More info on Guitar Hero: Van Halen
Here’s a recap of what is known about the upcoming Guitar Hero: Van Halen game:
- Guitar Hero: Van Halen should be released this year, possibly as early as August. Van Halen Store will be offering it and will be taking pre-orders soon.
- Like the Guitar Hero: Metallica game before it, only the current Van Halen band memebers are in the game.
- Players start off as the modern-day Van Halen, with the animated David Lee Roth, Eddie, Alex, and Wolfgang Van Halen characters looking just as they did on the 2007-2008 tour. As you play, you can “unlock” classic characters - younger versions of Dave, Al, Ed, and an alternate Wolfgang, where he looks very early ’80’s-Van Halen, wearing Eddie’s 1984 dice shirt and a red bandana around his neck.
- The game features 25 Van Halen classic songs, 3 Eddie Van Halen guitar solos (”Eruption”, “Catherdral” & “Spanish Fly”), and 19 songs from other artists.
- The game was premiered at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles last week. Wolfgang Van Halen actually showed up on Wednesday (June 3rd) with his girlfriend. He tried out the game (a beta version with four VH tunes, a Queen song and a Yellowcard song) and also did a duet with the DJ Hero demo guy on the Activision stage.
From Destructoid.com:
E3 09: Here’s a look at Guitar Hero: Van Halen
We know Guitar Hero: Van Halen is a thing. And it’s a thing coming to all of the usual suspect consoles later this year, and if retailers are to be believe, it’s coming pretty soon.
So imagine our surprise when Guitar Hero: Van Halen was not one of the games on their list for E3 this year. Instead, the publisher is focusing on its other Hero games, Guitar Hero 5 and DJ Hero, both slated to his stores this holiday. Up until now, we haven’t even gotten a single glimpse of what the game would look like.
That changes. Now. Check out what your digital David Lee Roth looks like in action after the jump. (Note: This was video snapped right off of the show floor, and the soundtrack is DJ Shadow… not Van Halen. If you couldn’t tell. I’m just clearing that up now, in case anyone would get confused. Then we’d have to laugh at you.)
From IGN.com:
E3 2009: Guitar Hero Van Halen Preview
US, June 4, 2009 - Activision loves to milk the Guitar Hero franchise. That’s why it’s so surprising Guitar Hero: Van Halen is only available to play at Sony’s E3 booth, tucked away in a corner. We happened upon it entirely by accident on our way to play Uncharted 2 for the 40th time and figured we might as well rock a few tracks.
You know the drill by now, right? Guitar Hero: Van Halen runs on the Guitar Hero: Metallica engine and includes all of that game’s features. It’s on par with Metallica’s visuals, as well. And like Aerosmith before them, the track list is a mix of Van Halen and other bands. We played “Panama” and “You Really Got Me,” both by Van Halen, and noticed the song “Takedown” by Yellowcard, too. Also playable here at the show are the VH songs “Jump” and “Ain’t Talking About Love.” The other bands joining the party include Queen, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, and Blink 182.
You’ll start out seeing the modern Van Halen, but eventually unlock the classic images of the band with huge hair and tight pants. Guitar Hero: World Tour characters will show up to play non-Halen songs.
Guitar Hero: Van Halen will not include the new party features found in Guitar Hero 5. So you won’t be able to join a song in progress or change instruments on the fly. This is basically the same experience you had with Guitar Hero: Metallica, with Van Halen songs swapped in.
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June 9th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
HOLY CRAP!!!!!
June 9th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Just what I always wanted, a game where I can play as Wolfgang Van Halen. What’s next? A game where I can vacuum the house?
Zzzzz…
June 9th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
That’s pretty cool!
June 10th, 2009 at 12:24 am
How incredibly childish and petty not to include Sammy and Mike.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:58 am
Nothing personal against Wolf, but I think it sucks that when you finally unlock classic mode, you’ll see a 80’s version of him. That makes no sense.
Just bring Mikey in, for God’s sake…
Frank, NL
June 10th, 2009 at 1:24 am
I doubt Eddie wanted Sammy and Mike in Guitar Hero. And even if he did, getting them in the game probably would’ve taken so much legal wrangling that it wasn’t even worth it.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:28 am
yeah. thats 20-odd years of Van Halen just axed out….which is a bit lame.
mind you , it does kinda specify ‘25 CLASSIC Van Halen’ songs which does sort of suggest Diamond Dave only.
hell, you never know, maybe it’ll be a huge success and they’ll make GH:VH 2 with Sammy and Gary
lol….
and this best come with a Frankie controller XD
June 10th, 2009 at 3:27 am
You know… After the unveiling of “Rock Band: Beatles” this seems to be a crappy game. Don’t misunderstand me: It rocks to have a Van Halen Game but the graphics compared to rock band are crap.
And this is a band that has history, so you can do a game like Rock Band Beatles and evolve from beginning to nowadays. A VH game without Mike and Sammy? Why not to include Gary Cherone with “whitout you”? Holy Sh*t!
Despite that, i’ll buy it
June 10th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Ed the corporate animal strikes again…………..still no new music though!
I would have thought the game play was pretty rubbish………..do as Ed says or we don’t play!
June 10th, 2009 at 4:22 am
It is so weird how people critique a game they have not played yet. Play the game first before calling it crap. And by the way, superior graphics does not always improve the gaming experience.
I am very excited about VH Guitar Hero. But my kids are more excited than I am about it. My son is especially excited about playing Wolfgang in the game. We all love the music, so to experience the music beyond the media player is going to be great for us.
I am not hung up on which incarnation is represented in the game. It’s a game - not a biography. I’ll be the first in line when it comes out.
June 10th, 2009 at 4:45 am
I think this rocks!! I can’t wait for it, but as much as I support the new VH I think it is total bullshit not to include Mike in this…HELLO?!?! He is after all in the original line up…lets get serious here.
June 10th, 2009 at 4:47 am
I typically think these “Guitar Hero/Rock Band” games are idiotic, but anything that exposes a bunch of young kids to classic Van Halen and likely turns a few of them into real fans is alright by me. Long live the MIGHTY VH! haha
June 10th, 2009 at 5:35 am
It just looks strange for them to have Eddie, Dave and Al in their classic look, with a modern day Wolfgang. They should at least give you the opportunity to unlock Michael Anthony!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 5:51 am
How incredibly none of your fucking business it is that Sammy & Mike are not on Guitar hero. They are not in the band! It’s a stupid video game . You’re probaly too old to be playing video games anyway! Once again…Ed’s name.Ed’s band. Get a life!!
June 10th, 2009 at 5:55 am
Karl get over it loser, Sammy & Mike who Cares !!! Go play Chickenfoot Guitar Hero ! Oh wait they’ll never make one !!!
June 10th, 2009 at 6:20 am
I love how many people here think they know the lives of eddie dave and alex. “They should do this” / “They shouldnt do that” Seriously…shut up already! I dont care who likes who….who thinks who’s an asshole….who should be included…who shouldnt be. It’s called LIFE folks. Think about how many people you were close with back in the day that you could give a shit about now. People CHANGE…people grow older. I respect everyones opinion but there’s a lot of bitches out there that for damn sure. If you’re under the age of 21 there’s a lot more life to live and a lot more to experience. The way the boys were back in the day when they were in their 20’s, isnt gonna come close to their 50 something year old thinking of today. No one here OWNS eddie or the rest of the band. people have gone as far as saying that wolfgang is fat etc. Now… who needs to GROW UP? Did anyone here ever have a band that has the success VH has had? Think not. I’m very happy for VH right now. They had a great tour. Chickenfoot is doing well and they’re happy. Leave it alone already! Christ….
As far as guitar hero VH is concerned…..im not a big videogame guy (unless you wanna pull out the old atari, colecovision, or ols school nintendo!) but it does look kinda cool. I like how they were on point with the younger versions of dave eddie and alex. Dont think i’ll ever own it…but it does look cool.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:24 am
NO MIKEY ! …… sad
There is only one Van Halen: David Lee Roth,Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Micheal Anthony …. Accept no substitutes…
June 10th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Right stew, nice comment. Care to explain why it doesn’t matter that we get some strange version of the history of VH based on who Ed is or isn’t talking to at this moment in time?
June 10th, 2009 at 6:35 am
For some reason I find this offensive. Pick up a real guitar and play and forget this nonsense. It does seem to indicate big corporate EVH at work (got sneakers?). While I do not like Hagar, it is also pretty lame to not include him in this lame game. To not include Mike…sorry Ed - lame.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Wow - way to completely ignore half of your history and legacy.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Complete Bullshit not to include Mike or Sammy (fuggit - even Gary) in this.
If nothing else it leaves out 4 pretty awesome albums worth of songs which might have meant they didn’t need to pad it with these other bands.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Where the f is the original band member Mike. That’s crap. No offense to Wolfgang who is a fine replacement in the band now, but Wolfgang wasn’t even in the band until 2007.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Metallica’s bass player wasn’t in the band until recently either. Imagine trying to develop this game with Eddie and Michael Anthony & Roth in the same room, but not in the same band. Obviously it wouldn’t work.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Hey Stew,
A lot of us care! You classified yourself a loser when you resorted to name calling. grow up…
June 10th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Mike and Sammy aren’t in VH. Need we keep reminding everybody? Why in the world would the VH camp include two guys which diss them at every opportunity? They’re trying to promote the current version of the band to spark some interest if, IF, they record again.
Did you ever think that maybe Mike and Sam don’t want to be in the game? Get over it already. Be happy that Sam and Mike are touring making music you guys like. That’s a good thing. They’re happy, so why can’t their fans be?
June 10th, 2009 at 7:15 am
This is just so funny to me that people get all pissed about this. Is it really that pertinent to your lives who gets represented in the VH video game? Who really cares? I mean, really. Just be glad that TONS and I mean TONS of kids are going to start listening to VH.
Karl & Brian, you can still come to the cookout. SCAR, did you pick up the napkins I texted you about? Vaniciado, bring some forks for the potato salad. See you guys, Saturday, rain or shine!
June 10th, 2009 at 7:37 am
This is great another reason for Ed to not release any new music. I read Aerosmith made more money off a game than a record.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:41 am
garysamuelroth says:
June 10th, 2009 at 4:22 am
“It is so weird how people critique a game they have not played yet. Play the game first before calling it crap. I am very excited about VH Guitar Hero. But my kids are more excited than I am about it. My son is especially excited about playing Wolfgang in the game. We all love the music, so to experience the music beyond the media player is going to be great for us.”
Dude, there are a hundred Guitar Hero and Rock Band games out already with different bands (Aerosmith, Metallica) and generic characters.
People commenting on the VH game have played the others. And several people commenting on how lame the VH version is played it at E3.
If you had played any version of GH, you’d know they’re all the same game with different music. So if you’ve played one, you’ve played them all, subtle differences aside.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:44 am
You limp wristed wienies ! You guys cry about Mike he’s just a bass player ! Alot of bands change their line up . I like Mike but if I could choose Van Halen With Mike or Dave I’ll take Dave . Dave & Eddie Are Van Halen .
June 10th, 2009 at 8:08 am
If this is such a big issue,send Ed a message & don’t run out & buy it! I highly doubt he will give a shit.I guess Metallica could have a ghost of Cliff Burton floating around. Whats wrong with you people? Its just a dopie video game.Who cares? Bottom line….Ed’s name….Ed’s band!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:10 am
They really should have had Mikey and Sammy as unlockables…I mean come on! Yes, I get the current VH doesn’t include either, and the current lineup should probably get top billing, but there should at least be a couple Sammy tunes, and at least more than a few classic ones with Mikey.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:21 am
RIGHT NOW - I’m calculating whether or not Wolfie was even a fetus in the ’80s.
RIGHT NOW - I’m wondering if his ’80s representation will just be a twinkle with a red bandana around it.
RIGHT NOW - I’m wondering whether or not it’s worth unlocking anything.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:25 am
And this is where it comes unstuck, stew. You think it’s a Dave v Sammy thing or a Mike v Eddie thing. It’s not. I don’t care if Mike and Sammy are in or out as individual personalities. I’m just wondering why everyone involved can’t just grow up and give the fans the full VH experience.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:28 am
WHERE IS MIKEY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:32 am
I agree with you Karl one hundred percent.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Have you played the Metallica Guitar Hero?
If you play Master of puppets it has the stage from that era, with the band looking like they do TODAY! They have short hair, and tattoos, not like they did in 1986. Trujillo is playing the bass instead of Cliff.
or if you play “Enter Sandman”, it has the Snake Pit stage with Trujillo playing the bass instead of Jason.
So WHAT WHERE YOU EXPECTING from VH?
June 10th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Good thinking Ed! Let’s see, most gamers are younger. Since VH haven’t put out any music in eons chances are VH is completely irrelevant to a lot of them. For those that are familiar with VH, given their likely age they probably are more familiar with Van Hagar since that’s what they grew up on.
It’s not a Roth vs. Hagar thing. It’s simply business thinking. By leaving the Hagar era out of the game, the demographic of people likely excited about this game is going to be relatively small. All we need is for this game to be a huge flop and then Ed loses his nerve and we never get that new music.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I bet there are no Sammy songs in this game as well. I’m sure Eddie wants everyone to forget that lineup even existed, and you know Dave would never allow even an animated representation of himself to sing those songs, lol!
It will be interesting to see what they do with the animations of Wolfgang in the game considering he was less than animated on the recent tour.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Once again, I know MA is really out of VH, its a shame he’s not a part of this GH - Classic VH game! But he is done with VH according to the brothers.
But the game does look cool and the songs will be great. This would be best released with new music or a live dvd from 07/08 tour. Only the die hards will buy this game. So I think the VH camp is making a mistake marketing wise too (which is something they seem to only care about lately!!) Hope this leads to a new record!
June 10th, 2009 at 9:41 am
What would a digitized “early 80’s” version of Wolfgang in the dice shirt and red bandana really look like?
Thats something like 11 years before he was born right?
June 10th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Kudos!!!!!!!!! Duck/ Dirty Duck. You`ve renewed my hope in mankind for today.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:03 am
I agree with a lot of people here..sucks that it isn’t the original line up, but at the same time it is so awesome that VH is getting a game and people will be able to listen to classic VH!!!
And for everyone that says people who play guitar hero are lame and they should pick up a real guitar should really just shut up lol. Seriously, not everyone can play guitar and it is harder for some than others. Besides, who says we are playing guitar hero INSTEAD of actually playing guitar…its a VIDEO GAME that is fun and musical. Just because I play James Bond are you going to say I am lame and I should go out and actually be a spy and pick up golden guns? NOO so please mind your own business and worry about yourself:).
VH FOR LIFE!!! <3
June 10th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Everyone needs to stop bickering about Sammy and Mike.
Who are the members of Van Halen?
Ed, Dave, Al, and Wolf.
Therefore, that is who should be in the game.
And also I agree with Kimberly on the guitar hero vs. playing real guitar issue.
As a guitarist myself, guitar hero was initially a difficult game for me. Eventually, it becomes fun! Who cares if it is mimicking playing a guitar? It’s fun. Besides, there are countless kids who used to listen to all this crappy mainstream music - and Guitar Hero turned them on to classic rock! That is the best part of the whole thing. Other kids were also inspired to play the guitar because of this game’s appeal as well. Overall, Guitar Hero = good.
This looks like a good game!
June 10th, 2009 at 11:29 am
AGREED Kimberly! That’s like saying, instead of playing Halo 3, we should just go shoot people in the face.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Kayser, you may have made a good point. Since there is no Hagar, the demographic may be smaller. However, the demographic that does play the game will be cooler. Personally, I don’t want kids ‘rocking’ to Dreams when they could be playing to Mean Street.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Why in the world would VH fans expect to see Mike & Sammy in the VH game when they are NOT IN THE BAND?? It’s just like the Metallica game - no past members appear in the game.
This game is going to be HUGE! The Aerosmith & Metallica Guitar Hero games sold phenomenally, so you would sure think that the Van Halen game would sell at least just as good, since EDDIE VAN HALEN, by far the most popular living guitarist, is their guitar player! lol.
It’s funny - some people on this site are bitching, but in the real world it’ll sell millions.
This reminds me of something -it’s just like when VH sold the 4-star and 5-star tickets for the very first time in 2004 - many of the fans on the internet were bitching at the prices, thinking VH went crazy and those tickets were too expensive and won’t sell. But as soon as those 4 and 5-star tickets went on sale, they sold out in MINUTES!
June 10th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I have seen a lot of screenshots from the game. I can’t believe how well they nailed Dave, Ed, Al, & Wolf! Guitar Hero has the band’s 1978 stage outfits down to a “T”! Perfect!
Daves got his wide-striped black & white pants, shiny green shirt, and even the “D” necklace!
Ed’s got the striped shirt & the pants he often wore on that tour.
Al’s got the 1978 tour shirt with the sleeves cut off! Love it!!
The even nailed Wolfgang. he looks perfect. Just like a male version of Valerie.
I really am amazed just how much the game characters look like the real band. It really is amazing.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:45 am
This discussion is absolutely hilarious. Anybody who actually expected Michael Anthony or Sammy Hagar to be represented in this was blissfully naive. It’s the same people who still wonder if David Lee Roth will sing any Sammy-era VH on the next tour.
Sure, it would have been great to include them all. It would be great if these guys got along to the point where that could have happened. Yes, it would have made the game better. I’m onboard with all of those sentiments.
But is anybody actually surprised by this? Really?
While I agree that the game experience would be better with all the players involved, I still don’t begrudge the current lineup handling it as it is. Hey, they don’t get along with Sam and Mike — and this is a project being handled by the current lineup. Why should they continue to bankroll members who have left and — by Mike’s own recent statements — are completely happy with their new band project? This is a business deal plain and simple. If it introduces classic Van Halen to a younger audience, then it’s a good move.
If you like it — buy it. If you don’t, that’s fine, too. I’m sure there will be some enraged fan who will start a “Boycott ‘Guitar Hero: Van Halen’ Club.” It won’t change anything.
Ask Sammy how many records he sold with Van Halen. He will always include the number of Roth albums that sold during the years Sammy was in VH. Band members will always look out for their current lineup at the expense of those who have left/been fired, etc.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Skutch, regular or super on the napkins? Let me know I’m on a beer run!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 11:57 am
scar, i’ll take a case of pacifico!
June 10th, 2009 at 11:59 am
to Aftershock - Great post. I agree 100%. Sure, in a PERFECT world, you’d have Michael, Sammy, (and maybe even Gary) in the game.
to everyone: How can any fan who follows VH & Chickenfoot honestly expect that there would be all the EX-members of the band to be included in the game? Really??
Yes, I would love it if Micheal was in it. But for obvious reasons he’s not. What are you gonna do about it? Go on the internet and complain & complain? LOL.
I don’t even play videos games (no time!) but that will change when this baby comes out!! I have two teenagers, and I know that they, and their friends, will LOVE this!
I will say right now that this game coming out will be THE single greatest thing that Van Halen has EVER done to introduce themselves to young people. This will get a LOT of kids interested in Van Halen, and guitar playing, in general.
And even though VH is obviously very popular, I’ve always thought that they were actually a very UNDERrated band. This will help the world wake up to how amazing their music is. Which is a very great thing!
June 10th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
What they really ought to do is take the whole GH series to a new level and add a management function. You could kick guys out of the band, bring in who you want and build your own version of VH.
Have a “true to life” history mode, where Dave bails, Sammy joins, Sammy bails, Gary joins, etc. and have a fantasy mode where you bring in who you want.
I wonder sometimes if Eddie feels anything for the music he wrote during Sammy’s years. When you have kids then get divorced, you still love the kids, right? It’s too bad they can’t come up with some way to play that music as well.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Here is the thing - if you don’t want to include Sammy and Mike, that’s fine. They are not in the band. But then just have the 2007-9 version of VH in the game. The stupid looking part is the classic look of the band with Wolfie in there! How retarded is that?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
van halen gives you video games, tenis shoes, over priced guitars and concerts, t-shirts, guitar equip. and sammy and mike give you kick ass rock and roll at a low price.
nuff said.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I waited since 1984 to see Dave and Eddie back together again! And all you guys do is cry about Mickey ! The only Van Halen fans I know that Enjoy Van Hagar Over Van Roth are chicks!!!! Long live Dave & Eddie!
June 10th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I might check the game out. My kids will probably love it. As for me I’ve been playing guitar for 27 years, but my kids kick my ass in guitar hero….it’s just too damn fast!!!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Of course I will get this game. I am rather unhappy that there will be no michael anthony (I really want a jack bass controller). I guess when you put wolf in 80’s gear he may kinda look like mike. This is a good example of history being re-written though. We can’t even have Mike in a game. I would not have been mad if MA was just an unlockable character for later. Let wolf be in the modern band. If you are going to play them in 80’s look, then MA should be there. Really does ruin the game’s authenticity. No one cares though. The game will be released as is and instead of pounding the bass and running around like a madman pointing at the crowd, the bass player will be standing in the back shyly plucking away. ( wish I could talk to Wolf and ask him how HE feels about all this. I’m sure he is just excited to start his career on one of the biggest tours of 07-08 then have a video game released with him in it, and the hopes of a top selling album next year. Without Michael Anthony, this isn’t much of a reunion. We have all been following VH for a long time, but this seems to be the most wrong era ever. More wrong than the short lived gary era. Anthony has earned his place in the band and in the bands history. He is as much a part of it as ed and al. Ed could not change the pictures of MA to wolfie on the album covers on the website, but he sure as hell can put wolf in the 80’s in a game and get by with it.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Surfsno2008,
Yes, Chickefoot gives us GREAT rock ‘n’ roll - that’s very true! And God Bless them for it.
And Van Halen has given us THE VERY BEST ROCK AND ROLL that we’ve ever heard! So what if they haven’t made an album in many years??? What, 10 masterpiece albums wasn’t enough? So your’e actually MAD at them? Think about it.
Some of you people are very odd. But you’re all cool ’cause you dig VH & CF…
June 10th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I tell ya if any of the members of the drama that is VH (including Gary) wants to make a mint, they should write a tell-all book. That’s something everyone would buy.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Yea! The babies got their VH news! So maybe they’ll get off their rag and take the skirt off and quit complaining about a band that…you know…releases new rock. But, hey, very adorable that whole Wolfgang-in-Dice-Shirt.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
End the anomosity Eddie. You are in your 50’s already and you still are holding a grudge to Michael Anthony.
Sammy Hagar fine.. it was a bad marriage. It is what it is.
I will always cherish your music with both Dave, Sammy and even Gary. But come on - fuckin’ grow up.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Aftershock: “Anybody who actually expected Michael Anthony or Sammy Hagar to be represented in this was blissfully naive. It’s the same people who still wonder if David Lee Roth will sing any Sammy-era VH on the next tour.”
That’s the funniest thing I’ve read all day. You rule.
Scar, BRING THE BIG SIZED NAPKINS. I got the footlongs, so we’ll need em!!
June 10th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Personally I don’t care who is represented in the game. You are supposed to be looking at the notes anyway.
The main thing is playability and content.
I have the Metallica version and actually only really like to play Metallica songs on it. The rest is just BS filler.
Why can’t they make the VH version with nothing but VH material regardless of what era. They have enough to make two or three games. There is some rocking tunes from the Hagar era that I would love to play on GH. “Summer Nights”, “Humans Being”, “Finish What You Started”, and “Poundcake” just to name a few. I also love the guitar intro to “Cabo Wabo”.
This is just another example of Ed thumbing his nose at Sammy and Mikey and trying to re-write VH history.
You notice how they love to throw the term “CLASSIC Van Halen” out there.
CLASSIC basically means something which is no longer available or will never be available again which pretty much describes their music career.
It’s over! The VH we all know and love is dead! All we have is memories and they are even trying to change those!
June 10th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Michael Anthony get’s screwed again..I love Van Halen but Ed needs to get off his high horse..he’s an A$$H$$$!..should have the ORIGINAL line up in this game..! Wolfgang should NOT be in this at all period….
June 10th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Blink 182 on a VH game!!!
Gimme a f*cking break!!
June 10th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
At this point I think all of us fans of Van Halen should take example by fans of Kiss: 2 new members in the band but with the original make up, I never heard many tragedies, at least here in Italy.
Mike has taken the decision not to play more with the brothers, though only in the studio 5150, in 2002, instead he started playing with Sammy, a former member of the VH.
I think Eddie had every right to look to other solutions.
It ‘easy to give him Eddie, but every musician who has been in the VH should give a bit of gratitude.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Rob5150 - No..Eddie was drunk off his ass most of the time…doing pretty much nothing after VH3…so..Mike didn’t want to sit on his ass anymore..Sammy was always playing..(Funny because ED told the world Sammy was lazy!) truth be told Ed wanted Mike out of the band years ago..(rumor has it it was Billy Sheehan…which in later interviews was confirmed by Billy himself…SO WTF..you can’t replace Mike’s voice which my friend is the backbone of VH’s sound with Dave or Sammy..Wolfgang is in the neighborhood but he’s not there! I’ve seen VH 20 times since 1980….fact is fact…Ed needs to wake the F$$$ up!
June 10th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
“Mike has taken the decision not to play more with the brothers, though only in the studio 5150, in 2002, instead he started playing with Sammy, a former member of the VH.
I think Eddie had every right to look to other solutions.”
1998 - Ed only permitted him to play on 3 tracks, and cut out the live bass solos on the III tour. Only AFTER this did Mike play with the Other Half - Ed ousted him!
The only fucking thing that bothers me about this game is that like the tour, they are missing out a collective 15 years of their history (more or less) by not including stuff from the Sammy era. Who doesn’t want to crank Poundcake? How fun would Pleasure Dome be with the full band? Its simply the fact that although I love Dave and the classic Van Halen, I also have gotta give love to Sammy. Those 4 albums were definately good releases.
I just wish everyone could stop being premaddonas and actually take the music seriously. I love Ed, but him and Alex seem to have their heads up their asses, and Sammy and Mike seem to be looking the other way. Just have a consensus about the band and sort it out, for the FANS!
June 10th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
frontman71,
You just agreed with Rob5150. “Mike didn’t want to sit on his ass anymore… Sam was playing”. So Mike LEFT Van Halen to play with Sam!!!!!
Mike was a high harmony of a 3 piece harmony, so no, he didn’t make the sound of Van Halen. Eddie did!!
Look up some articles from 1978, I’m sure you won’t find any that say’s ” AWESOME new band, back-up vocals have changed the way back-up vocals will be sung”!!!
“New inivator of back-up vocals”
“Back-up vocalists of the year award”
I like the new Chickenfoot album but if you listen to the back-up vocals you don’t hear Van Halen!!!!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Gee all this griping about no Sammy in the game. Should we all be up in arms that none of the members of Van Halen were given checks when he sold his Cabo Wabo tequila? Seriously if it wasn’t for the VH brothers for bringing Sammy into the band could he have ever sold his sub par tequila? Not to mention sell his company for millions!!! Lets not forget that before Hagar ever joined VH he was mildly important in rock and roll. So before you get all bent out of shape and playing the oh poor Sammy card think about all those folks he swindles out of money selling seats on the stage for his sing along Jimmy Buffett wanna be shows. Oh and he formed a new group and has some new music. I can’t wait to see what those record sales look like. Probably close to those other post VH record sales. I loved VH with Hagar, Roth, and Cherone (just him live, his song writing sucked), but Eddie is the main reason you listen to Van Halen. Kind of like watching the Lakers. Sure you may be a Laker’s fan, but if Kobe is hurt you may just check the boxscore rather than watch the game.
Give Wolfie a mullet and a goatie and you got your fill of avatar Mike. Its a frickin video game.
June 10th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
frontman71,I respect your opinion. Here in Italy to be a fan of rock n roll in general and in particular of Van Halen is hard because the music scene here sucks, so VHND thank you for the opportunity to exchange views with all of Van Halen fans around the world!
June 10th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Kimberly -I`m sure your a beautiful woman,so Here`s the “skinny” on why Musicians take offense:)
Playing an Instrument is considered a TRADE,
(a “skilled” proffesion).
“Trained Assasin”,-also a “skilled” proffesion,(w/slightly better pay:)
I used to swing drumsticks4a livin`& now i swing a hammer,
(seriously doubt there`ll be a game `bout the H-VAC proffesion-lol)
That`s the viewpoint,as a “retired gamer”myself,I get your
point,as a musician,I say-1st lesson`s on me babe;)
there`s also no such thing as a professional “video game player”in the real world.-That`s why we have schools.
OH,&to me Kimberely-YouWillNeverBeLame2ME;)
P.P.S.S.-Everybody/Anybody Can&Should Learn2Play,(real instruments,
the world would be better off,beleive me.nuff said.Peace
June 10th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
LAME
June 10th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Just heard a national rock radio voice pound eddie! He talked about this game and said it was blasphemous not to have mikey in it…stating wolfie wasn’t around for any of it… Bad bad move by the vh camp, but should it surprise anyone!? When leffler passed, the spirit of the vh machine died with him…
June 10th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
We have finally entered the Twilight Zone—>
this is such stupid shit-
June 10th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
what a slap in the FACE to NOT include one of the ORIGINAL BASS PLAYERS of the BAND. VERY SHALLOW EDDIE!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Why do I get the feeling that most people who are complaining about Mike not being in the game will end up buying the game and enjoying it immensely?
June 10th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
You guys should lead a campaign against Eddie’s stupid attitudes towards Mike and Sammy. This is ridiculous.
Everyone should boycott this game!!
June 10th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
ed leffler must be rolling in his grave over all this drama!
June 10th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Who the hell decided it was a good idea to put Wolfgang in there instead of Mike? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen. Unlock a classic 80’s style Wolfgang? Rediculous. These guys will do just about anything for the money, I guess.
June 10th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Don’t worry, folks … I understand Mike will be included in future editions of “Guitar Hero: Snake.”
All I know is I will never consider this new Van Halen game to be authentic unless you can unlock a Mark Stone avatar.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
I see both sides of the story. If ytour inducted in the RnR Hall of Fame you should be on the game. I grew up with Van Halen. I love every album. I just would like to see each member that played a part in my life.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Not only is Eddie an incredible guitarist and song writer, he apparantly designs video games too. Do any of you morons ever consider that the whole flashback to the 70s/80s Van Halen was Activisions idea and not Eddie Van Halen’s?
Of course Mike and Sam aren’t in the game - they aren’t in Van Halen any more! Does any one honestly think that Van Halen’s management is going to insist that former members are put in a game that in all reality is a promotional vehicle (and not to mention revenue stream)for the current band? Why should the management group who represents Ed, Alex, Dave and Wolfgang work to get a payday for Mike and Sammy? Just to keep the fanboys happy? Their job is to make money for their clients, and their clients aren’t Mike and Sammy! Anyone who thinks otherwise is naive and stupid. Yes, Wolfgang in the flashback clothes is ridiculous, but that is the game designers fault, not Eddies.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I somewhat agree with the rant of “Dirty Duck” telling us to grow up and quit complaining about no Michael Anthony. HOWEVER, Mike was a very important part of Van Halen all through their career and I do think that it is quite a slap in the face to not include Mike in this at all. This is not an “exclusion”, it’s a total “blocking”. All I can say is that it is sad to see. This latest example really takes the cake.
P.S. The new Chickenfoot CD is AWESOME!!!!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I only got into Rock Band in May. It’s fun! It’s too bad that there’s no Sammy songs, but maybe that will follow someday. I mean, Sammy, or no Sammy, Eddie’s going to make some dough of the deal somehow, so he can’t lose bringing out another version… right?
Skutch… I’ll bring the potato salad, but we’ll need some slaw too!
June 10th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
SD said “They even nailed Wolfgang. he looks perfect. Just like a male version of Valerie.”
Dude, that’s hilarious!!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
zzzzz
June 10th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
gay no van hagar me need mike
June 10th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
i’ve heard alot of people say how mike had a free ride with Van Halen but what about alex?and i have nothing against the kid but wolfie is riding on his dads coat tails pretty well too.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
has anyone here every played a GuitarHero or Rock Band game? you are too busy trying play the notes thats pouring on the screen than whats going on behind them! you dont really have a lot of time to watch the videos behind them.
who cares whos back there? they all look like The Sims anyway haha
June 11th, 2009 at 1:05 am
everybody knows classic van halen was the best.
Even sam repects that.
that being said they did make 10 great albums
1984 and 5150 being my favs.
sam is 100% better in a band then out of a band just like DLR.
its not the fact that i want mike or sam in the game its the way ed treats people. when sam left in 96 it was a massive blow- i got into smashing pumpkins and RAGE but they never filled my van halen fix. lets hope for new music half as good as classic era and everything may work itself out
and yes chickenfoot is killer. as for other bands out there only the who, black sabbath, and zeppelin can match the mighty classic van halen. i loved g’nr on their first disc too.
June 11th, 2009 at 2:32 am
Only 25 songs? What happened to the whole classic catalogue? By my count there are at least twice that many tunes. Sure, I want to play “Runnin With The Devil”, but what about “Little Guitars” maybe “Dirty Movies”, or other less famous songs? If “House of Pain” is omitted then that is just a crime. Don’t get me wrong - I will buy it and play it but they could really do better.
June 11th, 2009 at 4:25 am
Phillster- I totally understand where you are coming from! I’m a musician myself and for a long time I was so so offended by these games and all the new music out there that doesn’t actually qualify as “music”. But now that I actually tried the game it is really just fun..I would hope that it doesn’t push people to think that it is a substitute for an actual instrument! Cause that would just be sad! Lol, but yes I totally get what you are saying.
t1m- I would flip if they had Dirty Movies on there!! I lvoe that song and I would lvoe to see some Sinner’s Swing too.
June 11th, 2009 at 4:55 am
Just to make myself clear to people who say Mike is not in VH anymore and to stop whining about it:
I know and I accept that Wolf is part of VH now, so I understand his appearance in the game and that’s cool.
During the last live gigs he did a good job.
But back in the 80’s Mike WAS part of the band and you can’t change that.
If Neversoft spent so much time, research and effort to give VH the vintage 80’s look, then why not be accurate all the way and throw Mike in?
Again, no offence against Wolf, but I think this is a similar kick in Mike’s balls as when VH had had his images removed earlier from the album covers on their website.
And yes, Cliff Burton wasn’t in GH Metallica, but they chose to stick to their current looks throughout the whole game.
Then Burton’s appearance wouldn’t make any sense.
Frank, NL
June 11th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Maybe there’s a secret surprise in the game…
An extra special unlockable player: Ed’s Ego!!
No seriously, the could get one more Van Halen in the game: Jan Van Halen on the clarinet for Big Bad Bill.
That would be sweet!!
June 11th, 2009 at 5:36 am
You know, when Axl Rose was going to re-do “Welcome To The Jungle” by the “NEW” G’n'R, there was outrage. How the hell can you redo that classic without anyone else that Slash?
People were pissed at Axl.
But seriously… without Axl, what the hell is Guns N Roses? (Velvet Revolver, I guess… and that ain’t so bad, but I digress.)
The love/hate relationship people have with Axl, is the same feeling I have for Eddie.
Love what the guy brings to the table…
But I hate his table manners.
There’s no Van Halen without him, that’s true.
But he’s just one piece of the intricate puzzle.
All we need is love… Somebody get me a doctor…
June 11th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Meh. GH and RB are lame to begin with. I *play* guitar and I hang with mates who *play* their drums and bass. No need for pretend here.
June 11th, 2009 at 7:09 am
oops, posted this in the wrong place yesterday…
Eddie is doing what Gene Simmons did/is doing and what Evel Knievel did: marketing his brand. Merchandise = money. Big Fat Money. Gene made tons of additional cash from non-music product. Evel made tons selling toys, bikes, etc. And it takes time to get the guitars, t-shirts, video games, shoes, etc. to market, so not much time for new music. Some call this “selling out.” Some call it being a smart business man. You be the judge.
June 11th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Ed rules.
June 11th, 2009 at 7:24 am
…Van Halen rules…and this is why I play guitar!
June 11th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Chuck-
They have no more rights to the Cabo Wabo name, or the Cabo Cantina. Sammy bought them out of it years ago.
June 11th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Can someone please let me know if Alex Van Halen’s 1984 drumset is on there? Alex had some fantastic drumkit set ups. I love it how they’ve included his latest set up, and the detail is great.
June 11th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Myron Philpot…
Yeah… I used to feel the same way.
But you got to admit, it’s pretty cool watching a 17 year old kid banging his head to some of the old classics featured on said games.
It’s like the older, cooler brother they’re never going to have!
June 11th, 2009 at 10:29 am
103 posts over a video game. Time to vomit.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:58 am
TheREALChris wrote:
Chuck-
They have no more rights to the Cabo Wabo name, or the Cabo Cantina. Sammy bought them out of it years ago.
That’s a good reference point for this discussion. Could not the same thing be said of Mike? Didn’t he sell/give up certain rights to the VH logo, band, etc. for the 2004 tour? Was that right or fair? Probably not. But he did it. (As he said, he did it for the fans, and I don’t doubt that — and I appreciate it. But he did profit from participating.)
It’s kind of like Van Halen selling their shares in Cabo Wabo to Sammy. Granted, the place wasn’t doing all that well business wise when they all owned it. But did Sammy trick them into selling, knowing he could turn it around, or was it just a shrewd business move on his part because the others couldn’t see the vision of what it could become?
Either way — Van Halen has no claim on Cabo Wabo. Sammy and Mike are no longer in VH, so current business deals are not going to be made to benefit them. Sad, yes. But understandable.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Aftershock-
Makes sense to me! I still think that Sammy and Mike should have been super-secret-perhaps-cheat-enabled unlockables with a couple Van Hagar tunes tossed in, but you’re right; the current legalities of the business just wouldn’t allow it.
June 11th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Its gonna be like this in any game.
Lets do some hypothetics:
Van Halen: Misses out Sammy & Mike (and Gary)
KISS: Misses out Frehley and the original drummer
Metallica: Misses out Newstead and Burton
Megadeath: Misses out the trillion of previous players
Deep Purple: Misses out Ritchie Blackmoore
Led Zeppelin: Misses out John Bonham
Chill Peppers: Misses out Hillel Slovak/Jack Irons
Black Sabbath: Misses out Dio & other previous members
AC/DC: Missed out Bon Scott on the Rock Band version
Queen: Would probably miss out Freddie
Lynard Skynard: Misses out Ronnie Van Zant
You get the idea? Like others have said its a marketing ploy by (mainly) the games companies and the mangers - they have to promote and show the current band, no matter what problems people have with it. I’m not suggesting all these bands will have games, i’m just being hypothetical. Hopefully some Van Hagar will make its way onto Rock Band and Guitar Hero one day.
June 11th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Rich-
Yeah, but some of those guys…with all due respect of course…are dead!! If they ever had Led Zep, they would have to use a John Bonham avatar. They’d HAVE to!!
June 11th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Vanicionado, yeah, I know what you mean. Seein’ the young punks at Best Crime hammerin’ away furiously on the demo controller is both inspiring and humorous.
The best experience I’ve had with Guitar Hero was with my friend’s 10 year old. After getting the game for his birthday and playing for about a week, he stated repeatedly that he needed a “real” guitar. Now he’s taking lessons and happily strumming his new Harmony acoustic. The game was promptly sold at a second hand gamer store to pay for the “real” axe.
June 11th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Yeah, I know. Freddie and Bonham would have to be included, but the point is its just marketing for the band. Positive marketing, I suppose.
I don’t have a problem with Classic VH, its great they’ve got the renunion. Just wish there was also a way to just tip their hats to those 11 years, 4 albums with Sammy. Ah well.
June 11th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
After seeing the trailer for GH:VH - it looked great and I’m really looking forward to this game. The only thing that irk’s me was the inclusion of DJ Shadow playing (wtf?). Having some VH music playing would have made more sense (and impact).
June 11th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
anybody thinking we’re “missing out” by not having CHERONE songs needs to have their head checked. Anybody who still owns that albums loses all credibility.
June 11th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Hey Stew,
Michael is not just another Bass player…he’s an intregal part of VH and their sound. Wolfgang has no business or place being a part of this, bearing the name or not.
Eddie, how can you not include Mikey…? What a damn joke and those of you waiting for new music…it’s gonna be crap anyway! Eds to busy eating at buffets with Wolfie instead of working on stuff for the fans…How about the EVH Grill…that’s a great idea Ed…you can make money with that.
As for me I’ll Pass on the VH GH…I’m holding out for GH:Chickenfoot!!! “Oh Yeah” !!!!
BTW SKUTCH, Ed’s writing on the VHIII album is very inspired anyone who talks outta their ass loses all credibility
So i will respectfully pass of the VH GH… and patiently wait for the Chickenfoot GH
June 12th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I find it funny how “Frankie” in the game is just an EVH Wolfgang with a natural finish headstock and Frankenstein finish and hardware.
This game is going to be good. I’m awaiting the full VH setlist, I couldn’t really care for the other songs setlist, since it will be mostly more recent bands.
June 13th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Never understood all the shit behind VH3. “Its not normal Van Halen” - what, so you hate change? God forbid anything new from Van Halen sounds different. So you’d prefer them to have a reputation the same as AC/DC? - Every album sounds the same? Hmm. Didn’t think so.