http://wii.ign.com/articles/102/1020647p2.html

Closing Comments
Guitar Hero 5 on Wii isn’t a must-own game because of one standout feature or option; it’s the total package through and through. True, some gamers – myself included, to a certain extent – are getting tired of the GH formula after three years and an astounding nine games, but if you’re still down to rock on Wii there’s no better game on the system than Guitar Hero 5. The list of advancements is seemingly never-ending, including better audio quality, better visuals, always online connectivity, no friend codes, first support of high capacity SD cards (up to 32 gigs) on Wii, full album and track packs, reworked, superior online, a new GH Tunes editor, upgraded Mii Freestyle with WiiConnect24 sharing, career mode with a new challenge system, local multiplayer battles with free- for-all and team play – don’t worry, we’re almost at the end here – the new party play mode, reworked fixes based on user feedback from World Tour including band moments and band member saving, and the dominant, must-play Roadie Battle on Wii. Yeah, that’s one hell of a run-on sentence, and if you think reading it took forever playing through all of it is going to dominate your life. The soundtrack has a few misses in there – some songs are just too easy and belong on Band Hero – but for the most part you’ve got a list that’s a more than impressive value. Add in the ability to import music from World Tour and Smash Hits, as well as DLC carryover for the first time in a Guitar Hero game and you’ve got a package that’s well worth every cent you’ll pay. It’s a technical achievement on Wii, it’s a dominatingly deep music game, and there’s more to see and do on Nintendo’s system than any other version out there. Proof once more that when it comes to Nintendo third party developers, Vicarious Visions is in a league all its own.

Rating	Description
out of 10	click here for ratings guide
9.0	Presentation The in-song interface is much improved, and there are more modes on Wii than 360/PS3. SD HC and no friend codes rocks.
8.5	Graphics The visual style could use a reboot, but the graphical tech is impressive. Stronger lighting, better mo-cap, but the same gritty, forced rocker look is there.
9.0	Sound The Wii version’s audio quality has been upped, and that’ll carry over to all DLC both new and old. GH Tunes has seen massive improvements as well. Even DS audio rocks in Roadie Battle.
9.0	Gameplay Guitar Hero’s core formula may be getting stale, but the amount of new modes, options, and improvements makes for a great game. It’s massive, and a blast to play.
10	Lasting Appeal Online, Wii-exclusive Mii Freestyle and Roadie Battle, improved online, stronger DLC, new competitive modes, better GH Tunes, DS connectivity, and more. Wow. Just wow.
9.3 Outstanding	OVERALL (out of 10 / not an average)

Sounds like the definitive Guitar Hero experience on Wii.

But is that enough to actually matter?

I had to take 2 painkillers after playing all day.
I haven't had this much fun in a game in a while.
Much better then World Tour, for sure.

"That's all well and good, but it wouldn't mean squat if it wasn't a good game. Thankfully GH5 is more than a "good game." During my review time with the game I spent well over two hours playing the new party play mode (which is accessed off the title screen by simply hitting the yellow fret and just playing) with friends and never even got into the main guts of the game during some play sessions. You jump in, can switch parts and difficulty on the fly, and it's amazingly easy to toss the controller over to other people and just pull them right on in. Since there's no fail mode there's no barrier to entry, and all songs are unlocked right away, which is nice. In addition, pausing the game only pauses for one person, and keeps that instrument track going while they're away, hence our new name for the pause button in party play: the beer button. Put the controller down for a second and you won't fail, but it'll sound like crap. Hit the ol' beer button though and it goes into autoplay and you can come back when ready. It's a beautiful thing. After a few hours with a group of gamers someone remarked that the game was a must-buy for their family. My response? "You know we're still just on the title screen, right?""

Favorite part of the review.

yeah it's an outstanding review, i just read it! didnt expect it thats for sure

I wish I was more into these types of games. But damn if that list of improvements did not make my mouth drop!

Looks like the Wii version will be the version of choice. Nice to see such effort to make so many improvements.

Wait. You mean the Wii version is superior to the other 2?

Judging form the IGN review, it sure seems so.

btw. DS connectivity sounds like a killer feature.

looks like the best version but if it is an iffy 200 dollars than no...I don't even want to spend another 100 dollars on a game when there are so many other great games....

I hope one of the older rock band or GH gets less expensive for say the price of 50 dollars cause the drum bundle is already dropped to 99....

How exactly is the DS connectivity?

Need GH DS?