The Big Question Everyone Asks
If you own a PlayStation 5, you might be wondering: Can I play Guitar Hero on PS5? It’s a fair question. The Guitar Hero series was one of the most fun party games back in the 2000s. People loved grabbing the plastic guitar, strumming along, and feeling like a rock star in their living room.
But now it’s 2025, and the PS5 has been around for a few years. Players want to know if this classic music game is still alive. Can you still plug in your old guitar and rock out? Or has Guitar Hero disappeared for good? Let’s take a closer look.
The Current Situation on PS5
Right now, there isn’t a brand-new Guitar Hero PS5 game. You won’t find it in the PlayStation Store or on a shiny new disc at the shop. The last official release was Guitar Hero Live for the PS4, which came out years ago.
The good news is that the PS5 can play many PS4 games. This means you can still pop in Guitar Hero Live and get it running on your PS5. But here’s the catch: a lot of the game’s online parts are gone. The live servers shut down, which means a big chunk of songs and features are no longer available. You can still enjoy some of the offline modes, but it’s not the full experience that players once had.
Controllers and Compatibility
Another big question is about the guitar controllers. Do they work on PS5? The answer is tricky. The PS5 DualSense controller is not made for Guitar Hero. You really need the guitar-shaped controller to get that full rock star feeling.
Some players have found ways to connect their old Guitar Hero guitars to the PS5, but it isn’t always smooth. Sometimes you need special adapters or dongles. Other times, certain guitars just won’t work. This can be frustrating if you’re hoping to dust off your old gear and start playing right away.
The Rise of Alternatives
Since the Guitar Hero PS5 dream isn’t fully real yet, many fans turn to other options. A popular choice is Rock Band 4, which still works on PS5 through backward compatibility. The Rock Band guitars are easier to find, and the game has a big library of songs.
Another option is Clone Hero, a fan-made version you can play on PC. It lets you use old guitar controllers and download huge song libraries created by the community. While it’s not on PS5, it’s a favorite for players who want that classic Guitar Hero feeling with even more music to choose from.
A Spark of Hope for the Future
Here’s where things get exciting. In 2025, the original Guitar Hero publisher, RedOctane, made a comeback. They’re working on a brand-new rhythm game. This isn’t officially called Guitar Hero, and they’ve made it clear it’s not a simple reboot. But fans noticed something important: in their early promo video, they showed a new Gibson Les Paul guitar controller.
That’s a big clue. It suggests guitars are making a return. While the new game isn’t named Guitar Hero PS5, it could bring back that same feeling — strumming along, hitting notes, and rocking out with friends. For fans, that’s a huge reason to stay hopeful.
Why Old Guitar Hero Games Are Hard to Bring Back
Many fans ask, “Why can’t they just remake the old Guitar Hero games for PS5?” The simple answer is music rights. Every song in Guitar Hero was licensed, which means the game makers had to pay for permission to use it. These licenses often expire after a few years.
When the rights run out, the songs can’t legally be sold again without making new deals. That’s why old games like Guitar Hero 3 or World Tour haven’t come back on the PS5 store. It’s not that people don’t want them. It’s just very expensive and complicated to bring all those songs back.
What Fans Are Doing in the Meantime
Since the dream of a full Guitar Hero PS5 game isn’t here yet, players are getting creative. Some search eBay for old guitars and copies of the older games. Others move to PC and play Clone Hero, which lets them enjoy fan-made versions of classic songs.
There’s also a big community online. On Reddit and Discord, fans share tips on how to connect old guitars to newer systems. Some even build custom adapters or create new songs themselves. It shows that even though the official series has slowed down, the love for Guitar Hero is still very strong.
The Future Looks Bright
With RedOctane back in the picture, fans are more hopeful than they have been in years. The fact that they showed a guitar controller in 2025 feels like a clear signal. They may not call their next project Guitar Hero PS5, but the spirit of Guitar Hero seems to be alive in what they’re building.
Imagine this: a new rhythm game on your PS5, with fresh songs, fun gameplay, and maybe even support for modern guitar controllers. It might not be the exact Guitar Hero you remember, but it could capture the same energy — the same living room concerts with friends, the same feeling of being on stage without ever leaving home.
Final Thoughts
So, can you play Guitar Hero PS5 right now? The short answer is no, not in the way fans might hope. You can still play Guitar Hero Live from the PS4 on your PS5, but it’s limited. You can also explore Rock Band or fan-made options like Clone Hero.
The bigger story, though, is that music games are not gone. RedOctane’s return gives fans hope that something new and exciting is on the way. It might not wear the old Guitar Hero name, but it could bring back the same joy and excitement.
If you love music games, keep your guitars close. The future of rhythm games on PS5 is just starting to warm up, and the next big thing might be closer than we think.
