RedOctane’s Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero II have become two of the must-have titles for PlayStation 2 this Christmas.  They’ve revitalized an otherwise old and decrepit system, saving Sony from a completely miserable holiday season (in light of the PS3’s troubled launch).  However, those games – which combine a well-designed guitar-like peripheral with rhythm-based gameplay – are no longer the only products that give not-so-musically gifted consumers the chance to “rock out”.  A new kid appears to be on the block (and we in no way mean the New Kids on the Block ever rocked), and it offers users the ability to play along with their favorite iPod tunes.

Head to Head Comparison

MiJam Guitar

iPod MP3 music + slick white guitar

Blending music, creating unique rhythms

Guitar Hero (I and II)

Dated game technology + flaming red and black guitar

On-screen rock-outs, greats colors, graphics

First of all, MiJam looks cool.  Few real guitars actually look this good; the sleek, ivory exterior simply screams ROCK.

How does it work?  MiJam can actually be used with any MP3 player, as well as stereos and PCs.  You can play it alone or with accompanying music, and offers a number of controls, including volume, pitch, and tempo.  Like Guitar Hero, the device has a “strum bar” that gives the user the ability to add their own unique touch to each song.  In addition, there are four sound types that can be selected, including heavy metal, rock, blues, and bass.

That’s all the PR business.  In reality, we’re not sure how this is going to work.  Part of Guitar Hero’s appeal is seeing your actions manifested in cool on-screen visuals.  MiJam only appears to tinker with your tunes by adding guitar sound effects.  Hmm.  Could a gnarly guitar solo spice up Michael Bolton’s “When a Man Loves a Woman?” Methinks, yes!