Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but I bet people in the game industry don't feel that way. For every top-tier game in any genre, four dozen clones are made in the hopes of cashing in on the latest or greatest. Case in point, the popularity with the "rock" style games, Guitar Hero and Rock Band, we have already seen a slew of low-efficiency, poorly made, after-market accessories for the big-console titles. Shoddy guitars and drum peripherals that literally explode after use. So, it was only a matter of time before the well-received and profit-making guitar hero (on the DS) began making clones.

And in all fairness, Guitar Rock Tour does do a few things new to the genre (at least on the DS) but sadly, none of them really make you want to jump up and rock. For starters, the game only has 15 tracks on it; now in reality, this is as many songs as there is on some greatest hits CDs or even some albums. Fifteen tracks is not enough to quantify the price tag, and I realize that this title is value priced at $19.99 now, but still, 15 tracks in today's day and age is too few. Guitar Hero on Tour by comparison has 28 songs, almost double.

 
"Here I am, rock you like a gentle breeze!"

So instead of using an attachment to help play the guitar, players use their stylus to tap the notes coming down the pipe in a very similar fashion. When multiple notes come, you can strum quickly to tag them all before they disappear. Now this isn't a horrible way to play the game and, in fact, passes muster for not having an attachment (I tried using the Guitar Hero adapter, no dice) but having had played the other guitar games on the DS, this just doesn't feel right. It would have almost worked better if the strings went left to right on the bottom screen and you tapped the right side of the screen. But as it is, it does work, but your hand ends up covering up the screen as you play, which is somewhat disturbing.

Now I said that the game actually does something different, and in this case actually has drums to play throughout the songs as well. It is much more simplistic then the guitar, featuring two drums and two cymbals, making it an unofficial drum set (no tom) and over complicating things by forcing you to hit two parts of the drum kit to create an entirely different sound. Yes, while it was cool to have a drum kit in the game, the implementation and over thinking of it all, takes away from it greatly. Yes you use the stylus, but the face buttons are used as well, its too clunky for its own good, I had hoped for more.

 
"Its time for a beat down."

Graphically the game seems to be in the realm of the other guitar games, only not as sharp. Band players rock along on the top screen, which you won't even see because of the nature of the game and the concentration required. There is the normal selection of characters; well, only five but there is the rock chick, the heavy metal dude ... you know the drill. You can play as any of them if you choose career but if you quick play it, you are defaulted to the rocker gal. She looks like she may be fun for a night out playing pool and picking fights.

The music in these games is paramount and unfortunately these are all cover versions of more popular tunes. Some sound passable, others laughable, the collection is mostly songs featured in other, better games of this genre. I am a die-hard rock fan since my youth but these cover tracks are just not going to do it. If you expect to get some mileage out of your title, even if it is a copycat, you need the original artists, it just lends credibility to the whole thing.

The only multiplayer that is in effect is only if you have two copies of the game. This is sad because I think this would have been at least a little redeeming if you could download play to other DSs and have one on the guitar and one on the drums. By not featuring this sort of play, the developers crippled themselves and the game's potentially strongest feature, having a mini band on the go. At least if they had done this it would have made up the distance on the small track list.

Gameplay: 6.1
The setup for the guitar is Ok, somewhat confounding, drums are better and worse at the same time.

Graphics: 6.5
The rendered band above is somewhat choppy and cheap looking, the notes are easily visible but also are too similar of colors.

Sound: 6.0
Songs in this venue that have already been featured in other games need to at least be done by the original artists.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 5.0
Been there, done that.

Multiplayer: Unavailable at this time

Overall: 5.8
The game is a shadow of its more popular cousins. If you have an itch to rock out on your DS, then I think you know which way to go.