Improved Rock Band instruments is great, but they don't really seem to hold a candle to the new Guitar Hero gear. For one, not only is the new Guitar Hero controller better made, but it is now "full sized". It is much bigger than the toy-like wireless Gibson, which looks like a ukelele when slapped against my immense torso. The new GH guitar also has innovative solo buttons, but unlike the Rock Band buttons, these are touch sensitive and have a much different feel. It almost feels like you're finger-tapping a real guitar (without all the pain), but it is very easy to lose your finger placement (and your fingers need to be spread out slightly farther than when holding the fret buttons). Switching back and forth between the touch slider and the fret buttons will undoubtedly make you miss a few notes while getting your bearings.

The GH Drums are also improved over Rock Band. Instead of four Toms and a foot pedal, these drums have three toms, two cymbals and a foot pedal (that's SIX controls!). Playing drums feels a lot more like the real thing than playing guitar or bass, but these new drums somehow feel more authentic. The cymbals spring back a little better, and all of the pads are touch sensitive.