Stage Tour Preview: Guitar Hero & Rock Band For A New Generation
Stage Tour marks the return of mainstream music rhythm gaming, reviving a genre that hasn’t seen a major release since Guitar Hero and Rock Band dominated the gaming landscape. The game invites players to stand in front of their television and rock out with plastic controllers—guitars, drums, and microphones—recreating the iconic experience that defined gaming culture for an entire generation.
RedOctane is spearheading this revival with Stage Tour’s 2026 release, announced with a trailer at Opening Night Live 2026. The game features a curated soundtrack of licensed songs from renowned rock and metal artists, with the full tracklist being gradually revealed leading up to launch.
For veterans of music games, Stage Tour promises to recapture the thrills of attempting challenging songs at maximum difficulty. For Gen Z players discovering the genre for the first time, it offers an entry point into what made these games cultural phenomena before streaming and social media transformed gaming entertainment. The game represents both a nostalgia play for longtime fans and an opportunity to introduce a new generation to the plastic controller experience that once captivated millions.