Stage Tour
The original Guitar Hero studio is back. RedOctane Games' new rhythm game hits PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2 and PC on December 10, 2026 — 90+ licensed songs, 180+ Gibson guitars, plastic instrument bundles. If you ever owned a plastic Les Paul, this is the one you've been waiting on for fifteen years.
What is Stage Tour?
Stage Tour is the first new rhythm game from RedOctane Games — the same studio that created Guitar Hero back in 2005. They went quiet after the GH franchise sunset, came back at gamescom 2026 with this, and the rhythm-game internet has been paying attention ever since. The hook is the same one that made Guitar Hero work: real licensed songs, a real plastic guitar in your hands, and a track that scrolls down the screen as you hit the notes.
What's new in 2026: a roguelite Tour Mode, online PvP and shared-screen co-op, full DualSense haptics on PS5, and a much bigger launch setlist than the original GH ever had on day one. The launch tracks span six decades — Metallica, The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Olivia Rodrigo, blink-182, Paramore, Slipknot, Muse and more.
How it plays
- Five instruments, your choice. Lead Guitar, Groove Guitar/Bass, Drums (with Expert+ difficulty), Vocals, or just PC keyboard and gamepad if you'd rather not buy the hardware.
- 4-Lane and 5-Lane Arcade Mode. The 5-lane setup is the Guitar Hero classic; 4-lane is a faster, denser chart for the people who wanted Rock Band's more frantic feel.
- Four difficulty tiers. Easy, Medium, Hard, Expert — with Expert+ on drums if you're serious about the kit.
- Tour Mode (new). Roguelite run where you build a band, pick songs, and chase unlocks across a tour. It's the single-player hook and probably what most non-multiplayer players will live in.
- Online PvP and shared-screen co-op. Both online and split-screen on the same console. Full DualSense support on PS5 for the rumble-curious.
Release date, platforms, and price
Stage Tour launches on December 10, 2026. Confirmed at gamescom 2026 on August 25. Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store). The launch window was first hinted at earlier in 2026 and then nailed down to December 10 — there's no slipping-the-date rumor so far.
No final software price has been announced as of writing. Hardware bundles — the actual plastic guitar — are already up for pre-order through the official site. The bundles are the main reason to pre-order early: if you want a Stage Tour-branded Les Paul controller in your hands on day one, the first production run is the one to be in. Steam price will be revealed closer to launch.
Software price not yet announced. Wishlist on Steam for the day-one notification. Hardware bundles (plastic guitars + game) available now at stagetour.com.
The setlist at launch
90+ officially licensed tracks, six decades of music. Confirmed names on the launch roster include Metallica, The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Olivia Rodrigo, blink-182, Paramore, Slipknot and Muse — that's a strong base for day one. More tracks are expected to be added in the months between now and the December 10 launch, and RedOctane has hinted that ongoing DLC packs will follow the same model Guitar Hero used (small themed drops every few weeks). The full setlist page lives here.
Quick facts & FAQ
- When does it come out? December 10, 2026 — confirmed at gamescom 2026.
- What platforms? PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Steam, Epic Games Store).
- Who makes it? RedOctane Games. The same studio name as the original Guitar Hero developer.
- What controllers work? Plastic Stage Tour guitars and drums (sold separately, hardware bundles available), any PC keyboard, DualSense, Xbox, or generic gamepad. Full DualSense haptics on PS5.
- Is there multiplayer? Yes. Online PvP, online co-op, and split-screen co-op on the same console.
- How many songs at launch? 90+ officially licensed tracks, with more via post-launch DLC.
- Is it the same as Guitar Hero? Spiritually, yes. Same studio, same plastic-instrument DNA. Mechanically it adds the roguelite Tour Mode, 5-lane charts, and online PvP on day one.
- How much is the software? Not announced yet. Hardware bundles are already up for pre-order at stagetour.com.
- What languages are supported? English, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain and Latin America), Brazilian Portuguese at launch.
Worth pre-ordering if
- You owned an original Guitar Hero controller and you still have muscle memory for it
- You want a rhythm game with a real setlist on day one (90+ licensed tracks, not 25 and a "more to come")
- You care about the plastic-instrument experience — the Stage Tour bundles are the real pitch
Wait if you only play rhythm games on PC with a keyboard, or if you've drifted away from the genre since 2010 and aren't sure you want to come back. Also worth noting: the software price is still TBA, so there's no downside to wishlisting instead of pre-ordering the digital version until the price drops.