third song from the top is "Mother" by Danzig. THAT got me amped up because the song freakin rules. So I made that my first selection and was immediately hooked. I bought the game for myself and played it non stop. I got pretty damn good too, eventually accomplishing a 100% score for "Mother" on hard (which, sadly, is one of the highlights of my life).

But after I moved to south Jersey and without my PS2 at my disposal [side note: it's still in my old apartment in California, waiting to be shipped back] I have gotten rusty at the game. I realized I was losing my touch two weeks ago when I went home and played my 11 YEAR OLD BROTHER head to head and he absolutely SMOKED me in three different songs, including...yes...Mother. I realized that I had truly fallen out of favor with the game.

But then they released word a few weeks ago that there would be a supplemental game Guitar Hero Rocks the 80s. They didn't immediately release a song list, which sucked because that's all ANYBODY wanted to know about a game like this. How dare they announce the game without a playlist. That's like when someone says to you, "I had something really important/funny/awesome to tell you...but I forgot," and you want to punch them in the face for even bringing it up. Why even mention the fact if there's nothing behind it?

But recently they released a partial songlist and oh man is this game going to rule. Check this out: (CAPS represent songs or artists that I'm especially pumped about)

“I WANNA ROCK” (by Twisted Sister)

“I RAN” (by Flock of Seagulls)

“Round and Round” (as made famous by Ratt)

“I Want Candy” (as made famous by Bow Wow Wow)

“Metal Health” (as made famous by Quiet Riot)

“HOLY DIVER” (as made famous by Dio)

“HEAT OF THE MOMENT” (as made famous by Asia)

"18 AND LIFE" (as made famous by SKID ROW)

"SHAKIN" (AS MADE FAMOUS BY EDDIE MONEY)

Eddie Money!!! Oh man! Early June. I'm buying it. I'm rocking out to Eddie Money, Skid Row, et al!

Then I'm gonna go kick my little 11 year old brother's ass head to head on 18 and Life.