Kombo's Review Policy: Our reviews are written for you. Our goal is to write honest, to-the-point reviews that don't waste your time. This is why we've split our reviews into four sections: What the Game's About, What's Hot, What's Not and Final Word, so that you can easily find the information you want from our reviews.

What the Game's About
Guitar Hero: On Tour: Modern Hits is the third Nintendo DS version of Guitar Hero. Using the original DS and DS Lite, you can plug in an additional peripheral that acts like a mini version of the legions of plastic guitars that are in living rooms across the world. You use the touchpad to strum all the virtual notes to your favorite songs. Focusing on the here and now, Modern Hits takes you through current songs from current artists.

What's Hot
No matter what, it will always be cool to have Guitar Hero on the DS. Being able to put the pop culture changing gameplay in your pocket is a neat experience, if you haven't tried it yet. Modern Hits continues the tradition with giving you the hand grip and a DS cart full of songs, about 28 of them in total. All the artists are people you will have heard of if you haven't put your head in the sand for the past couple of years. Don't expect Modern Hits to rest on the successes of the past Guitar Hero games because it explores some new territory.

Fan Request mode is the newest and largest addition to Modern Hits compared to the past two titles. Instead of plowing through your typical set list, your fans can issue challenges. It might be getting a 75 note streak or something more sinister but if you win, you score more fans. Fans are the key to progression in Modern Hits. You'll need to do both fan requests and your normal set list if you want to keep unlocking more venues.



What's Not
As cool as the setup of Guitar Hero is on the DS, there are a few technical limitations that have been persistent throughout the versions. First is the sound quality. The speakers on the DS aren't the best, so you'll need to find a pair of headphones. Second is the lack of comfort. You've got your hand unnaturally gripped around the DS and you have to press buttons and strum. After 10 minutes, your hand will start to feel cramped and you'll need to take a break.

Those problems will eventually need to be addressed but they might be the least of Modern Hit's worries. With The DSi you can't play the game because the lack of a Gameboy Advanced slot to plug the Guitar Grip in. The result is that some people who traded up their DS or just got a new DSi, they'll be sadly missing out on Modern Hits as well as the past Guitar Hero games.

Final Word
Modern Hits changes the standard Guitar Hero fare and offers a new way to play. The new fan based progression keeps you striving to improve and get challenges down pat before you rock out your next venue. If you don't mind a little bit of discomfort awkwardly gripping your DS, Modern Hits is a continuation of a great series.